The Elsewhere GazetteExtra
Blue Swede
Swedish rock band (1973-1979)
Blue Swede were a Swedish rock band fronted by Björn Skifs which was active between the years 1973–1979. Blue Swede released two albums of cover versions, including a rendition of "Hooked on a Feeling", which brought them international chart success.
The band consisted of Anders Berglund (piano), Björn Skifs, Bosse Liljedahl (bass), Hinke Ekestubbe (saxophone), Jan Guldbäck (drums), Michael Areklew (guitar), and Tommy Berglund (trumpet). They disbanded after Skifs decided to embark on his solo career.
File card: Blue Swede
members: Anders Berglund, Björn Skifs, Michael Areklew, Jan Guldbäck, Bosse Liljedahl, Tommy Berglund, Hinke Ekestubbe
formed in: Stockholm
labels: Capitol Records
genres: pop rock
Facts from Wikidata and Discogs, free to use.
The Airwaves CourierExtra
Career
Blue Swede was first formed in 1973, when Björn Skifs, a top vocalist in Sweden, was looking for a band to accompany him during his concerts.
The Night Owl Edition1974
Hooked On A Feeling
Pop song written by Mark James, first recorded by B.J. Thomas in 1968
"Hooked on a Feeling" is a 1968 pop song written by Mark James and first recorded by American singer B. J.
Thomas. Thomas's version featured the sound of the electric sitar and reached No. 5 in 1969 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Production
The song was written by Mark James, who was introduced to producer Chips Moman around 1967 by Moman's mutual friend Steve Tyrell, a singer and James' manager. James was hired by early 1968 to write for Moman's publishing company, which led to him writing songs for many artists, including his childhood friend B.J. Thomas. One of these songs was "Hooked on a Feeling", which James wrote about the thrills of being in love, inspired by his feelings for his childhood sweetheart. It was recorded at the American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee in 1968, with musicians Tommy Cogbill (guitar) Reggie Young (guitar), Mike Leech (bass) and Gene Chrisman (drums). It was first released on October 29 of that year. Country artists Louise Mandrell and RC...
In popular culture
In 1992, Blue Swede's recording was featured on the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino's debut feature, Reservoir Dogs.
Covers
In 1971, British musician Jonathan King recorded a cover version of the song, also with ooga chaka chants. King described it as "a reggae rhythm by male voices". His version reached No. 23 on the UK Singles Chart in November 1971.
