Play Dead (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Play Dead


Artist = Björk and David Arnold
from Album = Debut (UK and Japanese pressings)
B-side =
Released = October 11, 1993
Format = CD, 12", 7"
Recorded =
Genre = Pop, R&B, Trip hop
Length = 3:56
Label = Universal Records One Little Indian
Writer =
Producer = David Arnold Danny Cannon
Certification =
Chronology = Björk singles
Last single = "Venus as a Boy" (1993)
This single = "Play Dead" (1993)
Next single = "Big Time Sensuality" (1993)"Play Dead" is a song by Icelandic singer Björk, and was released as a single in 1993. It is a dark piece underscored by moody strings with lyrics about acting numb to prevent emotional pain.

It was originally a non-album track recorded for the film "The Young Americans" and intended as a single-only release, but it was later added as a bonus track to UK and Japanese copies of Björk's album "Debut".

The song was co-written by Jah Wobble and David Arnold, and was later remixed by Tim Simenon. At the time it was her most successful UK single, reaching number twelve.

Music video

The music video was directed by Danny Cannon. In the video, Björk performs the song in an empty bar that is shown in the film. Her footage is intercut with scenes from the film that range from tenderness to violence.

Track listing

UK CD
(859 893-2; Released: October, 1993)

# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon 7" Remix) - 3:57
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon Orchestral Mix) - 4:01
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon 12" Remix) - 5:26
# "End Titles/Play Dead" (Original Film Mix) - 3:52

UK CD
(CID 573; Released: 1993)

# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon 7" Remix) - 3:57
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon Orchestral Mix) - 4:01
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon 12" Remix) - 5:26
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon Instrumental) - 3:57
# "End Titles/Play Dead" (Original Film Mix) - 3:52

UK 12" Vinyl
(12 IS 573; Released: 1993)

"Side A"
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon 12" Remix) - 5:26
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon Orchestral Mix) - 4:01"Side B"
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon 7" Remix) - 4:00
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon Instrumental) - 3:57

UK 12" Vinyl Promo
(12 IS 573 DJ; Released: 1993)

"Side A"
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon 12" Remix) - 5:26
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon Orchestral Mix) - 4:01"Side B"
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon 7" Remix) - 4:00
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon Instrumental) - 3:57

UK 7" Vinyl
(IS 573; Released: 1993)

"Side A"
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon 7" Remix) - 4:00"Side B"
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon Orchestral Mix) - 4:01

EUR CD
(859 892-2; Released: 1993)

# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon 7" Remix) - 3:57
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon Orchestral Mix) - 4:01

JPN CD
(POCP 1385; Released: 20 December, 1993)

# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon 7" Remix) - 3:57
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon Orchestral Mix) - 4:01
# "Play Dead" (Tim Simenon 12" Remix) - 5:26
# "End Titles/Play Dead" (Original Film Mix) - 3:52

Cover versions

*A cover of the song appears on the special edition of the album "Into" by the Finnish band The Rasmus. It is available on many of their singles as well, including "Madness".
*Pain, a Swedish band has covered the song on their latest album "Psalms of Extinction."
*The song was featured (without lyrics and with structural modifications) on the 1995 Vauxhall (Opel) Vectra advert in the UK.Fact|date=November 2007

Charts

External links

* [http://unit.bjork.com/77island/77island/playdead.htm List of "Play Dead" releases]
* [http://unit.bjork.com/specials/gh/SUB-14/index.htm "Play Dead" information at Björk's official site]
* [http://www.therasmus.com The Rasmus' official website]