Harpo
Pop singer and songwriter Jan Torsten Svensson – born April 5, 1950, in Stockholm, Sweden – is better known by his stage name Harpo. He scored several hits in Sweden and Europe in the 1970s - including “Moviestar” (1975) and “Horoscope” (1976) – and has continued to regularly tour and occasionally record. Named after the iconic American comedian/actor/musician/Marx Brother, he began performing in children’s theater. While frequently touring Sweden, he began to write songs. Initially signed to Polar Music in 1972, he was paired up with producers/songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus to create children’s music in Swedish. The pop experiment did not work, and Harpo was released from his contract. Benny and Björn would form Abba shortly afterwards. Harpo then connected with producer Bengt Palmers and signed with EMI. His first two singles – 1973’s “Honolulu” and “Sayonara” – were hits in Sweden: the former reached the Top 10 and the latter rose to the Number 1 position. However, 1975’s single “Moviestar” (featuring Abba's Anni-Frid Lyngstad on backing vocals) was a hit across Europe, reaching Number 1 in Denmark, Germany and Sweden. Further hit singles included “Motorcycle Mama” and “Horoscope”, his second most popular song, which hit Number 1 in Denmark. While continuing to release hit singles, none of them achieved the same kind of success that “Moviestar” and “Horoscope” had achieved. His albums include Leo the Leopard (1974), Harpo & Bananaband (1975), and 1976’s Moviestar, which rose to Number 65 in Australia. While not as prolific as the 1970s, Harpo continued to release singles and albums into the 1980s, 1990s, and beyond including Harpo (1988) and Jan Harpo Svensson 05 (2005). Behind the scenes, he set up his own label, Igloo Records, and produced several bands in the 1990s. Still popular in Germany and Sweden, Harpo has remained a popular live attraction.
©Copyright Music Story Stephen Schnee 2023
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Harpo Show - Hemliga Lådan
Pop - Released by WM Sweden on 22 sep. 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Cheaters Comes in All Shapes and Forms
Pop - Released by IGLOO records on 19 jun. 2020
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Leo the Leopard
Pop - Released by Parlophone Sweden on 1 jan. 1974
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jan Banan och hans flygande matta
Pop - Released by Parlophone Sweden on 1 jan. 1978
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Julefrid
Kerstmuziek - Released by Universal Music AB on 27 nov. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Twinkle Little Star
Pop - Released by IGLOO records on 22 nov. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Teargas (Completely Different Dancecut)
Pop - Released by WM Sweden on 2 sep. 2022
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Explorer
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Trial and Error on 19 apr. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Japan to Chicago
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Trial and Error on 23 mei 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -