Robyn
Encyclopedia
Robin Miriam Carlsson better known by her stage name Robyn, is a Swedish recording artist, singer, and songwriter. Robyn became known in the late nineties for her worldwide dance-pop hit "Do You Know (What It Takes)
" from her debut album Robyn Is Here
(1997). She co-wrote the song "Du gör mig hel igen
" ("You Make Me Whole Again") for Melodifestivalen 1997
. The popularity of her number-one hit "With Every Heartbeat
" and subsequent album release Robyn
(2005) brought her mainstream success worldwide. In January 2009 Robyn won a Swedish Grammis
award for Best Live Act 2008.
Robyn released the first of a trilogy of albums to be released over the course of 2010 titled Body Talk Pt. 1
, in June of that year, peaking at number one. It was her first album since Robyn. The album's lead single "Dancing on My Own
" was released a few weeks prior to the album's release; it became a hit single worldwide and brought her a Grammy Award
nomination for the category of Best Dance Recording
in 2011. A follow-up album, Body Talk Pt. 2
, was released on 6 September, entering straight at number one the Swedish chart, and the final album of the trilogy, Body Talk
, was released on 22 November 2010 with lead single "Indestructible
". "Call Your Girlfriend
" was the second single to be released from Body Talk.
, is very loosely based on William Shakespeare
's The Tempest
. She also did the Swedish voice of Anne-Marie in All Dogs Go to Heaven
.
Robyn was rediscovered by Swedish pop singer Meja
in the early nineties. Meja and her band Legacy of Sound visited Robyn's school and were involved with a musical workshop. Robyn's performances impressed Meja so much so that she contacted her management and a meeting was arranged with Robyn and her parents. Following the completion of her middle school education, Robyn signed to Ricochet Records Sweden, a subsidiary of BMG
. She collaborated with producers Max Martin
and Denniz Pop
, who provided the singer with a gritty yet popular sound. Writing duties were assisted by Ulf Lindstrom and Johan Ekhé, who also helped to produce the album, and they stayed on board with Robyn until the completion of her album Don't Stop the Music in 2003.
in 1994 to release her debut single, "You've Got That Somethin'
", in Sweden. Later that same year, her Swedish breakthrough came with the single "Do You Really Want Me (Show Respect)
". These singles became part of the album Robyn Is Here
, released in October 1996. Robyn contributed vocals to Blacknuss' 1996 single "Roll with Me". Robyn entered Sweden's pre-selection for Eurovision Song Contest 1997
, as co-writer and producer of the song "Du gör mig hel igen
", which was performed by Cajsalisa Ejemyr
. In Melodifestivalen 1997
the song ended up in fourth place.
Robyn's US breakthrough came in 1997, when the dance-pop
singles "Show Me Love
" and "Do You Know (What It Takes)
" reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100
. She performed on the children's show All That
in 1997, singing "Show Me Love", proving her growing popularity in the United States. The songs also performed well in the UK. Robyn re-released "Do You Really Want Me (Show Respect)" internationally but it did not fare as well as the other releases. In the US, it was ineligible to chart because there was no retail single available, but it reached number thirty-two on the Hot 100 Airplay
chart. The song "Show Me Love" was prominently used in the 1998 Lukas Moodysson
film Fucking Åmål
, and the song's title was used as the film's title in English-speaking
countries.
As Robyn's popularity grew across the globe, especially in the United States, she was diagnosed with exhaustion and quickly returned to Sweden to recover.
Recording began on Robyn's second album in 1998. The album, My Truth
, was released in May 1999 in Sweden, with subsequent releases elsewhere in the continent. The single "Electric
" was a hit across Europe, and propelled My Truth to number two position in Sweden. My Truth was an autobiographical
release for Robyn, and included the tracks "Universal Woman" and "Giving You Back", which explained her secret abortion. Despite her success in the U.S market with Robyn Is Here
, My Truth did not receive an international release.
In 1999, Robyn contributed to Christian Falk
's debut solo album Quel Bordel, appearing on the tracks "Remember" and "Celebration". In 2000, she appeared on the track "Intro/ Fristil" on Petter
's self-titled album. In 2001, Robyn performed the song "Say You'll Walk the Distance" to the soundtrack for the film On the Line
.
In November 2002, Robyn swapped labels at BMG
(from RCA
to Jive Records
) and released the album Don't Stop the Music
in Sweden. Singles Keep This Fire Burning
and Don't Stop The Music
graced playlists in Scandinavia and mainland Europe. The title track (a subsequent single) was later covered by Swedish girl group Play
, and the lead single, "Keep This Fire Burning
", was covered by British soul singer Beverley Knight
.
In May 2004, the album Robyn's Best was released in America. It is essentially a condensed version of her debut album; containing no material from her later releases. In 2006, following her departure from BMG, Det Bästa Med Robyn (The Best of Robyn) was released in Sweden. It included material from her first three albums. Notable omissions from this release were the singles "Don't Stop the Music
" and "Keep This Fire Burning".
The decade-long relationship between Robyn and her label ceased in 2004. When they reacted negatively to "Who's That Girl?
", which showcased a new electro-pop sound, Robyn decided to release music on her own. In early 2005, she announced she would be leaving Jive Records to start her own record label. Konichiwa Records
was created, with its aim firmly set on liberating Robyn artistically. Robyn revealed on her website that her new album would be released earlier than anticipated, and noted several fabled collaborators on the album, including Klas Åhlund
from Teddybears STHLM, Swedish duo The Knife
and former Cheiron producer Alexander Kronlund
.
Robyn released the single "Be Mine!
" in March 2005. A month later, her fourth studio album, Robyn
, became her first number-one album upon its release in Sweden. Sampling influences from electronica, rap, R&B and new age, Robyn received rave reviews, and gained the singer three Swedish Grammy Awards in 2006 for "Årets Album" (Best Album), "Årets Kompositör" (Best Writer, alongside Klas Åhlund) and "Årets Pop Kvinnlig" (Best Pop Female). It also garnered Robyn interest on a global level. She gained recognition for co-writing the song "Money for Nothing" for Darin Zanyar
, his debut single. Robyn released three more singles—"Who's That Girl?", "Handle Me
" and "Crash and Burn Girl
"—from the eponymous LP, which proved immensely popular in Sweden.
Robyn featured on the Basement Jaxx
track "Hey U", taken from their album Crazy Itch Radio
, released in 2006. The year also marked the release of Christian Falk
's second album, People Say, on which Robyn contributed the tracks "Dream On
" and "C.C.C".
In December 2006, Robyn released The Rakamonie EP
in the UK as a preview to her more recent material. This was followed by the release of "Konichiwa Bitches
" in March 2007. The revised edition of Robyn was released in the UK in April 2007, and contains two new tracks—"With Every Heartbeat
" (a collaboration with Kleerup
) and "Cobrastyle
" (a cover of a 2006 single by Swedish rockers Teddybears
)—alongside slightly altered versions of two of the original songs. It was removed from British stores to make way for an August re-release.
The second single from the UK release was "With Every Heartbeat", released in late July and reaching number one on the UK singles chart. Robyn was featured on Jo Whiley
's BBC Radio 1
showcase show, Live Lounge
, a reflection of her growing popularity in Britain. Follow-up singles "Handle Me", "Be Mine!", "Who's That Girl?" and "Dream On" were top thirty hits. In Australia, where Robyn reached the top ten of the iTunes Store
's album chart, "With Every Heartbeat" received substantial attention on radio and video networks in Australia. Also in 2007, Robyn contributed vocals to Fleshquartet
's single "This One's for You", from their album Voices of Eden.
Konichiwa Records signed an international licensing deal with Universal Music Group
to launch and distribute Robyn's music globally. Releases in the UK are issued under the Island Records
label. The Rakamonie EP was released in January 2008 under Cherrytree Records
, a subsidiary of Interscope
, and the US edition of Robyn was released in April 2008. "With Every Heartbeat", "Handle Me" and "Cobrastyle" were top ten club hits, and the former received airplay at US pop and dance radio stations. Robyn was visible in the US market in 2007 when Britney Spears
released the single "Piece of Me
", which contains Robyn's backing vocals. She was also featured on the Fyre Department remix of "Sexual Eruption
" by rapper Snoop Dogg
.
Robyn completed a short US tour to promote Robyn, and was the supporting act for Madonna
's Sticky & Sweet Tour
at select European dates in 2008.
Award for Best Live Act 2008; in her acceptance speech, she said that Madonna was to thank for the prize.
Robyn stated to Aftonbladet, a Swedish newspaper site, that she wanted to start recording a new album in the beginning of 2009 and that she will work with producers such as Kleerup ("With Every Heartbeat") as well as Klas Åhlund who she worked with on Robyn. Robyn is featured on Norway's premier electronic outfit Röyksopp
's 2009 album Junior with the song "The Girl and the Robot
". The song was accompanied by a music video featuring the artist and released internationally as the 2nd single from the album. It peaked at No.2 on the Norwegian singles charts. In 2009, she appeared together with International pop artist Dr. Alban
on stage at Way Out West 2009, performing his hit single, "No Coke".
In March 2010 Robyn appeared on the Swedish television series Dom kallar oss artister
. She said that her goal is to have the new album out in June. She also said that the album will be very personal, like a diary. The track listing was confirmed, including: "Don’t Fucking Tell Me What to Do" which is written by Robyn and Klas Åhlund
, "None of Dem" with Röyksopp
, "Dance Hall Queen" with Diplo, "Fembot
" and "Dancing on My Own", written by Robyn and Patrik Berger.
In an interview with Swedish magazine Bon, Robyn announced that she had plans to release three new albums in 2010. The first is due in the spring, with subsequent albums released in the summer and autumn/winter. In May Robyn said in an interview with Stereogum
, "I think this splitting a full album up into different releases is, in a way, how people listen to music as well. It's more about songs now. But for me this is not an EP or a lesser version of an album. It's an album, but it's maybe not the normal length, so I can go back to the studio again and release these songs while they're actually fresh, and go back to the studio and work on more stuff while touring." To promote the forthcoming album Robyn released the songs "Fembot", "Dancehall Queen" and "None of Dem" (featuring Röyksopp) to digital outlets as promotional singles on 13 April 2010.
Robyn released the first part in the Body Talk series, Body Talk Pt. 1
, on 14 June 2010 in the Nordic countries through EMI
and on June 15 in the US through Interscope
. It was preceded by the single, "Dancing on My Own
", on 1 June 2010. The song became Robyn's first number one hit in Sweden, and her fourth top ten hit in both the UK and the US, peaking at number eight on the UK Singles Chart
and at number three on Billboard
's Hot Dance Club Songs chart. In July 2010 she sang a minimalist electro cover of Alicia Keys
' "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart
" for a live performance on iheartradio
. Robyn embarked on the All Hearts Tour
in July–August 2010 with American singer Kelis
in support of the Body Talk albums, as well as a four-date UK tour at the end of October.
On 6 September 2010 Body Talk Pt. 2
was released in the United Kingdom. It was preceded by the lead single, a dance version of the song "Hang with Me
" from Body Talk Pt. 1, on September 5. The album contains a duet with American rapper Snoop Dogg
, "U Should Know Better". Robyn appeared and performed "Dancing on My Own" with deadmau5
at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards
on 12 September 2010. In an interview with BBC
Newsbeat
Robyn reflected on the decision to release a trilogy of albums in one year, "It was just something I felt like I needed to do. I just never thought about selling records or not, making this decision. I just did it for myself. It's a way of, for me, to stay inspired and to be able to do the things I like to do." She said she will not release three albums in the span of a year again, "When you do 16 or 13 songs in one go, you kind of empty yourself, and it takes a while to fill back up and have new things to talk about, so I think it's good for everyone."
Robyn announced the release of the single, "Indestructible
", on 13 October 2010. An acoustic version appeared on her previous album, Body Talk Pt. 2
. The song is set to be released on 17 November 2010 in Scandinavia and on 22 November in the United Kingdom. It is co-written by Klas Åhlund, and has been described as a "pulsating full power version [that] takes every ounce of that emotion and wraps it up in another exceptional disco-pop record worthy of any dance-floor or passion-laden sing-a-long." On 20 October 2010 Robyn announced the details of Body Talk
on her official website, along with the track listing and artwork. She described the album as the "turbo version of the Body Talk album", as it includes five songs from each previous Body Talk album along with five new songs." Robyn will collaborate with Swedish producer Max Martin
on the song "Time Machine". Martin was responsible for producing Robyn's US breakthrough hits "Do You Know (What It Takes)
" and "Show Me Love
", which both charted inside the top ten of the Billboard 100 in 1996 and 1997. Combined, the Body Talk albums have sold 91,000 copies in the United States.
In 2010, Robyn guest-starred in "War at the Roses", an episode which was on Gossip Girl
, where she performed the acoustic version of "Hang With Me
". "Dancing on My Own
" was also featured at the end of the episode.
In a November, 2010 video interview with Perez Hilton
, Robyn revealed that she was returning to the studio in January, 2011, and had enough material to release a new album later in the year.
After the release of her second album in 1999, My Truth, Robyn became a UNICEF ambassador and visited, among other countries, Kenya
and Tanzania
. During her two years of dedicating herself to this work, she intended to draw attention to UNICEF and their worldwide work for children in need of aid.
In 2000, Povel Ramel
awarded her the Karamelodiktstipendiet, a scholarship for her musical achievements for which most of the reward lies in the prestige and honour, rather than financial incentives.
Robyn is single as of January, 2011.
Do You Know (What It Takes)
"Do You Know " is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn from her debut album, Robyn Is Here. It was released as the third Swedish and as the second single in the United Kingdom in 1996. The song was released as her debut single in the United States in 1997...
" from her debut album Robyn Is Here
Robyn is Here
Robyn Is Here is the debut album by Swedish pop singer Robyn. It was released by Ariola Records in 1995 in Sweden, in 1996 in Japan by Sony Music Japan, and in the United States on 24 June 1997 by BMG with an alternate track listing. In 1998, the album was certified platinum in the U.S, and has...
(1997). She co-wrote the song "Du gör mig hel igen
Du gör mig hel igen
Du gör mig hel igen was an entry in Melodifestivalen 1997, which was sung by Cajsalisa Ejemyr. Songwriter and part producer of the song was popstar Robyn Carlsson. The song placed 4th in the contest, and later entered the Swedish charts....
" ("You Make Me Whole Again") for Melodifestivalen 1997
Melodifestivalen 1997
Melodifestivalen 1997 was the selection for the 37th song to represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest. It was the 36th time that this system of picking a song had been used. 1229 songs were submitted to SVT for the competition...
. The popularity of her number-one hit "With Every Heartbeat
With Every Heartbeat
"With Every Heartbeat" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn with Swedish producer Kleerup. It was released on 30 July 2007 in the United Kingdom as the second single from the international edition of Robyn's self-titled fourth studio album, Robyn...
" and subsequent album release Robyn
Robyn (album)
Robyn is the fourth studio album by Swedish recording artist Robyn. It was released by Konichiwa Records on 27 April 2005 in Sweden. The album represented a change in Robyn's musical style, and featured pop and electronic dance music; inspirations were electronic duo The Knife and rock band...
(2005) brought her mainstream success worldwide. In January 2009 Robyn won a Swedish Grammis
Grammis
The Grammis Awards are the Swedish equivalent of the Grammy Awards. The awards ceremony is generally held each year in February in Stockholm.The awards were established in 1969 and awarded until 1972 when they were cancelled....
award for Best Live Act 2008.
Robyn released the first of a trilogy of albums to be released over the course of 2010 titled Body Talk Pt. 1
Body Talk Pt. 1
Body Talk, Pt. 1 received an aggregate score of 76 out of 100 from Metacritic, indicating generally favourable reviews from music critics. Heather Phares of Allmusic stated: "Capturing the freedom and loneliness of independence, Body Talk, Pt...
, in June of that year, peaking at number one. It was her first album since Robyn. The album's lead single "Dancing on My Own
Dancing on My Own
"Dancing on My Own" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, taken from her fifth studio album, Body Talk Pt. 1 . The song was written and produced by Robyn and Patrik Berger, and was inspired by gay disco anthems by Ultravox, Sylvester and Donna Summer. The song was released as Body Talk Pt....
" was released a few weeks prior to the album's release; it became a hit single worldwide and brought her a Grammy Award
53rd Grammy Awards
The 53rd annual Grammy Awards were held on February 13, 2011, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. They were broadcast on CBS with a rating of 26.6 million viewers. Barbra Streisand was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year two nights prior to the telecast on February 11. Nominations were...
nomination for the category of Best Dance Recording
Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording
The Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for works containing quality vocal performances in the dance music genre...
in 2011. A follow-up album, Body Talk Pt. 2
Body Talk Pt. 2
Body Talk Pt. 2 is the sixth studio album by Swedish recording artist Robyn, released on 6 September 2010, by Konichiwa Records. The album is the second part of the Body Talk trilogy, which consists of three mini-albums, all released during 2010. Robyn started working on songs for the album when...
, was released on 6 September, entering straight at number one the Swedish chart, and the final album of the trilogy, Body Talk
Body Talk (Robyn album)
Body Talk is the seventh studio album by Swedish recording artist Robyn. The album was released on 22 November 2010 by Konichiwa Records. Robyn first announced plans in early 2010 that she would was planning on releasing three mini-albums throughout the course of 2010. The first two mini-albums, of...
, was released on 22 November 2010 with lead single "Indestructible
Indestructible (Robyn song)
"Indestructible" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, taken from her seventh studio album Body Talk . The song was written by Robyn and Klas Åhlund, and produced by Åhlund. It was released as the lead single from Body Talk on 1 November 2010 in Sweden and one day later in the United States...
". "Call Your Girlfriend
Call Your Girlfriend
"Call Your Girlfriend" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, taken from her seventh studio album, Body Talk . It was released as the album's second single on 1 April 2011. The song was written by Robyn, Klas Åhlund and Alexander Kronlund. Åhlund handled production, with assistance by Billboard...
" was the second single to be released from Body Talk.
1989–1990: Voice acting
Robyn voiced the character Miranda in the 1989 Swedish-Norwegian animated film The Journey to Melonia. The film, directed by Per ÅhlinPer Åhlin
Per Johan Axel Åhlin , is a Swedish artist and animator.-Career:Åhlin started his career as an artist for the Hasseåtage production Svenska bilder from 1964. After that he has worked on several other Hasseåtage films, including The Adventures of Picasso from 1978 where he provided and animated...
, is very loosely based on William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
's The Tempest
The Tempest
The Tempest is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1610–11, and thought by many critics to be the last play that Shakespeare wrote alone. It is set on a remote island, where Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place,...
. She also did the Swedish voice of Anne-Marie in All Dogs Go to Heaven
All Dogs Go to Heaven
All Dogs Go to Heaven is a 1989 Irish-English animated film directed and produced by Don Bluth and released by United Artists. The film tells the story of two dogs, Charlie B. Barkin and his loyal best friend Itchy Itchiford...
.
1991–93: Musical Beginnings
In 1991, at the age of twelve, Robyn recorded the theme song for the Swedish television show Lilla Sportspegeln, named Du kan alltid bli nummer ett ("You can always be number one"). She performed her first self-written song at this age on another television show, Söndagsöppet.Robyn was rediscovered by Swedish pop singer Meja
Meja
Meja , is a Swedish composer, artist and singer. Among her best known songs are "I'm Missing You","All 'Bout the Money" and "Private Emotion"...
in the early nineties. Meja and her band Legacy of Sound visited Robyn's school and were involved with a musical workshop. Robyn's performances impressed Meja so much so that she contacted her management and a meeting was arranged with Robyn and her parents. Following the completion of her middle school education, Robyn signed to Ricochet Records Sweden, a subsidiary of BMG
BMG
Bertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
. She collaborated with producers Max Martin
Max Martin
Martin Karl Sandberg, known professionally as Max Martin, is a Swedish music producer and songwriter. Raised in Stenhamra, a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden, he broke through as a producer and songwriter in the mid to late 1990s after crafting a string of hits for pop artists like the Backstreet Boys,...
and Denniz Pop
Denniz Pop
Dag Krister Volle , better known under the artistic name Denniz Pop , was a Swedish DJ, music producer and songwriter....
, who provided the singer with a gritty yet popular sound. Writing duties were assisted by Ulf Lindstrom and Johan Ekhé, who also helped to produce the album, and they stayed on board with Robyn until the completion of her album Don't Stop the Music in 2003.
1994–97: Robyn Is Here and Success
Robyn started her career in the pop music industry at the age of sixteen. She signed a record deal with RCA RecordsRCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
in 1994 to release her debut single, "You've Got That Somethin'
You've Got That Somethin'
"You've Got That Somethin" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn from her debut album, Robyn Is Here. It was released as her debut single in 1995 in Sweden. The song was written by Robyn, Ulf Lindström, and Johan Ekhé, and it was produced by Lindström and Ekhé.In her native Sweden, "You've...
", in Sweden. Later that same year, her Swedish breakthrough came with the single "Do You Really Want Me (Show Respect)
Do You Really Want Me (Show Respect)
"Do You Really Want Me " is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn from her first album, Robyn Is Here. It was released as the second single in Sweden in 1995. The single was not released in the United Kingdom or the United States until 1998. In the US, it was Robyn's final single release there...
". These singles became part of the album Robyn Is Here
Robyn is Here
Robyn Is Here is the debut album by Swedish pop singer Robyn. It was released by Ariola Records in 1995 in Sweden, in 1996 in Japan by Sony Music Japan, and in the United States on 24 June 1997 by BMG with an alternate track listing. In 1998, the album was certified platinum in the U.S, and has...
, released in October 1996. Robyn contributed vocals to Blacknuss' 1996 single "Roll with Me". Robyn entered Sweden's pre-selection for Eurovision Song Contest 1997
Eurovision Song Contest 1997
The Eurovision Song Contest 1997, was the 42nd Eurovision Song Contest and it was held at the Point Theatre Dublin, Ireland, on 3 May 1997. Boyzone member Ronan Keating and Carrie Crowley were the presenters of the show....
, as co-writer and producer of the song "Du gör mig hel igen
Du gör mig hel igen
Du gör mig hel igen was an entry in Melodifestivalen 1997, which was sung by Cajsalisa Ejemyr. Songwriter and part producer of the song was popstar Robyn Carlsson. The song placed 4th in the contest, and later entered the Swedish charts....
", which was performed by Cajsalisa Ejemyr
Cajsalisa Ejemyr
Cajsalisa Ejemyr is a Swedish singer and actress.Cajsalisa performed the song "Du gör mig hel igen" by Robyn in Swedens pre-selection for Eurovision Song Contest 1997, Melodifestivalen 1997...
. In Melodifestivalen 1997
Melodifestivalen 1997
Melodifestivalen 1997 was the selection for the 37th song to represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest. It was the 36th time that this system of picking a song had been used. 1229 songs were submitted to SVT for the competition...
the song ended up in fourth place.
Robyn's US breakthrough came in 1997, when the dance-pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
singles "Show Me Love
Show Me Love (Robyn song)
"Show Me Love" is the fourth Swedish, third UK and second U.S. single from Swedish pop singer Robyn's debut album Robyn Is Here. The song is sometimes confused with Robin S.'s 1993 hit "Show Me Love", because of identical song titles and similar first names...
" and "Do You Know (What It Takes)
Do You Know (What It Takes)
"Do You Know " is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn from her debut album, Robyn Is Here. It was released as the third Swedish and as the second single in the United Kingdom in 1996. The song was released as her debut single in the United States in 1997...
" reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. She performed on the children's show All That
All That
All That is an American live-action, sketch comedy-variety show that aired on the Nickelodeon cable television network featuring short comedic sketches and weekly musical guests. The theme song for All That was performed by TLC...
in 1997, singing "Show Me Love", proving her growing popularity in the United States. The songs also performed well in the UK. Robyn re-released "Do You Really Want Me (Show Respect)" internationally but it did not fare as well as the other releases. In the US, it was ineligible to chart because there was no retail single available, but it reached number thirty-two on the Hot 100 Airplay
Hot 100 Airplay
The Hot 100 Airplay chart is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It measures radio airplay, and is one of the three component charts, along with the Hot Singles Sales and the Hot Digital Songs charts, that determine the chart positions of singles on the Billboard...
chart. The song "Show Me Love" was prominently used in the 1998 Lukas Moodysson
Lukas Moodysson
- External links :*...
film Fucking Åmål
Fucking Åmål
Show Me Love is a 1998 Swedish film directed by Lukas Moodysson. Its original Swedish title is Fucking Åmål. The film is centered around the lives of two seemingly disparate teenage girls who begin a tentative romantic relationship. The film first premiered outside Sweden at the 1998 Cannes Film...
, and the song's title was used as the film's title in English-speaking
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
countries.
As Robyn's popularity grew across the globe, especially in the United States, she was diagnosed with exhaustion and quickly returned to Sweden to recover.
1998–04: My Truth and Don't Stop the Music
My Truth
My Truth is the second studio album by Swedish singer Robyn. It was released on May 17, 1999 by BMG in Sweden, and peaked at #2 on the Swedish Albums Chart.- Track listing :* Co-production...
, was released in May 1999 in Sweden, with subsequent releases elsewhere in the continent. The single "Electric
Electric (Robyn song)
"Electric" was the first single to be released off Swedish pop singer-songwriter Robyn's second album My Truth released in 1999. The song peaked at #6 in Robyn's native Sweden, making it her fifth consecutive top 40 hit there...
" was a hit across Europe, and propelled My Truth to number two position in Sweden. My Truth was an autobiographical
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
release for Robyn, and included the tracks "Universal Woman" and "Giving You Back", which explained her secret abortion. Despite her success in the U.S market with Robyn Is Here
Robyn is Here
Robyn Is Here is the debut album by Swedish pop singer Robyn. It was released by Ariola Records in 1995 in Sweden, in 1996 in Japan by Sony Music Japan, and in the United States on 24 June 1997 by BMG with an alternate track listing. In 1998, the album was certified platinum in the U.S, and has...
, My Truth did not receive an international release.
In 1999, Robyn contributed to Christian Falk
Christian Falk
Christian Falk is a Swedish record producer and musician.Falk released the hit single, "Make It Right", in 2000. In 2008, he released a new version of "Calling You" with Jevetta Steele's vocals...
's debut solo album Quel Bordel, appearing on the tracks "Remember" and "Celebration". In 2000, she appeared on the track "Intro/ Fristil" on Petter
Petter
Petter is a common Scandinavian firstname. It may refer to:People:*Petter Askergren, a Swedish rap musician*Petter Dass, a poet and hymn writer*Petter Hansson, a Swedish footballer*W. E. W...
's self-titled album. In 2001, Robyn performed the song "Say You'll Walk the Distance" to the soundtrack for the film On the Line
On the Line (film)
On the Line is a 2001 American romantic comedy film starring Lance Bass and Emmanuelle Chriqui. The film was directed by Eric Bross and was written by Eric Aronson and Paul Stanton, based upon their short film of the same name.-Plot:...
.
In November 2002, Robyn swapped labels at BMG
BMG
Bertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
(from RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
to Jive Records
Jive Records
Jive Records was a record label based in New York City, operating under RCA Music Group. Jive was primarily known for a string of successes with hip hop artists in the 1980s, and in teen pop and boy bands in the late 1990s. The word "jive" was inspired by Township Jive, a form of South African...
) and released the album Don't Stop the Music
Don't Stop The Music (Robyn album)
Don't Stop the Music is the third studio album by Swedish pop singer Robyn. It was released on 30 October 2002 in Sweden by BMG. The album peaked at #2 in her native Sweden, and the two singles "Keep This Fire Burning" and "Don't Stop the Music" were both top 10 hits...
in Sweden. Singles Keep This Fire Burning
Keep This Fire Burning
"Keep This Fire Burning" is a song by Swedish pop singer Robyn, released as the first single from her third album Don't Stop the Music. It was released in Sweden on November 26, 2002, where it became her highest charting single since 1995's "Do You Really Want Me "...
and Don't Stop The Music
Don't Stop the Music
Don't Stop the Music is the third and only studio album that was recorded with the second line-up of the Swedish girlband Play. It is the first and only album by the group to feature vocals from then new member Janet Leon, who replaced founding member and lead singer Faye Hamlin...
graced playlists in Scandinavia and mainland Europe. The title track (a subsequent single) was later covered by Swedish girl group Play
Play (band)
Play was a Swedish pop girl group, consisting of, in total, seven young women. Faye Hamlin, Anna Sundstrand, Anaïs Lameche, and Rosie Munter formed Play's original line-up from the band's formation from 2001 until late 2003. After founding member Faye left the group, fifth member Janet Leon joined...
, and the lead single, "Keep This Fire Burning
Keep This Fire Burning
"Keep This Fire Burning" is a song by Swedish pop singer Robyn, released as the first single from her third album Don't Stop the Music. It was released in Sweden on November 26, 2002, where it became her highest charting single since 1995's "Do You Really Want Me "...
", was covered by British soul singer Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight MBE is a British soul and R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer who released her debut album in 1995. Heavily influenced by soul greats such as Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin, Knight has released six studio albums to date...
.
In May 2004, the album Robyn's Best was released in America. It is essentially a condensed version of her debut album; containing no material from her later releases. In 2006, following her departure from BMG, Det Bästa Med Robyn (The Best of Robyn) was released in Sweden. It included material from her first three albums. Notable omissions from this release were the singles "Don't Stop the Music
Don't Stop the Music
Don't Stop the Music is the third and only studio album that was recorded with the second line-up of the Swedish girlband Play. It is the first and only album by the group to feature vocals from then new member Janet Leon, who replaced founding member and lead singer Faye Hamlin...
" and "Keep This Fire Burning".
2005–08: Konichiwa Records and Robyn
Who's That Girl (Robyn song)
"Who's That Girl" is a song by Swedish pop singer Robyn, written and composed by herself and brother-and-sister production duo The Knife for her self-titled fourth studio album...
", which showcased a new electro-pop sound, Robyn decided to release music on her own. In early 2005, she announced she would be leaving Jive Records to start her own record label. Konichiwa Records
Konichiwa Records
Konichiwa Records is a record label founded by Swedish pop singer Robyn. The label has no other artists signed. The word "Konichiwa" is an incorrect romanization of the Japanese greeting こんにちは meaning "Good Day" ....
was created, with its aim firmly set on liberating Robyn artistically. Robyn revealed on her website that her new album would be released earlier than anticipated, and noted several fabled collaborators on the album, including Klas Åhlund
Klas Åhlund
Klas Frans Åhlund is a Swedish songwriter, record producer, and guitarist. He is the founding member of the Swedish rock band Teddybears...
from Teddybears STHLM, Swedish duo The Knife
The Knife
The Knife are a Swedish electronic music duo from Gothenburg, formed in 1999. The group consists of siblings Karin Dreijer Andersson and Olof Dreijer, who together also run their own record company, Rabid Records. They first received international attention after their song "Heartbeats", covered by...
and former Cheiron producer Alexander Kronlund
Alexander Kronlund
Alexander Kronlund is a Swedish producer and songwriter.Kronlund co-wrote Meja's one million selling debut album on Sony and co-wrote two songs for Britney Spears' second album, Oops I Did It Again. Kronlund co-wrote her hit single, "Lucky", with Max Martin and Rami and also co-wrote "Don’t Go...
.
Robyn released the single "Be Mine!
Be Mine!
"Be Mine!" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, written and composed by herself and producer Klas Åhlund for her self-titled fourth studio album...
" in March 2005. A month later, her fourth studio album, Robyn
Robyn (album)
Robyn is the fourth studio album by Swedish recording artist Robyn. It was released by Konichiwa Records on 27 April 2005 in Sweden. The album represented a change in Robyn's musical style, and featured pop and electronic dance music; inspirations were electronic duo The Knife and rock band...
, became her first number-one album upon its release in Sweden. Sampling influences from electronica, rap, R&B and new age, Robyn received rave reviews, and gained the singer three Swedish Grammy Awards in 2006 for "Årets Album" (Best Album), "Årets Kompositör" (Best Writer, alongside Klas Åhlund) and "Årets Pop Kvinnlig" (Best Pop Female). It also garnered Robyn interest on a global level. She gained recognition for co-writing the song "Money for Nothing" for Darin Zanyar
Darin Zanyar
Darin Zanyar more commonly known as Darin is a Swedish pop singer and songwriter of Kurdish descent and one of Sweden's best-selling artists, with numerous chart topping songs and music albums.-Early life:...
, his debut single. Robyn released three more singles—"Who's That Girl?", "Handle Me
Handle Me
"Handle Me" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, taken from her self-titled fourth studio album. It was written and produced by Klas Åhlund. The song was initially released as a promotional single in Sweden in 2005. It received a proper single release on 22 October 2007, as the album's...
" and "Crash and Burn Girl
Crash and Burn Girl
"Crash and Burn Girl" was the fourth single to be released from Swedish pop singer-songwriter Robyn's 2005 self-titled album. It was released as a radio-only single in Sweden only.-Sweden single:CD promo#"Crash and Burn Girl" – 5:38...
"—from the eponymous LP, which proved immensely popular in Sweden.
Robyn featured on the Basement Jaxx
Basement Jaxx
Basement Jaxx are a British electronic dance music duo from London, England consisting of Felix Buxton born 1971 and Simon Ratcliffe born 1 December 1969. They first rose to popularity in the late 1990s...
track "Hey U", taken from their album Crazy Itch Radio
Crazy Itch Radio
Crazy Itch Radio is the fourth studio album by British electronic dance music duo Basement Jaxx. The album features Linda Lewis and Swedish popstar Robyn among the guest vocalists.- Release history :...
, released in 2006. The year also marked the release of Christian Falk
Christian Falk
Christian Falk is a Swedish record producer and musician.Falk released the hit single, "Make It Right", in 2000. In 2008, he released a new version of "Calling You" with Jevetta Steele's vocals...
's second album, People Say, on which Robyn contributed the tracks "Dream On
Dream On (Christian Falk song)
"Dream On" is an electronica song written by Christian Falk, Robyn, and Klas Åhlund. The song is produced and performed by Falk, with vocals from Robyn and The Ark's Ola Salo...
" and "C.C.C".
In December 2006, Robyn released The Rakamonie EP
The Rakamonie EP
The Rakamonie EP is an EP by Swedish pop singer Robyn. It was released by Konichiwa Records on November 26, 2006 in Europe prior to the United Kingdom release of her fourth album Robyn . It was released in the United States on January 29, 2008 with a slightly altered tracklist, which includes an...
in the UK as a preview to her more recent material. This was followed by the release of "Konichiwa Bitches
Konichiwa Bitches
"Konichiwa Bitches" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, taken from her self-titled fourth studio album. It was released in the United Kingdom on 26 March 2007 as the first international single from the album. The term "Konichiwa Bitches" originates from a sketch with American comedian Dave...
" in March 2007. The revised edition of Robyn was released in the UK in April 2007, and contains two new tracks—"With Every Heartbeat
With Every Heartbeat
"With Every Heartbeat" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn with Swedish producer Kleerup. It was released on 30 July 2007 in the United Kingdom as the second single from the international edition of Robyn's self-titled fourth studio album, Robyn...
" (a collaboration with Kleerup
Kleerup
Andreas Kleerup, known professionally by his last name, is a Swedish record producer, drummer, and member of the Swedish group The Meat Boys, from Stockholm, Sweden. His first mainstream collaboration was as the producer of fellow Swedish artist Robyn's #1 UK single, "With Every Heartbeat", also...
) and "Cobrastyle
Cobrastyle
"Cobrastyle" is a single performed by Teddybears featuring Mad Cobra from two of their albums, Fresh, and Soft Machine. Cobrastyle uses the piano riff from "Good Thing" by Fine Young Cannibals, and uses elements from Erick Sermon's "Bomdigi" and Sugar Hill Gang's "Rapper's Delight"...
" (a cover of a 2006 single by Swedish rockers Teddybears
Teddybears
Teddybears is a Swedish band formed in 1991, known for mixing pop, rock, hip-hop, electronica, reggae, punk and many other genres.-History:...
)—alongside slightly altered versions of two of the original songs. It was removed from British stores to make way for an August re-release.
The second single from the UK release was "With Every Heartbeat", released in late July and reaching number one on the UK singles chart. Robyn was featured on Jo Whiley
Jo Whiley
Johanne "Jo" Whiley is a British radio disc jockey and television presenter. She was the host of the long running weekday Jo Whiley Show on Radio 1.-Early life and education:...
's BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
showcase show, Live Lounge
Live Lounge
The Live Lounge is a segment on the British radio station BBC Radio 1. Originally hosted by Jo Whiley on her mid-morning radio show and now hosted by Fearne Cotton, it exhibits well-known artists usually performing one song of their own and one by another artist, in an acoustic format...
, a reflection of her growing popularity in Britain. Follow-up singles "Handle Me", "Be Mine!", "Who's That Girl?" and "Dream On" were top thirty hits. In Australia, where Robyn reached the top ten of the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
's album chart, "With Every Heartbeat" received substantial attention on radio and video networks in Australia. Also in 2007, Robyn contributed vocals to Fleshquartet
Fleshquartet
Fleshquartet is a Swedish band. Although they have five members, the name comes from the band consisting of an often electrical string quartet plus a percussionist. The name is inspired by classical ensemble Freskkvartetten. They often collaborate with vocalists, and the list of vocalists they...
's single "This One's for You", from their album Voices of Eden.
Konichiwa Records signed an international licensing deal with Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
to launch and distribute Robyn's music globally. Releases in the UK are issued under the Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
label. The Rakamonie EP was released in January 2008 under Cherrytree Records
Cherrytree Records
Cherrytree Records is an American record label and is an imprint of Interscope Records.-History:Cherrytree Records was founded in 2005 by Martin Kierszenbaum, being German for cherry tree...
, a subsidiary of Interscope
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
, and the US edition of Robyn was released in April 2008. "With Every Heartbeat", "Handle Me" and "Cobrastyle" were top ten club hits, and the former received airplay at US pop and dance radio stations. Robyn was visible in the US market in 2007 when Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
released the single "Piece of Me
Piece of Me
"Piece of Me" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears from her fifth studio album, Blackout. It was released on November 27, 2007 by Jive Records as the second single from the album...
", which contains Robyn's backing vocals. She was also featured on the Fyre Department remix of "Sexual Eruption
Sexual Eruption
"Sexual Eruption" , is a single from Snoop Dogg's ninth solo album Ego Trippin. It is produced by Shawty Redd and Snoop Dogg sings most of the song using Auto-Tune . The video's style visually references the style of Roger Troutman, as part of its retro imagery...
" by rapper Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
.
Robyn completed a short US tour to promote Robyn, and was the supporting act for Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's Sticky & Sweet Tour
Sticky & Sweet Tour
The Sticky & Sweet Tour was the eighth worldwide concert tour by American singer Madonna to promote her eleventh studio album, Hard Candy. It began in August 2008 and was Madonna's first tour from her new recording and business deal with Live Nation. The tour was announced in February 2008, with...
at select European dates in 2008.
2009–present: Body Talk and Touring
In January 2009, Robyn won a Swedish GrammisGrammis
The Grammis Awards are the Swedish equivalent of the Grammy Awards. The awards ceremony is generally held each year in February in Stockholm.The awards were established in 1969 and awarded until 1972 when they were cancelled....
Award for Best Live Act 2008; in her acceptance speech, she said that Madonna was to thank for the prize.
Robyn stated to Aftonbladet, a Swedish newspaper site, that she wanted to start recording a new album in the beginning of 2009 and that she will work with producers such as Kleerup ("With Every Heartbeat") as well as Klas Åhlund who she worked with on Robyn. Robyn is featured on Norway's premier electronic outfit Röyksopp
Röyksopp
Röyksopp is a Norwegian electronic music duo from Tromsø, formed in 1998. Since their inception, the band's line-up has included Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland....
's 2009 album Junior with the song "The Girl and the Robot
The Girl and the Robot
"The Girl and the Robot" is a song by Norwegian electronic duo Röyksopp from their third studio album, Junior . The song features vocals from Swedish singer Robyn, and was released on 15 June 2009 as the album's second single, with remixes from Kris Menace, Chateau Marmont and Spencer & Hill.The...
". The song was accompanied by a music video featuring the artist and released internationally as the 2nd single from the album. It peaked at No.2 on the Norwegian singles charts. In 2009, she appeared together with International pop artist Dr. Alban
Dr. Alban
Alban Uzoma Nwapa , known by his stage name Dr. Alban, is a Nigerian, Sweden-based musician and producer with his own record label dr-records. His music can best be described as a Eurodance/hip-hop reggae with a dancehall style. He is most famous for his worldwide 1992 hit "It's My...
on stage at Way Out West 2009, performing his hit single, "No Coke".
In March 2010 Robyn appeared on the Swedish television series Dom kallar oss artister
Dom kallar oss artister
Dom kallar oss artister is a television program on SVT1 in Sweden premiering on October 28, 2008. Each half-hour episode follows a Swedish musical artist or group through such activities as busy promotion days in Los Angeles, costume tests for coming tours, hard rock camping in the mountain...
. She said that her goal is to have the new album out in June. She also said that the album will be very personal, like a diary. The track listing was confirmed, including: "Don’t Fucking Tell Me What to Do" which is written by Robyn and Klas Åhlund
Klas Åhlund
Klas Frans Åhlund is a Swedish songwriter, record producer, and guitarist. He is the founding member of the Swedish rock band Teddybears...
, "None of Dem" with Röyksopp
Röyksopp
Röyksopp is a Norwegian electronic music duo from Tromsø, formed in 1998. Since their inception, the band's line-up has included Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland....
, "Dance Hall Queen" with Diplo, "Fembot
Fembot (song)
"Fembot" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, taken from her fifth studio album, Body Talk Pt. 1 . The song was written by Robyn and Klas Åhlund, and produced by the latter. It was inspired by Robyn's personal experience of entering her thirties and contemplating children...
" and "Dancing on My Own", written by Robyn and Patrik Berger.
In an interview with Swedish magazine Bon, Robyn announced that she had plans to release three new albums in 2010. The first is due in the spring, with subsequent albums released in the summer and autumn/winter. In May Robyn said in an interview with Stereogum
Stereogum
Stereogum was one of the first MP3 blogs. It was created by Scott Lapatine in January 2002 with a focus on independent and alternative music news, downloads, videos, and gossip. Stereogum has received several awards and citations, including the 2008 Plug Award for best music blog, Blender's...
, "I think this splitting a full album up into different releases is, in a way, how people listen to music as well. It's more about songs now. But for me this is not an EP or a lesser version of an album. It's an album, but it's maybe not the normal length, so I can go back to the studio again and release these songs while they're actually fresh, and go back to the studio and work on more stuff while touring." To promote the forthcoming album Robyn released the songs "Fembot", "Dancehall Queen" and "None of Dem" (featuring Röyksopp) to digital outlets as promotional singles on 13 April 2010.
Robyn released the first part in the Body Talk series, Body Talk Pt. 1
Body Talk Pt. 1
Body Talk, Pt. 1 received an aggregate score of 76 out of 100 from Metacritic, indicating generally favourable reviews from music critics. Heather Phares of Allmusic stated: "Capturing the freedom and loneliness of independence, Body Talk, Pt...
, on 14 June 2010 in the Nordic countries through EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
and on June 15 in the US through Interscope
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
. It was preceded by the single, "Dancing on My Own
Dancing on My Own
"Dancing on My Own" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, taken from her fifth studio album, Body Talk Pt. 1 . The song was written and produced by Robyn and Patrik Berger, and was inspired by gay disco anthems by Ultravox, Sylvester and Donna Summer. The song was released as Body Talk Pt....
", on 1 June 2010. The song became Robyn's first number one hit in Sweden, and her fourth top ten hit in both the UK and the US, peaking at number eight on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and at number three on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
's Hot Dance Club Songs chart. In July 2010 she sang a minimalist electro cover of Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
' "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart
Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart
"Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart" is a song performed by American recording artist Alicia Keys. It was released as the second single from her fourth studio album, The Element of Freedom . The ballad has been hailed by many music critics as the best track from the album. It marks a departure in...
" for a live performance on iheartradio
Iheartradio
iHeartRadio is a Clear Channel Radio network to aggregate local radio brands, personalities and on-demand content. It is best known as a mobile application...
. Robyn embarked on the All Hearts Tour
All Hearts
The All Hearts Tour was a joint concert tour by American R&B singer Kelis and Swedish pop singer Robyn in support of their albums Flesh Tone and Body Talk Pt. 1, respectively...
in July–August 2010 with American singer Kelis
Kelis
Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
in support of the Body Talk albums, as well as a four-date UK tour at the end of October.
On 6 September 2010 Body Talk Pt. 2
Body Talk Pt. 2
Body Talk Pt. 2 is the sixth studio album by Swedish recording artist Robyn, released on 6 September 2010, by Konichiwa Records. The album is the second part of the Body Talk trilogy, which consists of three mini-albums, all released during 2010. Robyn started working on songs for the album when...
was released in the United Kingdom. It was preceded by the lead single, a dance version of the song "Hang with Me
Hang with Me
"Hang with Me" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, taken from her sixth studio album, Body Talk Pt. 2 . It was released as the album's lead single via digital download on 16 August 2010, in Sweden, and one day later in the United States. An acoustic version of the song had previously been...
" from Body Talk Pt. 1, on September 5. The album contains a duet with American rapper Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
, "U Should Know Better". Robyn appeared and performed "Dancing on My Own" with deadmau5
Deadmau5
Joel Thomas Zimmerman , better known by his stage name deadmau5 , is a Canadian progressive, electro, and house producer based in Toronto...
at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards
2010 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2010 MTV Video Music Awards took place on September 12, 2010 at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, honoring the best music videos from the previous year...
on 12 September 2010. In an interview with BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Newsbeat
Newsbeat
Newsbeat is the flagship news programme on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra. Newsbeat is produced by BBC News but differs from the BBC's other news programmes in its remit to provide news tailored for a specifically younger audience....
Robyn reflected on the decision to release a trilogy of albums in one year, "It was just something I felt like I needed to do. I just never thought about selling records or not, making this decision. I just did it for myself. It's a way of, for me, to stay inspired and to be able to do the things I like to do." She said she will not release three albums in the span of a year again, "When you do 16 or 13 songs in one go, you kind of empty yourself, and it takes a while to fill back up and have new things to talk about, so I think it's good for everyone."
Robyn announced the release of the single, "Indestructible
Indestructible (Robyn song)
"Indestructible" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, taken from her seventh studio album Body Talk . The song was written by Robyn and Klas Åhlund, and produced by Åhlund. It was released as the lead single from Body Talk on 1 November 2010 in Sweden and one day later in the United States...
", on 13 October 2010. An acoustic version appeared on her previous album, Body Talk Pt. 2
Body Talk Pt. 2
Body Talk Pt. 2 is the sixth studio album by Swedish recording artist Robyn, released on 6 September 2010, by Konichiwa Records. The album is the second part of the Body Talk trilogy, which consists of three mini-albums, all released during 2010. Robyn started working on songs for the album when...
. The song is set to be released on 17 November 2010 in Scandinavia and on 22 November in the United Kingdom. It is co-written by Klas Åhlund, and has been described as a "pulsating full power version [that] takes every ounce of that emotion and wraps it up in another exceptional disco-pop record worthy of any dance-floor or passion-laden sing-a-long." On 20 October 2010 Robyn announced the details of Body Talk
Body Talk (Robyn album)
Body Talk is the seventh studio album by Swedish recording artist Robyn. The album was released on 22 November 2010 by Konichiwa Records. Robyn first announced plans in early 2010 that she would was planning on releasing three mini-albums throughout the course of 2010. The first two mini-albums, of...
on her official website, along with the track listing and artwork. She described the album as the "turbo version of the Body Talk album", as it includes five songs from each previous Body Talk album along with five new songs." Robyn will collaborate with Swedish producer Max Martin
Max Martin
Martin Karl Sandberg, known professionally as Max Martin, is a Swedish music producer and songwriter. Raised in Stenhamra, a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden, he broke through as a producer and songwriter in the mid to late 1990s after crafting a string of hits for pop artists like the Backstreet Boys,...
on the song "Time Machine". Martin was responsible for producing Robyn's US breakthrough hits "Do You Know (What It Takes)
Do You Know (What It Takes)
"Do You Know " is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn from her debut album, Robyn Is Here. It was released as the third Swedish and as the second single in the United Kingdom in 1996. The song was released as her debut single in the United States in 1997...
" and "Show Me Love
Show Me Love (Robyn song)
"Show Me Love" is the fourth Swedish, third UK and second U.S. single from Swedish pop singer Robyn's debut album Robyn Is Here. The song is sometimes confused with Robin S.'s 1993 hit "Show Me Love", because of identical song titles and similar first names...
", which both charted inside the top ten of the Billboard 100 in 1996 and 1997. Combined, the Body Talk albums have sold 91,000 copies in the United States.
In 2010, Robyn guest-starred in "War at the Roses", an episode which was on Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl (TV series)
Gossip Girl is an American teen drama television series based on the book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series was created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, and premiered on The CW on September 19, 2007...
, where she performed the acoustic version of "Hang With Me
Hang with Me
"Hang with Me" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, taken from her sixth studio album, Body Talk Pt. 2 . It was released as the album's lead single via digital download on 16 August 2010, in Sweden, and one day later in the United States. An acoustic version of the song had previously been...
". "Dancing on My Own
Dancing on My Own
"Dancing on My Own" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, taken from her fifth studio album, Body Talk Pt. 1 . The song was written and produced by Robyn and Patrik Berger, and was inspired by gay disco anthems by Ultravox, Sylvester and Donna Summer. The song was released as Body Talk Pt....
" was also featured at the end of the episode.
In a November, 2010 video interview with Perez Hilton
Perez Hilton
Mario Armando Lavandeira, Jr. , better known as Perez Hilton , is an American blogger and television personality. His blog, Perezhilton.com , is known for posts covering gossip items about celebrities...
, Robyn revealed that she was returning to the studio in January, 2011, and had enough material to release a new album later in the year.
Personal life
As the daughter of two Swedish actors, Robyn grew up in a creative and artistic environment; she became involved in acting at the age of 9, with a role as an extra in Kronbruden at the Swedish theatre Dramaten.After the release of her second album in 1999, My Truth, Robyn became a UNICEF ambassador and visited, among other countries, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
and Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
. During her two years of dedicating herself to this work, she intended to draw attention to UNICEF and their worldwide work for children in need of aid.
In 2000, Povel Ramel
Povel Ramel
Baron Povel Karl Henric Ramel was a Swedish entertainer. Ramel was a singer, pianist, vaudeville artist, author and a novelty song composer. His style was characterized by imaginative wit, both verbal and musical...
awarded her the Karamelodiktstipendiet, a scholarship for her musical achievements for which most of the reward lies in the prestige and honour, rather than financial incentives.
Robyn is single as of January, 2011.
Discography
- Robyn Is HereRobyn is HereRobyn Is Here is the debut album by Swedish pop singer Robyn. It was released by Ariola Records in 1995 in Sweden, in 1996 in Japan by Sony Music Japan, and in the United States on 24 June 1997 by BMG with an alternate track listing. In 1998, the album was certified platinum in the U.S, and has...
(1995) - My TruthMy TruthMy Truth is the second studio album by Swedish singer Robyn. It was released on May 17, 1999 by BMG in Sweden, and peaked at #2 on the Swedish Albums Chart.- Track listing :* Co-production...
(1999) - Don't Stop the MusicDon't Stop The Music (Robyn album)Don't Stop the Music is the third studio album by Swedish pop singer Robyn. It was released on 30 October 2002 in Sweden by BMG. The album peaked at #2 in her native Sweden, and the two singles "Keep This Fire Burning" and "Don't Stop the Music" were both top 10 hits...
(2002) - RobynRobyn (album)Robyn is the fourth studio album by Swedish recording artist Robyn. It was released by Konichiwa Records on 27 April 2005 in Sweden. The album represented a change in Robyn's musical style, and featured pop and electronic dance music; inspirations were electronic duo The Knife and rock band...
(2005) - Body Talk Pt. 1Body Talk Pt. 1Body Talk, Pt. 1 received an aggregate score of 76 out of 100 from Metacritic, indicating generally favourable reviews from music critics. Heather Phares of Allmusic stated: "Capturing the freedom and loneliness of independence, Body Talk, Pt...
(2010) - Body Talk Pt. 2Body Talk Pt. 2Body Talk Pt. 2 is the sixth studio album by Swedish recording artist Robyn, released on 6 September 2010, by Konichiwa Records. The album is the second part of the Body Talk trilogy, which consists of three mini-albums, all released during 2010. Robyn started working on songs for the album when...
(2010) - Body TalkBody Talk (Robyn album)Body Talk is the seventh studio album by Swedish recording artist Robyn. The album was released on 22 November 2010 by Konichiwa Records. Robyn first announced plans in early 2010 that she would was planning on releasing three mini-albums throughout the course of 2010. The first two mini-albums, of...
(2010)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Grammis Awards Grammis The Grammis Awards are the Swedish equivalent of the Grammy Awards. The awards ceremony is generally held each year in February in Stockholm.The awards were established in 1969 and awarded until 1972 when they were cancelled.... |
Best Female Pop/Rock Artist | My Truth My Truth My Truth is the second studio album by Swedish singer Robyn. It was released on May 17, 1999 by BMG in Sweden, and peaked at #2 on the Swedish Albums Chart.- Track listing :* Co-production... |
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| 2002 | Best Female Pop/Rock Artist | Don't Stop The Music Don't Stop The Music (Robyn album) Don't Stop the Music is the third studio album by Swedish pop singer Robyn. It was released on 30 October 2002 in Sweden by BMG. The album peaked at #2 in her native Sweden, and the two singles "Keep This Fire Burning" and "Don't Stop the Music" were both top 10 hits... |
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| 2005 | Best Album | Robyn Robyn (album) Robyn is the fourth studio album by Swedish recording artist Robyn. It was released by Konichiwa Records on 27 April 2005 in Sweden. The album represented a change in Robyn's musical style, and featured pop and electronic dance music; inspirations were electronic duo The Knife and rock band... |
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| Best Composer | ||||
| Best Pop Female | Robyn Robyn (album) Robyn is the fourth studio album by Swedish recording artist Robyn. It was released by Konichiwa Records on 27 April 2005 in Sweden. The album represented a change in Robyn's musical style, and featured pop and electronic dance music; inspirations were electronic duo The Knife and rock band... |
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| Best Artist | ||||
| Best Song | Be Mine! Be Mine! "Be Mine!" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, written and composed by herself and producer Klas Åhlund for her self-titled fourth studio album... |
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| 2008 | Best Live Act | |||
| 2009 | Grammy Awards | Best Electronic/Dance Album Grammy Award for Best Electronic/Dance Album The Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronica Album is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality albums in the dance music and electronica genres... |
Robyn Robyn (album) Robyn is the fourth studio album by Swedish recording artist Robyn. It was released by Konichiwa Records on 27 April 2005 in Sweden. The album represented a change in Robyn's musical style, and featured pop and electronic dance music; inspirations were electronic duo The Knife and rock band... |
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| 2011 | Best Dance Recording Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording The Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for works containing quality vocal performances in the dance music genre... |
"Dancing on My Own Dancing on My Own "Dancing on My Own" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, taken from her fifth studio album, Body Talk Pt. 1 . The song was written and produced by Robyn and Patrik Berger, and was inspired by gay disco anthems by Ultravox, Sylvester and Donna Summer. The song was released as Body Talk Pt.... " |
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| Grammis Awards Grammis The Grammis Awards are the Swedish equivalent of the Grammy Awards. The awards ceremony is generally held each year in February in Stockholm.The awards were established in 1969 and awarded until 1972 when they were cancelled.... |
Best Artist | |||
| Best Female Artist | ||||
| Best Composer | ||||
| Best Album | "Body Talk Body Talk (Robyn album) Body Talk is the seventh studio album by Swedish recording artist Robyn. The album was released on 22 November 2010 by Konichiwa Records. Robyn first announced plans in early 2010 that she would was planning on releasing three mini-albums throughout the course of 2010. The first two mini-albums, of... " |
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| Best Song | "Dancing on My Own" | |||
| Best International Success | ||||
| Best Innovator | ||||
| BRIT Awards 2011 BRIT Awards The 2011 BRIT Awards was held on Tuesday 15 February 2011.It was the 31st edition of the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The award ceremony was held at The O2 Arena... |
Best International Female | |||
| 2011 Woodie Awards | Performance Woodie | |||
| 25th Annual Internation Dance Music Awards Winter Music Conference The Winter Music Conference is a weeklong electronic music conference, held every March since the mid-1980s in Miami, Florida, United States. Venues are hosted primarily in Downtown Miami and Miami's South Beach... |
Best Commercial Dance Track | "Dancing on My Own" | ||
| P3 Guld Music Awards | Best Live Act | |||
| Best Pop Artist | ||||
| Best Artist | ||||
| Best Song | Dancing on My Own Dancing on My Own "Dancing on My Own" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, taken from her fifth studio album, Body Talk Pt. 1 . The song was written and produced by Robyn and Patrik Berger, and was inspired by gay disco anthems by Ultravox, Sylvester and Donna Summer. The song was released as Body Talk Pt.... |
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| 2012 | 54th Grammy Awards 54th Grammy Awards The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 12, 2012, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It will be broadcasted on CBS. Nominations were announced on November 30, 2011 on prime-time television as part of "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live! – Countdown to Music's Biggest Night", a... |
Best Dance Recording Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording The Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for works containing quality vocal performances in the dance music genre... |
"Call Your Girlfriend Call Your Girlfriend "Call Your Girlfriend" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, taken from her seventh studio album, Body Talk . It was released as the album's second single on 1 April 2011. The song was written by Robyn, Klas Åhlund and Alexander Kronlund. Åhlund handled production, with assistance by Billboard... " |
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| Best Dance/Electronica Album | "Body Talk Pt. 3 Body Talk Pt. 3 -Charts:-Release history:... " |
External links
- Official website
- Robyn interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' March 2008
- Robyn interview on Buzznet.com
- Robyn interview on musicOMH.com
- Robyn interview on ilikemusic.com
- Robyn interview by Rashmi Shastri
- Robyn's AOL Music Session
- Bellaboo interview with Robyn
- Robyn Exclusive Student Pocket Guide Interview
- Robyn Exclusive interview with Exclaim! Magazine
- Pop queen Robyn