Her father, the musician Anders Östman, scored a Swedish number one hit in the 1970s. He opened a music store after he stopped touring. Anders Östman introduced Tove to guitar when she was a child, but she preferred the piano, being encouraged by her piano teacher grandfather.
Her mother Anna, a former dancer and ballet instructor, is the manager of a ballet academy and enrolled her in dance classes at an early age. Tove has a younger and an older sister. Tove Styrke began performing as a vocalist in a local jazz band in her high school years. She also modeled for various publications.
Styrke was discovered by Anders Bagge during his tour for Swedish Idol 2009. On this competition, she performed songs by Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, The Killers, The Sounds, David Bowie, Elvis Presley, U2, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Katy Perry, Sandi Thom, Eurythmics, Russ Ballard, Ted Gärdestad and Bobby Darin. She finished third in the competition, after Calle Kristiansson and the winner Erik Grönwall.
After this contest, she was signed by Sony Music in December 2009. In June 2010, Tove released her first single "Million Pieces", written by Adam Olenius of Shout Out Louds and by Lykke Li.
In 12 November 2010, she released her debut album Tove Styrke. The album has been produced by Patrik Berger, Lotus & 2manyfreckles, Peter Ågren, Janne Kask and Paw. Most tracks have been written by Tove Styrke, Patrik Berger, Peter Ågren and Janne Kask.
The second single, "White Light Moment", charted at number 5 on the Swedish top singles chart and has been certified gold. In January 2011, Tove Styrke won the "Best Newcomer" award at P3 Guld.
At the end of February 2011, it was released High and Low EP which included "High and Low (2011 Remake)" and another five remixes. In April 2011, Styrke featured in an IKEA commercial, where she performed the Swedish lullaby "Byssan Lull".
On 19 August 2011, the single "Call My Name" was released on digital download. The song has peaked to number 28 on the Swedish Singles Chart. "Call My Name" has been nominated for "Best Song of the Year" at P3 Guld.
In September 2011, the Swedish band Caotico released the single "Brains Out (with Tove Styrke)". She also appeared on "Brains Out" music video.
In 23 November 2014, the EP Borderline has been issued. In 8 June 2015, she released her second album, Kiddo.
Official site: http://www.tovestyrkemusic.com
Four Elements
Tove Styrke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your search won'’t find me
I'm hiding in the waves
I'm like fire but my ashes are colorful
You search, I'm dancing
Flames won't lock me in
I could hold you like this
When summer mornings kiss the breeze
We will be who we want to be
I'll just be me
Earth is moving, I'm watching the stars collide
Moonlight shadows, cities with no names
I'm not waiting
I'm not wasting lies tonight
Wind keeps me sailing
Flames won't lock me in
I could hold you like this
Let you hear and make you see
When summer mornings kiss the breeze
We will be who we want to be
I'll just be me
When the wind is blowing you will see
I can make you feel it naturally
The air tonight will make you breathe
The air tonight will make you breathe
When the wind is blowing you will see
I can make you feel it naturally
The air tonight will make you breathe
The air tonight will make you breathe
The lyrics to Tove Styrke's song Four Elements are a combination of metaphors that paint a picture of a person who is elusive, free and uncontainable. In the first verse, Styrke compares herself to water, stating that she runs like a river and is hiding in the waves. Water is often used as a symbol of purification and renewal, as well as a symbol of change, which suggests that Styrke may be going through a transformation.
In the second part of the verse, Styrke describes herself as fire, saying that her ashes are colorful and that flames won't lock her in. Fire is generally associated with passion and creativity, so she may be expressing her desire to be free to live life on her own terms. Styrke then goes on to sing about the Earth moving and the stars colliding, imagery that suggests that she is in tune with the natural world and is not afraid to explore and take risks.
In the chorus, Styrke offers comfort to someone else, saying that she could hold them and make them see and hear. She wants them to feel free to be themselves, just as she is. Finally, in the bridge, Styrke speaks of the wind blowing and how it makes one feel alive. It is as if she is saying that she wants to inspire others to feel this same sense of freedom as she does.
Line by Line Meaning
Just like water I'll run like the river flows
I am fluid and adaptable. I will move naturally like a river without obstruction and without a definitive form.
Your search won'’t find me
You cannot locate me by searching for me as I am constantly shifting and changing in form and movement.
I'm hiding in the waves
I am not easily visible or accessible as I am concealed in the natural movement of the waves.
I'm like fire but my ashes are colorful
I have a passionate and intense energy, but even when reduced to ashes, the remains will still radiate color and beauty.
You search, I'm dancing
You may try to find me but I am not standing still. I am free to dance and move as I please, untethered by your attempts to locate me.
Flames won't lock me in
Even when confronted with obstacles, I will not be restricted or limited. I will continue to burn with a fierce energy that cannot be contained.
I could hold you like this
I am capable of comforting and supporting you in this moment.
Let you hear and make you see
I can use my words and actions to help you understand and visualize something in a new way.
When summer mornings kiss the breeze
During beautiful summertime mornings, when the air is gentle and sweet, we will be able to relax and be ourselves.
We will be who we want to be
We will be free to express ourselves and live authentically without any restrictions or expectations.
I'll just be me
I will be true to myself without trying to conform or fulfill any external expectations.
Earth is moving, I'm watching the stars collide
Despite the constant motion and collision of the earth and the heavenly bodies around us, I am calmly observing and taking in the beauty of it all.
Moonlight shadows, cities with no names
I am intrigued by the mysterious and anonymous shadows cast by the moon in urban areas with unknown histories.
I'm not waiting
I am not holding back or wasting my time waiting for something to happen or someone to arrive.
I'm not wasting lies tonight
I will not engage in deceitful or dishonest behavior this evening. It is a time for truth and authenticity.
Wind keeps me sailing
The natural movement and force of the wind propels me forward, allowing me to continue on my journey without obstruction.
When the wind is blowing you will see
When the wind is at its most powerful and free, you will be able to see me in all my glory.
I can make you feel it naturally
I have the ability to make others feel and experience the beauty of nature and the elements in a completely authentic way.
The air tonight will make you breathe
The freshness and purity of the air tonight will inspire you to take deep, refreshing breaths and appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
Contributed by Matthew A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.