What You Need to Know About Scandinavian Pop Music
Contents
A comprehensive guide to the best Scandinavian pop music, including what you need to know about the genre’s history and biggest stars.
Introduction
Though it may not be as popular as American or British pop music, Scandinavian pop music has been around for decades and has produced some iconic artists. If you’re a fan of pop music, you may be wondering what exactly Scandinavian pop music is and where it comes from. In this article, we’ll give you a brief introduction to Scandinavian pop music, including its history and some of its most famous artists.
Scandinavian pop music is, unsurprisingly, pop music that originates from Scandinavia. This includes countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. The genre began to emerge in the 1950s with Swedish artists like Sven-Ingvars and Lars Lönndahl becoming popular in their home country. In the 1960s, Finnish band The Reflectors became the first Scandinavian group to release an album in the United States. Though they didn’t achieve mainstream success, they did pave the way for other Scandinavian artists to find an audience outside of their home countries.
In the 1970s and 1980s, a new wave of Scandinavian pop bands began to find success both at home and abroad. Swedish group ABBA became one of the most successful pop bands of all time, with hits like “Dancing Queen” and “Waterloo.” They were followed by other successful Swedish acts like Roxette and Ace of Base. Norwegian group a-ha also found international success in the 1980s with their hit single “Take On Me.”
Today, there are dozens of successful Scandinavian pop artists making catchy, toe-tapping tunes. If you’re looking for some new music to add to your playlist, why not give Scandinavian pop a try?
Pop music from Scandinavia has been around for decades, but it has only recently gained mainstream popularity. The genre has its roots in the 1960s, when Swedish and Danish bands started experimenting with pop and rock music. In the 1970s, the Finnish band Abba became one of the most popular pop groups in the world. In the 1990s, the Swedish group Ace of Base had a string of hits that made them one of the most successful pop bands of all time. Today, Scandinavian pop music is more popular than ever, with artists like Robyn, Tove Lo, and Kygo topping the charts.
The Early Years
Few people know that the first Scandinavian pop musician was a Finnish man named Georg Malmstén. He was born in Helsinki in 1881 and was a student of classical music, but he became interested in pop music after hearing American and British musicians perform in cafes and clubs in Helsinki. In the early 1900s, Malmstén began performing popular songs in Finnish, Swedish, and Norwegian. He also wrote songs in all three languages, and his popularity grew throughout Scandinavia.
By the 1920s, Malmstén was known as the “King of Scandinavian Pop.” He continued to perform and write songs until his death in 1937. His work laid the foundation for Scandinavian pop music, and his influence can still be heard in contemporary pop music from Scandinavia.
The Rise of Swedish Pop
During the late 1950s, Swedish pop music started to take off. One of the first Swedish artists to make a name for himself internationally was guitar virtuoso Svensson, who scored a hit with his 1958 single “Arrivederci Roma.”
During the 1960s, Swedish pop music became increasingly influenced by British and American styles. The Beatles were particularly popular in Sweden, and their influence can be heard in the work of such artists as Janne Schaffer and Tomas Ledin.
ABBA became one of the most successful pop groups of all time during the 1970s. Formed in 1972, the group won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 with their song “Waterloo.” ABBA went on to enjoy massive success around the world with such hits as “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia.”
The 1980s saw the rise of a new generation of Swedish pop stars, including Roxette, who had a string of hits with such songs as “The Look” and “Listen to Your Heart.” Ace of Base also enjoyed worldwide success during the decade with such singles as “All That She Wants” and “The Sign.”
Since the 1990s, Scandinavian pop music has continued to enjoy popularity around the world. Artists like Robyn, Tove Lo, and Avicii have all found success with international audiences.
The New Wave of Scandinavian Pop is a cross-genre movement that emerged in the late 2000s and early 2010s. It left an indelible mark on international pop music, with artists like Robyn, Tove Lo, Icona Pop, and Miike Snow helping to shape the sound of the 2010s.
The New Wave of Scandinavian Pop is distinguished by its use of synth-pop and dance-pop elements, as well as its focus on catchy hooks and melodies. It’s a sound that’s both nostalgic and modern, mixing old-school sounds with new production techniques.
The New Wave of Scandinavian Pop has its roots in the underground club scene of the late 2000s. In Stockholm, Sweden, a group of friends started throwing parties called “Boys Don’t Cry” that quickly became legendary. These parties were built around a simple concept: to create a safe space for queer people to dance and have fun.
From these parties, a new generation of Swedish pop stars was born. artists like Robyn, Tove Lo, Icona Pop, and Miike Snow all got their start at Boys Don’t Cry parties. They would go on to define the sound of the 2010s with their catchy hooks, synth-based production, and focus on inclusivity.
Today, the New Wave of Scandinavian Pop is more popular than ever before. Thanks to streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, these artists have been able to reach a global audience. And as more people discover their music, the sound of the 2010s is only going to become more defined by this exciting new wave of Scandinavian pop stars.
Scandanavian pop music has been making a comeback in recent years, and it’s not hard to see why. The catchy melodies, the infectious hooks, and the feel-good vibes of the genre are hard to resist. If you’re a fan of pop music, then you should definitely check out some of the best Scandinavian pop songs. You might be surprised by how much you enjoy them!
The Influence of American Pop
The influence of American pop music is evident in the sound of Scandinavian pop music. Many of the biggest names in Scandinavian pop music have been influenced by American artists, including ABBA, Aqua, and Robyn. American pop music has also had an influence on the way that Scandinavian pop music is produced, with many producers using American techniques and sound equipment.
The Influence of European Pop
The Influence of European Pop
Pop music from Scandinavia often takes its cues from the pop music coming out of Europe, particularly from the UK and Germany. This is not surprising, given that Scandinavia is geographically so close to these countries. You can hear this influence in the sounds of popular Scandinavian artists like Aqua, Robyn, and Ace of Base.
But while Scandinavian pop music may be indebted to European pop, it has also managed to put its own spin on things. One of the most distinctive features of Scandinavian pop is its focus on melody. This is perhaps best exemplified by Swedish artist ABBA, whose catchy, hooks-laden tunes are still remembered fondly by music fans around the world.
Scandinavian pop music also has a reputation for being pretty light and frothy, and while there are certainly some artists who fit this description, there are also plenty who don’t. In recent years, we’ve seen a surge in popularity for “indie” pop bands like Frends and Holograms, who offer a more complex and nuanced take on the genre.
So if you’re looking for something a little different from your usual diet of pop music, why not give Scandinavian pop a try? You might just find yourself pleasantly surprised.
If you’re a fan of pop music, then chances are you’ve heard a song or two by a Scandinavian artist. But what exactly is Scandinavian pop music, and what makes it so distinctive?
Scandinavian pop music is a genre that emerged in the late 1950s, with artists from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland beginning to gain international recognition. The sound of Scandinavian pop music is often characterized by its catchy melodies, simple yet effective production, and focus on themes of love and relationships.
Scandinavian pop music has been hugely successful both in Scandinavia and internationally, with artists such as ABBA, Aqua, A-ha, and Robyn achieving global fame. In recent years, the popularity of Scandinavian pop music has only increased, thanks in part to the success of streaming services like Spotify which have made it easier than ever to discover new music from all over the world.
If you’re looking for something new to listen to, why not give Scandinavian pop music a try? You might just find your new favorite band!
The Success of Swedish Pop
Sweden has been churning out top-notch pop musicians for years, with the country currently being home to some of the biggest names in the industry. In fact, Swedish pop has become so successful that it’s often referred to as the “Swedish sound.”
What is the Swedish sound? It’s a hard question to answer, as there is no one specific type of music that can be classified as such. However, many Swedish pop songs do have certain characteristics in common, such as having catchy melodies and being easy to sing along to.
The success of Swedish pop can be attributed to a number of factors, including the high quality of the music produced and the fact that Sweden has a strong music industry infrastructure. Additionally, many Swedish artists have found success by catering to international audiences, with many of them achieving popularity in other countries before becoming household names in their native Sweden.
So what are some of the most popular Swedish pop artists? Below are just a few of the many talented musicians that call Sweden home.
Robyn
One of the most successful Swedish pop artists of all time, Robyn first came onto the scene in the mid-1990s with her debut album Robyn Is Here. She achieved international acclaim with her follow-up album My Truth, which included the hit single “Show Me Love.” Robyn has continued to enjoy success over the years, with her most recent album Honey (2018) receiving critical acclaim.
Avicii
Achieving worldwide fame with his 2013 hit single “Wake Me Up,” Avicii was one of the leading figures in electronic dance music (EDM). He released a total of three studio albums during his career, with his final release being Avicii by Avicii (2019). Sadly, Avicii passed away in 2018 at the age of 28. His untimely death sent shockwaves through the music industry and he is dearly missed by fans around the world.
Tove Lo
A relatively new addition to the Swedish pop scene, Tove Lo first gained attention with her 2014 single “Habits (Stay High).” She has since released two full-length albums – Queen of Clouds (2014) and Lady Wood (2016) – both of which were well-received by critics and fans alike. Tove Lo is currently working on her third studio album, which is due for release sometime in 2020.
The Rise of Norwegian Pop
Norwegian pop music has been on the rise in recent years, with a number of artists and bands gaining international recognition. Norwegian acts such as Kygo, A-ha, and Sigrid have all achieved success in the mainstream pop world, and the country’s music scene has been growing in popularity.
Kygo, in particular, has become one of the biggest names in electronic dance music, with his signature “tropical house” sound becoming hugely popular around the world. A-ha were also huge in the 1980s, with their catchy synth-pop anthems “Take On Me” and “The Sun Always Shines on TV” becoming global hits. Sigrid, meanwhile, is one of the most promising new artists to come out of Norway in recent years, with her debut album due for release later this year.
With its mix of catchy melodies and experimental sounds, Scandinavian pop music has something to offer everyone. So if you’re looking for something new to enjoy, be sure to check out some of the latest Norwegian releases.
The Popularity of Danish Pop
Danish pop music, also known as Scandipop, has been gaining in popularity in recent years. Thanks to streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, Scandinavian artists are reaching new audiences outside of their home countries.
Danish pop is often characterized by its catchiness and positive, upbeat vibe. Many Danish pop songs have become international hits, including “Mashed Potato Time” by Denmark’s own Whigfield and “Gangnam Style” by South Korean rapper PSY.
While Danish pop music is still relatively niche, it has a growing fan base both in Scandinavia and abroad. If you’re looking for some new music to add to your playlist, check out some of these popular Danish artists!
Conclusion
After taking a closer look at the vibrant and ever-changing world of Scandinavian pop music, it’s clear that there’s a lot to love. From the catchy melodies to the beautiful language, there’s something for everyone. So whether you’re a fan of ABBA or you’re looking to discover your new favourite artist, be sure to check out the best Scandinavian pop music has to offer.
