The Swedish national final “Melodifestivalen” will move this week to Malmö Arena to have the fourth and last semi-final.
The Swedish festival will have the same mechanism as in the past few years. 28 artists, already revealed in a special press conference will compete in 4 semi-finals and the Top4 from each semi will continue for the next round. the top 2 will go directly to the final and places 3-4 will continue for the second chance will take place a week before the final (February 29th, 2020). All events will be hosted by Lina Hedlund, Linnea Henriksson, and David Sundin
Sweden’s representative for Rotterdam will be decided on the show’s grand final that will take place on March 7th, 2020 at the Friends Arena in Stockholm.
Let’s get to know this week acts:
Listen to the songs snippets HERE
Song #1 – Frida Öhrn – We Are One
Written by Frida Öhrn, Hampus Eurenius, and Nicklas Eklund
This will be the 4th time that the “Fame Factory” 2002 act Frida Öhrn will perform on the stage of the Melodifestivalen but the first time as a solo artist. Frida appeared for the first time in the Melodifestivalen 2004 as a part of the trio LaRoxx, which finished in 5th place with “(Are U) Ready Or Not“. She later joined the girl band Cookies ‘N’ Beans and participated in the Melodifestivalen 2009 with “What If” that kicked out from the contest in the semi’s round. In 2013, the band returned to the competition and went to the Second Chance with “Burning Flags“.
Lyrics:
My mother always told me
You better stick to your own story
Be the writer be the voice in your own movieDon’t mind the devil on your shoulder
Haa a predictable spoiler
When you’ve had enough there’s a point of no returnI was just a young girl but her words stuck in my mind
We are one
you’re with me
Come on down join the crowd
Can you feel our hearts are beating as oneClap your hands
stomp your feet
Come around feel the beat
Our voices all together singing as oneStop look and listen
let it be a lesson
If you lose yourself they’ll walk over youAnd it’s so easy to be a pleaser
Not to stand up for what you believe in
But deep inside you know what’s right or wrongAnd we’re no longer children still it echoes in my mind
We are one you’re with me
Come on down join the crowd
Can you feel our hearts are beating as oneClap your hands
stomp your feet
Come around feel the beat
Our voices all together singing as oneWe are one
You’re with me
common down join the crowd
Can you feel it
Oh can you feel itClap your hands
stomp your feet
Come around feel the beat
Our voices all together singing as oneCome on come on come on
We are one
Song #2 – William Stridh – Molnljus
Written by Markus Lidén, Christian Holmström, David Kreuger, and William Stridh
22-year-old William Stridh became famous when he participated in the fourteenth season of the Swedish Idol in 2014 where he came 5th. later on, he joined the group The Audrey and now, he will make his debut performance on the Melfest stage.
One of the song’s writers is David Kreuger that wrote many songs for the Melodifestivalen in the past such as “Blame It on the Disco” for Alcazar in 2014 (3rd place), “Sting” for Eric Saade in 2015 (5th place), Jessica Andersson‘s “Party Voice” in 2018 (11th place) and last year 4th place “Norrsken (Goeksegh)” by Jon Henrik Fjällgren.
Lyrics:
Vi möttes nog för tidigt men det var
Nånting som greppa tagOch innan dagen tagit slut
Så visste jag vem jag varDet var ritat i sanden
På den strand där vi väntTillbaka mot staden
Som inget hade hänt
Du tog mig bara halvvägs hemOm du kommer tillbaks till mig
Skulle vi leva för fullt juFlyga högt över taken babe
Under ett täcke av molnljusOm du bara
Om du bara kommer tillbaks
Så ska vi leva livet
Under ett täcke av molnljusOm du bara
Om du bara kommer tillbaks
Så ska vi leva livet
Under ett täcke av molnljusDu prata om en framtid
Där du en dag skulle ge dig avMen det jag inte visste då
Var att det skulle va från migDet var ritat i sanden
På den strand där vi vänt
Nu står jag här och väntar självOm du kommer tillbaks till mig
Skulle vi leva för fullt juFlyga högt över taken babe
Under ett täcke av molnljusOm du bara
Om du bara kommer tillbaksSå ska vi leva livet
Under ett täcke av molnljusOm du bara
Om du bara kommer tillbaksSå ska vi leva livet
Under ett täcke av molnljusDu tog mig bara halvvägs hem
Jag hittar inte tillbaks nu
Nu står jag här och väntar självUnder ett täcke av molnljus
Om du bara kommer tillbaksSå ska vi leva livet
Under ett täcke av molnljusOm du bara
Om du bara kommer tillbaksSå ska vi leva livet
Under ett täcke av molnljusOm du kommer tillbaks till mig
Under ett täcke av molnljusOm du bara
Om du bara kommer tillbaksSå ska vi leva livet
Under ett täcke av molnljus
Song #3 – Nanne Grönvall – Carpool Karaoke
Written by Nanne Grönvall, and Peter Grönvall
Nanne Grönvall has a long 35 years career in the music industry. her first experience has started when she was part of the group Sound of Music in 1980. this is where she met for the first time Peter Grönvall also joined her in the group One More Time who represent Sweden in Eurovision 1996 with “Den Vilda“. besides this Nanne participated in the Melodifestivalen many times both a composer and as an artist as follows:
- 1986: “Eldorado” (as a member of Sound of Music) – 4th place
- 1987: “Alexandra” (as a member of Sound of Music) – 4th place
- 1992: “Vad Som Än Händer“(as a composer for “Maria Rådsten”)
- 1992: “Ingenting går som man vill” (as a composer for “Therese Lof”)
- 1995: “Det Vackraste” (as a composer for “Cecilia Vennersten”)
- 1996: “Den vilda” (as a member of One More Time) – 1st place
- 1998: “Avundsjuk” – 4th place
- 2003: “Evig kärlek” – non-qualifier
- 2005: “Håll om mig” – 2nd place
- 2007: “Jag måste kyssa dig” – second chance round
- 2019: “I Do” (as a composer for “Arvingarna”) – 7th place
Lyrics:
Vill dansa runt på taket i höga klackar
och känna vinden i mitt hår
Jag vill sjunga Carpool Karaoke
så högt det gårAha
Whoah ohMina bästa vänner
finns alltid där för migMen just nu känns allt depp
och dom kan inte hjälpa migDe säger kom vi shoppar loss
Vi festar och vi går på spaJag svarar tack men ingenting av det känns bra
För bara en sak gör mig gladJag vill sjunga Carpool Karaoke
med James Corden yeahVi skruvar upp volymen till eleven med vindrutan ner
Vill dansa runt på taket i höga klackar
och känna vinden i mitt hår
Jag vill sjunga Carpool Karaoke så högt det gårVi vinkar glatt mot alla
som vi passerar på vår färdOch jag tänker lyckos mig
just nu är jag avundsvärdVi tutar och vi moonar
vid varje rödljus gång på gångTills vi stoppas när trafikpolis kör om
Men då sjunger vi för demJag vill sjunga Carpool Karaoke
med James Corden yeahVi skruvar upp volymen till eleven med vindrutan ner
Vill dansa runt på taket i höga klackar
och känna vinden i mitt hår
Jag vill sjunga Carpool Karaoke så högt det gårWhoa ho
Whoa hoJag vill sjunga Carpool Karaoke
med James Corden yeah
Vi skruvar upp volymen till eleven med vindrutan nerVill dansa runt på taket i höga klackar
och känna vinden i mitt hår
Jag vill sjunga Carpool Karaoke så högt det gårVill dansa runt på taket i höga klackar
och känna vinden i mitt hår
Jag vill sjunga Carpool Karaoke så högt det går
Song #4 – Victor Crone – Troubled Waters
Written by Dino Medanhodzic, Benjamin Jennebo, and Victor Crone
We all remember Victor Crone for his unforgettable performance in Tel-Aviv 2019 where he “dared to dream” and came 20th with his song “storm” for Estonia.
This year, Victor is battling for the honor to represent his home country Sweden in Rotterdam. the last time he almost made it was in 2015 when he sang “Det rår vi inte för” featuring Behrang Miri but he lost the final ticket to Samir & Viktor “Groupie”
Together with Victor co-wrote the song Benjamin Jennebo and Dino Medanhodzic that also stands behind 2020 host Lina Hedlund entry for Melfest 2019 “Victorious” as well as 2020 finalist “Bulletproof” for Dotter.
Lyrics:
Wind
the wind in my back
Setting my sail
I’m on my way back to youStorm
in the eye of the storm
out on my own
Promised to bring the world back homePaper and pen
writing you lettersWon’t be forever
’Til the day I’m coming homeTo my loved one’s
oh I miss yaTroubled waters
lay ahead of usSlowly drifting
Been a long time gone
I’m on my way homeI’m on my way
Through troubled watersI’m on my way
Through troubled watersSeek seek and you’ll find
Open your eyes
You told me to find my inner childGrow
but never grow old
I’m at the deep end
I’m not gonna give inPaper and pen
writing you lettersWon’t be forever
’Til the day I’m coming HomeTo my loved one’s
oh I miss yaTroubled waters
lay ahead of usSlowly drifting
Been a long time gone
I’m on my way homeI’m on my way
Through troubled watersI’m on my way
Through troubled watersPaper and pen
writing you lettersWon’t be forever
Til the day I’m coming homeTo my loved one’s
oh I miss yaTroubled waters
that won’t stop usTo my loved ones
oh I miss yaTroubled waters
that won’t stop usI’m on my way
Through troubled watersI’m on my way
Through troubled waters
Song #5 – Ellen Benediktson & Simon Peyron – Surface
Written by Paul Rey, Laurell Barker, Anderz Wrethov, Sebastian von Koenigsegg, and Ellen Benediktson
Ellen Benediktson first garnered attention when she was the rehearsals “stand-in” singer for the French entry to Eurovision 2013 “L’enfer et moi” the following year, she took part in Melodifestivalen 2014 with the song “Songbird“, where she placed seventh in the final. she tried her luck again in 2015 with the song “Insomnia” came 5th in Semi-Final 3 and therefore didn’t qualify for the final.
Simon Peyron was a member of the group Outtrigger that, like Benediktson, participated in Melodifestivalen 2014. on the content, the band sang “Echo” and lost the ticket to the final in the second chance battle against Helena Paparizou‘s “Survivor”
Among the song’s writers, you can find Paul Rey who qualified for next week “second chance” round with “Talking In My Sleep“, Laurell Barker that stands behinds Melfest schlagers such as Margaret’s “Tempo” (2019) and Renaida’s “All the Feels” (2018, 9th place), and Anderz Wrethov that responsible for Sweden’s 5th Place in Eurovision 2019 with “Too late for love” for John Lundvik as well as Ellen Benediktson entry for Melodifestivalen 2015″Insomnia“.
Lyrics:
I can feel your silence growing loud
I wish that I could read your mindI can feel you going quiet now
Wish I could read between your linesThe words are written across your face
Your eyes are telling what you don’t sayYou bite your tongue and I do the same
But there’s gotta be another wayWe don’t talk about it, all we do is let it be
But it’s time for you to open up and speakWe don’t talk about it even though it’s what we need
But it’s time to bring up everything we keepUnderneath the surface
Underneath the surface
Underneath the surface
This runs deepUnderneath the surface
Underneath the surface
Underneath the surface
This runs deepYou do everything just to avoid
An awkward conversationI just wanna hear you raise your voice
I hate to see you hold it inWe don’t talk about it all we do is let it be
But it’s time for you to open up and speakWe don’t talk about it even though it’s what we need
But it’s time to bring up everything we keepUnderneath the surface
Underneath the surface
Underneath the surface
This runs deepThe words are written across your face
You’re eyes are telling what you don’t sayYou bite your tongue and I do the same
But there’s gotta be another wayWe don’t talk about it even though it’s what we need
But it’s time to bring up everything we keepUnderneath the surface
Underneath the surface
Underneath the surface
This runs deepUnderneath the surface
Underneath the surface
Underneath the surface
This runs deep
Song #6 – Jakob Karlberg – Om du tror att jag saknar dig
Written by Nanne Grönvall, Isak Hallén, Henrik Moreborg, and Jakob Karlberg
Jakob Karlberg will make his debut appearance in Melodifestivalen. he first appeared in the Swedish reality show Idol 2011, where he reached the final audition round. after the show, he has released a few singles to the radio, the most popular among them “Fan va bra” reached almost 4M views on Youtube.
Karlberg song for Melfest was co-written together with one of the most experienced artists in the Melodifestivalen Ms. Nanne Grönvall that will battle on the same semi-final on Saturday with the song “Carpool Karaoke”
Lyrics:
Du står och dansar
Och kastar blickar åt mitt hållFixade fransar
Som att det spelar någon rollDu kan färga ditt hår men jag minns som igår
Vad som finns bakom den där fasadenOch jag vet det är svårt men du måste förstå
Att jag ser genom dina charaderKolla med mina vänner
Fråga hur jag har mått
Om du tror att jag saknar digDu måste glömt den kvällen
Kolla din telefon
Om du tror att jag saknar digNej
Om du tror att jag saknar dig
Nej
Om du tror att jag saknar dig
Kolla med mina vänner
Fråga hur jag har måttOm du tror att jag saknar dina läppar
Och hur dom kändes mot min hudSå kan du släppa
Din illusion av jag och duJag har läkt mina sår men jag minns som igår
Vad som finns bakom den där fasadenHur kan det va så svårt
fan du måste förstå
Att jag ser genom dina charaderKolla med mina vänner
Fråga hur jag har mått
Om du tror att jag saknar digDu måste glömt den kvällen
Kolla din telefon
Om du tror att jag saknar digNej
Om du tror att jag saknar digNej
Om du tror att jag saknar digKolla med mina vänner
Fråga hur jag har måttOm du tror att jag saknar dig
Om du tror att jag saknar dig
Om du tror att jag saknar dig
Om du tror att jag saknar dig
Om du tror att jag saknar digKolla med mina vänner
Fråga hur jag har mått
Om du tror att jag saknar digDu måste glömt den kvällen
Kolla din telefon
Om du tror att jag saknar digNej
Om du tror att jag saknar digNej
Om du tror att jag saknar digKolla med mina vänner
Fråga hur jag har mått
Om du tror att jag saknar dig
Song #7 – Hanna Ferm – Brave
Written by David Kjellstrand, Jimmy Jansson, and Laurell Barker
The Swedish singer Hanna Ferm starter her musical career in 2014 where she participated on TV4 talent show “Talang Sverige”. in 2017 she competed in the thirteenth season of the Swedish Idol series where she placed second. Last year, Ferm came 3rd in Melodifestivalen grand final when she sang “Hold You” together with LIAMOO.
One of the song composers Jimmy Jansson has participated himself three times on Melodifestivalen singing ”What Difference Does It Make?” as a part of the band “Poets” in 2002, ”Vi kan gunga” in 2005, and “Amanda” in 2007.
Lyrics:
Whooho
Whooho
WhoohoDancing here
with my ghostsI’m gonna face my fears
hold them closeThey won’t be getting to me no
I’m gonna rock them to sleep thoughCloset full of my sins
I’m gonna face my past skeletonsThey won’t be holding me down no
I put them back in the ground soI’m the one whose giving them heart attack
Hunt them into hell and make ‘em take it back
Say something I’m not afraidI’m brave now
Gonna have to hear what I
say nowNo one’s gonna step on my
grave now
Imma go ahead and be brave
Ah hoo
TodayI’m Brave now
‘Bout the time I ride my own
wave nowI’ll be throwing all of my
shame out
Imma go ahead and be brave
Ah hoo
I’m braveHead is like a haunted house
I gotta shed some light
clean it outYeah I tame those demons behaviour
I’m gonna be my own saviourI’m the one whose giving them heart attack
Hunt them into hell and make them take it backSay something I’m
I’m not afraid
I’m brave now
Gonna have to hear what I
say nowNo one’s gonna step on my
grave nowImma go ahead and be brave
Ah hoo
today nowI’m Brave now
‘Bout the time I ride my own
wave nowI’ll be throwing all of my
shame out
Imma go ahead and be brave
Ah hoo
I’m brave
I’m brave
Whohoo
Ladi da di da di daWhohoo
Ladi da di da di da daWhohoo
Ladi da di da di daI’m brave
I am braveTake a breath
Take a stepI don’t know what’s coming next
But I bet thatIt’s with me in the dark now
And it’s gonna have big jaws now
But I already got my claws out
WohooI’m brave now
Gonna hear what I
say nowNo one step on my
grave now
I’m a brave ah hoo
I’m braveI’m brave
I throw my shame out
I go ahead and be braveAhoo I’m brave
I’m braveWohooo
Ladi da di da di daWohooo
Ladi da di da di da daWohooo
Ladi da di da di da
I’m brave
I am brave
I’m brave
Sweden’s journey will continue for the second chance round next Saturday, and in the week after, we will all know who’s the Swedish representative for Rotterdam.
- Anrda Chansen – Eskilstuna, Stiga Sports Arena (February 29th, 2020)
- Final – Stockholm, Friends Arena (March 7th, 2020)
All shows will be broadcast live on SVT Play. right after each semi-final, the studio version of the entries ranked 7 to 3 will be released on the digital platforms. You can follow ESCBEAT playlist here:
Spotify
AppleMusic
Youtube
Sweden will participate in the first half of the first Semifinal 2 on May 12th. Last year, John Lundvik represented Sweden in Tel-Aviv and finished 5th in the grand final with “Too Late for Love”
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