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