24 November 2010 0 Comments

328/365 Songs: Födelsedagsvals till Mona – Benny Andersson

328/365 Songs: Födelsedagsvals till Mona – Benny Andersson

This is a lovely little waltz written by Benny Andersson for his wife, Swedish TV presenter Mona Nörklit on her birthday. I’ve seen the Benny Anderssons Orkester play this live, and it’s one of those songs which the performers obviously enjoy performing.
Podcast: Download (Duration: 2:07 — 3.0MB)

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8 November 2010 0 Comments

312/365 Songs: You and I – Chess

312/365 Songs: You and I – Chess

This is a beautiful song from the finale of the musical Chess. I’ve already played other songs from this show, but I think this one is my favourite. The chord progressions of the verse are complex and challenging, and the chorus is beautifully lyrical, especially when sung in sixths by Florence and Anatoly. There are [...]

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1 October 2010 0 Comments

274/365 Songs: Lycka – Anni-Frid Lyngstad

274/365 Songs: Lycka – Anni-Frid Lyngstad

This gorgeous, simple song was first recorded by Benny and Björn in 1970, and then released by Anni-Frid on her solo album in 1971. The title of the song, Lycka, means “happiness” in Swedish and the lyrics tell the story of a couple who spend some time with each other after a busy day. There [...]

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5 August 2010 0 Comments

217/365 Songs: Heaven help my heart – Chess

217/365 Songs: Heaven help my heart – Chess

Today’s song is taken from the musical Chess. When Benny and Björn were writing the musical, Björn would add lyrics to Benny’s music to help give the song more rhythm and meaning. They then sent their “demos” to Tim Rice who wrote the final version of the lyrics. Heaven help my heart was actually recorded [...]

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13 June 2010 0 Comments

164/365 Songs: Lätt som en sommarfjäril – Benny Anderssons Orkester

164/365 Songs: Lätt som en sommarfjäril – Benny Anderssons Orkester

After my previous performances for Norway’s National Day on 17th May, I realised today that I’d completely forgotten Sweden’s National Day on 6th June. This song is therefore a belated dedication to all my Swedish friends – and Benny Anderssons Orkester fans everywhere! The song Lätt som en sommarfjäril (Light as a butterfly) was performed [...]

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24 March 2010 0 Comments

83/365 Songs: I know him so well – Chess

83/365 Songs: I know him so well – Chess

Today’s song is the famous duet from the musical Chess, first performed by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson on the concept album for the show back in 1985. It was number one in the UK for four weeks at the time.
Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:59 — 5.5MB)

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9 February 2010 2 Comments

365 Songs: True love – High Society

365 Songs: True love – High Society

A very romantic song today, and make sure you click on the links which will help to illustrate my story! True Love was first sung by Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly in the 1956 musical film High Society. The last time I heard this song performed was at the Benny Anderssons Orkester concert last summer in [...]

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5 January 2010 8 Comments

365 Songs: Guldet Blev till Sand – Kristina från Duvemåla

365 Songs: Guldet Blev till Sand – Kristina från Duvemåla

Sticking with the musicals theme from yesterday, Guldet Blev till Sand is one of many beautiful songs from the Swedish musical Kristina från Duvemåla, written by (my musical hero) Benny Andersson and with lyrics by Björn Ulvæus. The musical is based on the novels of Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg which tell of a Swedish family’s [...]

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