Glósóli

Album: Taak (2005)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was the first single released from the Icelandic band Sigur Rós' album Taak, available as a download-only release on iTunes in America and Europe. The name is a combination of gló- from the verb að glóa meaning "to glow, shine, glitter" and sóli meaning "sole." The second element of the name, sóli, shares its grammatical stem with the word "sól", meaning "sun". In combination "glósóli" can be understood as a childish way of saying "glowing sun" or "let the sun glow."
  • Sarah Brightman released a popular version on her 2013 album Dreamchaser with English lyrics written by Chris Difford of Squeeze.

    Brightman had to give somewhat of an explanation to Sigur Rós when asking to cover their song, as they weren't keen on having it translated. "I didn't want to do it in Icelandic - it's not my mother language," Brightman told us. "They said, 'Well, why do you want to do this song? We don't want this song orientated.' And I said, 'No, that's not the point. The reason I want to do this piece is because you really can feel the land that you've created, being Iceland.' And when I think of the countries of the world, one that's very connected to space is Iceland. The way that it looks and feels. It feels like space because the skies are clearer. I wanted to just really vocally give the feeling that something striking is out there."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

David Bowie Lyrics Quiz

David Bowie Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

How well do you know your David Bowie lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."