Mark's Tracks: Nordic

Showing posts with label Nordic. Show all posts

Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers (2011)

a bit of a weird one. Originally released two years ago, this one seems to go round & round in Europe until another remix pops up and then it re-enters the charts, which is what has been happening now for over two years; and the 'Magicians Remix' did it for France (and me). Lykke Li hails from Ystad, Sweden and has won many music awards, yet still she is still somewhat unknown. At 27 years of age, she has been living around the globe, from Nepal and India to Morocco, from Brooklyn to Portugal, and it seems these moves have influenced her songwriting style, often blending pop and indie, folk and electro.

Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers - The Magician Remix (2011)
BE#1, DE#1, GRE#1, IT#1, LUX#1, POL#1, ROM#1, AT#2, CH#2, IRL#2, NL#2, POR#3, FR#4, ICE#4, CZK#5, HUN#6, BRZ#12, SVK#13, DK#40, SWE#44

Original version:

Lyrics:

Oh, I beg you, can I follow?
Oh, I ask you, wanna always
Be the ocean, where I unravel
Be my only, be the water where I'm wading
You're my river running high, run deep, run wild

I, I follow, I follow you
Deep sea baby, I follow you
I, I follow, I follow you
Dark room honey, I follow you

Heed a message, I'm the runner
He's the rebel, I'm the daughter waiting for you
You're my river running high, run deep, run wild

I, I follow, I follow you
Deep sea baby, I follow you
I, I follow, I follow you
Dark room honey, I follow you

You're my river running high, run deep, run wild

I, I follow, I follow you
Deep sea baby, I follow you
I, I follow, I follow you
Dark room honey, I follow you

I, I follow, I follow you
Deep sea baby, I follow you
I, I follow, I follow you
Dark room honey, I follow you

Heidi Marie Vestrheim - Blind (2012)

GusGus - David (2003)

GusGus - David (2003)
UK#52

Röyksopp - What Else Is There? - Trentemøller Remix (2005)

School mates Svein Berge & Torbjørn Brundtland, a.k.a. Röyksopp, hail from Tromsø, Norway. Experimenting with electronic instruments in the early 1990s as a part of their town's techno scene, Röyksopp quote their influences as far flung as Kraftwerk, Brian Eno, Giorgio Moroder, Art of Noise, Vangelis and Erik Satie. They often include references and homages, for instance, Röyksopp Forever to famous electronic pioneers of the 70s, including the likes of Vangelis and these people, and Krautrock, like Tangerine Dream and even Pink Floyd and King Crimson.
Svein and Torbjørn's first single 'So Easy' became popular in the UK after being used in a UK T-Mobile ad. Since the duo's 1998 debut, the duo has gained critical acclaim and popular success around the world.
Apart from their unique electronic style, the pair are known for collaborating with a wide range of vocalists. 2005's What Else is There features the vocals of Swedish Karin Dreijer Andersson from The Knife and Fever Ray. The single release includes a remix by Danish producer Anders Trentemøller, which is by far the best of the lot.
The track was used in the films Cashback (2006) and Meet Bill (2007). Trentemøller's remix was featured in an episode of the HBO TV Show Entourage.

Röyksopp - What Else Is There (Trentemøller Remix)
BE#2, NOR#4, SWE#30 (all in 2006) and UK#32 (in 2005)

Royksopp - What Else Is There (Trentemoller Remix) - MyVideo

Lyrics:

It was me on that road
But you couldn't see me
Too many lights out, but nowhere near here

It was me on that road
Still you couldn't see me
And then flashlights and explosions

Roads end getting nearer
We cover distance but not together

I am the storm I am the wonder
And the flashlights nightmares
And sudden explosions

I don't know what more to ask for
I was given just one wish

It's about you and the sun
A morning run
The story of my maker
What I have and what I ache for

I've got a golden ear
I cut and I spear
And what else is there

Roads and getting nearer
We cover distance still not together

If I am the storm if I am the wonder
Will I have a flashlights nightmares
And sudden explosions

There's no room where I can go and
You've got secrets too

I don't know what more to ask for
I was given just one wish

Sunrise Avenue - Fairytale Gone Bad (2006)

Sunrise Avenue - Fairytale Gone Bad (2006)
FIN#2, CH#2, AT#3, DE#3

Lyrics:

This is the end you know
Lady, the plans we had went all wrong
We ain't nothing but fight and shout and tears

We got to a point I can't stand
I 've had it to the limit I can't be your man
I ain't more than a minute away from walking

We can't cry the pain away
We can't find a need to stay
I slowly realized there 's nothing on our side

Out of my life, out of my mind
Out of the tears we can't deny
We need to swallow all our pride
And leave this mess behind
Out of my head, out of my bed
Out of the dreams we had, they 're bad
Tell them it's me that made you sad
Tell them the fairytale gone bad

Another night and I bleed
They all make mistakes and so did we
But we did something we can never turn back right

Find a new one to fool
Leave and don't look back. I won't follow
We have nothing left it 's the end of our time

We can't cry the pain away
We can't find a need to stay
There's no more rabbits in my hat to make things right

Out of my life, out of my mind
Out of the tears we can't deny
We need to swallow all our pride
And leave this mess behind
Out of my head, out of my bed
Out of the dreams we had, they 're bad
Tell them it's me that made you sad
Tell them the fairytale gone bad

Out of my life, out of my mind
Out of the tears we can't deny
We need to swallow all our pride
And leave this mess behind
Out of my head, out of my bed
Out of the dreams we had, they 're bad
Tell them it's me that made you sad
Tell them the fairytale gone bad

Tell them the fairytale gone bad
Tell them the fairytale gone bad

Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers (2011)

Agnes - Release Me (2008)

Absolutely shocked that when this one has hit us is already 5 - yes F-I-V-E !!!, years ago! Time does fly! Although it didn't hit the commercial shelves until more than a year later, it did simmer underground for a while. Probably waiting to get the Cahill treatment, while finally made it to UK release, while the rest of Europe got treated to a rather wet flanel of the track. Love it! Love it! Love it! Interestingly, the Radio and the Club version had different videos made for Agnes Carlsson's 'Release Me'.

Agnes - Release Me - 12" Cahill Club Mix (2008)
SWE#1, UKR#1, US(Dance)#1, UK(Dance)#1, UK#3, CZK#4, SVK#4, DE#5, CH#5, EurHot100#6, BE#6, DK#6, NOR#6, AUS#6, FR#7, NL#7, AT#8, IT#9, IRL#10, ES#26,

Agnes - Release Me - 7" Cahill Radio Mix (2008)

Lyrics:

Release me
Release my body
I know it's wrong
So why am I with you now
I say release me
'Cause I'm not able to
Convince myself
That I'm better off without you

Yeah, it's perfectly clear
That it's not what you need
I tell you that I don't care
But I don't want to
Anything that you say
I hear myself agree
And I don't recognize
What I've turned into

I don't know why I want you so
'Cause I don't need the heart break
I don't know what love addictive hold
You have on me I can't shake
No, I'm not in control
So let me go

Release me
Release my body
I know it's wrong
So why do I keep coming back
I say release me
'Cause I'm not able to
Convince myself
That I'm better off without you

I could sleep by myself
you would burn me alive
Find me somebody else
But I don't want to
Try to leave out the love
That goes against the grain
But I can rationalize it
If I have to

I don't know why I want you so
'Cause I don't need the heart break
I don't know what addictive hold
You have on me I can't shake
No, I'm not in control
So let me go

Release me
Release my body
I know it's wrong
So why do I keep coming back
I say release me
'Cause I'm not able to
Convince myself
That I'm better off without you

Im not in control, so let me go
Release me
Release my body
I know it's wrong
So why do I keep coming back
I say release me
'Cause I'm not able to
Convince myself
That I'm better off without you

Release me
Release my body
I know it's wrong
So why do I keep coming back
I say release me
'Cause I'm not able to
Convince myself
That I'm better off without you

Luomo - Tessio (2003)

Sasu Ripatti, born 1976 in Oulu, Finland, has many aliases: Vladislav Delay, Sistol, Conoco and - Luomo.
Sasu's characteristic traits within his music are deep, bubbling synth-bass lines, fractured percussion - often placed freely within the music, long delay repetitions of various sounds, syncopated use of vocal samples, and complicated digital effect processing techniques. An outstanding example is his 2003 release 'Tessio'.

The music of Luomo stretches taut lines between shadowy experimentalism and shining club aspirations of the dancefloor. Full of dark chasms and dangerous sharp edges, the restless experimentation and bitter-tenderness in Luomo’s songs have shattered and reformed expectations of Pop. Tracks like 'Tessio' became the foundation of what was soon known as Microhouse.
But the tropes and vocals made it clear that Sasu is drawing on a wider range of influences: not only Glitch, but also Dub, Trip-Hop, Chicago House, Soul and Disco. Luomo presents each element — icy reverb, stuttering rhythms and brittle synth stabs with crossover Pop appeal that was picked up by major labels.

What makes Luomo different from his other release synonyms, aside from a more overt Pop orientation, is the extensive, sensitive use of vocal samples from a variety of collaborators: all Luomo albums owe much to processed feminine voices, particularly that of Finnish jazz singer Johanna Iivanainen, a vocalist renowned for her timbral and poetic singing. Pensive and polished, rich and sensual, 'The Present Lover', which is the album containing 'Tessio', uses the voice of Johanna Iivanainen, along with that of Antye Greie (AGF), his East German girlfriend.
His creative arrangements have also come to fruition in his fourth Luomo album, 'Convivial' in 2008. It sees Luomo at his most upfront and extrovert, embracing more overt Pop motives than ever, and features vocal collaborations with not only Iivanainen, but a spectrum of artists, ranging from Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters, which offers a touch of glam, to Chicago House producer Robert Owens. A new Luomo album is due to be released! :-)

Luomo - Tessio (2003)

Lyrics:

I guess you turn me on,
When you're gone,
For me it didn't go wrong,
we just made another song.

Off getting it alone,
Never asking if for long,
It's just that the world ain't enough,
And it never was for the two of us.

Baby, it's ok.

I guess you made me warm,
When you do the hum,
Making everybody come,
Getting creative with your charm.

I tried to be all yours,
Over line ain't answering your calls,
Don't say it's false,
I'm only following my thoughts.

Baby it's ok,
We'll make it better,
Baby, I, I'll survive,
Without these women in my life.

Madcon - Glow (Eurovision Final 2010)

Yosef Wolde-Mariam and Tshawe Baqwa are Madcon, a Norwegian Hip-Hop duo formed in 1992. Sixteen years later they would storm to international fame with their breakthrough 'Beggin'. At the heigth of their popularity it only seemed logical for them to entertain at one, if not the biggest international music contest there is: Eurovision was brought to Oslo a year earlier and in 2010 it was the turn of the city by the fjord to host the television event that is followed not only in Europe but as far flung as Australia and New Zealand.
Madcon staged one of the most memorable interval acts of Eurovision. Liking the song anyway, they arranged the world's biggest 'Flashmob', a spine-tingling experience. Enjoy.

Madcon - Glow (Eurovision Final 2010)
NOR#1, DE#4, FIN#6, SVK#8, IRL#12, AT#14, DK#16, SWE#17, BE#20, ES#34, CH#38, CZK#41, NL#59, UK#70

Lyrics:

Elevate

My heart beats to your song
A melody sent from God
I can't breath when you're gone
Yes I'm deeply in love (Be my valentine)
Every single day of my life (I'm gonna sacrifice)
Night and day, day and night

Today's the day (Tonight's the night)
I know you feelin' my sound (Imma make you clap)
'Cause today's the day (Tonight's the night)
Imma lay it down (Imma lay it down)
Imma get up so I can't get down (Imma, Imma)
And anywhere I go thunder sound (Imma)
I'm the lord of the underground (Imma, Imma)
Part of the jungle (Imma, Imma)

(Let's)
Glow
I can't wait, I can't wait to see ya (Hands High, Hands High)
Glow
round the world, round the world my people
Glow, Glow
I can't wait, I can't wait to see ya (Hands High, Hands High)
Glow round the world, Glow, round the world my people

Glow
I can't wait, I can't wait to see ya (Hands High, Hands High)
Glow
Round the world, round the world my people
Glow, Glow
I can't wait, I can't wait to see ya (Hands High,Hands High)
Glow round the world, Glow, round the world - Glow

Let us share this moment
Let's enjoy this night
Get the world connected
Those who are loved are kind
See we try to reach ya
Get the world to see
Know we all feel different
You are just like me

Today's the day (Tonight's the night)
I'm know you feelin' my sound (Imma make you clap)
'Cause today's the day (Tonight's the night)
Imma lay it down (Imma lay it down)
Imma get up so I can't get down (Imma, Imma)
And anywhere I go thunder sound (Imma)
I'm the lord of the underground (Imma, Imma)
Part of the jungle (Imma, Imma)

Glow
I can't wait, I can't wait to see ya (Hands High, Hands High)
Glow
Round the world, round the world my people
Glow, Glow
I can't wait, I can't wait to see ya (Hands High, Hands High)
Glow round the world, Glow, round the world my people

Glow
Glow

Christian Falk feat. Robyn - Dream On - Moto Blanco Remix (2006)

Christian Falk feat. Robyn - Dream On - Moto Blanco Remix (2006)
BE#3, UK#29, SWE#42

Lyrics:

Thugs and badmen
punks and lifers
locked up interns
pigs and snitches

Rest your weary heads, all is well

You won't be strip-searched, torn up tonight
you won't be cut up, bleeding tonight
you won't be strung out, cold, shaking to your bones
wishing you were anywhere else but right here
So dream on

Thieves and muggers
tricks and hustlers
cheats and traitors
scum and low-lives

Rest your weary heads, all is well

You won't be sad or broken tonight
you won't be squealed on, ripped off tonight
you won't be back-stabbed, double cross, face down
teeth knocked out, lying in a gutter somewhere

So dream on
So dream on

Freaks and junkies
fakes and phonies
drunks and cowards
manic preachers

Rest your weary heads, all is well

You won't be pushed or messed with tonight
you won't be lied to, ruffed up tonight
You won't be insane, paranoid, obsessed
aimlessly wandering through the dark night
So dream on

So dream on

You won't be insane, paranoid, obsessed
aimlessly wandering through the dark night

So dream on

Luomo - Tessio (2003)

GusGus - Over (2011)

GusGus - Over (2011)

Lyrics:

We have made our mistakes over
We have gone up and down over and over

Once again I have crossed, double-crossed over
I betrayed our trust, knocked it all over

Over, over, over, over

And I wonder why, why we didn't try this time
Didn't even try, try to make things right over

(As we wonder why, why we didn't try, we didn't try this time) Over
(We didn't even try, try to make things right) Make me
(This time) Over

(As we wonder why, why we didn't try, didn't try this time) Make me over
(We didn't even try, try to make things right) Make me
(This time) Over

(As we wonder why, why we didn't try, we didn't try this time)
(We didn't even try, try to make things right) We didn't try
(This time) Over

We're the wind, this will blow, it will blow over
Is the time, the time to mend over?

Maybe we can dive deep into ourselves over
Find the smallest flame, restart the game over

Over, over, make me over, make me over, over

(As we wonder why, why we didn't try, we didn't try this time)
(We didn't even try, try to make things right this time)

(As we wonder why, why we didn't try, we didn't try this time) Over
(We didn't even try, try to make things right) Make me
(This time) Over

(As we wonder why, why we didn't try, didn't try this time) Make me over
(We didn't even try, try to make things right) Make me
(This time) Over

We didn't try over, over, over, over, over

(As we wonder why, why we didn't try, we didn't try this time)
(We didn't even try, try to make things right this time)

Luomo - Tessio (2003)

Björk

Björk (Guðmundsdóttir) really is a science to herself. Born 1965 in Reykjavík, her musical career began when she was eleven with her study of classical piano in elementary school. One of her instructors sent a recording of Björk singing Tina Charles' song 'I Love to Love' to RÚV, then the only radio station in Iceland.

The recording was broadcast on radio nationally; after hearing it, a representative of the record label Fálkinn contacted Björk to offer a record contract. An album, Björk, was recorded and released in 1977.
In her teens, Björk was influenced by punk, which probably explains why, on 8 June 1986, the day she gave birth to her son Sindri Eldon, she founded a post-punk band that would receive critical and popular acclaim internationally until 1992:
The Sugarcubes (Sykurmolarnir in Icelandic).
The band's first single, 'Birthday' (Ammæli in Icelandic), became a surprise hit in the UK after being declared single of the week by Melody Maker. They were immediately signed up by label One Little Indian and gained a cult following in the US and th UK. Calls from larger record companies began coming in. They rejected all these offers, and instead chose to have complete creative control by remaining with a friend's label. Björk is still signed to this label. The Sugarcubes also signed a distribution deal with Elektra Records in the United States, and recorded their first album, Life's Too Good, in 1988. Its release propelled them into international stardom—an unprecedented success for an Icelandic rock band.
While with the Sugarcubes, Björk had several side projects on the go: one of them, contributing vocals to 808 State's album ex:el, with whom she cultivated her interest in house music. 'Ooops' was released in the UK and was later included on 808 State's Best Of album, 808:88:98.
In 1992, the Sugarcubes split up. They remain friends and are all still involved in the management of Smekkleysa/Bad Taste. Björk moved to London to pursue a solo career; she began working with producer Nellee Hooper, who had produced for Massive Attack, among others. Their partnership produced Björk's first international solo hit, 'Human Behaviour'. Her solo debut album, Debut, was released in June 1993 to positive reviews; it was named album of the year by NME, and eventually went platinum in the United States. This has produced some of my favourite tracks by Björk.

The Sugarcubes - Birthday (1987)
UK#6

The Sugarcubes - Regina (1989)
UK#1, US#2

The Sugarcubes - Hit (1991)
US#1, UK#17, SWE#28, AUS#78

Björk - Human Behaviour (1993)
US#2, SWE#29, NL#35, UK#36, AUS#63

Björk - Play Dead (1993)
SWE#7, NOR#10, NL#11, UK#12, IRL#16, AUS#65

Björk - Play Dead
Uploaded by David-Arnold. - See the latest featured music videos.

Björk - Big Time Sensuality (1993)
US#1, UK#17, NL#22, AUS#62

Björk - Violently Happy (1994)
US#4, UK#13, FR#31, AUS#94

Björk - Army of Me (1995)
UK#10, SWE#12, BE#13, NL#13, NOR#17, US#21, FR#22, NZ#16, CH#28, AUS#35

Björk - It's oh so Quiet (1995)
UK#4, FIN#5, AUS#6, IRL#7, NL#19, BE#20, SWE#19, NZ#28, US#109

Bjork - It's Oh So Quiet
Uploaded by scopitones. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

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