"I will always love you" (Whitney Houston) - interesting ROCk cover by Swedish singer ERIK GRÖNWALL

I find it so interesting when metal or rock singers cover other genres. One of the reasons I enjoy checking it out, is that these vocalists often have incredible skill and ability to use their voices in ways that one would not normally expect.
Erik sings with a 'typical' rock grunge-type sound, the bulging veins and high larynx... a way of singing that causes most singers some discomfort - including myself. Yet, singers like Erik seem to do it day in and day out without damaging their voice.
Join me for this chat about Erik's version of this iconic female song, sung in a female vocal range!
Here is the link to my video on young Swedish singer Oscar Stembridge's recent performance on AGT:
• OSCAR STEMBRIDGE on AG...
Also check out my Dan Vasc analysis of his "metal singers performs Amazing Grace":
• Vocal Coach Analysis: ...
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An Allure Cinematics production

[@antoniopalovaara3105]

A couple of years ago i was in a pool hall in Stockholm Sweden. I went to the bathroom to take a piss and meanwhile i was there i heard the most beautiful singing voices coming from the urinal outside the stall. I went to the sink to wash up and i met two guys. so i said "Thank you so much for giving some sweet vocals when im taking a piss. much appreciated" They said "no problem, Happy to be of service" or something like that. Then i realized it was Erik and his friend. I told him i appreciated his work and went on my way.

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

Crazy story! Thanks for sharing 😅

[@DavidNewton-in9xx]

In my 71 years enjoying many ganras, this is in my opinion one of the top 5 performances I have ever seen. Erik 's emotion, timber, and technique is hard to beat. Love, love love it 😊❤

[@ronbishop3289]

Erik is an awesome singer.. world class!

[@KaliFlamingo]

I'm going to take a stab in the dark and guess that the other Swedish singer that was recommended to you was Tommy Johansson. Tommy was former guitarist for power metal group Sabaton and is lead singer/guitarist for power metal band Majestica, which he formed. He is arguably the best metal voice out there because of his versatility, covering everything from Disney (check out his Circle of Life) to Celine Dion to ABBA and up the scale to metal. He and Erik did a collab on a Sabaton song - Carolus Rex too. These two singers are two of my favourites.

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

Thanks for the interesting info. I love learning more about new singers I just discovered. Appreciate your comment!

[@matshagstrom1869]

Erik is far better then Tommy😉🎶🎶

[@monicacarlsson8795]

Eric sings like a od!!!

[@monicacarlsson8795]

Like a god

[@PernillaArtistic]

A Swede here, first time on your channel but if you like to listen to more Swedes I would suggest you check out a TV-show called “Så mycket bättre”, the basics are that each episode is dedicated to one Swedish artist and the other ones reimagine one of their song but in their style instead. You will find an endless amount of content.

[@mariebondesson4390]

AMAZING!! 🇸🇪 Bra Jobbat Erik! The Most Powerful Version Ever!!

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

Thanks for your comment!

[@umarae27]

He so nailed this song, brought it to life from the male's pov. Erik once stated that singing high is easier for him than low. Then he went and nailed a Johnny Cash song. (God's gonna cut you down). He also nails duo's. Especially his ex-band's (HEAT) song he sang with Dan Vasc called Breaking The Silence. (My favorite duo!). Thank you for highlighting Erik's work.

[@ingmariohman8242]

I recommend the Jonny Cash' cover. Shows off Erik's low range. Beautiful and uncomfortable for Erik.

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

Duo with Dan Vasc?? That must be something to behold - I'm defintely gonna check it out! Thanks for the comment!

[@GrandmasGotGraceLW]

@@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach I was going to suggest that, because I had wondered why you haven't done more than the single reaction to Dan Vasc's music. I see that it's now a month later, and you still haven't reacted to the duo...much less any more of either of their solo works. That kind of puzzled me.

[@federico22prima]

My god, I didn’t know this guy but he’s soooo good

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

Yep... really good! Thanks for watching!

[@peedi1961]

Erik had the honor to sing this song on the private birthday party for the Swedish Queen.

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

Oh wow... that's so interesting. Thanks for sharing!

[@Leightte]

Swedens BEST vocalist!

[@ingmariohman8242]

Thank you for reacting to Erik. I really enjoyed your analysis and comments.

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment 🤗

[@birchleaf]

In Sweden all public schools offer free or subsidised music classes, and roughly 30% of students attend these. Thus a great number of Swedes, regardless of class or background, learn to play instruments and/or sing. This has lead to music becoming one of our most important exports, both when it comes to groups like ABBA, Roxette, Europe, solo artists, musicians and song writers/producers like Max Martin, Avicii and Ludwig Göransson. I guess that could also explain why there are so many applying to the conservatory.

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

This is awesome... I wish more countries (including my own!) will understand the incredible benefits of music education for EVERYONE!

[@mikaellaine891]

Erik's spent a lot of time promoting music in South Africa, that is, bringing up South African musicians to the world.

[@matshagstrom1869]

Erik is one of the best singers in Sweden just now😉🤘

[@matshagstrom1869]

Erik says it just a day on the job as a rocksinger🎶🤘

[@brittjannesath2539]

Eriks cover of Black Sabbath’s Headless cross are amazing 😀🇸🇪

[@lionfromthenorth4580]

Also check out Tommy J:s version as well. I can't say who does the best version in this case😆 Both are amazing!!

[@camlcase]

Thank you for a great review with professional guidelines as the song progresses, and for the kind words about swedish singers, songwriters, producers 🇸🇪

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

Thanks for watching, and your lovely comment 😊

[@elyxia]

He is an incredible singer with an even more incredible story! A quick summary: Swedish Idol winner (audition with 18 and Life SkidRow) 2009, after that he joined H.E.A.T as a lead singer. He had to do a bone marrow transplant to beat cancer. Under that time started his yt channel under his recovery because he really wanted to keep singing. 6 months after that he joined SkidRow after they had seen his yt channel. He has now stepped down as a lead singer in SkidRow to focus on his health. I’m guessing you’re doing Tommy Johansson next? She is gone or one of his ABBA covers is a good start. Don’t forget Chris Kläfford Cold At The Altar, is my recommendation!

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

Thanks for sharing! I love hearing more about artists that I'm not familiar with! And wow, what a strong individual he must be to still fight for his passion, through all the severe health issues he already had to face... I salute him. I analysed Tommy's "Phantom of the Opera" video, which will be up on my channel soon. Thanks for suggesting Chris Kläfford - I will definitely check him out!

[@elyxia]

@@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach Yes his definitely is! He did I will always love you as a tribute and thank you to SkidRow after he had stepped down. Phantom of the opera was a good choice! Chris Kläfford has been on AGT a few yeas back. But I really vote for Cold at the altar (Music video)

[@ingmariohman8242]

​@@JohanBesterYourVocalCoachErik was in the process of establishing a start-up company in South Africa when he was diagnosen with leukemi. That changed all!

[@mikaelandersson6082]

Tommy and Erik is amazing singers. But Chris Kläfford is even better, so thats one vote for me!

[@elyxia]

@@ingmariohman8242 yes exactly I forgot to mention that, I think it is still up and running even today. Isn’t it?

[@carinalind8726]

Please check out his friend Tommy Johansson!!

[@Maxad1812]

SHE´S GONE

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

I have... analysis coming tomorrow 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@roffem8638]

Thank You, yes Erik is fantastic! I saw at the end a part of Hallelujah You sang, great! You must check out Tommy Johansson and he's version of that song. Rolf from Stockholm 😊

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

Thanks Rolf - I made a video on TOmmy's "Hallelujah"... check it out on my channel on Friday 27 July!

[@cecilialofgren1396]

We start early, only as young kids… to sing in choirs… every one of us. A part of school, more or less. Maybe that’s why we have so many good…or as you say…excellent singers! We are also quite good at speaking English, considering. Start also that education when we are quite young, 8 years old. Surely I make all kinds of mistakes… but since I don’t have any friends who are English speaking or have been to any English speaking country, I think I do pretty well, being a pretty old woman at 62 yrs. Very welcome to Sweden!😃

[@DavidNewton-in9xx]

Interesting, thanks for the background info 🙂

[@peppermintcrush5794]

In Sweden we have a state sponsored culture school (Kulturskolan) that is an after school activity. There kids can learn to sing or play an instrument really cheap! My daughter learns to play violin there and we hire a violin from them as well. And it is very cheap! So music education for kids is very accessible here.

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

That's incredible. I wish other countries will learn from that incredible culture!

[@Tim_Nilsson]

@@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach It doesn't have to be after school. I was excused from my normal classes to walk down into town to have my guitar lessons. I didn't complain. ;) But it's operated/run by each municipality so there can be differences. The cost is one of them. It was a small fee when I went there but my municipality made it completely free maybe 5 years ago. So it's either heavily or completely subsidized with taxes. I believe roughly 1/3 of the students takes advantage of it.

[@denilane9189]

thankyou for this super find. wow he is amaziing but i feel like he is killing his voice. johan for the win !!!! hugs

[@BlackCat604_2]

Hallelujah is one of my all time favorite songs. Tommy Johansson has covered that song as well, if you'd like to hear his rock-tinged version of it.

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

Yep, reaction coming to my channel on 26 July 👏🏻👏🏻

[@user-dl7kh4ke8h]

I just found your channel. I love Erik. I found him through Dan Vasc's channel. Dan did a metal cover of "My Heart Will Go On."

[@pereriksson606]

Yes this cover is awesome but i recommend you to listen to Eriks first cover on the Chanel, the cover of Black Sabbaths Headless cross he was in the middle of his cancer treatment when he did it. He had also done a Johnny Cash cover god will cut you down. I promise that you won't be disappointed.

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[@MamaD-db4jj]

Hello Johan, first time on channel. Here's a recommendation to react to Gabriel Henrique, a Brazilian Gospel singer, doing I Have Nothing as well as this song. Both songs were done six years ago so his English has improved. He also auditioned for AGT last year performing Whitney's I Want To Run To You. What can I say he's a big fan of Whitney, Mariah, Celine and Christiana... Be prepared to be amazed! Be beautiful...❤❤❤

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

Thank you for the suggestion - I will check it out!

[@heidicross7255]

I will always love you is a Dolly Parton song. It was written and recorded by her. Whitney did a cover of Dolly's song.

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

Yep, Dolly doesn't get enough credit for the writing of this iconic song!

[@hellraiser8175]

And you havent checked out Dirty Loops yet. Now that is something thats truly exceptional

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

Okay... I think I should do that! Thanks for the suggestion 🤗

[@hellraiser8175]

​@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach a good start would probably be "Rock You"

[@katrinaspegren485]

Check out Tommy Johansson is very good singer

[@YvonneGBG]

I agree, please check out Tommy Johansson 🙏

[@Maxad1812]

@@YvonneGBG Agree...go for She`s gone!!!

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

A Tommy analysis video is coming!

[@user-tp1jo9sd6c]

I'm learning to sing and I mostly learn in a style of rock and what I can say you gotta be careful with that rock edge sound. Like it's easy to do it too much and pinch and squeeze it. So now I'm getting rid of bad habits as I made the sound too forward. So what really helps me I find a song in the style where you need more neutral larynx position like Elton John. Then I come back to rock songs and lean in just enough with that rock edge. I love Corey Taylor, his range is closer to mine, but he sings too forward so in the beginning I pinched too much. Now it's much easier

[@birger4788]

In Stockholm, we also have since the nineteen forties a public music elementary and high school, Adolf Fredrik, to which you have to audition. It has an extensive education in choir singing and music theory, and many renowned Stockholm musicians have attended it. Molly Sandén, Jonah Nilsson, Carola Häggqvist, Peter Jöback, and many many opera singers like Nina Stemme. And it’s free of course. I went there myself between grade 4 to 9 in elementary, as did my uncle, but I never had a music career of my own 😁

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

That doesn't surprise me - I simply MUST visit Sweden... soon!

[@TheChristOfRockNRoll]

9:40 "And also you will notice the veins in his neck bulging". That may indicate bad or unhealthy vocal technique. I am a rock singer (who also sings pop, jazz etc) who had a handful of vocal sessions with a vocal coach in L.A. (I am in Australia) through Skype (each session is recorded for record and vocal reference) and he said singing at the advance level is about strengthening muscles and muscle coordination of your vocal tract and various muscles in your body such as diaphragm through long term conditioning of vocal training and exercises. This guy is working too hard and engaging muscles that shouldn't have been utlilised. Great healthy vocal technique is efficient and if mastered will make it look easy without working too hard this means vocal longevity and vocal stamina for gigs. The technique I use is SLS (Speech Level Singing - Michael Jackson is its most famous singer) which is essentially a pop technique which with some adjustments can be used for rock. Neutral larynx is the home base and the norm which rarely ever moves up and down but if it does move is used for stylistic effect only. Practically speaking vocal technique is the same for non classical vocals falling under the umbrella of contemporary vocal technique. Ping is king and spending too much "vocal dollars" is inefficient singing or working too hard for the same result with less effort using correct healthy technique. This guy is good but can be better with a healthy sound and great technique. I know this from experience. It takes work and won't happen overnight like anything else in any field of training. You ask for it this is my 2 cents. Have a nice day!

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

Yeah... I hear you and I agree. Looking at Tommy Johansson's technique - also a metal and rock singer - there is a stark difference in the technique. I believe Tommy will be able to sing for many more decades, should he choose to, as his muscles work so efficiently and naturally to produce the different kinds of sound he uses. I'm very familiar with SLS, and teaches a very similar philosophy. Thanks for your great comment - it means a lot that you took the time to elaborate on your experience and your insight!

[@monicacarlsson8795]

This is Dolly Parton 's song!!!

[@andersgranstrom7128]

You´ve done Tommy J, right?

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

Uh-huh... coming on 26 July!

[@ullis5125]

U listen to Geoff Tate yet? Try Queensryche Take hold of the flame live from Tokyo ❤❤

[@JohanBesterYourVocalCoach]

Not yet - but I will! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@jean-pierrelebihan6973]

et Dolly Parton ?????