For Magnus Sveningsson, bassist with The Cardigans, the best Swedish export since Abba, there are more things to be understood in heaven and on Earth than in the studio; more questions than can be answered in a three-minute single.
So what's it all about, Magnus? Is the philosophical load really so heavy? Meet Sveningsson, smarter than the average pop star . . .
'We have a saying here in Malmo,' said Sveningsson, a mature 26, pondering fame. 'It goes, 'Uh-huh, oh yeah? So what?' People are not easily impressed. The Cardigans can be successful, but when we get back here we can shake off our professional selves and be our personal selves. People don't care, except about the football and ice hockey teams.
'We moved here four years ago from Jonkoping, because we'd rather be near our friends than our record company. That has helped us as people - some bands are never aware of the difference between their professional and private selves.' Sveningsson's dark mutterings contained a sombre view of the costs involved in being a pop personality. No 'It's great for impressing the birds' here.
'We finished the last tour in August 97, performing with the travelling Lillith Fair show in the United States, and playing festivals in Europe. I hate festivals - I want a comfortable hotel room, a shower, privacy . . . I love my comforts! At festivals you have to live in a trailer. And it always rains, especially in England. But I guess they keep inviting us . . .
'Then we recorded the new album, Gran Turismo, from May to July this year - but in the past few months I've become more aware of what sacrifices must be made to be in a band.