Thomas Helmig leves the school bench in 1981 to pursue a carreer in music. He becomes the lead singer in “Kaksi Kuggas Band”. During 1981-82 he is an exchange student in Detroit, Michigan. Here he gets into motown and soul . In 1983 he becomes lead singer in the band Elevatordrengene that grow a steady live reputation in the following years.
In 1985 he releases his first album, named "Thomas", accompanied by the core of Elevatordrengene (now known as "Thomas Helmig Brothers"). The same year he also sings the first verse in the song “Afrika” (by Nanna), a charity song in the wake of Band Aid.
Both records immediately becomes major hits and the 20 year old Thomas Helmig becomes a teen-idol. The following year the second album, "2", is released which is a bit more funky than his first record. The album is credited to "Thomas Helmig Brothers".
Meanwhile Thomas Helmig gets married to Søs Fenger and the two become a young celebrity couple for 3 years (divorce) - they also record a few duets: Søs Fenger & Thomas Helmig
The succesful album “Vejen Væk” from 1988, contains one of Thomas Helmig’s best known songs “Nu hvor du har brændt mig af” and the album is sold in more than 160,000 copies. The album establishes him as a mainstream established pop artist on the danish scene - a position he has had since. He also got a reputation as an energetic and colourful performer, who played live concerts extensively.
During 1990 he becomes joint owner of Gnags’ record label “Genlyd”, which at this point had released all of his albums. Two years later when “Genlyd” is sold to the record label BMG, Thomas Helmig releases his first album in English; “Rhythm”. The album is released internationally with the title “Thomas Helmig”. The English-language style continues on the album “Say When”, which is released in 1993. The change of language also marks a conscious move away from 80s pop to a more modern soulpop, and this move is rewarded with three Danish Grammys at that years award show.
The following year he releases the album “Stupid Man” , which tops the previous album by winning six danish Grammy awards. The title track and song “Gotta Get Away From You” become hit songs and the record is sold in 250,000 copies. In 1996 the album “Groovy Day” is released, and the following year the compilation album “Årene Går (de største af de første)” which contains material from the years 1985-1990 is released, before he releases the album “Dream” in 1999.
In 2000 Thomas Helmig celebrates 15 years of being in the music industry which is marked with the release of the compilation album “Wanted” that in addition to previous released hits includes two new ones. In 2001 he releases the album “IsItYouIsItMe” one week after his 35th birthday. Three years later in 2004 Thomas Helmig releases the album “El Camino” which contains the single “Gold Digger”. The single get a lot of airtime on the Danish radio stations. The album is sold in more than 60,000 copies. In 2006 he releases the single “Aldrig Sige Aldrig Mere” for the movie “Sprængfarlig Bombe”. The song is contained in the album “Helmig Herfra” which is released the same year. The album is Thomas Helmig’s first album in Danish in 16 years. His later work has seen him move in a more mature and relaxed singer-songwriter direction, without losing his soulful style
During his many years in the music industry he has repeatedly been attached as producer on different albums among others on Malurt’s album “Spøgelser” from 1992.
Artist website: www.thomashelmig.dk
Flower Child
Thomas Helmig Lyrics
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You plant that love so deep
You fold your hands and pray for rain
Daddy liked to drink and smoke
Mama thought your dreams were a joke
You grew up dark in a garden of pain
When nobody waters a flower child
You get this scared little girl with a broken heart
Growing wild I think I'm in love
I've got the water for my flower child
My love can fill this pail
And bring you back to health
And make those petals wanna stay
You've gone from man to man to man
But still you cannot stand
I've got the sun right in my hands
Can't you see that I will understand? I'll understand
When nobody waters a flower child
You get a scared little girl with a broken heart
Growing wild I think I'm in love
Oh my flower child I think I'm in love
I've got the water for my flower child
Has the light gotten through to you?
Don't be afraid to say you feel it too
I know inside you there's a sweet perfume
When nobody waters a flower child
You get this scared little girl with a broken heart
Growing wild I think I'm in love
I've got the water
When nobody waters the flower child
You get a scared little girl with a broken heart
Growing wild I think I'm in love
Oh my flower child I think I'm in love
(I've got the water) growing wild, I think I'm in love
(I could bring my love to you) flower child I think I'm in love
The song "Flower Child" by Thomas Helmig is about a woman who has grown up in a difficult environment with an alcoholic father and a mother who didn't believe in her dreams. The song describes her as a "flower child" who has grown up "dark in a garden of pain". Through the lyrics, the singer of the song, who is the love interest of the flower child, recognizes the pain she has gone through and wants to bring love into her life. The singer believes that, like a flower, the flower child needs nurturing in order to grow and flourish.
The chorus repeats the idea that "when nobody waters a flower child, you get a scared little girl with a broken heart, growing wild", which emphasizes the importance of nurturing and care. The singer believes that he can be the one to bring love and care to the flower child's life, and that his love can be the water that she needs to grow.
Overall, the song speaks to the idea that everyone needs nurturing and care, especially those who have grown up in difficult circumstances. The flower child is a metaphor for anyone who has experienced pain and trauma, and the song encourages listeners to be the ones to provide the love and care that others might be lacking.
Line by Line Meaning
You take that perfect seed
You start with something perfect, something that has the potential to grow into something beautiful
You plant that love so deep
You nurture that potential with love and care, giving it the best possible chance to grow
You fold your hands and pray for rain
You hope for luck and good fortune, even though the outcome is ultimately out of your hands
Daddy liked to drink and smoke
Your childhood was marked by difficulties, including a father who struggled with addiction
Mama thought your dreams were a joke
Your mother didn't believe in you, or thought your aspirations were unrealistic or unworthy
You grew up dark in a garden of pain
You suffered through difficult experiences, and they became a part of the very environment in which you developed
Like the sun and the rain forgot your name
The natural forces that allow other things to grow and prosper seem not to have taken notice of you or your potential
When nobody waters a flower child
When you don't receive the nurturing and care you need to grow, you can become lost and forgotten
You get this scared little girl with a broken heart
Without proper care, you can become fearful and damaged, feeling like you have nothing to offer anyone else
Growing wild I think I'm in love
Despite everything, you've still found love and passion, and it's growing and blossoming within you
I've got the water for my flower child
You've found the sustenance and love that you need to grow and thrive
My love can fill this pail
Your love is abundant and overflowing, and you're willing and able to share it with someone you care for
And bring you back to health
Your love can help heal someone who has been damaged or neglected, providing what they need to recover
And make those petals wanna stay
Your love can help someone feel safe and secure, allowing them to stay and grow along with you
You've gone from man to man to man
You've been seeking love and affection from others, but never felt like you found what you needed
But still you cannot stand
Despite looking for answers outside of yourself, you still feel lost and uncertain
I've got the sun right in my hands
You have the power within you to help someone else thrive and grow, and the potential to make them feel as powerful and radiant as the sun
Can't you see that I will understand? I'll understand
You have empathy and compassion for someone who has been through the same things you have, and want to help them in any way you can
Has the light gotten through to you?
You're wondering if the person you care about is starting to feel your love and support
Don't be afraid to say you feel it too
You want to encourage the person you care about to be honest with you, so you can continue to support them in the best way possible
I know inside you there's a sweet perfume
You can sense that the person you care about has potential and beauty inside of them, waiting to be unlocked and shared with the world
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Billy Mann, Thomas Helmig
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind