Melodifestivalen Deltävling 4

OK, I'll dance with you if you insist, but it isn't
a dance song, Frans.  I'm sorry.

Not familiar with the Swedish "Melodifestivalen"?  It is their selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest.  Like the Swedish winter, even though there may be moments you enjoy, it is hard to get through, and seemingly endless.  But Swedes endure it because, like the winter, when it is over, it is time for Spring.

Here, Radio Free Järbo's DJ David reviews the songs for you, with his expert, witty, and at times, sarcastic commentary.  

Where the songs are available online, we have linked them in the song title below, at least for as long as SVT keeps the links live.   

Another Saturday, another semi-final in Melodifestivalen.  SVT is still keeping up good production values and the hosts continue to be great, but then again, I am a big Sarah Dawn Finer fan, and Gina just seems to be getting better and better.

With a couple of exceptions, the entries seem to just be following "the formula."  Seriously, do the contestants go to a show room somewhere in Täby and pick the song, like they were choosing a wardrobe?

Interesting that those being sent to the finals so far are young; two are 33, the rest are in their teens and 20's.  That likely says more about the demographic who are voting than it does the merits of the songs themselves. 


1.  Eclipse
"Runaways"
As rock songs go, this one was surprisingly good.  It was well constructed and the guys performed it well.
RFJ Placement:  Andra Chansen
Actual Placement:  Sent them home in 5th place.

2.  Dolly Style
"Rollercoaster"
Um, hello, hi.   This is a song contest--shouldn't the contestants be able to sing?  At times the very key they were singing in was on a rollercoaster itself, up and down and back again. They would win a Gimmick Festival, but I am surprised they were even admitted to a song festival. although at least I doubt the idiotic words tested their intellect.  
RFJ:  Send them home and never invite them back.  Don't forget Angela Merkel's threat.
Actual: Andra Chansen

3. Martin Stenmark
"Du Tar Mig Tillbaks"  ("You Take Me Back")
Finally!  A real song sung by a real singer, sexy as hell.  Yo, you younger singers in the competition, watch and learn!  This is the way it is done.  (PS.  Tell the reviewer on Wiwi Blogs to learn Swedish or keep his opinons to himself.)
RFJ:  Final
Actual: Sent him home in 6th place.

4.  Linda Bengtzing
"Killer Girl"
Wow!  Look at those arms!  The song itself is a totally formulaic (does it come from the Melo Factory?) even if catchy in places.  A good maneater song would have been nice, because she is totally ready to deliver us one.  This, unfortunately, was not it.
RFJ:  Send her home.
Actual: Sent her home in 7th place.

5.  Frans
"If I Were Sorry"
I really like this song, which is not one of the generic types much in evidence this evening.  The tune builds and draws you in and the lyrics are interesting.  He does it well, although  I want him to work a little on his delivery (especially the ending which is a little sorry) and his stage presence.   With just a little polish, this could be really, really good.   It is the song I would send to Eurovision.
RFJ:  Final
Actual: Final

6.  Panetoz
"Håll om mig hårt"  ("Hold Me Tight")
It is impossible to watch them and not smile. But the song is not worth much.   Five guys singing more or less in unison is wasting the opportunity to use their varied voices to make the song special.  In the end, it was more energy than music.  And yet, I'm still smiling.
RFJ: Send them home.
Actual: Andra Chansen

7.  Molly Sandén
"Youniverse"
I could not like the song, try as I might.  It fell down from Planet  Formulaic, which is too bad.  I like her voice.  She deserved a better song than this "Euphoria" knock off.
RFJ:  Andra Chansen
Actual:  Final

Next week we see everyone slug it out in the Second Chance round.  

Melodifestivalen Deltävling 3

"Repeat after me..."

Not familiar with the Swedish "Melodifestivalen"?  It is their selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest.  Like the Swedish winter, even though there may be moments you enjoy, it is hard to get through, and seemingly endless.  But Swedes endure it because, like the winter, when it is over, it is time for Spring.

Here, Radio Free Järbo's DJ David reviews the songs for you, with his expert, witty, and at times, sarcastic commentary.  

Where the songs are available online, we have linked them in the song title below, for as long as SVT keeps the links live.  Not all songs have been made available.

Another week, another installment of Melodifestivalen.  Here again, the program around the individual numbers was more entertaining than the entries themselves.  Love, love, love Henrik Schyffert as a host, in red or in black, and he and Gina really worked well together.  I really think THEY should be the Eurovision hosts. (Actually we think DJ David should be the Eurovision host, but I guess it is too late for that. ) 

I am sure there will be plenty of time to rehearse what Schyffert said were the three most important words in the Swedish language (and oh, so many time have I used them!): "Fel låt vann" or "The wrong song won."  

1.  SaRaha

"Kizunguzungu"

Here is something a little different, with great energy.  But I do not feel the song has much substance.  A stronger voice, like Angélique Kidjo's, may have given the song a richness that is missing. 

RFJ Placement: Second Chance Round (Andra chansen)

Actual Placement:  Andra Chansen

2. Swingfly
"You Carved Your Name"

With a name like, Swingfly, I was predisposed to like them, being a big fan of  swing music.  The song has a catchy beat on the refrain, and they gave a very high energy performance.  At the end of the day, though, they do not have the greatest voices, and the song is not equally good throughout.

RFJ: Send them home

Actual: Sent them home. 

3.  Smilo

"Weight of the World"

Is this a dance tune?  If so, I wasn't up and dancing.  The song is a bit of a mess and a bit boring, even though the message at the heart of it is a good one. 

RFJ: Send them home. 

Actual: Sent them home (although they had me worried for a minute there)

4.  After Dark

"Kom Ut som en Stjärna"  ("Come Out Like a Star")

En riktigt gammel schlager för schlagerbögar och andra.  In many ways this is a good old fashioned disco diva number.  I liked the camp production around the song, and it is all the better if it helps young people come out.  But his voice isn't really a disco diva's voice, and it is a bit chopped off at the ending, the old "three minute rule" curse.

RFJ: Andra Chansen

Actual: Sent home

5.  Lisa Ajax

"My Heart Wants Me Dead"

I kind of like her voice but the song is only OK, not great.  I really wish the song were better for her sake, because with the right song, she could do well at Eurovision.  At least it is not the same old, same old. She does need to work on the words at the end of her phrases.  She has a tendency to throw them away, and it detracts from the lyrics. 

RFJ: Send her home reluctantly, but if she is voted to Andra Chansen  I won't mind. 

Actual: Final

6. Boris René

"Put your Love on Me"

Was he a little flat on the tune?  I think he was.  It could have been nerves.  It is a very catchy tune and he is a very good performer, even if in the end, the number lit no fires. 

RFJ:  Final, I guess.

Actual:  Andra Chansen

7.  Oscar Zia

"Human"

I like the song, for the most part.  I did feel, however, that all the electronic sounds and staging actually detracted from the song more than they add to it.  I also think he is not the best person for this particular song.  The back up singers are needed to make it work; he cannot carry it on his own.   Maybe it will get better over time.  It was the best of the night, although it was not a field with lots of strong candidates. 

RFJ:  Final

Actual: Final

Until next week, dear listeners!

DJ David

Melodifestivalen Deltävling 2

Not familiar with the Swedish "Melodifestivalen"?  It is their selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest.  Like the Swedish winter, even though there may be moments you enjoy, it is hard to get through, and seemingly endless.  But Swedes endure it because, like the winter, when it is over, it is time for Spring.

This is the Radio Free Järbo Guide to Melodifestivalen for Americans, Other Non-Nordics, and  Curious (Yellow and Blue) Swedes.

Where the songs are available online, we have linked them in the song title below, at least for as long as SVT keeps the links live.  

I'm back!  Did you miss me?

Overall, we were not all that pleased with the quality of the contributions in the second round.  Most songs seemed very similar, and hard to tell one from the other.  Here again, a number of very good singers are given a number of very bad songs.   It is a good thing the show comes in the middle of the afternoon here, because I would have slept through if it were in the evening.  Personally, the New York Jury thought Charlotte Perrilli should represent Sweden at Eurovision (again) with the Schlagerdivan song.  It was very funny, very well done, and the highlight of the evening. 

1.  David Lindgren
"We Are Your Tomorrow"
If my tomorrow is a such a mediocre song, I may stay in bed. (Of course, if he is there, too, all the more reason.)  I liked his hair, though.
RFJ Placement:  Second chance
Actual Placement:  To the Final

2.  Victor och Natten
"100%"
He gave 100% for sure in his performance, but the song is worth less than 50.  (Han påminner mig lite grann om Linus Svenning fast utan alla metal bitar.) 
RFJ Placement:  Send him home.
Actual Placement:  Sent him home.

3.  Molly Petterson Hammar
"Hunger"
This anemic song made me lose my appetite for listening.  And I'm mad.  She has a great voice and wonderful stage presence. Won't someone please write her a decent song? Please!  With the right song she could win the whole deal and win Eurovision in the bargain.
(NB: Jag säger det på allvar, fast att hon är nästan släkt: min mansandrakusinspojkvänskompisdottir.)
RFJ Placement:  Second Chance.
Actual Placement:  Second Chance.

4.  Isa
"I Will Wait"
I am still waiting for a decent song for her as well.  I guess I'm too impatient to wait much longer.  Next!
RFJ Placement: Send her home.
Actual Placement:  Second Chance.

5.  Krista Siegfrids
"Faller"
Help!  Krista Siegfrids has fallen and she can't get up!  She won everyone's hearts a couple of years ago as Finland's entry to Eurovision with the delightfully fun song "Marry Me."  With this boring song (which means "Falling" in English), I'm ready to file divorce papers.
 RFJ Placement:  Second Chance.
Actual Placement:  Sent her home.

6.  Patrik, Tommy, and Uno
"Hål mitt hjärta hårt"
Finally!  Performers who are mature!  Not teenagers! I wanted to like the song, I really did.  I really tried!  But alas, I couldn't, even though it was one of the better written songs of the night.
RFJ Placement:  To the final (there were no other options).
Actual Placement:  Sent him home.

7.  Wiktoria
"Save Me"
This was the only song of the night that seemed not be from that same factory in Södertälje that  turned out all the other songs.  The CT scan graphics were a little off putting at times.  And WTF with the WWF belt?  Is she a World Wrestling Federation champion, too?
RFJ Placement:  To the final.
Actual Placement:  To the final.

Melodifestivalen Deltävling 1

Samir och Viktor  at the Melodifestivalen, and
getting ready for Sergelstorg.

This is part of the Radio Free Järbo Guide to Melodifestivalen for Americans, Other Non-Nordics, and  Curious (Yellow and Blue) Swedes.  Watch for the complete guide soon.

 Not familiar with the Swedish "Melodifestivalen"?  It is their selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest.  Like the Swedish winter, even though there may be moments you enjoy, it is hard to get through, and seemingly endless.  But Swedes endure it because, like the winter, when it is over, it is time for Spring.

Where the songs are available online, we have linked them in the song title below.  For the winners, they are no longer online so, you'll just need to wait to see them again in the final.  Sorry.  

Wow!  SVT can produce a good show.  The number Allt är Eurovisions fel ("It's all Eurovision's Fault," a parody on the effect hosting Eurovision is having on SVT's budget) was hilarious.  It is too bad the acts between the performances weren't the actual entires.    Much déja vu all over again from last year.  Has it really been that long?

1.  Samir och Viktor
"Bada Nakna" (Skinny dipping)
Last year, they sang about taking a groupie in English.  This year they are singing in Swedish about skinny dipping in the fountains of Sergelstorg in Stockholm (which is about as private as Herald Square or the Bethesda Fountain in New York).   While the shirtlessness made for a happy ending, even that, all of their infectious energy, and the thought of them, well, swimming nude couldn't save a basically dumb song.
Radio Free Järbo's vote:  Second Chance
Actual Placement:  Second Chance

2.  Pernilla Anderssson
"Mitt Guld"  (My Gold)
We enjoyed this beautiful song, sung with heart and a beautiful voice by Ms. Andersson, a singer's singer.  But we knew it wouldn't go far.  Ballads tend not to do well in Melodifestivalen, which is too bad, because Swedes write good lyrics when they write seriously in Swedish.  Tack, Pernilla!
Radio Free Järbo's vote:  To the Final
Actual Placement: Sent her home  (We knew it but are no less disappointed.)

3.  Mimi Werner
"Ain't No Good"
Not quite country, not quite rock, this was an upbeat, well constructed song, delivered exactly right for the kind of song it was. While it was more than "no good," it wasn't great.   We thought it deserved to go further in the competition.
Radio Free Järbo's vote:  Second Chance
Actual Placement: Sent her home.

4.  Ablin och Mattias
"Rik"  (Rich)
This song about being rich was melody poor and lacking in meaningfulness.  Our advice?  If you are going to rap, then rap.  If you are going to sing, then sing. 
Radio Free Järbo's vote:  Send them home to find a better song.
Actual Placement: Second Chance.

5.  Anna Book
"Himmel för två" (Heaven for Two)
She was disqualified before the competition because the tune had been used before for a Moldovan  song several years ago, in violation of the official rules.  Too bad.  It was kind of good.

 6.  Robin Bengtsson
"Constellation Prize"
The tune was catchy enough and the words were adequate so that the song was basically fun to listen to.  We liked it. 
Radio Free Järbo's vote:  To the Final
Actual Placement:To the Final

7.  Ace Wilder
"Don't Worry"
If Sweden sends this train wreck of a song to Eurovision, it will have plenty to worry about.  Basically, it has no tune, few words, and requires little if any talent to sing it, which suits Ms. Wilder quite well--she's not up to a challenge.  The staging was terrific, which was a good thing; it gave the audience something to concentrate on other than this banal song, which was equally bad as her last year's entry "Busy Doing Nothing."
Radio Free Järbo's vote:  Send her home (and never ask her back)
Actual Placement: To the Final