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.
Åkt Dit
Dungen Lyrics
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Very good
Men slutar sällan med segerkyss, mörkt och tyst
Har du åkt dit på riktigt
Och fått för mycket av nåt gott?
Du är väl nog försiktig
Med vad du säger och du gör, eller hur?
Det börjar likna en evighet
Very long
Jag längtar redan till nästa gång, vänder om
Har du åkt dit på riktigt
Och fått för mycket av nåt gott?
Du är väl nog försiktig
Med vad du säger och du gör, eller hur?
In Dungen's song "Åkt Dit", the lyrics discuss the dangers of excess and indulgence, cautioning against losing control and taking too much of a good thing. The song begins with a comparison to Hollywood, suggesting that the initial thrill and glamor of success can quickly turn dark and silent. The lyrics then ask the listener if they have ever experienced this, asking if they have "åkt dit på riktigt" (fallen for it for real) and gotten too much of a good thing.
The second verse continues with a sense of longing and perhaps addiction, with the singer already pining for the next time they can experience this excess once again. The refrain repeats the warning about being cautious with one's words and actions, perhaps implying that indulging too much can have consequences beyond just the physical. Overall, the song seems to be a reminder to tread carefully when pursuing pleasure or success, lest one end up caught in a cycle of excess and regret.
Line by Line Meaning
Det brukar börja som Hollywood
It usually starts off like a glamorous Hollywood movie
Men slutar sällan med segerkyss, mörkt och tyst
But often ends in defeat, darkness, and silence
Har du åkt dit på riktigt
Have you really fallen for something
Och fått för mycket av nåt gott?
And have you had too much of a good thing?
Du är väl nog försiktig
You are probably cautious
Med vad du säger och du gör, eller hur?
With what you say and do, right?
Det börjar likna en evighet
It's starting to feel like an eternity
Jag längtar redan till nästa gång, vänder om
I am already looking forward to next time and turning back
Har du åkt dit på riktigt
Have you really fallen for something
Och fått för mycket av nåt gott?
And have you had too much of a good thing?
Du är väl nog försiktig
You are probably cautious
Med vad du säger och du gör, eller hur?
With what you say and do, right?
Writer(s): Johan Holmegard, Mattias Glava, Mattias Gustavsson, Gustav Ejstes, Reine Fiske
Contributed by Max M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Peter Sun
Go There
It usually starts as Hollywood: very good
but seldom ends with victory kiss, dark and silent
Have you really been there,
and received too much of something good?
You're probably careful
with what you say and you do,
right?
It's starting to look like an eternity: very long
I already long for the next time, turn around
Have you really been there,
and received too much of something good?
You're probably careful
with what you say and you do,
right?
Manu
Amazing song! brilliant chorus + killer sax solo, Kudos!
Iñaki Macazaga
Ku2!
James Wilson
Oh man, it's about time! Still have great memories of seeing them at The Grog Shop in Cleveland in '05.
Kevin Lyons
Incredibly stoked for this record!
Doug Welch
One of the best post-Psych bands coming out of Scandinavia!
Vampiracho
Great stuff! Big time influence from "The Soft Machine".
Daniel Duran
that baritone sax solo !
Iñaki Macazaga
OMG that heavy-burning woody sax
Peter Sun
Go There
It usually starts as Hollywood: very good
but seldom ends with victory kiss, dark and silent
Have you really been there,
and received too much of something good?
You're probably careful
with what you say and you do,
right?
It's starting to look like an eternity: very long
I already long for the next time, turn around
Have you really been there,
and received too much of something good?
You're probably careful
with what you say and you do,
right?
Dominick DePaolo
👍🏻Long live the Mellotron!!💚