Tove Anna Linnéa Östman Styrke (born 19 November 1992 in Umeå, Sweden) is a… Read Full Bio ↴Tove Anna Linnéa Östman Styrke (born 19 November 1992 in Umeå, Sweden) is a singer, songwriter, pianist and model. She was a contestant on Swedish Idol 2009 and ended up in third place. After Idol 2009, she started a solo career as an electropop singer and songwriter. She is best known for the hit singles "White Light Moment", "Call My Name", "Borderline" and "Ego".

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

Sticks And Stones
Tove Styrke Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sticks and stones
Sticks and stones
Sticks and stones
Sticks and stones

These sticks and stones, oh they hurt more than you know
Be careful what you throw, why can't you just let it go
It may not show, but it cuts me to the bone

I'm taking every blow, why can't you just let it go

Put your hands up, if you wanna get tough with me
I gotta see it to believe that you really wanna get mean
Name a place and show up if you wanna pick a fight with me
I'm not staying behind the scenes, no more playing hide 'n' seek
3-2-1 here I come

I don't wanna say too much
But I think I hate your guts
And your life must really suck
Must really really really suck

These sticks and stones, oh they hurt more than you know
Be careful what you throw, why can't you just let it go
It may not show, but it cuts me to the bone
I'm taking every blow, why can't you just let it go

I was gonna keep quiet but my patience is wearing thin
Better go buy me a thicker skin
Cause this round you're not gonna win
Now I don't deny it, this time you really got to me
It was on my mind, I couldn't sleep
So you're not getting off so easy

I don't wanna say too much
But I think I hate your guts
And your life must really suck
Must really really really suck

These sticks and stones, oh they hurt more than you know
Be careful what you throw, why can't you just let it go
It may not show, but it cuts me to the bone
I'm taking every blow, why can't you just let it go

No I don't mean to sound distressed
But unless I get some respect
I might have to break your neck

I don't wanna say too much
But I think I hate your guts
And your life must really suck
Must really really really suck

These sticks and stones, oh they hurt more than you know
Be careful what you throw, why can't you just let it go
It may not show, but it cuts me to the bone
I'm taking every blow, why can't you just let it go

These sticks and stones, oh they hurt more than you know
These sticks and stones, oh they hurt more than you know

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tove Styrke's song Sticks and Stones highlight the impact of hurtful words and actions. The repetition of the phrase "Sticks and stones" emphasizes that despite the old adage of "words can never hurt me," in reality, they can cause significant pain. Styrke encourages the person who is causing the hurt to "be careful what you throw" and "just let it go." She expresses her frustration at the ongoing attacks, stating that she is "taking every blow."

In the chorus, Styrke challenges her tormentor to physically confront her if they want to be "tough." She suggests that by hiding behind their words, they are not genuine in their intentions. Styrke acknowledges that the words have affected her, saying that while it "may not show," it "cuts me to the bone."

In the bridge, Styrke reveals that she was initially going to remain silent but has reached her limit. She urges her tormentor to show her respect and warns them that she might have to resort to violence to defend herself. Overall, the song conveys the message that words can and do hurt, and encourages people to be mindful of the impact of their actions and words on others.

Line by Line Meaning

Sticks and stones
Repeating the phrase to emphasize that hurtful words and actions can be damaging

These sticks and stones, oh they hurt more than you know
Acknowledging the harm that words and actions can cause, even if it's not immediately visible

Be careful what you throw, why can't you just let it go
Encouraging people to think before they speak or act, and suggesting that sometimes it's better to move on from a situation rather than dwell on it

It may not show, but it cuts me to the bone
Explaining that even if someone seems unaffected by hurtful words or actions, they can still be harmed deeply

I'm taking every blow, why can't you just let it go
Expressing frustration that someone continues to cause harm, despite the emotional toll it is taking

Put your hands up, if you wanna get tough with me
Challenging someone who wants to start a fight

I gotta see it to believe that you really wanna get mean
Doubting that the person really wants to fight, and suggesting that their behavior may just be for show

Name a place and show up if you wanna pick a fight with me
Accepting the challenge and inviting the person to confront them in a specific location

I'm not staying behind the scenes, no more playing hide 'n' seek
Refusing to back down and making it clear that they won't hide from confrontation

3-2-1 here I come
Taking a bold and confident stance for the upcoming confrontation

I don't wanna say too much
Prefacing that they are hesitant to reveal their true feelings

But I think I hate your guts
Admitting that they truly dislike the person

And your life must really suck
Assuming that the person's negative behavior is likely due to their own personal issues

I was gonna keep quiet but my patience is wearing thin
Explaining that they originally chose to stay quiet, but can no longer tolerate the person's actions

Better go buy me a thicker skin
Telling the person to prepare for a more intense response

Cause this round you're not gonna win
Asserting that they will come out on top in the upcoming confrontation

Now I don't deny it, this time you really got to me
Admitting that the person caused harm this time, despite trying to brush it off earlier

It was on my mind, I couldn't sleep
Detailing that they were deeply affected by the situation, and had trouble sleeping as a result

So you're not getting off so easy
Warning the person that there will be consequences for their actions

No I don't mean to sound distressed
Clarifying that they are not overly emotional, but have valid reasons for their reaction

But unless I get some respect
Explaining that the person's behavior is disrespectful, and that they need to change it

I might have to break your neck
Using hyperbole to emphasize that they will take stronger action if necessary

These sticks and stones, oh they hurt more than you know
Repeating the chorus to reiterate that words and actions can have a deep impact

Writer(s): Victoria Hesketh, Stefan Graslund

Contributed by Micah W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS