Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

  If Spain has been doing poorly for way too long, Sweden has been an Eurovision power house. Eight times in top-7 since their only non qualification back in 2010. But...  Melodifestivalen has been going down in my book for several years and has been very predictable and therefor rather boring, safe and manufactured for way too long. Somehow they have managed however to produce winners that have made well in the contest, usually helped heavily by the juries. This next edition on paper isn't anything different but same old, same old. In both artists and songwriters. Let's have a look. First of all there are three previous winners taking part: Anna Bergendahl (2010), Robin Bengtsson (2017) and John Lundvik (2019), each of them having other non winning participation in recent years. Then we have Alvaro Estrella, Klara Hammarström, LIAMOO, Lillasyster, Linda Bengtzing, Malou Prytz, Lisa Ajax, Omar Rydberg and Shirley Clamp. Among songwriters the Debs, G:son, Jansson, Boström, Aag...

Sweden scores a win in the OGAE Second Chance contest for the 16th time and it all makes it a bit boring really, don't you agree? Even if Anna Bergendahl with Kingdom come is a worthy winner and Finland's Erika Vikman and Italy's Elodie are the best possible runner ups in my opinion. Even more so as even if I like Anna a lot, this wasn't her best effort I think. Let's put it this way: the top-3 was my favorite, too, but the order could have been a bit different.  The results: 1. Sweden - Anna Bergendahl - Kingdom come 344 2. Finland - Erika Vikman - Cicciolina 302 3. Italy - Elodie - Andromeda 253 4. Albania - Elvana Gjata - Me tana 230 5. Norway - Rein Alexander - One last time 158 6. Denmark - Jasmine Rose feat. Roxorloops - Human 149 7. Ukraine - Khayat - Call for love 118 8. Romania - Roxen - Cherry red 113 9. Lithunia - Monique - Make me human 98 10. Croatia - Indira Levak - You will never break my heart 92 11. Israel - Eden Alene - Roots 82 12. Bàrbara Tinoco ...

The Swedish Melodifestivalen caravan ended its journey to Friends Arena, packed with tens of thousends of people with no fear of Coronavirus. Twelve acts made it this far and for the first time since 1971-72 last year's winner won again. Sort of. The Mamas were backing John Lundvik last year but now claimed the spotlight to themselves and took a bit of a surprise win. A very close one. It was a family affair the mamas against the daughter in the end both the juries and televoters.... A very close race indeed overal votes going everywhere. One could say the standard was so high people didn't think what to vote. I rather think it was the opposite, it was so medicore people didn't know what to vote and there was no stand out entry whatsoever.  The Mamas are American Ashley Haynes, Loulou Lamotte and Dinah Yonas Manna. Even though I loved them last year and they should tick all my boxes somehow I can't get on board this one. It's feelgood and nice with great ...

The six week long extravacanza known also as Mello and the Swedish Eurovision song contest national final comes to an end in Friends Arena, Stockholm with 35.000 people attending. Hopefully Corona won't be attending as a surprise interval act!  There will be previous winners Anna Bergendahl, Robin Bengtson, The Mamas and last year's Eurovision  (Estonian) veteran Victor Crone against others like previous runner up Felix Sandman and Hanna Ferm who has already tasted some Mello success as well. Fan favorite Dotter has the most interesting show which might tell why she's a favorite as the song alone isn't that great, is it? I'm all Anna B winning again and qualifying this time and ending up, up, up in the scoreboard in May.... Victor Crone - Troubled waters  ** Paul Rey - Talking in my sleep  *** The Mamas -Move  *** Mohonbi - Winners  **** Hanna Ferm - Brave  *** Méndez feat Alvaro Soler - Vamos amigos  **** Dotter - Bull...

Sweden has revealed its cards for Eurovision 2020. Among the Melodifestivalen acts five previous winners (Anna Bergendahl, Robin Bengtson, Nanne Grönvall aka One More Time and last year's backing group The Mamas and Victor Crone who sung for Estonia). Six acts from last year return, there are two runner ups looking for a revenge, nine debutants (as soloist at least) and among the songwriters the usual ones but also Paul Rey writing for Ellen, and Nanne writing for Jakob. Frida is back for the 4th time but the first as solo. As does Victor actually. And Hanna. And Anis. And Albin. Both Amanda and Faith come from P4 Nästa competition where the winner (Amanda) got a ticket to Mello. Somehow Faith got in as well. Paul Rey is actually Pauli Jokela, a very Finnish name. His dad is a Finn, mom a Chilean. Linda B is back for the 7th time, Sonja and Mendez for the fourth.  Semi-final One - Linköping, February 1, 2020 Malou Prytz - Ballerina *** 2ND CHANCE (Thomas G:son, Peter...

Italy's close runs continue in the annual OGAE Second Chance contest where Il Volo's third placed Sanremo entru Musica che resta is beaten by only two points by France's Seemone, the runner up of Destination Eurovision with her Tous les deux . Sweden sent Anna Bergendahl, the only Swedish act not to reach the final so far, and only 10th in this year's Melodifestivalen. Her Ashes to ashes , one of the finest songs this year in the national final circuit gets a sweet revenge and places third. You can watch the show produced in Udine by the Italian OGAE Club, last year's winner with Annalisa's Il mondo prima di te HERE . 

Last but not least, Sweden will choose its entry for Tel Aviv 2019 Eurovision in Melodifstivalen, this season's last national final. 12 songs made it to th final from four semi-finals and on second chance round. John Lundvik seems the one to beat and Jon Henrik's fat might be once again be close but not winning. Anna is after a revenge and we can't rule out Hanna & LIAMOO either just yet.  This blogger's favorites are Anna and Mohombi, and John would be fine, too. Anyone else will once again drop Sweden off my top-20 or so....  1. Jon Henrik Fjällgren - Norrsken (Goeksegh) 2. Lisa Ajax - Torn 3. Mohombi - Hello 4. Lina Hedlund - Victorious 5. Bishara - On My Own 6. Anna Bergendahl - Ashes to Ashes 7. Nano - Chasing Rivers 8. Hanna Ferm & LIAMOO - Hold You 9. Malou Prytz - I Do Me 10. John Lundvik - Too Late for Love 11. Wiktoria - Not with Me 12. Arvingarna - I Do

After four heats of Melodifestivalen it's time for the second chance round aka Andra chansen of those who finished 3rd and 4th. Sadly it's once again made in duels so one can only guess this system's fairness. The duels are based on simple rules: they must be 3rd and 4th placed ones against each other, and they can't be from the same heat. That already pretty much sets who's against who.... According Björkman also they try to put songs aiming to be liked by same groups of fans against each other... My winners are Anna Bergendahl, Nano, Arvingarna and between Stenmarck and Ajax I don't really care.... Andreas Johnsson Vs. Anna Bergendahl Vlad Reiser Vs. Nano Martin Stenmarck Vs. Lisa Ajax Rebecka Karlsson Vs. Arvingarna All is good in the end

This week we have first very popular Finnish Anna , namely Puu and her Säännör rakkaudelle . She's selling a lot and one of those artists that have managed to drop the Idols label. Anotherr Anna comes Italy, Tatangelo . Some Eurovision fans had hopes for her when she was in Sanremo but she's back now with Occhio x occhio . Next a third Anna , Swedish Bergendahl who is currently making career in the States. Live and let go is quite wonderful. Last but not least no more Annas but Danish Bryan Rice and his latest These arms .

Anna Bergendahl has been kind of out of spotlight recently but now she's back! She's been in the States recording her second album Something to believe in to be released in October 2012. And she's really got something to believe in; her voice sounds fantastic in the new single Live and let go that comes with a very nice Californian video to match. Great stuff! You should all learn to love her again .... (You know who you are)

Two blond ladies with blue eyes, catchy little rather acoustic song, perfect for radios. While Denmark has a hint of melancholy in it, Latvia is bursting with good mood and happiness singing about the song she is singing about. How weird is that? Weird but wonderful but so is Denmark's entry. I have fondly disliked all these Danish entries of recent year's that have done very well in Eurovision - does this now mean Denmark will bomb as I like it? And how about Latvia? Many say they like it "somehow" but it will not be voted for. Are we sure? As said, Denmark has done the top-5 two years in a row, while Latvia has missed the final three years in a row. Will the tables turn this year? And both have a very messy staging in national finals to sort out before Baku. Will they succeed? Latvia - Anmary - Beautiful song ***** The song is insanely catchy, whether you like it not, the melody sticks into your brain. And the corny lyrics. But it also comes across that the...

Melodifestivalen didn't quite make it last year. People didn't appreciate the interval acts and the voting was a mess in several cases and harsh critic fell on the Swedish institution. Most of it was forgotten when Eric Saade's winning entry Popular did indeed prove popular by the voters all around Europe and gained Sweden's first success since Carola's 5th place in 2006 with Invincible and especially coming after Sweden's first ever drop out from the final in 2010 with Anna Bergendahl's This is my life . Christer Björkman continues as the producer and is in charge for the song part of the show while the interval acts have been given to Henrik Johnsson to think about and Edward af Sillèn will be directing the show. They will write the script and promise the 90 minutes shows will be mainly live and in general talk about "live atmosphere" for the whole event (like it was never missing there, was it?) Both guys also have already various experiences ...

Anna Bergendahl's second video is ready and out. Listen and watch The Army here .

Despite being the first and only Swede todate not to qualify for the Eurovision final, Anna Bergendahl is nominated both the best female artist and the best newcomer in the Swedish Rockbjörnen awards. The other Melodifestivalen/Eurovision related nominees are Agnes (best female), Erik Saade (best male and best new comer), Ola (best male), Salem Al Fakir (best male) and The Ark (best live group). Three out of five best song nominees comes from Melodifestivalen: Manboy , Keep on walking and Unstoppable . The other two are Oscar Linnros's Från och med du and Mando Diao's Nothing without you . In the best foreign song of the year Lady Gaga rules with three out of five moninations: Bad romance , Alejandro and Telephone . The awards are given by the readers of Aftonbladet since 1979.  Anna did beat both Erik and Salem in MF, let's see how it goes here!

Anna Bergendahl has been having "a fantastic summer" as she says on tour and having a lot of time off, too. She has not decided yet what to do this fall. "I love to study, it's great to learn new things but I also have music in my heart so I hope I can do both in the future. After all I am only 18! Eurovision was a great experience even if I was kicked out in the semifinal like no Swede before and I learned a lot. I would absolutely love to do it again . in 10 or 20 years! " Her new single and video will be The Army off her debut album.

It's the night before the wedding and reigning Schöager queen Anna Bergendahl entertains the masses in Kungsträdgården tonight. And just if you wonder if Finns care about the wedding let me tell you this: the wedding chocolates are sold at Stockmann's and both YLE1 and MTV3 are broadcasting the wedding live on telly! YLE1 has the wedding and afterparty live plus various documents running from 11.10 tomorrow until 01.00 - total of 7,5 hours of programming. MTV3 also has various programmes about the royal family and the live broadcast for over 3,5 hours tomorrow so the answer is yes.

Moments after Anna Bergendahl's This is my life didn't qualify for the final in this year's Eurovision song contest final - a first for Sweden - SVT bosses were called in for a crisis meeting "How to make sure Sweden will make the final in 2011". In short that means Europe will get more power is choosing the song. Swedes have been particularly harsh on Christer Björkman, the man in charge for Melodifestivalen asking him to resign. "That's bullshit. I don't choose the songs or vote out the winner " he says. "I'm in charge for making an entertaining Saturday night program and not picking up the winner. We have to change the system. We know what works in the Swedish market as a program and music but we need to get more international feel to it now. The main problem seem to be the jury that picks up the songs for Melodifestivalen. They try to find a bit everything in it, a little Sweden. Politically correct. Maybe we should get a little Eu...

Missing the Eurovision final for the first time since 1958 (when they have wanted to take part) and after 49 entries the 50th turns out a fiasco. Sweden is under shock and apparently people don't know to handle this and take it all too seriously. Ask Finns for help. After all we are experts, after missing every other year in 1990's and many finals have been stopped in semifinals, too.  But last night, after the last envelope that didn't say Sweden but Denmark (a song written by Swedes and rejected from melodifestivale one might like to point out) a silence fell to the Swedish delegation.   Fast forward : Anna locked in a room crying and getting crisis help from SVT. (How very Swedish!)  Fast forward: teary eyed Anna meeting the press with a weak smile.  Meanwhile in Sweden the headlines of tabloids are crying out a fiasco asking should Swedes stop participating? Close down Melodifestivalen? Do Italy and keep Melodifestivalen but stop Eurovision? Fire Christer Björkm...

Aftonbladet claims SVT has been fighting with NRK to be able to have the red color for their entry on stage in Oslo 2010. NRK insisted on having blue color (like Charlotte Perrelli and Malena Ernman, btw) for Anna Bergendahl. As a compromise the stage turns into blue for a moment near the end of the song. "We wanted to have some warmth to the entry" says Christer Björkman "but NRK wants to turn Anna an ice queen. We already fought for the light sticks to be handed to the audience and in the end got a permission for them. They will be also in red, specially made and ordered from the US. We need to stick out from the mass of blue ballads!" Video .