Charlotte Perrelli is a Swedish singer and occasional television host, perhaps most famous for winning the 1999 Melodifestivalen and subsequently that year's Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Take Me to Your Heaven". Since then she has released six singles and five albums. Perrelli once again won Melodifestivalen 2008 and represented Sweden in Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with her disco song "Hero". She is one of Sweden's most popular female singers, often performing at Sweden's top shows. Throughout her career, she has worked with different types of music, ranging from dansband and schlager, via modern pop, to soulful ballads and jazz melodies.
Perrelli is married to Stockholm-based Italian restaurateur Nicola Ingrosso, brother of Emilio Ingrosso who was married to another Swedish singer Pernilla Wahlgren in the 1990s. Following a feud with the rest of the family, Charlotte and Nicola decided to change both of their last names to Perrelli. They reside in Stockholm with their two sons. In June 2008 the couple officially announced that they were taking a break in their relationship. It had been speculated for some time in the Swedish media that their relationship was on the rocks. It is believed that Charlotte's heavy workload was a contributing factor to the couple's split.[2][3] This was later denied by both Nicola and Charlotte, the couple stated they was just taking a break from each other but were still very much in love.
Eurovision Song Contest 1999 - Jerusalem
Entry for Sweden
Performer: Charlotte Nilsson
Song title: Take Me To Your Heaven
Song writer(s): Gert Lengstrand
Song composer(s): Lars Diedricson
Sang in Position: 15
Final Position: 1
Total Points: 163
In 1999, the long-standing rule that each country had to sing in one of its own national languages was abolished, and it was also decided that France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom, as the highest-paying European Broadcasting Union subscribers, would automatically be allowed to participate every year, irrespective of their five-year point average. Also, the requirement of an orchestra was optional.
The Israeli broadcaster chose not to use an orchestra, which meant that for the first time in the history of the contest, all entries would perform using a backing track. This change was criticized by two-time Eurovision Song Contest winner Johnny Logan, who commented that the contest turned into "karaoke". Latvia wanted to take part this year, but the country withdrew at a late stage, giving the opportunity to Hungary, but Hungarian TV didn't except the offer either, so the 23rd spot was given to Portugal. Finland, Greece, Macedonia, Romania and Switzerland stayed at home.
The Lithuanian delegation was trying to keep its budget problems under control and they were allowed to arrive at the Eurovision Song Contest venue a day later than everyone else to save costs. The Cypriot song by Marlain had been one of the favorites to win the contest, so many experts were shocked when the song just got 2 points altogether, both from the United Kingdom televote. The Croatian entry Maria Magdalena was sanctioned after the contest, as it used synthesized male backing vocals despite the rule stating that all vocals would have to be performed live on stage. Croatia lost 33% of their points, giving it a lower five-year average.
The Swedish delegation was very surprised about their victory of Charlotte Nilsson's Take Me To Your Heaven. Had the song in Sweden been seen as old-fashioned, the European televoters thought differently and saw the song as a charming hommage to the ABBA-sound. Sweden's win was endangered by the Icelandic and German songs during the voting, but when the Bosnian jury gave Sweden its 12 points while ignoring Iceland completely, it was clear that Sweden would be the winner of the 1999 Eurovision Song Contest.
When the winner of the 1998 contest, Dana International, was about to hand over the trophy to Charlotte, she fell down on stage in her stilettos causing a security alert in the hall.
Eurovision Song Contest 2008 Semi-Final (2) - Belgrade
Entry for Sweden
Performer: Charlotte Perrelli
Song title: Hero
Composer(s) Fredrik Kempe & Bobby Ljunggren
Lyrics writer(s) Fredrik Kempe
Sang in Position: 2
Final Position: 10
Total Points: 54
Eurovision Song Contest 2008 GRAND-FINAL - Belgrade
Sang in Position: 15
Final Position: 18
Total Points: 47
Holy Man
Charlotte Perrelli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All I wanted
Tried to hold it back
But I couldn't fight it
I didn't worry
I didn't promise
But he gave me love
When my heart was missing
Holy, holy man tell me why I'm crying
Holy, holy man tell me why I'm sad
Holy, holy man tell me why I'm lying
Holy, holy man father don't be mad
I can't help myself
It's my body
Always going fast
When my heart's moving slowly
I am sorry
I am so sad
There's a power in my
Heart that makes me feel bad
Holy, holy man tell me why I'm crying
Holy, holy man tell me why I'm sad
Holy, holy man tell me why I'm lying
Holy, holy man father don't be mad
Like a fallen angel I was torn
From the righteous path I was born
Tell me what to do to make it right
Make it right
Holy, holy man tell me why I'm crying
Holy, holy man tell me why I'm sad
Holy, holy man tell me why I'm lying
Holy, holy man father don't be mad
The lyrics of Charlotte Perrelli's song Holy Man suggest a spiritual struggle within the self, specifically with the concept of love and morality. The singer expresses the need for love and affection, as well as the desire to resist it. However, the singer eventually gives in to the power of love, even though it can be overwhelming and confusing. The "holy man" mentioned in the refrain is someone the singer looks up to for guidance on dealing with these conflicting emotions.
The lyrics also seem to allude to the idea of sin and guilt. The singer is torn between her physical desires and her moral values. She is aware of her actions, and she recognizes that she is going against some kind of established moral code. She asks the holy man for forgiveness and guidance on how to make things right. These ideas of morality and guilt are further reinforced by phrases such as "fallen angel" and "righteous path."
Overall, the lyrics of Holy Man suggest that the singer is struggling with her own self-identity and morality. She recognizes that she has conflicting emotions and may have made some morally questionable decisions, but she is asking for guidance and forgiveness to help her navigate her complex emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I just needed love
I was longing for love.
All I wanted
Love was the only thing I desired.
Tried to hold it back
I tried to control my feelings.
But I couldn't fight it
But my feelings were too strong for me to resist.
I didn't worry
I did not have any concerns.
I didn't promise
I did not make any assurances.
But he gave me love
But he showed me love.
When my heart was missing
At a time when I was emotionally unfulfilled.
Holy, holy man tell me why I'm crying
Religious leader, please explain why I'm shedding tears.
Holy, holy man tell me why I'm sad
Religious leader, please tell me why I'm feeling sorrowful.
Holy, holy man tell me why I'm lying
Religious leader, please explain why I'm being dishonest.
Holy, holy man father don't be mad
Religious leader, please don't get angry with me.
I can't help myself
I have no control over myself.
It's my body
It's my physical being.
Always going fast
I'm always in a rush.
When my heart's moving slowly
While my emotions are sluggish.
I am sorry
I apologize.
I am so sad
I am extremely sorrowful.
There's a power in my
There's a force within me.
Heart that makes me feel bad
That negatively affects my emotional state.
Like a fallen angel I was torn
Like an angel who has sinned and been separated from divinity, I was divided.
From the righteous path I was born
I have deviated from the morally correct course I was intended for from birth.
Tell me what to do to make it right
Please tell me how to make things better.
Make it right
Correct the situation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER HAGERAS, FREDRIK KEMPE, DAN THORD RICKARD SUNDQUIST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind