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.

Släpp Fångarne Loss
Tommy Körberg Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Släpp fångarne loss, det är vår!
Var männska i sin själ i grunden vill så väl
Och aldrig jag tror att det går, av sociala skäl
Av sociala skäl
Men, gärna för mig, om jag konstapel vore
Jag öppnade, nyckeln kved på Fridas milda bud
De komme i trav, så vilda ut de fore
Och andades av luften ljum och såge vårens skrud

Släpp fångarne loss, det är vår!
Var männska i sin själ vill väl när grön naturen står

När natten är inne är Frida nu med på mitt resonemang?
Förskräckes vart sinne, en klämtning från kyrktornet klang
Och bort emot söder ser rökpelar'n stiger mot himmelens grund
Det pyr och det glöder och brandkåren bullrar på stund

Släpp fångarne loss, det är vår!
Var männska i sin själ vill väl när grön naturen står

Och rådman är vaken, vid fönstret han skakar för kylande vind
I skenet från staken står dottern så bleknad om kind
En dörr börjar dundra, ur mörkret fram störtar en svartskäggig man
"Ta hit ett par hundra, nu brådskar det, gubbe, minsann!"

Släpp fångarne loss, det är vår!
Var männska i sin själ vill väl när grön naturen står

Med fickorna fulla av pengar han rusar mot dörren och lyss
Han vänder "Min pulla, ro hit med en smällande kyss!"
Men rådmannen ryter så blodet hos boven blir kallt som en is
Och luft honom tryter, "Tag hellre min silverservis!"

Släpp fångarne loss, det är vår!
Var männska i sin själ i grunden vill så väl
Jag tvekar som Frida förstår, av sociala skäl
Av sociala skäl
Dock, gärna för mig om jag konstapel vore
Jag öppnade, nyckeln kved på hennes milda bud
Men stunden därpå jag brått från staden fore
Och mina händer tvådde jag för följderna vid Gud

Släpp fångarne loss, det är vår!
Var männska i sin själ vill väl när grön naturen står

Overall Meaning

Tommy Körberg's song Släpp Fångarne Loss is a Swedish song that talks about the idea of freedom and how it can be restricted due to social constructs. The song starts off by saying that everyone wants to be free at their core, but social norms and constructs often come in the way of realizing that freedom. The lyrics continue by saying that if the singer were a police officer, he would release the prisoners on the command of Frida. The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that everyone wants to be free, especially when nature is blooming and spring is in the air.

The second verse of the song describes a scene where the singer and Frida are discussing the idea of releasing prisoners, and they hear a church bell ring. They look outside and see a fire in the distance. They realize that something is burning, and they hear the sound of the fire brigade. The verse ends by highlighting how freeing prisoners can be a dangerous thing.

The third and final verse talks about the singer leaving the town and washing his hands of what he has done. He realizes that his actions could have consequences, and he hopes that he did the right thing. The song ends with the chorus, emphasizing how everyone wants to be free, especially during the spring when nature is blooming.

Overall, the song is a commentary on the idea of freedom and how it can be restricted due to social constructs. The singer is torn between wanting to do the right thing and fearing the consequences of his actions.

Line by Line Meaning

Släpp fångarne loss, det är vår!
Free the prisoners, it's spring! Everyone wants to be free and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Var männska i sin själ i grunden vill så väl
Every person in their soul wants what is good.

Och aldrig jag tror att det går, av sociala skäl
But I don't think it's possible due to social reasons.

Men, gärna för mig, om jag konstapel vore
But if I were a police officer, I would happily let them go.

Jag öppnade, nyckeln kved på Fridas milda bud
I would open the lock when Frida gives me the sign.

De komme i trav, så vilda ut de fore Och andades av luften ljum och såge vårens skrud
They would come running out, so excited and happy to breathe the warm spring air and witness the beauty of spring.

När natten är inne är Frida nu med på mitt resonemang?
I wonder if Frida agrees with my plan now that it's night?

Förskräckes vart sinne, en klämtning från kyrktornet klang
Everyone is scared by the ringing of the church bell.

Och bort emot söder ser rökpelar'n stiger mot himmelens grund Det pyr och det glöder och brandkåren bullrar på stund
Smoke rises from the south as a fire breaks out, and the fire department rushes to put it out.

Och rådman är vaken, vid fönstret han skakar för kylande vind I skenet från staken står dottern så bleknad om kind
The magistrate is awake, shivering by the window due to the cold wind. In the light of the candle, his daughter looks pale and scared.

En dörr börjar dundra, ur mörkret fram störtar en svartskäggig man Ta hit ett par hundra, nu brådskar det, gubbe, minsann!
A door slams, and a bearded man rushes in from the darkness, demanding some money urgently.

Med fickorna fulla av pengar han rusar mot dörren och lyss Han vänder Min pulla, ro hit med en smällande kyss!
With his pockets full of money, he runs towards the door, but before leaving he turns to the girl and demands a kiss.

Men rådmannen ryter så blodet hos boven blir kallt som en is Och luft honom tryter, Tag hellre min silverservis!
The magistrate roars at him, making him freeze in fear. Instead of the kiss, he takes the silverware.

Jag tvekar som Frida förstår, av sociala skäl
I hesitate, as Frida understands, due to social reasons.

Dock, gärna för mig om jag konstapel vore Jag öppnade, nyckeln kved på hennes milda bud
But still, if I were a police officer, I would open the lock when Frida gives me the sign.

Men stunden därpå jag brått från staden fore Och mina händer tvådde jag för följderna vid Gud
But immediately afterward, I had to flee the town, and I washed my hands clean of any consequences from God.

Writer(s): Sjoberg

Contributed by Ian Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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