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.
Soda
Dungen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Det var likadant den första gången som idag och jag vet,
Jag har förstört nåt som jag gillar väldigt mycket.
Jag tyckte nåt annat fast man glömmer ganska fort.
Om du tar för dig, låt det smaka, fast försiktigt.
Minns hur du blev efter sist.
Ingen känner oss, tror att vi tar vad vi vill utan nåd.
Jag har förstört nåt som jag gillar väldigt mycket.
Jag tyckte nåt annat fast man glömmer ganska fort.
Om du tar för dig, låt det smaka, fast försiktigt.
Minns hur du blev efter sist.
Jag har förstört nåt som jag gillar väldigt mycket.
Jag tyckte nåt annat fast man glömmer ganska fort.
Om du tar för dig, låt det smaka, fast försiktigt.
Minns hur du blev efter sist.
The lyrics in Dungen's song "Soda" delve into themes of regret, longing, and perhaps even addiction. The opening line, "Tog du med dig nåt som du behöver för att få lite tid?" translates to "Did you bring with you something you need to get some time?" This line suggests that the singer may be struggling with some kind of addiction or dependence that they are trying to escape from. The next line reinforces this, "Det var likadant den första gången som idag och jag vet" meaning "It was the same the first time as today and I know." The repetition of a similar experience in the past suggests that the singer may have repeated this pattern before.
The chorus, "Jag har förstört nåt som jag gillar väldigt mycket. Jag tyckte nåt annat fast man glömmer ganska fort. Om du tar för dig, låt det smaka, fast försiktigt. Minns hur du blev efter sist" translates to "I have destroyed something that I like very much. I thought something else, but you forget pretty quickly. If you take for yourself, let it taste, but cautiously. Remember how you felt last time." This reinforces the idea that the singer may be struggling with addiction, and they are reflecting on the consequences of their actions.
The second verse, "Det var länge sen som det blev bra och jag tror jag vill [va'].
Ingen känner oss, tror att vi tar vad vi vill utan nåd" translates to "It's been a long time since it was good, and I think I want to [be]. No one knows us, thinks we can take what we want without mercy." The singer seems to be contemplating their desire to escape their current situation and start anew. However, they acknowledge that they have caused harm in the past and may not be able to make a clean break.
Line by Line Meaning
Tog du med dig nåt som du behöver för att få lite tid?
Did you bring something you need to get some time?
Det var likadant den första gången som idag och jag vet,
It was the same the first time as today and I know,
Jag har förstört nåt som jag gillar väldigt mycket.
I have destroyed something that I like very much.
Jag tyckte nåt annat fast man glömmer ganska fort.
I thought something else although one forgets fairly quickly.
Om du tar för dig, låt det smaka, fast försiktigt.
If you take for yourself, let it taste, but carefully.
Minns hur du blev efter sist.
Remember how you became after last.
Det var länge sen som det blev bra och jag tror jag vill [va'].
It's been a long time since it was good and I think I want to [be].
Ingen känner oss, tror att vi tar vad vi vill utan nåd.
No one knows us, think that we take what we want without mercy.
Jag har förstört nåt som jag gillar väldigt mycket.
I have destroyed something that I like very much.
Jag tyckte nåt annat fast man glömmer ganska fort.
I thought something else although one forgets fairly quickly.
Om du tar för dig, låt det smaka, fast försiktigt.
If you take for yourself, let it taste, but carefully.
Minns hur du blev efter sist.
Remember how you became after last.
Jag har förstört nåt som jag gillar väldigt mycket.
I have destroyed something that I like very much.
Jag tyckte nåt annat fast man glömmer ganska fort.
I thought something else although one forgets fairly quickly.
Om du tar för dig, låt det smaka, fast försiktigt.
If you take for yourself, let it taste, but carefully.
Minns hur du blev efter sist.
Remember how you became after last.
Writer(s): Gustav Ejstes
Contributed by Luke A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@77hodag
Heard this on the radio last week, and was blown away! That doesn't happen very much these days, unfortunately.
@OliverWoodphotography
Only just discovered this band and I love their retro, sometimes jazzy sound.
@ShuggieTodd
These new tracks seem a lot more low-key than the tracks from 4. I suspect that the melodies are going to take a bit more listening to get to get to know. Very pretty this one though.