I don’t write music because I’m either very happy, or to release an overflow of joy and energy, or because I’m sad. It’s because I’m consoling myself. When my mood is somewhere in between, I can’t write at all, but on the other hand, I’m almost nothing. So when the song is finished, I give it to Kenneth for his opinion.
We have a fantastically good collaboration – without him I’d be nothing. We’re each other’s toughest critic and neither of us gives up until we’re both satisfied 100% with both the lyrics and music.
(from the swedish weekmagazine Vecko-Revyn, 1973)
Kenneth Gärdestad about Ted
To me, Ted’s music is so important and so sincere that I always try to capture his musical images and moods in words which I know he’s expressing.
Of course I express it in my style, but I don’t give up until Ted is satisfied. It’s his music and he speaks to me through the music.
(from the inner sleeve of the “Ted” LP)
We always took plenty of time to do our songs. One idea was tested and made better until we were satisfied. First came the music, then the lyrics.
On average it took a month for every song.
Everything had to be as good as we could do it.
When we discussed the content, Ted was quick to explain that it should be about love.
The music should be timeless and touch upon existential problems but always with a positive undertone.
For him, music was a kind of comfort. An edifying power which made life easier.
He wanted to give that experience to others, too.
We made our music as one and always as a close collaboration, but because Ted was the artist he always got the last word.
Ted was a musical omnivore. He absolutely hated categorizing music by different styles. The only thing that mattered was if the music was good or bad.
(from the program booklet for the musical “Sol, vind och vatten”)
Janne Schaffer about Ted
The first time I met Ted was through his producers Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson at the Polar offices on Jungfrugatan in 1971.
And a musical friendship developed at that first hearing!
Ted's enthusiasm, musical maturity, personal warmth and charm made me take both his music and personality immediately to heart. We laughed and cried together, I tried to sort out his musical intentions, and quite often I got to contribute small musical ideas for these fantastic creations.
The songs were decorated afterwards with wonderful lyrics by Kenneth. Many of the songs have become classics today.
Our friendship lasted until 1982-83 and was revived ten years later when I produced Ted's last album. That album, in my opinion, is one of Ted's absolute best.
When Ted tragically passed away in 1997, some of us decided to keep his memory alive through a scholarship, administered by SAMI (Swedish Artists and Musicians Interest Organization), to promote new, young Swedish music.
The scholarship has been awarded for nine years and has taken place through a tribute concert in which almost all of Sweden's leading artists participate.
We have since noticed that Ted’s music has grown in popularity with the younger generations, and it will live in people’s memories for a long time afterwards.
On that note I want to quote Andy Bell, bassist for Oasis: “Ted was the king of melodies.”
Per Gessle ~ swedish popartist
I have always loved Ted’s songs for the sometimes fantastic melodies that could enchant me even as a teenager.
Today, 30-35 years later, it still feels as if no one has really filled his shoes.
There’s a truly strong personality within his feeling for music.
A simplicity, a sadness.
A timeless quality.
Bobby Ljunggren ~ swedish musicwriter and owns a recordcompany "LionHeart international"
Ted Gärdestad and his music for me have always stood out as a truly fine and unique representative of Swedish pop tradition.
Åsa Jinder ~ nyckelharpa swedish youngest female folkmusicplayer
I grew up with Ted’s music. It has the same light Nordic sound such as, for example, Benny Andersson’s.
Kenneth’s lyrics have meant so much to me. I consider him to be one of the country’s most important lyricists.
I listen more to Ted today than I did when I was young. That treasury of songs gets stronger and bigger every year, and I think many people feel the same way. The more you have to compare, the clearer that absolute brilliance stands out.
Niklas Strömstedt ~ popartist
I loved Ted and Kenneth’s songs and they’re the ones who made me dare to begin writing my own.
In 1973 when I was fifteen, of course it wasn’t exactly cool for a guy to like Ted. Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin were what mattered, and it was their records that were in full view when friends came over. I just simply hide Ted’s behind a cupboard. So you can say that he was a bit of an underground artist in my home…
Håkan Hellström ~ popartist
Ted and Kenneth have inspired me both musically and lyrically. One of their greatnesses lay right in the cross between Ted’s voice and music, and Kenneth’s lyrics, one of Sweden’s biggest songwriting duos.
In fact, Ted was someone I tried to get my friends to listen to. Evert Taube was another.
