My Top 20 Björk Songs

It's official: Björk is no longer my favorite female singer. It's not because my wife hates her voice, as does everyone else that I know (parents, siblings, college roommates, current coworkers). It's ironic that I think of my wife whenever I hear Björk, because I got into them both around the same time. I heard the song "It's Oh So Quiet" at one of my wife's ballet showcases and bought the Japanese version of the CD single shortly after my wife and I started dating. I remember listening to the Debut album for the first time from start to finish in her dorm room and I'm sure she hated every minute of it. Going back to my initial statement, I've recently decided that Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins is my new favorite female singer. She doesn't have the aggressive vocal range of Björk, but her indecipherable lyrics pack more punch (and undoubtedly grind on others' ears like nails on a chalkboard). Sometimes Björk gives me chills but only Fraser has brought tears to my eyes. If you're wondering what howling animal is my pick for favorite male singer, it's Sublime's Bradley Nowell (replacing childhood fave Michael Hutchence of INXS). If you're interested to hear more picks, my favorite electric guitarist is Kevin Cadogan (formerly in Third Eye Blind). On bass guitar I like Peter Hook from New Order and on drums you can't beat (pun intended) The Smashing Pumpkins' Jimmy Chamberlin. As a general rule, I like music that can't be easily ignored, but whether that implies the fashion-forwardness of Björk or dynamic rhythms with noisy hooks, I'll let you be the judge. Now for my top 20 Björk songs:

1. "Birthday" (1987) - The Sugarcubes; from the album, Life's Too Good (see also the "Justin Robertson 12" and "Tommy D" remixes)
2. "Motorcrash" (1988) - The Sugarcubes; from the Europe/Asia-only version of the album, Life's Too Good
3. "Ruby smábarn" (1990) from the album, Gling-glo
4. "Ooops" (1991) - 808 State; from the album, Ex:el
5. "Leash Called Love" (1992) - The Sugarcubes; from the album, Stick Around For Joy
6. "Crying" (1993) from Björk's Debut album
7. "Venus As a Boy" (1993) from the movie, Léon: The Professional
8. "There's More To Life Than This (Non-Toilet)" (1993) B-side of the single, Venus As a Boy
9. "Big Time Sensuality" (1993) from the single of the same name
10. "Hyperballad (Brodsky Quartet Version)" (1995) B-side of the single, It's Oh So Quiet
11. "I Miss You (Dobie Rub Part One - Sunshine Mix)" (1996) from the remix compilation, Telegram
12. "Sod Off" (1997) B-side of the single, Jóga
13. "Hunter" (1997) from the album, Homogenic
14. "Lilith" (1997) - Plaid; from the album, Not for Threes
15. "Alarm Call (Radio Edit)" (1998) only on the single of the same name; my absolute favorite Björk song
16. "It's Not Up to You" (2001) from the album, Vespertine
17. ""Who Is It (Carry My Joy on the Left, Carry My Pain on the Right)" (2004) from the album, Medúlla
18. "Army of Me (Dr. Syntax & CB Turbo v. Rivethead)" (2005) from the remix compilation of the same name
19. "Innocence (Mark "Spike" Stent Mix)" (2007) from the single of the same name
20. "Dull Flame of Desire (Mode Selektor Remix 02)" (2008) from the single of the same name