Björk – 5 Years

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You think you're denying me of something
Well I've got plenty
You're the one who's missing out
But you won't notice
'Till after five years
If you'll live that long
You'll wake up
All loveless

I dare you
To take me on
I dare you
To show me your palms

I'm so bored with cowards
That say they want
Then they can't handle

You can't handle love
You can't handle love
You just can't handle

I dare you
To take me on
I dare you
To show me your palms

What's so scary ?
Not a threat in sight
You just can't handle
You can't handle love

You can't handle love, baby
You can't handle love
It's obvious
You can't handle

I dare you
To take me on
I dare you
To show me your palms

I'm so bored of cowards
That say they want
Then they can't handle

You can't handle love, baby
You can't handle love,
It's obvious
You can't handle

I dare you, I dare you
I dare you, I dare you

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Lyrics submitted by LittleLaura


5 Years song meanings
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35 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:The themes of the album are reflected in the album cover designed by Alexander McQueen. Björk approached McQueen explaining to him the person who wrote Homogenic's songs was someone who "had to become a warrior. A warrior who had to fight not with weapons, but with love. I had 10 kilos of hair on my head, and special contact lenses and a manicure that prevented me from eating with my fingers, and gaffer tape around my waist and high clogs so I couldn't walk easily".
    -Wikipedia
    Flag mythslayeron December 15, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Memory:You know what's funny? My bf bought this cd for my bday right when he broke up with me in 2010. I couldn't get into the music, mainly because it came from him when he crushed my heart and soul. I just now began to look into it and read about it. This album is all about heartbreak and anger. He probably knew that because he always looked into music before he bought anything. But wow, listening to this song and thinking about how he hurt me... wow... he is definitely a coward.
    Flag DAREtoBOOGIE23on February 28, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I listened this song for the first time when I was in love with someone and he knew it, and he didnt take me. Helped me a lot to cope with the angerness and denial that I felt. For me, Bjork experienced the same, due to the anger and energy that she sings the lyrics. I didnt feel so alone. =)
    Flag praychon November 05, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Excellent thought! I understood the general message of this song, but couldn't precisely decipher that "show me your palms" lyric. Your interpretation is the most insightful I've read, and most likely what Bjork intended. Especially how she repeatedly barrages him with that same demand, "I DARE YOU! I DARE YOU-oo-OO-oo-OOOO!!! To show me your palms!" It's as if he keeps refusing because he knows he has nothing to show for the time; he knows and she knows, and she wants him to admit it.
    Flag Kharyzmatiqqon October 10, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Per the palm reference: When someone suspects a child of taking something, a child will often outstretch his arms and open his hands to show that he has nothing grasped wihin his palms. Bjork may be implying just that...he (immature much like a child when it comes to love) now has nothing (no love, etc).
    Flag MaryMaryQuiteContraryon August 24, 2011   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:Straightforward song that speaks to me at this time. Bjork is an amazing artist and this track is excellent. An angry in-your-face song. She's telling him to give her time; he'll find himself watching her happy in love after he's realized what he's lost. He will be alone in five years time. Sad thought, but she's simply tired of him being a coward.
    Flag MaryMaryQuiteContraryon August 24, 2011   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:I was listening to that. I think when she wrote it, she was frustrated because she'd just broken up with her partner. I love the way she sings it. So strong but pleading in a way, because she doesn't want her feelings to die. She has invested her heart in this person and is so sad for it to go waste.. she wants him to prove it was worth it. She knows it. But what we know and what we are shown are two very different things.

    Everything I've ever felt or could relate to, she has sung about. I love how she strings these organic and mechanical beats and bloops through her songs, like some sort of life-imitating tapestry.
    Not one of her deepest songs,

    but one of her most honest and compelling.

    it's a simple cry for truth, proof of heart.

    Beautiful regardless of anything else.
    Flag muckguppyon January 01, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:It's one of those anthems in which a lover declares after the split that they're missing out on good stuff.
    Flag thekingofloveon October 15, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:After a breakup, the speaker taunts her former lover that he's unable to "handle" love and that in the end he'll be the unhappy one.
    Flag ferrariguy90on August 11, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The kicks and snares are much more apparent and deep on the live version of the album.
    I would suggest the Bjork Live Box to anybody!
    Flag redtigerlilyon June 23, 2010   Link

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