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...

Let's continue the series and kill some time having a look at the last decade and see who were the Top-10 best scoring countries in the Eurovision song contest in the past ten years. The ways to calculate are many and here I have used the simple average placement method (and it's not all so serious). Number one is of course Sweden. Two wins, two bronzes and four additional top-7 finishes makes Sweden the most succesful Eurovision country in the 2010's, the only odd one out being the home entry in 2013 (14th). But let's see how long this will last; fandom isn't anymore equally mesmerized by Melodifestivalen and the Swedish entries, and certainly not the televoters in the recent years while the juries still back them up no matter what. This blogger has pretty much lost interest in Melodifestivalen the past few years to be honest, and think Sweden's been overrated for way too long. But times are changing, let's see how their 2020's will be. I persona...

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...

  Ira's got something to say So does Dami: If you don't love the person in the mirror you probably hate those around you that try to love you as it won't make sense to you why anyone decent would love you.. Try to love yourself. Be kind to yourself and others.    Lordi certainly doesn't have problems in that department. Mr Lordi and Ox exchange some spit to celebrate their 12th anniversary being monsters together Also Conchita is having something important and serious to say with  Syrian band and their Small House project for the New European Songbook On a lighter note Imri enjoys being in the bubble Douwe's got a new job Kristian went triple platinum, yuhuu! Robin drove a boat. Is he the dark angel? Joci promotes some kitchens Faniellos did some tv Kaliopi enjoys October sun And last but not least.... Ding dong! Krista got married finally!

Eric Saade was in Isola d'Elba, Italy  Also Levina did Italy. Alberobello. And so did Stig Rästa. Florence.  Douwe Bob had another tattoo... ... so did Hovi Star Robin Bengtson got ill just before some summer gigs.... Michal Szpak went golfing... Vaidas Baumila hurt his leg Kristian Kostov went blond and gave a finger This week's obligatory Marija+dog pic Verka Serduchka had a party in Portofino with Dolce (& Gabbana) Gabbani met Bocelli And Rybak met Logan

This week sour grapes comes from Croatian Jacques Houdek. He's been complaining with media the other ex-Yogo juries didn't give him enough points, not being "my friend" and the lack of their support costing him even a better final placement. According him the lack of support is due to the fact are just bitter he was the only one who made it to the final. In one word: jealousy. Ok..... ... but no worries. He has been awarded some trophy somewhere as the Best singer..... Sunstroke Project caused a media storm at home when they rushed to Moscow first instead of home, and even kissed the hand of sacked Julia Samaylova. It's worth remembering two of the guys are of Moldovan Russian minority and not so well seen in Moldova. Especially when they refer to speak Russian instead of (broken) Romanian/Moldovan....  Kristian Kostov is "Finally back at home!". Moscow that is. So much for Bulgaria...... .Isaiah's European promo tour contnued ...

While Lucie Jones has been enjoying a lovely relaxing bath.... .. and Alma has been on holidays enjoying the sun and the pool as well.... ... Isaiah has visited both Paris.... ... and Sweden where he picked up among other things a platinum disco for his debut single..... ... and Slavko relaxed by the lake - maybe dreaming of winning something eventually ( and he did, the Barbara Dex award! ) ... and Salvador and Luisa Sobral were invited to the Portuguese parliament for a standing ovation and congratulations.... .... while Alex Florea fired some accusations that Salvador used false technics to win Eurovision having problems with his head rather than his heart causing quite a stir among fans.... . ... but he only followed Robin's example, who first voiced what most of us thought anyways: Salvador's winning speech about disposable fast-food music wasn't quite necessary and polite at that very moment and was easily understood wrong..... .... ...