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.
Portland aka Ett skäl att trivas
Dungen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Det var för länge sen vi såg varann
Bland rivna kåkar i en solnedgång
Ge mig ett skäl att trivas
Vi borde gjort som du sa
Ge mig ett skäl att trivas
Då dog sakta all vår kärlek bort
Som förra hösten innan snön föll ner
Vi sprang omkull med våra smala ben
Ge mig ett skäl att trivas
vi skulle gjort som du sa
The lyrics to Dungen's song "Ett Skäl Att Trivas" describe a feeling of loneliness and regret. The singer is sitting alone in a bar all day, reflecting on how long it has been since they last saw their loved one. The setting of "rivna kåkar," or ruined buildings, and a sunset suggests a feeling of melancholy and decay. The chorus repeats the plea for a reason to be happy, accompanied by the regret of not following the advice of someone else.
As the song continues, the reason for the singer's sadness becomes clearer. The love between the singer and their partner has slowly died away, and the memory of the previous autumn, with its falling snow and fragile bodies, emphasizes how frail their relationship had become. The repetition of the chorus becomes more desperate as the singer longs for a reason to continue, a reason to be happy, and ultimately a reason to thrive once again.
Overall, "Ett Skäl Att Trivas" is a song about the search for meaning and happiness in the face of decay and regret. It is a poignant reminder of the importance of taking care of relationships and being mindful of the advice of others, as the consequences of ignoring these things can be devastating.
Line by Line Meaning
Jag satt själv i baren hela dan
I spent the whole day alone at the bar
Det var för länge sen vi såg varann
It's been too long since we've seen each other
Bland rivna kåkar i en solnedgång
Among abandoned buildings at sunset
Ge mig ett skäl att trivas
Give me a reason to feel good
Vi borde gjort som du sa
We should have done what you said
Ge mig ett skäl att trivas
Give me a reason to feel good
vi skulle gjort som du sa
we should have done what you said
Då dog sakta all vår kärlek bort
Our love slowly died then
Som förra hösten innan snön föll ner
Like last autumn before the snow fell
Vi sprang omkull med våra smala ben
We stumbled with our thin legs
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EJSTES, Gustav Ejstes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bobbygnosis
If I were high this would freak me out. In a good way.