Stockholm: Music Part of the Places of a Lifetime series from Traveler magazine

Compilations and classic songs that put you in mind of the city, from Traveler’s city playlist.

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Compilations:

... och stora havet, by Jakob Hellman (1989)
Jakob Hellman’s debut was famously voted Sweden’s “best album ever” in 2003. Achingly beautiful “Vintern dör” and the lyrics of “Hon har ett sätt” and “Tårarna” have made the album a modern classic.

Arrival, by Abba (1976)
Swedish pop sensation Abba was never better than in 1976. Remember “Dancing Queen,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “Money, Money, Money,” and ”When I Kissed the Teacher”? They’re all here.

Kär och galen, by Ulf Lundell (1982)
“Öppna landskap,” Ulf Lundell’s ode to nature, was seriously proposed as Sweden’s new national anthem when it hit radios in 1982. It made him a local superstar. Also noteworthy for title track and ”När jag kysser havet.”

Välkommen till förorten, by The Latin Kings (1994)
The Latin Kings brought dirty suburban hip-hop to Sweden big-time with their debut album “Welcome to the Projects” from 1994. Yes, the lyrics are somewhat vulgar, but not by U.S. standards.

Flygande Holländaren, by various artists (1987)
An homage to Dutchman Cornelis Vreeswijk who became the unlikely darling and bad boy of Swedish folklore. The elite of Swedish music life came out for this massive personal tribute after he passed away in 1987.

Gyllene Tider, by Gyllene Tider (1980)
Per Gessle of Roxette is more loved in Sweden as the frontman of GT. This debut album from contains gems like “Flickorna på TV2” and “Ska vi älska, så ska vi älska till Buddy Holly.”

The Final Countdown, by Europe (1986)
The lead track from Europe’s third album became a worldwide hit from these guys from Upplands Väsby north of Stockholm. The group gave the poodle perm a manly face in Sweden.

Vila vid denna källa, by Fred Åkerström (1977)
Carl Michael Bellman is by far the most beloved of Swedish singer/songwriters. Most Swedes know at least something from him by heart, but nobody—except maybe Vreeswijk—sings his tunes like Fred Åkerströmon.

Främling, by Carola Häggkvist (1983)
Carola Häggkvist has been a star since she won the Swedish Eurovision Contest in 1983, at the tender age of 16. This debut album remains the top-seller in Swedish-music history.

Kingwood, by Millencolin (2005)
Skate punk from Örebro by the furious members of Millencolin, one of Sweden’s least known music exports. Enough energy to blow your socks off. Lyrics are in English.

Classic Songs: