They received critical and popular acclaim internationally. They first came to notice in the UK when BBC radio DJ John Peel played "Birthday", later voted by his listeners as no.1 in the 1987 Festive Fifty, and no. 23 in the Millennium (All Time Chart). The band's music was characterized by psychedelic sound, whimsical yet heartfelt lyrics, and the imploring, girlish voice of Björk Guðmundsdóttir, who later went on to great success as a solo artist. The band's name was assumed by its fans to be an LSD usage reference; the drug had regained widespread popularity while the band was releasing music.
The Sugarcubes released their first album, Life’s Too Good, in April 1988. Inspired by the success of the album in Europe, their second album followed shortly after in October 1989. Here Today, Tomorrow, Next Week! took it’s name from the Kenneth Grahame novel Wind in the Willows. It was also released in an Icelandic version titled Illur Arfur. The second album wasn’t as well received by critics as their debut.
The third and final studio album by the band, Stick Around For Joy, was released in 1992, and featured the successful single Hit which reached No: 17 in the UK charts.
While not as successful as Björk's solo career would be, the band is still very highly regarded and was the most influential Icelandic group until the rise of Sigur Rós.
The Sugarcubes dissolved in 1992 as different members of the band had realised they all had different ambitions; instead of risking their friendship, the band went on an indefinite hiatus. They remain friends to this day and are all still involved in the management of Smekkleysa/Bad Taste (not to be confused with the Swedish label of the same name).
On November 17 2006, the band had a one-off reunion concert at Laugardalshöll sport arena in Reykjavík, Iceland, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut single with all profits going to the non-profit Smekkleysa SM to promote Icelandic music. They were supported by fellow Icelandic groups múm and Rass. Despite this reunion, the group has expressed that it has no intention to play future shows or record new material.
Bandmembers:
* Björk Guðmundsdóttir (vocals, keyboards)
* Einar Örn Benediktsson (vocals, trumpet)
* Sigtryggur Baldursson (drums)
* Þór Eldon (guitar)
* Bragi Ólafsson (bass)
* Margrét (Magga) Örnólfsdóttir (keyboards) - 1989+.
* Einar Melax (keyboards) - 1987-89
Delicious Demon
The Sugarcubes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heeeeeeee how!
He how!
He how!
Einar
One person calls someone
To pour the water,
Björk
To plough takes two as well,
But only one to hold up the sky.
Einar
To plough takes two as well,
But only one to hold up the sky.
Einar
One plays the harp, beats a rock with a stick,
Björk
One plays the harp, beats a rock with a stick,
Becomes a priest at least, a delicious demon.
Hee how!, hee how!, hee how!
Einar
Least, a delicious demon.
Björk
Delicious demon, delicious demon,
Delicious demon, delicious demon
Björk
Two men need one money
But one money needs no man,
One is on ones knees, loses ones head,
Except maybe a delicious demon, hee how!
Einar
Two men need one money
But one money needs no man,
Einar
Two men need no money
But one money needs no man
One is on ones knees
Looses one head
Except maybe a
Delicious demon
Björk
Then one is no longer
Then one is no longer
Then one is no longer
No longer!
Björk & einar
Delicious demon
Delicious demon
Delicious, oh here he comes again waouh!
Delicious demon
Delicious demon!
So delicious!
The lyrics of The Sugarcubes's song Delicious Demon is a playful yet profound exploration of the concept of interdependence and power dynamics. The song is fueled by the contrasting ideas of one versus two, and the ways in which these numbers can divide and unite us.
The lyrics presented by Einar and Björk take turns to discuss the roles and responsibilities of individuals in different scenarios. For instance, while one person can pour the water, it takes two to do so, indicating the need for cooperation and collaboration. However, holding up the sky can be done by only one person, suggesting that sometimes, a person can shoulder a burden alone.
The song goes on to discuss how individuals can go beyond their expected roles and become something extraordinary, like a "delicious demon." This is an ambiguous term that can be interpreted in many ways, but it seems to reference someone who seeks pleasure and power beyond what is seen as normal or acceptable. The chorus repeats the phrase "Delicious demon" with increasing intensity, evoking the excitement and danger that this idea represents.
In conclusion, the lyrics of Delicious Demon are packed with meaning and depth, inviting listeners to contemplate the nuances of relationships, and how individuals can break from convention to become something extraordinary.
Line by Line Meaning
Heeeeeeee how!
Björk exclaiming in excitement or surprise
One person calls someone
To pour the water,
Because it takes two to pour the water,
One person needs to ask someone else to help pour water because it requires more than one person to do it
To plough takes two as well,
But only one to hold up the sky.
Ploughing also requires two people, but only one person can hold up the sky
One plays the harp, beats a rock with a stick,
Becomes a priest at least, a delicious demon.
Hee how!, hee how!, hee how!
One person can play the harp, hit a rock with a stick, and become a priest, or even a 'delicious demon'
Delicious demon, delicious demon,
Delicious demon, delicious demon
Repeating the phrase 'delicious demon'
Two men need one money
But one money needs no man,
One is on ones knees, loses ones head,
Except maybe a delicious demon, hee how!
Two people need money, but money doesn't need anyone. If someone is in a bad situation, they might turn to a 'delicious demon' for help
Two men need no money
But one money needs no man
One is on ones knees
Looses one head
Except maybe a
Delicious demon
A play on words from the previous verse, suggesting that money is unnecessary and can instead lead to problems, unless one consults a 'delicious demon'
Then one is no longer
Then one is no longer
Then one is no longer
No longer!
Someone or something is no longer present or in existence
Delicious demon
Delicious demon
Delicious, oh here he comes again waouh!
Delicious demon
Delicious demon!
So delicious!
Repeating the phrase 'delicious demon' and expressing pleasure or excitement about their arrival
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bj�rk Gudmundsdottir, Bragi Olafsson, Einar Benediktsson, Fridrik Erlingsson, Sigtryggur Baldursson, Thor Eldon Jonsson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind