The band is fronted by singer/composer Gustav Ejstes, who writes all music and plays the majority of instruments on the band's records. Despite this, Dungen plays live as a four-piece. Gustav, who in his teens started his songwriting with hip hop, is backed live by Swedish progressive rock veteran Reine Fiske (Landberk, Morte Macabre, Paatos, The Guild) on guitar, bassist Mattias Gustavsson (Life On Earth!), and drummer Fredrik Björling (The Guild)-- all of whom have played parts on Dungen's studio albums.
Following two vinyl album releases on Swedish record label Subliminal Sounds, Dungen briefly signed to Dolores Recordings (a subset of Virgin Records) in 2002, on which they released the CD Stadsvandringar and three singles, including one for Djungelboken 2 (the Swedish version of The Jungle Book 2). Gustav soon returned to his friend's independent record label Subliminal Sounds, stating that a major label did not feel right because Dungen is not a pop act.
Although Dungen's songs are sung entirely in Swedish, 2004's Ta Det Lugnt received great acclaim within indie rock circles and established the band's international reputation. This resulted in the band headlining two US tours and landing distribution deals in the US and UK. Dungen also performed their song "Panda" on the popular NBC television talk show Late Night With Conan O'Brien. In 2006, Dungen played at the famous Bonnaroo music festival and has also toured with Wolfmother and the Tucker B's around Australia.
Dungen released their third studio album, Tio Bitar on April 25, 2007 but did not tour in support of it.
The group's next long-player, entitled 4 was released on the 30th of september 2008.
In 2010 Dungen released their fifth studio album, Skit i allt.
Panda
Dungen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Längre borta än hem
Känner mer och mer
För allt jag kring mig ser
Alla har det inte lika bra som do
Jag tror do förstår för jag gillar henne med
Hur hon är - Ibland så blir hon arg
Hon var min, men det skiter do väl I?
Vår musik är död
Hon behöver stöd
Mamma, pappa, barn
Har ingenstans o va'
The lyrics to Dungen's song Panda speak of distance and noticing the world around oneself more deeply. The first lines state "The road away is long, farther away than home. I feel more and more for everything I see around me." This suggests a desire to leave behind the familiar and explore uncharted territories. The following lines express a sense of empathy towards others, explaining that not everyone has it as good as the singer's companion ("All don't have it as good as you. I believe you understand, because I like her for who she is. Sometimes she gets angry. She was mine, but you don't give a shit, do you?")
The lyrics then shift towards a more personal note, as the singer expresses concern for the music they make ("Our music is dead. She needs support.") The final lines express a sense of displacement, as the singer mentions that "Mom, dad, children have nowhere to go." This sense of disenfranchisement could be interpreted as a broader statement on the societal undercurrents of the time.
Line by Line Meaning
Vägen bort är lång
The path away is lengthy and difficult to traverse.
Längre borta än hem
It is further away than home and feels like an unknown territory.
Känner mer och mer
I am feeling more and more.
För allt jag kring mig ser
Because of everything I see around me.
Alla har det inte lika bra som do
Not everyone is as fortunate as you.
Jag tror do förstår för jag gillar henne med
I believe you understand because I love her too.
Hur hon är - Ibland så blir hon arg
But sometimes she gets angry.
Hon var min, men det skiter do väl I?
She used to be mine, but you don't care, do you?
Vår musik är död
Our music is dead.
Hon behöver stöd
She needs support.
Mamma, pappa, barn
Mothers, fathers, children.
Har ingenstans o va'
They have nowhere to go.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EJSTES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind