Five years ago Euro-pop singer Gunther enjoyed a moment in the sun when his "Ding Dong Song (Touch My Tralala)" briefly became an international music meme. His debut album, Pleasureman, hit U.S. shelves in 2006 with tracks including "Tutti Frutti Summer Love" and "Teeny Weeny String Bikini."

On a recent trip to Sweden, I passed through Gunther's hometown of Malmo and wondered what had happened to the mustachioed singer (groaner? growler?) According to Pollstar, his last show was in 2008 and despite rumors of a new album, Dirty Man Swedish Sex Beast, it seems Gunther has faded into oblivion.

But I still remember the day I interviewed Gunther, way back in 2006, on the eve of his first concert in the U.S. -- one of the more entertaining conversations I've had in my career as a reporter. First published by the Yale Daily News in 2006, here's an excerpt of my Q&A with the Swedish star at what was apparently the peak of his fame. Enjoy!


ZOG: Ding Dong. Tralala. Why the euphemisms?

Gunther: I just take a lot of experiences from my life and put them together in the lyrics of my songs. I'm working on new songs all the time. My inspiration comes through my sex life, and all kinds of people that I've met through my messy life of champagne and late-night club visits.

ZOG: What led to your musical awakening?

Gunther: A lot of things in my life and places I've been. So a lot of things I've experienced in my life, I put in my music. And a lot of love, of course.

ZOG: You were a model and a nightclub owner before you entered the music world. What sort of modeling did you do?

Gunther: It was not the nude modeling; I was a fashion model. Before I became a singer, I was traveling around the world, doing a little modeling, doing fashion things, hooking up with girls and partying, doing all the stuff a good-looking Swedish man should be doing.

ZOG: You say your philosophy is "champagne, glamour, sex and respect." Which of the four is most important to you and why?

Gunther: Respect is the first one. It's the most important because if you don't have respect, bad things happen. If you have respect, you can have sex and love and the whole thing. I am a gentleman style-2000, which means I honor women and follow these four rules.

ZOG: How do you think Connecticut residents will compare to Malmo club-goers?

Gunther: It's my first time in America, so I don't really know. We'll see tomorrow. I look forward to giving all the American fans love, respect and glamor. I really want to bring out my message -- a lot of sex with respect. The only way to get trust is through respect, and if you come to my show you'll get that message.

ZOG: Do you plan to visit IKEA during your stay in New Haven?

Gunther: No, not when I'm here [chuckles]. I have plenty of them in Sweden.

ZOG: Plato says that music is "simply the science of the effects of Love on rhythm and harmony." Do you see your music as an instrument of love?

Gunther: Yeah, absolutely. You know, it's all about expressions and feelings of love.

ZOG: On your debut album, the tone of "Tutti Frutti Summer Love" is carefree and frivolous, while the title track, "Pleasureman," has a darker, more angsty beat. What were you trying to accomplish with this contrast?

Gunther: It's like the light -- you have the contrast there also … It's a lot of exotic expressions, sexual expressions. It's a whole spectrum.

ZOG: My favorite James Lipton question -- what sound or noise do you love?

Gunther: The sound that comes from a woman.

ZOG: What do you hope to get out of your time in the U.S.?

Gunther: I'm really looking forward to it -- I've been wanting to come here for a year or so. I'm very happy to be here. The U.S. definitely has the best lovers.