Tove Selvåg-Drott's Story
In September 2025, I decided to finally do something I had been thinking about for a long time – to write a song about stammering, about how I experience my own stammer.
I started by writing down a short text about my feelings and thoughts surrounding my stammer. After that, I began thinking about how I could get help turning the text into a proper song — I needed help from a musician who could rewrite the lyrics into a song with a beautiful melody that would bring out my message.
I posted a request on LinkedIn and Facebook, and Robert Kronberg — who also stammers and is featured in my book Hello? Still there? — recommended his friend Patrick Rydman, who is a musician, producer, and songwriter.
Robert connected me and Patrick through Messenger (Facebook). Patrick and I started messaging each other, and one day I called him. I told him my thoughts and ideas about the song, and after that, Patrick began working on the lyrics and the music.
On ISAD 22/10, the song Dare to Stammer was released, including on Spotify.
I am so happy and grateful that I followed my dreams and that Patrick wanted to do this together with me. I hope the song and its message will reach people all over the world.
Everyone who stammers should feel proud and know that they are not alone. Stand up for yourself and be proud.
Tove Selvåg-Drott is 44 years old, and is a qualified teacher and preschool teacher. She currently works as an assistant principal in Stockholm, Sweden.
Tove shares:
I have stammered since I was four years old. My parents first noticed that I had a lisp, and that’s when they also realized that I was stammering.
It’s only as an adult that I’ve come to accept my stammering.
In 2022, I released my first book, Hello? Still there?, a personal book about stammering.
Patrick Rydman's Story
In early September, I got a Facebook message from my friend Robert Kronberg. Robert is a ten-time 110 m hurdle Swedish national champion, and we met when I helped him produce some songs he had written and wanted to take further.
In the message, he introduced me to Tove Selvåg-Drott, who wanted a song about stammering/stuttering. Robert, who has a stutter, was one of the public figures Tove had interviewed for her book Hello, still there?, which deals with the subject of stammering/stuttering from different perspectives.
She had written a short text, almost a poem, in Swedish, about her own feelings and experiences around stammering, which she wanted to be turned into a song with English lyrics, and she wanted the title to be "Dare to Stammer". I accepted and started writing, producing, and recording, and the resulting track – or anthem, if you will – was released on ISAD 2025. I went for a slightly folky style of song that I wanted to be catchy but still have some "depth". I feel I succeeded. I am very happy to be a part of this project, and I hope the song will reach, empower, and inspire as many people as possible to be proud of their own unique voice.
Patrick Rydman is an artist, vocalist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer, based outside of Gothenburg, Sweden. Patrick's written and produced for indie artists, stage, radio, movies and computer games. Besides touring the world – singing and playing everything from rock, soul and pop to folk, jazz and chansons – he's also co-written several stage musicals. Check out his website! Find a selection of his work on Spotify.
Listen to "Dare to Stammer" Song and Enjoy!
"Dare to Stammer" Lyrics
Verse 1
From morning light ‘til the night begins,
The echo lives beneath my skin.
Breath gets tangled, jaw is tight,
But I won’t hide this fight.
Pre-Chorus
Don’t rush to speak the words for me,
Don’t tell me how my voice should be.
This is the sound I carry through,
And I’ll stand proud in what I do.
Chorus
I dare to stammer, I dare to stay,
Let the whole wide world hear me this way.
I dare to stammer, I dare to shine,
This voice is true, this voice is mine.
Every pause, every broken line,
I dare to stammer
Verse 2
Feels like a stone through a narrow gate,
Like heavy mud where my shoes drag weight.
The words are stuck, the silence loud,
Still I rise, unbowed.
Pre-Chorus
Ask me, listen, try to know,
The hidden rivers in my flow.
I’m not alone, I see the flame,
Together strong, we call our name.
Chorus
I dare to stammer, I dare to stay,
Let the whole wide world hear me this way.
I dare to stammer, I dare to shine,
This voice is true, this voice is mine.
Every pause, every broken line,
I dare to stammer
Bridge
It’s not weakness, it’s not shame,
It’s a rhythm with another name.
Hear the courage in my sound,
This is where my dreams are found.
From morning light ‘til the night begins…
Final Chorus
I dare to stammer, I dare to stay,
Let the whole wide world hear me this way.
I dare to stammer, I dare to shine,
This voice is true, this voice is mine.
Every pause, every broken line
Every pause, every broken line,
I dare to stammer