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.
Stadsvandringar
Dungen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Att acceptera annorlunda sätt å va'
Inget idag känns så viktigt
Som att få var som man e och va' med dig
Arbetsdag mitt i Sverige
Då tar vi cykeln ner på stan och ser på folk
Visst är det skönt med alla människor
Vilodag mitt i Sverige
Då jobbar vi med nånting större än man tror
Får jag en chans att förklara
Så är nog ingenting så konstigt iallafall
Möt alla ögon på gatan
Som frågar vart man är på väg och varför då
Apan är trött på att svara
Hur ska man säga så att alla ska förstå?
The song "Stadsvandringar" by Dungen seems to be about the difficulty in accepting different ways of living and the importance of being true to oneself. The lyrics mention the struggle of being in Sweden and feeling the pressure to conform to certain societal expectations. The song expresses the need to escape from the monotony of everyday life, to take a break from work and the routine, and simply embrace life as it is.
The verses describe different scenarios: the first is about feeling the pressure to fit into a mold and be like everyone else, the second is about cycling through the city and observing people with a sense of detachment, and the third is about taking time off and pursuing something greater than oneself. The chorus asks how to respond to the curious looks and questions from passers-by, and hints at the frustration of not being able to express oneself in a way that others can understand.
Line by Line Meaning
Vi har det svårt här i Sverige
It's difficult for us in Sweden
Att acceptera annorlunda sätt å va'
To accept different ways of being
Inget idag känns så viktigt
Nothing feels as important today
Som att få var som man e och va' med dig
As being who you are and being with you
Arbetsdag mitt i Sverige
Workday in the middle of Sweden
Då tar vi cykeln ner på stan och ser på folk
Then we ride our bikes to the city and watch people
Visst är det skönt med alla människor
Of course it's nice to be around all these people
Men om vi slutar tro så mycket om varann
But if we stop assuming so much about each other
Vilodag mitt i Sverige
Rest day in the middle of Sweden
Då jobbar vi med nånting större än man tror
We work on something bigger than we realize
Får jag en chans att förklara
If I get a chance to explain
Så är nog ingenting så konstigt iallafall
Nothing is really that weird after all
Möt alla ögon på gatan
Meet all the eyes on the street
Som frågar vart man är på väg och varför då
That ask where you're going and why
Apan är trött på att svara
The monkey is tired of answering
Hur ska man säga så att alla ska förstå?
How can you say it so that everyone will understand?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EJSTES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
kevin lyons
I calculated based on my iTunes play count that I've spent an honest 5.5 hours of my life listening to this great great song. Thanks Dungen, you're the best.
in vivid
Everything about this is fucking right.
bricology
Who else is watching this late in 2020, missing the days when you could hang out with friends, without social distancing?
Nacho Qualsevol
here, watching this late in 2022... almost summer , and about to meet my friends at the beach!
babyblue
yes :( life is tuff these days. i miss the summer and making memories with friends
Kevin Lyons
When I'm at the point in which to die, I hope I can do it on my own terms in my comfortable bed on shrooms and listening to this song.
toviaj
why wait death for it?
kevin lyons
I am in love with this song.
Miguel Almeida
The guitar is beautiful.
Victor Hugo Tolugo
Brazilian FLAG, it's lovely to watch this 4 years after the first time!
I want to live in this video!
Cheers!