Where Is the Line
Encyclopedia
"Where Is the Line" is a song by Icelandic artist Björk
, taken from the 2004 album Medúlla
. The track was originally intended to be released as the albums third commercial single (following Who Is It and Triumph of a Heart
. Oceania
was never released commercially), but the release of the single was cancelled just before Björk released the Drawing Restraint 9
soundtrack, in order to focus all promotional efforts on the film and soundtrack instead. The proposed release date was believed to have been July 2005. Unconfirmed tracklists have since surfaced, as well as suspected artwork (amongst unofficial art by fans and various online stores own art to advertise the digital and vinyl release of the various remixes that were featured on the white label 12" vinyls) though all remain unconfirmed. A promotional music video
for the song was made by Icelandic Artist Gabríela Friðriksdóttir
. Upon the cancellation of the single, the video was used as part of a video installation project by Friðriksdóttir.
The track is included on a compilation album released by Rough Trade
, titled "The Record Shop - 30 Years Of Rough Trade Shops". The track was chosen by Richard Russell. A remix by Mike Patton
of the band Fantômas
(who contributed to the original album track) was made available for download on War Child Music in April 2005., and also appeared on a previous White label 12", as the B-side to the Vitalic
remix of Who Is It. Both remixes were suspected to be included with the commercial release of Where Is The Line.
album on which it exists. It is quite a dark song in which Björk
attacks a younger relative for being greedy and unreliable. She has also said that on this one the vocals of beatboxer Rahzel
are edited all the way, because she felt that with Rahzel, she needed to try out both the extremes. The other extreme being "Who Is It" which features Rahzel doing a one-take beatbox, creating a less-brooding arrangement.
The greatest hits tour version of "Where is the Line" varies in regards to its string arrangements. Due to its release prior to Medúlla, Björk arranged the song using the prominent strings to create a more Middle-Eastern feel to the orchestration. On the Volta tour, however, the song is dominated by heavy electronic beats and a synthesized organ, creating a much more Western sound.
for "Where Is the Line" was directed by Icelandic artist Gabríela Friðriksdóttir
and shot in late 2004. Originally being one of three films from Gabriela's "Tetralogia", then edited to fit "Where Is The Line". It shows Björk wearing a dress made of sandbags and standing in a barn full of hay. She gives birth to a convulsing person (dancer Erna Ómarsdóttir) covered in white ooze that is presumably made to represent Vernix caseosa
. After a series of explosions, a number of creatures made of hay emerge from the hay stacks. They surround her and cover her with their bodies on the ground until she is no longer visible.
and Heinz Sauer on their album Certain Beauty, under the title "Where is the Line (With You)"
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
, taken from the 2004 album Medúlla
Medúlla
Medúlla is the sixth studio album by Icelandic singer, songwriter, and musician Björk, released on August 30, 2004 by Warner Bros. Records and One Little Indian. The title derives from the Latin word for "marrow". The album is almost entirely a cappella and constructed with human vocals...
. The track was originally intended to be released as the albums third commercial single (following Who Is It and Triumph of a Heart
Triumph of a Heart
"Triumph of a Heart" was the third single from Björk's album Medúlla. The hip-hop-influenced song features beatboxer Rahzel from The Roots, Gregory Purnhagen, and Japanese beatboxer, Dokaka....
. Oceania
Oceania (song)
"Oceania" is a song by Icelandic singer Björk. It was formerly planned to be the first single release from Björk's Medúlla album. Later it was just released as a promo. It was written for the 2004 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony, where she performed immediately following the Parade of Nations...
was never released commercially), but the release of the single was cancelled just before Björk released the Drawing Restraint 9
Drawing Restraint 9
Drawing Restraint 9 is a project by visual artist Matthew Barney consisting of a feature length 35mm film, large-scale sculptures, photographs, drawings, and books. The Drawing Restraint series consists of 16 numbered components and related materials. Some episodes are videos, others sculptural...
soundtrack, in order to focus all promotional efforts on the film and soundtrack instead. The proposed release date was believed to have been July 2005. Unconfirmed tracklists have since surfaced, as well as suspected artwork (amongst unofficial art by fans and various online stores own art to advertise the digital and vinyl release of the various remixes that were featured on the white label 12" vinyls) though all remain unconfirmed. A promotional music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for the song was made by Icelandic Artist Gabríela Friðriksdóttir
Gabríela Friðriksdóttir
Gabríela Friðriksdóttir is an Icelandic artist and sculptor.Outside of her contributions in the art world, she is known for her collaboration with the Icelandic musician and superstar Björk. The two have collaborated on Björk's 2002 CD box set Family Tree and on the 2005 video for Björk's song...
. Upon the cancellation of the single, the video was used as part of a video installation project by Friðriksdóttir.
The track is included on a compilation album released by Rough Trade
Rough Trade Records
Rough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
, titled "The Record Shop - 30 Years Of Rough Trade Shops". The track was chosen by Richard Russell. A remix by Mike Patton
Mike Patton
Michael Allan "Mike" Patton is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and actor, best known as the lead singer of the metal/experimental rock band Faith No More. He has also sung for Mr...
of the band Fantômas
Fantômas (band)
Fantômas is an avant-garde metal supergroup formed in 1998 in California, United States. The band is named after Fantômas, a supervillain featured in a series of crime novels popular in France before World War I and in film, most notably in the 60s French movie series.-History:Fantômas began just...
(who contributed to the original album track) was made available for download on War Child Music in April 2005., and also appeared on a previous White label 12", as the B-side to the Vitalic
Vitalic
Vitalic is an electronic music artist. He was born in France and is of Spanish and Italian descent.-History:His first singles were released in 1996 and 1997, but were confined to the underground electronic music scene...
remix of Who Is It. Both remixes were suspected to be included with the commercial release of Where Is The Line.
Structure
The song is made up of vocals, as with the majority of the MedúllaMedúlla
Medúlla is the sixth studio album by Icelandic singer, songwriter, and musician Björk, released on August 30, 2004 by Warner Bros. Records and One Little Indian. The title derives from the Latin word for "marrow". The album is almost entirely a cappella and constructed with human vocals...
album on which it exists. It is quite a dark song in which Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
attacks a younger relative for being greedy and unreliable. She has also said that on this one the vocals of beatboxer Rahzel
Rahzel
Rahzel M. Brown, also known as simply Rahzel, is an American musician and virtuoso beatboxer, formerly a member of The Roots.Nicknamed the "Godfather of Noyze," Rahzel is known for an ability to sing or rap while simultaneously beatboxing, as evidenced in his performances of "Iron Man" and his...
are edited all the way, because she felt that with Rahzel, she needed to try out both the extremes. The other extreme being "Who Is It" which features Rahzel doing a one-take beatbox, creating a less-brooding arrangement.
The greatest hits tour version of "Where is the Line" varies in regards to its string arrangements. Due to its release prior to Medúlla, Björk arranged the song using the prominent strings to create a more Middle-Eastern feel to the orchestration. On the Volta tour, however, the song is dominated by heavy electronic beats and a synthesized organ, creating a much more Western sound.
UK CD2 (Release Cancelled)
- Where Is The Line (MatmosMatmosMatmos is an experimental electronic music duo originally from San Francisco but now residing in Baltimore signed to the Matador Records label. M. C. Schmidt and Drew Daniel are the core members, but they frequently include other artists on their records and in their performances, including...
Rubber Band Remix) - Where Is The Line (Soft Pink Truth Glowstick Museum Mix)
- Where Is The Line (FantômasFantômas (band)Fantômas is an avant-garde metal supergroup formed in 1998 in California, United States. The band is named after Fantômas, a supervillain featured in a series of crime novels popular in France before World War I and in film, most notably in the 60s French movie series.-History:Fantômas began just...
Remix)
UK DVD (Release Cancelled)
- Where Is The Line (Video)
- Where Is The Line (MatmosMatmosMatmos is an experimental electronic music duo originally from San Francisco but now residing in Baltimore signed to the Matador Records label. M. C. Schmidt and Drew Daniel are the core members, but they frequently include other artists on their records and in their performances, including...
Rubber Band Remix) - Where Is The Line (Soft Pink Truth Glowstick Museum Mix)
UK White label 12"
- Where Is The Line (MatmosMatmosMatmos is an experimental electronic music duo originally from San Francisco but now residing in Baltimore signed to the Matador Records label. M. C. Schmidt and Drew Daniel are the core members, but they frequently include other artists on their records and in their performances, including...
Rubber Band Remix) - Where Is The Line (Soft Pink Truth Glowstick Museum Mix)
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "Where Is the Line" was directed by Icelandic artist Gabríela Friðriksdóttir
Gabríela Friðriksdóttir
Gabríela Friðriksdóttir is an Icelandic artist and sculptor.Outside of her contributions in the art world, she is known for her collaboration with the Icelandic musician and superstar Björk. The two have collaborated on Björk's 2002 CD box set Family Tree and on the 2005 video for Björk's song...
and shot in late 2004. Originally being one of three films from Gabriela's "Tetralogia", then edited to fit "Where Is The Line". It shows Björk wearing a dress made of sandbags and standing in a barn full of hay. She gives birth to a convulsing person (dancer Erna Ómarsdóttir) covered in white ooze that is presumably made to represent Vernix caseosa
Vernix caseosa
Vernix caseosa, also known as vernix, is the waxy or cheese-like white substance found coating the skin of newborn human babies.-Composition:...
. After a series of explosions, a number of creatures made of hay emerge from the hay stacks. They surround her and cover her with their bodies on the ground until she is no longer visible.
Cover Versions
The track was covered by Michael WollnyMichael Wollny
Michael Wollny is a German jazz pianist.- Selected discography :*Wollny / Kriener / Leyh: CDNR3 *Heinz Sauer / Michael Wollny: Melancholia *Young Friends: Great German Song Book...
and Heinz Sauer on their album Certain Beauty, under the title "Where is the Line (With You)"