Svefn-g-englar

"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 "Viðrar vel til loftárása" ("good weather for airstrikes"), both from Ágætis byrjun — and two songs recorded live at the Icelandic Opera House located in Reykjavík — "Nýja lagið" ("new song"), which was never recorded in studio, and "Syndir Guðs" ("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, including "Veröld ný og óð" ("new and old world").

The music video for "Svefn-g-englar" was directed by August Jacobsson.{{Cite web |url=http://fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/mediaItem.php?id=5 |title=Svefn-G-Englar Video and Stills |accessdate=2009-03-08 |work=fat-cat.co.uk |publisher=Fat Cat Records}} The video features the Perlan special-needs theatre group, an Icelandic acting troupe of men and women with Down syndrome. Choreography was by Lára Stefánsdóttir, and the angel outfits were made by Binna & Nína.{{Cite web|url=https://sigur-ros.co.uk/band/disco/agaetis-svefn.php|title=sigur rós - discography » ágætis byrjun|website=sigur-ros.co.uk|access-date=2019-03-23}}

• "Svefn-g-englar" is used in the Vanilla Sky Soundtrack.{{cite web |url=http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/news/?m=20011111 |title=eighteen seconds before sunrise - sigur rós news " 2001 " November " 11 |access-date=2009-09-26 |work=sigur-ros.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606160731/http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/news/?m=20011111 |archive-date=2011-06-06 |df= }}
• "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, Café 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]
• Used in the US movie Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)

1. "Svefn-g-englar" (single edit) – 9:16
2. "Viðrar vel til loftárása" – 10:13
3. "Nýja lagið" (live at the Icelandic Opera House, June 12, 1999) – 9:28
4. "Syndir Guðs" (live at the Icelandic Opera House, June 12, 1999) – 5:46

1. "Svefn-g-englar" (single edit) – 9:16
2. "Viðrar vel til loftárása" – 10:13
3. "Veröld ný og óð" – 3:29

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Category:Sigur Rós songs

Category:1999 debut singles

Category:Songs in Icelandic

Category:1999 songs

Category:PIAS Recordings singles