Comments on: Harper Valley PTA/Fru Johnsen/Fröken Fredriksson http://reganmian.net/blog/2009/12/21/harper-valley-pta-fru-johnsen-froken-fredriksso/ Just another WordPress weblog Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:05:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Multe Music http://reganmian.net/blog/2009/12/21/harper-valley-pta-fru-johnsen-froken-fredriksso/comment-page-1/#comment-2690 Multe Music Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:21:24 +0000 http://reganmian.net/blog/?p=434#comment-2690 The original song in English is not just about small town morals. It was originally a country song. At the time the song was written and recorded, country music was strongly representative of life in the southern part of the USA, where morals were very influenced by conservative religious/church elements. The Norwegian version of the lyrics are closer to the original English intent of the song -- but, as you say, different cultures interpret themes in their own way that speak to their culture. The original English version, by the way, was an early and major cross-over hit from country to pop in the USA. The Swedish version was done as a solo recording by Björn Ulvaeus, who was a member of Hootenanny Singers and, later, a member of ABBA. Another Norwegian version has also been recorded by Inger Lise Rypdal. The original song in English is not just about small town morals. It was originally a country song. At the time the song was written and recorded, country music was strongly representative of life in the southern part of the USA, where morals were very influenced by conservative religious/church elements.

The Norwegian version of the lyrics are closer to the original English intent of the song — but, as you say, different cultures interpret themes in their own way that speak to their culture.

The original English version, by the way, was an early and major cross-over hit from country to pop in the USA. The Swedish version was done as a solo recording by Björn Ulvaeus, who was a member of Hootenanny Singers and, later, a member of ABBA. Another Norwegian version has also been recorded by Inger Lise Rypdal.

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