Molly Sandén has released her latest single called Slutet av sommarn (End of summer). A soulful groove with a nice summer vibe.
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Tag Archives: 2016 Sweden national selection
Molly Sandén releases ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)’ from ‘A Tribute to ABBA’ concert
Molly Sandén gave an outstanding performance of Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) at the ‘A Tribute to ABBA’ concert at the Cirkus in Stockholm and broadcast on SVT celebrating 50 years of ABBA’s win at Eurovision 1974.
Molly Sandén returns with upbeat sound of ‘Hålla mig’
Molly Sandén made a welcome return with her recent released, Hålla mig (Hold me). An upbeat electro pop track with a lot of energy and creativity.
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Molly Sandén releases electric music video for ‘Vi ska aldrig gå hem’
Molly Sandén has released an energetic and fun packed video clip for her latest hit Vi ska aldrig gå hem (We’ll never go home). The track is super fast paced and upbeat with a lot of energy.
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Molly Sandén releases ‘Dom Ska Veta’ music video from her new album
Molly Sandén has released the music video for her latest song Dom Ska Veta (The should know). The song is lifted from Molly’s new album with the same name.
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Molly Sandén with ‘Husavik (My Hometown)’ Live at the Oscars
Molly Sandén performed Husavik (My Hometown) live at the Oscars with the Children of Husavik in Iceland.
Continue reading Molly Sandén with ‘Husavik (My Hometown)’ Live at the Oscars
Melodifestivalen 2016 – Final Tonight – Sweden Decides
Well we made it to the final at last. Here we are at Friends Arena in Stockholm to decide which of these 12 acts will represent Sweden in the 61st year of the Eurovision Song Contest which will also be hosted here in Stockholm but in the cozier Globen Arena. Tonight 28,000 people will attend Sweden’s most watched event, Melodifestivalen.
There is lots of speculation around who will win tonight but I still think it is anyone’s game. The bookies favourite originally was Molly Sandén but after the fourth semi-final all of the attention shifted to Frans and has remained there. The rankings amongst the pack below him has drastically changed almost daily. So it is anyone’s guess who will actually win. So here is my prediction for this evening’s result.
- Panetoz – “Håll Om Mig Hart” (Hold My Heart Hard) – Predict 10th place
- Lisa Ajax – “My Heart Wants Me Dead” – Predict 9th Place
- David Lindgren – “We Are Your Tomorrow” – Predict 12th Place
- SaRaha – “Kizunguzungu” (Dizziness) – Predict 6th Place
- Oscar Zia – “Humans” – Predict 7th Place
- Ace Wilder – “Don’t Worry” – Predict 8th Place
- Robin Bengtsson – “Constellation Prize” – Predict 5th Place
- Molly Sandén – “Youniverse” – Predict 4th Place
- Boris René – “Put Your Love On Me” – Predict 11 Place
- Frans – “If I Were Sorry” – Predict 2nd Place
- Wiktoria – “Save Me” – Predict Winner
- Samir & Viktor – “Bada Nakna” (Bathe Naked) – Predict 3rd Place
This year has been very difficult to predict as there are so many songs that could ultimately win. So what do you think?
Melodifestivalen 2016 – Andra Chasen (Second Chance) Tonight
Welcome to the penultimate show of the Swedish selection, Andra Chansen (Second Chance). This week we visit the Halmstad Arena in Halmstad to decide which four songs will join the eight direct qualifiers for the final on the 12 March. Gina Dirawi will be joined by Peter Jöback and Ola Salo this week for hosting duties. As the Second Chance is all about duels the opening theme is Bond styled including a performance of Skyfall of the hosts.
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Duel 1 – Panetoz “Håll Om Mig hart” (Hold Me Tight) Versus Molly Pettersson Hammar “Hunger” – Predict “Hunger”
The urban dance group versus the larger than life diva. The upbeat dance number is growing on me and full use of the stage and audience area is impressive but I don’t think they will be no match for the overly dramatic ballad and pyrotechnics of Hunger. With Molly’s snub last year and the showy performance this year, Molly should progress easily to the final.
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Duel 2 – Albin & Mattias “Rik” (Rich) Versus Boris René “Put Your Love on Me” – Predict “Put Your Love on Me”
This combo puts the seasoned performing brother against the footballer. I’m still surprised that Rik made it this far. The song lacks the singability factor whereas Boris’ song is instantly catchy. The only issue with both of these acts is that their vocal performances have been patchy. The happy bright performance of Boris does give him the advantage.
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Duel 3 – ISA “I Will Wait” Versus SaRaha “Kizunguzungu” (Dizziness) – Predict “I Will Wait”
Will the pocket sized pop princess beat the feel good Swahili number? This battle is the most difficult to predict as both songs are good enough to be in the final. ISA’s song is great but is it too big for her? Will the Swedish public vote for a song in Swahili? I think ISA’s popularity will win out over the fun dance number.
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Duel 4 – Dolly Style “Rollercoaster” Versus Samir & Viktor “Bada Nakna” (Bathe Naked) – Predict “Bada Nakna”
The Barbies against the Kens. I love the energy and performance of Dolly Style and the song is pure fun. Samir & Viktor’s performance is really focused on the water features and the shirtless finish but their song is still fun. I think Samir & Viktor’s popularity will win out over Dolly Style’s unfortunately.
Melodifestivalen 2016 – Semi Final 4 Tonight
Welcome to the last week of semi finals before visiting next week’s Andra Chansen (Second Chance). This week we visit the Gavlerinken in Gävle to decide which two songs will qualify for the final on the 12 March and which two songs will go to the Andra Chansen on the 5 March. Gina Dirawi will be joined by Sarah Dawn Finer this week for hosting duties.
The fourth semi-final is packed full of returning participants but there are a few debut artists as well which make cause some upsets tonight.
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1 Eclipse “Runaways” – Predict Andra Chansen
This hard rock group has been going since 1999 and have released 6 albums so far. Their lead singer, Erik Mårtensson, has written their debut Melodifestivalen entry “Runaways.” The song is a typical rock number by very much a catchy one that you could sing along to after one listen. I think it is good enough tocarry on in the competition as their performance is solid but is it really Eurovision?
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2 Dolly Style “Rollercoaster” – Predict Andra Chansen
Who could forget “Hello Hi”, Dolly Style’s debut last year which just missed out on a place in the final. With only one of the three original members, Dolly Style is back this year with “Rollercoaster.” The is song is everything that Bubblegum Pop should be, instantly catchy, sickeningly sweet and repetitive but I feel the song and performance is missing something. Although with their popularity they should easily progress to Andra Chansen again this year.
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3 Martin Stenmarck “Du Tar Mig Tillbaks” (You Take Me Back) – Predict 7th Place
Former Melodifestivalen winner, Stenmarck is back for his third attempt with a Swedish language ballad. The only issue here the song feels dated and feels like an old Irish entry that has been translated. Compare that with a lacklustre performance and you go home unfortunately. This is Stenmarck’s weakest entry to date and will be very surprised if places higher than last.
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4 Linda Bengtzing “Killer Girl” – Predict 6th Place
I’m not sure if the semi final is about weak entries for returning artist or what but here we are again with Linda Bengtzing, sixth time entrant with possibly her weakest entry to date as well. “Killer Girl” has the potential to have been a Schlager classic but it just feels a bit recycled with an attempt to update the Schlager sound. I think she will struggle to qualify even with her fan base.
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5 Frans “If I Were Sorry” – Predict Finalist
Known for his football anthems, Frans has had little experience in the mainstream arena. His debut Melodifestivalen entry, “If I Were Sorry” has a real message behind the song and Frans delivers it with passion. One of the surprise favourites tonight due to his near spotless rehearsal could very well qualify for the final amongst so many big names. Although not my favourite style of music, I must give him credit as he has a song that could very well change his career.
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6 Panetoz “Håll Om Mig Hårt” (Hold Me Tight) – Predict 5th Place
Panetoz are back after a year break with their new entry “Håll Om Mig Hårt” which is stylistically like their music and first entry “Efter Solsken”, which finished in 9th place, but it doesn’t really bring anything new to the table. Their boy band African style dance fusion has done well in Sweden and even gave them a number one but they haven’t since matched that success. Tonight I feel that they won’t be making any further accomplishments to their career.
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7 Molly Sandén “Youniverse” – Predict Finalist
So onto the favourite, not only of the semi final but of the whole contest. Molly Sandén has participated twice before and has gone direct to the final both times. Why should the former Miss Eric Saade, now Miss Danny Saucedo, not qualify tonight as well. The song leaked due to a site giving a presale clip of the single but SVT allowed all the songs to be available for 24 hours to make it fair. Her rehearsal has been criticised but it was always going to be as she is the one everyone is watching. The song was co-written by her and Saucedo and I think the performance is good enough to get her direct to the final without worry.
What do you think?
Melodifestivalen 2016 – Semi-Final 3 Tonight
Another week and another scandal. This past week a clip of Molly Sandén’s song “Youniverse” leaked on a website where you could pre-order the download of the song which resulted in SVT allowing all the fourth Semi Final songs (just 30 second clips) to be available for 24 hours. I wonder if all these “issues” have been created for our enjoyment. This week we visit the Himmelstalundshallen in Norrköping to decide which two songs will qualify for the final on the 12 March and which two songs will go to the Andra Chansen on the 5 March. Gina Dirawi will be joined by Henrik Schyffert this week for hosting duties.
The third semi-final is packed full of debut participants but there are a few returning artists as well which make cause some upsets tonight.
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1 SaRaha “Kizunguzungu” (Dizziness) – Predict Finalist
Sara Larsson better known as SaRaha was actually born in Sweden but moved to Tanzania when she was young. She has performed on major television programmes in Africa but in 2014 actually had a song in the Swedish Charts “Mbele Kiza.” Now she is bringing her Swahili song “Kizunguzungu” which translates to Dizziness to the Swedish Selection. The very “Haba Haba” sounding song (Norweigian Eurovision 2011) is instantly catchy and should be in contention to qualify. In the past the Swedes have shunned songs in languages that aren’t Swedish or English but hopefully the beat will get them voting.
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2 Swingfly feat. Helena Gutarra “You Carved Your Name” – Predict Andra Chansen
This is Swingfly’s second attempt in Melodifestivalen with his first entry in 2011 “Me and My Drum” qualifying directly to the final and he finished 5th overall. His new song “You Carved Your Name” sounds very much like “Me and My Drum” without the catchy Boom, Boom, Boom. He is backed up by Helena Gutarra who was in The Voice Sweden in 2012 but has done little since then. With Swingfly’s popularity means he should do well but I’m not sure the song will be good enough this time to qualify directly to the final.
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3 SMILO “Weight of the World” – Predict 7th Place
This boy band have had several names in the short time they have been together; Smile, Smiling Swedes and SMILO. Typically known for their beach style music, their debut entry for Melodifestivalen is more commercial club style in my eyes. The band are standing around like they don’t know what they are doing. The song isn’t bad but the soulless performance will leave them out of the running tonight.
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4 After Dark “Kom ut som en Stjärna” (Come Out Like a Star) – Predict 6th Place
Thank you After Dark for giving us some typical Schlager! This is After Dark’s third attempt to represent Sweden and I love it but this style of music is now considered “out of fashion.” Even with a drag queen is a pink tasselled outfit, I don’t think the song is strong enough commercially to get the Swedes to vote for it. I hope I’m wrong but I think After Dark won’t be moving on any further in the competition.
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5 Lisa Ajax “My Heart Wants Me Dead” – Predict Andra Chansen
Being the winner of Idol 2014, you think that Lisa Ajax would be big artist but her winner’s single only charted at 48 in the Swedish Charts. Her song is pretty solid and has an early Loreen feeling to it. Her topless dancers won’t go amiss either. Her vocals during the rehearsal weren’t great so it will all depend on tonight’s performance. She should qualify to continue in the competition but not directly to the final unless she smashes it tonight.
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6 Boris René “Put Your Love on Me” – Predict 5th Place
This Swedish football player who happens to dabble in singing as well debuts tonight in Melodifestivalen with “Put Your Love on Me.” The song is pretty catchy actually but not sure the footballer’s live vocals are good enough to qualify. The song is very repetitive so it easy to sing along to after one verse but will his vocals put off voters? Again all depends on tonight’s performance.
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7 Oscar Zia “Human” – Predict Finalist
This is Oscar Zia’s third performance in Melodifestivalen and his second solo attempt. He lost out with Behrang Miri in the Andra Chansen stage in 2013 but qualified directly to the final with “Yes We Can” in 2014, finishing in eighth place overall. Zia is a very hot topic at the moment as he has recently come out as gay. With a combination of his popularity, the amount of media attention and the fact he’s written the song himself Zia should easily qualify for the final. The song is a mid tempo ballad with haunting tone similar to Mariette’s “Don’t Stop Believing.”
What do you think?