"Hidden Place"
Single by Björk
from the album Vespertine
B-side
  • "Verandi"
  • "Mother Heroic"
  • "Generous Palmstroke"
  • "Foot Soldier"
Released30 July 2001 (2001-07-30)
Recorded2000
Genre
Length
  • 4:28 (video version)
  • 5:31 (album version)
Label
Songwriter(s)Björk
Producer(s)Björk
Björk singles chronology
"All Is Full of Love"
(1999)		 "Hidden Place"
(2001)		 "Pagan Poetry"
(2001)

"Hidden Place" is a song recorded by Icelandic singer Björk for her fourth studio album Vespertine (2001). Written and produced by Björk herself, "Hidden Place" was released as the lead single from Vespertine on 30 July 2001 by One Little Indian Records.

Background

In 2000, while Björk worked on the film Dancer in the Dark, she also began producing her next album, writing new music and teaming with new collaborators; she has said "Selmasongs was the day job and Vespertine was the hobby".[2] Her new relationship with artist Matthew Barney and the tension while filming Dancer in the Dark have been referred to as the two major forces that shaped what would become Vespertine.[3] As the process of filming demanded her to be extroverted, the new music she was creating became hushed and tranquil as a way to escape.[3] Björk commissioned Valgeir Sigurðsson to relocate some of his studio equipment from Iceland to Denmark, where Dancer in the Dark was being filmed.[3] While living in Copenhagen she also contacted the electronic musician Thomas Knak (aka Opiate), after having enjoyed his 1999 album Objects for an Ideal Home.[4] Björk's musical taste shifted from the "clang and clatter" and "thumping techno that characterized Homogenic,[5] as she "was bored with big beats".[2]

Björk then set to make a record with a domestic mood featuring "everyday moods and everyday noises translating into melodies and beats,"[5] hence its working title Domestika.[3] As she wanted to write her own songs in music boxes, Björk contacted a music box company, requesting see-through acrylic glass boxes because she wanted it to sound "as hard as possible, like it was frozen."[6] She also began to use her laptop to write music, and decided to use instruments whose sound wouldn't be compromised when downloaded from sites such as Napster.[7] Björk completed: "I had loads and loads of beats for 'Hidden Place' but it still wasn't up enough. Matthew Herbert came for a visit in the studio and offered to do it. He ran away to his studio and came back after a few hours later with a DAT".[8] She explains the song's title:

'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.[8]

Music and lyrics

"Hidden Place" features choirs of space sirens, and lyrically is about a new love that has a private side. "I'm not sure what to do with it or where to put it/ I'll keep it in a hidden place", Björk sings.[9] According to The Wire magazine, the song "hints at the extent to which her lyrics parallel their fragile musical arrangements: 'I'm so close to tears and so close to simply calling you up/ I'm simply suggesting/ We go to that hidden place'".[10] For Ryan Schreiber of Pitchfork the track opens Vespertine with a "glitchy, almost lo-fi melodic loop, paired with the deep sub-bass attack that has dominated the low-end of Björk's music in recent years".[11] MusicOMH's Michael Hubbard noted that it is reminiscent of Björk's previous single "Hunter" (1997), although he felt the beats were not "so central this time round".[12]

Critical reception

"Hidden Place" received positive reviews from music critics. Greg Kot from Blender magazine commented that album openers "Hidden Place" and "Cocoon" "live up to their billing as sound sanctuaries, with Björk singing a barely-above-a-whisper lullaby enhanced by the plush embrace of a choir".[13] David Fricke of Rolling Stone called it "floating beauty".[14] British magazine NME's Joe Logic was also positive saying, "'Hidden Place' is a mellow and low-key opener that combines Matmos sneezing-cricket beats with deep warm bass and a distant choir. The chorus is almost mantra-like, drawing you further into this immeasurably gorgeous record".[15] However, Steve Granlee from The Boston Globe commented that "Hidden Place" was "a subtle update" of "Human Behaviour", but "it won't have any radio appeal".[16] Katy Widder of PopMatters shared a similar sentiment, saying the song "is by no means top 40 material".[17]

Music video

The music video for "Hidden Place" was co-directed by designers M/M (Paris) and photographers Inez and Vinoodh. It was shot in four days in February 2001 in London.[18] It was originally planned for a song from Selmasongs, but Björk felt the project was more appropriate for Vespertine.[8] The video consists of close-up shots panning around Björk's face, as fluids flow in and out of her facial orifices. M/M (Paris) explained the concept behind the video: "We always wanted to get as close to her as we could, as we all felt she had never been portrayed as the "real" and beautiful woman she is. This is somehow taboo, to observe a pop star with no makeup from a distance of half an inch. Then the idea of the liquid works as a visualization of all possible emotions pulsating and circulating in her very busy brain. The loop idea was a main point for us as well, trying to extend the usual time frame of pop video super-fast editing, to make it hypnotising, mesmerising and irritating, like an eternally burning fireplace."[8]

Track listings

UK and European CD1[19][20]

  1. "Hidden Place" (edit)
  2. "Generous Palmstroke"
  3. "Verandi"

UK and European CD2[21][22]

  1. "Hidden Place" (acappella)
  2. "Mother Heroic"
  3. "Foot Soldier"

US and UK DVD single[23][24]

  1. "Hidden Place" (video)
  2. "Generous Palmstroke"
  3. "Verandi"

Personnel

Credits adapted from Vespertine's liner notes.[25]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2001) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[26] 54
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[27] 17
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[28] 14
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[29] 16
Denmark (Tracklisten)[30] 19
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[31] 35
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[32] 11
France (SNEP)[33] 20
Germany (Official German Charts)[34] 70
Ireland (IRMA)[35] 49
Italy (FIMI)[36] 24
Japan (Oricon)[37] 63
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[38] 60
Norway (VG-lista)[39] 19
Scotland (OCC)[40] 29
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[41] 1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[42] 47
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[43] 77
UK Singles (OCC)[44] 21
UK Indie (OCC)[45] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2001) Position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[46] 134

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Hidden Place"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom 30 July 2001 Contemporary hit radio One Little Indian
Japan 1 August 2001 Polydor
Australia 6 August 2001 CD
Germany
United Kingdom
  • Two CDs
  • DVD
 One Little Indian [50][51]
France 7 August 2001 CD Polydor
Sweden 13 August 2001 Contemporary hit radio
United States 14 August 2001 DVD Elektra
27 August 2001 Adult album alternative radio [55]
28 August 2001 [56]

References

  1. ↑ Merryweather, David (14 August 2001). "Single Review: Björk - Hidden Place". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  2. 1 2 "The Twilight World of Björk". NME. 11 August 2001. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Pytlik 2003, p. 155
  4. ↑ Pytlik 2003, p. 156
  5. 1 2 Pytlik 2003, p. 159
  6. ↑ "GH&FT special : Pagan Poetry". bjork.com. Archived from the original on 27 February 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  7. ↑ Toop, David (September 2001). "The Twilight World of Björk". The Wire. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "GH&FT special : Hidden Place". bjork.com. Archived from the original on 30 March 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  9. ↑ Nelson, Steffie. "björk: home is where the art is". VH1. Archived from the original on 12 November 2001. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  10. ↑ "Björk - Vespertine". The Wire (210): 52. August 2001. ISSN 0952-0686. Archived from the original on 8 December 2001. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  11. ↑ "Vespertine". Pitchfork.
  12. ↑ "Vespertine". MusicOMH.
  13. ↑ Kot, Greg. "Bjork - Vespertine". Blender. Archived from the original on 24 October 2004. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  14. ↑ Fricke, David (20 August 2001). "Vespertine". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  15. ↑ Logic, Joe. "Bjork 'Vespertine' track-by-track". NME. Archived from the original on 13 February 2002. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  16. ↑ "Boston Globe Online / Living | Arts / Bjork's 'Vespertine' is a work of beauty". Archived from the original on 2001-08-30. Retrieved 2001-08-30.
  17. ↑ "Björk: Vespertine, PopMatters". 28 August 2001.
  18. ↑ "Vespertine Special". bjork.com. Archived from the original on 2 August 2002. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  19. ↑ Hidden Place (UK CD1 disc notes). Björk. One Little Indian Records. 2001. 332TP7CD.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ↑ Hidden Place (European CD1 disc notes). Björk. Polydor Records. 2001. 587 140-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ↑ Hidden Place (UK CD2 disc notes). Björk. One Little Indian Records. 2001. 332TP7CDL.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ↑ Hidden Place (European CD2 disc notes). Björk. Polydor Records. 2001. 587 262-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ↑ Hidden Place (US DVD single liner notes). Björk. Elektra Records. 2001. 40228.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ↑ Hidden Place (UK DVD single liner notes). Björk. One Little Indian Records. 2001. 332TP7DVD.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ↑ Vespertine (Media notes). Björk. One Little Indian Records. 2001.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  26. ↑ "Issue 598" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  27. ↑ "Björk – Hidden Place" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  28. ↑ "Björk – Hidden Place" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  29. ↑ "Björk Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  30. ↑ "Björk – Hidden Place". Tracklisten. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  31. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 19, no. 35. 25 August 2001. p. 10. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  32. ↑ "Björk: Hidden Place" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  33. ↑ "Björk – Hidden Place" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  34. ↑ "Björk – Hidden Place" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  35. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Björk". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  36. ↑ "Björk – Hidden Place". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  37. ↑ "Discography of Björk". Oricon. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  38. ↑ "Björk – Hidden Place" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  39. ↑ "Björk – Hidden Place". VG-lista. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  40. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  41. ↑ "Björk – Hidden Place" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  42. ↑ "Björk – Hidden Place". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  43. ↑ "Björk – Hidden Place". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  44. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  45. ↑ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  46. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2001". Jam!. Archived from the original on July 26, 2002. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  47. ↑ "Power Players" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 19, no. 32. London. 4 August 2001. p. 12. Retrieved 19 February 2022 – via World Radio History.
  48. 1 2 "Hidden Place – 77island • official Björk discography". 77ísland. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  49. ↑ "The ARIA Report: ARIA New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 6th August 2001" (PDF). ARIA. 6 August 2001. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2002-02-20. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  50. ↑ Barrett, Christopher (22 September 2001). "Björk hides from the mainstream" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 19, no. 39. p. 10. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  51. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting August 6, 2001: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 4 August 2001. p. 23. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  52. ↑ "Hidden place – Björk – CD maxi single" (in French). France: Fnac. 7 August 2001. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  53. ↑ "Power Players" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 19, no. 34. London. 18 August 2001. p. 20. Retrieved 19 February 2022 – via World Radio History.
  54. ↑ "Hidden Place [Video] – Björk". AllMusic. All Media Network. 14 August 2001. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  55. ↑ "Triple A: Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1416. 24 August 2001. p. 175. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  56. ↑ "Active Rock: Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1416. 24 August 2001. pp. 102, 170. Retrieved 22 April 2021.

Bibliography

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