Simon Strömstedt has teamed up with Kid Eriksson and his band Tjuvjakt - and Julia Glenmark Bolund - ahead of this year's World Cup. On Friday they will release the new version of "När vi gräver guld i USA", with newly written rap verses by Tjuvjakt's Jesper Swärd and Arvid Lundquist.
When Sweden secured a World Cup spot on March 31, Simon Strömstedt and Kid Eriksson had the same idea.
I spoke to Simon right after and he said exactly the same thing. There was a lot of back and forth, but then we drove, says Kid Eriksson.
“The legacy”
For Simon Strömstedt and Kid Eriksson, it was important that Julia Glenmark be included, even though she is not a singer but a nurse.
If "the legacy" is to be perfected, Julia has to be there and I know she can sing, says Simon Strömstedt.
"När vi gräver guld i USA" became a classic that was sung by 50,000 in Rålambshovsparken when the World Cup team was welcomed to Stockholm after the World Cup bronze medal 32 years ago. Now the children are the same age as Anders Glenmark, Thomas "Orup" Eriksson and Niklas Strömstedt were then - and the fathers can also be heard on the new song.
The old choir parts have been mixed into the new version.
We did a boy band with our dads when they were the same age as we are now. It's like an episode of "Black Mirror," says Kid Eriksson, shaking his head.
But there is already an official World Cup song "Leva för alltid" by Thomas Stenström, so the GES children had to ask the Swedish Football Association for help.
They've dissed us. We tried to get some national team shirts, but it was over. We say we're the official unofficial World Cup song, says Kid Eriksson.
“Come to Rålis!”
He believes both songs can find their audience.
Thomas's song has a feeling that I really understand. It's just that it doesn't quite match the feeling that many people want, that uplifting feeling. I think and hope that our song might be able to provide that.
Kid Eriksson and Simon Strömstedt say that the GES dads have supported the process. Anders Glenmark has even provided advice on the production. The trio did a farewell concert in 2022, but perhaps they can be forced onto the stage again, believes Kid Eriksson.
Of course, I respect that they don't want to run again, but if we get a bronze this year then they can fucking come to "Rålis"!
The new version will be released on Friday.
Kid Eriksson, 34, is the son of Thomas "Orup" Eriksson and Sofia Wistam. He is a member of the group Tjuvjakt and is also working on a solo project.
Simon Strömstedt, 34, is the son of Niklas Strömstedt and Efva Attling. He is a music producer and has worked with Tjuvjakt, among other things.
Julia Glenmark Bolund, 35, is the daughter of Anders and Birgitta "Hajen" Glenmark. She works as a nurse.
