Unison
Björk Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴One hand
Loves the other
So much on me

I'm born, stubborn, me and will always be
Before you count one, two, three
I will, grown my own
Private branch of this tree

You gardener, you discipliner
Domestically, I can obey
All of your rules
And still be, be

I never thought I would compromise
I never thought I would compromise
I never thought I would compromise
Let's unite, tonight
We wish you, shouldn't fight
Embrace, you tight, let's unite, tonight

I thrive best, hermit style
With a beard, and a pipe
And a parrot on each side
But now I can't do this without you

I never thought I would compromise
I never thought I would compromise
I never thought I would compromise
Let's unite, tonight
We wish you, shouldn't fight
Embrace, you tight, let's unite, tonight

One hand
It loves the other
So much of me

Let's unite tonight
We shouldn't fight
Embrace you tight
Let's unite tonight

Let's unite, tonight
We wish you, shouldn't fight
Embrace, you tight, let's

Unison

Unison
Unison

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Björk's song Unison showcase the struggle of wanting to maintain one's individuality while still maintaining a strong and loving relationship with someone else. The opening lines, "One hand loves the other, so much on me," represent the idea of two people supporting each other and being intertwined, yet still having their own autonomy. The following lines, "I'm born stubborn me and will always be, before you count 1, 2, 3, I will grow my own, private branch of this tree," express that even though the singer is united with someone else, she will always maintain her individuality and build her own path alongside them.

The second verse continues with, "I thrive best, hermit style, with a beard, and a pipe, and a parrot on each side, but now I can't do this without you," indicating that while the singer may enjoy solitude and having her own independent spirit, she needs the other person to truly thrive. The repeated lines, "I never thought I would compromise, let's unite tonight, we wish you, shouldn't fight, embrace you tight, let's unite tonight," show that although the singer values her individuality, she is willing to come together and compromise in order to create a unified and strong relationship with someone else.

Line by Line Meaning

One hand
The first part of something

Loves the other
The second part of something with a profound connection to the first

So much on me
My very being is defined by this connection

I'm born, stubborn, me and will always be
I came into this world with a strong sense of self and I refuse to abandon it

Before you count one, two, three
I won't wait for you to figure things out or catch up to me

I will, grown my own
I will cultivate my own identity

Private branch of this tree
A separate part of my life that belongs only to me

You gardener, you discipliner
You try to mold me and control me

Domestically, I can obey
I'm willing to conform to societal expectations in some areas

All of your rules
Every restriction placed upon me by society

And still be, be
I can still retain my essential self, despite societal pressures

I never thought I would compromise
I never wanted to give up any part of who I am

Let's unite, tonight
Let's come together as equals

We wish you, shouldn't fight
We urge you to abandon aggression and violence

Embrace, you tight, let's unite, tonight
Let's join together with a sense of kinship and support

I thrive best, hermit style
I'm most comfortable when I'm alone

With a beard, and a pipe
The symbols of an eccentric, self-contained life

And a parrot on each side
A light-hearted touch, perhaps suggesting the freedom of the unburdened spirit

But now I can't do this without you
Despite my strong independence, I've come to need you

Unison
Together, in harmony

Unison
Consistency and agreement

Unison
A synthesis of divergent parts into one cohesive unit

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bjork Gudmundsdottir, Patrick Gowers

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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