Alarm Call
Encyclopedia
"Alarm Call" is a song by Björk
released as the fourth single from her third studio album Homogenic
, peaking at #33 in the UK.
as it was originally labelled "Jacko" on the Homogenic demo tape. Björk explained "I think that music has the power to change the things, and that's what I wanted to show on Alarm Call". The song breaks with the aesthetic of the album of strings and volcanic beats and gives the song a little more relaxed, poppy and hip-hop tone.
It is the only single from Homogenic that was not included on Greatest Hits
.
for "Alarm Call" was going to be directed by Paul White, who also directed the "Hunter
" video, but the idea was scrapped by Björk and a second video was directed by fashion designer Alexander McQueen
and recorded at the Asylum Studios. It features Björk floating on a raft on a river in a jungle and her scenes are intercut with footage of snakes, crocodiles, and other animals. It was rumoured to be a sequel to "Bachelorette
", because of the lyrics that make a little allusion to the events occurred in past Isobel
adventures ("Human Behaviour
", "Isobel
" and "Bachelorette"). The video also has some signs that make people think about this fact. "Alarm Call" shows Isobel back to the nature after having disillusions in the big city, so this video is the fourth and last of Isobel's adventures.
The version of the song used on the video is the Radio mix by Mark Bell, which is sped-up, with dance
influences and omits the word 'fucking'.
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! style="text-align:center;"|Peak
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|align="left"|UK Singles Chart
| style="text-align:center;"|33
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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...
released as the fourth single from her third studio album Homogenic
Homogenic
Homogenic is the fourth studio album by Icelandic musician Björk, released in September 1997. Produced by Björk, Mark Bell, Guy Sigsworth, Howie B and Markus Dravs, it was released on One Little Indian Records...
, peaking at #33 in the UK.
Background
The song speaks of re-awakening through music and is rumoured to be about Michael JacksonMichael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
as it was originally labelled "Jacko" on the Homogenic demo tape. Björk explained "I think that music has the power to change the things, and that's what I wanted to show on Alarm Call". The song breaks with the aesthetic of the album of strings and volcanic beats and gives the song a little more relaxed, poppy and hip-hop tone.
It is the only single from Homogenic that was not included on Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits (Björk album)
Greatest Hits is a compilation album released in November 2002 featuring the songs of Icelandic singer Björk. Although not all of Björk's singles are included on this collection, all of the songs on Greatest Hits were released as singles. The tracks were selected by fans through a survey on...
.
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 "Alarm Call" was going to be directed by Paul White, who also directed the "Hunter
Hunter (Björk song)
"Hunter" is a song by Björk, released in 1998 as the third single from Homogenic. The song peaked at number 43 in the UK Singles Chart and at number 55 on the French Singles Chart.The song also appeared on the soundtrack to The X-Files movie....
" video, but the idea was scrapped by Björk and a second video was directed by fashion designer Alexander McQueen
Alexander McQueen
Lee Alexander McQueen, CBE was a British fashion designer and couturier best known for his in-depth knowledge of bespoke British tailoring, his tendency to juxtapose strength with fragility in his collections, as well as the emotional power and raw energy of his provocative fashion shows...
and recorded at the Asylum Studios. It features Björk floating on a raft on a river in a jungle and her scenes are intercut with footage of snakes, crocodiles, and other animals. It was rumoured to be a sequel to "Bachelorette
Bachelorette (song)
"Bachelorette" is a song by Björk, released as the second single from her 1997 album Homogenic.The song was originally written for a film by Bernardo Bertolucci, but the project was withdrawn...
", because of the lyrics that make a little allusion to the events occurred in past Isobel
Isobel
"Isobel" is a song by Icelandic singer Björk. It was released as the second single from her 1995 album Post. The lyrics describe a primitive girl who seems to be a personification of Mother Nature, and who tries to warn the technological world of its potential dangers. The music is underscored by...
adventures ("Human Behaviour
Human Behaviour
"Human Behaviour" is Icelandic singer Björk's first solo single, taken from the album Debut. It contains a sample of "Go Down Dying" by Antonio Carlos Jobim. The lyrics reflect on human nature and emotion from a non-human animal's point of view. The song is the first part of a series of songs that...
", "Isobel
Isobel
"Isobel" is a song by Icelandic singer Björk. It was released as the second single from her 1995 album Post. The lyrics describe a primitive girl who seems to be a personification of Mother Nature, and who tries to warn the technological world of its potential dangers. The music is underscored by...
" and "Bachelorette"). The video also has some signs that make people think about this fact. "Alarm Call" shows Isobel back to the nature after having disillusions in the big city, so this video is the fourth and last of Isobel's adventures.
The version of the song used on the video is the Radio mix by Mark Bell, which is sped-up, with dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
influences and omits the word 'fucking'.
EU CD
- "Alarm Call" (radio mix)
- "Alarm Call" (French Dub)
- "Alarm Call" (Potage du Jour)
- "Alarm Call" (Gangsta)
- "Alarm Call" (Bjeck Mix)
UK CD1
- "Alarm Call" (radio mix)
- "Alarm Call" (Rhythmic Phonetics Mix) (by 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...
) - "Alarm Call" (BjeckBeckBeck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
Mix)
12" vinyl record 1
- "Alarm Call" (Bjeck Mix)
- "Alarm Call" (Rhythmic Phonetics Mix) (by 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...
) - "Alarm Call" (Speech Therapy Mix) (by 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...
)
12" vinyl record 2
- "Alarm Call" (Enough is Enough Mix)
- "Alarm Call" (Rise and Shine Mix)
- "All Is Full of Love" (All is Full of Lies Mix)
12" vinyl record 4
- "Alarm Call" (Alan BraxeAlan BraxeAlain Quême, also known as Alan Braxe, is a French electronic music artist. Braxe is most widely known for his collaborative work with electronic bassist Fred Falke and Kris Menace. In 2005 Alan released The Upper Cuts, a collection of his previous released material.-History:Alan Braxe began work...
& Ben Diamond Remix) - "Alarm Call" (Teasmade Dub)
- "Alarm Call" (Alan Braxe & Ben Diamond Edit)
12" vinyl record 5
- "Alarm Call" (radio mix)
- "Alarm Call" (album version)
- "Alarm Call" (Snooze Button Mix)
- "Hunter" (Moodswing Remix)
Remixes
- 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...
remix - BjeckBeckBeck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
mix - Enough is Enough mix
- French dub/Alan BraxeAlan BraxeAlain Quême, also known as Alan Braxe, is a French electronic music artist. Braxe is most widely known for his collaborative work with electronic bassist Fred Falke and Kris Menace. In 2005 Alan released The Upper Cuts, a collection of his previous released material.-History:Alan Braxe began work...
and Ben Diamond remix - French edit/Alan Braxe and Ben Diamond edit
- Gangsta
- Locked
- Reprosession mix
- Radio mix
- Rise and Shine mix
- Rhythmic Phonetics mix
- Phunk You
- Potage du Jour
- Snooze Button mix
- Speech Therapy mix
- Teasmade dub
Charts
{| style="width:0;"|- valign="top"
| style="width:25%;"|
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!align="left"|Chart
! style="text-align:center;"|Peak
position
|-
|align="left"|UK Singles Chart
| style="text-align:center;"|33
|}