I know it's early, but...

...I just want to wish all the readers of Planet Salem a very Happy New Year for 2009.


It's been an amazing year for this little blog and it's about to get very busy next year with the release of Salem's second album and hopefully world domination for him at last!!

And don't forget to tune into Salem's Berwaldhallen concert on 1st January on www.sr.se/p4 at 3.03 pm Swedish time (2.03 pm British time) !!

Swedish charts update

"It's Only You Part II" has fallen to no. 55 in this week's Sverige Topplistan.

:(((

Oh yes...it's Christmas!

Hope you all had a great Christmas Eve/Christmas Day!


After a lot of searching on SR P3's site I managed to find their recording of the "Oh No...It's Christmas" show. I didn't manage to hear it when it was broadcast on Christmas Eve, so I'm very grateful for 'lyssna igen'" :)) Find it at ..... http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/p3/nyhetssidor/sandningsarkiv.asp?programID=3068.

I've just been listening to the show, which was quite diverse and different! Salem appeared a bit later in the show, following Veronica Maggio.

He sang "The Astronaut" and this is probably the best version of the song I've heard him sing so far. Awww it's just such a lovely but sad little song which would make you want to run up to Salem and give him a hug!! Well, that's the way it makes me feel anyway ;)))))

God Jul!!

I'd like to wish you all a merry Christmas and thank you all for your support and encouragement over the past year.

Special thanks and best wishes to Salem of course for supporting this site - I can't put into words how happy it has made me feel, so ....thank you.

God Jul everyone and have a fantastic festive season!! :)

Swedish Charts Update

In this week's Sverige Topplistan, "It’s Only You Part II" has climbed to no. 41 whilst in P3's Digilistan it's just a little bit better....no.40.

I thought it would have done a lot better in Sweden: maybe once all the Idol-songs have left the chart, the song may finally begin to really climb the chart. Hoppas! :)

Short hair?????????????????????????

There's a review of yesterday's "Oh No....It's Christmas" on the Svenska Dagbladet website here. The only reference it made to Salem was that he has a new, short haircut.

:((((((

Oh well...I will reserve my judgement until I see what he looks like with his short hair. OK I'm being completely shallow here but I loved his curly hair, and I know in advance that I will be quite upset, that all those lovely curls are gone.

Does anyone know where I can find any pictures of Salem with his new haircut?

"Oh No....It's Christmas!"

Tomorrow Salem will be appearing in the "Oh No...It's Christmas!" show - an alternative Christmas celebration - at Nalen in Stockholm along with several other Swedish artists.

Swedish radio P3 will broadcast this show on Christmas Eve at 9.30 pm Swedish time. (for all of us who won't be able to hear this live, this should be available on P3's website to listen again - hopefully!)

If you're going to any of the shows tomorrow - please leave your comments here! I need to know what songs Salem sang, and what you thought of the show.

Swedish Charts Update

"It's Only You Part II" has re-entered the Sverige Topplistan singles chart at no. 46 this week.

Salem to play live in Sundsvall in April 2009

Concert news for 2009!!

Sundsvall Dagbladet announced that Salem will play the Sundsvall Stadshuset on 25th April 2009.

I guess that there may be more concerts announced soon to promote the new album, (title and release date as yet unannounced) and I'll bring all the news as I get it.

Tonight, finally, I saw the Volvo XC60 ad on TV!!

Everyone's seen this on TV except me, and I keep telling everyone how ironic this is that I run this site about Salem yet I still haven't seen the ad on TV....until tonight.


I was doing my ironing (oh the glamorous Thursday night life of a blogger...!) and had Channel 4 on in the background and then, suddenly the magic words... "Come and see your new car" and then "It's Only You Part II" burst into life. And what a wonderful sound it was too.


There are lots of people out there in internet-land discovering the greatness of Salem's music thanks to this TV ad...and many of them have visited this site, which I'm very happy about indeed!!

Two new songs from the P3 Guldgalan press conference!

Got a very nice surprise tonight when I went to P3's site to find out more about the P3 Guld awards.

Salem appeared at today's P3 Guldgalan press conference and played two new songs!!

Rather wonderful too.

"The Astronaut": this acoustic song is already becoming a fan-favourite and I actually got to hear the lyrics for the first time. Maybe I'm just feeling a little emotional tonight, but I thought it was quite a touching and sad little song!

"Someday": I heard clips of this at the time of his summer concerts and live, it seemed to have the same vibe as "Good Song". Today's version however, played on piano, was very 'bluesy', yet another new musical style to add to all the others that he has a natural talent for.

I know Salem doesn't like to explain what his songs are about and prefers the listener to make up their own mind: certainly these two songs seem a little 'darker', both lyrically and in Salem's vocal expression.

Everything about Salem has matured and moved on since "This Is Who I Am": his lyrics, his singing, his musical style. But one thing hasn't changed - he is still fantastic.

Hear these new songs at http://www.sr.se/sida/artikel.aspx?artikel=2482155&programid=3266 and follow the link under 'Lyssna'

Planet Salem is a year old today!

I just realised looking at the calendar that this site is a year old today.

It's been a really enjoyable first year for Planet Salem, and the absolute highlight was when Salem himself mentioned this site on his MySpace.

Thanks to all of you for your support and friendship over the past year. 2009 is going to be so exciting with the release of the second album - I can't wait! It will certainly be a very busy time for this blog!!

Although I try to get all the news I can about what Salem is up to, I may miss out on info from time to time as I don't live in Sweden, so if there is any news that any of you want to pass on at any time, please do!

Thanks to each and every one of you for visiting, I really appreciate it.

(Oh, and Salem - please come to the UK soon!!)