Sven Thomas Magnusson (born 23 October 1963), known by his stage names Thomas Di Leva or simply Di Leva, is a Swedish singer and songwriter.[1]

Thomas Di Leva
Magnusson in 2008
Background information
Birth nameSven Thomas Magnusson
Born (1963-10-23) 23 October 1963 (age 60)
Gävle, Sweden
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active1980–present
Websitedileva.se
Musical career
Instrument(s)Vocals

Biography edit

Sven Thomas Magnusson was born 1963 in Gävle, Gävleborg County, Gästrikland, Sweden. At 14 years of age, he changed his name from Magnusson to Di Leva, inspired both by his mother's Italian maiden name and idols like Leonardo da Vinci and Charlie Chaplin. Thomas started his career with the band The Pillisnorks, debuting with the EP 4 Visitors on 1 January 1980. Later, Di Leva formed the band Modern Art, which subsequently became Modærn Art. In autumn 1981, Di Leva signed a record contract as a solo artist with the recently started company Adventure. The following year, Di Leva released his debut album, Marginal Cirkus. After a short time at the company Stranded, Billy Bolero took Di Leva to the newly started company Papa Records, and with the release of the album På ett fat Di Leva became known throughout the country. Di Leva said "I want to create great art in the form of simple music for the large audience." With the song "Kom till mig", recorded with strings from Fläskkvartetten and Raj Montana Band, Di Leva reached the Trackslistan ranking in 1985 for the first time and made his first hit. The following year he released his third album, Pussel.

Vem ska jag tro på was released in autumn 1987 and became Di Leva's breakthrough album. The album was produced in the cellar of record company Mistlurs Records at Roslags Street with 2nd producer Kaj Erixon. On the album's first track, "I morgon", new tone atmosphere and new sound effects can be heard[citation needed], with Johan Vävare performing using oscillator and keyboard sounds. The album was nominated by Slitz as best album of the year and placed second in the Aftonbladet re-vote of the yearly Rockbjörnen award in the category 'Best Swedish album'. He took part in Melodifestivalen 2012 with the song "Ge aldrig upp (Never give up)" but failed to qualify to the finals.

Discography edit

Albums edit

(Credited as Di Leva, except where indicated)

Year Album SWE
Peak[2]
Notes
1982 Marginal Cirkus Re-released in 2001
1985 På ett fat Re-released in 1989
1986 Pussel 41
1987 Vem ska jag tro på? 17
1989 Rymdblomma 7
1991 Noll 6
1993 Naked Number One 6 Re-released in 1995
1993 Love Is The Heart 22
1997 Jag är du 13
I Am You 13 English version of album Jag är du
2000 Älska 5
2004 Tiden Faller 2
2004 Free Life
2006 Hoppets Röst 8
2006 Mantra Miracles
2010 Lovestar 10
2011 Hjärtat Vinner Alltid 10
2013 Innan solen går upp 58

Compilation albums edit

Year Album SWE
Peak[2]
Notes
1995 Flashback #02
1999 För Sverige i rymden – Di Levas bästa 1
2005 Själens krigare: Samlade Sånger 1980–2005 8
2012 Vi har bara varandra – Di Levas klassiker 20

Singles edit

(Vinyl 1980–1991/1993) (CD 1988/1990–2004)

Charting singles edit

Year Single SWE
Peak[2]
Album
1993 "Naked Number One" 34 Naked Number One
1994 "Everyone Is Jesus" 11
1996 "Den glada stjärnan" 43
2004 "Vad är frihet?" 29

Other singles edit

  • 1980 – The Pillisnorks: 4 Visitors
  • 1981 – Modaern Art: Circle in different shapes
  • 1981 – Modaern Art: Envy/Magic Place
  • 1982 – Johan Vävares Tango: (Nu tändas åter ljusen) I min lilla stad
  • 1982 – Single man / Appear of need
  • 1983 – Om jag vill
  • 1984 – Bring me a magician / The dirty clown
  • 1985 – Två på skilda håll / Rätt & fel
  • 1985 – Kom till mig / Vem älskar du?
  • 1986 – Snurra bakåt ! / Himlen (Heaven)
  • 1986 – Glad att du ännu har tårar / Fördämningen
  • 1987 – Vem ska jag tro på / Tycker om
  • 1988 – Du är precis / Söta lilla blomma
  • 1988 – Dansa din djävul / Snart bländar solstrålar
  • 1989 – Vi har bara varandra / Du ger/du gör
  • 1989 – Om du vore här nu / Om du längtar
  • 1990 – Själens krigare / Struntar i dig
  • 1991 – Dansa naken med mig / Själens krigare (solid bass mix) / Själens krigare (Extended 12" mix)
  • 1993 – Naked number one (French clubmix) / Naked number one (Original version) / Naked number one (French submix) / Polish meditation (Feel it loud)
  • 1993 – Naked number one / Naked number one (Eternal heart mix) / Naked number one (The gathering) / It is accomplished
  • 1993 – Adam & Eve (Sunflash remix) / Adam & Eve (Giant orange) / Adam & Eve (Original version) / Drive me wild
  • 1993 – Mr Thomas
  • 1994 – Everyone is Jesus / Coca-cola Angel / Everyone is Jesus (Dancing mantra mix) / Everyone is Jesus (Meditation mix)
  • 1995 – Love the children / Say yes
  • 1996 – Den glada stjärnan / Happy star / Happy star (Spacepeace remix) / Golden ray
  • 1997 – Svarta pärlan i London / Spelar helt normal / Svarta pärlan (Röd remix) / Hjälpa till
  • 1997 – Regnbågsdiamant / Maya / 303 / Den enda här på jorden
  • 1999 – Miraklet / Den oemotståndlige
  • 2000 – Vi får vingar när vi älskar/Rymdens Ros
  • 2000 – Solsjäl/Håll mig
  • 2000 – Man av färger/Paradisbröllop
  • 2004 – Vad är frihet?/Långt Inuti
  • 2004 – Tiden faller
  • 2006 – Ingen kan köpa livet
  • 2008 – Öppna ditt Hjärta
  • 2009 – Hopp och Förtvivlan
  • 2009 – Let's Dance
  • 2010 – Another Day In Paradise
  • 2011 – Välkommen Hem

Others edit

  • Fred i rörelse, a free song from Di Leva's website.
  • Jag äter inte mina vänner, song with Refused on Djurens rätts compilation album Defenders of the oppressed breed.
  • Stolt, song with Lars Demian on his record Elvis & Jesus & jag.
  • Vad bryr sig kärleken, song with Mikael Wiehe on his record Sevilla.
  • Kom och håll om mig, duet with Nike Gurra on the record Hula Hula [1987].

Television, theatre, etc. edit

Television edit

  • Sommarmorgon, TV 1, 1987
  • Smash!, TV 1, 1989
  • Kenny Starfighter, TV 1, 1997

Radio edit

  • Sommar, P1, 1987
  • Alkemisternas blandning, 1991
  • Sommar, P1 Tuesday June 10 13:05, 1997

Theatre edit

  • Mahagonny (Berthold Brecht/Director: Peter Haber) theatre in Gävleborg, 1987
  • Hamlet (William Shakespeare/Director: Peter Oskarson) Folk theatre in Gävleborg 1989-90

Film edit

  • I morgon & i morgon & i morgon. (Director: Stig Björkman, 1989)

Publications edit

  • Nu [1988]
  • Contribution to B Åkerlunds book Insida – svenska personligheter. [1992]
  • Prologue in T Jönssons book Tarot, den inre världsomseglingen. [1996]

Citations edit

  1. ^ "Thomas Di Leva". Nationalencyklopedin (in Swedish). Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  2. ^ a b c "Di Leva discography". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 November 2013.

External links edit