A self-titled debut album appeared on their Kjól & Anderson imprint in conjunction with the screening of "Pleasure". The UK label 4AD Records signed the band in 1996, and released "Polydistortion" (97), "This Is Normal" (99) and "Gus Gus vs. T-World" (00).
"24/7" (09) was the first release with German label Kompakt, followed by "Arabian Horse" (11) and "Mexico" (14).
Several lineup changes have occurred, and their current incarnation consists of Stephan Stephensen (President Bongo), Birgir Þórarinsson (Biggi Veira), Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson and Högni Egilsson.
Gus Gus has had a varied lineup, including Magnús Jónsson (a.k.a. Blake), Sigurður Kjartansson (a.k.a. Siggi Kinski), Stefán Árni Þorgeirsson, Hafdís Huld Hákonardóttir, Emilíana Torrini Davíðsdóttir, Urður Hákonardóttir (a.k.a. Earth), Magnús Guðmundsson (a.k.a. Herb Legowitz a.k.a. Buckmaster DeLaCruz, The Fox, Fuckmaster, or Herr Legowitz) and Baldur Stefánsson.
After their third album, This Is Normal, the filmmaking arm of Gus Gus (Kjartansson and Árni Þorgeirsson) split off to form the production company Celebrator, now known as Arni & Kinski, which has produced award-winning advertisements and videos. A few former members such as Hafdís Huld, Blake, and Daníel Ágúst have gone solo, most notably though Emilíana Torrini.
Gus Gus's music is eclectic, and although primarily classified with techno, trip-hop and house music, they have experimented with numerous other styles. They have also remixed several famous artists, including Björk, Depeche Mode, Moloko, and Sigur Rós. Added to this they released the song Desire with Ian Brown in January 2004.
http://gusgus.com
Polyesterday
GusGus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Above the skyscraper.
They tried to rape her,
She couldn't reach higher.
I am the paper
Above the skyscraper.
They tried to rape her,
Polly yesterday,
Found another way.
Polyesterday,
Synthetic one way or the other.
In public, public,
They said she was sick
In Buick, Buick.
Driving naked for an hour.
Stark naked!
Polly yesterday,
Found another way.
Polly said today
She'd find another way,
Tomorrow.
Her people didn't know,
Her family didn't know.
The lyrics of GusGus's song Polyesterday tells a story about a woman named Polly who is struggling to fit into the society and finding her own way in life. The opening lines "I am the paper above the skyscraper, they tried to rape her, she couldn't reach higher" depict the sense of isolation and vulnerability that Polly feels as she tries to assert herself in a world dominated by men. The imagery of the paper hovering above the skyscraper suggests that Polly is striving to rise above the societal constraints and expectations, but the metaphorical attempted rape suggests the constant threat she faces from those who wish to put her back in her place.
As the song progresses, we see Polly engaging in unconventional behavior, such as driving naked for an hour in her Buick, which is seen as an expression of her rebellion against the normative standards of conduct expected of her. The lyrics "Polly yesterday, found another way, synthetic one way or the other" suggest that Polly is experimenting with different modes of expression, perhaps even resorting to synthetic means to find her identity. Despite the judgment she faces from the society, Polly remains determined to find her own way in life, as reflected in the lyrics "Polly said today she'd find another way, tomorrow."
Overall, GusGus's Polyesterday is a poignant commentary on the struggles faced by individuals who defy the societal expectations and norms, as they try to carve their own path in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the paper
I represent fragility and vulnerability, like a sheet of paper.
Above the skyscraper.
Placed high above the city, but still at risk of being blown away by wind or destroyed by fire.
They tried to rape her,
Society attempting to overpower and exploit me.
She couldn't reach higher.
Unable to ascend to a safer, more secure position.
Polly yesterday,
Referring to the artist, who has been struggling for an extended period of time.
Found another way.
She has discovered an alternative path or coping mechanism.
Polyesterday,
The synthetic, artificial solutions that have been sought out in the past.
Synthetic one way or the other.
The way of living has been fabricated, whether technology, medication, or something else.
In public, public,
Being scrutinized under social scrutiny.
They said she was sick
She has been deemed unhealthy by others.
In Buick, Buick.
In a car, driving aimlessly in search of direction.
Driving naked for an hour.
In a state of vulnerability or exposure.
Polly said today
The singer is still searching for answers and a way forward.
She'd find another way,
An optimistic determination to seek out a new method of living.
Tomorrow.
In the near future.
Her people didn't know,
The artist's loved ones are unaware of her struggles and pain.
Her family didn't know.
Even those who are closest to the artist are unaware of her suffering.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BALDUR STEFANSSON, BIRGIR THORARINSSON, DANIEL AGUST HARALDSSON, HAFDIS HULD THRASTARDOTTIR, MAGNUS GUDMUNDSSON, MAGNUS THOR JONSSON, SIGURDUR KJARTANSSON, STEFAN ARNI THORGEIRSSON, STEPHAN STEPHENSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@REDEPHACHELVIDEOS
GUS GUS.
POLYESTERDAY.
ALBUM: POLYDISTORTION.
DATA DE LANÇAMENTO: 1997.
GÊNEROS:
MÚSICA DE DANÇA ELETRÔNICA ,DAMÇA ELETRÔNICA.
PRIMEIRA EXIBIÇÃO:
PROGRAMA LADO B.
EMISOURA:
MTV BRASIL.
DATA DE EXIBIÇÃO: 1998
@sebastianayala5827
MTV year 1997... saturday 3 A.M. great memories
@WindTurbine813
Saw this on MTV'S AMP late Saturday night as well.
@bugsycastro1391
MTV + AMP + LSD
@m1g0t0
Yeah, gosh that was the last gasp of MTV before it abandoned all standards and started showing straight trash
@aluisiofsjr
MTV AMP
@NathanFCox
we share a very cool bond. this was my favorite song from the "amp" era
@MinaMongoose
Gusgus: The hidden gem of electronic music
@toono21
nothing hidden there, they were widely popular and played back in the 90's
@vsyes1984
@@toono21 real 2011! Album Arabian Horse
@rickastley4706
1:50 gwyneth paltrow and terry sanderson