Ára bátur

Album: Mee sue í eyrum vid spilum endalaust (2008)
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Songfacts®:

  • This nine minute epic was recorded in a single live take, with the participation of the 67-piece London Sinfonietta and the 20-strong London Oratory Boys' Choir. It was the single largest musical undertaking in the band's career to date.
  • The title can be roughly translated as "Row Boat." Its original working title was "Piano."
  • Vocalist Jónsi Birgisson told The Sun July 4, 2008 about this track: "That song is completely over the top. And what a beautiful experience we had making it. The choirboys were so disciplined. They were there for hours and worked so hard. I don't think they had a clue who we were, though."
  • Sigur Rós performed "Ára bátur" live for the first time at their London residency at the Royal Albert Hall on September 30, 2025. They were joined by Anna Lapwood on the venue's iconic pipe organ with backing from the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School children's choir, featuring the London Contemporary Orchestra conducted by Robert Ames.

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