In the 1960s, the most famous band in Sweden was probably the Hep Stars. Gotta love that name…
The band's keyboardist was a guy named Benny Andersson, who would go on to found the supergroup ABBA and, later, the Benny Andersson Orchestra (BAO).
In 1965, they had a number one hit in Sweden with a song called "Cadillac". It also hit big on the Norwegian charts.
The words aren't anything to write home about. Typical 1960s rock'n'roll. But the song is memorable for a whole generation of Scandinavians.
Cadillac
My baby drove up in a brand new Cadillac
My baby drove up in a brand new Cadillac
but she ain't never, ever coming backBaby, baby, baby please
Can't you see I'm on my bended knees
Your heart's so cold it's gonna freezeMy baby drove up in a brand new, brand new Cadillac
My baby drove up in a brand new Cadillac
but she ain't never, ever coming backyea…Cadillac
woah…Cadillac
yea…Cadillac
ooh…Cadillac
yea…Cadilac
ooh…CADILLAC
You can view a YouTube video of a 1965 live performance of Cadillac by the Hepstars in Oslo.
Recently, I found a video of the Benny Andersson Orchestra, the Orsa Spelmän and Tommy Körberg (of Chess fame) doing a performance of "Cadillac" at Sweden's Allsang på Skansen.
What I love about the video is that most of the guys performing were probably boys or young men at the time Cadillac was a #1 hit. So these guys are giving this classic song its due. And notice the accordion within arms reach of Benny Andersson on the piano.
Just look at the Orsa Spelmän rock out on their fiddles!! It's a sheer delight.
