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.
Til Julebal I Nisseland
Tommy Seebach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gæt engang min lille ven, hvor vi nu skal hen.
Til julebal - til julebal i Nisseland.
På med vanten, så suser vi afsted.
Nej vent nu lidt, du sjove, lille nissemand,
elefanten, den må vi da ha' med.
På alle veje strømmer den glade nisseflok.
Jeg tror at jeg drømmer, nej det er rigtig nok.
Der er gilde i nissekongens hal.
Der er risengrød fra fad - bare spis - dejlig mad.
Tag en smørklat på din ske - drys med julesne.
Til julebal - til julebal i Nisseland.
Ih, du milde - nu danser de ballet.
Jeg laver spjæt - så flot som nogen nisse kan.
Hvis jeg ville, så fløj jeg li' så let.
Vi danser hele natten og laver hurlumhej.
Vi blæser på katten - så render den sin vej.
Spil op musik til jule-jule-jule-jule-julemik.
Nissehuen, den passer på en prik.
Der er no'en, som ikke vil - tro der er - nisser til.
Hør, hvad jeg fortæller dem, når jeg kommer hjem.
I nat var jeg til julebal i Nisseland,
og vi laved' en masse nisseskæg.
Der er så flot i kongens slot i Nisseland -
jeg har travet en mil fra væg til væg.
De bedste venner har jeg blandt de små nissemænd.
I morgen så ta'r jeg måske afsted igen.
Til julebal, til jule-jule-jule-jule-julebal.
Der er gilde i nissekongens hal.
Til julebal, til jule-jule-jule-jule-julebal.
Der er gilde i nissekongens hal.
The first verse begins with the sound of a clock striking thirteen, setting the scene for an unusual and fantastical setting. The singer invites a friend to come with them to a Christmas ball in Nisseland, a mythical land inhabited by elves and other creatures. The second verse describes the preparations for the journey, including donning warm clothing and bringing an elephant along for the ride. The singer and their friend observe a bustling crowd of merry elves on their journey, and the singer even wonders if it's all a dream.
The chorus describes the festivities in Nisseland, including a feast of rice pudding and other delicious food. The singer participates in a lively dance, showing off their nisse moves and causing a ruckus with their friends. The final verse suggests that some people may not believe in the existence of elves and Nisseland, but the singer assures them that they've visited and had a wonderful time. They've made great friends among the small nisse creatures and may even return to Nisseland for another Christmas ball.
Overall, Til Julebal I Nisseland is a joyful and whimsical song about Christmas celebrations in a magical land. It captures the wonder and excitement of the holiday season and invites the listener to join in the fun.
Line by Line Meaning
Sikke mange klokken slår - tretten slag - tiden går
The clock strikes many times, thirteen times in particular, and we must hurry.
Gæt engang min lille ven, hvor vi nu skal hen.
Hey friend, can you guess where we're headed?
Til julebal - til julebal i Nisseland.
We're off to a Christmas ball, specifically in the land of gnomes.
På med vanten, så suser vi afsted.
Let's put on our gloves and be on our way.
Nej vent nu lidt, du sjove, lille nissemand, elefanten, den må vi da ha' med.
Wait a minute, you funny little gnome, we can't forget to bring the elephant.
På alle veje strømmer den glade nisseflok.
All the roads are filled with happy gnomes heading to the same ball.
Jeg tror at jeg drømmer, nej det er rigtig nok.
This all seems like a dream, but it's actually happening.
I nat vi skal til jule-jule-jule-jule-julebal.
Tonight, we're going to a Christmas ball, emphasized by the repeating of the word.
Der er gilde i nissekongens hal.
There's a feast taking place in the gnome king's hall.
Der er risengrød fra fad - bare spis - dejlig mad.
There's rice pudding on a platter, just eat up, it's delicious food.
Tag en smørklat på din ske - drys med julesne.
Add a dollop of butter to your spoonful and sprinkle some Christmas snow on top.
Ih, du milde - nu danser de ballet.
Oh my goodness, now they're dancing ballet.
Jeg laver spjæt - så flot som nogen nisse kan. Hvis jeg ville, så fløj jeg li' så let.
I'm doing fancy jumps as well as any gnome can, and if I wanted to, I could fly just as easily.
Vi danser hele natten og laver hurlumhej. Vi blæser på katten - så render den sin vej.
We'll dance all night and have a merry old time. If a cat comes along, we'll just shoo it away.
Spil op musik til jule-jule-jule-jule-julemik. Nissehuen, den passer på en prik.
Play the music loud for the Christmas microphone, and make sure the gnome hat fits perfectly.
Der er no'en, som ikke vil - tro der er - nisser til.
Some people don't believe that gnomes exist.
Hør, hvad jeg fortæller dem, når jeg kommer hjem.
Wait until I share the stories of tonight when I get back home.
I nat var jeg til julebal i Nisseland, og vi laved' en masse nisseskæg.
Tonight, I went to a Christmas ball in gnome land, and we had a lot of gnome fun.
Der er så flot i kongens slot i Nisseland - jeg har travet en mil fra væg til væg.
The king's palace in gnome land is so magnificent - I've walked a whole mile from wall to wall.
De bedste venner har jeg blandt de små nissemænd. I morgen så ta'r jeg måske afsted igen.
My best friends are among the little gnome men. Maybe I'll leave again tomorrow.
Til julebal, til jule-jule-jule-jule-julebal. Der er gilde i nissekongens hal.
To the Christmas ball, where we'll have lots of fun. There's a feast going on in the gnome king's hall.
Contributed by Isaac P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.