Adolphson: Balladen

Olle Adolphson (1934-2004) is one of the most important representatives of the Swedish ballad during the second half of the 20th century. He wrote a long series of ballads that are loved by the Swedish people. Many of them have become so well-known that they can now almost be considered Swedish folk songs. Olle was inspired by and associated with great cultural figures of the time such as Evert and Sven-Bertil Taube, Lars Forssell, Beppe Wolgers, Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd, Stig Claesson, Monica Zetterlund, Monica and Carl-Axel Dominique and others.

Olle was a serious and meticulous poet who often told stories about people's happiness and unhappiness in love. Sometimes the poems contain very sad descriptions of human vulnerability. He could also be critical of society and protest against the destruction of Stockholm, as in Gustav Lindström's poem and the lyrics of the hit song "Trettiofyran".