His father is the Norwegian jazz musician Egil Johansen and his mother is the Norwegian born 50's jazz singer Ellen Böbak. He represented Sweden at the 1995 Eurovision Song Contest with "Se på mig" and finished third with 100 points. The song stayed at the top of Svensktoppen for fifteen weeks, charting for thirty weeks in total.

Johansen has participated in Melodifestivalen three times since "Se på mig" - fourth place in 2001 with "Ingenmansland", seventh place in 2002 with "Sista andetaget" and second place in Melodifestivalen 2003 with "Let Your Spirit Fly", a duet with Pernilla Wahlgren. Johansen voiced Dodger in the Swedish redub of Oliver and Company and also sang.

Johansen wrote a book, published in March, 2013, entitled Med nya ögon (With new eyes) which he co-authored with Colette van Luik. It describes his battle to overcome a lifetime of alcohol abuse.