Army of Lovers

Biography

Army of Lovers is a Swedish dance-pop group which formed in 1987 and had a number of hits in Europe throughout the 1990s. Some of their biggest successes include the song "Crucified×Crucified1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Crucified (radio edit)3:332Crucified (The Nuzak remix)8:033Crucified (Yherushalaim dub)7:37", which was a big hit in Europe, charting 31 weeks in the Eurochart and peaking at number 14 in 1992. It remains their best-known song internationally. Their second international hit, "Obsession×Obsession1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Obsession (Schizoperetta mix)6:442Obsession (radio edit)3:423Obsession (Armageddon mix)4:124Obsession (Hermaphrodisiac mix)4:51", charted 32 weeks and peaked at number 29.
The name of the band alludes to the documentary film Army of Lovers or Revolt of the Perverts by German gay rights activist Rosa von Praunheim, the title of which in turn alludes to the Sacred Band of Thebes.

Overview

The founding members, who had all worked together in a band called Barbie, were Alexander Bard, Jean-Pierre Barda, and Camilla Henemark (aka La Camilla).
Army of Lovers had many top 10 hits on the Eurochart, the biggest being "Crucified×Crucified1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Crucified (radio edit)3:332Crucified (The Nuzak remix)8:033Crucified (Yherushalaim dub)7:37", which was one of the biggest-selling European singles of 1991. Their total album sales were seven million copies worldwide.
The band became famous for their outlandish visual appearance (many of their costumes were created by Camilla Thulin), and their high camp music videos directed by Fredrik Boklund.
While Alexander Bard was the brain behind the band, Jean-Pierre Barda was the lead vocalist on hits such as "Crucified" and "Israelism×Israelism1993 · Single · RemixSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Israelism (radio edit)3:252Israelism (Goldcallhorahhorror mix)6:583Israelism (Kibbutznikblitzkrieg mix)6:354Israelism (Très Camp Davis mix)3:15". Bard and Barda were the only two band members who were present throughout all of the band's various line-ups. When Henemark left in 1991, she was replaced by Michaela de la Cour. In 1992, Dominika Peczynski joined, making the band a four-piece. In 1995, De la Cour left and Henemark returned.

Early success and breakup: 1987–1996

Although both "Obsession×Obsession1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Obsession (Schizoperetta mix)6:442Obsession (radio edit)3:423Obsession (Armageddon mix)4:124Obsession (Hermaphrodisiac mix)4:51" and "Ride the Bullet×Ride the Bullet1990 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Ride the Bullet4:292Ride the Bullet (extended Vaganza mix)9:513Ride the Bullet (Swemix Hip House remix)5:40" reached the top spot of the European charts, the group's presence in the US and the UK was limited to club chart successes (though "Crucified×Crucified1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Crucified (radio edit)3:332Crucified (The Nuzak remix)8:033Crucified (Yherushalaim dub)7:37" reached the Top 40 in the UK Singles Chart in February 1992).
While they focused on experimenting with various club sounds and samples on their first album, Disco Extravaganza (later re-issued as Army of Lovers in the US), the artists released a proper pop/dance album with Massive Luxury Overdose×Massive Luxury Overdose26 August 1991 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1We Stand United3:432Crucified3:343Candyman Messiah3:294Obsession3:425I Cross the Rubicon4:046Supernatural3:597Ride the Bullet3:458Say Goodbye to Babylon4:269Flying High3:4210Walking With a Zombie4:1111My Army of Lovers3:29. The record spawned their biggest hits ("Crucified", "Ride the Bullet", and "Obsession") and managed to sell 250,000 copies in Germany alone. Massive Luxury Overdose was later re-issued for the US market, featuring a new cover and four brand new tracks. Their third album, The Gods of Earth and Heaven×The Gods of Earth and Heaven1 June 1993 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Chihuahuas on Parade0:412We Are the Universe3:413La Plage de Saint Tropez3:324I Am3:555Le Portrait de Jean-Pierre0:446Israelism3:227The Grand Fatigue3:338Carry My Urn to Ukraine4:059Sebastien3:3610La Storia di O0:4511Blood in the Chapel3:1712The Ballad of Marie Curie3:5013Heterosexuality4:1014Sons of Lucy3:0315Also sprach Alexander0:3616The Day the Gods Help Us All3:45, was never released in the US. The first single from the album, "Israelism×Israelism1993 · Single · RemixSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Israelism (radio edit)3:252Israelism (Goldcallhorahhorror mix)6:583Israelism (Kibbutznikblitzkrieg mix)6:354Israelism (Très Camp Davis mix)3:15", received radio airplay in several European countries and topped the charts in Israel despite being subject to criticism. Their fourth album, Glory Glamour and Gold (1994), was supported by a club tour across Germany, where the band promoted same-sex marriage. In 1995, Army of Lovers released their first best-of compilation entitled Les Greatest Hits×Les Greatest Hits1995 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1Give My Life3:582Venus and Mars3:313My Army of Lovers3:294Ride the Bullet3:285Supernatural3:586Crucified3:347Obsession3:438Candyman Messiah3:109Judgment Day3:5910Everytime You Lie3:1311Israelism3:2312La Plage de Saint Tropez3:3213I Am3:5614Lit de Parade3:2815Sexual Revolution4:0016Life Is Fantastic (The 1995 remix)4:0217Stand Up for Myself (The 1995 remix)4:0218Requiem4:31, which included three new songs. One year later, it was re-released with one additional new song called "King Midas×King MidasFebruary 1996 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1King Midas (radio edit)3:572Sexual Revolution (Latin radio edit)3:58", which replaced "Stand up for Myself". It was written by Jonas Berggren from Ace of Base.
By this point, they had released four studio albums, made over twenty music videos, and become successful across Eastern Europe before Bard disbanded the group to concentrate on his new group Vacuum in 1996.

Reunion: 2001–2009

Army of Lovers reformed briefly in 2001 to celebrate the 10th anniversary since their breakthrough with the release of another best-of compilation called Le Grand Docu-Soap×Le Grand Docu-Soap21 May 2001 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 28 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Ride the Bullet3:272Crucified3:313Obsession3:414Give My Life3:535Sexual Revolution3:576Israelism3:217I Am3:548Lit de Parade3:249Let the Sunshine In3:5310Life Is Fantastic3:5811Venus & Mars3:2912King Midas3:5513My Army of Lovers3:2714La Plage de Saint Tropez3:3115Candyman Messiah3:0916Hands Up3:1017Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime4:3218Supernatural3:56Disc 21Ride the Bullet (Tren de Amor mix)6:252Crucified (The Nuzak remix)8:023Obsession (Schizoperetta)6:444Give My Life (Sound Factory mix)6:395Sexual Revolution (Latin club mix)6:286Israelism (Goldcalfhorahhorror mix)6:577I Am (Post Modern dance vocal mix)6:338Lit de Parade (Plaisir de Nirvana mix)7:469Let the Sunshine In (M12 Maximum long club mix)7:0210Candyman Messiah (Tolstoy Farm mix)5:38. The compilation contained three covers, including "Let the Sunshine In×Let the Sunshine In1 February 2001 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Let the Sunshine In (radio version)3:562Let the Sunshine In (extended version)5:223Let the Sunshine In (M12 Maximum long club mix)9:334Let the Sunshine In4:05" and "Hands Up×Hands Up2001 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Hands Up (radio version)3:162Hands Up (extended version)6:21".

Further reunions, releases, and shows: 2011–present

Two members of Army of Lovers (Henemark and Peczynski) reunited in June 2011 and appeared as guest vocalists on "Don't Try to Steal My Limelight", a single by Swedish drag artist and blogger Miss Inga. The three later formed the band Happy Hoes and released "We Rule the World", followed by a Christmas song entitled "Happy Ho Ho Ho". Happy Hoes performed at Pride 2012. Army of Lovers reformed with Alexander Bard, Camilla Henemark, and Jean-Pierre Barda in late 2012 to enter the Melodifestivalen 2013 with the song "Rockin' the Ride×Rockin' the Ride24 February 2013 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Rockin' the Ride3:04", in hopes of representing Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö. Their entry did not reach the finals of the Melodifestivalen. Just a few days after their performance, Bard explained to the press that Camilla Henemark had been kicked out once again and that Dominika Peczynski had returned. This was followed by a public fight between Bard and Peczynski against Henemark.
A new best-of compilation, with four new songs, called Big Battle of Egos×Big Battle of Egos27 March 2013 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Rockin' the Ride3:042Crashing Down3:323Signed on My Tattoo3:454Give My Life3:565Crucified3:346Sexual Revolution3:597My Army of Lovers3:298Lit de Parade3:279Obsession3:4510Israelism3:2211Ride the Bullet3:2812I Am3:5613King Midas3:5614La Plage de Saint Tropez3:3315Let the Sunshine In3:5516Tragedy4:09, was announced for release on 27 March 2013, to be followed by a single and video called "Signed on My Tattoo×Signed on My Tattoo22 May 2013 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Signed on My Tattoo3:492Signed on My Tattoo (Alaa radio remix)3:033Signed on My Tattoo (Zoo Brazil radio edit)3:264Signed on My Tattoo (Zoo Brazil remix)5:56", a duet between Army of Lovers and Alexander Bard with his other pop group Gravitonas.
In June 2013, an EP called Scandinavian Crime was released, which included re-recorded versions of "Rockin' The Ride" and "Tragedy", originally from their CD Big Battle of Egos. These new versions featured new vocals by Peczynski and Jean-Pierre Barda, replacing the parts originally sung by Camilla Henemark. On 1 July 2013, the video for "Crucified 2013×Crucified 20137 August 2013 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Crucified 2013 (radio edit)3:152Crucified 2013 (Soundfactory radio edit)3:293Crucified 2013 (Per QX and Sonny Switch radio edit)3:004Crucified 2013 (NORD radio edit)3:315Crucified 2013 (extended version)5:546Crucified 2013 (Soundfactory paradise anthem)8:327Crucified 2013 (Per QX and Sonny Switch club mix)5:498Crucified 2013 (NORD club mix)5:549Crucified 2013 (Soundfactory Dark dub)8:25" premiered on Expressen TV. The song was a revamped version of the band's breakthrough hit from 1991 and was chosen as the official anthem for Copenhagen Pride 2013.
In November 2023, the band released the album Sexodus×Sexodus24 November 2023 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Sexodus3:312Love Is Blue3:553What’s That Look3:264Romanism3:085Bring Your Love2:576Israelism 20233:347Clash of the Titans3:258Tragedy4:089Signed on My Tattoo3:4810People Are Lonely (radio edit)3:43, which was remixed the following year under the title Remixodus×Remixodus12 July 2024 · Album · Compilation,RemixSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 25 tracks1Sexodus (Maxim Andreev radio edit)3:222Love Is Blue (Sagi Kariv radio edit)3:553What’s That Look (Soundfactory radio edit)2:594Romanism (Soundfactory radio edit)2:265Bring Your Love (Maxim Andreev radio edit)3:176Israelism (Nuzak radio edit)3:087Clash of the Titans (Soundfactory radio edit)3:118Crucified (Sagi Kariv remix / radio edit)3:189Sexodus (Elias Bravo radio edit)3:1110What’s That Look (Anders Hansson radio edit)3:5211Romanism (Cabeabel remix)4:0812Bring Your Love (Cavalier remix)7:1613Clash of the Titans (Nuzak remix)4:0014Sexodus (Nuzak remix)4:4215Romanism (Nuzak remix)3:4016Sexodus (Maxim Andreev remix)5:4717Love Is Blue (Sagi Kariv remix)4:5818What’s That Look (Soundfactory remix)5:3719Romanism (Soundfactory remix)5:3220Bring Your Love (Maxim Andreev remix)5:3521Israelism (Nuzak remix)4:0822Clash of the Titans (Soundfactory remix)4:5023Crucified (Sagi Kariv remix)6:1324Sexodus (Elias Bravo remix)5:3725What’s That Look (Anders Hansson remix)6:33.