• Sweden edition

Man charged for playing Dylan song for his ex

Published: 13 Sep 11 16:11 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/36118/20110913/

A 50-year-old Swedish man has been charged with harassment after he played a Bob Dylan song for his ex-girlfriend hoping to reignite an abandoned love.

It was around 11pm one evening in June 2011 when the 50-year-old would be troubadour stood outside his ex-girlfriend's balcony, guitar in hand, the Metro newspaper reported.

The love-sick man had also cobbled together a group of five other men to serve as vocal accompaniment for the late-night live performance, each of whom donned hoodies with their hoods up.

But soon after the man began to serenade his ex, who had previously taken out a restraining order against him, she called the police, leaving 50-year-old guitarist blowin in the wind.

According to the woman, she perceived the sidewalk concert as threatening, even if, at the time, the man was only standing near the doorway.

“I had the idea that I'd play a Bob Dylan song for her. I thought I was doing something nice,” the man reportedly told police during a subsequent interrogation, although it remains unclear which song he had in mind.

According to the ex-girlfriend, she and Dylan-wannabe had a court date scheduled for the day after the mid-evening musical interlude.

She also claimed the man had threatened her new boyfriend in connection with the incident.

When police arrived on the scene, the 50-year-old had no time to think and quickly ran and hid in the bushes, an escape attempt he later described to police as “tedious”.

On Monday, the man was indicted in the Gothenburg District Court on suspicions of harassment and making illegal threats.

While the 50-year-old man denies having committed any crime, it remains unclear if he wishes he'd thought twice before thinking it was alright to try to win back his ex.

The Local/dl (news@thelocal.se)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

17:17 September 13, 2011 by Intrigued Swede
Just Like a Woman to freak out and call the police...
18:43 September 13, 2011 by Gamla Hälsingebock
Who said Swedes are cold and unemotional?
19:17 September 13, 2011 by Soft Boiled
She was hoping to hear the Chimes Of Freedom!

I thank you!
19:41 September 13, 2011 by The_G
An ex-boyfriend, against whom a restraining order was taken out - clearly there was some past history of harassment and/or violence, they don't get granted just because you'd like to have one - turns up at 11 pm, accompanied by five men who don't show their faces.

The woman did the only sensible thing, calling the police. The situation implied that he might not accept rejection, and had brought backup.
21:40 September 13, 2011 by swedejane
Idiot wind...
23:11 September 13, 2011 by wxman
"...take this badge off of me. I don't need it any more."
23:28 September 13, 2011 by BillyB
the woman has a new boyfriend and a restraining order against him and he thinks its reasonable to turn up at night with a bunch of shady figures....

they actually should send him for psychiatric evaluation. clearly he is unable to process and accept what has happened and needs some medical help.
06:15 September 14, 2011 by DPM
This man wasn't "charged for playing a Dylan song for [sic] his ex" as suggested by a profoundly, and likely deliberately, miss-leading heading of The Local's article. The man in question was charged firstly, for violating a restraining order placed against himself by his ex-girlfriend. A very important measure -not lightly granted by the courts-to prevent, at the very least, unwanted harassment, and more seriously (though unfortunately not uncommonly) to provide aid, relief and security from threatening and possibly violent individuals. The man's intent and the material form of his actions are immaterial. Period. His companions, I would suggest, could also be charged with aiding and abetting his unwarranted violation of the court order. At the very least they are grossly negligent and willfully stupid in assisting in his supposedly 'romantic folly'. Clearly the opportunity for romantic gestures in this relationship ended long ago.
07:58 September 14, 2011 by Lemon1987
What if he would be singing Rolling Stones - I cant get no satisfaction? Would it be marked as aggraviated harassment ?
09:37 September 14, 2011 by J Jack
DPM: you're long winded & correct pointing out the obvious. We all know it was simply poor song choice. he got the wrong 'BOB' .. 'No Woman, No Cry'.
13:24 September 14, 2011 by avatar
oh, i first thought that he is charged for copyright violation.
13:33 September 14, 2011 by matona1
maybe bob marly (one love) will serve better
13:52 September 14, 2011 by Åskar
Her obvious comment was of course: "You got a lotta nerve to say you are my friend".
14:42 September 14, 2011 by SimonDMontfort
...why show a photo of the great man himself at the head of the article?

It makes it appear that Bob Dylan is, in some way complicit, in this heinous crime!
01:14 September 15, 2011 by stillwatersrd
Not every Dylan song topped the charts. Some of them were criminally bad.
19:29 September 15, 2011 by johnoleson
This whole article is dumb. The man wasn't charged for singing a Dylan song but for violating a court order to leave this woman alone.
00:28 September 16, 2011 by Donna Liga
"According to the ex-girlfriend, she and Dylan-wannabe had a court date..."

The guy sings one song from Dylan and all of a sudden he is a Dylan-wannabe.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
EUROVISION SONG CONTEST
Loreen win gives Sweden Eurovision 'Euphoria'

Loreen win gives Sweden Eurovision 'Euphoria'

Sweden's Loreen brought home gold in the glitzy 2012 Eurovision Song Contest early Sunday morning with an impassioned rendition of her hit "Euphoria" from Baku in Azerbaijan. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Swedes bask in record May highs

Swedes bask in record May highs

Swedes were enjoying a real taste of summer heat on Friday with thermometers indicated record highs in some areas of the country, with more of the same promised over the weekend. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

New Swedish union boss seeks welfare state boost

New Swedish union boss seeks welfare state boost

Sweden's Trade Union Confederation on Saturday elected as its new president Karl-Petter Thorwaldsson, who proceeded to call for a restoration of the Swedish welfare model. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

Swedish police hunt man for imam shooting

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man in connection with the shooting of an Uzbek imam in northern Sweden in February. READ »

Hillary Clinton lines up Sweden visit

Hillary Clinton lines up Sweden visit

Sweden is set to host US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in early June and discussions will concern green energy, internet freedom, Afghanistan and the Middle East READ (4 COMMENTS) »

Ibrahimovic pledges future to Milan

Ibrahimovic pledges future to Milan

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has stated that he is happy at AC Milan and will honour his contract, while bemoaning the club's lack of financial muscle. READ »

'Retard doll' shocks Swedish shoppers

'Retard doll' shocks Swedish shoppers

A doll billed as a "real retard" found its way into stores in Gothenburg in western Sweden on Thursday, prompting strong reactions about a campaign meant to draw attention to the treatment of people with disabilities. READ (17 COMMENTS) »

Woman jailed for fatal love-triangle stabbing

A jealous Swedish woman who murdered her ex-boyfriend’s new partner in September has been sentenced to 14 years in prison. READ (15 COMMENTS) »

More Society

Highlights from Follow Sweden

Meet Sanna, 9 years old

Sanna is one of 2 million people in Sweden under the age of 18. Sweden is seen as a good place to grow up. The law makes sure children are well-protected and defends their rights and any organizations work with children's well-being. Read more »

Strindberg, king of drama

August Strindberg's plays shocked society, dazzled audiences and revolutionized drama. A century after his death, Strindberg, with his powerful, timeless themes, is celebrated around the world. Read more »

 

Blog Update: The Local's Blog

23 May 16:27

Prime Minister Reinfeldt chats with The Local »

"If you missed it yesterday, here’s The Local’s editor David Landes snagging Prime Minister Reinfeldt for a chat before Princess Estelle’s baptism. Always nice to know the PM has time for TL!" READ »

Highlights
Thegreenj/Wikipedia (File)
OPINION »
Swedish journalist and columnist Ola Tedin to reflect on how a sometimes uncritical media appears to serve the interests of the Swedish state
Photo: Shayne Kaye/Flickr (file)
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Nine of ten tourists 'happy' with Sweden
DoToday
LIFESTYLE »
What's On: The Local's guide to upcoming attractions and events in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
German ambassador Harald Kindermann
OPINION »
Harald Kindermann, the German ambassador to Sweden, talks to The Local about the importance of the German language, nuclear power, and the legacy of the Stasi.
Claudio Bresciani/Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
The Local's coverage of the baptism of Princess Estelle
Björn Tesch/Arbetsförmedlingen (File)
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Sweden drifting from 'Swedish model': report
The Local Street Style - Lund
GALLERY »
The Local's Street Style from Lund, southern Sweden.
Olle Lindeborg/Scanpix (File)
OPINION »
The problem of profiting ex-politicos isn't simply money, money, money, argues contributor and historian David Linden
LIFESTYLE »
The Local catches up with Sweden’s comedian of the year Al Pitcher and preview our first ever “Local Lockdown” video segment.
Photo: Aprilbell.stock.xcbng.com
OPINION »
Sweden strips foreign doctoral candidates of the same rights as other tax-paying migrant workers, argue a group of doctoral candidates from the Royal Institute for Technology (KTH).
Marco Vasini/Scanpix
SPORT »
Sweden looking for redemption at Euros
Chadawg24/Flickr (File)
LIFESTYLE »
'Are Swedes really more polite in English?'
Photo: Nikater
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Saxony with InterRail: a gateway to central Europe
Photo: AGS
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Moving made easy: Top tips for your international move
Photo: Poker Listings
SPONSORED ARTICLE
No Swedes Signed Up for Most Expensive Poker Tournament Ever
Photo: Jan Videgren
SPONSORED ARTICLE
How Bergman blazed a trail for Swedish film
Photo: Contiki
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Ten great reasons to travel this summer
Photo: Stock image
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Swedish university traditions make foreigners feel at home
Highlights from Follow Sweden
Swedish word of the day

lång

adjective

Lång means long, tall and can be used for height, distance or time.

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Blog
Highlights from Follow Sweden
New book about Sweden – get to know the country

Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth is a book about Sweden today. A country of natural beauty and open space, and a society focused on equality, human rights and sustainability. Meet regular and astonishing Swedes, supercars and indie rock bands, vampires and royalties.

Buy your copy of Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth from Sweden Bookshop

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the Swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
QUALITY ACCOMMODATION ON SWEDISH HIGH COAST
Comfortable Fully Serviced Apartments for Leisure or Business Travel Beautiful surroundings. Internet & Sat TV
www.oldriverhouse.se
Volunteer Venture
Volunteer Venture is dedicated to promoting community tourism by welcoming volunteers and travelers to discover the cultural differences in Nepal as English teaching volunteers, orphanage volunteers, Monk teachers and many more
www.volunteerventure.org/
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp