41. (1988) Miss My Love – Tommy Nilsson

Tommy Nilsson’s 1988 single “Miss My Love” is an exquisite slice of Swedish AOR that deserves to be pulled out of the crate and heard again. It’s a song that represents a dramatic turning point for the artist, a triumphant return to his home country after a complicated international career that had seen both million-selling success and subsequent failure. This single isn’t just a hit; it’s the sound of a musician finding his footing and conquering the Swedish music landscape on his own terms.

This particular record is a captivating artifact from the late 1980s. Nilsson’s aesthetic on the cover, with his big hair and moody, dark-blue tinted photograph, perfectly channels the glam metal and Adult-Oriented Rock style of the time. It’s a look that promises a powerful voice delivering an emotional punch. This is no accident. Before establishing himself as a Swedish solo star, Tommy Nilsson spent time as the vocalist for the glam metal band Easy Action, singing on their 1986 album, That Makes One. He even had an earlier stint in the heavy metal band Horizont. This metal background gives his voice the raw power and rock sensibility that makes his later pop ballads, like “Miss My Love,” feel so potent.

The story behind the song is a compelling blend of international and domestic talent. The music and lyrics were actually composed by Peter S. Bliss, a seasoned American songwriter, providing the song with a polished, international feel. The production, however, was anchored firmly in Sweden by the accomplished drummer and producer Per Andersson—or “Pelle,” as he was often called. The blend resulted in a sound that immediately connected with the local audience. All of this high-quality sound was polished at Soundtrade Studios in Stockholm, a facility that had hosted icons like ABBA and Europe, ensuring the final product had an immaculate, high-end sound and confirming the significant investment Alpha Records made in Nilsson’s comeback.

While Nilsson had achieved immense success with the 1987 duet “Allt som jag känner” with Tone Norum, the 1988 release of “Miss My Love” was his definitive re-establishment as a solo force. The song became a huge win. The credible Swedish sources confirm that “Miss My Love” was a major national triumph, peaking at number 2 on Trackslistan and remaining on the chart for five weeks. This provided the crucial momentum for his career and showed that his emotional power-ballad style held a powerful, unique position in the Swedish pop music landscape, competing with the likes of Roxette who were dominating in the same year.

A curious part of the song’s story is the elusive nature of its music video. Despite being a major national hit, searches for its video remain inconclusive, with some sources explicitly calling it “unavailable.” This suggests that “Miss My Love” built its legacy purely on its airplay and sales rather than a strong visual promotional campaign. The record stands on the strength of its songcraft and vocal performance. Ultimately, the single is a snapshot of sophisticated Swedish pop, a rich archival document from a pivotal year, and remains a testament to Tommy Nilsson‘s powerful voice and star appeal.

My copy: 7″, 45 RPM, Sweden, 1988, Alpha Records
Trackslistan (Swedish radio chart): 5 weeks, peaked at #2, #41 on year-end list 1988