ABOUT
Blue Swede was a short-lived Swedish rock band that became famous during the mid 1970s. They are best known worldwide for their remake of the Mark James-penned "Hooked On A Feeling" (1974) originally made famous by B.J. Thomas. The Blue Swede version of this song kicks off with an unusual introduction featuring a repeated "ooga chaka" jungle chant.
Formed in 1973 in Stockholm by lead singer Bjorn Skifs, the lineup also consisted of Michael Areklew (guitar), Anders Berglund (piano), Tommy Berglund (trumpet), Hinke Ekestubbe (saxophone), Jan Guldback (drums), and Bosse Liljedahl (bass). By the end of 1973, the band had released on EMI its debut album, "Pinewood Rally."
Blue Swede debuted in the U.S. in early 1974 with "Hooked On A Feeling," which topped the Pop/Rock charts and became a million-seller. This smash also became a big hit in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Sweden, as well as several other European countries. Based on Jonathan King's 1971 reggae-styled rendition which also includes the "ooga chaka" chant, the band modified the original lyrics to avoid any references to drugs. Blue Swede followed up soon after with "Silly Milly" (1974) and a cover of The Association's "Never My Love" (1974), the latter of which made the Pop/Rock Top 10. The band's final charting song came in 1975 with "Hush/I'm Alive," a medley of "Hush" by Deep Purple and "I'm Alive" by Tommy James & The Shondells.
In 1975, Bjorn Skifs left to pursue a solo career and Blue Swede disbanded. Their version of "Hooked On A Feeling" is featured in the soundtracks to "Reservoir Dogs" (1992) and "Guardians Of The Galaxy" (2014) and was also used in an episode of the TV series, "Ally McBeal."
MERCHANDISE
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SONGS
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Blue Swede
- Hooked On A Feeling 1974
(This song topped the charts and was previously a hit for B.J. Thomas (1968).) - Never My Love 1974
(This song was previously a hit for the Association (1967), the Sandpebbles (1968), and the 5th Dimension (1971) and later also became a hit for the Addrisi Brothers (1977).)
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