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.
Syndir Guðs
Sigur Rós Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Konu tvöföld var sú synd hans sgaði hans
Sonur ekki hryggja heldur sefa mín lífs-
Speki alltaf rétt?
Betra er að þiggja en gefa sagði sá ríki og
Öll hans stétt ég sem kenndi hér svo margt
En engin nam það á mig fékk en ég lærði
Krossinum hékk heiðarlegur einfari það var ég það ég sver
En hinn breiði vegur var greiðfærari hann geng ég og krossinn ber
Alla tíð
Eilíft stríð
Sát mín þverr
Engin sér
Syndir Guðs by Sigur Rós is an Icelandic song that tells a story about a man who is created in the image of a man and woman who confesses his sins to his son. The man struggles with the concept of morality and wisdom, wondering if his actions are always right with regards to the decisions he has made. He questions if it is better to give or to receive, and whether the wisdom he has gained throughout his life is always applicable. The chorus of the song is particularly haunting and reflective, as it speaks of the man's internal battle between the narrow path of honesty and integrity and the broad path of convenience.
The theme of the song is about the human condition and the conflicts people face as they navigate life. It speaks about morality, wisdom, decision-making, and the importance of choosing the right path despite the challenges that come with it. The lyrics suggest that life is hard and punishing, but it is up to the individual to decide how to confront it. Through the man's struggle, the message of the song is that it is important to stay true to oneself and make choices that align with one's values.
Line by Line Meaning
Skapaður í mynd manns í líki karls og
Created in the image of a man, with the appearance of a man and
Konu tvöföld var sú synd hans sgaði hans
His sin was told to be twofold, by himself
Sonur ekki hryggja heldur sefa mín lífs-
My soul did not fear the son of life, but
Speki alltaf rétt?
Always right in wisdom?
Betra er að þiggja en gefa sagði sá ríki og
The powerful one said, it's better to receive than give, and
Öll hans stétt ég sem kenndi hér svo margt
All of his followers, I taught so much here
En engin nam það á mig fékk en ég lærði
But no one taught me, I learned it
Að lífið hér var hart enda var ég það sem á
That life here was hard, and I was the one who had it
Krossinum hékk heiðarlegur einfari það var ég það ég sver
I hung on the cross, honest and simple, it was me, I swear
En hinn breiði vegur var greiðfærari hann geng ég og krossinn ber
But the wider road was more convenient, I walked it and carried the cross
Alla tíð
Forever
Eilíft stríð
Eternal struggle
Sát mín þverr
My path is narrow
Engin sér
No one sees
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JON THOR BIRGISSON, AGUST AEVAR GUNNARSSON, GEORG HOLM, Dominic Aitchison, Francis Burns, John Cummings, Martin Bulloch, Stuart Braithwaite
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind