Svefn-G-Englar, Sigur Ros

So, Sigur Ros are probably the most popular band you may never have heard of.  The reason for this is that their music is ubiquitous, especially on the TV whenever they need a long, meaningful sequence for an Odyssey  like journey, or on a nature program when they need a dramatic, sweeping theme for some extraordinary landscape.


"But what's it all mean?" you cry.  Well, actually, nothing.  Or, whatever you want it to.  The words are a made up language - something they call Hopelandic - and while Sigur Ros are Icelandic, I understand the lyrics are as meaningless in that language as they are in English.  But sometimes, if you let it wash over you, then there is some sort of meaning, some sort of answer to the question.  You just won't always find the same answer twice.

I first (knowingly) experienced Sigur Ros in this sequence on BBC's culture show a few years ago.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkY6WfQE7H8.  I'm not embedding that video here because that's not what came up on random play.  However, it has to be one of my favourites of theirs - partly because I don't hear it everywhere.  But, at about 2:25, when the other instruments drop away, and the piano solo starts, and then Jonsi starts to sing again, and the voice and the piano dance around each other and around and around...  Now I think of it, there is something of The Lark Ascending to it... but that would be another post.