Birthday

The song 'Birthday' by Sugarcubes, fronted by the enigmatic Björk, delves into the whimsical and surreal world of a young girl. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a child who lives in a house but has a world that extends far beyond its walls. This girl, only five years old, interacts with nature in a raw and unfiltered way, grappling the earth with her fingers and mouth. Her activities, such as threading worms on a string and keeping spiders in her pockets, highlight her untainted curiosity and fascination with the natural world.

The song also introduces a friend who lives next door, emphasizing the simplicity and purity of childhood friendships. They share innocent moments, like listening to the weather and counting freckles. The imagery of the girl scratching her friend's beard and painting huge books together suggests a deep bond and a shared sense of wonder. The mention of a raven, which she touches as it glides down the sky, adds a mystical element to the narrative, symbolizing freedom and the boundless imagination of a child.

As the song progresses, it takes a more surreal turn with the celebration of a birthday. The imagery becomes more abstract, with references to smoking cigars, a chain of flowers, and sowing a bird in her knickers. These lines blur the lines between reality and fantasy, capturing the essence of a child's imaginative play. The bathtub scene, where they lie with a chain of flowers, evokes a sense of innocence and purity, contrasting with the more mature act of smoking cigars. Overall, 'Birthday' is a poetic exploration of childhood, blending innocence, imagination, and a touch of surrealism to create a captivating narrative.