Svefn-g-englar

"Svefn-g-englar"
Svefn-g-englar cover
Single by Sigur Rós
from the album Ágætis byrjun
Released	27 September 1999 (1999-09-27) (UK)
Format	CD, 12"
Genre	Post-rock, Ambient
Length	9:16
Label	Fat Cat Smekkleysa PIAS
Producer	Ken Thomas
Sigur Rós singles chronology
"Svefn-g-englar" (1999) "Ný batterí" (2000)
Ágætis byrjun track listing "Intro" "Svefn-g-englar" "Starálfur" "Flugufrelsarinn" "Ný batterí" "Hjartað hamast (bamm bamm bamm)" "Viðrar vel til loftárása" "Olsen Olsen" "Ágætis byrjun" "Avalon"

"Svefn-g-englar" is a song by Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós, from their second album, Ágætis byrjun.

Overview

"Svefn-g-englar" was released as a single in 1999, featuring two studio recordings — "Svefn-g-englar" (Icelandic pun "sleepwalkers" or "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 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. Upon release it was named "Single of the Week" in NME. In 2001, it was re-issued, in the United States, on PIAS records. 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.

In film and television

• "Svefn-g-englar" is featured in the Vanilla Sky Soundtrack.
• "Svefn-g-englar" also featured on the DVD release of We know where you live
• Was played in episode 202 of Queer as Folk.
• "Svefn-g-englar" is featured in the movie Ben X (Belgium) (also on the soundtrack CD).
• Featured in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation episode "Slaves of Las Vegas".
• Used in a nature sequence in Leonardo DiCaprio's The 11th Hour.
• Portions featured in ABC's V (2009 TV series) in episode 4 of Season 1 during the 'Bliss' scene.
• Also featured in the first series of "Rolf On Art" in the episode about Paul Gauguin.
• Played in the French Canadian Film "Café de Flore (film)" released 2011.

Track listings

CD version

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

12" version

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