We have just heard the news that a song composed by Danne Attlerud of Sweden is one of the songs in the 2015 Irish selection. I went Danne for the first time in 2004 in Istanbul when he composed (with others) the song for Norway that year – HIGH – which remains one of my top songs. I will dearly like Danne to be at Eurovision again, he has come so close several times, like with Malta in 2013 and Denmark in 2014. I can ask so many questions over this, but I will keep it easy – who sang HIGH for Norway in 2004?
GOOD LUCK MESSAGE – GEORGIA 2015
Melodifestivalen 2015 – Semi-final 1 Results
As only one song has won the Melodifestivalen crown coming from the first semi-final since the 2002 format change, Loreen’s Europhia, these songs will need to work very hard to get that Eurovision ticket this year. These are my thoughts and the results of last night’s show.
Molly Pettersson Hammar – “I’ll Be Fine” – Eliminated (6th Place)
Molly’s song starts out promising with a diva in red and a wind machine but her screeching through parts of the song made parts of her performance painful. A bit of practice could make this song much better. I imagine it would translate well into Afrikaans.
Daniel Gildenlöw – “Pappa” (Dad) – Eliminated (7th Place)
A sad song about his father but it feels a bit devoid of any emotion and like a bloke wander in from the street and found himself in the middle of the Swedish selection process.
Rickard Söderberg & Elize Ryd – “One By One” – Eliminated (5th Place)
A very typical Eurovision entry with the combination of different music styles, ballad and classical. The main issue with this entry is that the singers’ voices don’t complement each other. The girl is flat in several places.
Dolly Style – “Hello Hi” – Advances to second chance
A very saccharin sweet child-like number with three wannabe children presenters that is annoyingly catchy. You can’t get it out of your head sort of songs.
Behrang Miri feat. Victor Crone – “Det rår vi inte för” (We don’t control it) – Advances to second chance
A boy band style singer with a Swedish rapper doesn’t sound like a good idea but it works. The song needs a stronger chorus to make it stand out more though.
Jessica Andersson – “Can’t Hurt Me Now” – Advances direct to the final
A gorgeous golden gown with a wind machine sets the stage for this lovely ballad. It’s a lovely song but I feel Jessica needs to sell it with more emotion. A previous Eurovision participant with the duo “Fame” in 2003 placing 5th, this is Jessica Andersson’s 4th solo attempt and her first directly qualifying song. Easily translates into Afrikaans.
Eric Saade – “Sting” – Advances direct to the final
A very lavish production number by the white cladded dance machine known as Eric Saade was clearly the favourite of the evening before a single note was sung. Also a previous Eurovision participant who came 3rd in 2011 with “Popular”, did his fans justice by delivering a very up-to-date number.
What do you think of the results?
ANNE GADEGAARD
It has been brought to our attention that Anne Gadegaard who was in the Danish 2015 Eurovision selection with SUITCASE has taken part for Denmark way back in 2003 at JUNIOR EUROVISION – her song was called ARABIENS DROM
First semi-final in Estonia
The first semi-final of the 2015 Eesti Laul has taken place in Estonia. 10 acts performed and five have qualified for the final.
The acts and songs were –
- Karl-Erik Taukar – Päev Korraga
- Miina – Kohvitassi Lugu
- The Blurry Lane – Exceptional
- Liis Lemsalu & Egert Milder – Hold On
- Airi Vipulkumar Kansar – Saatuse Laul
- Maia Vahtramäe – Üle Vesihalli Taeva
- Robin Juhkental & The Big Bangers – Troubles
- Elephants From Neptune – Unriddle Me
- Elisa Kolk – Superlove
- Bluestocking – Kordumatu
The voting was a combination of jury and televoting. The five acts to progress to the final are – Elisa Kolk, Elephants From Neptune, Robin Juhkental & The Big Bangers, Maia Vahtramäe, The Blurry Lane.
Source: www.eurovision.tv; www.escbubble.com
Second semi-final in Iceland
The second semi-final of the 2015 Söngvakeppnin has taken place in Iceland. Six more acts performed and three progressed to the final.
The six acts and songs were –
- Haukur Heiðar Hauksson – Milljón Augnablik
- María Ólafsdóttir – Lítil Skref
- Sunday – Fjaðrir
- Regína Ósk – Aldrei Of Seint
- Bjarni Lárus Hall – Brotið Gler
- Cadem- Fyrir Alla
The three acts to make it to the final are – María Ólafsdóttir, Sunday, Cadem.
The jury selected a wildcard for the final and that is Haukur Heiðar Hauksson.
Source: www.eurovision.tv
Third Quarter final in Hungary
The third quarter final has taken place in Hungary of the A Dal competition. 10 acts performed and six more acts qualified for the semi-finals. Five of the acts were chosen by the jury and the sixth act by the televoting.
The 10 acts and songs were –
- Barbie – Listen To The Universe
- Zoltán Mujahid – Beside You
- Proof Of Life – Hol a határ
- Boggie – Wars For Nothing
- Fool Moon – Back To Right
- Ildikó Keresztes – Hazám hazád lehet
- Bálint Gájer – That’s How It Goes
- Other Planet – Untold Story
- Kati Wolf – Ne engedj el
- Spoon – Keep Marching On
The five acts chosen by the jury were – Zoltán Mujahid, Boggie, Bálint Gájer, Other Planet and Kati Wolf. The act chosen by the public via televoting was Spoon.
Kati Wolf represented Hungary at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest with What About My Dreams.
Source: www.eurovision.tv
Three finalists confirmed in Lithuania
Five acts took to the stage in the sixth show in Lithuania. The acts performed two songs (one of which was a duet). After a combination of local jury, international jury and televoting three finalists were announced –
The songs and acts in the first round –
- Mia – Feel My Love
- Monika Linkytė & Vaidas Baumila – This Time
- Edgaras Lubys – Not Perfect
- Jurgis Brūzga – The Right Way
The songs and acts in the second round –
- Mia – Flying
- Monika Linkytė – Dangerous
- Vaidas Baumila – Take My Love
- Edgaras Lubys – No More Tears
- Jurgis Brūzga – Sound Of Colours
The three finalists are Mia, Monika Linkytė, Vaidas Baumila. The next phase will decide what song will be performed in the grand final by all three artists.
Source: www.eurovision.tv; lrt.lt
ANTI SOCIAL MEDIA FOR DENMARK
After an evening of lights and glitz from the Gigantium in Aalborg, the winner of the Dansk Melodi Grand Prize was announced, and Denmark have choose the band Anti Social Media to represent them in Vienna with the song The Way You Are.
You can watch their winning entry below. Do you think it is Denmark’s year again in 2015?
Melodifestivalen 2015 Semi-Final 1
Tonight the first semi-final of Sweden in Gothenburg, Sweden starts at 20:00 CET in on SVT Play.
You can also listen to 2:30 second studio snippets here!
Which 2 songs will proceed to the final? Which 2 songs will have a second chance and which 3 songs will be eliminated? You decide.
| Artist | Song (English translation) | Writers (Music / lyrics) |
| 1 | Molly Pettersson Hammar | “I’ll Be Fine” | Molly Pettersson Hammar, Lisa Desmond, Tim Larsson, Tobias Lundgren, Gavin Jones |
| 2 | Daniel Gildenlöw | “Pappa” (Dad) | Daniel Gildenlöw |
| 3 | Rickard Söderberg & Elize Ryd |
“One By One” | Elize Ryd, Jimmy Jansson, Karl-Ola Kjellholm, Sharon Vaughn |
| 4 | Dolly Style | “Hello Hi” | Emma Nors, Palle Hammarlund, Jimmy Jansson |
| 5 | Behrang Miri feat. Victor Crone |
“Det rår vi inte för” (We don’t control it) | Behrang Miri, Albin Johnsén, Måns Zelmerlöw, Tony Nilsson |
| 6 | Jessica Andersson | “Can’t Hurt Me Now” | Aleena Gibson, Fredrik Thomander |
| 7 | Eric Saade | “Sting” | Arash Fahmi, Fredrik Kempe, Hamed “K-one” Pirouzpanah, David Kreuger |