Hidden Place
Encyclopedia
"Hidden Place" is a song by Icelandic recording artist Björk
, taken from her fourth English language (fifth overall), Vespertine
(2001). It was written by Björk, Guy Sigsworth
and Mark Bell and produced by Björk. "Hidden Place" was released as a lead single
from Vespertine on August 3, 2001.
's piece Verklärte Nacht
.
Björk explains about the song:
for the song was directed by art directors/graphic designers Michael Amzalag and Mathias Augustyniak aka M/M Paris
as well as photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin
. It featured various fluids flowing in and out of Björk's facial orifices, such as her eyes, nose, and mouth. The idea was first thought for the 'I've Seen It All
' music video, but was later cancelled.
The directors of the video also designed the 'Vespertine
' graphics, and would design all the graphics for Björk's next projects.
CD2
DVD (UK/US)
covered "Hidden Place" for her 2009 album Mind the Gap
.
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 her fourth English language (fifth overall), Vespertine
Vespertine
Vespertine, is the fifth studio album by the Icelandic recording artist Björk, released on 27 August 2001. On this album, Björk creates a quiet, introverted world of microbeats and personal lyrics...
(2001). It was written by Björk, Guy Sigsworth
Guy Sigsworth
Guy Sigsworth is a U.K. based composer, producer and songwriter. In his career to date he has worked with many famous artists, including Seal, Björk, Goldie, Madonna, Britney Spears, Kate Havnevik, Bebel Gilberto, Mozez, David Sylvian and Alanis Morissette...
and Mark Bell and produced by Björk. "Hidden Place" was released as a lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
from Vespertine on August 3, 2001.
Background
It introduced the mood of the album well, with minimal soundscapes and quiet, whispery singing. The ascending melody during the chorus of the song borrows from Arnold SchoenbergArnold Schoenberg
Arnold Schoenberg was an Austrian composer, associated with the expressionist movement in German poetry and art, and leader of the Second Viennese School...
's piece Verklärte Nacht
Verklärte Nacht
Verklärte Nacht , Op. 4, is a string sextet in one movement composed by Arnold Schoenberg in 1899 and his earliest important work...
.
Björk explains about the song:
'Hidden Place' is sort of about how two people can create a paradise just by uniting. You've got an emotional location that's mutual. And it's unbreakable. And obviously it's make-believe. So, you could argue that it doesn't exist because it's invisible, but of course it does.
Reception
"Hidden Place" has received positive reviews from critics and fans. It is one of the most experimental singles of Bjork's.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 the song was directed by art directors/graphic designers Michael Amzalag and Mathias Augustyniak aka M/M Paris
M/M Paris
M/M is an art and design partnership consisting of Mathias Augustyniak and Michael Amzalag , established in Paris in 1992....
as well as photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin
Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin
Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin are a Dutch fashion photographer duo, well known for their work for fashion magazines, advertising campaigns, and for their independent art work.-Biography:Vinoodh Matadin studied fashion design in Amsterdam between 1981 and 1985, and started...
. It featured various fluids flowing in and out of Björk's facial orifices, such as her eyes, nose, and mouth. The idea was first thought for the 'I've Seen It All
I've Seen It All
"I've Seen It All" is a song by Icelandic singer Björk, with lyrics by Sjón and Lars von Trier. It was released as the first promotional single from the Dancer in the Dark soundtrack, Selmasongs. The song features vocals from Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke...
' music video, but was later cancelled.
The directors of the video also designed the 'Vespertine
Vespertine
Vespertine, is the fifth studio album by the Icelandic recording artist Björk, released on 27 August 2001. On this album, Björk creates a quiet, introverted world of microbeats and personal lyrics...
' graphics, and would design all the graphics for Björk's next projects.
Track listings
CD1- "Hidden Place" (edit) – 4:00
- "Generous Palmstroke" – 4:26
- "Verandi" – 4:28
CD2
- "Hidden Place" (a cappella) – 5:15
- "Mother Heroic" – 2:44
- "Foot Soldier" – 2:35
DVD (UK/US)
- "Hidden Place" (video) – 4:00
- "Generous Palmstroke" – 4:26
- "Verandi" – 4:28
Charts
| Chart (2001) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Danish Singles Chart | 19 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 60 |
| Finnish Singles Chart | 11 |
| French Singles Chart | 20 |
| German Singles Chart | 70 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 19 |
| Spanish Singles Chart | 3 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 47 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 77 |
| UK Singles Chart | 21 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Singles Sales | 50 |
Cover versions
Maria Pia De VitoMaria Pia De Vito
Maria Pia De Vito is an Italian jazz singer, composer, and arranger. Born 1960 in Naples, she studied opera, contemporary singing, music theory and harmony and started her musical career in 1976 as a singer and guitarist in groups ethno-oriented, specialising in music from the Mediterranean and...
covered "Hidden Place" for her 2009 album Mind the Gap
Mind the Gap (Maria Pia De Vito album)
Mind The Gap is the 2009 album by Italian vocalist, composer and arranger, Maria Pia De Vito. It is her third solo album and the 12th studio album she has co-written.-Composition:...
.