# How would you describe Bjork? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 8, 2005, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507 "2005-03-08T05:43:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Hook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@The\_Hook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hook)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/21 "2005-03-09T05:03:18Z")
Tone-deaf Asperger’s performer, designed by Hayao Miyazaki on his LSD adventures? ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/22 "2005-03-09T12:00:08Z")
Icelandic sex dwarf (come on chaps you would wouldn’t you - just to find out) with a peckham accent (how did that happen?). ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/23 "2005-03-09T14:25:33Z")
She looks perpetually four years old & sounds just a bit older. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/24 "2005-03-09T14:50:55Z")
> [@LindyHopper](#): > > I know people usually pronounce it as “byork”, but isn’t it actually more like “byerk”? I don’t speak Icelandic, of course, but a little help? I don’t speak Icelandic, but I pronounce it closer to ‘byerk’. Since there’s an unlaut over the o, it’s not a long o. When I pronounce a word with an umlaut, I shape my mouth for the vowel and pronounce an e. Worked well enough to get me 'A’s in my German classes. I can take Björk’s music in small doses. I _like_ it for a change. But I don’t think I could listen to a whole album. The local college station seemed to play Björk songs whenever I tuned it around lunch time. Same song, every day. Got on my nerves. Nice one, **Jurph**! 😃 **owlstretchingtime** : Of course I would. Hell, I’d do a snake if someone would hold it out straight for me. (But I’d prefer Björk, by far.) ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/25 "2005-03-09T16:06:55Z")
When I read the OP I thought the question was impossible to answer. Then 1st post **picker** answered it perfectly. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/26 "2005-03-09T18:45:57Z")
Most people would describe her as cute…not bjeautiful. (that joke just never gets old). ---
**Author:** ![LindyHopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@LindyHopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LindyHopper)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/27 "2005-03-09T22:08:49Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > I don’t speak Icelandic, but I pronounce it closer to ‘byerk’. Since there’s an unlaut over the o, it’s not a long o. When I pronounce a word with an umlaut, I shape my mouth for the vowel and pronounce an e. Worked well enough to get me 'A’s in my German classes. That’s what I figured. I took German for seven years (although I’m very rusty right now), so I know what umlauts do in German; I just didn’t know if the rule was different for Icelandic or other Scandinavian languages. ---
**Author:** ![Eolbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@Eolbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eolbo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2005, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/28 "2005-03-15T07:01:10Z")
> [@LindyHopper](#): > > I know people usually pronounce it as “byork”, but isn’t it actually more like “byerk”? I don’t speak Icelandic, of course, but a little help? Its actually pronounced rhyming with jerk [Björk means “a birch tree” in Icelandic (the meaning of Icelandic names is often transparent), cognate with Old English beorc and the modern English word. Though many English-speakers pronounce her name “Byork”, a more accurate approximation would be “Byerk”, which she has pointed out, rhymes with “jerk”. Guðmundsdóttir is pronounced “Gooth-moons-dough-ter”, and means “Guðmund’s daughter”.](http://www.answers.com/topic/bj-rk) ---
**Author:** ![phoebo32](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@phoebo32](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phoebo32)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2005, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/29 "2005-07-12T20:45:44Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Most people would describe her as cute…not bjeautiful. (that joke just never gets old). Really? I think that she is incredibly beautiful. In her defence I also think that she doesn’t play up to the camera in that “I’m going to the supermarket in my designer clothes” type way. She kind of just is, and leaves you to interpret her beauty however you want. Also, unbelievably sexy…evers since I found out she is a little nymphomaniac I was won over forever… [http://unit.bjork.com/specials/pics/bw/B&W%20naked%20in%20forrest%20covered%20by%20leafs.jpg](http://unit.bjork.com/specials/pics/bw/B&W%20naked%20in%20forrest%20covered%20by%20leafs.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Idlewild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8491ac/32.png) [@Idlewild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idlewild)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2005, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/30 "2005-07-12T22:47:54Z")
I’d describe her as an original who follows her own musical path, often with some astonishing results. Some of her music is almost unbearably lush and erotic to me, particularly the album Vespertine. She writes many of her own lyrics. Her music is definitely not always accessible but may grow on the listener. She is apparently a good collaborator and attracts other exciting artists to work with her or remix her music. I find her very beautiful, with a definite hint of mischief and mayhem. ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2005, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/31 "2005-07-12T23:34:35Z")
Impish. ---
**Author:** ![edwino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@edwino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwino)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/32 "2005-07-13T00:19:46Z")
Disclaimer: I think _Homogenic_ and _Vespertine_ are two of the best albums made in the last ten years. I think she is interesting looking – she looks like herself. Not particularly beautiful, but unique. I love watching her sing – you can tell she is just totally putting her all into it, and she is an incredible live performer. Her music has ranged. The early stuff is pretty easy to peg as pop or electronic pop, as a direct extension of her work in The Sugarcubes. Beginning in her second album (but definitely by the third) it started with a big ambient/experimental feel. I’d hesitate to call her trip-hop – I usually associate that as much darker, dependent on song samples and taking things like scratching from hip-hop. She doesn’t do that mostly. She works with environmental noises, synthesizers, and experimental groups like Matmos. So she falls somewhere between Sigur Ros and club music. Closer to Sigur Ros. I would describe her as one of those people who is creative to a level which is orders of magnitude beyond most others. Therefore, she is often (usually) difficult to comprehend and makes divisive, unique, inaccessible music. Love it or hate it; it just kind of is a visceral thing. She knows what she is doing, I don’t. I just sit back and hope that some of her genius rubs off in the listening. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/33 "2005-07-13T00:27:49Z")
From the same planet as Michael Jackson, except she arrived looking like that. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/34 "2005-07-13T00:55:21Z")
[Fiesty](http://www.muchosucko.com/video-evilbitch.html) (Some ads on that site might not be totally safe for work.) I had a problem with Björk for some time when she first came on the scene solo. I loved The Sugarcubes, then Björk, not so much. My husband is completely infatuated with her. Over the years, I’ve grown to appreciate her music more, thanks to him. My wedding gift to him was a pair of tickets to see her in SF a couple of years ago. She put on a great show, I’d definitley go see her live again. ---
**Author:** ![Tentacle\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba9def/32.png) [@Tentacle\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tentacle_Monster)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/35 "2005-07-13T01:34:30Z")
She’s small and she’s odd, like a lepton or quark. Also, do check out Hal Briston’s link. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/36 "2005-07-13T01:54:48Z")
> [@phoebo32](#): > > Really? I think that she is incredibly beautiful. In her defence I also think that she doesn’t play up to the camera in that “I’m going to the supermarket in my designer clothes” type way. She kind of just is, and leaves you to interpret her beauty however you want. Idonno. I just wanted a word that started with “bj…”. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/37 "2005-07-13T02:28:00Z")
In amazing coincidence, my husband just walked in with his latest Netflix DVD. Björk Unplugged, which he is now lounging on the couch watching (loudly, and my PC is in the living room) while wondering out loud if Björk will marry him. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Liz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/liz/32/17737_2.png) [@Liz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liz)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/38 "2005-07-13T02:38:11Z")
Her looks I describe as elfin and unique, pretty much the same as everyone has said. Her music, OTOH, is magical stuff. Gorgeous. Bjork fans – find a bootleg of her performing the Rolling Stones “Satisfaction” with PJ Harvey. Nnngh. Nnnnnnnnnnngh. Also, she does an incredibly beautiful cover of “Leavin’ on a Jet Plane.” ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/39 "2005-07-13T02:45:09Z")
A Bjork once bit my sister… ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507/40 "2005-07-13T11:49:17Z")
Actually, it appears that she has pjorked out a bit, judging from a picture in one of those gossip rags I read in a doctors’ office (US Weekly, I think). They had a picture from the Live 8 performance, and she was wearing a butterfly caftan with her hands on her hips, and looked surprisingly wide. Face was a bit puffy, too. Sorry, I can’t find it online, but someone with better Google skills might be better at finding it than me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-describe-bjork/293507.md?page=3)