Erik Grönwall

Erik Grönwall, a Swedish pop singer born on December 3, 1987, in Knivsta, Sweden, first captured national attention through his appearances on the 2009 season of the television competition Idol. During his initial audition he delivered hard rock selections including "18 and Life" by Skid Row, "Shout It Out Loud" by Kiss, "Run to the Hills" by Iron Maiden, and "The Show Must Go On" by Queen. Subsequent performances showcased further variety as he interpreted "Hey Jude" by the Beatles, "Thriller" by Michael Jackson, "My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson, and "Why Can't This Be Love" by Van Halen. His consistent presentation as an eager young rocker culminated in victory over runner-up Calle Kristiansson on the December 11, 2009 finale. That evening he introduced "Higher," an original composition by Pär Westerlund and Joakim Olovsson created specifically for the series. Issued immediately afterward as his debut single, the track ascended directly to number one on the Swedish charts and maintained that position for multiple weeks. The self-titled album Erik Grönwall soon followed, also reaching the top of the charts and featuring "Higher" alongside eleven additional tracks drawn from his Idol performances.