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.
Flugufrelsarinn
Sigur Rós Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ég Gerði Skip Tilbúið Og Fór Með Litla Bæn Því Ég Var Hræddur.
Sólin Skein Og Lækurinn Seytlaði.
Sóley - Sóley Flugurnar Drepast.
En Í Dag Á Ég Að Bjarga Sem Flestum Flugum.
Með Spotta Í Skip Ég Er Með Í Hvorri Hendi - Ákveðinn.
Ég Kasta Þeim Út Í Hylinn Og Reyni Að Hala Flugurnar Inn Áður En Seiðin Ná Til Þar Sem Þær Berjast Við Strauminn Og Vatnið.
Þannig Líður Dagurinn.
Ég Næ Ekki Andanum Og Þyngist Við Hverja Öldu.
Mér Vantar Kraftaverk Því Ég Er Að Drukkna Syndir.
Ég Reyni Að Komast Um Borð. Ég Dreg Í Land Og Bjarga Því Sjálfum Mér Aftur Á Bakkann.
Á Heitan Stein Ég Legg Mig Og Læt Mig Þorna Aftur.
Ég Kasta Mér Út Í Hylinn Og Reyni Að Hala Flugurnar Inn Áður En Seiðin Ná Til Þeirra Þar Sem Þær Berjast Við Strauminn Og Vatnið.
Gustur, Allur Ennblautur.
Frakkur Finnur Hvernig Báturinn Er Kominn Úr Mesta Straumnum Og Landið Smám Saman Nálgaðist.
Hann Bæði Um Borð Í Sjó Og Landi Bjargandi Flugunum Sem Farast Hér.
Þó Sér Í Lagi Sjálfum Sér.
Eilíft Stríð Og Hvergi Friður.
En Það Verður Einhver Að Fórna Sér.
Dagarnir Eru Langir.
The lyrics of Sigur Rós's "Flugufrelsarinn" tell the story of a man who is afraid and trying to save as many flies as possible. He built a ship and went with a little prayer, but he is scared. The sun is shining, and the stream is flowing. He tries to save as many flies as possible by throwing them out of the window, into the stream, and he tries to catch them before they fight against the current. He is struggling with the stream himself, and he is getting tired. He needs strength to survive, but he can't find it, he feels like he is drowning. He is trying to get back on the ship, but he is struggling. Eventually, he makes it to the shore, and he lays on a hot stone to dry. He tries again to save the flies by throwing them out of the window and catching them before they fight against the current.
The narrative of "Flugufrelsarinn" is a metaphor for how the world can feel overwhelming and chaotic. Still, we have the power to make a difference, even if it's a small one. By trying to save the flies, the singer is showing mercy and compassion, and even if it is a small act, it matters. The song's lyrics explore themes of fear, isolation, and the struggle to find meaning in a chaotic world.
Line by Line Meaning
Hamagangur, Ég Þusti Niður Að Læknum, Bjargvættur.
I walked down to the stream, nervous and cautious.
Ég Gerði Skip Tilbúið Og Fór Með Litla Bæn Því Ég Var Hræddur.
I prepared my boat and recited a small prayer because I was scared.
Sólin Skein Og Lækurinn Seytlaði.
The sun shone and the water in the stream sparkled.
Sóley - Sóley Flugurnar Drepast.
The flowers killed the flies.
En Í Dag Á Ég Að Bjarga Sem Flestum Flugum.
But today I am supposed to save as many flies as I can.
Með Spotta Í Skip Ég Er Með Í Hvorri Hendi - Ákveðinn.
I hold a spear in one hand and a net in the other - determined.
Ég Kasta Þeim Út Í Hylinn Og Reyni Að Hala Flugurnar Inn Áður En Seiðin Ná Til Þar Sem Þær Berjast Við Strauminn Og Vatnið.
I throw them out of the boat and try to retrieve them before the rapids and the water take them away.
Þannig Líður Dagurinn.
That's how the day goes by.
Sjálfur Kominn Um Borð, Var Farinn Að Berjast Við Bæjarlækinn Sem Hafði Þegar Deytt Svo Margar.
I got on board and started to fight with the stream that had already killed so many.
Ég Næ Ekki Andanum Og Þyngist Við Hverja Öldu.
I can't breathe and I get weighed down by each wave.
Mér Vantar Kraftaverk Því Ég Er Að Drukkna Syndir.
I need strength because I'm drowning in sin.
Ég Reyni Að Komast Um Borð. Ég Dreg Í Land Og Bjarga Því Sjálfum Mér Aftur Á Bakkann.
I try to get on board again. I pull myself ashore and save myself.
Á Heitan Stein Ég Legg Mig Og Læt Mig Þorna Aftur.
I lie on a hot rock and let myself dry off.
Ég Kasta Mér Út Í Hylinn Og Reyni Að Hala Flugurnar Inn Áður En Seiðin Ná Til Þeirra Þar Sem Þær Berjast Við Strauminn Og Vatnið.
I throw myself into the current and try to retrieve the flies before they get caught in the rapids and the water.
Gustur, Allur Ennblautur.
It's windy, everything is wet.
Frakkur Finnur Hvernig Báturinn Er Kominn Úr Mesta Straumnum Og Landið Smám Saman Nálgaðist.
Frakkur finds out how the boat came out of the rapids and how the land slowly approaches.
Hann Bæði Um Borð Í Sjó Og Landi Bjargandi Flugunum Sem Farast Hér.
He climbs aboard the boat in the sea and rescues the flies that are caught here.
Þó Sér Í Lagi Sjálfum Sér.
Although he sees himself mirrored in the water.
Eilíft Stríð Og Hvergi Friður.
Eternal war and no peace.
En Það Verður Einhver Að Fórna Sér.
But someone has to sacrifice themselves.
Dagarnir Eru Langir.
The days are long.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AGUST AEVAR GUNNARSSON, GEORG HOLM, JON THOR BIRGISSON, KJARTAN SVEINSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind