From a virtual standing-start in the early 1970s, Sweden has emerged as hosting one of the world’s most influential pop-music industries. Indeed, the Swedish government identifies pop music as a strategic export. Several generations of producers have refined and expanded the Nordic country’s capabilities and they regularly welcome other European and North American artists as production clients. That capacity is very evident at the Eurovision Song Contest. Sweden ties with Ireland for the most number of Eurovision wins. Sometimes their songs sound impersonal and generic, but no one can deny their popularity.
