Jón Þór Birgisson (Jónsi), Georg Hólm, and Ágúst Ævar Gunnarsson formed the group in Reykjavík, Iceland in August 1994. They soon won a record deal with a local record label, Smekkleysa (Bad Taste). In 1997, they released Von (Hope) and in 1998, released a remix collection named Von brigði. The name is Icelandic wordplay: Vonbrigði means "disappointment," but Von brigði means "hope alteration." (In English, the album is sometimes known by the alternative name "Recycle Bin.")
International acclaim came with 1999's Ágætis Byrjun ("An alright start"), for which the band were joined by Kjartan Sveinsson. The album's reputation slowly spread by word of mouth over the next two years. Soon, many critics worldwide hailed it as one of the best albums of its time, and the band was playing with Radiohead and other big names. Drummer Ágúst left the band after the recording of Ágætis Byrjun and was replaced by Orri Páll Dýrason.
After the release of Ágætis Byrjun, the band became perhaps most well known for Birgisson's signature style of playing guitar with the bow from a cello, accentuated with reverb, creating a sweeping, fluid sound that is unique for an electric guitar.
In early 2001, Sigur Rós set out to record some songs in their newly-completed álafoss swimming pool studio with their friend Steindór Andersen who is a fisherman and chairman of the Icelandic poetry society, Iðunn. Steindór is a chanter/singer of the traditional Icelandic epic poetry form, called "rímur," for which the band named their next EP, Rímur. Only 1000 copies of the EP were printed and sold in the spring tour of 2001.
In 2002, their highly anticipated follow-up album ( ) was released. Upon release, all tracks on the album were untitled, though the band later published song names on their website. Famously, all of the lyrics on ( ) are sung in vonlenska ("Hopelandic"), nonsensical vocalizations that resemble the sound of the Icelandic language. It has also been said that the listener is supposed to interpret their own meanings of the lyrics, which can then be written in the blank pages in the album booklet.
In October of 2003, Sigur Rós joined Radiohead in composing music for Merce Cunningham's dance piece Split Sides; Sigur Rós’s three tracks were named "Ba Ba," "Ti Ki," and "Di Do" and released in March of 2004 on an EP titled Ba Ba Ti Ki Di Do The three songs are separate tracks, but the band intended that all three be played at the same time to form one single song. The band's 1997 debut album Von also finally found a United States and United Kingdom release in October of 2004. Their latest full-length album, Takk... (Thanks...), was released on September 13, 2005, with a free legal download of their first single, "Glósóli," made available on August 15. For North American fans, "Sæglópur" was made available for download on August 16."Hoppípolla," the second official single from Takk..., was released on November 28 alongside a new studio remake of "Hafsól," a song which was previously released on the band's 1997 debut, Von.
Sæglópur EP was released on July 10 in most parts of the world and on August 8 in the United States. Its original release date was May 8, but because of the sudden demand of "Hoppípolla," especially in the UK due to its inclusion on BBC's "Planet Earth," it was pushed back from that date. Sigur Rós recorded three new songs for the EP: "Refur," "Ófriður," and "Kafari."
The Hvarf/Heim double album was released on November 5, 2007. Hvarf contains reworkings of songs dating back to the bands' first album, whereas Heim contains live acoustic versions of more well-known songs. The double album was an accompaniment to the film Heima. Heima is a documentary showing footage of the band's tour of Iceland, including live footage and interviews. The official web site is www.heimafilm.com.
Sigur Rós has sold over 2.5 million albums worldwide.
On June 23, 2008, they released Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust.
The single "Gobbledigook" was available for a free download on their website.
In January 2010, the band began a hiatus, and they are now working on new material. On August 11, 2011, the band's website showed a trailer for a project called Inni. A week later, the project was revealed to be a new live album and DVD, although the release date is currently unknown.
Sigur Rós'' sixth studio album, Valtari, was released on May 29, 2012 on Parlophone.
In January 2013, Kjartan Sveinsson left the band and was not replaced. Sigur Rós's first album following his departure was titled Kveikur and released in June 2013.
In 2014, the band made a guest appearance in the HBO show 'Game of Thrones,' performing The Rains of Castamere in the 2nd episode of the 4th season.
Websites
Both websites include discography, band trivia, song lyrics, and news: http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk and http://www.sigurros.com.
Ára bátur
Sigur Rós Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, a thousand times
Experienced enough
Been through enough
But you it was who let everything
Into my heart
And it was you who once again
Awoke my spirit
I parted, you parted
You stir up
Emotions
In a blender
Everything in disarray
But it was you who was always
There for me
It was you who never judged
My true friend
I parted, you parted
(hopelandic)
You sail on rivers
With an old oar
Leaking badly
You swim to shore
Pushed the waves away
But to no avail
You float on the sea
Sleep on the surface
Light through the fog
(hopelandic)
The lyrics to Ára bátur by Sigur Rós are both complex and profound. The song speaks about experiencing enough heartache and pain in life, and having tried everything to overcome it. However, it is describing how the singer's feelings were reignited by someone he/she cared for and who never judged, who was always there. It was the listener who allowed love back into his/her life and helped reawaken his/her spirit.
Continuing on, the lyrics take on a more metaphoric and abstract quality. The references to 'blender' and 'disarray' evoke the idea of confusion and turmoil. The song describes how the person addressed in the song, likely a lover or close friend, remained steadfast throughout the tumult while the singer was able to rely on this person for support. The bridge and outro of the song take on a dream-like quality, talking about rivers, oars and sleeping on the sea. The music builds up to a beautiful crescendo accompanied by a full orchestra and choir, reinforcing the idea that this person identified in the song helped lift the listener up and create something magnificent with their help.
Interestingly, traditional lyrics are interchanged with a form of the band's own creation, 'hopelandic.' This non-language serves only to add to the otherworldly and ambiguous quality of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
You tried everything
You made every effort
Yes, a thousand times
Repeatedly tried, many attempts
Experienced enough
Have gone through a lot
Been through enough
Have undergone sufficient experiences
But you it was who let everything
You allowed everything to happen
Into my heart
To affect my emotions
And it was you who once again
It was you who reminded me again
Awoke my spirit
Inspired and motivated me
I parted, you parted
I left, you also left
You stir up
You cause a commotion
Emotions
Feelings that are intense
In a blender
Mixed together, in chaos
Everything in disarray
Nothing is in order
But it was you who was always
You were always present
There for me
You offered support
It was you who never judged
You never criticized nor blamed
My true friend
A loyal and genuine friend
You sail on rivers
You travel on waterways
With an old oar
Using an ancient paddle
Leaking badly
Taking in water rapidly
You swim to shore
You go towards the land
Pushed the waves away
You tried to move the waves aside
But to no avail
Without success
You float on the sea
You remain on the water
Sleep on the surface
Resting on the top of the water
Light through the fog
Brightness through the haze
(hopelandic)
Nonsensical phrases to evoke emotions
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GEORG HOLM, JON THOR BIRGISSON, KJARTAN SVEINSSON, ORRI PALL DYRASON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@iSim0641
8 years ago I was alcoholic. I used to listen to this music drunk and crying. 8 years later I still cry listening to this but sober now.
@lunaiak4586
so proud of you!
@brunacarolina8505
I’m proud of you
@pmc8651
Fuckin legend mate. Keep it up. Never slip back into the cider suite once youve climbed out.
@stygian4330
everyone loves character development
@viciousyeen6644
That’s awesome man! When the time comes, listen to this song again instead. Stay as strong and wonderful as you are inside
@jonathancooper4914
If they don’t play this at my funeral, I’m not going.
@emmaarcher6133
Same!
@TheSianusmaximus
🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝
@manuelnuman
Me too♥♥♥