View source for The Sugarcubes

{{Short description|Icelandic rock band}}
{{redirect|Sugarcubes|cubes made of sugar|Sugar cube}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = The Sugarcubes
| native_name       = Sykurmolarnir
| native_name_lang  = is
| image             = The Sugarcubes photo.jpg
| caption           = The Sugarcubes in 1988
| background        = group_or_band
| origin            = [[Reykjavík]], Iceland
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Alternative rock]]|[[post-punk]]|[[avant-pop]]|[[post-rock]]}}
| years_active      = {{flatlist|
* 1986–1992
* 2006
}}
| label             = {{hlist|[[One Little Indian]]|[[Elektra Records|Elektra]]}}
| associated_acts   = {{hlist|[[Björk]]|[[Kukl (band)|Kukl]]|Purrkur Pillnikk|[[Þeyr]]}}
| current_members   = 
| past_members      = * [[Björk|Björk Guðmundsdóttir]]
* [[Einar Örn Benediktsson]]
* [[Sigtryggur Baldursson]]
* Þór Eldon
* [[Bragi Ólafsson]]
* Friðrik Erlingsson
* Margrét Örnólfsdóttir
* Einar Arnaldur Melax
}}
'''The Sugarcubes''' ({{langx|is|Sykurmolarnir}}) were an Icelandic [[alternative rock]] band from [[Reykjavík]] formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1992. For most of their career, the band consisted of [[Björk Guðmundsdóttir]] (vocals, keyboards), [[Einar Örn Benediktsson]] (vocals, trumpet), Þór Eldon (guitar), [[Bragi Ólafsson]] (bass), Margrét "Magga" Örnólfsdóttir (keyboards) and [[Sigtryggur Baldursson]] (drums). Previous members included Friðrik Erlingsson (guitar) and Einar Melax (keyboards).

The Sugarcubes' debut album, ''[[Life's Too Good]]'' (1988), was an unexpected international success, and produced their signature song "[[Birthday (The Sugarcubes song)|Birthday]]". It is credited as the first Icelandic album to have a worldwide impact and influenced Icelandic popular music. Their follow-up album, ''[[Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!]]'', was released 1989 to mixed reviews. Their third and final album, ''[[Stick Around for Joy]]'', released in February 1992, was better received and produced the successful singles "[[Hit (The Sugarcubes song)|Hit]]" and "[[Leash Called Love]]".

''[[Rolling Stone]]'' referred to them as "the biggest rock band to emerge from Iceland."<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/bjork/biography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707111540/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/bjork/biography|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 7, 2011|title=Bjork Biography|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref> Björk would later become an internationally successful solo musician and the bestselling Icelandic musician of all time.

==History==

=== 1977–1986: Formation and early years ===
The members of the Sugarcubes had formerly been in a variety of Icelandic bands. [[Björk Guðmundsdóttir]] had the longest career out of any of the members; she had [[Björk (album)|recorded an album when she was 11]]. In her late teens, she joined the Icelandic [[post-punk]] band [[Tappi Tíkarrass]], who released two albums before splitting in 1983. Drummer [[Sigtryggur Baldursson|Sigtryggur "Siggi" Baldursson]] was a member of [[Þeyr]], while [[Einar Örn Benediktsson]], [[Bragi Ólafsson]] and [[Friðrik Erlingsson]] formed a punk band called Purrkur Pillnikk. By 1984, Björk, Einar Örn and Siggi had formed the group [[Kukl (band)|Kukl]] with keyboardist Einar Melax, and released two albums on the independent British record label [[Crass Records]].

The Sugarcubes formed on 8 June 1986 with Björk on vocals, Einar Örn on vocals, Björk's then-husband Þór <small>(Thor)</small> Eldon on guitar, Friðrik Erlingsson on guitar and Bragi Ólafsson on bass. On the same day, Björk gave birth to her and Þór Eldon's son, Sindri Eldon.<ref>{{cite web|author=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-sugarcubes-mn0000919525/biography |title=The Sugarcubes &#124; Biography |website=AllMusic |access-date=2014-08-21}}</ref> The band first performed in July 1988 under the name "Þukl" at the N'Art Festival held at the Nordic Culture Centre in Reykjavik, Iceland. In August of that same year, the band first performed as Sykurmolarnir (Icelandic for Sugarcubes) at the Roxzý nightclub in Reykjavik, Iceland. Some have assumed that the band's name referred to [[Lysergic acid diethylamide|LSD]] use,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cdnx.co.uk/artist/the-sugarcubes|title=CDNX : The Sugarcubes|access-date=2017-03-15|language=en}}</ref> but it is more likely in keeping with their intention to form a "cute" pop band, which was in stark contrast to the band members' previous music endeavours.

=== 1987–1988: ''Life's Too Good'' ===
In late 1987, the band signed to [[One Little Indian]] in the UK and to [[Elektra Records]] in the US. They released their debut album, ''[[Life's Too Good]]'', in 1988 to critical acclaim in both the UK and the US. They first came to notice in the UK when [[BBC Radio|BBC radio]] [[Disc jockey|DJ]] [[John Peel]] played "[[Birthday (The Sugarcubes song)|Birthday]]", which was later voted by his listeners as #1 in the 1987 [[Festive Fifty]], and #23 in the All Time Chart.<ref>{{cite web | author= | year= 2008| title= Festive 50s| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/festive50s/1980s/1987/| access-date=2008-10-25}}</ref> Their music has been described as [[avant-pop]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bj%C3%B6rk-mn0000769444/biography|title=Björk &#124; Biography & History|website=AllMusic}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_xiUEAAAAMBAJ|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_xiUEAAAAMBAJ/page/n16 100]|quote=sugarcubes avant-pop.|title=Vibe|date=January 28, 2002|publisher=Vibe Media Group|via=Internet Archive}}</ref> and was characterized by a psychedelic [[post-punk]] sound sometimes reminiscent of [[the B-52's]] and [[Talking Heads]], whimsical yet heartfelt lyrics, and the imploring, girlish voice of Björk, accompanied by Einar Örn's erratic vocal performances. In the last quarter of 1988, The Sugarcubes toured North America to positive reception.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.grapevine.is/Author/ReadArticle/the-sugarcubes|title=Dr. Gunni's History Of Icelandic Rock / Part 27 |date=2011-02-11|work=The Reykjavik Grapevine|access-date=2017-03-15|language=en-US|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305222351/http://www.grapevine.is/Author/ReadArticle/the-sugarcubes|archive-date=2014-03-05}}</ref> In September, the band played at [[The Ritz (rock club)|The Ritz]] in [[New York City|New York]], a concert attended by [[David Bowie]] and [[Iggy Pop]].<ref name=":0" /> On 15 October the band appeared on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' with a performance of their songs "Birthday" and "Motorcrash".<ref>{{Citation|last1=Broderick|first1=Matthew|title=Matthew Broderick/The Sugarcubes|date=1988-10-15|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0694536/|last2=Brown|last3=Carvey|last4=Dunn|first2=A. Whitney|first3=Dana|first4=Nora|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref>

=== 1989–1990: ''Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!'' ===
''[[Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!]]'', the band's second album, was released in September 1989. The greater vocal contribution by Einar Örn on the record was criticized in many of the record's reviews, which were noticeably weaker than those for ''Life's Too Good''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://thomasr.nvg.org/bjork/mainpage/rc.html|title=The secret history of Björk|website=thomasr.nvg.org|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Not all critics agreed that it was worse than their debut album, though. [[Robert Christgau]] rated it a B+, higher than the B− he gave ''Life's Too Good''. The singles "Regina" and "Planet" topped the [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK indie charts]] but fared poorly in the mainstream charts outside of Iceland. After the release of ''Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!'', the band embarked on a lengthy international tour. At the end of the tour, they started to ponder splitting up and went on a hiatus.

=== 1990–1992: ''Stick Around for Joy'' and breakup ===
At the conclusion of the tour in late 1990, the band members pursued their own interests.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> ''[[Stick Around for Joy]]'', their third and final album, was released in February 1992. It featured guest guitarist [[John McGeoch]] (formerly of [[Magazine (band)|Magazine]] and [[Siouxsie and the Banshees]]) on the opening track, "Gold". The album received noticeably better reviews than ''Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!'', and spawned the band's first big hit single, the aptly titled "[[Hit (The Sugarcubes song)|Hit]]". Further singles "Walkabout" and "Vitamin" failed to make any chart impact. The Sugarcubes opened for [[U2]] during the US leg of their [[Zoo TV Tour]] in October and November 1992, playing to a total of 700,000 people.<ref name=":0" />

A [[remix album]], ''[[It's-It (album)|It's-It]]'', was released in October 1992 along with a re-release of "Birthday" which was backed by numerous remixes of the song. One single that was released from the compilation, the Tony Humphries remix of "[[Leash Called Love]]", reached number one on [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard''<nowiki/>'s]] [[Hot Dance Club Songs]] Chart in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/419227/sugarcubes/chart?f=359|title=The Sugarcubes – Chart history {{!}} Billboard|website=www.billboard.com|language=en|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref>

The Sugarcubes disbanded in late December 1992. The members remain involved in the management of record label [[Smekkleysa]] (Bad Taste Ltd). Björk embarked on a solo career, coming to prominence with albums such as ''[[Debut (Björk album)|Debut]]'' (1993), ''[[Post (Björk album)|Post]]'' (1995), and ''[[Homogenic]]'' (1997).

=== 2006: Reunion ===
On 17 November 2006 the band had a one-off reunion concert at [[Laugardalshöll]] sport arena in [[Reykjavík]], [[Iceland]], to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut single, "Birthday", with all profits going to the non-profit [[Bad Taste (record label)|Smekkleysa SM]] to promote Icelandic music.<ref>{{cite web| author= | year= 2006| title= The Sugarcubes bounce back into concert!| url= http://bjork.com/news/?id=591;year=2006| access-date= 2006-10-02| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070207014426/http://bjork.com/news/?id=591;year=2006| archive-date= 2007-02-07}}</ref> They were supported by fellow Icelandic groups [[múm]] and [[Rass (band)|Rass]]. Despite this reunion, the group has expressed that it has no intention to play future shows or record new material.

==Style==
''[[Trouser Press]]'' wrote that the drumming and guitar work were influenced by [[Joy Division]], [[Siouxsie and the Banshees]] and also [[Cocteau Twins]] on the slow numbers. The group also incorporated "electronically mutated trumpet and sound effects".<ref name=trouser>{{cite web|author1=Robbins, Ira |author2=Sheridan, David |url=http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=sugarcubes |title=Sugarcubes |publisher=Trouserpress |access-date=1 August 2014}}</ref> The other instrument is Björk's voice, containing a "range of emotions", being one moment "a little girl soprano" and then next "a crazed animal". Einar also sings on certain tracks with Björk on background vocals.<ref name=trouser /> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' characterized the band as [[avant-rock]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/tv/56-liner-notes/explore-bjorks-post-in-5-minutes/ |title=Explore Björk's Post in 5 Minutes |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=17 October 2017 |access-date=17 October 2017}}</ref>

==Members==
[[File:Early Björk.jpg|thumb|upright|The Sugarcubes performing in Japan]]
;Final line-up
* [[Björk|Björk Guðmundsdóttir]] – vocals, keyboards <small>(1986–1992, 2006)</small>
* Þór Eldon Jónsson – guitar <small>(1986–1992, 2006)</small>
* [[Bragi Ólafsson]] – bass <small>(1986–1992, 2006)</small>
* [[Einar Örn Benediktsson]] – vocals, trumpet <small>(1987–1992, 2006)</small>
* [[Sigtryggur Baldursson]] – drums, percussion <small>(1987–1992, 2006)</small>
* Margrét "Magga" Örnólfsdóttir – keyboards <small>(1989–1992, 2006)</small>

;Former members
* Fridrik Erlingsson – guitar <small>(1987–1988)</small>
* Einar Melax – keyboards <small>(1987–1989)</small>
* Tomasz Mertonski – jazz flute <small>(1988–1989)</small>

===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea = left:130 bottom:90 top:0 right:50
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period = from:1986 till:18/11/2006
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:1
ScaleMajor = increment:1 start:1986

Colors=
  id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals
  id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar
  id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
  id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards
  id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
  id:perc value:claret legend:Percussion
  id:wind value:gray(0.7) legend:Wind_instruments
  id:album value:black legend:Album

BarData =
  bar:Bjork text:"Björk Guðmundsdóttir"
  bar:Einar text:"Einar Örn"
  bar:Eldon text:"Þór Eldon Jónsson"
  bar:Fridrik text:"Fridrik Erlingsson"
  bar:Melax text:"Einar Melax"
  bar:Magga text:"Margrét Örnólfsdóttir"
  bar:Tomasz text:"Tomasz Mertonski"
  bar:Bragi text:"Bragi Ólafsson"
  bar:Sigtryggur text:"Sigtryggur Baldursson"

PlotData =
 align:center textcolor:white width:11
 bar:Bjork from:06/08/1986 till:29/12/1992 color:vocals 
 bar:Bjork from:17/11/2006 till:end color:vocals 
 bar:Bjork from:06/08/1986 till:29/12/1992 color:keys width:3
 bar:Bjork from:17/11/2006 till:end color:keys width:3
 bar:Einar from:06/08/1986 till:29/12/1992 color:vocals 
 bar:Einar from:17/11/2006 till:end color:vocals
 bar:Einar from:06/08/1986 till:29/12/1992 color:wind width:3
 bar:Einar from:17/11/2006 till:end color:wind width:3
 bar:Eldon from:06/08/1986 till:29/12/1992 color:guitar
 bar:Eldon from:17/11/2006 till:end color:guitar
 bar:Fridrik from:06/08/1986 till:01/01/1988 color:guitar
 bar:Melax from:07/08/1987 till:01/06/1989 color:keys
 bar:Magga from:01/06/1989 till:29/12/1992 color:keys
 bar:Magga from:17/11/2006 till:end color:keys
 bar:Tomasz from:01/10/1988 till:01/02/1989 color:wind
 bar:Bragi from:06/08/1986 till:29/12/1992 color:bass
 bar:Bragi from:17/11/2006 till:end color:bass
 bar:Sigtryggur from:01/01/1987 till:29/12/1992 color:drums
 bar:Sigtryggur from:17/11/2006 till:end color:drums
 bar:Sigtryggur from:01/01/1987 till:29/12/1992 color:perc width:3
 bar:Sigtryggur from:17/11/2006 till:end color:perc width:3

LineData =
 at:25/04/1988 layer:back
 at:20/09/1989
 at:18/02/1992
}}

==Discography==

{{Infobox artist discography
| Artist       = The Sugarcubes
| Image        = 
| Alt          = 
| Studio       = 3
| Compilation  = 1
| Singles      = 14
| Music videos = 14
| Video        = 4
| Option       = 4
| Option name  = Box sets
| 1Option      = 1
| 1Option name = Remix albums
}}

===Studio albums===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album details
! scope="col" colspan="6"| Peak chart positions
|-
! scope="col" |[[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br><ref name=aus>Australian ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA Chart]]) peaks:
* "Life's Too Good": {{cite web|url=http://i.imgur.com/R2OZMku.png|title=Chartifacts – Week Ending 1 March 1992 Issue No.109 (from The ARIA Report Issue No. 109)|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]|access-date=2016-04-16}}
* Top 100 peaks from January 1990 to December 2010: {{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia}}</ref><ref name="ARIA history pages (albums)">{{cite web|url= https://imgur.com/a/q3KMMsp | title= The Sugarcubes ARIA chart history to 2024|publisher=ARIA|via=Imgur.com|access-date=26 July 2024}}  N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.</ref>
! scope="col" |[[Media Control Charts|GER]]<br><ref name=ger>{{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Sugarcubes&titel=Stick+Around+For+Joy&cat=a|title=THE SUGARCUBES - LIFE'S TOO GOOD (ALBUM) - australian-charts.com|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=2016-05-29}}</ref>

! scope="col" |[[MegaCharts|NLD]]<br><ref name=nld>{{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Sugarcubes|title=dutchcharts.nl > The Sugarcubes in Dutch Charts|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=2016-05-29}}</ref>

! scope="col" |[[Sverigetopplistan|SWE]]<br><ref name=swe>{{cite web|url=http://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Sugarcubes|title=swedishcharts.com > The Sugarcubes in Swedish Charts|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=2016-04-16}}</ref>

! scope="col" |[[UK Albums Chart|UK]]<br><ref name=uk>UK chart peaks:
* Top 100 peaks: {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/24525/sugarcubes/|title=Official Charts > Sugarcubes|publisher=[[Official Charts Company|The Official UK Charts Company]]|access-date=2016-04-16}}
* Top 200 peaks between 1994 and 2010: {{cite web|url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_S.HTM|title=Chart Log UK 1994–2010 > DJ S – The System Of Life|publisher=zobbel.de|access-date=2016-04-16}}</ref>

! scope="col" |[[Billboard 200|US]]<br><ref name=billboard200>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/419227/sugarcubes/chart?f=305|title=Billboard > Artists / The Sugarcubes > Chart History > Billboard 200|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=2016-04-16}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Life's Too Good]]''
|
* Release date:      April 1988
* Label: [[One Little Indian]], [[Elektra Records|Elektra]]
* Formats: [[CD]], [[LP record|LP]], [[Compact Cassette|cassette]]
| 64 || — || — || 48 || 14 || 54
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!]]''
|
* Released: September 1989
* Label: One Little Indian, Elektra
* Formats: CD, LP, cassette
| 105 || — || — || — || 15 || 70
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Stick Around for Joy]]''
|
* Released: 10 February 1992
* Label: One Little Indian, Elektra
* Formats: CD, LP, cassette
| 74 || 58 || 71 || 29 || 16 || 95
|-
|colspan="19" align="center"|"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.
|}

===Compilations and remixes===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Album details
! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions
|-
! scope="col"|[[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br><ref name="ARIA history pages (albums)"/>
! scope="col"|[[UK Albums Chart|UK]]<br><ref name=uk/>
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[It's-It (album)|It's-It]]''
|
* Release date: 5 October 1992
* Label: One Little Indian, Elektra
* Formats: CD, LP, cassette
| 162 || 47
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[The Great Crossover Potential]]''
|
* Released: 14 July 1998
* Label: One Little Indian, Elektra
* Formats: CD, LP, cassette
| 158 || 161
|}

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Year
!rowspan="2"|Song
!colspan="8"|Peak chart positions
!rowspan="2"|Album
|-
!width="35"|[[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br><ref name=aus/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Week commencing 18 September 1989|url=https://www.bubblingdownunder.com/2020/09/week-commencing-18-september-1989.html|access-date=2022-02-11|language=en-GB}}</ref>
!width="35"|[[Irish Singles Charts|IRE]]<br><ref>{{cite web|url=http://i.imgur.com/U9087Hj.jpg|title=The Irish Charts – All there is to know > Search results for 'Sugarcubes' (from irishcharts.ie)|publisher=Fireball Media|access-date=2016-04-16}}</ref>
!width="35"|[[Official New Zealand Music Chart|NZ]]<br><ref>{{cite web|url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Sugarcubes|title=charts.nz > The Sugarcubes in New Zealand Charts|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=2016-04-16}}</ref>
!width="35"|[[Sverigetopplistan|SWE]]<br><ref name=swe/>
!width="35"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br><ref name=uk/>
!width="35"|[[UK Indie Chart|UK Indie]]<br><ref name="Indie Hits S">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720125236/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/s.htm|archive-date=2009-07-20|url=http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/s.htm|title=Indie Hits "S"|publisher=Cherry Red Records|access-date=2009-04-05}}</ref>
!width="35"|[[Alternative Airplay|US Alt]]<br><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/419227/sugarcubes/chart?f=377 |title=The Sugarcubes – US Alternative Songs |publisher=billboard.com |access-date=2016-02-05}}</ref>
!width="35"|[[Hot Dance Club Play|US Dance]]<br><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/419227/sugarcubes/chart?f=359 |title=The Sugarcubes – US Dance Club Songs |publisher=billboard.com |access-date=2016-02-05}}</ref>
|-
|1986
|"Einn Mol'á Mann" (ICE only) (as Sykurmolarnir)
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|rowspan="2" {{n/a|non-album singles}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|1987
|"Luftguitar" (ICE only) (as [[Sjón|Johnny Triumph]] & Sykurmolarnir)
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
|"[[Birthday (The Sugarcubes song)|Birthday]]"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|65
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;"|''Life's Too Good''
|-
|rowspan="4"|1988
|"Coldsweat"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|56
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
|"Deus"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|51
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
|"Birthday" (Reissue)
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|41
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|65
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
|"Motorcrash" (Continental Europe/US only)
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|10
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
|rowspan="2"|1989
|"Regina"
| style="text-align:center;"|141
| style="text-align:center;"|27
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|55
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|''Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!''
|-
|"Planet"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|97
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
|rowspan="5"|1992
|"[[Hit (The Sugarcubes song)|Hit]]"
| style="text-align:center;"|76
| style="text-align:center;"|18
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|28
| style="text-align:center;"|17
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|''Stick Around for Joy''
|-
|"Walkabout"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|82
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|16
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
|"Vitamin"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|-
|"[[Leash Called Love]]"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|"Birthday Remix"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|64
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|style="text-align:center;"|''It's It''
|-
| colspan="11" style="text-align:center;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.
|}

===Vinyl and CD boxes===
* 1989 – ''12.11'' ([[One Little Indian Records]])
* 1989 – ''7.8'' ([[One Little Indian Records]])
* 1989 – ''CD.6'' ([[One Little Indian Records]])
* 2006 – ''The Complete Studio Albums Box'' – 3× CD repacked box with three main English language studio albums. Released to celebrate 20th Anniversary reunion concert ([[One Little Indian Records]])

===Collaborations and featuring===
* 1987 – ''[[Snarl II]]'' ([[Erðanumúsík]]), Icelandic compilation. Featuring under the name of Sykurmolarnir.
* 1987 – ''[[Luftgítar]]'' ([[Bad Taste (record label)|Smekkleysa]]), album by [[Sjón|Johnny Triumph]].
* 1987 – ''[[Skytturnar]]'' ([[Gramm (record label)|Gramm]]), soundtrack to the movie directed by [[Friðrik Þór Fríðriksson]].
* 1988 – ''[[One Little Indian - Greatest Hits Volume One]]'' ([[One Little Indian]]), greatest hits (volume 1) released by One Little Indian.
* 1990 – ''[[Hættuleg hljómsveit & glæpakvendið Stella]]'' ([[Megas (record label)|Megas]]), album by [[Megas]].
* 1990 – ''[[World Domination or Death Volume 1]]'' ([[Bad Taste (record label)|Smekkleysa]]/[[Workers Playtime PLAY]]), compilation.
* 1990 – ''[[One Little Indian - Greatest Hits Volume Two]]'' ([[One Little Indian]]), greatest hits (volume 2) released by One Little Indian.
* 1990 – ''[[Rubáiyát: Elektra's 40th Anniversary]]'' ([[Elektra Records]]), Elektra Records anniversary compilation.
* 1993 – ''Welcome to the Future'' ([[One Little Indian]]), compilation.

===Other releases===
* 1988 – ''[[Sugarcubes Interview Disc]]'' ([[One Little Indian]])
* 1998 – ''[[Avengers (soundtrack)]]'' ([[Warner Music Group|WEA]]/[[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]])- Feat. [[Annie Lennox]]'s cover of The Sugarcubes' "Mama"
* 1998 – ''[[Music Inspired by the Motion Picture: The Avengers]]'' ([[BIG EAR]])

==Videography==
===Video albums===
* 1989 – ''[[Live Zabor]]'', VHS, collection of live performances from 1988/89 and interviews
* 1991 – ''[[The Video (Sugarcubes video album)]]'', VHS/laserdisc, [[music video]] collection
* 1992 – ''[[Murder and Killing in Hell]]'', VHS, 1992 live concert performance, Manchester Academy UK
* 1992 - ''Sykurmolarnir – Á Guðs Vegum'' (''The Sugarcubes - On God's Way''), Icelandic VHS of various live performances and remixes
* 2006 – ''The DVD'' ([[One Little Indian]]), music video collection, re-issue of 'The Video' with additional bonus videos
* 2006 – ''Live Zabor DVD'' ([[One Little Indian]]), re-issue

===Music videos===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Director
! Ref.
|-
| rowspan="4"| 1987
| "Luftgitar" (w/ [[Sjón|Johnny Triumph]])
| The Sugarcubes
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHMATQvbR5c |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/tHMATQvbR5c| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=The Sugarcubes & Johnny Triumph - Luftgitar|date=June 30, 2007|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=June 9, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| "Ammæli" ("Birthday" Icelandic)
| [[Friðrik Þór Friðriksson]] / The Sugarcubes
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6hGc7S8d88 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/F6hGc7S8d88| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=The Sugarcubes - Birthday (Icelandic)|date=June 30, 2007|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=June 9, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| "Birthday" (English)
| Kristín Jóhannesdóttir / Saga Films
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noXYiNo5TOo| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017024133/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noXYiNo5TOo| archive-date=2012-10-17 | url-status=dead|title=Sugarcubes Birthday English|date=December 6, 2010|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=June 9, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| "Birthday" (English, Live)
| Andy Lee / Martin Hart
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkgyQGZSY4g |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/jkgyQGZSY4g| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=The Sugarcubes - "Birthday" (English) New HD quality upload|date=July 18, 2009|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=June 9, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3"| 1988
| "Cold Sweat"
| [[Óskar Jónasson]] / The Sugarcubes
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8XVHnNaJOo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/y8XVHnNaJOo| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=The Sugarcubes - Cold Sweat|date=June 30, 2007|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=June 9, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| "Deus"
| Óskar Jónasson / Myndbandagerd Reykjavikur
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq2dWTBVZD4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/fq2dWTBVZD4| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=The Sugarcubes - Deus|date=June 30, 2007|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=June 9, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| "Motorcrash"
| Óskar Jónasson / Frost Film
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz9WNOkVTWo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/vz9WNOkVTWo| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=The Sugarcubes - Motorcrash|date=June 30, 2007|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=June 9, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="4"| 1989
| "Regina"
| Óskar Jónasson / Þorgeir Gunnarsson
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBTEHYKAuuc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/eBTEHYKAuuc| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=the sugarcubes/sykurmolarnir : regina [surrounded]|date=September 18, 2013|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=June 9, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| "Planet"
| Óskar Jónasson
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73nZt1qS0Hk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/73nZt1qS0Hk| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=The Sugarcubes - Planet|date=May 20, 2008|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=June 9, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| "Eat the Menu"
| Hyja Bio / Þorgeir Gunnarsson
| <ref name="YouTube">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRoPZ3h8IKI|title=the sugarcubes/sykurmolarnir : eat the menu [surrounded]|date=September 18, 2013|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=June 9, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| "Tidal Wave"
| Hyja Bio / -
| <ref name="YouTube"/>
|-
| 1991
| "Hit"
| Óskar Jónasson
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPAyajG3oNU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/TPAyajG3oNU| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=The Sugarcubes Hit|date=January 18, 2013|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=June 9, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3"| 1992
| "Hit" (Version 2)
| rowspan="2"| Pedro Romhanyi
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5fAWpv_axs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/Z5fAWpv_axs| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=The Sugarcubes - Hit|date=June 30, 2007|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=June 9, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| "Walkabout"
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5YNSNC0Ijw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/P5YNSNC0Ijw| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=The Sugarcubes - Walkabout|date=June 30, 2007|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=June 9, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| "Vitamin"
| The Sugarcubes
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW232Pgjx2M |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/UW232Pgjx2M| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=The Sugarcubes - Vitamin|date=June 30, 2007|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=June 9, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|}
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Sugar-Cubes-The-DVD/release/424381|title=Sugar Cubes* – The DVD|date=June 2004|publisher=[[Discogs]]|access-date=June 9, 2020}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093405/http://www.modernpeapod.com/2008/03/the-sugarcubes-the-dvd-and-live-zabor/ Review of reissued Sugarcubes video releases at Modern Peapod]
* {{MusicBrainz artist|id=95303251-46d5-4239-89c8-eaf0b0947a11|name=The Sugarcubes}}
* [http://chiefmag.com/issues/3/features/The-Sugarcubes-Reunion/ Interview with Einar Örn Benediktsson] in ''Chief Magazine'' discussing the band's birth, breakup, and eventual reunion
* [http://www.peterlind.org/o/#Bjôrk_&_Sugarcubes The Sugarcubes live in Copenhagen 1988], photo [[Peter Lind]]

{{The Sugarcubes}}
{{Bjork}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sugarcubes, The}}
[[Category:Icelandic alternative rock groups]]
[[Category:Icelandic post-punk music groups]]
[[Category:One Little Independent Records artists]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1992]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1986]]
[[Category:Björk]]
[[Category:1986 establishments in Iceland]]
[[Category:Avant-pop musicians]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Reykjavík]]
[[Category:Female-fronted musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical sextets]]
[[Category:Mixed-gender musical sextets]]