Jóga
Encyclopedia
"Jóga" is a song by Björk
, and the first single from her 1997 album Homogenic
. It features a mix of classical string instruments with heavy electronic beats which is present in the whole album.
" but does not feature the song title: it is a dedication to her close friend Jóhanna Jóhannsdóttir (nicknamed Jóga) and to their homeland Iceland
. The song features electronic beats mixed with a classical string arrangement, as in the other tracks of the album Homogenic
.
Björk explained about the song:
was directed by Michel Gondry
and filmed in Iceland.
The video for "Jóga" is a departure from her other videos as it focuses primarily on different Icelandic terrains and landscapes with Björk's presence only in the beginning and towards the end. With the aid of computer animation, earthquakes begin to separate and shift the chunks of land along fault lines. The video ends with a computerized image of an island floating inside Björk's chest.
|- valign="top"
| width="25%" |
{|class="wikitable"
!align="left"|Chart
!align="center"|Peak
position
|-
|align="left"|Finnish Singles Chart
|align="center"|16
|-
|align="left"|Swedish Singles Chart
|align="center"|37
|-
|align="left"|New Zealand Singles Chart
|align="center"|43
|-
|align="left"|Swiss Singles Chart
|align="center"|49
|-
|align="left"|Australian Singles Chart
|align="center"|70
|-
|align="left"|Dutch Singles Chart
|align="center"|95
|-
|align="left"|UK Singles Chart
|align="center"|191
|-
|}
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...
, and the first single from her 1997 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...
. It features a mix of classical string instruments with heavy electronic beats which is present in the whole album.
Background
The chorus has repetition of the phrase "state of emergencyState of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
" but does not feature the song title: it is a dedication to her close friend Jóhanna Jóhannsdóttir (nicknamed Jóga) and to their homeland Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
. The song features electronic beats mixed with a classical string arrangement, as in the other tracks of the 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...
.
Björk explained about the song:
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...
was directed by Michel Gondry
Michel Gondry
Michel Gondry is an Academy Award winning filmmaker, whose works include being a commercial director, music video director, and a screenwriter. He is noted for his inventive visual style and manipulation of mise en scène. - Life and career :...
and filmed in Iceland.
The video for "Jóga" is a departure from her other videos as it focuses primarily on different Icelandic terrains and landscapes with Björk's presence only in the beginning and towards the end. With the aid of computer animation, earthquakes begin to separate and shift the chunks of land along fault lines. The video ends with a computerized image of an island floating inside Björk's chest.
UK CD1
- "Jóga" (Howie B Main Mix) – 5:00
- "Jóga" (String and Vocal Mix) – 4:40
- "Jóga" (Buzz Water Mix) – 5:06
- "All Is Full of LoveAll Is Full of Love"All Is Full of Love" is a song by Björk, released as the fifth and final single from her album Homogenic. The version of the song used in the video is actually the original version of the song, while the version on Homogenic is a remix by Howie B...
" (Choice Mix) – 4:35
UK CD2 / EU CD
- "Jóga" – 5:00
- "Sod Off" – 2:56
- "Immature" (Björk's version) – 2:51
- "So Broken" – 5:59
UK CD3
- "Jóga" – 5:06
- "Jóga" (Alec EmpireAlec EmpireAlec Empire is a German musician who is best known as a founding member of the band Atari Teenage Riot. Also a prolific and distinguished solo artist, producer and DJ, he has released well over a hundred albums, EPs and singles and remixed over seventy tracks for various artists including Björk...
Mix) – 8:44 - "Jóga" (Alec Empire Digital Hardcore Mix 1) – 6:06
- "Jóga" (Alec Empire Digital Hardcore Mix 2) – 6:06
EP (TPLP81CD)
- "Jóga" (Howie B Main Mix) – 5:00
- "Jóga" (String and Vocal Mix) – 4:40
- "Jóga" (Buzz Water Mix) – 5:06
- "All Is Full of LoveAll Is Full of Love"All Is Full of Love" is a song by Björk, released as the fifth and final single from her album Homogenic. The version of the song used in the video is actually the original version of the song, while the version on Homogenic is a remix by Howie B...
" (Choice Mix) – 4:35 - "Jóga" – 5:00
- "Sod Off" – 2:56
- "Immature" (Björk's version) – 2:51
- "So Broken" – 5:59
- "Jóga" (Alec EmpireAlec EmpireAlec Empire is a German musician who is best known as a founding member of the band Atari Teenage Riot. Also a prolific and distinguished solo artist, producer and DJ, he has released well over a hundred albums, EPs and singles and remixed over seventy tracks for various artists including Björk...
Mix) – 8:44 - "Jóga" (Alec Empire Digital Hardcore Mix 1) – 6:06
- "Jóga" (Alec Empire Digital Hardcore Mix 2) – 6:06
Remixes
- Alec EmpireAlec EmpireAlec Empire is a German musician who is best known as a founding member of the band Atari Teenage Riot. Also a prolific and distinguished solo artist, producer and DJ, he has released well over a hundred albums, EPs and singles and remixed over seventy tracks for various artists including Björk...
mix - Alec Empire Digital Hardcore mix 1
- Alec Empire Digital Hardcore mix 2
- Alec Empire State of Emergency mix
- Alec Empire the Destroyer mix
- Alec Empire the Planet of Ice remix
- Buzz Water mix
- Howie BHoward BernsteinHoward Bernstein , professionally known as Howie B, is a musician and producer, who has worked with artists such as Björk, U2, Robbie Robertson, Elisa, Tricky and Mukul Deora.-Albums:* Music for Babies...
main mix - String and vocal mix
Covers
- American jazzJazzJazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist Jason MoranJason Moran (musician)Jason Moran is a jazz pianist and composer who debuted as a band leader with the 1999 album Soundtrack to Human Motion. Since then, he has garnered much critical acclaim and won a number of awards for his playing and compositional skills, which combine elements of stride piano, avant-garde jazz,...
covered "Jóga" on his 2000 album Facing Left. Moran also played on Greg OsbyGreg OsbyGreg Osby is an American jazz saxophonist who plays mainly in the free jazz, free funk and M-Base idioms.-Biography:Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Osby studied at Howard University, where he majored in Jazz Studies, and then at the Berklee College of Music, with Andy McGhee...
's cover of Bjork's "All Neon Like" off of Osby's Inner Circle album. - The Italian jazz pianist Eric Legnini recorded a cover versionCover versionIn popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of "Jóga" in his first solo album Miss Soul, released in April 2006. - Scala ChoirScala & Kolacny BrothersScala & Kolacny Brothers is a Belgian women's choir, conducted by Stijn Kolacny and arranged and accompanied by Steven Kolacny on the piano. Formed in 1996 and winning the Belgian 'Choir of the Year'-contest in 2000, they have made five studio albums, starting with On The Rocks in 2002.Most songs...
have also recorded a cover version of "Jóga" which is featured on their album One-winged AngelScala & Kolacny BrothersScala & Kolacny Brothers is a Belgian women's choir, conducted by Stijn Kolacny and arranged and accompanied by Steven Kolacny on the piano. Formed in 1996 and winning the Belgian 'Choir of the Year'-contest in 2000, they have made five studio albums, starting with On The Rocks in 2002.Most songs...
. - German band GregorianGregorian (band)Gregorian is a German band headed by Frank Peterson that performs Gregorian chant-inspired versions of modern pop and rock songs. The band features both vocal harmony and instrumental accompaniment.- Band history :...
covered the song in their 20072007 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame...
Masters of Chant Chapter VIMasters of Chant Chapter VIMasters of Chant Chapter VI is the ninth album by German band Gregorian. It was released on 28 September 2007.- Track listing :# "Guide Me God" # "Miracle of Love" # "Dreams" # "The Circle"...
. - Benjamin Gibbard (of Death Cab for CutieDeath Cab for CutieDeath Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
and The Postal ServiceThe Postal ServiceThe Postal Service is an American electronic indie pop band composed of vocalist Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and producer Jimmy Tamborello of Dntel and Headset.-Background:...
) and Ben Barnett (of Kind of Like SpittingKind of Like SpittingKind of Like Spitting was an American indie rock band. They formed in 1996 in Portland, Oregon. The band was led by prolific singer-songwriter Ben Barnett, who work has drawn comparisons to Elliott Smith, Mark Eitzel, Billy Bragg, and Robert Pollard....
and The ThermalsThe ThermalsThe Thermals are an American indie punk band based in Portland, Oregon. The group was formed in 2002. With influences heavily rooted in both lo-fi punk, as well as more standard rock, the band's songs are also known for their political and religious imagery.- History :The Thermals came together in...
) covered this song for Hush RecordsHush Records-Background:Crouch, frontman of the band Blanket Music, organized Hush Records in 1997, when he self-released a solo record called Portland, Or. The following year, Crouch bought a CD burner and began recording and distributing music by Mike Johnson , Jeff London, and Ben Barnett to record stores...
's compilation Read: Interpreting Björk. - Floridian rockRock musicRock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band New Found GloryNew Found GloryNew Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
have also covered "Jóga" for a Björk tribute record organized by guitarist Chad GilbertChad GilbertChad Everett Gilbert is an American musician and record producer. He is a founding member of the rock band New Found Glory, for whom he plays lead guitar, composes music and provides backing vocals...
that was never released. The song was subsequently included on the Japanese version of the band's Tip of the Iceberg EP as a bonus track. - The PS22 chorusPS22 chorusThe PS22 Chorus is an elementary school chorus from Public School 22 in Graniteville, Staten Island . It is composed of 60-70 fifth-graders, and is directed by Gregg Breinberg. Students are assigned to the chorus after an annual auditioning process at the beginning of each school year...
recorded a version of "Jóga" and posted it on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKPC-T3jjRg - Canadian pop singer Lights covered the song in a video posted to YouTube in 2011.
Charts
{| width="0%"|- valign="top"
| width="25%" |
{|class="wikitable"
!align="left"|Chart
!align="center"|Peak
position
|-
|align="left"|Finnish Singles Chart
|align="center"|16
|-
|align="left"|Swedish Singles Chart
|align="center"|37
|-
|align="left"|New Zealand Singles Chart
|align="center"|43
|-
|align="left"|Swiss Singles Chart
|align="center"|49
|-
|align="left"|Australian Singles Chart
|align="center"|70
|-
|align="left"|Dutch Singles Chart
|align="center"|95
|-
|align="left"|UK Singles Chart
|align="center"|191
|-
|}