Robyn - Hyperballad (Björk Cover)

Robyn - Hyperballad (Live Polar Music Prize 2010)

Written by Björk, Nellee Hooper & Marius De Vries

We live on a mountain
Right at the top
There's a beautiful view
From the top of the mountain
Every morning I walk towards the edge
And throw little things off
Like:
Car parts, bottles and cutlery
Or whatever I find lying around

It's become a habit
A way
To start the day

I go through all this
Before you wake up
So I can feel happier
To be safe up here with you

It's early morning
No one is awake
I'm back at my cliff
Still throwing things off
I listen to the sounds they make
On their way down
I follow with my eyes 'til they crash
Imagine what my body would sound like
Slamming against those rocks

When it lands
Will my eyes
Be closed or open?

I go through all this
Before you wake up
So I can feel happier
To be safe up here with you

[indyatmn]

I love both Bjork's version and this version of the song and even though others on here have written that Bjork said she enjoyed Robyn's performance, I feel bad for Robyn and doubly impressed by her performance because Bjork is sitting less than 6 feet in front of her and her expression is utterly inscrutable. It certainly can't be easy to sing someone's song directly in front of them and wonder if the person is feeling anything at all. The only thing worse would be if Bjork were wincing.

[marvjosh]

Björk said in an interview afterwards that she loved Robyn's version and their whole arrangement of the song. Of course Björk is on another level, but Robyn is also a very unique and talented artist. Don't be so ignorant.

[mmetro]

As a musician and a HUGE Bjork fan... Robyn paid tribute in the highest fashion. To try to mimic the original would have been a foolish insult. To try to better it would have been disrespectful.
Robyn "represented" ya'hear? And it has been said that Bjork gave the cover her stamp of approval. I love Robyn's voice and I love Bjork's everything. Well done.

[gdogg]

Remind me never to play poker with Bjork XD

[BlandNutz]

I think it took huge bravery for robyn to sing this infront of Bjork, the pressure mustve been insane, i think she did a fantastic job and I think Bjork approved aswell. The mix of electronic and classical sounds was sublime too.

[emoliciousnow]

It's freakin' ballsy to be performing such a classic in front of the living musical legend herself! Word.

[cogitae]

A multitalented swedish pixie covering the ethereal ballad of a legendary islandic elf. Sounds like a proper cover <3

[Isaacixav]

robyn is genuine, never tries to pretend herself, that's what makes the performance charming.

[schorschschorsch]

All you fans of Björk, please do not think narrow. It is always a hard try to cover a great artist. Thank Robyn for her work. Excellent, thank you !

[mshaftenberg]

To all people bitching about the lyrics: watch Björk live in Japan, she's reading her own lyrics from a sheet of paper on the stage :)
Get around this, this is music.
Robyn did a fantastic job, especially in front of Björk and the swedish Queen. Can't imagine the pressure not the slightest.

[epistolaris]

I LOVE this cover. Of course, NOTHING beats Bjork but dang, this cover does the song justice.

[ofjdaz]

I like how björk explores the origin of the beats with her eyes at 1:34. 
Sort of like a cat playing.

[StockholmNightlife]

The end of 2023 and this still gives me Goosebumps & teary eyes... Such a sad great love song & Robyn delivers it so well ❤💯 I think it is one of the best live performances here on YouTube that I have seen... WOW... Thanks for uploading 💫

[tskeates]

holy crap.  this destroyed me.  you can clearly see the approval and pride on bjorks face.  it seems like there are alot of things that were perfect the first time and really shouldn't be touched, but well done and kudos to robyn, this was a risky move but I believe she stepped up to the plate and she pulled it off better that 99.9% of other people would of in her position.

[Seanygee]

This cover is so freaking haunting i have listened to it on loop for the past 4 hours... and i regret NOTHING!

[m.xnt_]

look at Björk's face at the end;; she was so proud;;

[mikeyfive]

Brilliant live performance... Gave me goosebumps on my goosebumps.
... and I'm a Bjork fanatic.

[ceccharrier]

Robyn seems to me a sincere and sensible artist. And it needs a fucking courage to do this in front of one of the biggest artists of this century. Easy to make critics, harder to do. Congratulations Robyn 🌸

[BlueHazyDreams]

It's a really difficult song to cover in my opinion and experience. Hell, it's difficult to cover Bjork at all, and Robyn doesn't seem to get enough credit for not being a train wreck like many people could be when covering Hyperballad. I think it's a very solid attempt. 

[d.w]

As someone who not only listens to Bjork but Robyn as well I am so happy to hear one cover the other. Those of you who said she sounded nothing like Bjork you are correct because she covered it not copied . When you do a cover it's supposed to sound like the song but at the same time in your own style . And while it was Bjork's song I heard Robyn's style. She nailed it, it was beautiful in every way. Remember cover not copy. Obviously she wouldn't sound the same. Both are amazing artistic singers.