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

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?