Var e vargen (also stylized: Var é vargen, colloquial spelling of , “Where's the wolf”) is a Swedish post-punk song by Swedish rock band Imperiet, released as a single in 1986.
History The song was already recorded in 1985 under the name (“The wild world”). Covers for both 7" and 12" singles were pressed but as the band were not satisfied with the final mix, the release was canceled and the covers were destroyed.
The first release of the song on record was instead the English translation “The Wild World”, albeit with different lyrics to the Swedish version, which was released as the B-side of the vinyl single Peace on April 2, 1986. It was not until May 7 that the Swedish original was finally launched, now under the new title Var e vargen (“Where's the wolf”).
The song is one of the most widely released songs in Imperiet's history; no less than seven different versions exist on disc, three of which are the English version The Wild World.
After the breakup of Imperiet in 1988, Joakim Thåström during his solo career and during the period with Peace, Love & Pitbulls performed Var e vargen on several tours.
Interpretation One interpretation of the text is that it refers to the return of the wolf in Scandinavia, as the grey wolf had previously gone extinct in Scandinavia in the early 20th century, but later re-established itself when Finnish and Russian wolves migrated into Sweden and Norway during the late 1970s and then got puppies in the early 1980s.
Lyrics Original: Translation:Refrain: [×3]Refrain: [×3] Where's the wolfWhere's the wolfWhere's the wolf –– you thought were deadVerse 1:Verse 1: When the moon at night is set ablaze –– by an icy cry, from the north, it is trueThat which they whisper about, a rite somewhere –– so blessed be our landRefrain: [×2]Refrain: [×2] Where's the wolfWhere's the wolfWhere's the wolf –– you thought were deadVerse 2:Verse 2: In the deepest forests from the mountains in the sky –– an ancient myth is being toldAbout flashing eyes you can never escape –– so beware, our town and villageRefrain: [×2]Refrain: [×2] Where's the wolfWhere's the wolfWhere's the wolf –– you thought were deadPre-chorus: [×2]Pre-chorus: [×2] The hunger of the wild world –– never leaves youVerse 3:Verse 3: Like a living avalanche, come hungry animals –– across the expanse, their howls are heardAnd the wind sings a minor tune you –– human, are you for or against in the end?Refrain: [×4]Refrain: [×4] It's the wolfIt's the wolfIt's the wolf –– you thought were dead [×3/4]– you've heard [×1/4]Pre-chorus: [×8]Pre-chorus: [×8] The hunger of the wild world –– never leaves you
Releases 1986 – Var e vargen (7" single) Mlrs 48 1986 – Var e vargen (12" single) Mlrmz 7 1986 – Peace (7" single) Mlrs 49 1986 – Peace (12" single) Mlrmz 49 1988 – Imperiet (Album) Mlr 61 1988 – Imperiet (Album, collection) Mlr 64/65 1988 – Kickar (Album, collection) Mlr 79 1995 – C.C. Cowboys (Promo CD-single) Mnwpr9505 1995 – Greatest Hits (Album, collection) Mnw279 2002 – Alltid rött, alltid rätt (Album, collection) Mnwcd2005 2007 – Klassiker (Album, collection) Mnwcd2031 2009 – Silver, guld & misär (Box, collection) Mlrcd115 2017 – Silver, guld & misär (Vinylbox, collection) 060255732809
Versions "Original version" (Mlrs 48, Mlrmz 7, Mlr 79, 060255732809) "Unreleased version" (Mlr 64/65, 060255732809) – the original version: Den vilda världen, from 1985 Remix -95 (Mnwpr9505, Mnw279, Mnwcd2005, Mnwcd2031, Mlrcd115) Vargen Dub (Mlrmz 7, 060255732809) The Wild World (Mlrs 49) The Wild World remix (Mlrmz 49) Wild World (Mlrs 49)
Covers 1996 – Var är vargen, by Ulf Lundell; B-side to the single Upp 2014 – Var e vargen, by Martin Rubashov; also included on the EP Silvae. 2024 – Var e vargen, by Saga
References