Blue Swede
Blue Swede: A Swedish Rock Band That Hooked The World On A Feeling
Blue Swede was a Swedish rock band that achieved international fame in the mid-1970s with their catchy cover versions of popular songs. The band was fronted by Björn Skifs, a charismatic singer and songwriter who had already established himself as a solo artist in Sweden. The band’s name was a play on the word “blues” and the Swedish word for “blue blouse” (blåblus).
The Formation of Blue Swede
Blue Swede was formed in 1973, when Skifs was looking for a band to accompany him during his concerts. He recruited some of the best musicians in Sweden, including Anders Berglund (piano), Bosse Liljedahl (bass), Hinke Ekestubbe (saxophone), Jan Guldbäck (drums), Michael Areklew (guitar), and Tommy Berglund (trumpet). The band initially performed under the name Blåblus, and mainly played Skifs’ original songs and some covers of soul and rock classics.
The Breakthrough with Hooked on a Feeling
The band’s big break came in 1974, when they recorded a cover of the 1968 B. J. Thomas song “Hooked on a Feeling”. The song had been previously covered by British pop singer Jonathan King in 1971, who added a distinctive “ooga-chaka” chant to the intro. Blue Swede decided to use King’s version as a template, and added their own twist to the song with a funky groove and Skifs’ powerful vocals.
The song was released in Sweden in May 1973, and became a hit. It caught the attention of Neil Bogart, the president of Casablanca Records, who signed the band to his label and released the song in the United States in February 1974. The song quickly climbed the charts, and reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1974. It also topped the charts in Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands, and became a worldwide phenomenon.
The song was featured on the band’s debut album, Hooked on a Feeling, which was a revised version of their previous album, Pinewood Rally, released in Sweden in 1973. The album contained mostly cover songs, such as “Never My Love” by The Association, “Half Breed” by Cher, and “Gotta Have Your Love” by The Sapphires. The album was a success, and reached the top 80 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The Follow-Up Albums and Singles
Blue Swede continued to release albums and singles throughout the mid-1970s, but none of them matched the popularity of “Hooked on a Feeling”. Their second album, Out of the Blue, was released in October 1974, and featured a medley of “Hush” by Deep Purple and “I’m Alive” by Tommy James and the Shondells, which reached the top 60 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album also included a cover of “The Weight” by The Band, which was used in the soundtrack of the 1974 film Easy Rider.
The band’s third album, Better Days Are Coming, was released in 1976, and marked a departure from their previous style. The album consisted mostly of original songs written by Skifs and Berglund, and had a more soft rock and pop sound. The album did not perform well commercially, and neither did the singles “Silly Milly” and “Dr. Rock and Roll”.
The band’s fourth and final album, De’ e vi som spelar på skivan, was released in 1979, and was sung entirely in Swedish. The album was a return to their roots, and featured some of their old songs re-recorded in their native language. The album was well received by their Swedish fans, but did not have any international impact.
The Disbandment of Blue Swede
Blue Swede disbanded in 1979, after Skifs decided to focus on his solo career. He went on to release several successful albums and singles in Sweden, and also pursued a career in acting and hosting. He represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest twice, in 1978 and 1981, and won several awards for his music and television work.
The other members of Blue Swede also continued to work in the music industry, either as solo artists or session musicians. Some of them reunited with Skifs for occasional performances and tours, and also participated in various tribute projects and compilations.
The Legacy of Blue Swede
Blue Swede is remembered as one of the most successful Swedish rock bands of the 1970s, and one of the pioneers of the cover song genre. Their version of “Hooked on a Feeling” is considered a classic of pop culture, and has been used in many films, TV shows, commercials, and video games. The song was especially popularized by the 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy, which featured it in its opening scene and soundtrack.
The band’s influence can be seen in many other Swedish artists, such as ABBA, Roxette, Ace of Base, and The Cardigans, who also achieved international fame with their catchy pop songs. Blue Swede is also regarded as an inspiration for many contemporary bands and singers, such as The Hives, The Ark, Mando Diao, and Lykke Li, who have incorporated elements of rock, soul, and glam into their music.
Blue Swede is a band that hooked the world on a feeling, and left a lasting mark on the history of music.
