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
Vitamin
The Sugarcubes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You convince me
That I am able
You make me strong
You're my vitamin
Einar
My pain is my pain
Björk
You're my sinking capsule
You're my vitamin...
Einar
I look at this pain of mine
I don't know what it is
You say I could have it easily
Fixed with some vitamins
Björk
Before the hair,
Before the skin,
You form a cell
You're my vitamin
Einar
My pain is my pain
Your cure is vitamins
If I try some of your pills,
Won't I have another pain?
(hurrah, hurrah!)
Einar
You show me off in all these parties
So very proud of me
Telling everybody there that
I am your little vitamin
You exit with me (? ? )
Like I was somebody
I am not your cure
To you I'm just another vitamin
Einar
I'm so confused
My pain is mine!
I don't know what it is
You say I can have it easily fixed
With some vitamins
My pain is my pain,
Your cure is vitamins
In all these fancy parties
I won't have another pain
As a payment?
You want all of me
'cause I am your final cure
Use some - show me off
The song "Vitamin" by The Sugarcubes explores the dynamic between two people in a relationship. The lyrics express the idea that one person is the cure to the other's pain, and that they rely on each other like a vitamin. Björk sings of her reliance on her partner, describing them as her "sinking capsule" and her strength; they make her feel capable and strong. Meanwhile, Einar expresses his confusion about his own pain and whether or not vitamins can truly cure it. He is also uncomfortable with the idea that he is being used as a cure and shown off like a trophy at parties.
The theme of dependency is woven throughout the lyrics, with both singers acknowledging that they need each other to feel whole. However, there are also hints of codependency and manipulation. Einar questions whether or not taking vitamins will simply replace one pain with another, and he feels uncomfortable with the idea that he is being used as a cure. Björk's possessiveness over Einar is also apparent, with her telling people that he is "her little vitamin" and wanting to be shown off with him. The song ultimately raises questions about the nature of relationships and how much we should rely on others to heal our pain.
Line by Line Meaning
You convince me
I trust and believe in you
That I am able
You make me feel capable of achieving anything
You make me strong
You give me strength and support
You're my vitamin
You're like a necessary supplement to my life
My pain is my pain
I have my own pain that only I can feel
Your cure is vitamins
You believe that your solution to my pain is taking vitamins
You're my sinking capsule
You're like a pill that I take to cope with my problems
I look at this pain of mine
I am aware and familiar with my own suffering
I don't know what it is
I am unsure of the root cause of my pain
You say I could have it easily
You suggest that taking vitamins could easily fix my pain
Fixed with some vitamins
You believe that taking vitamins is the solution to my problems
Before the hair, Before the skin, You form a cell
You help me from the very beginning, from the creation of my cells
If I try some of your pills, Won't I have another pain?
I am concerned that taking vitamins may cause me more problems
You show me off in all these parties
You like to display me to others as a symbol of your pride
So very proud of me
You take a lot of pride in me and my accomplishments
Telling everybody there that I am your little vitamin
You like to attribute my success to your influence and care
You exit with me (? ? ) Like I was somebody
You treat me like a valuable asset when we are out in public
I am not your cure
I am not the solution to all of your problems
To you I'm just another vitamin
To you, I am just another tool to help you cope with life
I'm so confused
I am feeling lost and unsure
In all these fancy parties, I won't have another pain
I hope that attending fancy events with you won't cause me more stress or discomfort
As a payment? You want all of me
You expect me to give you everything in return for all that you do for me
'cause I am your final cure
You believe that I am the ultimate solution to all of your problems
Use some - show me off
You are happy to display me to others as proof of your success and influence
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
Juliet Tobin
I love how much the Sugarcubes confounded all expectations by following 'Birthday' up with so many songs that are similar to the B52s !
George Jempty
Oddly, despite becoming a B-52s fan 4 and a half decades ago I'd never before made the connection, thanks /s 🤣🤣
Artisan Vero
You convince me
That I am able
You make me strong
You're my vitamin
My pain is my pain
Your cure is vitamins
You're my sinking capsule
You're my vitamin
I look at this pain of mine
I don't know what it is
You say I could have it easily
Fixed with some vitamins
Before the hair
Before the skin
You form a cell
You're my vitamin
My pain is my pain
Your cure is vitamins
If I try some of your pills
Won't I have another pain?
You show me off in all these parties
So very proud of me
Telling everybody there that
I am your little vitamin
You exit with me constantly
Like I was somebody
I am not your cure
To you I'm just another vitamin
I'm so confused
My pain is mine
I don't know what it is
You say I can have it easily fixed
With some vitamins
My pain is my pain
Your cure is vitamins
In all these fancy parties
I won't have another pain
As a payment
You want all of me
'Cause I am your final cure
Use some, show me off
George Jempty
Riff reminds me of The Ramones