Arja Saijonmaa recorded the song on her 1987 album Högt över havet[2] and her recording charted at Svensktoppen for 14 weeks between 17 May-1 November 1987, peaking at second position.[3] In 1987 it was also recorded by Jan Hammarlund in French, as "Je veux vivre en Europe".[4]
Euskefeurat has also recorded the song, with other lyrics, called "Jag vill städa i Europa".[6]
Theme
The song lyrics, dealing with the universal message of peace, describe four tourists from Sweden travelling by car across various states in Europe.
Version 1
The original 1982 version's lyrics are inspired by the Cold War.
When the original version came out in 1982, the world was living in the shadows of the Cold War. A threatening nuclear weapon war was the main theme.
Version 2
In the 1990s, lyrics were changed to better fit into that era, with ethnical conflicts and streams of refugees.
A 1991 Jan Hammarlund version was changed, to better fit in the era, with a Europe where several communist governments had been overthrown. At the time, shatterings[clarification needed] and civil wars between ethnic groups and religions affected Europe. Refugee streams became a main theme.
