Swedish music abroad
Encyclopedia
Sweden
is one of the largest exporters of pop and rock music in the world. Many Swedish artists have enjoyed success on the British and American charts and in other English speaking countries.
went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100
with the B. J. Thomas
cover "Hooked on a Feeling
". The band was renamed Blue Swede
for the US.
In that same year, ABBA
won the Eurovision Song Contest
in Brighton
with "Waterloo". It was a big success throughout Europe, and reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100
.
Over the next few years ABBA had 18 consecutive top ten hits in the UK, nine of them reaching number one. Having sold an estimated 370 million units worldwide, ABBA became the best-selling band of the 1970s. In 1977 "Dancing Queen" became ABBA's only number one-hit on the Billboard Hot 100
. ABBA and Led Zeppelin
are the only acts to have had 8 consecutive UK #1 albums
.
Shortly after the release of Super Trouper
, Benny Andersson
and Anni-Frid Lyngstad
of ABBA decided to end their marriage, just as Björn Ulvaeus
and Agnetha Fältskog
had done two years prior. This event did not stop the foursome from working together. Their eighth album "The Visitors
" was released at the end of 1981. Feeling that the energy was running out of the group, they decided to take a break in 1982; the group have not reunited since
Agnetha Fältskog and Ann-Frida Lyngstad both pursued solo careers. In 1982 Lyngstad released her first solo album in English. It was produced by Phil Collins
. The song "I Know There's Something Going On
" was a huge hit around the world in 1982.
Benny and Björn collaborated with Tim Rice
on the musical Chess
which premiered in 1986 in the West End of London. The singles "One Night in Bangkok
" and "I Know Him So Well
" were both huge successes .
, hit number one in 26 countries including the UK with the song "The Final Countdown
". The album of the same name also charted around the world and sold over 3 million copies in the United States alone and more than 6 million copies worldwide. The single has sold 8 million copies.
The following year included successful tours through Europe, Japan and the USA. Their next album was Out of This World which produced "Superstitious
" as its biggest hit. This album sold about 4 million copies worldwide. In 1991, they released Prisoners in Paradise
, which sold only 1 million copies. Europe decided to take a long break in 1992.
In 1986, Marie Fredriksson
and Per Gessle
formed the band Roxette
. Four of their songs, "The Look
", "Listen To Your Heart" (both 1989), "It Must Have Been Love
" (1990) and "Joyride
" (1991), all reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100
. Meanwhile, two of their other songs, "Dangerous
" (1990) and "Fading Like a Flower" (1991), each peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Roxette's Join The Joyride World Tour 91-92 attracted 1.7 million people around the world. In 1993, they became the first non-English speaking band ever to play at MTV Unplugged
. In 1995 they became the first Western band to be allowed to perform in China since Wham!
in 1985.
In 2003, the duo was honoured with achievement medals by Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf "for appreciated achievements in Sweden and internationally". To date their best selling albums are Joyride (11 million) and Look Sharp!
(9 million). Overall, the duo has sold more than 45 million albums and 25 million singles worldwide.
In 1988, Swedish (but then UK-based) artist Neneh Cherry
got her solo breakthrough with "Buffalo Stance
". She now (2009) lives in Tågarp
, Skåne, Sweden
.
and The Cardigans
.
There are a number of popular music artists from Sweden from different genres who gained a name in the international music scene in the '90s: Dr. Alban
, Leila K
, Army of Lovers
, Yaki-Da
, Stakka Bo, Rednex
, Robyn
, Eagle Eye Cherry, Emilia Rydberg
, Teddybears
and Meja
.
had the world's biggest-selling debut album with 23 million in sales for Happy Nation
. They achieved major success in the 90s with popular songs like "All That She Wants
" (1993), "The Sign", "Don't Turn Around" (both 1994) and "Cruel Summer" (1998). All four songs reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100
; "The Sign" spent six weeks at number one.
In the early 1990s the Swedish dance scene was very vivid. Denniz Pop
was Sweden's most wanted producer of that time . In 1990 he produced Dr. Alban's
first record "Hello Africa" together with Leila K
. The song became a hit in mainland Europe peaking at #5 in Germany.
In 1992 Denniz Pop
produced the second album by Dr. Alban, One Love which includes the worldwide hits "It's My Life" and "Sing Hallelujah".
. That same year Leila K
released her hit single "Open Sesame" (UK #23, Germany #5). This was followed in 1993 by a cover version of Plastic Bertrand's "Ça Plane Pour Moi
" (#13 Germany).
1994 saw the release of Dr. Alban's third album Look Who's Talking; the title track was a big hit throughout Europe (Germany #3).
Rednex
had several hit songs mixing country music and eurodance. The song "Cotton Eye Joe" was an international hit in 1994 reaching number one in the UK. The ballad "Wish You Were Here" was released in 1995.
The Hellacopters
, a garage rock
band that was formed by Nicke Andersson
, was also formed in 1995.
released their third album, First Band on the Moon
. The song "Lovefool
" from that album was included on the soundtrack of William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet
by director Baz Luhrmann
. It found international success peaking at #2 in the UK Singles Chart. The following album, Gran Turismo
(1998), was more electronic in style and contained the hit singles "My Favourite Game
" and "Erase/Rewind
".
"You and Me Song
" by Swedish group The Wannadies
was a huge radio hit in the UK and Ireland in the mid-1990s. This song also ended up featuring on the "Romeo + Juliet" soundtrack.
In 2008,swedish group Caramell
released a remix of their hit song, Caramelldansen
as the Caramella Girls.
Robyn
was 17 years old when her pop singles "Show Me Love
" and "Do You Know (What It Takes)
" were released in 1997. These singles both ended up in the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100
.
1998 Meja
's second album Seven Sisters was released. It contained the radio hit "All Bout The Money" which was peaked at #12 in the UK.
In spring 1999 she recorded the duet "Private Emotion" with Ricky Martin
. The song reached #9 in the UK singles chart
.
Eagle-Eye Cherry
released his debut album Desireless
in 1998. Propelled by the hit single '"'Save Tonight" (UK #5, US #6), the album sold over 4 million copies worldwide.
Emilia Rydberg
is well known for her 1998-1999 international hit "Big Big World
". The song peaked at #5 in the UK.
Andreas Johnson
had a UK #4 hit in 2000 with "Glorious
".
Swedish Songwriter/Producer Denniz Pop
and Max Martin
have written worldwide hits for pop artists like Britney Spears
, Backstreet Boys
and Celine Dion
.
achieved success across Europe in 2000. It peaked at #3 in Germany and at #13 in the UK Singles Chart
. The following singles failed to reach this success.
The A*Teens were formed in 1998 as an ABBA
Tribute Band. The debut album The ABBA Generation in 1999 consisted purely of ABBA
covers and was a great success around the world. The album sold 3 million copies worldwide. Singles like "Mamma Mia" (UK #12 1999) and "Dancing Queen" (UK #21 1999) topped the charts in Sweden.
Their second album Teen Spirit (2001) contained new songs and was certified Gold in the United States. "Upside Down" from that album became their biggest hit. After two records which were less successful internationally, the band broke up in 2004.
The electronic dance project Antiloop
also reached international success; the song "In My Mind" was featured on the FIFA
2003 soundtrack.
Singer Nina Persson
from The Cardigans
launched a solo project in 2001 under the name A Camp
. The lead single "I Can Buy You" was a small hit in the UK peaking at #46.
Two years later The Cardigans returned with their album Long Gone Before Daylight, a quieter, more ambient collection of songs. In Sweden it was certified 2x Platinum and they won 2 Swedish Grammy Awards.
José González
is a Swedish indie folk singer-songwriter of Argentine descent. His cover "Heartbeats" (originally by his fellow Swedes The Knife
) was a hit in the UK singles chart
where it peaked at #9 in 2003.
The Tallest Man on Earth
is a Swedish Folk singer songwriter. His real name is Kristian Matsson and was born on April 30, 1983.
Indie band The Concretes
first appeared in the UK Single Chart in 2004 with "You Can't Hurry Love" (#55) and "Seem Fine" (#52). Lead singer Victoria Bergsman
left the group in 2006 and, with Peter, Bjorn and John, recorded the single "Young Folks" the same year. It reached #35 in the UK singles chart
and was re-issued the following year making it #13.
Other indie artists include The Hives
, Eskobar
, The Soundtrack of Our Lives
, Dungen
, Kent
, First Aid Kit
, Lykke Li
, Shout Out Louds
, Fever Ray and Life on Earth
.
, Robyn
, Axwell
, Peter, Bjorn & John, September
, Agnes Carlsson
, Darin, Kleerup
and Eric Prydz
.
Swedish DJ and producer Eric Prydz
had a hit 2004 with "Call on Me
" which reached No.1 for 5 weeks in the UK singles charts,
while its 2007 follow up ""'Proper Education" was a No.2 success. In 2008 he had a hit with "Pjanoo", which reached #2 in the UK singles charts on download sales alone.
Robyn
reappeared in 2007, after an absence of 10 years from the international music scene, with her #1 hit in UK singles chart
"With Every Heartbeat
". The self-titled album was certified Platinum in Sweden and Gold in the UK
.
The following singles reached the charts as well: "Handle Me" (UK #17 2007), "Be Mine" (UK #10 2008) and "Who's That Girl" (UK #26 2008)
. "Dream On", the follow-up with Christian Falk
, was originally released in 2006 on his album People Say. It was re-released in the UK in November 2008 peaking at #21. She also collaborated with Norwegian
duo Röyksopp
for the single "The Girl and the Robot
" in June 2009.
Crashdiet
are an all Swedish rock/glam metal band starting out in the early 2000s. They released Rest in Sleaze
in 2006 which debuted #12 in Swedish charts, then after the death of frontman and singer Dave Lepard
the band released two more albums reaching a high with 2010's Generation Wild
which slipped into the charts at #3 but 2007's The Unattractive Revolution
fell short at #11. Crashdiet
are still currently a world touring band.
Basshunter
is a Swedish DJ. "Boten Anna" is a song with Swedish lyrics that had some success in Continental Europe in 2006. In 2007 it reached #1 in the UK singles chart
with lyrics performed in English under the title "Now You're Gone". In 2008 the second single "All I Ever Wanted" went #2 in the UK.
September
is a Swedish dance-singer whose song "Cry For You
" was an international hit (UK #5 2008).
Mando Diao
is a garage rock band from Borlänge
. They were very successful in Europe in 2009 with their song "Dance With Somebody" from the album Give Me Fire
. It reached #3 in Germany and was a major hit in Europe peaking at number 8 at the Billboard Eurochart Hot 100 Singles
.
Another competitor in Swedish Idol 2005 was pop singer Ola Svensson
. Although not known in the UK, he is known throughout Sweden as 'A Swedish Success Story'. Ola came eighth on Idol and has gone on to produce 3 studio albums and is currently working on the fourth which is planned to be released throughout all of Europe in 2010. He is a Double Platinum Artist with songs such as "Natalie" and "Feelgood". In 2009 he received a Rockbjörnen
award, the most prestigious music award in Sweden. Four of Ola's singles have reached no. 1 in Sweden, and all of his own singles charted within the top 5.
and Robyn
. Agnes, the winner of Sweden's Idol 2005, succeeded in Europe and especially the UK market in 2009/2010 with the single "Release Me", which entered the charts at #3 and sold over 300,000 copies. It was a hit both worldwide and in Europe it peaked at #6 on the Billboard Eurochart Hot 100 Singles
. Carlsson was also signed to Universal Music/Interscope in the U.S. and started the promotion for the forthcoming album Dance Love Pop
during the summer 2010. Robyn returned with her album Body Talk Pt. 1
.
2010 also saw the rising success of the Swedish House Mafia
, a collaboration between the Swedish DJ and producers Axwell, Steve Angelo and Sebastian Ingrosso.
. From Swedish death metal emerged the subgenre melodic death metal
which sometimes referred to as Gothenburg metal because of the city in Sweden where it became popular. Famous bands include among others At the Gates
, In Flames
, Dark Tranquillity
, Entombed
, Opeth
, Amon Amarth
, Arch Enemy and more.
Janne Schaffer
initiated his career in various Swedish acts in the late 1960s, and soon became a much in-demand session-man, playing lead guitar for ABBA
both in the studio and live. He also keeps up a successful solo career, merging jazz and folk influences into his playing.
Per-Olov Kindgren
is a classical guitar teacher and performer known for his transcriptions of popular contemporary music.
or the Billboard Hot 100
, as well as other notable hits.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
is one of the largest exporters of pop and rock music in the world. Many Swedish artists have enjoyed success on the British and American charts and in other English speaking countries.
1970s: ABBA
In April 1974, Blue SwedeBlue Swede
Blue Swede was a Swedish rock band from the early to mid 1970s, that succeeded with a few singles which were covers of other artists' material.-Career:...
went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
with the B. J. Thomas
B. J. Thomas
Billy Joe "B. J." Thomas is an American popular singer known for his chart-topping hits in the 1960s and 1970s—appearing on the pop, adult contemporary, country and Hot 100 charts.-Career:...
cover "Hooked on a Feeling
Hooked on a Feeling
"Hooked on a Feeling" is a 1968 pop song written by Mark James and originally performed by B. J. Thomas. Featuring the sound of the electric sitar, the song reached number five in 1969 on the Billboard Hot 100.-History:...
". The band was renamed Blue Swede
Blue Swede
Blue Swede was a Swedish rock band from the early to mid 1970s, that succeeded with a few singles which were covers of other artists' material.-Career:...
for the US.
In that same year, ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
won the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
in Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
with "Waterloo". It was a big success throughout Europe, and reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
Over the next few years ABBA had 18 consecutive top ten hits in the UK, nine of them reaching number one. Having sold an estimated 370 million units worldwide, ABBA became the best-selling band of the 1970s. In 1977 "Dancing Queen" became ABBA's only number one-hit on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. ABBA and Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
are the only acts to have had 8 consecutive UK #1 albums
.
Shortly after the release of Super Trouper
Super Trouper (album)
Super Trouper is the seventh studio album by Swedish pop group ABBA, first released in 1980 .-Overview:Led by the international hit "The Winner Takes It All", Super Trouper was the group's sixth chart-topping album in the UK. It was also the best-selling album in Britain for 1980...
, Benny Andersson
Benny Andersson
Göran Bror "Benny" Andersson is a Swedish musician, composer, a former member of the Swedish musical group ABBA , and co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia!...
and Anni-Frid Lyngstad
Anni-Frid Lyngstad
Anni-Frid Prinzessin Reuss von Plauen , is a Norwegian-born Swedish pop singer...
of ABBA decided to end their marriage, just as Björn Ulvaeus
Björn Ulvaeus
Björn Kristian Ulvaeus is a Swedish songwriter, composer, musician, writer, producer, a former member of the Swedish musical group ABBA , and co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia!...
and Agnetha Fältskog
Agnetha Fältskog
Agnetha Åse Fältskog is a Swedish recording artist. She achieved success in Sweden after the release of her début album Agnetha Fältskog in 1968, and reached international stardom as a member of the pop group ABBA, which to date has sold over 375 million records worldwide, making it the fourth...
had done two years prior. This event did not stop the foursome from working together. Their eighth album "The Visitors
The Visitors (ABBA album)
The Visitors is the eighth and final studio album by Swedish pop group ABBA, released on November 30, 1981.With The Visitors, ABBA took several steps away from the "lighter" pop music they had recorded previously and the album is often regarded as a more complex and mature effort...
" was released at the end of 1981. Feeling that the energy was running out of the group, they decided to take a break in 1982; the group have not reunited since
Agnetha Fältskog and Ann-Frida Lyngstad both pursued solo careers. In 1982 Lyngstad released her first solo album in English. It was produced by Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
. The song "I Know There's Something Going On
I Know There's Something Going On
"I Know There's Something Going On" is a song recorded in 1982 by ABBA singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad . It was the lead single from her solo album Something's Going On. The song was a huge hit around the world during 1982 and 1983.-Song history:...
" was a huge hit around the world in 1982.
Benny and Björn collaborated with Tim Rice
Tim Rice
Sir Timothy Miles Bindon "Tim" Rice is an British lyricist and author.An Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning lyricist, Rice is best known for his collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber, with whom he wrote Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus...
on the musical Chess
Chess (musical)
Chess is a musical with music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, formerly of ABBA, and with lyrics by Tim Rice. The story involves a romantic triangle between two top players, an American and a Russian, in a world chess championship, and a woman who manages one and falls in love with the other;...
which premiered in 1986 in the West End of London. The singles "One Night in Bangkok
One Night in Bangkok
"One Night in Bangkok" is the title of a song originally sung by the British actor and Pop-dance singer Murray Head on the 1984 concept album for the musical Chess...
" and "I Know Him So Well
I Know Him So Well
"I Know Him So Well" is a song from the concept album and subsequent musical Chess by Tim Rice, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. In this duet, two women – Svetlana, the Russian chess champion's estranged wife, and Florence, his mistress – express their bittersweet feelings for him and at seeing...
" were both huge successes .
1980s: Europe, Roxette, Neneh Cherry
In 1986 a hard rock band from Upplands Väsby, EuropeEurope (band)
Europe is a Swedish rock band formed in Upplands Väsby in 1979 under the name Force by vocalist Joey Tempest, guitarist John Norum and drummer Tony Reno. Although widely associated with glam metal, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal and hard rock elements...
, hit number one in 26 countries including the UK with the song "The Final Countdown
The Final Countdown (song)
"The Final Countdown" is a rock song by the Swedish band Europe released in 1986. Written by Joey Tempest, it was the first single from the band's third studio album which was also named The Final Countdown. It is considered by some to be the band's most recognizable and popular song. The song...
". The album of the same name also charted around the world and sold over 3 million copies in the United States alone and more than 6 million copies worldwide. The single has sold 8 million copies.
The following year included successful tours through Europe, Japan and the USA. Their next album was Out of This World which produced "Superstitious
Superstitious (song)
"Superstitious" is a 1988 single released by the Swedish heavy metal band Europe. It was the first single released from the album Out of This World. It charted at #31 in the Billboard Hot 100, #9 at the Mainstream Rock Tracks and #34 in the UK Singles Chart....
" as its biggest hit. This album sold about 4 million copies worldwide. In 1991, they released Prisoners in Paradise
Prisoners in Paradise
Prisoners in Paradise is the fifth studio album by the Swedish rock band Europe. It was released on September 23, 1991, by Epic Records and spawned hits such as the title track, "Prisoners in Paradise" and "I'll Cry for You".-Track listing:...
, which sold only 1 million copies. Europe decided to take a long break in 1992.
In 1986, Marie Fredriksson
Marie Fredriksson
is a Swedish pop singer-songwriter and pianist, best known for forming one half of the pop duo Roxette, which she created together with Per Gessle in 1986...
and Per Gessle
Per Gessle
Per Håkan Gessle is a Swedish pop singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonicist. He is the lead singer of the Swedish pop group Gyllene Tider and formed Roxette with Marie Fredriksson...
formed the band Roxette
Roxette
Roxette are a Swedish pop music duo, consisting of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle . Formed in 1986, the duo became an international act from the late 1980s, when they released their breakthrough album Look Sharp!...
. Four of their songs, "The Look
The Look
"The Look", written by Per Gessle and performed by Roxette, was released as a single in early 1989 from the album Look Sharp!. The song became Roxette's international "breakthrough" song, finally exposing the duo to music consumers outside of the duo's native Sweden and Europe after more than one...
", "Listen To Your Heart" (both 1989), "It Must Have Been Love
It Must Have Been Love
"It Must Have Been Love" is a power ballad written by Per Gessle and performed by the Swedish pop duo Roxette. The ballad became the duo's 3rd #1 hit in the United States, and is one of their best-selling releases, leading the single to be certified gold in a number of countries.The song, included...
" (1990) and "Joyride
Joyride (Roxette song)
"Joyride", written by Per Gessle, was the first single released from Swedish pop duo Roxette's 1991 album Joyride, the follow-up to the group's highly successful Look Sharp!. The single topped the charts across Europe, and in Australia, Canada and the United States, where it spent one week at...
" (1991), all reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. Meanwhile, two of their other songs, "Dangerous
Dangerous (Roxette song)
"Dangerous", written by Per Gessle, is the fourth single released from Roxette's album Look Sharp!. Gessle penned it just before Roxette's first tour in 1987. Released at the end of 1989, it was the group's third top 10 showing on the Billboard Hot 100, spending two weeks at #2 in February 1990. ...
" (1990) and "Fading Like a Flower" (1991), each peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Roxette's Join The Joyride World Tour 91-92 attracted 1.7 million people around the world. In 1993, they became the first non-English speaking band ever to play at MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
. In 1995 they became the first Western band to be allowed to perform in China since Wham!
WHAM!
Wham! were a short-lived British musical duo formed by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in the early 1980s. They were briefly known in the United States as Wham! UK due to a naming conflict with an American band....
in 1985.
In 2003, the duo was honoured with achievement medals by Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf "for appreciated achievements in Sweden and internationally". To date their best selling albums are Joyride (11 million) and Look Sharp!
Look Sharp! (Roxette album)
Singles*"Chances"*"The Look"*"Dressed for Success"*"Listen to Your Heart"*"Dangerous"-Charts:-Credits:*Vocals — Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson*Drums — Pelle Alsing*Programming and bass — Anders Herrlin...
(9 million). Overall, the duo has sold more than 45 million albums and 25 million singles worldwide.
In 1988, Swedish (but then UK-based) artist Neneh Cherry
Neneh Cherry
Neneh Mariann Cherry is a Swedish singer-songwriter, rapper, and occasional DJ and broadcaster...
got her solo breakthrough with "Buffalo Stance
Buffalo Stance
"Buffalo Stance" is a 1988 song that peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart recorded by Neneh Cherry from her album Raw Like Sushi, produced by Tim Simenon and Mark Saunders.-History:...
". She now (2009) lives in Tågarp
Tågarp
Tågarp is a bimunicipal locality situated in Svalöv Municipality and Landskrona Municipality in Skåne County, Sweden with 434 inhabitants in 2005.- References :...
, Skåne, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
.
1990s: Ace of Base, The Cardigans
The '90s brought a new wave of international success for Swedish pop productions. Swedish pop was represented abroad by the likes of Ace of BaseAce of Base
Ace of Base is a pop band based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Its original lineup consisted of Ulf "Buddha" Ekberg, and three siblings, Jonas "Joker" Berggren, Malin "Linn" Berggren and Jenny Berggren...
and The Cardigans
The Cardigans
The Cardigans are a Swedish rock band formed in the town of Jönköping in October 1992.Their debut album Emmerdale gave them a solid base in their home country and enjoyed some success abroad, especially in Japan. It was not until their second album Life that an international reputation was secured...
.
There are a number of popular music artists from Sweden from different genres who gained a name in the international music scene in the '90s: Dr. Alban
Dr. Alban
Alban Uzoma Nwapa , known by his stage name Dr. Alban, is a Nigerian, Sweden-based musician and producer with his own record label dr-records. His music can best be described as a Eurodance/hip-hop reggae with a dancehall style. He is most famous for his worldwide 1992 hit "It's My...
, Leila K
Leila K
Laila El Khalifi better known by her stage name Leila K, is a Swedish Eurodance singer and former rapper of Moroccan descent.-Biography:...
, Army of Lovers
Army Of Lovers
Army of Lovers are a Swedish dance music group formed in 1987.The name of the band alludes to a documentary Armee der Liebenden oder Revolte der Perversen about the German gay rights activist Rosa von Praunheim, the title of which in turn alludes to the Theban Band.-History:The founding members,...
, Yaki-Da
Yaki-Da
Yaki-Da were a Swedish pop group consisting of singers Marie Knutsen and Linda Schönberg. They were put together by Ace of Base band member and producer Jonas "Joker" Berggren...
, Stakka Bo, Rednex
Rednex
Rednex is a Swedish techno/folk/bluegrass band. They had an international novelty hit with the song "Cotton Eye Joe" in 1994. Although extremely popular in Germany, where the band holds the record of most total weeks at No.1 on the German singles chart over the past 30 years—scoring such hits as...
, Robyn
Robyn
Robin Miriam Carlsson , better known by her stage name Robyn, is a Swedish recording artist, singer, and songwriter. Robyn became known in the late nineties for her worldwide dance-pop hit "Do You Know " from her debut album Robyn Is Here . She co-wrote the song "Du gör mig hel igen" for...
, Eagle Eye Cherry, Emilia Rydberg
Emilia Rydberg
Emilia Rydberg is a Swedish pop music and soul singer, mostly known for her hit, "Big Big World". Emilia was discovered in 1996 by Lars Anderson, son of ABBA's manager, Stig Anderson....
, Teddybears
Teddybears
Teddybears is a Swedish band formed in 1991, known for mixing pop, rock, hip-hop, electronica, reggae, punk and many other genres.-History:...
and Meja
Meja
Meja , is a Swedish composer, artist and singer. Among her best known songs are "I'm Missing You","All 'Bout the Money" and "Private Emotion"...
.
Dance music
Ace of BaseAce of Base
Ace of Base is a pop band based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Its original lineup consisted of Ulf "Buddha" Ekberg, and three siblings, Jonas "Joker" Berggren, Malin "Linn" Berggren and Jenny Berggren...
had the world's biggest-selling debut album with 23 million in sales for Happy Nation
Happy Nation
Happy Nation is the debut album of Ace of Base, a pop music group based in Sweden. It was released in early 1993 in Europe, Africa and Latin America on Festival Records. The album is the third highest-selling debut album by a group after Guns N' Roses and Linkin Park...
. They achieved major success in the 90s with popular songs like "All That She Wants
All That She Wants
"All That She Wants" is a hit single of Swedish pop group Ace of Base. The song was produced by Denniz Pop. In early 1993, the song reached the top of the charts in many countries, including Denmark, the United Kingdom and Australia. The single was certified Platinum in the United States, where it...
" (1993), "The Sign", "Don't Turn Around" (both 1994) and "Cruel Summer" (1998). All four songs reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
; "The Sign" spent six weeks at number one.
In the early 1990s the Swedish dance scene was very vivid. Denniz Pop
Denniz Pop
Dag Krister Volle , better known under the artistic name Denniz Pop , was a Swedish DJ, music producer and songwriter....
was Sweden's most wanted producer of that time . In 1990 he produced Dr. Alban's
Dr. Alban
Alban Uzoma Nwapa , known by his stage name Dr. Alban, is a Nigerian, Sweden-based musician and producer with his own record label dr-records. His music can best be described as a Eurodance/hip-hop reggae with a dancehall style. He is most famous for his worldwide 1992 hit "It's My...
first record "Hello Africa" together with Leila K
Leila K
Laila El Khalifi better known by her stage name Leila K, is a Swedish Eurodance singer and former rapper of Moroccan descent.-Biography:...
. The song became a hit in mainland Europe peaking at #5 in Germany.
In 1992 Denniz Pop
Denniz Pop
Dag Krister Volle , better known under the artistic name Denniz Pop , was a Swedish DJ, music producer and songwriter....
produced the second album by Dr. Alban, One Love which includes the worldwide hits "It's My Life" and "Sing Hallelujah".
. That same year Leila K
Leila K
Laila El Khalifi better known by her stage name Leila K, is a Swedish Eurodance singer and former rapper of Moroccan descent.-Biography:...
released her hit single "Open Sesame" (UK #23, Germany #5). This was followed in 1993 by a cover version of Plastic Bertrand's "Ça Plane Pour Moi
Ça plane pour moi
"'" is a punk rock song by Plastic Bertrand, although the voice on the original recordings is of producer Lou Deprijck. It was issued as a single in December 1977. The song was composed by Yvan Lacomblez and produced by Lou Deprijck. "Jet Boy, Jet Girl", an adaptation recorded in November 1977 by...
" (#13 Germany).
1994 saw the release of Dr. Alban's third album Look Who's Talking; the title track was a big hit throughout Europe (Germany #3).
Rednex
Rednex
Rednex is a Swedish techno/folk/bluegrass band. They had an international novelty hit with the song "Cotton Eye Joe" in 1994. Although extremely popular in Germany, where the band holds the record of most total weeks at No.1 on the German singles chart over the past 30 years—scoring such hits as...
had several hit songs mixing country music and eurodance. The song "Cotton Eye Joe" was an international hit in 1994 reaching number one in the UK. The ballad "Wish You Were Here" was released in 1995.
The Hellacopters
The Hellacopters
The Hellacopters were a Swedish garage rock band that was formed in 1994 by Nicke Andersson , Dregen , Kenny Håkansson and Robert Eriksson . Andersson had been the drummer for death metal band Entombed and Dregen was taking a break from his full-time band Backyard Babies...
, a garage rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
band that was formed by Nicke Andersson
Nicke Andersson
Nicke Andersson , born 1 August 1972 is a singer, guitarist, drummer, songwriter and composer most known for his work as the singer and guitarist of the successful Grammy award winning rock band The Hellacopters as well as the former drummer for Swedish death metal band Entombed...
, was also formed in 1995.
Swedish pop music
In 1996 The CardigansThe Cardigans
The Cardigans are a Swedish rock band formed in the town of Jönköping in October 1992.Their debut album Emmerdale gave them a solid base in their home country and enjoyed some success abroad, especially in Japan. It was not until their second album Life that an international reputation was secured...
released their third album, First Band on the Moon
First Band on the Moon
First Band on the Moon is the third studio album by The Cardigans. It features the international single "Lovefool".It was first released on August 12, 1996 and later internationally on September 9, 1996....
. The song "Lovefool
Lovefool
"Lovefool" is a pop rock song written by Peter Svensson and Nina Persson for The Cardigans' third studio album First Band on the Moon, released as a single on 14 September 1996, in the United Kingdom and internationally on 5 October 1996...
" from that album was included on the soundtrack of William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet
William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet
William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet is a 1996 film adaptation of William Shakespeare's romantic tragedy of the same name. It was directed by Australian Baz Luhrmann and stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes in the leading roles....
by director Baz Luhrmann
Baz Luhrmann
Mark Anthony "Baz" Luhrmann is an Australian film director, screenwriter, and producer best known for The Red Curtain Trilogy, which includes his films Strictly Ballroom, William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge!...
. It found international success peaking at #2 in the UK Singles Chart. The following album, Gran Turismo
Gran Turismo (album)
Gran Turismo is the fourth studio album by the Swedish band The Cardigans, released internationally on October 1, 1998 and in November 1998 in the U.S.. It features a darker and more moody type of music, mixing with more electronic sounds...
(1998), was more electronic in style and contained the hit singles "My Favourite Game
My Favourite Game
"My Favourite Game" is an alternative rock song written by Peter Svensson and Nina Persson for The Cardigans' 1998 album Gran Turismo. The song is the album's eighth track, and was released as its first single....
" and "Erase/Rewind
Erase/Rewind
"Erase/Rewind" is a pop rock song written by Peter Svensson and Nina Persson for The Cardigans' 1998 album Gran Turismo. The song is the album's second track, and was released as its second single. It was also featured in The Thirteenth Floor during the ending credits...
".
"You and Me Song
You and Me Song
"You and Me Song" is a song by Swedish band The Wannadies. Originally released as a single in 1994, it became the group's biggest UK hit two years later when it reached number 18 in the singles chart in April 1996....
" by Swedish group The Wannadies
The Wannadies
The Wannadies were an alternative rock band formed in 1988 in Skellefteå, northern Sweden. The band's initial line-up featured Pär Wiksten , Christina Bergmark , Stefan Schönfeldt and his younger brother Fredrik Schönfeldt with Gunnar Karlsson and Björn Malmquist .Early influences...
was a huge radio hit in the UK and Ireland in the mid-1990s. This song also ended up featuring on the "Romeo + Juliet" soundtrack.
In 2008,swedish group Caramell
Caramell
Caramell is a Swedish musical group, formed by singers Katia Löfgren and Malin Sundström and producers Jorge "Vasco" Vasconcelo and Juha "Millboy" Myllylä. All except Vasconcelo and Myllylä come from Sweden...
released a remix of their hit song, Caramelldansen
Caramelldansen
"Caramelldansen" is the first track and the lead single of the album Supergott released in November 2001 by the Swedish music group Caramell...
as the Caramella Girls.
Robyn
Robyn
Robin Miriam Carlsson , better known by her stage name Robyn, is a Swedish recording artist, singer, and songwriter. Robyn became known in the late nineties for her worldwide dance-pop hit "Do You Know " from her debut album Robyn Is Here . She co-wrote the song "Du gör mig hel igen" for...
was 17 years old when her pop singles "Show Me Love
Show Me Love (Robyn song)
"Show Me Love" is the fourth Swedish, third UK and second U.S. single from Swedish pop singer Robyn's debut album Robyn Is Here. The song is sometimes confused with Robin S.'s 1993 hit "Show Me Love", because of identical song titles and similar first names...
" and "Do You Know (What It Takes)
Do You Know (What It Takes)
"Do You Know " is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn from her debut album, Robyn Is Here. It was released as the third Swedish and as the second single in the United Kingdom in 1996. The song was released as her debut single in the United States in 1997...
" were released in 1997. These singles both ended up in the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
1998 Meja
Meja
Meja , is a Swedish composer, artist and singer. Among her best known songs are "I'm Missing You","All 'Bout the Money" and "Private Emotion"...
's second album Seven Sisters was released. It contained the radio hit "All Bout The Money" which was peaked at #12 in the UK.
In spring 1999 she recorded the duet "Private Emotion" with Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin
Enrique "Ricky" Martín Morales , better known as Ricky Martin, is a Puerto Rican and Spanish pop singer and actor who achieved prominence, first as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo, then as a solo artist since 1991.During his career he has sold more than 60 million album copies worldwide...
. The song reached #9 in the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
Eagle-Eye Cherry
Eagle-Eye Cherry
Eagle-Eye Lanoo Cherry is a Swedish musician of African-American descent.-Life and career:Cherry was born in Stockholm, Sweden, the son of African American jazz artist Don Cherry and Swedish painter/textile artist Monika "Moki" Cherry . He is half-brother of singer Neneh Cherry, his mother's...
released his debut album Desireless
Desireless (album)
Desireless is the 1997 debut album by Swedish singer Eagle-Eye Cherry. The album was released in Sweden in 1997, by the small label Diesel. In 1998, Work Records picked it up for American distribution....
in 1998. Propelled by the hit single '"'Save Tonight" (UK #5, US #6), the album sold over 4 million copies worldwide.
Emilia Rydberg
Emilia Rydberg
Emilia Rydberg is a Swedish pop music and soul singer, mostly known for her hit, "Big Big World". Emilia was discovered in 1996 by Lars Anderson, son of ABBA's manager, Stig Anderson....
is well known for her 1998-1999 international hit "Big Big World
Big Big World (song)
"Big Big World" is a 1998 ballad song recorded by Emilia Rydberg from Sweden. Emilia Rydberg wrote the song with Lasse Andersson, and the song is about love, with references to the autumn. It was the first single from the album of the same name and was released in late 1998. Although it was a...
". The song peaked at #5 in the UK.
Andreas Johnson
Andreas Johnson
Andreas Johnson is a Swedish pop/rock singer-songwriter and musician.-Career:...
had a UK #4 hit in 2000 with "Glorious
Glorious (Andreas Johnson song)
"Glorious" is a pop song released by Swedish singer Andreas Johnson in 1999. It is from Johnson's Liebling album on the WEA record label.The song was a mixed success in terms of chart, as it remained in the low positions in the Netherlands, Switzerland, New Zealand and Germany...
".
Swedish Songwriter/Producer Denniz Pop
Denniz Pop
Dag Krister Volle , better known under the artistic name Denniz Pop , was a Swedish DJ, music producer and songwriter....
and Max Martin
Max Martin
Martin Karl Sandberg, known professionally as Max Martin, is a Swedish music producer and songwriter. Raised in Stenhamra, a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden, he broke through as a producer and songwriter in the mid to late 1990s after crafting a string of hits for pop artists like the Backstreet Boys,...
have written worldwide hits for pop artists like Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
, Backstreet Boys
Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993. The band originally consisted of A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson. They rose to fame with their debut international album, Backstreet Boys...
and Celine Dion
Celine Dion
Céline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
.
2000s: Alcazar, Eric Prydz
With "Crying at the Discoteque" the band AlcazarAlcazar (band)
Alcazar is a Swedish eurodance group which has established themselves as one of Sweden's most successful music groups with a string of hits since their debut single in 1999. Worldwide, Alcazar sold over 12 million records between 2001 and 2004...
achieved success across Europe in 2000. It peaked at #3 in Germany and at #13 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The following singles failed to reach this success.
The A*Teens were formed in 1998 as an ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
Tribute Band. The debut album The ABBA Generation in 1999 consisted purely of ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
covers and was a great success around the world. The album sold 3 million copies worldwide. Singles like "Mamma Mia" (UK #12 1999) and "Dancing Queen" (UK #21 1999) topped the charts in Sweden.
Their second album Teen Spirit (2001) contained new songs and was certified Gold in the United States. "Upside Down" from that album became their biggest hit. After two records which were less successful internationally, the band broke up in 2004.
The electronic dance project Antiloop
Antiloop
Antiloop was a Swedish electronic dance music group formed by Robin Söderman & David Westerlund from Lidingö. Their best-known songs include Beauty & The Beast, In My Mind, Trespasser, Believe, Start Rockin and Nowhere to Hide...
also reached international success; the song "In My Mind" was featured on the FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
2003 soundtrack.
Indie pop and rock
In the 2000s some indie bands from Sweden found their way to the international music scene.Singer Nina Persson
Nina Persson
is the lead singer and lyricist for the Swedish pop group The Cardigans. She has also worked as a solo artist, releasing two albums as A Camp and appearing on the tribute album to Serge Gainsbourg entitled Monsieur Gainsbourg Revisited...
from The Cardigans
The Cardigans
The Cardigans are a Swedish rock band formed in the town of Jönköping in October 1992.Their debut album Emmerdale gave them a solid base in their home country and enjoyed some success abroad, especially in Japan. It was not until their second album Life that an international reputation was secured...
launched a solo project in 2001 under the name A Camp
A Camp
A Camp is the solo side project of Nina Persson, vocalist for the Swedish Indie Pop band The Cardigans.Persson formed A Camp when The Cardigans took a break after several years of touring and the recording of their 1998 album Gran Turismo.-A Camp:...
. The lead single "I Can Buy You" was a small hit in the UK peaking at #46.
Two years later The Cardigans returned with their album Long Gone Before Daylight, a quieter, more ambient collection of songs. In Sweden it was certified 2x Platinum and they won 2 Swedish Grammy Awards.
José González
José González
José González is a Swedish-Argentine indie folk singer-songwriter and guitarist from Gothenburg, Sweden.González is also a member of Swedish band Junip, along with Elias Araya and Tobias Winterkorn.- Biography :...
is a Swedish indie folk singer-songwriter of Argentine descent. His cover "Heartbeats" (originally by his fellow Swedes The Knife
The Knife
The Knife are a Swedish electronic music duo from Gothenburg, formed in 1999. The group consists of siblings Karin Dreijer Andersson and Olof Dreijer, who together also run their own record company, Rabid Records. They first received international attention after their song "Heartbeats", covered by...
) was a hit in the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
where it peaked at #9 in 2003.
The Tallest Man on Earth
The Tallest Man on Earth
Kristian Matsson is a singer-songwriter from Dalarna, Sweden. Since 2006, he has released two full-length albums and two EPs...
is a Swedish Folk singer songwriter. His real name is Kristian Matsson and was born on April 30, 1983.
Indie band The Concretes
The Concretes
The Concretes are a popular Swedish indie pop band from Stockholm, currently composed of eight members.-History:The Concretes began with Victoria Bergsman, Maria Eriksson, and Lisa Milberg. Since their formation in 1995, they have gradually acquired new members, growing into an eight piece band...
first appeared in the UK Single Chart in 2004 with "You Can't Hurry Love" (#55) and "Seem Fine" (#52). Lead singer Victoria Bergsman
Victoria Bergsman
Victoria Bergsman is a Swedish songwriter, musician, and vocalist best known as singer of the indie pop band The Concretes from 1995 to 2006. Since announcing her departure from the band on 24 July 2006 she has been recording for her new solo project Taken by Trees...
left the group in 2006 and, with Peter, Bjorn and John, recorded the single "Young Folks" the same year. It reached #35 in the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and was re-issued the following year making it #13.
Other indie artists include The Hives
The Hives
The Hives are a Swedish garage rock band that first garnered attention in the early 2000s as a prominent group of the garage rock revival. Their mainstream success came with the release of the "greatest hits" album Your New Favourite Band, featuring their most well-known song "Hate to Say I Told...
, Eskobar
Eskobar
Eskobar is the name of a Swedish indie/pop band that was founded in 1996 some 30 kilometres north of Stockholm, in the small town of Åkersberga...
, The Soundtrack of Our Lives
The Soundtrack of Our Lives
The Soundtrack of Our Lives, alternatively known as T.S.O.O.L. or Soundtrack, is a Swedish rock band that formed in 1995 after the dissolution of the punk band Union Carbide Productions....
, Dungen
Dungen
Dungen is a Swedish rock band based in Stockholm. Often classified as progg or psychedelic rock, Dungen is also influenced by Swedish folk music, classic rock, progressive rock, garage rock and alternative rock....
, Kent
Kent (band)
Kent is a Swedish alternative rock band founded in Eskilstuna in 1990, with the name Coca-Cola Kids, later Jones & Giftet , and Havsänglar...
, First Aid Kit
First Aid Kit (band)
First Aid Kit is a Swedish folk duo composed of sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg, whose close vocal harmonies and woodsy, folk-influenced songwriting take influence from the likes of Fleet Foxes and Joanna Newsom. Hailing from Enskede, a southern suburb of Stockholm, the teenaged siblings...
, Lykke Li
Lykke Li
Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson , better known by her stage name Lykke Li , is a Swedish singer-songwriter. Her music often blends elements of pop, indie rock and electronic; various instruments can also be found in her songs, including violins, synthesizers, tambourines, trumpets, saxophones and cellos...
, Shout Out Louds
Shout Out Louds
Shout Out Louds are an indie rock band from Stockholm, Sweden.The group has toured with bands such as The Strokes, Kings of Leon, The Magic Numbers, The Rosebuds, The Essex Green, and Johnossi...
, Fever Ray and Life on Earth
Life on Earth
Life on Earth: A Natural History by David Attenborough is a television natural history series made by the BBC in association with Warner Bros. and Reiner Moritz Productions...
.
New successful artists
Sweden has been something of a haven for chart topping music in the end of the 00s. A large number of Swedish acts have reached the upper echelons of the UK singles chart including the aforementioned BasshunterBasshunter
Jonas Erik Altberg , better known by his stage name Basshunter, is a Swedish singer-songwriter, record producer and DJ. He is best known for his number one hits "Boten Anna", "Dota", "Now You're Gone" and "All I Ever Wanted". Basshunter has so far released a total of six albums, two of which have...
, Robyn
Robyn
Robin Miriam Carlsson , better known by her stage name Robyn, is a Swedish recording artist, singer, and songwriter. Robyn became known in the late nineties for her worldwide dance-pop hit "Do You Know " from her debut album Robyn Is Here . She co-wrote the song "Du gör mig hel igen" for...
, Axwell
Axwell
Axwell is a DJ, remixer, record producer and record label owner from Sweden. He is part of a three person group dubbed the Swedish House Mafia along with Sebastian Ingrosso and Steve Angello...
, Peter, Bjorn & John, September
September (singer)
Petra Linnea Paula Marklund who is better known as September is a Swedish singer and songwriter.-Early life and career:...
, Agnes Carlsson
Agnes Carlsson
Agnes Emilia Carlsson, also known mononymously as Agnes , is a Swedish recording artist. She rose to fame as the winner of Idol 2005, the second season of the Swedish Idol series...
, Darin, Kleerup
Kleerup
Andreas Kleerup, known professionally by his last name, is a Swedish record producer, drummer, and member of the Swedish group The Meat Boys, from Stockholm, Sweden. His first mainstream collaboration was as the producer of fellow Swedish artist Robyn's #1 UK single, "With Every Heartbeat", also...
and Eric Prydz
Eric Prydz
Eric Sheridan Prydz is a Swedish DJ and producer based in London, United Kingdom. The pronunciation of his surname is often questioned; it is pronounced "prids", but when under his alias, Pryda, it is pronounced "pride-ah"...
.
Swedish DJ and producer Eric Prydz
Eric Prydz
Eric Sheridan Prydz is a Swedish DJ and producer based in London, United Kingdom. The pronunciation of his surname is often questioned; it is pronounced "prids", but when under his alias, Pryda, it is pronounced "pride-ah"...
had a hit 2004 with "Call on Me
Call on Me (Eric Prydz song)
"Call on Me" is a song performed by Swedish DJ, producer Eric Prydz. The single received huge sales success and topped several record charts. "Call on Me" is known for its music video, which features several women and a man performing aerobics in a sexually suggestive manner.-Background:"Call on...
" which reached No.1 for 5 weeks in the UK singles charts,
while its 2007 follow up ""'Proper Education" was a No.2 success. In 2008 he had a hit with "Pjanoo", which reached #2 in the UK singles charts on download sales alone.
Robyn
Robyn
Robin Miriam Carlsson , better known by her stage name Robyn, is a Swedish recording artist, singer, and songwriter. Robyn became known in the late nineties for her worldwide dance-pop hit "Do You Know " from her debut album Robyn Is Here . She co-wrote the song "Du gör mig hel igen" for...
reappeared in 2007, after an absence of 10 years from the international music scene, with her #1 hit in UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
"With Every Heartbeat
With Every Heartbeat
"With Every Heartbeat" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn with Swedish producer Kleerup. It was released on 30 July 2007 in the United Kingdom as the second single from the international edition of Robyn's self-titled fourth studio album, Robyn...
". The self-titled album was certified Platinum in Sweden and Gold in the UK
.
The following singles reached the charts as well: "Handle Me" (UK #17 2007), "Be Mine" (UK #10 2008) and "Who's That Girl" (UK #26 2008)
. "Dream On", the follow-up with Christian Falk
Christian Falk
Christian Falk is a Swedish record producer and musician.Falk released the hit single, "Make It Right", in 2000. In 2008, he released a new version of "Calling You" with Jevetta Steele's vocals...
, was originally released in 2006 on his album People Say. It was re-released in the UK in November 2008 peaking at #21. She also collaborated with Norwegian
Music of Norway
Music based on traditional Norwegian form usually includes minor or modal scales , making a sober and haunting sound. Pure major key dance music forms also exist. Prior to the 18th century, there is scant written record of what kind of music was played in Norway, but there is a large aural tradition...
duo Röyksopp
Röyksopp
Röyksopp is a Norwegian electronic music duo from Tromsø, formed in 1998. Since their inception, the band's line-up has included Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland....
for the single "The Girl and the Robot
The Girl and the Robot
"The Girl and the Robot" is a song by Norwegian electronic duo Röyksopp from their third studio album, Junior . The song features vocals from Swedish singer Robyn, and was released on 15 June 2009 as the album's second single, with remixes from Kris Menace, Chateau Marmont and Spencer & Hill.The...
" in June 2009.
Crashdiet
Crashdïet
CRASHDÏET are a glam metal band from Stockholm, Sweden. They have released three albums: 2005's Rest in Sleaze, 2007's The Unattractive Revolution and 2010's Generation Wild.- Early years :...
are an all Swedish rock/glam metal band starting out in the early 2000s. They released Rest in Sleaze
Rest in Sleaze
"Rest in Sleaze" is the debut album by Swedish Glam Metal band Crashdïet. The album was produced by Platform and Grizzly/Tysper . The album debuted at #12 on the Swedish album chart...
in 2006 which debuted #12 in Swedish charts, then after the death of frontman and singer Dave Lepard
Dave Lepard
Dave Lepard was the lead singer and guitarist in the Swedish Glam metal band Crashdïet.-Career:...
the band released two more albums reaching a high with 2010's Generation Wild
Generation Wild
- Bonus :#"Sick Mind" [Japan edition]#"One of a Kind" [Generation Wild Single] #"Fear Control" [Generation Wild Single] #"Caught In Despair" [Free download before release of album]#"Hollywood Teaze" [Vinyl Edition]...
which slipped into the charts at #3 but 2007's The Unattractive Revolution
The Unattractive Revolution
-Personnel:* H. Olliver Twisted – vocals* Martin Sweet – guitar* Peter London – bass* Eric Young – drums-Album:-Singles:- External links :...
fell short at #11. Crashdiet
Crashdïet
CRASHDÏET are a glam metal band from Stockholm, Sweden. They have released three albums: 2005's Rest in Sleaze, 2007's The Unattractive Revolution and 2010's Generation Wild.- Early years :...
are still currently a world touring band.
Basshunter
Basshunter
Jonas Erik Altberg , better known by his stage name Basshunter, is a Swedish singer-songwriter, record producer and DJ. He is best known for his number one hits "Boten Anna", "Dota", "Now You're Gone" and "All I Ever Wanted". Basshunter has so far released a total of six albums, two of which have...
is a Swedish DJ. "Boten Anna" is a song with Swedish lyrics that had some success in Continental Europe in 2006. In 2007 it reached #1 in the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
with lyrics performed in English under the title "Now You're Gone". In 2008 the second single "All I Ever Wanted" went #2 in the UK.
September
September (singer)
Petra Linnea Paula Marklund who is better known as September is a Swedish singer and songwriter.-Early life and career:...
is a Swedish dance-singer whose song "Cry For You
Cry for You (September song)
"Cry for You" is the title of a number-one Billboard Hot Dance Airplay single by Swedish singer September. The dance pop track spent three weeks at the top spot in May 2007...
" was an international hit (UK #5 2008).
Mando Diao
Mando Diao
Mando Diao is an alternative rock band from Borlänge, Sweden. The band got their breakthrough with the release of the album Hurricane Bar. Their main fan base is in Sweden, Germany, and Japan although their influence has recently spread to Western Europe, most notably the UK.-Origin:The roots of...
is a garage rock band from Borlänge
Borlänge
Borlänge is a locality and the seat of Borlänge Municipality in Dalarna County, Sweden, with 49200 inhabitants in 2011.- History :Originally Borlänge was the name of a tiny village, and the first historical information about it is from 1390. The village was insignificant up until about 1870...
. They were very successful in Europe in 2009 with their song "Dance With Somebody" from the album Give Me Fire
Give Me Fire
Give Me Fire! is the fifth studio album by Swedish band Mando Diao, produced by Salla Salazar of hip hop group The Latin Kings and his brother Masse.One of Mando Diao’s roadies knew the hip hop producing brothers and introduced Gustaf Norén to them...
. It reached #3 in Germany and was a major hit in Europe peaking at number 8 at the Billboard Eurochart Hot 100 Singles
Eurochart Hot 100 Singles
The European Hot 100 Singles has been compiled by Billboard and Music & Media magazine since March, 1984. The chart is based on national singles sales charts in 15 European countries: Austria, Belgium , Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden,...
.
Another competitor in Swedish Idol 2005 was pop singer Ola Svensson
Ola Svensson
Ola Nils Håkan Svensson , professionally known simply as Ola, is a Swedish pop singer born in Lund in the southern region of Skåne, Sweden. He first appeared on Idol in 2005. He has sold over 135 000 records in Sweden and his songs have been played on the radio just under 200,000 times in Sweden...
. Although not known in the UK, he is known throughout Sweden as 'A Swedish Success Story'. Ola came eighth on Idol and has gone on to produce 3 studio albums and is currently working on the fourth which is planned to be released throughout all of Europe in 2010. He is a Double Platinum Artist with songs such as "Natalie" and "Feelgood". In 2009 he received a Rockbjörnen
Rockbjörnen
Rockbjörnen is a Swedish popular music award established by the Stockholm evening newspaper Aftonbladet in 1979. The award, which is awarded annually, is divided into several categories and is mostly concentrated around the genres Pop and Rock. The first award was however given to the Swedish...
award, the most prestigious music award in Sweden. Four of Ola's singles have reached no. 1 in Sweden, and all of his own singles charted within the top 5.
2010s: Agnes, Robyn, Swedish House Mafia
The 2010s started off with the releases and success of AgnesAgnes Carlsson
Agnes Emilia Carlsson, also known mononymously as Agnes , is a Swedish recording artist. She rose to fame as the winner of Idol 2005, the second season of the Swedish Idol series...
and Robyn
Robyn
Robin Miriam Carlsson , better known by her stage name Robyn, is a Swedish recording artist, singer, and songwriter. Robyn became known in the late nineties for her worldwide dance-pop hit "Do You Know " from her debut album Robyn Is Here . She co-wrote the song "Du gör mig hel igen" for...
. Agnes, the winner of Sweden's Idol 2005, succeeded in Europe and especially the UK market in 2009/2010 with the single "Release Me", which entered the charts at #3 and sold over 300,000 copies. It was a hit both worldwide and in Europe it peaked at #6 on the Billboard Eurochart Hot 100 Singles
Eurochart Hot 100 Singles
The European Hot 100 Singles has been compiled by Billboard and Music & Media magazine since March, 1984. The chart is based on national singles sales charts in 15 European countries: Austria, Belgium , Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden,...
. Carlsson was also signed to Universal Music/Interscope in the U.S. and started the promotion for the forthcoming album Dance Love Pop
Dance Love Pop
Dance Love Pop is the third studio album by Swedish recording artist Agnes, released originally on October 29, 2008 in Sweden. This was Agnes' first studio album since 2006 and her comeback to the music stage. The album is written and produced by Swedish song-writer Anders Hansson and geared...
during the summer 2010. Robyn returned with her album Body Talk Pt. 1
Body Talk Pt. 1
Body Talk, Pt. 1 received an aggregate score of 76 out of 100 from Metacritic, indicating generally favourable reviews from music critics. Heather Phares of Allmusic stated: "Capturing the freedom and loneliness of independence, Body Talk, Pt...
.
2010 also saw the rising success of the Swedish House Mafia
Swedish House Mafia
Swedish House Mafia is a Swedish House Music group consisting of the three disc jockeys and producers; Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso. The group officially formed in late 2008....
, a collaboration between the Swedish DJ and producers Axwell, Steve Angelo and Sebastian Ingrosso.
Swedish heavy metal scene
In the late 1980s, early 1990s Sweden became one of the major pioneering countries behind death metalDeath metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
. From Swedish death metal emerged the subgenre melodic death metal
Melodic death metal
Melodic death metal is a heavy metal music style that combines elements from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with elements of death metal. The style was developed during the early and mid-1990s, primarily in England and Scandinavia...
which sometimes referred to as Gothenburg metal because of the city in Sweden where it became popular. Famous bands include among others At the Gates
At the Gates
At the Gates is an extreme metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden, and a major progenitor of the Gothenburg death-metal sound. Their early albums lean towards a death metal sound, but later albums sound more like melodic death metal.Initially active from 1990 to 1996, the band reformed in 2007 for a...
, In Flames
In Flames
In Flames is a Swedish heavy metal band from Gothenburg, formed in 1990. Since the band's inception in 1993, they have released ten studio albums and one live DVD...
, Dark Tranquillity
Dark Tranquillity
Dark Tranquillity is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Gothenburg. They are one of the longest-standing bands from the original Gothenburg metal scene, and are one of the most integral pioneers of the melodic death metal genre of music....
, Entombed
Entombed (band)
Entombed is a Swedish death metal band which formed in 1987 under the name of Nihilist. Though Entombed began their career as an early pioneer of Scandinavian death metal which initially differed itself from its American counterpart with its distinct guitar tone, by the early 1990s their sound had...
, Opeth
Opeth
Opeth is a Swedish heavy metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990. Though the group has been through several personnel changes, singer, guitarist, and songwriter Mikael Åkerfeldt has remained Opeth's driving force throughout the years...
, Amon Amarth
Amon Amarth
Amon Amarth is a Swedish viking metal band from Tumba, Sweden founded in 1992, and takes its name from the Sindarin translation of Mount Doom, a location in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. The band comprises vocalist Johan Hegg, guitarists Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg, bassist Ted Lundström...
, Arch Enemy and more.
Notable musicians and acts of Swedish origin
Yngwie Malmsteen was musically trained in his native Sweden, though his professional career started in the US.Janne Schaffer
Janne Schaffer
Jan Erik Tage Janne Schaffer is a Swedish songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his work as a session guitarist for ABBA but he has also recorded with artists such as Bob Marley, Johnny Nash, Art Farmer and Tony Williams...
initiated his career in various Swedish acts in the late 1960s, and soon became a much in-demand session-man, playing lead guitar for ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
both in the studio and live. He also keeps up a successful solo career, merging jazz and folk influences into his playing.
Per-Olov Kindgren
Per-Olov Kindgren
Per-Olov Kindgren is a Swedish classical guitarist, composer and music teacher known for his classical guitar playing ranging from Bach to The Beatles.-Early life:...
is a classical guitar teacher and performer known for his transcriptions of popular contemporary music.
Top 5 biggest selling Swedish acts
The sales figures are estimated and count together album and single sales.| Rank | Swedish acts | Sold | Genre | Years active |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | ABBA ABBA ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog... |
300 million + | Pop Pop music Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop... |
1972–1982 |
| 2. | Roxette Roxette Roxette are a Swedish pop music duo, consisting of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle . Formed in 1986, the duo became an international act from the late 1980s, when they released their breakthrough album Look Sharp!... |
70 million + | Pop rock Pop rock Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music... |
1986–present |
| 3. | Ace of Base Ace of Base Ace of Base is a pop band based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Its original lineup consisted of Ulf "Buddha" Ekberg, and three siblings, Jonas "Joker" Berggren, Malin "Linn" Berggren and Jenny Berggren... |
50 million + | Eurodance Eurodance Eurodance is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1980s or early 1990s primarily in Europe. It combines many elements from House, Techno, Hi-NRG and especially Italo-Disco... |
1990–present |
| 4. | Europe Europe (band) Europe is a Swedish rock band formed in Upplands Väsby in 1979 under the name Force by vocalist Joey Tempest, guitarist John Norum and drummer Tony Reno. Although widely associated with glam metal, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal and hard rock elements... |
20 million + | Glam Metal / Hard Rock | 1979–1992; 1999; 2003–present |
| 5. | The Cardigans The Cardigans The Cardigans are a Swedish rock band formed in the town of Jönköping in October 1992.Their debut album Emmerdale gave them a solid base in their home country and enjoyed some success abroad, especially in Japan. It was not until their second album Life that an international reputation was secured... |
15 million + | Alternative rock Alternative rock Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s... |
1992–present |
Album sales by country
This tables shows the album sales by country. The worldwide album sales are estimated while the album sales for UK, US and Germany are counted by the gold and platinum certifications for the albums in that country. For Germany, the old certifications were used for albums released before September 1999 with Gold (250,000) and Platinum (500,000).| Rank | artist | worldwide album sales | UK album sales | US album sales | German album sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ABBA ABBA ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog... |
120,000,000 | 7,160,000 | 10,500,000 | 9,800,000 |
| 2 | Roxette Roxette Roxette are a Swedish pop music duo, consisting of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle . Formed in 1986, the duo became an international act from the late 1980s, when they released their breakthrough album Look Sharp!... |
45,000,000 | 1,660,000 | 2,700,000 | 4,900,000 |
| 3 | Ace of Base Ace of Base Ace of Base is a pop band based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Its original lineup consisted of Ulf "Buddha" Ekberg, and three siblings, Jonas "Joker" Berggren, Malin "Linn" Berggren and Jenny Berggren... |
32,000,000 | 660,000 | 10,000,000 | 1,750,000 |
Biggest hit singles
The following songs achieved the highest aggregated positions in the charts in their respective years. The following list shows the Swedish hits that ended up in the top 5 end of year charts worldwide.| # | Artist | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | ABBA ABBA ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog... |
"Waterloo" | 1974 |
| 2 | "S.O.S SOS (ABBA song) Agnetha Fältskog's version was the second single from her fifth Swedish solo-album Elva kvinnor i ett hus . It was the only song from this album not to have been composed by Fältskog herself.... " |
1975 | |
| 1 | "Dancing Queen Dancing Queen "Dancing Queen" is a pop song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released in August 1976, but was first performed two months earlier, on 18 June 1976, during a Royal Variety Show in Stockholm the evening before the Swedish royal wedding. It was the follow-up single to the hit "Fernando"... " |
1976 | |
| 4 | "Fernando Fernando (song) "Fernando" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA. It was the group's first non-album single and was released in November 1975 through Polar Music. Lead vocals were sung by Anni-Frid Lyngstad... " |
1976 | |
| 4 | Roxette Roxette Roxette are a Swedish pop music duo, consisting of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle . Formed in 1986, the duo became an international act from the late 1980s, when they released their breakthrough album Look Sharp!... |
"The Look The Look "The Look", written by Per Gessle and performed by Roxette, was released as a single in early 1989 from the album Look Sharp!. The song became Roxette's international "breakthrough" song, finally exposing the duo to music consumers outside of the duo's native Sweden and Europe after more than one... " |
1989 |
| 5 | "It Must Have Been Love It Must Have Been Love "It Must Have Been Love" is a power ballad written by Per Gessle and performed by the Swedish pop duo Roxette. The ballad became the duo's 3rd #1 hit in the United States, and is one of their best-selling releases, leading the single to be certified gold in a number of countries.The song, included... " |
1990 | |
| 3 | "Joyride Joyride (Roxette song) "Joyride", written by Per Gessle, was the first single released from Swedish pop duo Roxette's 1991 album Joyride, the follow-up to the group's highly successful Look Sharp!. The single topped the charts across Europe, and in Australia, Canada and the United States, where it spent one week at... " |
1991 | |
| 4 | Ace of Base Ace of Base Ace of Base is a pop band based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Its original lineup consisted of Ulf "Buddha" Ekberg, and three siblings, Jonas "Joker" Berggren, Malin "Linn" Berggren and Jenny Berggren... |
"All That She Wants All That She Wants "All That She Wants" is a hit single of Swedish pop group Ace of Base. The song was produced by Denniz Pop. In early 1993, the song reached the top of the charts in many countries, including Denmark, the United Kingdom and Australia. The single was certified Platinum in the United States, where it... " |
1993 |
| 5 | "The Sign The Sign (song) "The Sign" is a 1993 dance-pop song by the Swedish band Ace of Base. The song was an international hit, reaching Number two in the United Kingdom and spending six non-consecutive weeks as number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States... " |
1994 | |
| 3 | Rednex Rednex Rednex is a Swedish techno/folk/bluegrass band. They had an international novelty hit with the song "Cotton Eye Joe" in 1994. Although extremely popular in Germany, where the band holds the record of most total weeks at No.1 on the German singles chart over the past 30 years—scoring such hits as... |
"Cotton Eye Joe" | 1994 |
US and UK Number One Singles and the Bigger Hits
This is a list of songs which reached the top of the UK singles chartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
or the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, as well as other notable hits.
| Year | Title | Peak Chart Position | Artist | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | US | |||
| 1974 | "Hooked on a Feeling Hooked on a Feeling "Hooked on a Feeling" is a 1968 pop song written by Mark James and originally performed by B. J. Thomas. Featuring the sound of the electric sitar, the song reached number five in 1969 on the Billboard Hot 100.-History:... " |
- | 1 | Blue Swede |
| "Waterloo" | 1 | 6 | ABBA | |
| 1975 | "Mamma Mia Mamma Mia (song) "Mamma Mia" is a song from ABBA's 3rd album, ABBA, written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus & Stig Anderson, with the lead vocals shared by Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The song "Mamma Mia" is a common song used in bands or orchestras... " |
1 | 32 | |
| 1976 | "Fernando Fernando (song) "Fernando" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA. It was the group's first non-album single and was released in November 1975 through Polar Music. Lead vocals were sung by Anni-Frid Lyngstad... " |
1 | 13 | |
| "Dancing Queen Dancing Queen "Dancing Queen" is a pop song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released in August 1976, but was first performed two months earlier, on 18 June 1976, during a Royal Variety Show in Stockholm the evening before the Swedish royal wedding. It was the follow-up single to the hit "Fernando"... " |
1 | 1 | ||
| 1977 | "Knowing Me, Knowing You Knowing Me, Knowing You "Knowing Me, Knowing You" is a hit single recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. The song was written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson, with the lead vocal sung by Anni-Frid Lyngstad. During recording sessions, it had the working titles of "Ring It In" and "Number 1, Number 1"... " |
1 | 14 | |
| "The Name of the Game The Name of the Game "The Name of the Game" is a 1977 song by Swedish pop group ABBA, and was released as the first single from the group's fifth studio album, The Album... " |
1 | 12 | ||
| 1978 | "Take a Chance on Me Take a Chance on Me "Take a Chance on Me" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released in 1978 as the second single from their fifth studio album, simply called The Album. The song has been featured on a number of ABBA compilations such as ABBA Gold: Greatest Hits.-History:The working title of "Take a... " |
1 | 3 | |
| 1980 | "The Winner Takes It All The Winner Takes It All "The Winner Takes It All" is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. Released as the first single from the group's Super Trouper album on July 21, 1980, it is a ballad in the key of F-sharp major, reflecting the end of a romance... " |
1 | 8 | |
| "Super Trouper Super Trouper (song) -A-Teens version:"Super Trouper" was A-Teens' second single from their 1st album The ABBA Generation, a cover of ABBA's song. When the single came out in the fall of 1999, it became a hit around the globe, just as its predecessor "Mamma Mia", also an ABBA cover... " |
1 | 45 | ||
| 1986 | "The Final Countdown The Final Countdown (song) "The Final Countdown" is a rock song by the Swedish band Europe released in 1986. Written by Joey Tempest, it was the first single from the band's third studio album which was also named The Final Countdown. It is considered by some to be the band's most recognizable and popular song. The song... " |
1 | 8 | Europe |
| 1989 | "The Look The Look "The Look", written by Per Gessle and performed by Roxette, was released as a single in early 1989 from the album Look Sharp!. The song became Roxette's international "breakthrough" song, finally exposing the duo to music consumers outside of the duo's native Sweden and Europe after more than one... " |
7 | 1 | Roxette |
| "Listen to Your Heart" | 6 | 1 | ||
| "Dangerous Dangerous Dangerous describes something that encompasses danger. It may also refer to:-Artists:*Dangerous!, an Australian hardcore punk band currently signed to Epitaph Records-Albums:*Dangerous... " |
6 | 2 | ||
| 1990 | "It Must Have Been Love It Must Have Been Love "It Must Have Been Love" is a power ballad written by Per Gessle and performed by the Swedish pop duo Roxette. The ballad became the duo's 3rd #1 hit in the United States, and is one of their best-selling releases, leading the single to be certified gold in a number of countries.The song, included... " |
3 | 1 | |
| 1991 | "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" | 12 | 2 | |
| 1991 | "Joyride Joyride (Roxette song) "Joyride", written by Per Gessle, was the first single released from Swedish pop duo Roxette's 1991 album Joyride, the follow-up to the group's highly successful Look Sharp!. The single topped the charts across Europe, and in Australia, Canada and the United States, where it spent one week at... " |
4 | 1 | |
| 1993 | "All That She Wants All That She Wants "All That She Wants" is a hit single of Swedish pop group Ace of Base. The song was produced by Denniz Pop. In early 1993, the song reached the top of the charts in many countries, including Denmark, the United Kingdom and Australia. The single was certified Platinum in the United States, where it... " |
1 | 2 | Ace of Base |
| 1994 | "The Sign The Sign (song) "The Sign" is a 1993 dance-pop song by the Swedish band Ace of Base. The song was an international hit, reaching Number two in the United Kingdom and spending six non-consecutive weeks as number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States... " |
2 | 1 | |
| "Cotton Eye Joe" | 1 | 25 | Rednex | |
| 2004 | "Call on Me Call on Me (Eric Prydz song) "Call on Me" is a song performed by Swedish DJ, producer Eric Prydz. The single received huge sales success and topped several record charts. "Call on Me" is known for its music video, which features several women and a man performing aerobics in a sexually suggestive manner.-Background:"Call on... " |
1 | - | Eric Prydz |
| 2007 | "With Every Heartbeat With Every Heartbeat "With Every Heartbeat" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn with Swedish producer Kleerup. It was released on 30 July 2007 in the United Kingdom as the second single from the international edition of Robyn's self-titled fourth studio album, Robyn... " |
1 | - | Robyn |
| "Now You're Gone Now You're Gone (song) "Now You're Gone" is a song performed by dance musician Basshunter in cooperation with DJ Mental Theo's Bazzheadz. The single uses the same music as "Boten Anna", Basshunter's major European hit in 2006, but its lyrics, performed in English by Sebastian Westwood, are completely different.The song... " |
1 | - | Basshunter | |
Top selling Swedish studio and compilation albums
| Rank | Year | Album | Artist | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1992 | Gold ABBA Gold: Greatest Hits Gold: Greatest Hits is a compilation album of recordings by Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released on September 21, 1992 through PolyGram, the first compilation to be released after the company had acquired Polar Music and thus the rights to the ABBA back catalogue. In 1998, PolyGram was in turn... |
ABBA ABBA ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog... |
28 million + |
| 2. | 1993 | The Sign / Happy Nation Happy Nation Happy Nation is the debut album of Ace of Base, a pop music group based in Sweden. It was released in early 1993 in Europe, Africa and Latin America on Festival Records. The album is the third highest-selling debut album by a group after Guns N' Roses and Linkin Park... |
Ace Of Base Ace of Base Ace of Base is a pop band based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Its original lineup consisted of Ulf "Buddha" Ekberg, and three siblings, Jonas "Joker" Berggren, Malin "Linn" Berggren and Jenny Berggren... |
23 million + |
| 3. | 1991 | Joyride | Roxette Roxette Roxette are a Swedish pop music duo, consisting of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle . Formed in 1986, the duo became an international act from the late 1980s, when they released their breakthrough album Look Sharp!... |
12 million + |
| 4. | 1976 | Greatest Hits Vol. I Greatest Hits (ABBA album) Greatest Hits is a compilation album by Swedish pop group ABBA, released in 1975 . Greatest Hits was rush-released in Scandinavia in November 1975 to counter expected import sales of similar collections released by licencees in Europe, such as French Disques Vogue's ABBA's Greatest Hits and West... |
ABBA | 11.3 million + |
| 5. | 1976 | Arrival Arrival (ABBA album) -Side one:#"When I Kissed the Teacher" – 2:58#"Dancing Queen" – 3:47#"Dum Dum Diddle" – 2:50#"My Love, My Life" – 3:50... |
ABBA | 10 million + |
| 6. | 1988 | Look Sharp! Look Sharp! (Roxette album) Singles*"Chances"*"The Look"*"Dressed for Success"*"Listen to Your Heart"*"Dangerous"-Charts:-Credits:*Vocals — Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson*Drums — Pelle Alsing*Programming and bass — Anders Herrlin... |
Roxette | 10 million + |
| 7. | 1980 | Super Trouper Super Trouper (album) Super Trouper is the seventh studio album by Swedish pop group ABBA, first released in 1980 .-Overview:Led by the international hit "The Winner Takes It All", Super Trouper was the group's sixth chart-topping album in the UK. It was also the best-selling album in Britain for 1980... |
ABBA | 7.5 million + |
| 8. | 1979 | Voulez-Vous Voulez-Vous -CD re-issues, bonus tracks:Voulez-Vous was remastered and reissued in 1997 with two bonus tracks:"Summer Night City" – 3:34 "Lovelight" – 3:18Voulez-Vous was remastered and reissued in 2001 with three other bonus tracks:... |
ABBA | 7 million + |
| 9. | 1978 | The Album | ABBA | 7 million + |
| 10. | 1992 | Tourism Tourism (album) - Singles :*"How Do You Do!"*#"How Do You Do!"*#"Fading Like a Flower " *#"Knockin' on Every Door" *#"How Do You Do!" *"Queen of Rain"*#"Queen of Rain"*#"It Must Have Been Love"... |
Roxette | 7 million + |
External links
- Sweden.se/music — Sweden's official music room – A music player with contemporary Swedish music