Tracks was one of Sweden’s most beloved radio programs, known for being an important platform for music lovers over several decades. The show first aired on September 8, 1984, and remained on the air until December 5, 2010 – a total of 26 years. During this time, it developed a loyal following and had a significant impact on Swedish music tastes.

Hosts

The most iconic voice behind Tracks was Kaj Kindvall, who hosted the program throughout its entire run. Kaj Kindvall became synonymous with Tracks, and his calm, knowledgeable voice and passion for music made him a favorite among listeners. Kindvall also had the ability to blend musical expertise with a close connection to his audience, which created a loyal fan base. His influence extended beyond just the show – he helped shape the radio landscape in Sweden and promoted many rising music stars.

Besides Kaj Kindvall, there were few other hosts who stepped in when he was unavailable, but his presence and role in the program were so central that it’s hard to think of Tracks without him.

The Program and Its Importance

Tracks was a music program where listeners could enjoy the latest popular music each week, based on charts and audience votes. The show’s unique format, which collected votes via mail and later through the internet, made it one of the first Swedish radio programs to actively engage its audience in this way.

This interactive element was one of the reasons for the show’s popularity – listeners felt they could influence which songs were played and how the chart was shaped. This type of participation made Tracks an early forerunner of today’s more interactive media formats.

How Many Listeners Did Tracks Have?

At its peak in the 1980s and 1990s, Tracks had hundreds of thousands of listeners every week. The program was especially popular among teenagers and young adults, who saw it as a way to stay updated on the latest music. Listener numbers varied over the years, but it is known that the show regularly attracted around 600,000 to 700,000 listeners during its most successful periods. This made it one of Sweden’s most popular radio programs for many years.

The End of Tracks

When Tracks aired its final episode on December 5, 2010, it marked the end of an era in Swedish radio. The music landscape had changed dramatically during the show’s 26-year run, with the rise of digital platforms and streaming services starting to take over radio’s role as the primary source of new music. Although Tracks ended, the legacy of the program lives on with those who grew up listening to it, and it still influences music lovers today, shaped by Kindvall’s taste and musical choices.

Final Thoughts

Tracks with Kaj Kindvall was more than just a music program – it was an institution in Swedish radio and an important part of Sweden’s music history. By highlighting popular music and giving listeners an active role in shaping the weekly chart, the program became one of Swedish Radio’s most influential ventures. Kaj Kindvall became a legendary figure in Swedish radio, and his contribution to Tracks is something that will be remembered by many generations of listeners.

Kaj Kindvall

Born: december 7, 1949 in Norrköping, Sweden

In 2004, Kaj Kindvall was honored with a Grammis award. He got the jury’s special recognition for all he’s done for radio and spreading pop music.

Swedish Tracks #1's for 80's Decade

Cover#DateArtistSongWeeks on Top #1
Album Cover11984-09-08AlphavilleSounds Like A Melody2
Album Cover21984-09-22Stevie WonderI Just Called To Say I Love You2
Album Cover31984-10-06Depeche ModeMaster And Servant1
Album Cover41984-10-13Culture ClubThe War Song2
Album Cover51984-10-27AlphavilleForever Young5
Album Cover61984-12-08Murray HeadOne Night In Bangkok1
Album Cover71984-12-15Band AidDo They Know It's Christmas?4
Album Cover81985-01-26ForeignerI Want To Know What Love Is2
Album Cover91985-02-09Cyndi LauperAll Through The Night2
Album Cover101985-02-23Howard JonesThings Can Only Get Better3
Album Cover111985-03-16Reo SpeedwagonCan't Fight This Feeling2
Album Cover121985-03-30Usa For AfricaWe Are The World2
Album Cover131985-04-20Narada Michael Walden With Patti AustinGimme, Gimme, Gimme1
Album Cover141985-04-27Nolan ThomasYo Little Brother2
Album Cover151985-05-11+1Nevermore2
Album Cover161985-05-25Duran DuranA View To A Kill4
Album Cover171985-06-22ScotchDelirio Mind1
Album Cover181985-08-03Go WestCall Me1
Album Cover191985-08-10EurythmicsThere Must Be Angel (playing With My Heart)2
Album Cover201985-08-24Sandra(i'll Never Be) Maria Magdalena2
Album Cover211985-09-07BaltimoraTarzan Boy1
Album Cover221985-09-14FalcoRock Me Amadeus1
Album Cover231985-09-21John ParrSt. Elmo's Fire (man In Motion)3
Album Cover241985-10-12Bryan AdamsHeaven2
Album Cover251985-10-26Tone NorumCan't You Stay2
Album Cover261985-11-09Thompson TwinsKing For A Day4
Album Cover271985-12-07StarshipWe Built This City2
Album Cover281986-01-18Bryan AdamsSummer Of '691
Album Cover291986-01-25A-haThe Sun Always Shines On T.v.3
Album Cover301986-02-22StingRussians1
Album Cover311986-03-08Bryan Adams With Tina TurnerIt's Only Love1
Album Cover321986-03-15Adolphson-falkIfrÅn2
Album Cover331986-03-29FalcoJeanny Part 11
Album Cover341986-04-05StyleDover-calais3
Album Cover351986-05-03CarolaThe Runaway1
Album Cover361986-05-10EuropeThe Final Countdown5
Album Cover371986-06-14ScotchMirage2
Album Cover381986-08-16MadonnaPapa Don't Preach2
Album Cover391986-08-30EurythmicsThorn In My Side1
Album Cover401986-09-06Chris De BurghThe Lady In Red1
Album Cover411986-09-13BerlinTake My Breath Away2
Album Cover421986-09-27Magnus UgglaJoey Killer2
Album Cover431986-10-18Cutting Crew(i Just) Died In Your Arms2
Album Cover441986-11-01Pet Shop BoysSuburbia2
Album Cover451986-11-15FalcoComing Home (jeanny Part 2, One Year Later)1
Album Cover461986-11-22Duran DuranNotorious2
Album Cover471986-12-06EurythmicsThe Miracle Of Love2
Album Cover481987-01-17Bon JoviLivin' On A Prayer2
Album Cover491987-01-31HousemartinsCaravan Of Love4
Album Cover501987-02-28Aretha Franklin & George MichaelI Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)1
Album Cover511987-03-14RoxetteSoul Deep2
Album Cover521987-03-28John FarnhamYou're The Voice4
Album Cover531987-05-02MadonnaLa Isla Bonita3
Album Cover541987-05-23Johnny LoganHold Me Now3
Album Cover551987-06-13John FarnhamPressure Down1
Album Cover561987-08-29Pet Shop BoysIt's A Sin2
Album Cover571987-09-12Pet Shop Boys & Dusty SpringfieldWhat Have I Done To Deserve This?2
Album Cover581987-09-26Glenn MedeirosNothing's Gonna Change My Love For You3
Album Cover591987-10-24Trance DanceDon't Say Go2
Album Cover601987-11-07StyleEmpty Bed3
Album Cover611987-11-28Rick AstleyWhenever You Need Somebody2
Album Cover621987-12-12Pet Shop BoysAlways On My Mind2
Album Cover631988-01-23Belinda CarlisleHeaven Is A Place On Earth1
Album Cover641988-01-30Tone Norum & Tommy NilssonMy Summer With You4
Album Cover651988-02-27Trance DanceYou're Gonna Get It1
Album Cover661988-03-05TiffanyCould've Been2
Album Cover671988-03-26Rick AstleyTogether Forever2
Album Cover681988-04-16Tommy NilssonMaybe We're About To Fall In Love2
Album Cover691988-04-30AlienOnly One Woman4
Album Cover701988-05-28George MichaelOne More Try3
Album Cover711988-08-27EuropeSuperstitious2
Album Cover721988-09-17Kim WildeYou Came2
Album Cover731988-10-08KoreanaHand In Hand2
Album Cover741988-10-22Mauro ScoccoSarah4
Album Cover751988-11-26EuropeOpen Your Heart1
Album Cover761988-12-03Sha-boomR.o.c.k.2
Album Cover771989-01-07Kim WildeNever Trust A Stranger1
Album Cover781989-01-14RoxetteThe Look5
Album Cover791989-02-25Debbie GibsonLost In Your Eyes2
Album Cover801989-03-18Paula AbdulStraight Up2
Album Cover811989-04-01MadonnaLike A Prayer4
Album Cover821989-04-29BanglesEternal Flame3
Album Cover831989-05-20Simply RedIf You Don't Know Me By Now3
Album Cover841989-06-10OrupDÅ StÅr Pojkarna PÅ Rad3
Album Cover851989-08-26Gladys KnightLicence To Kill1
Album Cover861989-09-02MartikaToy Soldiers1
Album Cover871989-09-09Richard MarxRight Here Waiting3
Album Cover881989-09-30Christer SandelinDet Hon Vill Ha3
Album Cover891989-10-21Tears For FearsSowing The Seeds Of Love1
Album Cover901989-10-28Milli VanilliGirl I'm Gonna Miss You4
Album Cover911989-11-25Phil CollinsAnother Day In Paradise3