THE SUGARCUBES - BIRTHDAY

Released: August 1987

Charted:  UK: #65 

"Birthday" is a song by the Icelandic band the Sugarcubes. Released in 1987, it marked their first international single and was included on their debut album "Life's Too Good" the following year. The Icelandic version, titled "Ammæli," was released on a local single in 1986 and included as the B-side on the international release. Björk, the band's frontwoman, also included it in her box set "Family Tree" in 2002.

"Birthday" stands out for Björk's distinct vocal style and its quirky lyrics, which depict a girl engaged in unusual activities like collecting fly wings and keeping spiders in her pocket. Initially inspired by a grocer near her, Björk later realized the song was about older men who had left an impression on her during her childhood, despite not necessarily doing anything inappropriate. She aimed to capture a blend of innocence and a subtle sense of danger or unease in the song's atmosphere.

"Birthday" marked a significant shift in Björk Guðmundsdóttir's musical journey, as she transitioned from covering Beatles and Stevie Wonder songs in Icelandic to leading her own bands. The Sugarcubes, formed as a subversive pop experiment, released their debut single "Ammæli" on Björk's 21st birthday in 1986, which garnered modest success. The re-recorded English version, "Birthday," launched them to international fame after a rave review in Melody Maker. The lyrics explore themes of childhood innocence and the complexity of early emotions, showcasing Björk's ability to convey the unexplainable through music.

After gaining critical acclaim and attention, "Birthday" became their first chart entry in the United Kingdom, reaching number 65 on the charts and peaking at number two on the indie charts. In the United States, it ranked at number 15 on The Village Voice's "Pazz & Jop" critics' poll for the best music of 1988. The Sugarcubes performed "Birthday," along with "Motorcrash," on Saturday Night Live in October 1988 during an episode hosted by Matthew Broderick.