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.
Krøller eller ej
Tommy Seebach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jeg har en dreng på tre med store, brune øjne
Jamen, jeg har bare én mer' end du har
Okay, måske, men ingen er bedre end min
For han er bare helt speciel
Hvis jeg må si' det selv
Krøller eller ej - vi elsker vores børn
Brune øjne eller ej - vi elsker jeres børn
Vi håber alle på at de må få de ting, de ønsker sig
Om de' fire eller tres, har krøller eller ej
For én ting er givet -
Vi håber alle på at de må få de ting, de ønsker sig
Om de' fire eller tres, har krøller eller ej
Længe leve alle børn
Lyse krøller eller ej - vi elsker vores børn
Brune øjne eller ej - vi elsker jeres børn
For én ting er givet -
Vi håber alle på at de må få de ting, de ønsker sig
Om de' fire eller tres, har krøller eller ej
(Længe leve børn)
(Om de har krøller eller ej)
The lyrics of Tommy Seebach's song Krøller eller ej are about the love and pride a parent has for their children, regardless of their physical appearances. The song speaks about how the singer has two sons, one with curly hair and one with brown eyes, and how he believes his son with curly hair is "special". He also emphasizes how all children are unique and special, and how every parent hopes that their child achieves their dreams and desires, regardless of how they look or how old they are. In the end, the song celebrates all children, regardless of their physical traits, and affirms the love and hope that all parents have for their offspring.
Line by Line Meaning
Jeg har en søn på to med store, lyse krøller
I have a two-year-old son with big, bright curls
Jeg har en dreng på tre med store, brune øjne
I have a three-year-old boy with big, brown eyes
Jamen, jeg har bare én mer' end du har
Well, I just have one more than you do
Okay, måske, men ingen er bedre end min
Okay, maybe, but none are better than mine
For han er bare helt speciel
Because he is just really special
Hvis jeg må si' det selv
If I may say so myself
Krøller eller ej - vi elsker vores børn
Curls or not - we love our children
Brune øjne eller ej - vi elsker jeres børn
Brown eyes or not - we love your children
For én ting er givet -
For one thing is certain -
Vi håber alle på at de må få de ting, de ønsker sig
We all hope that they will get the things they wish for
Om de' fire eller tres, har krøller eller ej
Whether they're four or three, have curls or not
Længe leve alle børn
Long live all children
Lyse krøller eller ej - vi elsker vores børn
Light curls or not - we love our children
Brune øjne eller ej - vi elsker jeres børn
Brown eyes or not - we love your children
Længe leve børn
Long live children
(Om de har krøller eller ej)
(Whether they have curls or not)
Writer(s): tommy seebach
Contributed by Blake D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@oliviarasmussen727
Festlig og glad Melodi grand Prix sang 🎉🎉😊 det var den tid hvor melodi grand Prix var festlig og farverig, hvor man kunne synge med på sangene hele sommeren lang... idag lyder grand Prix sangene langt mere kedelige og med ensformet melodier.
@copenhagener
Dublin 1981 - will NEVER forget! Tanx for the music Tommy! You're still missed!
@Botafogoplayground
Indeed
@geertjwassing
I think ..one of the best eurovision songs ever.... (and also with a message!).
@mrangel36
Det er så fedt at så mange har lagt ALLE de gammle vidioer ind med ham. Takker og bukker nu er jeg ung igen :-)
@licborn
Det er da sjovt og helt fantastisk det her!
@geertjwassing
wow ...one of the best ESF songs ever.. I like these early 80"s beats... !!
@palpatina
Pastel farver og dybe sangtekster. Gotta love da 80's... Og Tommy. TOMMY!
@mygoproadventuresDK
- og ørevarmere indendørs, ikke at forglemme :D
@WEZEEN
R.I.P Etta Cameron & Tommy Seebach!!