Sweden is known for its vibrant music scene and has produced some of the world’s most beloved artists. From the early days of ABBA to the modern electro-pop of Robyn, Swedish music has been a major influence on the global music industry.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best-selling Swedish music artists of all time and explore their unique contributions to the world of music. We’ll also discuss the impact that Swedish music has had on the world and why it continues to be so popular. So, let’s dive in and discover the best-selling Swedish music artists!
Overview
Sweden is a Scandinavian country located in Northern Europe. It has a population of around 10 million people and is known for its beautiful landscapes, vibrant culture, and diverse music scene.
Sweden has produced some of the world’s most iconic music artists, including ABBA, Roxette, and Avicii. Swedish music has been influenced by a variety of genres, from folk and jazz to pop and rock. Sweden is also home to some of the world’s most successful DJs and producers, including Eric Prydz, Alesso, and Steve Angello.
Sweden is also known for its contributions to the world of metal music. Bands such as In Flames, Opeth, and Meshuggah are all from Sweden and have gained international recognition for their unique sound. In addition, the country is home to a thriving indie music scene, with many bands such as The Knife, The Radio Dept., and Jens Lekman gaining recognition around the world.
Impact on the industry
Swedish music has had a significant impact on the music industry. Sweden has produced a number of influential artists, bands, and producers who have shaped the sound of popular music in the 21st century. Swedish pop has been a major influence on the development of modern pop music, with artists like ABBA, Robyn, and Avicii helping to shape the sound of the genre.
Swedish music has also been influential in the development of electronic music, with producers like Swedish House Mafia and Eric Prydz pushing the boundaries of the genre. Additionally, Sweden has been a hotbed for metal music, with bands like Meshuggah, Amon Amarth, and In Flames helping to define the sound of extreme metal. Swedish music has had a profound impact on the music industry, and its influence will continue to be felt for years to come.
Our top picks:
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop music group formed in 1972. The group consisted of members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The group became one of the most commercially successful acts in the history of popular music, topping the charts worldwide from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s. ABBA’s music is characterized by catchy melodies, vocal harmonies, and clever lyrics.
The group’s most popular songs include “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” “The Winner Takes It All,” and “Waterloo.” ABBA is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 400 million records sold worldwide.
Avicii
Avicii was a Swedish DJ, remixer, and record producer who was one of the most successful and influential EDM artists of all time. He is best known for his hit singles “Wake Me Up” and “Levels,” which were both international chart-toppers.
He was nominated for two Grammy Awards and won two MTV Music Awards. Avicii was also a pioneer in fusing electronic music with elements of multiple genres, including pop, folk, and country. He died in 2018 at the age of 28.
Roxette
Roxette is a Swedish pop-rock duo, consisting of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle. The duo formed in 1986 and achieved international success in the late 1980s and early 1990s with their albums Look Sharp! and Joyride, which spawned the hit singles “The Look”, “Listen to Your Heart”, “It Must Have Been Love”, and “Joyride”. Their third album, Tourism, became one of the most successful albums of 1992 and sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
The duo released a string of hit singles and albums throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, including the albums Crash! Boom! Bang! and Have a Nice Day. Roxette was one of the most successful pop acts of the 1990s, selling over 75 million records worldwide.
Ace of Base
Ace of Base was a Swedish pop group from Gothenburg, Sweden. The band was formed in 1990 and consisted of Ulf Ekberg, Jonas Berggren, Jenny Berggren, and Linn Berggren. They released their debut album, Happy Nation, in 1992 and achieved international success with their hit singles “All That She Wants,” “The Sign,” and “Don’t Turn Around.”
Their music was heavily influenced by contemporary R&B and pop music of the early 1990s, and they were one of the most successful Swedish bands of the 1990s. They continued to release albums throughout the mid-1990s, and their last album, Flowers, was released in 1998.
Robyn
Robyn is a Swedish singer, songwriter, and producer. She began her music career in the late 1990s, releasing her debut album, Robyn Is Here, in 1997. The album spawned two top 10 singles in both Sweden and the United States and was certified platinum in both countries. Robyn has since released eight studio albums, including her most recent, Honey, in 2018.
She has become an international sensation, selling over 10 million albums worldwide and collaborating with a wide range of artists, from Snoop Dogg to Diplo. Her music has been praised for its innovative blend of pop, R&B, and electronic music, and she has been nominated for numerous awards, including five Grammy Awards. Robyn is also an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights and mental health awareness.
The Cardigans
The Cardigans are an alternative rock band from Sweden that achieved international success in the mid-1990s. The band consists of singer Nina Persson, guitarist Peter Svensson, bassist Magnus Sveningsson, keyboardist Lars-Olof Johansson, and drummer Bengt Lagerberg. Their sound is a mix of pop, rock, and alternative, with influences from jazz, folk, and country music.
The Cardigans are best known for their hit singles “Lovefool” and “My Favourite Game,” both of which were featured in the films Romeo + Juliet and 10 Things I Hate About You, respectively. The band has released eight studio albums since their formation in 1992, most recently in 2018 with their album, “Erase/Rewind.”
Eric Saade
Eric Saade is a Swedish singer and songwriter who rose to fame in 2010 after winning the Swedish version of Pop Idol. He is best known for his hit singles “Manboy” and “Popular”. Saade has released four studio albums, two of which have been certified Platinum in Sweden.
He has also won several awards, including a Swedish Grammy and a World Music Award. Saade has collaborated with several artists, including J-Son, Dev, and Mohombi. He has also represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest, finishing in 3rd place in 2011 with the song “Popular”.
Zara Larsson
Zara Larsson is a Swedish singer and songwriter. She first gained recognition in 2008 when she placed third in the Swedish version of the talent show, Talang. Since then, she has gone on to become one of the most successful pop stars in Sweden and around the world.
She has released three studio albums and several hit singles, including “Lush Life” and “Never Forget You”. She has won numerous awards, including four Grammy Awards, two MTV Europe Music Awards, and an MTV Video Music Award. Larsson is known for her powerful vocals and her upbeat, danceable pop songs.
The Hives
The Hives are a Swedish rock band that formed in 1993. They are known for their high-energy live shows and garage rock-influenced sound. The band consists of lead vocalist Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist, guitarists Niklas Almqvist and Chris Dangerous, bassist Dr. Matt Destruction, and drummer Chris Dangerous.
The Hives rose to fame in the early 2000s as part of the garage rock revival. They released their debut album, Veni Vidi Vicious, in 2000 and have since released four more albums, including Tyrannosaurus Hives (2004), The Black and White Album (2007), Lex Hives (2012), and their most recent album, Barely Legal (2017). The band has also released numerous singles, including “Hate to Say I Told You So” and “Walk Idiot Walk”.
The Hives have been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards and have won several Swedish Music Awards. They have also performed at major music festivals such as Coachella, Glastonbury, and Lollapalooza.
Lykke Li
Lykke Li is a Swedish singer, songwriter and actress. She is best known for her dreamy and melancholic pop music, which often incorporates elements of indie and electronic music. She has released four studio albums, most notably her 2008 debut Youth Novels, which reached number one on the Swedish album chart and was certified gold in Sweden.
Her other albums include Wounded Rhymes (2011), I Never Learn (2014) and so Sad So Sexy (2018). She has also collaborated with a variety of artists, including Drake, Robyn and Major Lazer. In addition to her music career, Li has also appeared in a number of films, including the Swedish film Pure (2010) and the British musical film Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018).
Summary
These are just a few of the many talented Swedish music artists who have achieved international success. From classic pop to modern EDM, Swedish music has something for everyone.
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