The summer madness is catching up with us. Our couchsurfing schedule has been more than hectic and here we are, behind on documenting our experiences. I didn't get the chance to finish reading and writing about Sweden and Malmo and we already welcomed 2 other guests this past weekend - Wojtek and Anna from the south and north Poland (more on them and their country coming up this week)...

But I had to share a few more things so that I can get some closure on Sweden and all things Swedish. The last night Thess was here, we talked a bit about Swedish music and I can proudly say that I did quite good as I even pointed out some bands to Thess that she didn't know were Swedish (ok, I'm exaggerating - there was only 1 such band and the artists she shared with us were a lot more than 1:)). I'm not talking ABBA here (or Europe's Final Countdown), but bands and songs that a lot of us (in our weird - or not so weird - days) grew up with or listened to at some point, often not knowing their origin was Swedish. So as closure to the Swedish chapter here are 5 songs that you most likely know but perhaps didn't know they were "Made in Sweden". Enjoy and let us know what's your favorite!

This was my late parrot's favorite tune, he'd go crazy every time it was on, and that was a lot (ok, I was 10!). Here's a 2001 live version of Joyride, by Roxette.

From the same (obviously very creative) year of 1991, here is probably one of the weirdest bands/songs I listened to at the ripe age of 10. I think this video of Crucified had a very hypnotizing effect on me as did the whole Army of Lovers setup.

You gotta love this guy. Although originally from Nigeria, he moved to Sweden when he was 23 to study dentistry  - music was just a way to support himself. Fresh from 1992, this is It's my Life, Dr. Alban's biggest hit.

Ok, this is actually physically painful and I have no comments whatsoever. I dread hitting the play button but if you are brave, go ahead. Cotton Eye Joe by Rednex.

Fast forward a year and it's 1995, we're on the way to high school and this very summery hit is all the rage. Here's I Saw You Dancing by Yaki-Da (by the way, anyone knows what Yaki Da means???)

Ok, humiliation over. And to make up for all this early 90ies noise, here are 2 Swedish bands I still truly love.

I'm a sucker for the Cardigans - always have been. Here's Lovefool but any other of their songs does it for me.

The Wannadies. Love them. Here's You and Me Song from the Romeo+Juliet OST, but I love almost everything they've done.