For What It's Worth

number four in ‘my 501 (of) the best songs from the 21st Century‘ series

Debbie (Fox), an old school friend of mine, recently sent me the following motivational meme. It immediately struck a chord with me (excuse the pun).

Every day that I continue to live and breathe music saves me. Records are at the core of what I am. Without them, I think I would be virtually nothing. Okay, maybe that’s a tad drastic, but you get my drift. Let’s just say I’d be a completely different person if songs and albums vanished from my life.

Lori Deschene’s wise words above reminded me to constantly be grateful for this gift we have all been given.

Many people are attracted to music by the memories certain songs stir in them.

Sometimes the track has such a ridiculously catchy beat or melody that they simply can’t help themselves.

Certain songs are instant ear candy. Others take time and repeated listens before the beauty within is fully uncovered. These are usually the best and most meaningful ones. They tend to last forever.

This is why devouring entire albums still hold so much appeal to me. It’s those album tracks submerged in the nooks and crannies of a long-playing record that are often the most rewarding.

The lyrics of a song of course play a big part. We can often share in the same loss or love or longing the artist is feeling. Their words ring true with life experiences we can identify with and have had to endure or enjoy.

But what about when the words mean nothing to us? Or we simply can’t understand what is being sung. When all we have is the sheer majestical power and beauty of the music.

Like this one.

11 things you never knew about Sigur Rós

One. Yes, quite possibly, even of their existence until 15 seconds ago when you started reading this blog. Hahaha.

Two. They are an Icelandic post-rock band from Reykjavík, active since 1994. And, still going to this day.

^{By the way:}

Iceland is one of the few destinations on earth that remains on my bucket list of ‘places I must still visit.‘ It has always and continues to fascinate me.

Oh well, maybe one day.

Musically Iceland is most famous for the band The Sugarcubes, and more specifically, their lead singer Björk Guðmundsdóttir.

I digress, back to 11 things about Sigur Rós

Three. The band was formed by three teenagers; guitarist and vocalist Jón Þór Birgisson (who later went by the name Jónsi), bassist Georg Holm, and drummer Ágúst Ævar Gunnarsson.

_{Please note: There will be a spelling test later and yes that is how you spell Georg in Iceland 😁}

The trio’s first recorded song earned them a deal with Iceland’s Bad Taste* label. Mainly because they thought the falsetto vocals would appeal to teenage girls. Known for their ethereal sound, frontman Jónsi’s falsetto vocals, and their use of bowed guitar, Sigur Rós incorporate classical and minimal aesthetic elements.

_{*Bad Taste (known as Smekkleysa in Icelandic, literally Tastelessness) is one of Iceland’s most important record labels; located in Reykjavík and known worldwide for being home to The Sugarcubes, it also publishes poetry books, short films, greeting cards, and Icelandic gifts.}

Four. Vonlenska (English: Hopelandic) is a term coined by the band to refer to the vocalizations that Jónsi sings on in lieu of lyrics in Icelandic or English. It takes its name from “Von“, a song on Sigur Rós’s debut album Von where it was first used. However, not all Sigur Rós songs are in Vonlenska; many are sung in Icelandic.

The band’s website describes it as “a form of gibberish vocals that fits the music.”

Five. The band’s name means Victory Rose. They took their name from Jónsi’s younger sister Sigurrós, who was born a few days before the band was formed.

Six. The band was joined by Kjartan Sveinsson on keyboards in 1998. He is the only member of Sigur Rós with any musical training. Kjartan has contributed most of the orchestral and string arrangements for their later work.

Seven. International acclaim came with 1999’s Ágætis Byrjun (which means “A Good Beginning“). The album’s reputation spread by word of mouth over the following two years. Soon critics worldwide were praising it effusively, and the band was playing support to established acts such as Radiohead.

Eight. Their songs have appeared in the following four films:

The Cameron Crowe film Vanilla Sky used three Sigur Rós tracks – “Ágætis Byrjun,” “Svefn-g-Englar,” and a live take, from a summer 2000 concert in Denmark, of the then-unreleased “Njósnavélin.”

In 2004, Wes Anderson used “Starálfur” in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou as did the Emmy-winning 2005 TV film The Girl in the Café.

One of the most inspirational tracks I’ll never understand! Thank you to the 2021 film “The Mitchell’s VS The Machines for putting it back in rotation.

Don on Hoppípolla

Nine. Television has also used the music of Sigur Rós – including the shows Queer as Folk, 24, and CSI.

Ten. Their fourth album, Takk … (which means “Thanks…”) employs a more rock-oriented structure with greater use of the guitar and was released in September 2005. It also includes the track featured on this here blog of mine.

Eleven. The song “Hoppípolla” (which means “Hopping into puddles“), is the second official single from the album Takk…, was released in November 2005.

What Hoppípolla means to Sigur Rós fans 👇

My wife walked down the aisle to Hoppípolla and it still makes me cry every time I hear it. I love it, and her, so much!

Jason

Years will go by, we will all age, but Hoppípolla, will never get old.

Sarthak

When troubles come, when you got up on the wrong side of the bed, when bad weather makes you sad and melancholic, play Hoppípolla and you’ll automatically start smiling with Happiness, Joy, Serenity and Gratitude.

Elio

Hoppípolla is proof that heavenly music like this transcends all human boundaries of ethnicity, religion, and skin colour. I’ve been a fan of this song and band for well over 20 years. Love from India

Debranjan

I want to listen to Hoppípolla with my best friend when we’re 70, sitting by the lake on a cold winter evening and reminiscing about our youth. Yearning to go back to those summer nights, polaroids, concerts, car rides, first love. Just gazing at the stars, amazed how things always get better and we made it together this far.

Hijabi

Let’s go hop into some puddles, shall we …

Other Sigur Rós tracks in my 501: Svefn-g-Englar from Ágætis byrjun, Untitled #3 – Samskeyti from (), Glósóli from Takk, Untitled #4 – Njósnavélin from (), Sæglópur from Takk, Olsen Olsen from Ágætis byrjun

_{From left to right: Ágætis byrjun, (), and Takk…}

My 501 Spotify Playlist

^{[a work in progress]}

Ég elska þig T.S

🦄