Crazy Björk blasts Beyonce for selling her soul to the devil (via Ireland Online).
“I love her voice, but maybe not what she stands for. I’m really pisssed off she’s doing all of those commercials. I can’t believe she did Pepsi. Doing that is like selling your soul to the devil. Maybe it’s different in America, and I’m judging too hard.”
Word on the street is Björk is also pissed at Good Charlotte for using instruments on their album. And at Ray Charles for dying before his movie premiered.
The new Björk album is terrible. Here’s The Decemberists covering a song of hers I like.
The Decemberists – “Human Behavior”
You may remember the Decemberists from such posts as Decemberists Take The Tain To NYC and Scott Stereogum Is Pissed At The Decemberists Because They Won’t Play His Wedding.
UPDATE: Björk’s new video for “Who Is It” isn’t all that bad. But it’s different than the album version.
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why is that crazy? A lot of artists feel the same way about selling their songs/images to (corporate) commercials.
I think Bjork is right on with that comment — Destiny’s Child doing an entirely McDonald’s themed and promoted tour is disgusting. Honestly, with even what the public consciousness knows about McDonald’s now, between Fast Food Nation and Supersize Me, they’re pretty indisputibly in bed with the devil. They don’t need that money.
There’s a pic in this week’s Rolling Stone of all of them posing with Ronald McDonald. It’s ridiculous. Can’t you even pretend to have an illusion of artistic credibility?
So, yeah -
I’m with Bjork 100% on that one. Not that she’s NOT batshit re: most other stuff…
Can’t find the pic online, but this quote was the one given to the A.P.:
“We’re lovin’ the chance to work with McDonald’s and know that together we’ll create lots of fun and cool surprises. McDonald’s shares our passion for music. So we can’t wait to start connecting to our fans,” said the band’s frontwoman, Beyonce Knowles.
It’s OK that Bjork disagrees … but why is she “really pissed off”? And why is she so suprised Beyonce is a sellout?
I’m not only in agreement about the equivalence of selling your soul to the devil with working for Pepsi, I’m completley in agreement that Good Charlotte shouldn’t be able to use their instruments ever again. I have to say that I’m not particularly fond of the new album either, though. I like the production, and I like the concept. I just can’t stand to actually listen to it.
In a world where Bob Dylan appears in Victoria’s Secret ads, who gives a fuck?
People who get riled up about this kind of thing must be really, really bored.
> In a world where Bob Dylan appears in
> Victoria’s Secret ads, who gives a fuck?
Yes, that’s what I was getting at.
By the way, I’m much more distressed about the fact that we live in a world where people feel the need to take their cues from some asshole with an ironic handlebar mustache, and blame everybody else instead of themselves with what they do to their own bodies. Personal responsibility, bitches.
By the way, I’m much more distressed about the fact that we live in a world where people feel the need to take their cues from some asshole with an ironic handlebar mustache, and blame everybody else instead of themselves with what they do to their own bodies.
I assume, of coure, you’re referring to the one and only Rip Taylor.
No way man, Rip takes full ownership of his bod. If he contracted some kind of disease due to massive overexposure to confetti, do you think he’d sue? No chance.
It would be less confusing if she called Beyonce a whore. Bjork’s English is not so good.
speaking of wedding – when’s it gonna be, Stereogum?
10/9/05. You’re all invited obvs.
“People who get riled up about this kind of thing must be really, really bored.
Posted by Justin at October 27, 2004 02:55 PM ”
Why does it have to mean that? Can’t people who genuinely really love music take an interest in the way it’s being used to sell things to us? Or are we all so jaded that we just shrug our shoulders and accept it? Seems to me that’s the easy way out.
And your comments about ‘personal responsibility’ show a very limited worldview. If you’d had read “Fast Food Nation,” or have followed big business developments of the last several years, you may have been affected by the stories about companies like McDonald’s and their efforts to market directly to the poor and uneducated (here in the U.S. and abroad – like China, where obesity in children is becoming a health EPIDEMIC).
Or maybe, like everything else, you just shrug that off too and accept the shit that they’re feeding you – both figuratively and literally.
As for Bjork, maybe she likes the band and is pissed off by the greed that Destiny’s Child is showing with this. It would be nice to see a pop band that might even hint at a social conscience, or at least awareness.
Or maybe, like me, Bjork is just “really, really bored.”
Add me to the long list of Bjork fans who don’t (can’t) like (stand) listening to the new album.
Anyways, Beyonce is lowest-common-denominator-pop, noone should be surprised at the lengths to which singers like that will sell out.
Probably, dude. Her new album isn’t selling so well.
Bjork is just a little bent because Burger King turned her down.
Poor and uneducated people of the world, fear not: Ben and his compatriots are here to save your from yourselves!
Oh Christ. I loved Bjork..but that new album is treacherous to the ears. What’s funny is, is that every music rag is doing head flips for it b/c it’s Bjork..and she can do no wrong. Much like Radiohead.
I am all for adventerous, creative music and pushing the boundaries. Aphex Twin has made good use of sounds and voice- but this is shrill, obtrusive and obnoxious.
I also must say..Destiny’s Child lovin’ it? Hilarious. They have been pretty terrible and the new is hideous. But, I will always stand by the belief that “Writing’s on the Wall” was one of the best R&B albums of all time.
I thought I read that in SPIN – it was Bjork’s response to the question of which singer she admires. Why are all the bloggers making this such a big issue?
“Poor and uneducated people of the world, fear not: Ben and his compatriots are here to save your from yourselves!
Posted by BattleKat at October 27, 2004 03:49 PM”
Do you have any actual comments on anything I said, or are you somehow offended or threatened by the fact that I am expressing an interest in seeing this planet become a less-shitty place? I don’t think I’m being particularly self-righteous — I mean, christ, I eat fast food and listen to shitty pop music habitually. I’m just wondering why everyone’s so eager to take the easy way out everytime – from the already rich pop stars who take a check no matter where it comes from, to the average citizen who just accepts whatever is handed to them and laughs off any legitimate commentary with irony-laced jokes like BattleKat’s.
So really, BattleKat, how am I being the bad guy here?
i like the album cover a lot. i always feel guilty staring at the boobs. maybe i should keep my pants on next time. I had to remove that album from my imaginary iPod.
k
i heard destiny’s child only did it because Beyonce is sleeping with Hamburglar…
Allegedly, obvs.
In regard to Bob Dylan’s commercial, a writer who I really like, Jim Walsh, had this comment about that whole uproar in one of his columns:
Well, speaking as a great admirer of women, lingerie, newspapers, and Dylan, the only thing I find offensive about any of it is the response typified by C.J. and Time, neither of which gives the slightest consideration to the idea that maybe there is something more to be gleaned from the coupling of well-lit images of beauty, eroticism, soft porn, or what-have-you with the sound of one of the planet’s sharpest social commentators singing, “I’m walkin’ through streets that are dead/I’m walking with you in my head…I’m sick of love, and I’m in the thick of it/This kind of love, I’m so sick of it.”
http://www.citypages.com/databank/25/1220/article12059.asp
I love Bjork and I do have to agree with her somewhat on the Beyonce thing. I think Beyonce has an amazing voice and I do see Bjork’s point that Beyonce has talent and she shouldn’t be doing things that Britney or Jessica are doing. But it doesn’t shock me when I see her in a commercial cause of the way that she is marketed.
It would shock me and I would be upset if I saw an artist like Bjork in a Pepsi commercial.
She is so right about Good Charlotte they suck!
guess i’m the only one who actually enjoys ‘medulla’…oh well.
scott, do you have the decemberists cover of ‘ask’ by chance?
> scott, do you have the decemberists cover
> of ‘ask’ by chance?
I never heard this! If anyone’s got it, send it, and I’ll post it.
it’s weird that you should post on how totally whack medulla is. i just said the same thing yesterday on my blog. but, regarding destiny’s child, the washington post’s red-headed stepchild, the express, had an awesome headline regarding dc’s recent mcdonald’s deal: “beyonce’s ‘lovin’ it’ and by it, we mean her contribution to worldwide obesity”. totally hilarious for a mainstream publication. classic.
I couldn’t tell, were you supporting Good Charlotte with that post??
> were you supporting Good Charlotte with
> that post??
No.
Matt – you’re totally not the only one who likes “Medulla.” It’s much more of an active-listening album than her other stuff which is mostly as good for background as it is for real listening.
I love it, the way it forces the listener to really think about the use of sound and composition in ways so little pop music (or for that matter, much contemporary jazz or neo-classical/art music) does. Plus, there are some really pretty bits deep inside it.
I like the Decemberists’ single ‘Oceanside’…
the decemberists had an excellent cover of bridges and balloons by joanna newsom, who is hands down getting best album of the year IMO
love medulla, just for the record.
also, bjork has been qouted in the past as “loving” beyonce, which she got flak for.
Has the idea of a “sell-out” gone out the big-whore-sized window? Come on! Shilling is lame, not to mention Bjork is not just some crack-dealing dandy, she’s one of the most original artists of the last 10 years. You can’t front on that. Well, you can but it’s not right. Why not hate on Beyonce, the new D.C. songs suck–where’s the video by the way? Now, if I could only get my band on The O.C.
I give it up to Bjork… she’s never “sold out” to a corporation, and makes music that is true to herself and her beliefs… a rarity in this day and age. You can’t front on that… she’s never been anything but honest to her fans and the msuic.
And I like Medulla… I think it is a challenging listen, but pays off.
And pass me a cup of the haterade: Beyonce sold out their fans a long time ago… she and the DC girls tell their fans to be “bootylicious,” and then Beyonce goes and tells Elle magazine in her recent cover story that she ate nothing but lettuce for two weeks in order to get “fit” for the cover? Whatever, I have no respect for her and what she’s shilling to young girls…
Do you have any actual comments on anything I said, or are you somehow offended or threatened by the fact that I am expressing an interest in seeing this planet become a less-shitty place?
——
I think you’re a fucking elitest art-fag piece of upper east side shit who is too damn cool for anything even remotely popular. Lemme know when your new pale-blue mukluks arrive in the mail so you can strut down wall st to show off your home-made “vintage” diesel jeans that you cheese-grated and sewed hot new ted kennedy, democratic buttons to, hippie. Smoke your 1-hitter in the dark while I punch your no-good, liberal ribs without you spying my identity. Midwest forever, beast ice for breakfast bitches.
-KevinSync
i’m out of the cool loop–what are mukluks?
I think the stereogum postings work best when there is info on music unbiased on opinion. i have loved bjork for decades, seen her a few times live and at first (like homogenic) was startled by her new ingenuity, however after a few real ‘lestens’ realized once again, what a brilliant fucking genius she truly is.
ALso, I think Rolling Stone offered up a horrible review to the late elliott smiths new alsbum basement on thehill. anyone out there agree with me that it too is another brilliant album, and unfortunately he won’t be truly appreciated until volkwagon busts his songs from the vault for a tv commerical a la nick drake?
Bionce is a cheap fucking whore who thinks she is hot shit.
There I said it.
No regrets!
excuse the typos, the boss-lady is lurking…
“I think you’re a fucking elitest art-fag piece of upper east side shit who is too damn cool for anything even remotely popular. Lemme know when your new pale-blue mukluks arrive in the mail so you can strut down wall st to show off your home-made “vintage” diesel jeans that you cheese-grated and sewed hot new ted kennedy, democratic buttons to, hippie. Smoke your 1-hitter in the dark while I punch your no-good, liberal ribs without you spying my identity. Midwest forever, beast ice for breakfast bitches.”
EW are you kidding me? you’re a rancid fuck. go eat your ass, you prickish republican loofah- lover.
STOP THE HATE!!!!!!! argh!!!!
let’s just ignore that bastard and start loving eachother again.
thx,
bbbt
did you see the article in pitchfork about the new decemberists album. i [heart] the decemberists.
right on to those who have listened to medulla more than once. its a beautifully refreshing piece of work; keeps me on my toes AND delivers the goods.
satisfaction.
right on to those who have listened to medulla more than once. its a beautifully refreshing piece of work; keeps me on my toes AND delivers the goods.
satisfaction.
GRRR! ireland online lifted those bjork quotes from spin without credit. lovely!
the decemberists cover really blows.
OH NO I DI’ENT.
Medulla isn’t that bad. The album could benefit from a remix or a mash-up.
I love Medulla (tracks 3,6,9, 14 mainly). And I normally love Bjork videos. But this one for Who is it… is way too artsy fartsy pretentious. It’s hilarious. I swear her inspiration was “BE THE BELL!” Love it.
medulla is gorgeous. you’re all crazy.
“I think you’re a fucking elitest art-fag piece of upper east side shit…”
As an overweight, balding, almost 30 year old man in Southern California who knows better than to argue with people on internet message boards (but can’t seem to help it), I’m going to just chalk that one up to a good laugh.
Contrary to some deeply-held beliefs, being poor actually doesn’t preclude one’s ability to decide on the meals of their choosing.
But thank you for bravely placing yourself in harm’s way, while you protect the uneducated masses from the tentacles of Ronald McDonald. You are so noble.
as far as the ad’s go I felt the same way about Lenny doind a fucking Gap ad..I mean WTF.
hey, bjork was just expressing her opinion about music sold to commercials. i’m sure she’s been asked a dozen times herself and turned them all down. good for her. at least she allowed that maybe she was being too harsh, unlike the opinion posted about her album. can you remember to preface things like that with “i think”?
‘medulla’ may not be the most consistently listenable album, but it’s not terrible. it has some duff moments but is interesting, challenging, unique, and enjoyable. i’d take it over ‘debut’ any day. yeah, that had “human behavior” and “venus as a boy” but other than that, i think it’s boring, commercial techno/house. bravo to bjork for really going out on a limb with this one, compared to other pop stars on her level who are clearly more about money even when they don’t need to be.
could we get a new link for the decemberist’s cover of human behavior?
the existant one seems to be broken.
multi-thanks.
I wasn’t so keen on her new album either..but damn, it’s growing on me! I agree with Bjork about Beyonce, though. She has such a wonderful voice, it’s a shame she’s such a damn sellout.
They like eachother’s music, so why is there a versus implementation?
(I know this because of statements they made in interviews, if you care enough to google em)
Jess; watch it.
who cares about bee. she changed tremendously ever since she went out with jay now she dont know how to act. there new album is bullshit i think they could of did better. im sick of them. i want TLC back!
who cares about bee. she changed tremendously ever since she went out with jay now she dont know how to act. there new album is bullshit i think they could of did better. im sick of them. i want TLC back!
who cares about bee. she changed tremendously ever since she went out with jay now she dont know how to act. there new album is bullshit i think they could of did better. im sick of them. i want TLC back!
who cares about bee. she changed tremendously ever since she went out with jay now she dont know how to act. there new album is bullshit i think they could of did better. im sick of them. i want TLC back!
Aw c’mon. Beyonce Knowles is a whore, pimped by her parents, bought by fools who don’t seem to (want to) realise that a decent whore actually has sex with you for your money, and not just shakes her digitally restyled, de-blacked for your viewing pleasure, very expensive ass in your face. Now McDo and Pepsi want a piece of that action. Beyonce, being the whore she is, jumps at the opportunity, of course after having checked with her parents/pimps. End of story.
Bjork, well, she could start with dumping the preposterous accent, because everybody knows that she doesn’t talk like that when she’s off stage or out of the recording boot. I’ll say this for her, though: even though her recent work puts people off rather than pleasing her lifelong fans, it shows more creativity and evolution and all that stuff that ‘art’ is all about than fuckin Beyonce and her two Destiny’s Whore airhead bimbo colleagues.
AWW C’MON: Bjork grew up in Iceland and then lived in London so yes, her accent is pretty unique. So fuck off with that.
to beyonce: YOU ARE SUCH A SELLOUT
to bjork: YOU ARE SUCH A VISIONARY
Beyonce is a sellout! Of course, someone is going to say she’s the best thing that happened in the music business, right now. Anybody that listens to R&B, knows there’s plenty of singers that’s waaaaaaaay better than beyonce, and they don’t sell their soul to the devil.
i think that it’s a crock of bullDONKEY…why would Björk, who probably has better things to do than get pissed about some crappy ass R&B group who sold their souls to the devil when they first appeared on MTV or any commerical radio station.
Fuck beyonce, who cares about that whore? fuck macdonalds, pepsi, coca cola, fucking victoria’s secret, fucking hippies, fucking yuppies, fuck u all people.
You guys should start living your own way, under your own rules, with no pre established beliefs or thoughts. Follow your instincts and bjork’s music help you to do it.
its 2009 and yes beyonce really did sell her soul she wears a baphomet