Tommy Körberg (born July 4, 1948) is a Swedish singer and actor. English-sp… Read Full Bio ↴Tommy Körberg (born July 4, 1948) is a Swedish singer and actor. English-speaking audiences know him best for his role in the Benny Andersson–Björn Ulvaeus–Tim Rice musical Chess. He was the first to play the role of "The Russian" on the 1984 concept album Chess, and performed the same role on stage in the 1986 world premiere production in London. In the 1990s and 2000s he took time off from other projects in order to recreate the role in subsequent productions of Chess, including the 1994 tenth anniversary concert and the 2002 Stockholm production. He has also appeared in the Swedish productions of other musicals, including The Sound of Music and Les Miserables.

Eurovision Song Contest 1969 - Madrid
Entry for Sweden

Performer: Tommy Körberg
Song title: Judy, Min Vän
Song writer(s): Britt Lindeborg
Song composer(s): Roger Wallis

Sang in Position: 9
Final Position: 9
Total Points: 8

For the first time in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest, the outcome of the voting resulted in a tie for the first place. Four countries gained 18 points each: France, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. Since there was no solution for this situation, all four countries were declared winners. Luckily, there were four medals available to the four winning singers - the four medals were intended for the winning singer and three winning songwriters.

The four winners differed a lot from one another: France had a haunting ballad performed by Frida Boccara, the Netherlands sent in Lenny Kuhr with a guitar, Spain and Salomé performed the energetic Vivo Cantando whereas the star from the British islands, Lulu, had a happy, clap-along song. However, having four winners caused lots of criticism from the media and several TV-stations re-considered participating in the following Eurovision Song Contest. Had the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest still attracted 16 countries, the number went down to only 12 in the 1970 edition of the contest.

Eurovision Song Contest 1988 - Dublin
Entry for Sweden

Performer: Tommy Körberg
Song title: Stad I Ljus
Song writer(s):
Song composer(s): Py Bäckman

Sang in Position: 2
Final Position: 12
Total Points: 52

The 1988 Eurovision Song Contest was hosted in Dublin for the third time, and featured one of the most exciting votings in the long history of the contest. Switzerland's entry Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi performed by Céline Dion beat the runner-up, the United Kingdom's Scott Fitzgerald by just a single point. Before the last vote, the UK entry was leading with 136 points to Switzerland's 131 but then Yugoslavia, the last country to vote, gave six points to Switzerland while ignoring the British song Go completely.

For Céline Dion, winning the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest was the starting point of her globe-wide career. Had she only been known in Canada and France before 1988, the Eurovision Song Contest gave her the opportunity to record songs which would sell millions of copies all around the world. But not only Céline Dion made a huge profit from the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest, also her colleague Lara Fabian who was singing for Luxembourg started a successful career after the contest with a mainly French-sung repertoire.

In 1988, 21 countries participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. Cyprus decided to withdraw because their entry did not match the rules of the contest: it had already been published previously. The venue of the 1988 contest was the same as in 1981, but this time, RTÉ managed to create a very special stage that created the illusion of a spage age-style grid which suggested that it was a huge arena with lots of lighting and special effects. Even nowadays, this set is still praised by experts.

Jul Jul Stålande Jul
Tommy Körberg Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Jul jul
Strålande jul
Glans över vita skogar
Himmelens kronor
Med gnistrande ljus
Glimmande bågar
I alla Guds hus
Psalm som är sjungen

Från tid till tid
Eviga längtan
Till ljus och frid
Jul jul
Strålande jul
Glans över vita skogar
Kom kom
Signade jul
Sänk dina vita vingar
Över stridernas
Blod och larm
Över all suckan
Ur människobarm
Över de släkten
Som gå till ro
Över de ungas
Dagande bo
Kom kom

Signade jul
Sänk dina vita vingar

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Jul Jul Strålande Jul" by Tommy Körberg & Oslo Gospel Choir celebrate the beauty and significance of the Christmas season. The song begins by describing the radiant and sparkling nature of Christmas, with its glowing lights and shimmering decorations. It mentions how this festive atmosphere encompasses all places of worship, symbolizing the unifying power of Christmas traditions.

As the song progresses, it takes on a more profound and spiritual tone. It invokes the idea of an eternal longing for light and peace, which is expressed through the singing of hymns throughout the ages. The lyrics convey a sense of hope and anticipation for the arrival of Christmas, highlighting the transformative power of this season.

In the second verse, the song shifts its focus to the struggles and conflicts in the world. It calls for Christmas to bring its blessings and peace to those who are engaged in battles and suffering. It asks for divine intervention and for Christmas to bring comfort to those in distress, including those who are weary, the elderly, and the young.

Line by Line Meaning

Jul jul
Christmas, Christmas

Strålande jul
Radiant Christmas

Glans över vita skogar
Shine over the white forests

Himmelens kronor
Crowns of heaven

Med gnistrande ljus
With sparkling lights

Glimmande bågar
Glimmering arches

I alla Guds hus
In all of God's houses

Psalm som är sjungen
Hymn that is sung

Från tid till tid
From time to time

Eviga längtan
Eternal longing

Till ljus och frid
For light and peace