Son of a Plumber cover

Released 21 years ago this November

Son of a Plumber

Per Gessle · 2005

72 min · 25 tracks · pop music

A playful blend of whimsical pop melodies and introspective lyrics that captures the essence of everyday life.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Drowning in Wonderful Thoughts About Her Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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    I Have a Party in My Head (I Hope It Never Ends) — This track stands out for its catchy chorus and playful exploration of escapism, embodying the album's lighthearted yet reflective tone.
  • →
    Hey Mr. DJ (Won’t You Play Another Love Song) — With its infectious melody and nostalgic lyrics, this song captures the yearning for love and connection, resonating deeply with listeners.
  • →
    I Never Quite Got Over the Fact That the Beatles Broke Up — This track showcases Gessle's clever lyricism and fondness for musical history, blending humor with poignant reflection on loss and nostalgia.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100
Lowland
Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The album showcases Gessle's songwriting through playful melodies and personal themes, though it lacks strong cohesion.

What we noticed

  • Many songs utilize a conversational style in the lyrics, often reflecting on everyday life experiences.
  • The running time is extended with multiple reprises of earlier tracks, which creates a sense of continuity but may feel repetitive.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • whimsical melodies for daydreaming
  • nostalgic warmth for reflective moments
  • playful tunes for lighthearted gatherings
  • wave-like pacing for casual listening
  • brief tracks for quick enjoyment

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking intense emotional depth
  • prefer long immersive narratives

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Established Gessle's solo career after Roxette, gaining critical acclaim and commercial success.
Themes
nostalgic reflections· playful introspection· musical homage· carefree celebrations
Moods
Nostalgic
Career context
Released on November 23, 2005, 'Son of a Plumber' marked Per Gessle's first solo album after disbanding Roxette's extensive run. At this point in his career, Gessle was exploring more personal themes while stepping away from the mainstream success of his previous band, allowing for a more intimate sound that reflects his artistic evolution.
Stylistic neighbors
Roxette· ABBA· The Cardigans
New to Per Gessle? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Drowning in Wonderful Thoughts About Her Start here 2:46
  • 2 Jo‐Anna Says 3:23
  • 3 I Have a Party in My Head (I Hope It Never Ends) 2:06
  • 4 C’Mon 2:58
  • 5 Week With Four Thursdays 2:10
  • 6 Hey Mr. DJ (Won’t You Play Another Love Song) 3:43
  • 7 Late, Later On 3:53
  • 8 Ronnie Lane 1:04
  • 9 Are You an Old Hippie, Sir? 1:42
  • 10 Double‐Headed Elvis 1:22
  • 11 Something in the System 1:31
  • 12 Speed Boat to Cuba 1:47
  • 13 Come Back Tomorrow (and We Do It Again) 2:08

Disc 2

  • 1 Kurt - The Fastest Plumber in the West 1:37
  • 2 I Never Quite Got Over the Fact That the Beatles Broke Up 4:09
  • 3 Substitute (for the Real Deal) 3:08
  • 4 Waltz for Woody 1:03
  • 5 Carousel 2:28
  • 6 I Like It Like That 3:34
  • 7 Something Happened Today 2:46
  • 8 Brilliant Career 2:29
  • 9 Burned Out Heart 3:42
  • 10 Drowning in Wonderful Thoughts About Her (reprise) 0:57
  • 11 Making Love or Expecting Rain 4:59
  • 12 Jo‐Anna Says (reprise) 10:45

What to play next

En händig man
Listen next

En händig man

2007

Continues the playful pop vibe while introducing fresh melodic elements.
Mazarin
Go back to

Mazarin

2003
Full Per Gessle discography Where to start with Per Gessle Artists like Per Gessle
pop music

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata