Ágætis byrjun

Album: Agaetis Byrjun (1999)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is an autobiographical account of Sigur Ros' first listen to the finished mix of their debut album, Von, which only sold about 40 copies upon release. Bassist Georg Holm recalled to Uncut:

    "I remember going to our local cafe and asking the guys there if they'd put the record on, and with every song we got more depressed, because we thought it basically sounded like s--t. We hated it! The lyrics to the song 'Agaetis Byrjun' are actually about that day."
  • Sigur Ros first used their made-up Hopelandic language during the last section of this track along with another of the album's songs "Olsen Olsen."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Evolution Of The Prince Symbol

Evolution Of The Prince SymbolSong Writing

The evolution of the symbol that was Prince's name from 1993-2000.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Tony Banks of Genesis

Tony Banks of GenesisSongwriter Interviews

Genesis' key-man re-examines his solo career and the early days of music video.

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.