Back to Jorgen Elofsson Articles

Aftonbladet.se. "25 million is only crumbs" By Klas Granström. 2009-09-07

"When Britney was at its peak, we were from Cheiron invited to a concert in the Globe. But no one knows who we are, so while they are playing my songs like 'Crazy' and 'Sometimes' on stage so it is a security guard and refusing me to enter backstage. He wants to throw me out. It will be weird to grasp, "says Jorgen and laughs.

"25 million is only crumbs"

Jorgen Elofsson writes World stellar hits

Jorgen Elofsson has written eight England Flats, topped the Billboard charts in the U.S. and earned at least 25 million on a single track.

Yet yesterday songwriter around like an ordinary man on the streets of Stockholm.

- When I come to the U.S. as it rolled out a red carpet, where the accepted success while here at home swept under the carpet, "he says.

The family Elofsson's multi-million dollar house on Lidingö are both big garden, close to the water and a built-in studio. Yet there are few things that suggest that these are one of Sweden's most successful songwriters of all time.

The exception that makes you flinch is a painting on the wall in the studio part of an image on the vocal group Il Divo, and a text that says "10 million sold worldwide."

- Now, it probably sold twice and I have probably 30 pieces of those where gold and platinum discs lying in a closet, but I can never look at them. I do not want to live in the past, "said Jorgen Elofsson, 47.

Wrote on Christmas Carols

Elofsson had his big breakthrough as a 37-year-old after having written the song "Gold in your eyes" to the Christmas Carols. A success that both gave him a publishing deal with giant Universal and led to a move from Skåne to Stockholm. Elofsson soon had also enlisted the Cheiron studio - the hub of the Swedish music miracle at the end of the 90s.

Cheiron is now closed. In the past ten years he has written hits for artists like Kelly Clarkson, Celine Dion and 17 pieces of "Idol"-winner plays worldwide.

Opened doors

The most successful is "Sometimes" by Britney Spears's debut album - a song which he reveals has recorded between 25 and 30 million for him.

- But songwriter money is crumbs compared to the record companies and artists. But the song means a lot to me and the doors open, "said Elofsson on" Sometimes ".

In Sweden, the Cheiron studio and its legacy of patented Backstreet Boys-Britney-drums and choruses never managed to get the same credit as Jorgen face when he goes abroad to work.

- When I come to the U.S. as it rolled out a red carpet, where the accepted success while here at home swept under the carpet. But I think it's really nice to escape all this stuff at home.

What do you mean?

- That I, Max Martin and a few others have done may not be super-accepted today. But one day it will be there, "he says.

The home can elofssonska daughter Ida, 4 years, run in and out of each room while dad Jorgen working in the studio part. An art, sound insulated creation with a view of the water, next door to the kitchen and the family's impressive wine collection.

Towards the top - again

After a tough time in recent years when Elofsson was about to go into the wall, when his father died, her daughter Ida's arrival was a reason to slow down the tempo.

But now Elofsson ready to step up the work again - in an industry where you are never larger than its current list location.

- I would do it again, be the best. You can sail or so, they decided to be the best again, "said Jorgen Elofsson.

The work itself, then? Well, most of the time it takes a few days to write a song. It could be a dream or idea that will while he was walking or doing normal things.

Seeking the key

- Typically, a TextID first. But then there is no ready formula for how I do, it can take three hours or more months to be ready with a song. For me it is about finding the key that solves the riddle of how a song is good. It may be a line, a hook to get the hairs to rise on your arms or anything else, "he says.

Klas Granström

Broke through with Britney

Name: Kjell Åke Jorgen Elofsson. Age: 47 years. Lives: Lidingö. Family: wife Kiki and Ida's daughter, 4 years. Revenue: 15 079 292 SEK (tax year 2008). Career: The international breakthrough came with the Britney-songs "(You Drive Me) Crazy" and "Sometimes" in 1999. Has also written 8 list of ones in England and the official song for the football 2006 World Cup. Already in 2005 he received a special gold disc for his songs appeared on over 100 million-selling singles and albums worldwide.

Some of the songs written Elofsson

Britney Spears: "(You Drive Me) Crazy," "Sometimes".

Celine Dion: "The greatest reward."

Shayne Ward "That's My Goal" (number one in England).

Will Young: "Evergreen" (number one in England).

Il Divo "Feelings".

Kelly Clarkson "A Moment Like This" (number one in the U.S.).

Darin "Coming True".