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Possibly Maybe

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"Possibly Maybe"
Song
B-side"Vísur Vatnsenda-Rósu"

"Possibly Maybe" is a song by Björk, released as the fifth single from her 1995 album Post. It is a dark song reflecting on potential love with deep electronic tones and soft beats.

There were three different single releases, this was the first Björk single to be released in three parts. Two of them are a rarities in the music world in that the A-side is not the first track. The first CD came with a slipcase that could also house the other two.

Background

The song details different stages of a breakup. Björk says it was "the first unhappy song I wrote... I felt ashamed writing a song that was not giving hope". The melancholic piece was dedicated to her broken relationship with Stéphane Sednaoui, who, curiously, also directed the video. Rumours have persisted that Björk recorded the song in the nude, although this has not been publicly commented on.[1] Björk was sued by British electronic musician Scanner for the sample at the start of the track of a telephone ringing. The situation caused her record label, One Little Indian, to contemplate the idea of destroying all current copies of Post in the shops, and of the remixing, remastering and reprinting of a new version of the album that included a version of "Possibly Maybe" which did not feature the sample.

Music video

Björk in the Stéphane Sednaoui-directed music video for Possibly Maybe.

The video shows Björk in a variety of different rooms in an apartment. She is primarily shown in a large, stylish bedroom with modern décor. These scenes are intercut with shots in ultra-violet lighting (which subsequently causes everything to appear in day-glo colours). She is also shown in three other rooms: submerged in the bathtub of a bathroom; an Asian-themed room; and a room full of stereo equipment. These scenes are intercut with an angelic image of her dressed all in white, floating out of a blue sky with the sun behind her. The majority of objects appearing in the video were Björk's own.[2] The music video was directed by Stéphane Sednaoui; curiously, the song actually talks about him. Short interviews with both Stéphane and Björk discussing the video are included on the Stéphane Sednaoui Directors Label DVD. A short making-of for the single's B-side, "Vísur Vatnsenda-Rósu", was recorded as part of the corresponding album Chansons des mers froides by Hector Zazou.

Live performances

The track was performed during the 1995-96 Post Tour, a performance of which can be found on the 1998 live DVD/VHS Live at Shepherds Bush Empire, a fan-club only concert held at the end of the tour. To support the release of Post, the song was performed on the UK TV show Later... with Jools Holland on 17 June 1995 with legendary slide guitarist BJ Cole. This performance was featured on Björk's 2003 DVD release Later. Björk also performed the track on TFI Friday on 1 November 1996 to promote the official single release. The track was also included on a 1996 ChildLine charity album release, whose cover-art featured a parody of the Post cover.[3] In support of this album, Björk performed the song on Top of the Pops. Björk's then manager Netty Walker noted later that it "was the worst performance I've ever seen her do."[4] A live performance recorded for US TV show Reverb in 2001 included a performance of "Possibly Maybe". The track has been performed on Björk's subsequent tours in support of the Homogenic (1997) and Vespertine (2001) albums, the latter version of which appears on the 2002 DVD release Live at Royal Opera House. The song has not been performed live since 2001.

Single track listing

The release features remixes by Talvin Singh, Mark Bell from LFO, Dallas Austin, Trevor Morais (who was the drummer on the Post Tour) and Plaid. The single was planned to coincide with Björk's tour dates in South America and South Africa in October 1996,[5] although the South American concerts were cancelled only two shows in due to Björk suffering from laryngitis. Two live tracks ("Possibly Maybe" and "Hyperballad") recorded at Wembley Arena as part of a Top of the Pops show are included on CD3.

UK CD1
(193TP7CD; Released: 1996)

  1. "Possibly Maybe" - 5:04
  2. "Possibly Maybe" (Lucy Mix, also featured on Telegram) - 3:03
  3. "Possibly Maybe" (Calcutta Cyber Cafe Mix) - 5:33
  4. "Possibly Maybe" (Dallas Austin Mix) - 4:50

UK CD2
(193TP7CDL; Released: 21 October 1996)

  1. "Cover Me" (Dillinja Mix) - 6:22
  2. "One Day" (Trevor Morais Mix) - 7:01
  3. "Possibly Maybe" (Calcutta Cyber Cafe Dub Mix) - 4:56
  4. "I Miss You" (Photek Mix) - 5:53

UK CD3
(193TP7CDT; Released: 1996)

  1. "Big Time Sensuality" (Plaid Mix) - 5:21
  2. "Vísur Vatnsenda-Rósu" (Traditional folk song. Produced by Hector Zazou) - 4:20
  3. "Possibly Maybe" (Live at Wembley Arena) - 4:53
  4. "Hyperballad" (Over the Edge Mix) (Live at Wembley Arena) - 4:56

UK CD Promo
(193TP7CDR; Released: 28 October 1996)

  1. "Possibly Maybe" (Radio Edit) - 3:28

UK 12" Vinyl
(193TP12TD; Released: August, 1996; Limited Edition)

Side A

  1. "Possibly Maybe" (Calcutta Cyber Cafe Mix)

Side B

  1. "I Miss You" (Dobie Rub Part One - Sunshine Mix)

UK 12" Vinyl
(193TP12DM; Released: September, 1996)

Side A

  1. "Enjoy" (The Beats Mix) - 6:57

Side B

  1. "Possibly Maybe" (Lucy Remix) - 3:03

UK 12" Vinyl
(193TP12MO; Released: 1997)

Side A

  1. "Possibly Maybe" (Lucy Remix) - 3:03

Side B

  1. "Enjoy" (Further Over The Edge Mix) - 4:19

Remixes

  • Calcutta Cyber Cafe mix
  • Calcutta Cyber Cafe dub mix/Talvin Singh dub/acid mix
  • Dallas Austin mix
  • Lucy mix
  • Radio edit
  • Telegram Mix

Covers

The track was covered by Final Fantasy and Ed Droste on music website Stereogum's 2008 online tribute to Post.[6]

Trivia

  • A sample of this song was used in the bumpers for VH1's 'Insomniac Music Theater' late night music video block from the song's release until the program was cancelled in 2005 and renamed 'Nocturnal State'.
  • DJ Shadow sampled this song for the track Mutual Slump from Endtroducing..... album.
  • Possibly Maybe has been heavily airplayed on VH1 Latinamerica, mainly late at night.

Charts

Chart Peak
position
UK Singles Chart 13

References

  1. ^ unit.bjork.com (2010). ""- SAGA BJARKAR - short biography of Björk -"". Retrieved 2010-08-19. {{cite web}}: External link in |author= (help)
  2. ^ visual.rajraj.net (2010). ""Bjork in the MOVIES"". Retrieved 2010-08-19. {{cite web}}: External link in |author= (help)
  3. ^ discogs.com (2010). ""Images for Various - Childline"". Retrieved 2010-08-19. {{cite web}}: External link in |author= (help)
  4. ^ "Björk - Wow & Flutter" by Mark Pytlik, 2003, Aurum Press, ISBN 1-85410-960-X pg 116.
  5. ^ unit.bjork.com (2010). ""77ísland - possibly maybe"". Retrieved 2010-08-19. {{cite web}}: External link in |author= (help)
  6. ^ stereogum.com (2010). ""8. Final Fantasy & Ed Droste - "Possibly Maybe" - Stereogum"". Retrieved 2010-08-19. {{cite web}}: External link in |author= (help)
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