Lundell made his debut in 1975 with the LP "Vargmåne" and was immediately hailed as "Sweden's Bob Dylan". In 1976 his first novel, the autobiographical "Jack" was published. Lundell was influenced by musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and writers such as Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and other beat poets.
Lundell is one of the central figures in Swedish rock music and he is one of the most important influences on Swedish musicians writing and singing in Swedish.
His biggest hit up until today is "Öppna landskap" from 1982, a song once proposed to be Sweden's new national anthem.
Apart from the obvious link to Bruce Springsteen, Lundell has also let himself be influenced by artists like U2 and especially The Edge and his special guitar sound. The references to U2's "Achtung Baby" are very present in Lundell's releases in the years after "Achtung Baby".
Another link to U2 is the fact that U2-photographer Anton Corbijn is the man behind the camera on Lundell's albums "Man Utan Kvinnor" (1996) and "Club Zebra" (2002).
His latest release is the massive collectors box: Under Vulkanen 1972-2007. (14 CD's of unreleased material plus 2 DVD's containing b-sides, songs from compilations and other material. 104 of the songs included in the box are so-called "never heard before"-items.)
He also published his latest novel "Vädermannen" (The Weatherman) in the spring of 2008.
Cool Water
Ulf Lundell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Och tvätta din trut dagen är slut
Festen är över fast alla festar
Talet har tystnat fast alla talar
Döden tar fatt dig i desssa salar
Håll andan en kort minut och smyg sen försiktigt ut
Kan du förstå vad som här passerar
Död är allting du ser
Hur du än grubblar och kalkulerar
Hur du än frågar och söker minnas
Kommer den stunden att åter finnas
Gå härifrån Jag ber
Låt bli drick inget mer
Res dig Se dig nu kring Försiktigt
Gå bort till dörren som gapar ljus
Lämna ditt krus
Det som ska göras ska göras riktigt
Det som ska göras ska göras snarast
Gå dit där ljuset syns vara klarast
Glöm detta onda rus
Aldrig mer antabus
The lyrics of Ulf Lundell's song "Cool Water" convey a sense of reflection and introspection about the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death. The opening lines speak of tidying up one's sparse, empty tests (possibly referring to personal trials or experiences) and borrowing a comb, symbolizing a desire for order and self-improvement. Washing away the day's troubles becomes a metaphor for cleansing oneself before the end of the day.
The song goes on to describe a state where people continue to party, yet the festivities have lost their meaning. The speech has ceased, but everyone continues to talk, suggesting a superficiality to their interactions. Death, personified as a presence in these rooms, takes hold of individuals, leading the singer to advise taking a brief moment to hold one's breath before quietly leaving.
The lyrics question whether one can understand and grasp the significance of what is happening. Despite one's pondering and calculating, the reality is that everything is heading towards death. No matter how much one searches and asks, there will come a time when that moment returns.
The song urges the listener to leave the scene, refrain from drinking, and face the truth. The line "Det som ska göras ska göras riktigt" (What needs to be done, must be done properly) carries a sense of urgency. The final line, "Aldrig mer antabus" (Never again Antabuse), may refer to a medication used to treat alcohol dependency, suggesting a desire to break free from destructive habits.
Overall, "Cool Water" is a contemplative song that encourages reflection on the brevity of life and the importance of living authentically and honestly.
Line by Line Meaning
Ordna till dina glesa testar låna min kam
Arrange your sparse hair borrow my comb
Och tvätta din trut dagen är slut
And wash your beak when the day is done
Festen är över fast alla festar
The party is over even though everyone is partying
Talet har tystnat fast alla talar
The speech has silenced even though everyone is talking
Döden tar fatt dig i dessa salar
Death catches up with you in these halls
Håll andan en kort minut och smyg sen försiktigt ut
Hold your breath for a short moment and then sneak out quietly
Kan du förstå vad som här passerar
Can you understand what is passing by here
Fattar du vad det är som sker
Do you grasp what is happening
Död är allting du ser
Death is everything you see
Hur du än grubblar och kalkulerar
No matter how much you ponder and calculate
Hur du än frågar och söker minnas
No matter how much you ask and try to remember
Kommer den stunden att åter finnas
That moment will come back again
Gå härifrån Jag ber
Leave from here I beg
Låt bli drick inget mer
Don't drink, nothing more
Res dig Se dig nu kring Försiktigt
Stand up Look around you carefully
Gå bort till dörren som gapar ljus
Go towards the door that is gaping light
Lämna ditt krus
Leave your mug
Det som ska göras ska göras riktigt
What needs to be done should be done right
Det som ska göras ska göras snarast
What needs to be done should be done soonest
Gå dit där ljuset syns vara klarast
Go where the light seems to be the brightest
Glöm detta onda rus
Forget this evil rush
Aldrig mer antabus
Never again Antabuse
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CORNELIS VREESWIJK, BJOERN JSON LINDH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind