Náttúra Explained

Náttúra
Cover:Náttúra.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Björk featuring Thom Yorke
Language:Icelandic
English Title:"Nature"
Released:20 October 2008
Genre:Industrial
Length:3:49
Label:One Little Indian
Producer:Björk
Prev Title:The Dull Flame of Desire
Prev Year:2008
Next Title:The Comet Song
Next Year:2010

"Náttúra" is a song written and recorded by Icelandic singer Björk featuring English musician Thom Yorke. The track was released as a single promoting the protection of the Icelandic environment.[1] All proceeds from the single were donated to the Náttúra Foundation, the environmental preservation campaign after which the song is named.[2] The single was initially discovered by Björk's French-language fan website[3] and was later confirmed by the singer's representatives. It was released on 20 October 2008[1] as an iTunes exclusive, and had a wide digital release on 27 October.[4] The song was given a physical release on 20 April 2009, with a white label vinyl released by One Little Indian's web shop.[5] The single was included on the deluxe version of Björk's 2011 album Biophilia.

Background

Pitchfork Media has reported that Radiohead's Thom Yorke contributed to the vocals on "Náttúra".[6] Björk and Yorke previously worked together while recording "I've Seen It All" from Selmasongs, the soundtrack to Dancer in the Dark. Yorke's contribution to the single was initially debated, as Billboard Music stated that the singer-songwriter has not recorded any new material with Björk since 2000.[7] Björk's publicist confirmed that Yorke's contributions were made via file-sharing during the summer of 2008, while Björk was on her Volta tour.[4] Yorke's voice can be heard as atmospheric haze in the background of the song. Other contributors to the track include Brian Chippendale of Lightning Bolt, and frequent collaborators Mark Bell and Matthew Herbert.[4]

This is Björk's first solo single to be released entirely in Icelandic. It is also the first not to have a corresponding album or video. However, it is bundled with the digital download and included on the digipak edition of Björk's 2011 album Biophilia.

Formats and track listings

Digital single

  1. "Náttúra" – 3:49

12" white label

  1. "Náttúra" (Switch Remix) – 5:18
  2. "Náttúra" – 3:49

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2008)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Canadian Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[8] 75
Iceland (RÚV)[9] 26
UK Singles (OCC)[10] 102

Notes and References

  1. http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/146387-bjork-and-thom-yorke-teaming-for-new-single Bjork and Thom Yorke Teaming for New Single
  2. http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/146670-interview-bjrk-part-one Björk (Part One)
  3. http://www.bjork.fr/Nattura.html Náttúra
  4. http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/146502-herbert-lightning-bolt-drummer-on-bjork-yorke-single Herbert, Lightning Bolt Drummer on Bjork/Yorke Single
  5. http://www.onelittleshop.com/product_info.php?products_id=835 One Little Indian Retrieved 2009-04-20
  6. http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/download/146482-new-music-bjrk-ft-thom-yorke-nattura-stream "Nattura" (Stream)
  7. http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1043811/new-bjork-single-to-yorke-or-not-to-yorke New Bjork Single: To Yorke, Or Not To Yorke?
  8. Björk Chart History (Canadian Digital Song Sales). Billboard. 10 January 2024.
  9. Web site: Björk Chart History. RÚV. 30 March 2016. 31 August 2017.
  10. Web site: Chart Log UK: New entries update. zobbel.de. 1 November 2008. 1 September 2023.