KUKL (a.k.a. K.U.K.L.) was an Icelandic gothic rock, post-punk group active… Read Full Bio ↴KUKL (a.k.a. K.U.K.L.) was an Icelandic gothic rock, post-punk group active in the 1980s, most notable for being one of Björk's first bands. The name means "witch" in Medieval Icelandic.

The band was formed in August 1983 when Ásmundur Jónsson from Gramm Records wanted to create an avant-garde supergroup to perform on the final episode of a radio show called Áfangar. He assembled Björk Guðmundsdóttir, vocalist of Tappi Tíkarrass; Einar Örn Benediktsson, a trumpeter and vocalist in Purrkur Pillnikk; keyboardist Einar Arnaldur Melax, from the surrealistic group Medúsa; Birgir Mogensen, the bassist from Spilafífl; and finally drummer Siggtryggur Baldursson and guitar player Guðlaugur Kristinn Óttarsson (a.k.a. Godkrist), both from the band Þeyr.

Greece
KUKL Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴

Einar
The man on the cross - he stares at me
he's, he's on the cross
because of, of our sins
our sins, my sins
I'm told, it's my sins
I've got nothing to do with it

And he, he keeps, he keeps, he keeps
the man on the cross - he keeps staring at me
the man on the cross - he keeps staring at me
what kind of eyes, what kind of eyes
the man, the man on the cross
he keeps - he keeps - he -- STOP!

Overall Meaning

ork's haunting voice and the experimental punk rock sound of KUKL come together in the song "Greece" to address themes of guilt and redemption. The lyrics highlight the discomfort that many people feel when they encounter images of Jesus on the cross, particularly those who do not identify as Christian or who do not believe that they have sinned. Einar's vocals are introspective and filled with empathy as he acknowledges the man on the cross staring at him as a symbol of the weight of human wrongdoing, even if he himself is not the cause.

At the same time, the chaotic and repetitive nature of the song's instrumentation, particularly in the refrain of "the man on the cross - he keeps staring at me," creates a sense of urgency and discomfort that mirrors the themes of the lyrics. Bjork's background vocals are ethereal and haunting, adding to the surreal and otherworldly feeling of the song. It's a powerful track that explores complicated emotions and tackles religious imagery in a way that is both respectful and honest.

Contributed by Lucas V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS