TOP TEN: Ace Of Base

They are the 3rd most successful music group from Sweden behind only ABBA and Roxette on an international basis. Ace Of Base were formed in 1990, consisting of siblings Jonas, Linn and Jenny Berggren with Ulf Ekberg, who shared a rehearsal studio with them, when they were called ‚Tech Noir‘. Inspired by the Motörhead song ‚Ace Of Spades‘ the group renamed themselves ‚Ace Of Base‘. As Ulf explained: „The name came out of a hangover I had on New Year’s Day. So, I was hungover, watching MTV and I saw Motörhead’s video for their song ‚Ace of Spades‘. I liked the name and I thought I’d play around with those words. We’re four members in this band, so I thought, ‚Good. Four aces. I’ll keep the ace.‘ Then I thought of our studio and how it’s our base.“

Ace Of Base released their debut single „Wheel Of Fortune“ in 1991 but the song did not gain traction in their homecountry Sweden so they focussed on the neighbour country of Denmark, where it peaked at #2 in the Danish Single Charts. The band then sent out a demo tape to Swedish producer ‚Denniz PoP‘ which after first didn’t found it very interesting kinda grew on him and he decided to re-record the song with the group as ‚All That She Wants‘. This became a major breakthrough song for the group as it topped the charts in many countries such as the UK, Germany, Australia, Canada, peaked at #2 in the USA and #3 in Sweden. The album ‚Happy Nation‘ also topped the charts in the UK and Germany and with 3 new tracks and a release abroad as ‚The Sign‘ it also topped the charts in the USA and Canada. The single ‚The Sign‘ became the band’s only #1 song in the USA, while also topping the charts in Germany, Canada and Australia among other places.

In 1995 the group released their 2nd studio album ‚The Bridge‘ and it became their only #1 in their homecountry in Sweden, including the single ‚Lucky Love‘ which also became their only charttopper in their homecountry. The album also reached Top 10 in various countries in Europe and Canada.

Their next album ‚Flowers‘ was released in 1998 and included a different style with influences in Motown and Gospel. The album reached Top 10 in various countries and #15 in the UK but wasn’t able to uphold the high salesnumbers the previous albums had achieved. The single ‚Life Is A Flower‘ reached Top 10 and 20 results in some European countries such as #5 in the UK. And the cover of Bananarama’s ‚Cruel Summer‘ helped the band to the first US Top Ten ranking in 4 years. The album was then released as ‚Cruel Summer‘ in Canada and the USA but only reached #23 in Canada and 101 in the USA as peaks.

Their next album ‚Da Capo‘ was released in 2002. It was their last album with Linn who pursued a solo career and other opportunities afterwards. In 2007 the group reunited after a hiatus but without Linn as a trio and in 2010 released their (so far) final album ‚The Golden Ratio‘ with new female singers Julia Wilamsson and Clara Hagman, who is known nowadays as ‚Clara Mae‘.

Here now I present to you my favorite 10 songs of this group, who sold over 50 million records during their career. Hope you enjoy! What are your favorites? Write in the comments and discuss this ranking but please keep it civil. Thank you!

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No Copyright infringement intended. You can buy all these songs in full length in your favorite store. No money are made of this videos, just a hobby to celebrate music.

To support Ace Of Base go to their official sites, buy and stream their songs. Thank you!

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