Shirley Clamp

Shirley Natasja Clamp was a prominent Swedish pop singer in the early 2000s, rising to fame largely due to her appearances at Melodifestivalen. Born to a British father and a Swedish mother in Boras, Sweden, Clamp got her start as a backup vocalist for various established artists, including the club/dance project Antique. She eventually went on to compete at Melodifestivalen 2003, placing sixth with the exuberant dance-pop number "Mr. Memory." She returned the following year with "Min Karlek" (My Love), placing second behind Lena Philipsson's powerhouse rendition of "Det Gor Ont." Clamp's debut album, Den Langsamma Blomman (The Slow Flower), hit stores soon after, and the album peaked at number three in Sweden. Her Melodifestivalen entry fared well on the Swedish charts, too, peaking at the number three spot. Clamp took another stab at Melodifestivalen in 2005, charging the stage with "Att Alska Dig" (To Love You). She placed fourth in the finals, and Martin Stenmarck went on to win the competition with "Las Vegas." Clamp's sophomore effort, Lever Mina Drommar (Live My Dreams), came out in the spring of that year, and her Melodifestivalen entry went on to peak at number four on the Swedish charts. Clamp released a covers album, Favoriter Pa Svenska, the following year. ~ Margaret Reges, All Music Guide