Gärdestad composed his first song, Sollentunavalsen, at the age of six. Gärdestad broke through as an artist as a fifteen year old and he was on the height of his career in the 1970s. He himself wrote the music for his songs, and his brother Kenneth Gärdestad wrote the lyrics. He often made upbeat and catchy pop, which wasn't considered serious in the 1970s and he was regarded as a commercial rather than the serious artist. Some of Ted Gärdestad best-known songs are Jag vill ha en egen måne, Sol, vind och vatten and För kärlekens skull. He won Melodifestivalen 1979 with the song Satellit.
He worked together with Michael B. Tretow in the studio project Caramba which released a record 1980. That same year he came into contact with the religious leader Osho, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, which eventually led that he joined the Bhagwan sect and distanced himself from his previous life. He called himself Swami Sangita Upasani and made many trips to the movement's headquarters in Oregon where he was a disc jockey. 1986 he moved back to Sollentuna.
Ted resumed his music career in 1994 and released the album Äntligen på väg, which was his first since 1981 and which became his last.
The last decade of Gärdestad's life was marked by mental illness. He was in a period on suspicion of the murder of Prime Minister Olof Palme. His brother Kenneth later said that Ted heard voices and probably suffered from schizophrenia. He died by committing suicide at age 41, June 22, 1997.
It's You
Ted Gärdestad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone more than a friend
Holding me tight, more than one night
Soothing the winters of my life
Please, stay with me here by my side
Time is passing us by
I will sustain most of the pain
Darling it's you
I love, so madly
You know that it's you
I want so badly
It's really hard to find
A heaven of blue
Believe me now, when I say
Darling, it's you
You
Stay, rest a while here in my arms
I will leave you unharmed
In your despair, I'll take good care
Something in your eyes says it's true
Darling it's you
I love, so madly (So madly)
You know that it's you
I want, so badly
It's really hard to find
A heaven of blue
Believe me now, when I say
Darling, it's you
(In your despair)
(I'll take good care)
Darling it's you
I love, so madly (So madly)
You know that it's you
I want so badly
It's really hard to find
A heaven of blue
Believe me now, when I say
Darling, it's you
The lyrics of Ted Gärdestad's song "It's You" convey a yearning for love and companionship. Gärdestad sings about the need for someone more than just a friend to hold him tight and soothe the "winters" of his life. He pleads for this person to stay by his side, as time is fleeting. Though he is willing to bear most of the pain, he finds solace in something in their smile and eyes.
The lyrics express a deep and passionate love, conveyed through the repetition of the phrase "darling, it's you." Gärdestad confesses to loving this person "madly" and wanting them "so badly." He compares them to a "heaven of blue," something rare and precious. The song ends with a reassurance that he will take good care of the person in their despair, and that they are the one he truly loves.
Overall, the lyrics of "It's You" speak to the importance of finding true love and companionship in life, particularly in times of emotional difficulty.
Line by Line Meaning
Help, I must find love once again
I'm in need of love, someone to hold me and be more than just a friend.
Someone more than a friend
I'm looking for a romantic partner, not just a platonic one.
Holding me tight, more than one night
I want someone who will hold me close and be with me for more than just a fling or one night stand.
Soothing the winters of my life
I need someone to comfort and support me through the difficult times in life.
Please, stay with me here by my side
I want you to be with me and not leave me alone.
Time is passing us by
Life is short, and we need to make the most of our time together.
I will sustain most of the pain
I'm willing to endure some hardship or suffering in the relationship if it means being with you.
Something in your smile puts me through
Your smile makes me happy and gives me strength.
Darling it's you
You are the one I love and adore.
I love, so madly
My love for you is intense and passionate.
You know that it's you
I hope you understand that my love is only for you.
I want so badly
I desire you deeply and want to be with you.
It's really hard to find
It's not easy to find someone who is the perfect match for you.
A heaven of blue
A blissful and peaceful state of mind that comes from being with the right person.
Believe me now, when I say
Trust me, I'm telling you the truth.
Stay, rest a while here in my arms
Relax and let me hold you, find comfort and safety in my embrace.
I will leave you unharmed
You are safe and protected with me, I won't hurt you.
In your despair, I'll take good care
I'll be there for you when you're going through tough times and take good care of you.
Something in your eyes says it's true
I can see in your eyes that you feel the same way I do, that our love is genuine.
Contributed by Christopher E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.