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
GOLD
The Sugarcubes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gold, in the hand
Gold, you have to have
Gold, all for yourself
Björk
Gold, full train of it
Gold, rob the train
Gold, get some gold
Björk
Gold is the sweat of the sun
Give me some gold!
Gold, it glitters
Gold, is soft and thin
Einar
I'm searching for gold
I need gold just to see
Never seen it before
Indication of gold
Do I see gold?
Bloody fingers!
Dig! Crawl! Dig!
Björk
Gold is the sweat of the sun
Give me some gold!
Einar
I continue to dig into the earth,
Torn fingers, bloody fingers..
Björk
There is a sun in the sky
Nothing has changed
And gold, begotten of the sun..
Give me gold!
I need it now, oh gold!
Einar
I'm still searching for gold
I need gold
Björk
And I have to have a chunk of.. gold
Einar
No indication of gold
Björk
Just a little piece of gold for me!
Einar
In the core of the earth
Björk
Oh, gold!
Einar
I see the glow, this is the gold
Björk
Gold, gold! Oh gold!
Einar
I need gold!
Björk & Einar
Oh, gold !
The lyrics to The Sugarcubes's song "Gold" are a commentary on the powerful hold that gold can have on people. The first verse talks about the desire to possess gold, and how it is something that one must have all for themselves. The second verse speaks more specifically about the lengths that people will go to in order to obtain gold, including robbing and killing. Björk's line about gold being the "sweat of the sun" is a beautiful metaphor for the way in which gold is formed, and how precious it is because of its rarity and beauty.
Einar's verses take on a more personal tone, as he speaks of his own desperation to find gold. He has never seen it before, but he is drawn to it anyway. His bloody fingers and torn hands show the physical toll that the search for gold can take on a person. Despite the hardship, however, he is still searching for gold, because he needs it. Björk's final lines in the song express a similar desire -- she too needs a piece of gold for herself.
Overall, "Gold" is a song that delves into the complicated emotions and motivations behind the pursuit of wealth. It highlights the power that gold can hold over people, and the lengths that some will go to in order to acquire it.
Line by Line Meaning
Gold, finger itches
I have an insatiable desire for gold that I can't resist
Gold, in the hand
Once I have gold in my possession, it feels like it's the key to everything I could ever want
Gold, you have to have
There's a feeling that you can't escape that you absolutely must have gold to be happy or fulfilled
Gold, all for yourself
Gold is something that people are willing to be selfish about
Gold, full train of it
The idea of a train full of gold is like a dream come true
Gold, rob the train
People will do anything to get their hands on large amounts of gold
Gold, murder in the train
The acquisition of gold can lead people to act in violent or cruel ways
Gold, get some gold
The desire for gold is all-consuming and can drive people to do almost anything to get it
Gold is the sweat of the sun
Gold is a precious metal that is believed to be formed by the sun over millions of years
Give me some gold!
The desire for gold is so strong that it borders on desperation
Gold, it glitters
Gold is often associated with beauty and glamour
Gold, is soft and thin
Despite its value, gold is a delicate and malleable metal
I'm searching for gold
People can become consumed with the quest for gold, driving their actions and thoughts
I need gold just to see
The desire for gold can take over a person's life to the point where everything is viewed through the lens of obtaining gold
Never seen it before
Some people become so fixated on finding gold that they will devote their lives to the pursuit of it, regardless of the cost
Indication of gold
Small signs can fuel a person's belief that there is gold nearby and drive them to continue their search
Do I see gold?
The search for gold can create an intense longing and hopefulness, even in the face of uncertainty
Bloody fingers!
The search for gold can be a physically and emotionally grueling experience
Dig! Crawl! Dig!
The search for gold is a relentless endeavor that requires backbreaking work and dedication
I continue to dig into the earth,
Torn fingers, bloody fingers..
The pursuit of gold can be an all-consuming, painful experience that leaves people broken and battered
There is a sun in the sky
Nothing has changed
And gold, begotten of the sun..
Give me gold!
I need it now, oh gold!
Despite the harsh and unforgiving nature of the search for gold, people continue to believe in its value and are willing to do almost anything to get it
No indication of gold
The search for gold is often marked by long periods of fruitless labor and disappointment
Just a little piece of gold for me!
Even the smallest amount of gold can be of great value to someone who is obsessed with acquiring it
In the core of the earth
Gold is believed to be formed deep within the earth's crust, adding to its mystique and value
I see the glow, this is the gold
The discovery of gold can be a transcendent, life-changing experience for those who have dedicated themselves to the search for it
And I have to have a chunk of.. gold
The value and desirability of gold is deeply ingrained in human consciousness
I need gold!
The desire for gold can become an all-consuming obsession
Gold, gold! Oh gold!
The repetition of the word 'gold' underscores the intense emotional investment that people often have in the pursuit of it
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Sigtryggur Baldursson, Einar Benediktsson, Bj�rk Gudmundsdottir, Thor Eldon Jonsson, Margret Oernolfsdottir, Bragi Olafsson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Primera Calle de la Soledad
Gold, finger itches
Gold, in the hand
Gold, you have to have
Gold, all for yourself
Björk
Gold, full train of it
Gold, rob the train
Gold, murder in the train
Gold, get some gold
Björk
Gold is the sweat of the sun
Give me some gold!
Gold, it glitters
Gold, is soft and thin
Einar
I'm searching for gold
I need gold just to see
Never seen it before
Indication of gold
Do I see gold?
Bloody fingers!
Dig! Crawl! Dig!
Björk
Gold is the sweat of the sun
Give me some gold!
Einar
I continue to dig into the earth,
Torn fingers, bloody fingers..
Björk
There is a sun in the sky
Nothing has changed
And gold, begotten of the sun..
Give me gold!
I need it now, oh gold!
Einar
I'm still searching for gold
I need gold
Björk
And I have to have a chunk of.. gold
Einar
No indication of gold
Björk
Just a little piece of gold for me!
Einar
In the core of the earth
Björk
Oh, gold!
Einar
I see the glow, this is the gold
Björk
Gold, gold! Oh gold!
Einar
I need gold!
Björk & Einar
Oh, gold !
Holden
I was always blown away by Bjork's vocals on this song. Crazy range and such a unique tone.
Ian Ashbridge
John McGeoch on guitar, awesome :)
Nabonidus Scorpio
Yep, standout song:-)
The American
In 1993, I listened to this casette tape every day.
PNEUMONIA
this is GOLD thanks !
João
Thirty years after I can listen to this LP!!
jfayiii
Awesome song, album, band - forgotten.
Primera Calle de la Soledad
Gold, finger itches
Gold, in the hand
Gold, you have to have
Gold, all for yourself
Björk
Gold, full train of it
Gold, rob the train
Gold, murder in the train
Gold, get some gold
Björk
Gold is the sweat of the sun
Give me some gold!
Gold, it glitters
Gold, is soft and thin
Einar
I'm searching for gold
I need gold just to see
Never seen it before
Indication of gold
Do I see gold?
Bloody fingers!
Dig! Crawl! Dig!
Björk
Gold is the sweat of the sun
Give me some gold!
Einar
I continue to dig into the earth,
Torn fingers, bloody fingers..
Björk
There is a sun in the sky
Nothing has changed
And gold, begotten of the sun..
Give me gold!
I need it now, oh gold!
Einar
I'm still searching for gold
I need gold
Björk
And I have to have a chunk of.. gold
Einar
No indication of gold
Björk
Just a little piece of gold for me!
Einar
In the core of the earth
Björk
Oh, gold!
Einar
I see the glow, this is the gold
Björk
Gold, gold! Oh gold!
Einar
I need gold!
Björk & Einar
Oh, gold !
Sallie Mae
I love CD it is off the CHAIN!! Bring back the early 1990’s. I used to dance my a@@ to this CD and CLUB 950 HERE in Chicago.
Teri Bennett
Percussion ⭐