Tommy was born in Copenhagen. He started his musical career as an organist in his own group "The Colours" at 14 years of age, and in the years to follow he played in many pop and beat groups. He played piano with various orchestras and groups, sometimes going under the name of "Boogie-Woogie-Tommy". He broke through when in 1965 he became a member of the group Sir Henry And His Butlers, writing many of their most popular hits. In 1976 he also began performing solo, and with great success. His hit album "Tommygun" was released in 1977. At the same time he was in high demand as a producer at his record company EMI, and was involved in projects for among others Lecia & Lucienne.
He really hit his stride in 1979 when he won the Danish Melodi Grand Prix with Disco Tango (Danish lyrics) (English lyrics) which he coauthored with Keld Heick. It became a megahit both in Denmark and in other European countries. He represented Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest 1979 with the song, and ranked number 6.
He participated in the Danish Melodi Grand Prix again in 1980 with "Bye-Bye", and once again he won the competition in 1981, singing Krøller eller ej (Danish lyrics) (literally "Curls or not", but translated as "Straight or Curly Hair") with Debbie Cameron. It ranked number 11 at Eurovision Song Contest 1981. This song was also coauthored with Keld Heick.
He participated in the Danish Melodi Grand Prix a number of other times during the 1980s (1982, 1984, 1985 and 1987) without winning the competition. He had a big hit in 1989 with the duet Du skælder mig hele tiden ud (translated, "You're Always Yelling at Me"), sung with Annette Heick, Keld Heick's daughter. They followed up this success with two more singles and a Christmas album.
Top success was once again his in 1993 at the Danish Melodi Grand Prix when he performed Under stjernerne på himlen (Under the stars of the sky), another song coauthored with Keld Heick. However, the success was fleeting, and the tides turned for him at the Eurovision Song Contest 1993 when the song received only 9 points, giving him a ranking of 22 out of 25. The poor ranking caused Denmark to be disqualified from the following year's contest. Tommy was blamed for Denmark's defeat, and he suffered greatly as a result.
The 1990s were lean years for him as a performer and recording artist. He had a comeback of sorts on account of a disco-version of Krøller eller ej released in 1999, as well as the release of a compilation album. He toured the country's discotheques at that time and found cult interest in his old hits among a new, younger public.
Tommy lived life in the wild and fast lane as "King of the Grand Prix". He had great success and great failures. He had a problem with alcoholism. It took its toll on him and he died at the age of 53 from a heart attack at amusement park Bakken, where he was head of musical entertainment during the past several years.
Tommy competed eight times in the Danish Melodi Grand Prix. He and the musical group Hot Eyes were the only two acts ever to win the competition three times.
A tribute show to Tommy— The Tommy Seebach Show— tours Denmark and continues to bring his music to old and new fans.
Disco Tango
Tommy Seebach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Slår John Travolta i en rock 'n' roll
På diskoteket ta'r hun kegler, og der ka' man se
Dem stå i kø og skæve, hver gang hun gør sin entré
Om dagen lever hun et hundeliv
Og dyrker skoleridt som tidsfordriv
Men så når mørket falder på, er hun den, der står af
Hvad mon det er, hun vil ha'?
Disco tango à la carte
Og godt med garniture, flugt og fart
En jockey uden hest, der disc'er op
Med nyt fra USA, soul, reggae eller pop
Bach er lige fedt om dag'n
Beethoven ta'r endnu sin bid af kag'n
Men nat-menuen hedder lidt bizart:
En disco tango à la carte
Disco tango à la carte
Og godt med garniture, flugt og fart
En jockey uden hest, der disc'er op
Med nyt fra USA, soul, reggae eller pop
Bach er lige fedt om dag'n
Beethoven ta'r endnu sin bid af kag'n
Men nat-menuen hedder lidt bizart:
En disco tango à la carte
Tommy Seebach's song "Disco Tango" talks about a girl who is a star on the dance floor, beating John Travolta in Rock 'n' Roll Dance. She is the center of attention at the discotheque, and people line up to see her every time she enters. During the day, she lives an ordinary life and enjoys horseback riding as a pastime. However, when night falls, she appears to step out of her shell and become an energetic and wild dancer, demanding action wherever she goes. The singer ponders what it can be that she wants in life.
The chorus refers to the "Disco Tango à la carte" that the DJ provides. It's a combination of Disco and Tango music with a side dish of movement, speed, and excitement. The DJ plays new music from the United States, pop, soul, reggae, and more for his audience to dance to. The song concludes with the message that it doesn't matter what type of music one enjoys during the day. In the night, however, the menu has something amusing and bizarre.
Line by Line Meaning
Hun er en stjerne på et dansegulv
She shines like a star on the dance floor
Slår John Travolta i en rock 'n' roll
Outperforms John Travolta in an energetic dance form
På diskoteket ta'r hun kegler, og der ka' man se
She impresses everyone and becomes the center of attraction
Dem stå i kø og skæve, hver gang hun gør sin entré
People queue up to watch her perform when she enters
Om dagen lever hun et hundeliv
During the day, she leads a dull and boring life
Og dyrker skoleridt som tidsfordriv
As a pastime, she indulges in horseback riding
Men så når mørket falder på, er hun den, der står af
But when darkness falls, she is the one who lets loose
Hun kræver action, det' det samme hver eneste dag
She desires action and excitement every day, without fail
Hvad mon det er, hun vil ha'?
What could be the things that she actually desires?
Disco tango à la carte
Customized disco tango
Og godt med garniture, flugt og fart
And served with all the trimmings, escapades and speed
En jockey uden hest, der disc'er op
A disc jockey who pumps up the volume without any horses involved
Med nyt fra USA, soul, reggae eller pop
With fresh tracks from the USA, soul, reggae or pop genres
Bach er lige fedt om dag'n
Bach's music is suitable for daytime as well
Beethoven ta'r endnu sin bid af kag'n
Even Beethoven enjoys a slice of the cake
Men nat-menuen hedder lidt bizart:
But at night, the menu is slightly bizarre:
En disco tango à la carte
Customized disco tango
Og godt med garniture, flugt og fart
And served with all the trimmings, escapades and speed
En jockey uden hest, der disc'er op
A disc jockey who pumps up the volume without any horses involved
Med nyt fra USA, soul, reggae eller pop
With fresh tracks from the USA, soul, reggae or pop genres
Bach er lige fedt om dag'n
Bach's music is suitable for daytime as well
Beethoven ta'r endnu sin bid af kag'n
Even Beethoven enjoys a slice of the cake
Men nat-menuen hedder lidt bizart:
But at night, the menu is slightly bizarre:
En disco tango à la carte
Customized disco tango
Contributed by Lucy P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sverrevesterhus5567
One of the best Danish entries ever.
RIP Tommy Seebach.
@MegaPellepop
One of the best Eurovision songs ever :-)
@kingkonut
TOMMY SEEBACH ETERNAL KONIG OF EUROVISION
@isakmoore7511
helt enig med deg Per
@vigulfmusicproduct
R.I.P. Tommy. Takk for givende musikk:)
@susancrabtree3881
This is my all time favorite song. Ever.
@Lommy9999
A great song.
@corneliusmakin-bird7540
One of the greatest videos man made so far......
@joshgellis3292
It reallly moves! lol. Seriously though, I like it! I did just add it to a playlist I have.
@jeppegotfredsen4071
Tommy was Grand Prix King. Honor his soul