He is a world-class soloist and artist with heart and soul: Nils Landgren.
Jazz and church music shaped his childhood. As cornetist, Nils Landgren's father brought US jazz into the house. The traditional Swedish chorales and songs came from his grandfather, who was a preacher. Nils Landgren was born in 1956. He began playing drums at the age of six. At 13 he layed his hands and lips on the trombone and was hooked for life.
Between 1972 and 1978 Nils studied classical trombone at the music college in Karlstad with David Maytan and at the university in Arvika with Ingemar Roos. During this time he also met the legendary Swedish Folk-Jazz pioneer Bengt-Arne Wallin and the fantastic tromboneplayer and proffessor of the Graz Conservatory in Austria, Eje Thelin. These two men completely changed the way for Nils to go; from a strict classical player to an improviser with his own idea of what to play and why. After his graduation Nils moved to Stockholm to work as a professional tromboneplayer. First the life of a struggling jazz musician, making no money but gaining loads of experience. Then the call that totally changed his life: an offer to go on tour with Sweden's most successful pop star of that time Björn Skifs who at that time was at #1 in the US pop charts with "Hooked on a feeling". The money was ok, the vibes were cool and the band was simply great! Ever since that time Nils Landgren has been involved in a variety of music styles and projects. These include jazz, rock, soul, hip hop, big band’s, studio sessions, and by his own reckoning, at least 500 albums. Mostly, for natural reasons with Swedish artists but also with such internationals stars as ABBA, The Crusaders, Eddie Harris, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie and Herbie Hancock. Nils even plays on the first Wyclef Jean solo album, titled "Carnival".
In 1981 Thad Jones invited the Swede into his new Bigband project "Ball of Fire", to take the lead-trombone chair. The band was built up around such great musicians as Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion, Tim Hagans, Bobby Burgess, Roger Kellaway, Sahib Shihab, Dusko Goykovich, and Benny. "A fantastic band, sad that it did not work out in the end", Nils says about that expreience. Two years later Nils debut album "Planet Rock" was released, followed by "Streetfighter" in 1984, "You are my Nr 1" in 1985, "Miles from Duke" with Bengt-Arne Wallin in 1987, "Chapter Two 1", in 1987, "Chapter Two 2" and "Follow your heart" in 1989. Between 1985 and 1987 Nils also performed as actor, singer, trombonist, and dancer in over 360 performances of the Swedish "play of the year", SKAEL, as well as appearing in several TV-films as an actor.
1992 saw the first performances and recording of the Nils Landgren Unit; the recording was called "Red Horn", and was mixed by the legendary sound engineer Bruce Swedien. (re-release 2001 as "The First Unit", ACT 9292-2). That same summer the band performed at the "Playboy Jazzfestival" in Los Angeles, hosted by the great Bill Cosby. The final breakthrough outside of Scandinavia came first in 1994: it was at the Jazz Baltica Festival in Germany that the "Unit" became the "Funk Unit". The album "Live in Stockholm" (ACT 9223-2) with guest star Maceo Parker was released that year and was the foundation for the collaboration with Siegfried Loch and his young ACT label.
Super Trouper
Nils Landgren Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I won't feel blue
Like I always do
'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you
I was sick and tired of everything
When I called you last night from Glasgow
All I do is eat and sleep and sing
(Wishing every show was the last show)
So imagine I was glad to hear you're coming
(Glad to hear you're coming)
Suddenly I feel all right
(And suddenly it's gonna be)
And it's gonna be so different
When I'm on the stage tonight
Tonight the
Super Trouper lights are gonna find me
Shining like the sun
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Smiling, having fun
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Feeling like a number one
Tonight the
Super Trouper beams are gonna blind me
But I won't feel blue
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Like I always do
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you
Facing twenty thousand of your friends
How can anyone be so lonely
Part of a success that never ends
Still I'm thinking about you only
(Still I'm thinking about you only)
There are moments when I think I'm going crazy
(Think I'm going crazy)
But it's gonna be alright
(You'll soon be changing everything)
Everything will be so different
When I'm on the stage tonight
Tonight the
Super Trouper lights are gonna find me
Shining like the sun
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Smiling, having fun
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Feeling like a number one
Tonight the
Super Trouper beams are gonna blind me
But I won't feel blue
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Like I always do
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you
So I'll be there when you arrive
The sight of you will prove to me I'm still alive
And when you take me in your arms
And hold me tight
I know it's gonna mean so much tonight
Tonight the
Super Trouper lights are gonna find me
Shining like the sun
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Smiling, having fun
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Feeling like a number one
Tonight the
Super Trouper beams are gonna blind me
But I won't feel blue
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Like I always do
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you
Tonight the
Super Trouper lights are gonna find me
Shining like the sun
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Smiling, having fun
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Feeling like a number one
Tonight the
Super Trouper beams are gonna blind me
But I won't feel blue
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Like I always do
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you
The song "Super Trouper" by Nils Landgren is about a performer who is feeling lonely and worn out from constantly performing in front of large crowds. However, the performer finds solace in the fact that somewhere in the audience, there is someone they care about who is watching and supporting them. The "Super Trouper" lights referenced in the song are bright stage lights used in performances that can be blinding. Despite this, the performer is determined to deliver an exceptional performance with the support of their loved one.
The lyrics also touch on the idea that success and fame can be isolating and lonely. The performer is surrounded by fans and admirers, but they are still longing for the presence of one special person who gives them comfort and seems to be the only thing that keeps them going. The lyrics convey a sense of emotional vulnerability and longing for connection, despite being in the midst of fame and success.
Line by Line Meaning
Super Trouper beams are gonna blind me
The bright stage lights will blind me, but I'm not worried.
But I won't feel blue
I won't feel sad or down.
Like I always do
I usually feel unhappy, but not tonight.
'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you
Because you're in the audience tonight and it makes me happy.
I was sick and tired of everything
I was exhausted and unhappy with my life.
When I called you last night from Glasgow
I spoke to you on the phone from Glasgow last night.
All I do is eat and sleep and sing
My life only involves eating, sleeping, and singing.
Wishing every show was the last show
I wish I didn't have to keep performing indefinitely.
So imagine I was glad to hear you're coming
I was very happy to hear you would be attending my show.
Suddenly I feel all right
At that moment, I felt much better emotionally.
And it's gonna be so different
Tonight will be a unique and better experience for me.
When I'm on the stage tonight
My mood will improve when I perform on stage later tonight.
Facing twenty thousand of your friends
I will be performing in front of a large crowd of your acquaintances.
How can anyone be so lonely
Despite being among a crowd, I feel lonely.
Part of a success that never ends
I am part of a successful group that will continue indefinitely.
Still I'm thinking about you only
My thoughts are only on you.
There are moments when I think I'm going crazy
I occasionally have thoughts that make me feel like I'm losing my mind.
But it's gonna be alright
Despite these thoughts, everything will be fine.
Everything will be so different
Tonight's performance will be a welcome change from my usual routine.
So I'll be there when you arrive
I'll be waiting for you to arrive.
The sight of you will prove to me I'm still alive
Seeing you will remind me that I'm alive and well.
And when you take me in your arms
When you embrace me.
And hold me tight
And squeeze me closely.
I know it's gonna mean so much tonight
This will be a significant moment for me tonight.
Feeling like a number one
I'll feel like the best and most important person.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Benny Goran Bror Andersson, Bjoern K Ulvaeus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind