• October 29, 1987
• Tove Lo's real name is Ebba Tove Elsa Nilsson. Her parents started calling her Tove Lo at the age of 3, after she fell in love with a Lynx ("Lo" is Swedish for "Lynx") during a visit to an animal park. She has a tattoo of a lynx on her right hand.
• Her name is pronounced "Too-veh Lu," but she doesn't correct people who mispronounce it.
• Nilsson studied at the music-orientated high school Rytmus Musikergymnasiet, which is similar to the UK's BRIT School. She met and befriended there Caroline Hjelt (of Icona Pop).
• Nilsson first found success by contributing to the writing of songs for the likes of Victoria Justice ("Gold"), Girls Aloud ("Something New"), Icona Pop ("We Got The World") and The Saturdays ("What Are You Waiting For.") She achieved a solo breakthrough with her 2013 tune "Habits (Stay High)."
• She had been in therapy most of her life. Her mother is a counselor who specialized in treating young people with drug problems.
• Tove Lo became the first female member of Max Martin and Shellback's songwriting team known as Wolf Cousins.
• In 2012 Tove Lo shared a London flat with another star-to-be, Swedish actress Alicia Vikander.
• There is a noticeable divide between the upbeat songs Tove Lo writes for other artists, such as Ellie Goulding's "Love Me Like You Do," and the more downbeat tracks she keeps for herself.
  
  "If a song is just 100% 'everything is perfect,' I can't relate to it, and I can't feel it," Lo explained to The Independent. "It might be fun and cool but it doesn't touch me or resonate with me in any way. I think it's because if you're in a really amazing situation where everything is great, there's always that little hint of fear that it's all gonna go away. Nothing is static when it comes to emotions."

Comments

More Songfacts:

Doctor My EyesJackson Browne

A problem with his eyes gave Jackson Browne the idea for "Doctor My Eyes," which became a song about a man whose mental health suffers when he sees the world for what it really is.

Kiss On My ListHall & Oates

"Kiss On My List" by Hall & Oates is actually an anti-love song - the kiss is just one item on a list, and by no means the best.

Harry Patch (In Memory Of)Radiohead

Radiohead's "Harry Patch (In Memory Of)" is about the last surviving World War I veteran to fight in the trenches.

Blue MondayNew Order

New Order got the title for "Blue Monday" from an illustration that read "Goodbye Blue Monday" in the Kurt Vonnegut book Breakfast Of Champions. The image refers to the invention of the washing machine improving housewives' lives.

Right Here, Right NowJesus Jones

The Jesus Jones song "Right Here, Right Now" was conceived as an optimistic version of Prince's "Sign O' The Times."

Super FreakRick James

The Temptations sang backup on "Super Freak" by Rick James. He mentions them in the song when he says, "Temptations, sing!"

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.