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Svefn-g-englar
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Svefn-g-englar
| cover = SvernCoverA.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Sigur Rs
| album = gtis byrjun
| released = (UK)
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = *Post-rock
*ambient
*dream pop
*shoegaze
| length = 10:04 (album)
9:16 (single)
| label =
*Fat Cat
*Smekkleysa
*PIAS
| composer =
| lyricist =
| producer = Ken Thomas
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = N batter
| next_year = 2000
| misc =
}}
"'Svefn-g-englar'" is a song by the Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rs, from their second album, 'gtis byrjun'.
Overview
"Svefn-g-englar" was released as a single in 1999, with two studio recordings — "Svefn-g-englar" (an Icelandic pun mixing "sleepwalkers" and "sleep angels") and "Virar vel til loftrsa" ("good weather for airstrikes"), both from 'gtis byrjun' — and two songs recorded live at the Icelandic Opera House located in Reykjavk — "Nja lagi" ("new song"), which was never recorded in studio, and "Syndir Gus" ("God's sins"), from the group's first LP, 'Von'. The single was the first UK release for the band, issued on Fat Cat Records in 1999.[http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/band/disco/svefn.php Discography entry] On its release, it was named "Single of the Week" in 'NME'.[http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/media/svefn/nme1.php NME Review] In 2001, it was re-issued, in the United States, on PIAS records.[http://www.discogs.com/release/306847 US release Discogs entry] The single is available both on compact disc and 12 inch vinyl, with somewhat different selections of tracks.
The music video for "Svefn-g-englar" was directed by August Jacobsson. The video features the Perlan special-needs theatre group, an Icelandic acting troupe of men and women with Down syndrome. Choreography was by Lra Stefnsdttir, and the angel outfits were made by Binna & Nna.
In media
* "Svefn-g-englar" is used in the 'Vanilla Sky Soundtrack'.
* "Svefn-g-englar" is on the DVD release of 'We know where you live'
* It was played over the credits of episode 202 of 'Queer as Folk'.
* "Svefn-g-englar" is used in the movie 'Ben X' (Belgium) (also on the soundtrack CD).
* Used in the 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' episode, "Slaves of Las Vegas".
* Used in a nature sequence in Leonardo DiCaprio's 'The 11th Hour'.
* Portions were used in ABC's 'V' (2009 TV series) in episode 4 of season 1 during the 'Bliss' scene.
* Used in the first series of 'Rolf on Art' in the episode about Paul Gauguin.
* Played in the French Canadian film, 'Caf de Flore', released in 2011.
* Used in the third series of 'Misfits' in the first episode.
* Used in the French/Canadian sci-fi romance film 'Upside Down'.
* Used in David Firth's animated short "Alan: An Alternative Superhero".
* Used in the fourth episode, "Man Down", of History Channel's military drama series SIX.
* Used in the US movie 'Beautiful Boy'.
* Used in the US radio program 'This American Life' episode "The Giant Pool of Money".
* Used in the US movie 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga'.
* Used in the US documentary 'California Typewriter (2016)'
* Used in the second episode, Pocket Savior, of the CBS miniseries 'The Stand (2020)'[https://www.tunefind.com/show/the-stand/season-1/103368 Tunefind entry]
Track listings
CD version
# "Svefn-g-englar" (single edit) 9:16# "Virar vel til loftrsa" 10:13
# "Nja lagi" (live at the Icelandic Opera House, June 12, 1999) 9:28
# "Syndir Gus" (live at the Icelandic Opera House, June 12, 1999) 5:46
12" version
# "Svefn-g-englar" (single edit) 9:16# "Virar vel til loftrsa" 10:13
# "Verld n og " 3:29
References
Category:Sigur Rs songs
Category:1999 debut singles
Category:Icelandic-language songs
Category:1999 songs
Category:PIAS Recordings singles
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