Mads Langer

{{short description|Danish singer-songwriter (born 1984)}} {{Distinguish|Mads Johansen Lange}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Mads Langer | image = Mads Langer.jpg | image_size = | landscape = yes | caption = Mads Langer performing an acoustic set in Amsterdam in 2010 | birth_name = | alias = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|01|14|df=y}} | birth_place = Aabenraa, Denmark | origin = Skive, Denmark | genre = {{hlist|Pop|rock}} | occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|multi-instrumentalist}} | instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar|piano|keyboard|Mellotron}} | years_active = 2005–current | label = Copenhagen Records (2005–2009) Sony Music (2010–present) | website = {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060621183828/http://www.madslanger.com/ www.madslanger.com]}} }}

'''Mads Lillelund Langer'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proff.dk/rolle/mads-lillelund-langer/-/4000541191/|title=Proff Company Registry: Mads Lillelund Langer|last=|first=|date=|website=|access-date=}}</ref> (né '''Langer Clausen'''; born 14 January 1984) is a Danish singer-songwriter, who became internationally known for his cover of "You're Not Alone" by the British band Olive.<ref>HotPopNews (2011, January 18). [http://www.hotpopnews.com/2011/01/mads-langer-covers-youre-not-alone-from-olive/ Mads Langer covers "You`re not alone" from Olive] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712222436/http://www.hotpopnews.com/2011/01/mads-langer-covers-youre-not-alone-from-olive/ |date=2011-07-12 }}.</ref> He is a multi platinum artist in his home country of Denmark.

== Early life == Mads Lillelund Langer Clausen was born on 14 January 1984 in Aabenraa,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.berlingske.dk/samfund/en-stille-og-rolig-fyr-fra-jylland?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqfVBnGhD5fUb5G4CUN0gATli34ulIALASBX3RRtnhHjr0EZTiOKQT6K&gaa_ts=696072d9&gaa_sig=pF0YuJvXcbasuBLP9eVt-AkPVh5EGpx60BoIxcRlHe6McsIKroN8mHHkP_deiD2R-gc_RanIq_59AAmrX4xPpA%3D%3D|title=En stille og rolig fyr fra Jylland|publisher=Louise Kidde Sauntved|website=Berlingske|date=14 August 2014|access-date=27 August 2016}}</ref> but when he was three years old, he and his family moved to Skive where he grew up. Here, he developed an early interest in the piano and drums in his childhood home. He began playing piano at age 3 and writing songs at age 8. He continued his musical interest at Skive Music School, where Dúné and Søren Balsner from Carpark North also studied.<ref name="skive">{{cite web|last=Nielsen|first=Morten Løvig|title=Latest talent from Skive: First came Mads Langer, then Duné, and now it's Helena's turn|website=TV MIDTVEST|date=November 23, 2023|url=https://www.tvmidtvest.dk/skive/nyeste-skud-paa-talentstammen-fra-skive-foerst-kom-mads-langer-saa-dune-og-nu-er-turen-kommet-til-helena|language=da|access-date=October 5, 2024}}</ref> He also attended Frijsenborg Efterskole.<ref name="l157">{{Cite web|author=Maria Kongskov Eskildsen and Simone Bang Gerdes|title=Almost sold out for Mads Langer concert|website=Fredericia Dagblad|date=October 12, 2012|url=https://frdb.dk/fredericia/naesten-udsolgt-til-mads-langer-koncert|language=da|access-date=October 5, 2024}}</ref>

After graduating from Skive Gymnasium, Langer moved to Copenhagen in 2003, where he played in jam sessions and got to know many musicians. But his path into the music industry came when he returned home to Skive to be a judge in a local music competition. There, he met the band Kashmir's then manager, Brian Nielsen, and played some of his songs for him. This led to a contract with the record label Copenhagen Records in 2006.<ref name="Record">{{Cite web|title=In tune. Informed. Indispensable|website=Record of the Day|date=September 18, 2006|url=https://www.recordoftheday.com/on-the-move/record/mads-langer/breaking-news|access-date=October 5, 2024}}</ref>

== Career == Langer's first single, "Breaking News", was released in October 2005 and became Ugens Uundgåelige (Unavoidable of the Week) on DR P3.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/32174|title=Mads Langer opening for The Script|website=Gaffa|date=2009-04-20|access-date=2026-01-08|archive-date=2013-10-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005101227/http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/32174|url-status=dead}}</ref> In March 2006, his debut album ''Attention Please'' was released, produced by Søren Balsner, bassist of Carpark North. That same year, Langer played at the Spot Festival, where a talent scout had flown in to see him. The talent scout was enthusiastic, and at his urging, Langer moved to New York and Los Angeles for a period.

At the end of 2007, Langer moved back to Denmark<ref name="30år">{{Cite web|title=Mads Langer turns 30|website=Århus Stiftstidende|date=January 13, 2014|url=https://stiften.dk/navne/mads-langer-fylder-30|language=da|access-date=October 5, 2024}}</ref> and became musical director at Nørrebros Theater, which staged the rock odyssey ''Hedwig and the Angry Inch'' with Anders W. Berthelsen in the lead role.<ref name="30år"/>

While in New York and Los Angeles, he wrote his self-title second album, ''Mads Langer'', which was released in February 2009 and includes the song "Fact-Fiction", which was written by Langer and Norwegian songwriter Boots Ottestad, and the song became a minor hit. During that same period, Langer toured with Tim Christensen, where Langer was the opening act.<ref name="tour">{{Cite web|last=Fogde|first=John|title=Mads Langer continues his tour|website=Gaffa|date=January 6, 2022|url=https://gaffa.dk/nyheder/2009/maj/mads-langer-fortsaetter-turneen/|language=da|access-date=October 5, 2024}}</ref> As of May 2011, ''Mads Langer'' has sold close to 20,000 copies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gaffa.dk/artikel/48907|title=Mads Langer – An adventure abroad|access-date=May 10, 2012|archive-date=July 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712190056/http://gaffa.dk/artikel/48907|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In early 2009, Langer moved to London, where he began working with manager Sue Whitehouse, who had previously managed British band The Darkness. In December 2009, he released a cover version of British trip hop band Olive's "You're Not Alone". The song went gold in both Denmark and Italy, reached number one on the airplay charts in Italy and Switzerland, was in the top five in the Netherlands for both sales and airplay, and spent five months on the German airplay chart.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/41745|title=Mads Langer signs international contract - and hits it big in Italy|website=Gaffa}}</ref> In Denmark, "You're Not Alone" was the most played song on DR P3 and DR P4 in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/48742|title=Mads Langer behind the biggest hit on DR|date=April 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212084748/http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/48742|archive-date=December 12, 2013}}</ref>

In July 2010, Langer signed an international contract with Sony Music, which included the release of three albums in Europe and the US.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ekstrabladet.dk/musik/dkmusiknyt/article1381333.ece|title=Mads Langer skal være superstjerne|website=Ekstra Bladet|date=24 July 2010|access-date=8 January 2026}}</ref> His first album with Sony Music was ''Behold'', released in May 2011, produced by Søren Balsner and Martin Terefe, among others.<ref name="beholdproducer">{{Cite web|title=Mads Langer – Behold (2011, CD)|website=Discogs|date=May 11, 2011|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/3701408-Mads-Langer-Behold|access-date=October 5, 2024}}</ref> The album went gold in Denmark<ref name="30år"/> and includes the singles "Microscope" and "Riding Elevators". The former was played regularly during the breaks at FC Barcelona's home games for a period, along with "You're Not Alone", while the latter became "Song of the Week" on BBC2. The deluxe edition of ''Behold'' has been certified double platinum for its sales in Denmark.<ref name="g399">{{Cite web|title=Mads Langer "Behold Deluxe"|website=IFPI|date=May 31, 2018|url=http://www.ifpi.dk/node/8012|access-date=October 5, 2024}}</ref> Following the release of ''Behold'', Langer embarked on an extensive European tour with sold-out concerts in several major cities.<ref name="m848">{{Cite web|last=Nielsen|first=Julius Stefan|title=Mads Langer embarks on European tour|website=Gaffa|date=January 6, 2022|url=https://gaffa.dk/nyheder/2011/september/mads-langer-drager-pa-europaturne/|language=da|access-date=October 5, 2024}}</ref><ref name="s961">{{Cite web|last=Nielsen|first=John|title=Portrait of Mads Langer|website=StyleTrends|date=November 7, 2016|url=https://styletrends.dk/portraet-af-mads-langer/|language=da|access-date=October 5, 2024}}</ref>

In 2011, Langer sang a duet with Norwegian singer Maria Mena on her song "Habits", featured on her album ''Viktoria'', which was released in September of that year, and the two toured together. Langer also appeared with the British band Kasabian on a German TV show. In November 2011 and January 2012, Langer played two sold-out concerts at the DR Concert Hall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dr.dk/Koncerthuset/Kalender/2012/januar/mads-langer-ekstrakoncert.htm|title=Mads Langer extra concert|website=DR|access-date=April 10, 2013|archive-date=December 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218102250/http://www.dr.dk/Koncerthuset/Kalender/2012/januar/mads-langer-ekstrakoncert.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the fall of 2012, Langer participated in TV 2's music program ''Toppen af Poppen'' alongside Sanne Salomonsen, Nabiha, Johnson, Peter Belli, Kasper Winding and Dicte. Among other songs, he performed "Overgi’r mig langsomt" ("Surrender Me Slowly"), which he originally wrote for Sanne Salomonsen's hit album ''Unico''. Langer's own version reached number one on iTunes and earned him a platinum record.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mads Langer "Overgi'r mig langsomt"|website=IFPI|url=http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content/mads-langer-overgir-mig-langsomt|access-date=January 8, 2026}}</ref>

In March 2013, Langer released his fourth album, ''In These Waters''. Some of the producers involved were the Swedish production team SeventyEight, and the album features the title track, which is a duet with the winner of ''X Factor Denmark'', Ida Østergaard Madsen. The single "Elephant" reached number one on the Danish Bit Track chart. The album was followed by a sold-out tour of Denmark.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://politiken.dk/kultur/musik/art5464417/P%C3%A5-turn%C3%A9-med-Mads-Langer-F%C3%B8lg-en-dag-i-en-popstjernes-liv|title=Mads Langer - On tour with Mads Langer: Follow a day in the life of a pop star|date=5 April 2013|access-date=8 January 2026|website=Politiken}}</ref>

In 2013, Langer was the third most played composer in Denmark according to KODA.<ref>{{cite web|title=Danes' favorite composers|url=http://www.koda.dk/nyheder/article/danskernes-yndlingskomponister/|publisher=KODA|access-date=December 7, 2014|date=November 10, 2014|archive-date=April 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428130948/http://www.koda.dk/nyheder/article/danskernes-yndlingskomponister/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Langer's songs "The River Has Run Wild" and "Beauty of the Dark" have been used in the American supernatural television series ''The Vampire Diaries''. The song "Fact-fiction" has been used in the American crime mystery television series ''Castle''.

In 2014 and 2015, Mads Langer recorded new songs for his sixth album, ''Reckless Twin'', which was released on 18 March 2016, featuring his hit single "3AM", released as the album's lead single on 28 December 2015, which he co-produced with Jamie Hartman.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/award-winning-songwriter-jamie-hartman/|title=Songwriter Jamie Hartman re-signs publishing deal with Reservoir - and pays it a big compliment|date=11 October 2017}}</ref> The album serves as a follow up to ''In These Waters''. Langer said of the album, "I feel like I can learn a lot from my earliest material, because it was so pure. With the new album, I made a point of getting back to what I first loved about music: those moments where a song comes together and you don’t really know how it happened, and it just gives you the chills."

On 1 October 2021, Langer released his seventh album, ''Where Oceans Meet''.

On 4 October 2024, Langer released his eight and first Danish-language album, ''Kærlighed & Frygt'' (''Love & Fear'').

== Personal life == On 29 June 2019, Langer married model Julie Lillelund, who is known from the Kanal 4 program ''Danmarks næste topmodel'' (''Denmark's Next Top Model''). The wedding took place at Engelsholm Castle near Vejle.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mads Langer er blevet gift|author=Katja Mejborn|url=https://www.bt.dk/kendte/mads-langer-er-blevet-gift|publisher=B.T.|date=1 July 2019 |access-date=11 August 2019}}</ref> After five years together, the couple divorced in July 2024.<ref name="divorce">{{Cite web|author=Christian Mejdahl Buhl|title=Single again: Mads Langer divorced after five years|website=Ekstra Bladet|date=July 15, 2024|url=https://ekstrabladet.dk/underholdning/dkkendte/single-igen-mads-langer-skilt-efter-fem-aar/10301408|language=da|access-date=October 5, 2024}}</ref>

== Discography ==

=== Studio albums === {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of albums, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:11em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:9em;"| Certifications |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|DEN <ref name=DEN>[https://danishcharts.dk/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Mads+Langer danishcharts.dk – Discography Mads Langer.] Retrieved 2011-05-20.</ref> |- ! scope="row" |''Attention Please'' | *Released: 17 March 2006 *Label: Copenhagen Records *Formats: CD, digital download | — | |- ! scope="row" |''Mads Langer'' | *Released: 9 February 2009 *Label: Copenhagen Records *Formats: CD, digital download | 12 | *DEN: Gold<ref>{{cite web|title=Certificeringer - ifpi.dk|url=http://ifpi.dk/?q=certificeringer&page=3|publisher=IFPI Danmark|accessdate=24 July 2011|language=Danish}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" |''Behold'' | *Released: 9 May 2011 *Label: Sony Music *Formats: CD, digital download | 2 | |- ! scope="row" |''Behold Deluxe'' | *Released: 19 November 2012 *Label: Sony Music *Formats: CD, digital download | 2 |DEN: Gold<ref name=DEN/> |- ! scope="row" |''In These Waters'' | *Released: 10 May 2013 *Label: Sony Music *Formats: CD, digital download | 1 |DEN: Platinum<ref name=DEN/> |- ! scope="row" |''Reckless Twin'' | *Released: 18 March 2016 *Label: Sony Music *Formats: CD, digital download | 1 <ref>{{cite web |url=http://hitlisten.nu/ |title=Home |website=hitlisten.nu}}</ref> | |- ! scope="row" |''Where Oceans Meet'' | *Released: 1 October 2021 *Label: Freedom Is a State of Mind *Formats: CD, digital download | 24 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://hitlisten.nu/default.asp?w=40&y=2021&list=a40|title=Album Top-40 Uge 40, 2021|publisher=Hitlisten|access-date=12 October 2021}}</ref> | |- ! scope="row" |''Kærlighed & Frygt'' | *Released: 4 October 2024 *Label: Freedom Is a State of Mind *Formats: CD, digital download | — | |- |colspan="8" style="font-size:85%"|"—" denotes releases that did not chart. |}

=== Live albums and EPs === * ''Fact-Fiction. Pop – or ???'' (EP, 2008), Copenhagen Records * ''Amstrdm EP'' (EP, 2011), Sony Music * ''Side Effects'' (EP, 2014), Sony Music * ''All the Time, Sometimes'' (EP, 2017)

=== Singles ===

{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of singles, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:2em;"| Year ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Single ! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:5em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|DEN <ref name="DEN"/> ! scope="col" style="width:15em;font-size:85%;"|Other charts |- ! rowspan=2 |2009 | style="text-align:left;"| "Fact-Fiction" | 17 | | Gold | rowspan=2|''Mads Langer'' |- | style="text-align:left;"|"You're Not Alone" | 17 | AUT #41 BEL (Vl) #29 (Ultratip) BEL (Wa) #20 (Ultratip) IT #6 NED #52 SWI #32 | |- ! 2012 | style="text-align:left;"| "Microscope" | 37 | BEL (Vl) #29 (Ultratip) | | ''Behold'' |- ! rowspan=4 |2013 | style="text-align:left;"| "Elephant" | 4 | | Gold | rowspan=2|''In These Waters'' |- | style="text-align:left;"| "Heartquake" | 17 | | |- | style="text-align:left;"| "I en stjerneregn af sne" | 1 | | | rowspan=1|TBA |- | style="text-align:left;"| "No Gravity" | 35 | | | rowspan=1|TBA |- ! rowspan=2 |2014 | style="text-align:left;"| "Bringing Back Tomorrow" (with Tim Christensen) | 3 | | | rowspan=2|''Side Effects'' |- | style="text-align:left;"| "Fact-Fiction / Silverflame" (with Tim Christensen) | 25 | | |- !2015 | style="text-align:left;"| "3 AM" | 5 <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hitlisten.nu/default.asp?list=t40|title = Hitlisten.NU}}</ref> | | | |- !2017 | style="text-align:left;"| "Flawless" | 16 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://hitlisten.nu/default.asp?w=4&y=2018&list=t40 |title=Track Top-40 Uge 4, 2018 |publisher=Hitlisten |accessdate=31 January 2018}}</ref> | | |''All the Time, Sometimes'' |- !2018 | style="text-align:left;"| "Tag mig med" | 11 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://hitlisten.nu/default.asp?w=51&y=2018&list=t40 |title=Track Top-40 Uge 51, 2018 |publisher=Hitlisten |accessdate=26 December 2018}}</ref> | | | |}

'''Other charted or certified songs''' {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of singles, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:2em;"| Year ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Single ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:5em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|DEN <ref name="DEN"/> |- ! rowspan=5 |2012 | style="text-align:left;"| "Overgir mig langsomt" | 1 | Platinum | rowspan=5|''Toppen af Poppen Vol. 3'' |- | style="text-align:left;"| "Ikk hate" | 15 | |- | style="text-align:left;"| "København (Fra en DC 9)" | 2 | |- | style="text-align:left;"| "Deep Sleep" | 22 | |- | style="text-align:left;"| "Alle har en drøm" | 7 | |}

'''Other singles (non-charting)''' *2005: "Breaking News" *2006: "Poem with No Rhyme" *2009: "Wake Me Up in Time" *2009: "Too Close" (with Mike Sheridan) *2009: "Last Flower" *2011: "Riding Elevators" *2012: "Something New"

== Notes and references == {{Reflist|30em}}

== External links == * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060621183828/http://www.madslanger.com/ Official site]}} *[http://myone.dk/lyrics-sangtekster/mads-langer-lyrics/5076-mads-langer-elephant-lyrics Lyrics – Mads Langer – Elephant]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Langer, Mads}} Category:1984 births Category:Danish pop musicians Category:Living people Category:People from Skive Municipality Category:Musicians from the Central Denmark Region