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{{short description|Swedish pop band}}
{{For|the song by Lee Ryan|Army of Lovers (song)}}
{{for multi|the song by Lee Ryan|Army of Lovers (song)|the film after which the group was named|Army of Lovers or Revolt of the Perverts}}
{{Refimprove|date=January 2013}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = group_or_band
| name = Army of Lovers
| name = Army of Lovers
| image = Army of Lovers.jpg
| image = Army of Lovers.png
| caption =
| caption = Army of Lovers, 1991. L-R: [[Jean-Pierre Barda]], [[Camilla Henemark]], and [[Alexander Bard]]
| image_size =
| image_size =
| landscape = yes
| landscape = yes
| background = group_or_band
| alias =
| alias =
| origin = [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]]
| origin = [[Stockholm]], Sweden
| genre = [[Eurodance]]
| genre = [[Dance-pop]], [[Europop]]
| discography = [[Army of Lovers discography]]
| years_active = 1987–2003, 2007-2009, 2011–2013
| years_active = 1987–1996, 2001–2009, 2012–present
| label = [[Stockholm Records]]<br/>[[Giant Records (Warner)|Giant]]/[[Reprise Records|Reprise]]/[[Warner Bros. Records]] (US)<br/>[[Polydor Records]] (UK)
| label = [[Sonet Records]] (1987–1988)<br />Ton Son Ton (1988–1992)<br />[[Stockholm Records]] (1992–2001)<br />[[Universal Music Group]] (1998–present)<br />[[Capitol Music Group Sweden#Record Labels|Sofo Records]] (2013–present)
| associated_acts = [[Bodies Without Organs]], [[Vacuum (musical group)|Vacuum]], [[Nouveau Riche (Swedish band)|Nouveau Riche]], [[Alcazar (band)|Alcazar]], [[Happy Hoes]], [[Gravitonas]]
| website =
| website = {{url|armyoflovers.eu}}
| current_members =
| current_members = [[Alexander Bard]] (1987–2009, 2012-present)<br/>[[Jean-Pierre Barda]] (1987–2009, 2012-present)<br/>[[Dominika Peczynski]] (1992–2009, 2013-present)
* [[Alexander Bard]] (1987–1996, 2012–present)
| past_members = [[Camilla Henemark]] (1987–1991, 1995–2001, 2012-2013)<br/>[[Michaela Dornonville de la Cour]] (1991–1995)}}
* [[Jean-Pierre Barda]] (1987–1996, 2012–present)
* [[Dominika Peczynski]] (1992–1996, 2013–present)
| past_members =
* [[Camilla Henemark]] (1987–1991, 1995–1996, 2012–2013)
* Michaela de la Cour (1991–1995)
}}


'''Army of Lovers''' is a [[Sweden|Swedish]] [[dance music]] group which formed in 1987, and have had a number of hits in [[Europe]] throughout the 1990s with songs such as "[[Crucified (Army of Lovers song)|Crucified]]", which was number one on the Eurochart for eight consecutive weeks. It remains their best known song internationally.
'''Army of Lovers''' is a Swedish [[dance music|dance]]-[[pop music|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 (Army of Lovers song)|Crucified]]", which was a big hit in Europe, charting 31 weeks in the [[Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|Eurochart]] and peaking at number 14 in 1992. It remains their best-known song internationally. Their second international hit, "Obsession", charted 32 weeks and peaked at number 29.


The name of the band alludes to a documentary ''[[Army of Lovers or Revolt of the Perverts|Armee der Liebenden oder Revolte der Perversen]]'' of the German gay rights activist [[Rosa von Praunheim]], the title of which in turn alludes to the [[Sacred Band of Thebes|Theban Band]].
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]].

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" in hopes of representing Sweden in the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2013]] in [[Malmö]].<ref name="armyoflovers.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.armyoflovers.net/2012/11/26/its-official-army-of-lovers-announced-for-melodifestivalen-2013/ |title=It’s official: Army of Lovers announced for Melodifestivalen 2013 - Army Of Lovers . net |publisher=Armyoflovers.net |date=|accessdate=2013-02-21}}</ref> They failed to progress to the final and a few days later issued a press release to announce that Henemark will be replaced by former member [[Dominika Peczynski]] for the remainder of their on-going reunion''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://europecrazy.blogspot.de/2013/03/army-of-lovers-you-wanted-drama-you-got.html |title=EuropeCrazy |accessdate=2013-07-02}}</ref>''


==History==
==History==
===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).
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 Hot 100 Singles|Eurochart]], the biggest being "[[Crucified (Army of Lovers song)|Crucified]]", which was one of the biggest-selling European singles of 1991. Their total album sales were seven million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.armyoflovers.net/information/sales-charts-awards/ |title=Sales, Charts & Awards - Army Of Lovers . net |publisher=Armyoflovers.net |access-date=21 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309100312/http://www.armyoflovers.net/information/sales-charts-awards/ |archive-date=9 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rambarran |first=Shara |date=6 July 2022 |title=Alexander Bard: The "King Midas" of Scandipop? |url=https://medium.com/@shararambarran/alexander-bard-the-king-midas-of-scandipop-ab035ef89dab |access-date=9 July 2022 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref> [[Jean-Pierre Barda]] was the lead vocalist on hits such as "[[Crucified (Army of Lovers song)|Crucified]]" and "[[Israelism (song)|Israelism]]". Bard and Barda were the only two band members who were present throughout all of the band's various line-ups. When La Camilla 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 (Army of Lovers song)|Obsession]]" and "[[Ride the Bullet]]" 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" reached the [[Top 40]] in the [[UK Singles Chart]] in February 1992).<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book| first=David| last=Roberts| year=2006| title=British Hit Singles & Albums| edition=19th| publisher=Guinness World Records Limited| location=London| isbn=1-904994-10-5| page=29}}</ref>

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]]''. The record spawned their biggest hits ("[[Crucified (Army of Lovers song)|Crucified]]", "[[Ride the Bullet]]", and "[[Obsession (Army of Lovers song)|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 fourth album, ''The Gods of Earth and Heaven'', was never released in the US. The first single from the album, "[[Israelism (song)|Israelism]]", received radio airplay in several European countries and topped the charts in [[Israel]] despite being subject to criticism. Their fifth 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'', which included three new songs. One year later, it was re-released with one additional new song called "[[King Midas (Army of Lovers song)|King Midas]]", which replaced "Stand up for Myself". It was written by [[Jonas Berggren]] from [[Ace of Base]].

By this point, they had released five 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 (band)|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''. The compilation contained three covers, including "Let the Sunshine In" and "Hands Up".


===Further reunions, releases, and shows: 2011–present===
Army of Lovers had many Top 10 hits on the [[Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|Eurochart]], the biggest being "[[Crucified (Army of Lovers song)|Crucified]]", which was one of the biggest selling European singles of 1991. Their total album sales were seven million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armyoflovers.net/information/sales-charts-awards/ |title=Sales, Charts & Awards - Army Of Lovers . net |publisher=Armyoflovers.net |date=|accessdate=2013-02-21}}</ref>
Two members of Army of Lovers (La Camilla and Dominika) 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/noje/article13263464.ab |title=Exklusivt: 90-talsikonernas comeback &#124; Nöjesbladet &#124; Webbtv &#124; Aftonbladet |publisher=Aftonbladet.se |access-date=1 May 2012}}</ref> The three later formed the band Happy Hoes and released "We Rule the World",<ref name="ball">{{cite web|url=http://www.armyoflovers.net/2012/06/25/happy-hoes-getting-the-ball-rolling/ |title=Happy Hoes: Getting the ball rolling - armyoflovers.net |publisher=army-of-lovers.net |access-date=8 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035704/http://www.armyoflovers.net/2012/06/25/happy-hoes-getting-the-ball-rolling/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 }}</ref> followed by a Christmas song entitled "Happy Ho Ho Ho". Happy Hoes performed at Pride 2012.<ref name="ball"/> 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", in hopes of representing Sweden in the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2013]] in [[Malmö]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.armyoflovers.net/2012/11/26/its-official-army-of-lovers-announced-for-melodifestivalen-2013/ |title=It's official: Army of Lovers announced for Melodifestivalen 2013 |publisher=Armyoflovers.net |access-date=21 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217041846/http://www.armyoflovers.net/2012/11/26/its-official-army-of-lovers-announced-for-melodifestivalen-2013/ |archive-date=17 February 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://europecrazy.blogspot.de/2013/03/army-of-lovers-you-wanted-drama-you-got.html |title=EuropeCrazy |date=3 March 2013 |access-date=2 July 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://12points.tv/more-nationals-13/item/1718-army-of-lovers-la-camilla-says-love-forgive-forget |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130702113336/http://12points.tv/more-nationals-13/item/1718-army-of-lovers-la-camilla-says-love-forgive-forget |archive-date=2 July 2013 |title=Army of Lovers' La Camilla says: love, forgive, forget |url-status=dead |access-date=2 July 2013 }}</ref>


A new best-of compilation, with four new songs, called ''Big Battle of Egos'', was announced for release on 27 March 2013, to be followed by a single and video called "Signed on My Tattoo", a duet between Army of Lovers and Alexander Bard with his other pop group [[Gravitonas]].
The band became famous for their outlandish visual appearance (many of their costumes were created by [[Camilla Thulin]]), and their high camp [[music video]]s directed by Fredrik Boklund (some of which were banned by [[MTV]]).


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 [[Dominika Peczynski]] and [[Jean-Pierre Barda]], replacing the parts originally sung by Camilla Henemark. On 1 July 2013, the video for "Crucified 2013" 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.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}
While [[Alexander Bard]] was the "brain" behind the band, [[Jean-Pierre Barda]] was the lead vocalist on hits such as "[[Crucified (Army of Lovers song)|Crucified]]" and "[[Israelism]]". Bard and Barda were the only two band members who were present throughout all of the band's various line-ups. When La Camilla left the band in 1991, she was replaced by [[Michaela Dornonville de la Cour]]. In 1993, [[Dominika Peczynski]] joined, making the band a four-piece. In 1995, Dornonville de la Cour left and Henemark returned.


In November 2023, the band released the album ''Sexodus''.
Although both "Obsession" and "[[Ride the Bullet]]" reached the top spot of the Eurocharts, their presence in the US and the UK was limited to club chart successes (though "Crucified" reached the [[Top 40]] in the [[UK Singles Chart]] in February 1992).<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book
| first=David
| last=Roberts
| year=2006
| title=British Hit Singles & Albums
| edition=19th
| publisher=Guinness World Records Limited
| location=London
| isbn=1-904994-10-5
| page=29}}</ref>


==Band members==
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), they released a proper pop/dance album with [[Massive Luxury Overdose]] (1991). The longplayer spawned their biggest hits ("[[Crucified (Army of Lovers song)|Crucified]]", "[[Ride the Bullet]]" & "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 fourth album, ''The Gods of Earth and Heaven'' was never released in the US. The first single from the album, "[[Israelism]]", received radio airplay in several European countries and topped the charts in [[Israel]] despite being subject to criticism. The fifth LP, ''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'', which included one new song called [[King Midas (Army of Lovers song)|King Midas]]. It was written by [[Jonas Berggren]] from [[Ace of Base]].
{{columns-start}}
'''Current'''
* [[Alexander Bard]]
* [[Jean-Pierre Barda]]
* [[Dominika Peczynski]]
{{column}}
'''Past'''
* [[Camilla Henemark]]
* Michaela de la Cour
{{columns-end}}


'''Timeline'''
By this point, they had released five studio albums, made over twenty [[music videos]], and they became successful across Eastern Europe before Bard disbanded the group to concentrate on his new group [[Vacuum (band)|Vacuum]] in 1996.
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:26
PlotArea = left:110 bottom:90 top:05 right:10
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1987 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1987
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1987


Colors =
The band 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''. The compilation contained three cover versions, including "Let The Sunshine In" and "Hands Up".
id:vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals
id:studio value:black legend:Studio_albums
id:other value:gray(0.70) legend:Other_releases
id:bars value:gray(0.95)


BackgroundColors = bars:bars
They joined forces again in 2007 for two shows, one at [[G-A-Y]] in London and one in [[Moscow]]. Bard, Peczyniski and Barda were present, but Henemark was replaced by an inflatable doll.


LineData =
Two members of Army of Lovers (La Camilla and Dominika) 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/noje/article13263464.ab |title=Exklusivt: 90-talsikonernas comeback &#124; Nöjesbladet &#124; Webbtv &#124; Aftonbladet |publisher=Aftonbladet.se |date=|accessdate=2012-05-01}}</ref> The three later formed the band Happy Hoes and released "We Rule the World",<ref name="ball">{{cite web|url=http://www.armyoflovers.net/2012/06/25/happy-hoes-getting-the-ball-rolling/ |title=Happy Hoes: Getting the ball rolling - armyoflovers.net |publisher=army-of-lovers.net |date= |accessdate=2012-08-08 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035704/http://www.armyoflovers.net/2012/06/25/happy-hoes-getting-the-ball-rolling/ |archivedate=2016-03-04 }}</ref> followed by a Christmas song entitled "Happy Ho Ho Ho". Happy Hoes performed at Pride 2012.<ref name="ball"/> Army of Lovers performed with [[Alexander Bard]], [[Camilla Henemark]] and [[Jean-Pierre Barda]] in late 2012 to enter the [[Melodifestivalen 2013]] with the song "Rockin' the Ride", in hopes of representing Sweden in the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2013]] in [[Malmö]].<ref name="armyoflovers.net"/> Their entry did not reach the finals of the Melodifestivalen. Just a few days after their performance, Alexander 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 Alexander Bard and [[Dominika Peczynski]] against Camilla Henemark.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://12points.tv/more-nationals-13/item/1718-army-of-lovers-la-camilla-says-love-forgive-forget |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130702113336/http://12points.tv/more-nationals-13/item/1718-army-of-lovers-la-camilla-says-love-forgive-forget |archivedate=2013-07-02 |title=Army of Lovers' La Camilla says: love, forgive, forget |deadurl=yes |accessdate=2013-07-02 |df= }}</ref>
layer:back
color:studio
at:04/28/1990
at:08/26/1991
at:06/01/1993
at:09/30/1994
color:other
at:07/05/2013
at:05/24/2005


BarData =
A new best-of compilation, with four new songs, called ''Big Battle of Egos'' was announced for release on March 27, 2013, to be followed by a single and video called ''Signed on My Tattoo'', a duet between Army of Lovers and Alexander Bard with his other pop group [[Gravitonas]].
bar:Bard text:"Alexander Bard"
bar:Barda text:"Jean-Pierre Barda"
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 [[Dominika Peczynski]] and [[Jean-Pierre Barda]], replacing all the parts sung Camilla Henemark. On July 1, 2013, the video clip for "Crucified 2013" 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.
bar:Peczynski text:"Dominika Peczynski"
bar:Henemark text:"Camilla Henemark"
bar:Cour text:"Michaela de la Cour"


PlotData =
==Members==
width:13 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4)
*[[Alexander Bard]]
bar:Bard from:01/01/1987 till:12/31/1996 color:vocals
*[[Jean-Pierre Barda]]
bar:Bard from:01/01/2012 till:end color:vocals
*[[Camilla Henemark]]
bar:Barda from:01/01/1987 till:12/31/1996 color:vocals
*[[Michaela Dornonville de la Cour]]
bar:Barda from:01/01/2012 till:end color:vocals
*[[Dominika Peczynski]]
bar:Peczynski from:01/01/1992 till:12/31/1996 color:vocals
bar:Peczynski from:01/01/2013 till:end color:vocals
bar:Henemark from:01/01/1987 till:12/31/1991 color:vocals
bar:Henemark from:01/01/1995 till:12/31/1996 color:vocals
bar:Henemark from:01/01/2012 till:12/31/2013 color:vocals
bar:Cour from:01/01/1991 till:12/31/1995 color:vocals
}}


==Discography==
==Discography==
{{main|Army of Lovers discography}}
{{Main|Army of Lovers discography}}
* ''[[Disco Extravaganza]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Massive Luxury Overdose]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Massive Luxury Overdose|Massive Luxury Overdose (U.S. Edition)]]'' (1992)
* ''[[The Gods of Earth and Heaven]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Glory, Glamour and Gold]]'' (1994)
* ''Sexodus'' (2023)


==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of Swedes in music]]
* [[List of Swedes in music]]


==References==
==References==
Line 76: Line 140:
==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Army of Lovers}}
{{Commons category|Army of Lovers}}
*{{official website|http://www.armyoflovers.se/}} (defunct, replaced by celeb-gossip site)
* {{official website|armyoflovers.eu}}
* {{Discogs artist}}
*[http://ymarksthespot.org/2010/10/25/bizarro-masterpiece-theatre-the-music-videos-of-army-of-lovers/ A review of Army of Lovers' music videos]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*[http://www.svd.se/kultur/army-of-lovers-aterforenas-i-melodifestivalen_7701848.svd Svd.se]
*[http://europecrazy.blogspot.de/2013/03/army-of-lovers-you-wanted-drama-you-got.html Europecrazy]
*[https://archive.is/20130702113336/http://12points.tv/more-nationals-13/item/1718-army-of-lovers-la-camilla-says-love-forgive-forget 12points.tv]


{{Army of Lovers}}
{{Army of Lovers}}
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[[Category:Swedish pop music groups]]
[[Category:Swedish pop music groups]]
[[Category:Swedish house music groups]]
[[Category:Swedish house music groups]]
[[Category:Techno music groups]]
[[Category:Swedish Eurodance groups]]
[[Category:Swedish Eurodance groups]]
[[Category:Giant Records (Warner) artists]]
[[Category:Giant Records (Warner) artists]]
[[Category:LGBT-themed musical groups]]
[[Category:LGBT-themed musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1987]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1987]]
[[Category:Melodifestivalen contestants]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Stockholm]]
[[Category:English-language musical groups from Sweden]]
[[Category:Sonet Records artists]]
[[Category:1987 establishments in Sweden]]
[[Category:Melodifestivalen contestants of 2013]]

Latest revision as of 20:00, 5 April 2024

For the song by Lee Ryan, see Army of Lovers (song). For the film after which the group was named, see Army of Lovers or Revolt of the Perverts.

Army of Lovers
Background information
OriginStockholm, Sweden
GenresDance-pop, Europop
DiscographyArmy of Lovers discography
Years active1987–1996, 2001–2009, 2012–present
LabelsSonet Records (1987–1988)
Ton Son Ton (1988–1992)
Stockholm Records (1992–2001)
Universal Music Group (1998–present)
Sofo Records (2013–present)
Members
Past members
  • Camilla Henemark (1987–1991, 1995–1996, 2012–2013)
  • Michaela de la Cour (1991–1995)
Websitearmyoflovers.eu

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", 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", 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.

History[edit]

Overview[edit]

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", which was one of the biggest-selling European singles of 1991. Their total album sales were seven million copies worldwide.[1]

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,[2] Jean-Pierre Barda was the lead vocalist on hits such as "Crucified" and "Israelism". Bard and Barda were the only two band members who were present throughout all of the band's various line-ups. When La Camilla 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[edit]

Although both "Obsession" and "Ride the Bullet" 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" reached the Top 40 in the UK Singles Chart in February 1992).[3]

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. 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 fourth album, The Gods of Earth and Heaven, was never released in the US. The first single from the album, "Israelism", received radio airplay in several European countries and topped the charts in Israel despite being subject to criticism. Their fifth 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, which included three new songs. One year later, it was re-released with one additional new song called "King Midas", which replaced "Stand up for Myself". It was written by Jonas Berggren from Ace of Base.

By this point, they had released five 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[edit]

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. The compilation contained three covers, including "Let the Sunshine In" and "Hands Up".

Further reunions, releases, and shows: 2011–present[edit]

Two members of Army of Lovers (La Camilla and Dominika) 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.[4] The three later formed the band Happy Hoes and released "We Rule the World",[5] followed by a Christmas song entitled "Happy Ho Ho Ho". Happy Hoes performed at Pride 2012.[5] 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", in hopes of representing Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö.[6][7] 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.[8]

A new best-of compilation, with four new songs, called Big Battle of Egos, was announced for release on 27 March 2013, to be followed by a single and video called "Signed on My Tattoo", 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 Dominika Peczynski and Jean-Pierre Barda, replacing the parts originally sung by Camilla Henemark. On 1 July 2013, the video for "Crucified 2013" 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.[citation needed]

In November 2023, the band released the album Sexodus.

Band members[edit]

Current

Past

Timeline

Discography[edit]

Main article: Army of Lovers discography

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Sales, Charts & Awards - Army Of Lovers . net". Armyoflovers.net. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  2. ^ Rambarran, Shara (6 July 2022). "Alexander Bard: The "King Midas" of Scandipop?". Medium. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  3. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 29. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. ^ "Exklusivt: 90-talsikonernas comeback | Nöjesbladet | Webbtv | Aftonbladet". Aftonbladet.se. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Happy Hoes: Getting the ball rolling - armyoflovers.net". army-of-lovers.net. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  6. ^ "It's official: Army of Lovers announced for Melodifestivalen 2013". Armyoflovers.net. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  7. ^ "EuropeCrazy". 3 March 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  8. ^ "Army of Lovers' La Camilla says: love, forgive, forget". Archived from the original on 2 July 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.

External links[edit]

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