Útidúr (pronounced: ooh! - detour) is a twelve piece group from Iceland tha… Read Full Bio ↴Útidúr (pronounced: ooh! - detour) is a twelve piece group from Iceland that plays joyous and ambitious chamber-pop with a dramatic streak. Although this crew is quite (midnight) sunny in attitude they also know their way through darker waters. Trace elements of Angelo Badalamenti, Beirut, Calexico and Ennio Morricone can be found in their system so fans of these should expose themselves to Útidúr in any way they deem appropriate.   

Formed by guitarist/singer Gunnar Örn and keyboardist Kristinn Roach, Útidúr started churning out multifaceted songwriting that soon chain-reacted the project to mushroom into a twelve strong bunch. The full posse now includes players of double bass, drums, trumpet, violins, a second guitar and an accordion. The band has honed their craft for a while and began playing at various venues in downtown Reykjavík in late summer of 2009.

  Útidúr's debut album 'This Mess We've Made' is out now and was recorded at the Sigur Rós owned recording studio 'Sundlaugin' in the summer of 2010. The album is big in sound, featuring over 20 musicians, and you can expect a spacious blend of bipolar drama and sofa-sinking mellowness, all soaked in hook-laden pop sensibility.

Up & Down
Útidúr Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Up and down
that's how my life goes
up and down
it never goes up and up
but sometimes it just goes
down and down

Do you mind, stand aside

your colours are so bright
taking hits, get a grip
it happens all the time

In your scheme, it seems obscene
no need to be mean

and I´ve found, that all I need
is to dream

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Up & Down" by Útidúr speak of the cyclical nature of life, where one experiences both triumphs and failures. The repeated phrase "up and down" emphasizes the recurring pattern of highs and lows. The lyrics suggest that life may not always go as we plan, and that we must learn to navigate the difficulties that come our way. The lines "taking hits, get a grip, it happens all the time" convey the message that setbacks and disappointments are a part of life, and they cannot be avoided. However, the lyrics also suggest that one can find solace in dreaming, and sometimes that is all one needs.

The second verse of the song addresses a person whose actions and behavior seem off-putting. The line "your colours are so bright" suggests that the person is flamboyant, and their behavior draws attention. The lyrics advise the person to "stand aside" and not interfere with the singer's life. The lines "In your scheme, it seems obscene, no need to be mean" suggest that the person's intentions may be ill-conceived, and they are not acting out of kindness or concern. In contrast, the singer suggests that all they need to navigate life's ups and downs is to "dream."

Overall, the song "Up & Down" is a philosophical take on life, suggesting that we must learn to accept the highs and lows that come our way and find solace in our dreams. The lyrics also caution against those who may seek to interfere with our lives, suggesting that we must remain true to our own journey and not get sidetracked by others.

Line by Line Meaning

Up and down
My life experiences both positive and negative changes.

that's how my life goes
This is the consistent pattern of my life.

up and down
I experience both highs and lows.

it never goes up and up
My life is not always consistently positive.

but sometimes it just goes
Occasionally, my life faces challenging times.

down and down
During difficult times, my life experiences repeated lows.

Do you mind, stand aside
Excuse me, may I pass by?

your colours are so bright
Your energy is vibrant and noticeable.

taking hits, get a grip
When life gets tough, I need to remain composed.

it happens all the time
This is a common occurrence.

In your scheme, it seems obscene
To you it may seem unacceptable.