Desired Constellation by Björk Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling a Celestial Tale of Redemption and Inner Conflict

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Björk's Desired Constellation at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

It’s tricky when you feel someone
Has done some sin on your behalf
It’s slippery when your sense of justice
Murmurs underneath and is asking you

How am I going to make it right
How am I going to make it right

With a palm full of stars
I throw them like dice (repeatedly)
On the table (repeat, repeatedly)
I shake them like dice
And throw them on the table repeatedly (repeatedly)
Until the desired constellation appears

How am I going to make it right
How am I going to make it right
How am I going to make it right
(And did you hear how am I going to make it right)

How am I going to make it right
How am I going to make it right
(How am I going to make it right)

Björk, the Icelandic songstress known for her avant-garde music and ethereal voice, often crafts songs that defy simple interpretation. ‘Desired Constellation,’ a track from her 2004 album ‘Medúlla,’ is no exception. Its haunting lyrics convey a sense of both personal struggle and cosmic wonder, layering the intimate with the infinite.

This song serves as an ethereal journey through guilt, redemption, and the quest for a sense of balance in the universe. With each carefully enunciated lyric, Björk invites her listeners to peer into the abyss of self-reckoning, spotting constellations where our greatest wishes and deepest regrets align.

The Weight of Guilt: Unpacking the Psyche of ‘Desired Constellation’

The song begins with an admission of a vicarious sin, a wrongdoing seemingly committed on the singer’s behalf. Björk’s choice of words captures a vivid struggle with the guilt that comes from benefiting from someone else’s moral misstep. The ‘tricky’ and ‘slippery’ nature of this feeling suggests a profound discomfort and a desperate yearning for absolution.

This invocation of ‘sin’ and ‘justice’ evokes a religious or spiritual framework in which actions bear cosmic significance. It’s not just about interpersonal relationships but about finding one’s place in the universe in alignment with some greater moral code.

Astrological Dice: Symbolism in ‘Desired Constellation’

The imagery of a ‘palm full of stars,’ dice, and a gambling table infuse a sense of randomness into the quest for moral equilibrium. Here, Björk touches upon the notion of fate and control, underscoring the unpredictability of life’s outcome despite our fervent attempts to steer it towards our ‘desired constellation.’

The repeated action of throwing dice ‘repeatedly’ captures a sense of persistence and compulsion. It’s a metaphor for the trial and error of seeking redemption, a cosmic game of chance where the stakes are one’s peace of mind and sense of self-worth.

The Cosmic Game of Chance: Analyzing Björk’s Repetitive Phrase

Delving into the hypnotic repetition in the lyrics, we uncover an obsessive quest for rectification. Each reiteration of ‘how am I going to make it right’ is a mantra, a plea to the universe for guidance in correcting a past not directly hers but hauntingly present.

The repetition serves to emphasize the desperation and frequency of this internal monologue. It is both meditative and frantic, simulating the cyclical nature of thoughts one experiences when weighed down by unresolved guilt and the responsibility of atonement.

The Enigma of Atonement: Exploring the Hidden Meaning

At the core of ‘Desired Constellation’ lies the enigmatic process of atonement. Björk does not offer a clear pathway to ‘make it right,’ which suggests that the art of atonement is personal and elusive, more about the journey than the destination.

The song’s deliberate vagueness asks listeners to contemplate their own means of making amends. It leaves us to wrestle with the inherent uncertainty in seeking to repair the damages of our actions, intentional or otherwise.

‘Until the Desired Constellation Appears’: The Search for Signs and Redemption

One of the most haunting lines, the lyrics coalesce the randomness of healing from guilt through the metaphor of constellations. Much like we look to the stars for signs and guidance, Björk is searching for a pattern, a signifier that redemption is within reach.

The constellation represents an ideal state of moral alignment, a configuration that signifies everything is as it should be. It’s a powerful image of order constructed from the chaos of the cosmos, reflecting the fragile hope that persists even within the deepest self-doubt.