Oceania (song)

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"Oceania"

Single by Björk
from the album Medúlla
Released	2004
Length	3:24
Label	One Little Indian
Writer(s)	Björk
Producer(s)	Björk and Mark Bell
Chart positions
#8 (Portugal) #9 (Taiwan) #75 (UK) #120 (US)
Björk singles chronology
"It's in Our Hands" (2002)	"Oceania" (2004)	"Who Is It" (2004)

"Oceania" was the first single from Björk's Medúlla album. It was written for the 2004 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony, where she performed immediately following the Parade of Nations. As with most of Medúlla, the track is composed purely of human vocals and features a London choir and Leeds-based beatboxer Shlomo. The lyrics are written by her friend, Sjón, who is an Icelandic poet and novelist. They are written in the point of view of the ocean who sings about the evolution of humans from her waters. This was the last song written and mixed for the album.

Screenshot from "Oceania"

The video (directed by Lynn Fox) featured a jewel-encrusted Björk in dark watery depths, with sunlight and swirling creatures above her. A re-recording of "Oceania" was featured as a B-side to the "Who Is It" single. This version featured vocals by Kelis and featured new lyrics she had written herself, written from the point of view of the continents. [1] A piano version also appeared on the DVD single, which was assisted in its creation by Nico Muhly. [2]

The song was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 2005 Grammy Awards but lost out to Norah Jones.