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.