Swedish Pop Music You Need to Know
Contents
If you’re a fan of Swedish pop music, then you need to check out these artists! From ABBA to Robyn, these are the Swedish pop musicians you need to know.
Introduction
Sweden is known for many things – its stunning scenery, commitment to sustainability, and, of course, its pop music. In recent years, Swedish pop has taken the world by storm, with artists like Avicii, Tove Lo, and Robyn breaking into the mainstream.
If you’re a fan of pop music, then you need to check out some of these Swedish artists. From Swedes who are making waves in the international music scene to up-and-coming talents, these are the Swedish pop artists you need to know.
The early years – 1950s to 1970s
1950s saw the release of Bob Dylan’s first album and the start of the Motown era. These were pivotal years for music, with the rise of rock and roll and the birth of soul. The 1960s were a decade of change, with the Beatles leading the way and artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin pushing boundaries. The early years of Swedish pop music are no different, with a wealth of talent and innovation on display.
1950s – early pioneers
The 1950s saw the birth of Swedish pop music. Early pioneers such as Cornelis Vreeswijk, Lill Lindfors and Lars Ekborg introduced Swedish audiences to the genre. Vreeswijk, in particular, was a major influence on later artists, with hisuse of humor and satire in his songs.
The 1960s saw the emergence of more well-known Swedish pop artists such as Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson of ABBA fame, as well asbossa nova singer Sylvia Vrethammar. The 1970s saw the rise of disco and Eurovision-winning artists such as Waterloo byABBA and Hooked on a Feeling by Björn Skifs.
1960s – the British Invasion
The early 1960s saw the British Invasion of Sweden, as beat groups such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Herman’s Hermits became wildly popular. This was followed by a wave of Swedish pop bands, many of whom released records in the UK, such as The Spotnicks, The Hep Stars and Svenne & Lotta.
1970s – the birth of Swedish pop
The early 1970s saw the birth of Swedish pop music. In particular, it was thanks to the band ABBA that Swedish pop became world-famous. Formed in 1972, ABBA went on to win the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 with the song ‘Waterloo’. This propelled them to international stardom and they went on to become one of the best-selling bands of all time, with hits such as ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘Dancing Queen’ and ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’.
Other well-known Swedish pop bands from this era include The Cardigans, Ace of Base and Roxette. The Cardigans are best known for their hit ‘Lovefool’, while Ace of Base had a string of global hits in the early 1990s with songs like ‘All That She Wants’ and ‘The Sign’. Roxette were another huge Swedish pop act, led by the powerhouse vocal duo of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle. Their signature sound was a mix of Swedish folk melodies and infectious pop hooks, resulting in classics like ‘The Look’, ‘Listen to Your Heart’ and ‘It Must Have Been Love’.
The modern era – 1980s to present day
The history of Swedish pop music is a long and diverse one, with the country producing some of the most well-known and influential artists of the modern era. From the 1980s onward, Sweden has been home to a number of hugely successful pop acts, many of whom have gone on to achieve international fame. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the biggest names in Swedish pop music, from the 1980s to the present day.
1980s – the golden age of Swedish pop
The 1980s were the golden age of Swedish pop music, with a plethora of artists achieving international success. The most successful Swedish artist of the decade was undoubtedly ABBA, who became one of the world’s biggest pop groups with hits like “Mamma Mia”, “Fernando” and “Dancing Queen”. Other popular Swedish acts of the 1980s included Roxette, who had a string of global hits with songs like “The Look” and “It Must Have Been Love”, and Ace of Base, who scored a huge worldwide hit with their debut single “All That She Wants”.
1990s – the rise of electronic music
In the early 1990s, techno and house music were the most popular genres in Sweden. These genres were followed closely by Eurodance, which became very popular in the latter half of the decade. The first Swedish artist to achieve international success in this genre was La Bouche, with their hit single “Be My Lover”. Another well-known Eurodance artist from Sweden is Ace of Base, who had a string of hits throughout the 1990s including “All That She Wants” and “The Sign”.
By the end of the decade, psychedelic trance (also known as psytrance) was beginning to gain popularity in Sweden. This genre would go on to have a significant influence on Swedish electronic music in the following years. One of the most well-known psytrance artists from Sweden is Infected Mushroom, who have been releasing music since the late 1990s.
2000s – the new wave of Swedish pop
The early 2000s saw the rise of a new wave of Swedish pop, represented by a number of artists such as Robyn, Kent, The Cardigans, Jill Johnson and Mando Diao. These artists enjoyed considerable success both in Sweden and internationally, with several achieving global stardom.
The 2010s have continued the trend of success for Swedish pop music, with a number of artists finding chart success both at home and abroad. Notable names from this decade include Tove Lo, Lykke Li, Icona Pop and Zara Larsson.
There is no doubt that Swedish pop music is currently enjoying a renaissance, with a new generation of artists carrying on the legacy of quality pop music coming out of Sweden.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many great Swedish pop artists making a name for themselves in the international music scene. If you’re a fan of pop music, you should definitely check out some of the artists on this list. You’re sure to find something you love!
