Thommy Fagerlund is a talented Finland-Swedish artist and producer. Eurovision fans might remember him as a cruise manager and performer from Viking Line Eurovision cruises and the 2020 release of the pop song “Vem är du, vem är jag?”, which was successful in Yle’s Vegatoppen charts.
On April 14th, Thommy releases his first ever EP, the Swedish-language “Ingenting kan stoppa mig!” containing two brand new songs. The main message of the songs is hope and the courage to be yourself. Both songs have been composed and produced by Sam Sonntag at Colla Records: “Marseille” is a pop song with modern sound and “Jag kommer inte att behöva mig” is a Melodifestivalen style hit song. Lyrics for both songs have been written by Susann Sonntag, who has participated in Finnish Eurovision preselections several times during the years.
In 2022, Thommy together with the musician Teddy Granroth did an acclaimed dinner show “Evergreens & Schlagers” around the Swedish speaking parts of Finland. In 2023 you can continue to see this show as well as a newly produced party show “Ingenting kan stoppa mig”, with Thommy’s songs together with a DJ and dancers.
Greetings from Thommy:
“I was never accepted for who I was” – from the tough teenage years to the world of music
Thommy told us a long story about his life, his music and upcoming events.
As a child, going to school often meant dark times for Thommy as he was bullied by his peers and even by his music teacher for wanting to perform and to be on stage. It was not easy to be a young boy who was rather singing and playing theater than playing football. Thommy was told to be the clown of the class, which felt horrible for him. That is what the new song “Jag kommer inte att behöva dig” is about – those people who treated him badly are no longer needed. The music video is also set at school and filming it made old feelings come back.
Even earlier in his childhood, Thommy experienced a big change in his life as his biological mother gave him up for adoption when he was less than a year old. Thommy was adopted by a loving couple who were good parents to him. Thommy also met his biological sister when he was 18 years old.
Now Thommy feels strong and he never gave up on his dreams. Thommy referred to the song “All the reasons to live” by Carola Häggqvist as something that has made him think that he really wants to make music. The old memories still pop up from time to time, but it’s possible to live with them and it’s important not to get bitter.
The song “Marseille” describes first love and building a relationship and having adventures together. Thommy likes the old videos of Lonnie Devantier and had a similar idea for the music video of “Marseille”: part of it is filmed at his home, another part in a mansion.
Showtime and Eurovision favourites
The release of the EP sees a release party in two locations: 14th April in Ekenäs with Tika (UMK20) and 15th April in Helsinki with Anja Niskanen. Along with his own songs, Thommy will perform songs by many Eurovision stars (“Främling” by Carola, “Cara mia” by Måns Zelmerlöw, “Hold me now” by Johnny Logan). Thommy will also have a summer tour and a party show coming up in autumn.
In December Thommy will be producing a Eurovision cruise again with some special guests. Thommy revealed that there might even be a Christmas song!
One of Thommy’s favourites in this year’s preselections was Kate Gulbrandsen‘s “Tårer i paradis” in the Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix. Thommy also loved Mariette‘s “One day” in Swedish Melodifestivalen. Thommy thinks that both Loreen and Käärijä are strong Eurovision artists, but really different songs.
Songs on the EP “Ingenting kan stoppa mig!”
Marseille
- Lyrics, music & arrangement: Sam Sonntag, Roni Näveri, Thommy Fagerlund
Love makes you dizzy. Every day is like a new adventure. You want to do everything together with the one you love. Make memories that you can live on for the rest of your life. Why not take a trip to Marseille? You make my life fo round, we are made for each other!
Vem är du, vem är jag?
- Lyrics & music: Tony Haglund
- Music & arrangement: Sam Sonntag
Who are you, who am I? That’s the question. Sometimes you grow apart and forget what you had together in a relationship. You shouldn’t always take everything for granted. Life is more than a train that runs on rails, usually it derails at some point. So it is important to sometimes stop and ask, Who are you, who am I?
Det finns en väg för mig
- Lyrics: Susann Sonntag
- Music & arrangement: Sam Sonntag
After a relationship ends, the loss remains. The time we had together. Memories that remain even though the person is gone. Time cannot be turned back and therefore we should always live in the present and not just take each other for granted.
Fakea
- Lyrics & music: Tony Haglund
- Music & arrangement: Sam Sonntag
The song “Fakea” is a tribute to love. You only live here and now and it doesn’t matter who you fall in love with. The most important thing is that you are happy and you don’t have to hide it. We live here, we live now. Seize the day!
Jag kommer inte att behöva dig!
- Lyrics: Susann Sonntag
- Music & arrangement: Sam Sonntag
There was a tough time in my life. I was never accepted for who I am. I didn’t fit in and was considered the clown of my class. “Are you going to embarrass yourself and the whole class again by performing consistently!” The song is a revenge. Here I am today, still doing what I never stopped to believe in. I’m alive!
Read more: Thommy Fagerlund releases a beautiful modern schlager
