MELODIFESTIVALEN 2012- Globen Grand Final is here!

It's that magical saturday when Sweden - the one country in Europe that pulls out all the stops - annually with a Song Festival of glam and glitter. After 4 semi-final heats they will hold the Grand final at Globen.

Only in 2012- did the swedes open this Melo season with a funny-interval song called 'It's for Everyone -Not a Party for gays' a theme echoed last week in Russia as a Euro- folk tune sung by Buranovskiye Babushki- won a place in Baku called 'Party for Everyone' what does this all mean? we are thinking is it back to basics?

Or is black just the new Pink-

There are almost no gimmicks or novelty act's like the Buranovskiye Grannies at Globen Stockholm this year- apart from maybe Bjorn Ranelid feat Sara Li - who speaks his way through a techo-pop tune 'Mirakel' If you want some real schlager-pop that Melodifestivalen has been so famous for at home and internationally. It is rather thin on the ground this year. In fact this year we have No Kempe Magic- at all!

The popular' writer Fredrik Kempe has not been missing from Globen Final since back in 2006! (ending his 5 year Final-run)

At least we have 'Shout it out' one schlager-stomper to get the party started

with David Lindgren- a popular dance-tune to get you on your feet waving your hands around before the 'Mystery' of a new brand of Metal-Pop from Dead by April hits you- just after Thorsten Flinck claims he will rise once again! (although we are just hoping he stays berried)

Last year it was clear the final was Eric Vs Danny - So for this year it's become -The Danny Vs Loreen Show' certainly these two tunes are

great! both worthy winners and I think Danny deserves to take the prize- but.. when it comes to making Sweden a winner in

Baku at Eurovision Song Contest 2012. I personally think Loreen's performance has just what it takes! I could be wrong- I have been before- it really comes down to those now 11 International juries, they may not vote the same as public tele-voters - as it certainly looks like

it will be Danny & Loreen on top for the public vote.

Finally lets not rule out the wonderful Molly Sanden ballad 'Why Am I crying' it could be come a case of Danny vs Loreen vs Molly.

We should have a thrilling nail-biting final voting scoreboard simular to back in 2009- We can't wait...not long to go.

-Molly in her 'Black Leather' n chains

What's in a Song! title-Melodifestivalen Songs for 2012-are announced

Molly- Eric Saade's girlfriend is she set to follow in his footsteps?

Normally around this time of year we get from the Melodifestivalen camp- a few teasers as to who will sing which tune in the heats

starting in Feburary 2012. However it is a songwriters competition so firstly we get a list of the song titles- With those song writer credits

here is the full list announced already- as always these give some big glues as to who will sing as well.

It looks like Sonja Alden is likely to sing her penned tune 'I din Himmel' and the return of Molly Sanden as well as Andreas Johnson is likely.

Then The Moniker is back the second year running with a tune called 'I want to be Chris Issac'

-O M G what is he thinking?

Ohhh but wait (sigh) I can see now -three schlager anthems from Thomas G:Son- that's Fantastic.

I spy a schlager veteran in Lasse Holm who gave us the classics before like 'Dag efter dag' 'Framling' & 'Bra Vibrationer' to name a few- this brings to mind one other name- Kikki (-we wish? it is likey to be a return of 'Lotta- Engberg instead! )

Then only two tunes from Fredrik Kempe next year !

but double kempe magic is better than only one- we are hoping

one of the songs are made for Magnus Carlsson- finger-crossed- toes crossed- whever else.

The tune- Sanningen' is rumoured to be a comeback for Magnus! - as he has worked with Michael Clauss before.

check out the list- here for yourself-

Aldrig Aldrig (Niclas Lundin, Maria Marcus, Randy Goodrum)

Allting blir bra igen (Michael Sideridis)

Baby Doll (Mårten Eriksson, Lina Eriksson, Susie Päivärinta)

Det går för långsamt (Anton Malmberg Hård af Segerstad, Niclas Lundin)

Don't Let Me Down (Lasse Holm, Lars Dille Diedricson)

Euphoria (Thomas G:son, Peter Boström)

Förlåt mig (Mattias Andréasson)

Ge aldrig upp (Thomas Di Leva)

Goosebumps (Hanna Lindblad, Linda Sundblad, Tony Nilsson)

I din himmel (Sonja Aldén, Bobby Ljunggren, Peter Boström)

I mina drömmar (Nanna Svensdóttir, Thomas Cars)

I Want To Be Chris Isaak (The Moniker)

Jag reser mig igen (Thomas G:son, Ted Ström)

Just A Little Bit (RedOne)

Land Of Broken Dreams (Thomas G:son, Thomas Plec Johansson)

Lovelight (Andreas Johnson, Peter Kvint)

Mirakel (Fredrik Andersson, Björn Ranelid)

Mystery (Pontus Hjelm)

Porslin (Björn Olsson, Martin Elisson)

På väg (Abalone Dots Rebecka Hjukström, Sophia Hogman, Louise Holmer, Viktor Källgren)

Salt & Pepper (Lina Eriksson, Mårten Eriksson, Figge Boström)

Sanningen (Michael Clauss, Martin Bjelke)

Sean Den Förste Banan (Sean Banan, Joakim Larsson, Hans Blomberg, Mårten Andersson)

Soldiers (Ulrik Munther, Johan Åberg, Linnea Deb, Joy Deb, David Jackson)

Stormande hav (Kristian Lagerström, Johan Fjellström, Stina Engelbrecht, Jens Engelbrecht)

The Boy Can Dance (Figge Boström, Catrine Loqvist, Johan Lindman)

The Girl (Fredrik Kempe, Alexander Johnsson)

To the Sky (Fernando Fuentes, Tony Nilsson, Danny Saucedo, Peter Boström, Figge Boström)

Kyss mig (Axel Algmark, Mattias Frändå, Jonathan Magnussen)

Why Am I Crying (Molly Sandén, Aleena Gibson, Windy Wagner)

Why Start A Fire (Lisa Miskovsky, Aleksander With, Bernt Rune Stray, Berent Philip Moe)

Youngblood (Fredrik Kempe, David Krüger)

Just some -Melodifestivalen 2011 Globen Final Voting facts

This year was interesting to use the international juries- Here are the countries

and who they gave the top 12 points to-

- in fact Sanna Nielson got same amount of 12 points as Eric Saade:

Russia: The Moniker
Ukraine: Sanna Nielsen
France: Eric Saade
Greece: Sanna Nielsen
Malta: Eric Saade
Croatia: Linda Bengzing
San Marino: Swingfly
Germany: Danny Saucedo
UK: Eric Saade
Ireland: Sanna Nielsen

Norway: Swingfly

- So lets keep an eye on UK, France & Malta see if they give Sweden very high points in Dusseldorf 2011?

The Swedish public: votes was translated to scoreboard points this year based on the % of the votes cast. Here we see where Eric Saade got the biggest advantage

23.7% = 112 points to Eric Saade

14.9% = 70 points to Danny Saucedo

14.7% = 69 points The Moniker

10.4% = 49 points to Swingfly

8.2% = 39 points to Sanna Nielson

7.8% = 37 points to Nicke Borg

7% = 33 points The Playtones

5.8% = 27 points to Sara Varga

4.3% = 21 points to Brolle

3.2% = 16 points to Linda Bengzing

The Final Globen SCOREBOARD

1st "Popular" 193 pts
2nd "In the club" 149 points
3rd "Oh My God!" 124 points
4th "I'm in love" 114 pts
5th "Me and my drum" 93 points
6th "The King" 79 points
7th "E de fel pa mej" 58 points
8th "Leaving home" 57 points
9th "Spring for Livet '50 points
10th "Seven days and Seven nights' 29 points

Le Schlager Girls- Melodifestivalen 2011

-so far it has been all bout the boys at Globen in Melodifestivalen 2011.

From all the rehearsal reports it looks like a Male artist will win- Yet the best

schlager is from Sanna Nielsen & Linda Bengtzing

Linda looks and sounds in fine form with her swedish stomper 'E det fel pa mig med'. We are not sure her yellow outfit was the best choice- this rehearsal top does her a lot more justice

Are we ready for Globen 2011- it's Here and Now?

Its just 2 more sleeps to Globen Melodifestivalen 2011. This saturday night, it will be known - the song that will represent Sweden in dusseldorf 2011. It's all happened so fast, yet the timing of Eurovision this year means Sweden is almost the very last song - to go forward in ESC 2011 submissions. This means the artist & tune has that last song in advantage, I think this worked rather well for Ukraine last year? Although I never liked the song 'Sweet people' in particular.

So this years final- the songs I find not really as strong as last years at all If I go back to 12 months we had Timoteji, Peter Joback, Darin, Ola & Jessica Andersson besides the top 2 -Anna Bergendahl & Salen Al Fakir. In Melodifestivalen 2011 alot of the real good songs got lost in 2nd change round, perhapes 2nd Chance should be extended to 3-4 qualifing songs in the future? Christer did comment last year when asked about the songs that "You can never really tell how popular- or good a song is till 6 months afterwards -when we see how well the song charted & sold" very true words- let's see ..

The two favourites with the public is Danny & Eric Saade- so these two songs should pull in the top public votes. I think Eric will perhapes just have the edge on Danny's song and this could be just what he needs to win. Yet the new international juries will -I think like 'In the Club' alot more, these jury votes will make or break this competion this year. So anything could happen- it will be most interesting. Even The Monkier could win, I would rank him as a strong outsider this year- But is 'oh my god' a ideal song for Eurovision 2011- I have to say I am not 100% convinced

I hate to even bring this up -who can forget back in Melodifestivalen 2009. The first ever Mf International jury was used at Globen As poor Marija Serifovic took to the stage gave the first lowest score to Malena Ernman- we heard the response of boo's from the crowd. Thankfully it was only the public vote that amazingly saved Marlena Ernman that night, if the same is required in 2011- Will it work? I think the new jury system is both bold and exciting

however Sweden -please do not take away too much of your public voice.

Some will even recall a simular thing happened in Melodifestivalen 1973- was'nt it a jury voting that placed Abba's Ring Ring in 3rd place, of course it was different times way back then.

I did think that Boney M had touched or influenced Norway's entry 'Haba haba' on first hearing - that's great I luv this tune!

Will we be able to say the same for Sweden's song in 2011- I am hoping so?

-- 'ohh those swedes.'

Brolle is one of this year's Melodifestivalen 10 Finalist to watch on video

If Sweden is looking for a strong male vocal talent- & a decent song- what about Brolle?- He is by no means the favourite to win. We think his song & performance is on a par with Danny & Eric who just the favourites.

Here is the running order for Globen Final- 2011

it's a Manboy' sandwich - as expected with Danny & Eric.

& the main schlager fillings of Linda Bengtzing & Sanna Neilsen with a dash of some Playtones

( the'Kempe brand of course)

Not by far the mega schlager burger we were expecting for 2011 ...

1.In the Club
-Danny Saucedo

2. Spring för livet
- Sara Varga

3. Oh My God!
-The Moniker

4. 7 Days And 7 Nights
-Brolle

5. E det fel på mej
- Linda Bengtzing

6. Leaving Home
-Nicke Borg

7. Me And My Drum
-Swingfly

8. I’m In Love
- Sanna Nielsen

9. The King
- The Playtones

10. Popular
- Eric Saade

Capt Moniker sneeks in as song 3 - with 'oh my god' a song title that popsters Le Kid had in 2011-as well

The Schlager Ambulance call out to 2nd change Round

Just last night was the second chance round in Melodifestivalen-

Although this has in the past brought to Globen Final classics like those Alcazar hits

'Not a Sinner nor a saint' and the fab 'Alcastar' as well as Shirley Clamp's 'Min karlek'

Sarah Dawn Finer's 'Moving on' -So what happened in 2011?

We are just not really sure ... the final 2nd chance result gave us Sara Varga's 'Spring for Livet' & The Moniker's 'Oh my god' for Globen?

Not the best choices we must say-Sara's ditti for me is very simular to Anna Bergandahl winner of last year- a risky choice. The Monkier is rather different and Mika-like, but I just find the whole

visuals a bit messy- too much going on.

So what happened to the rest - Jenny Silver sadly lost out early on to Love Generation- who went head-to-head in a duel with Sara Varga. Love Generation had been tipped to win Mf 2011 early on, yet lost out. Linda Pritchard's Kempe ballad 'Alive' fell to The Monkier who proved a lot more

popular than expected in the 2nd chance.

The final casualty was with the mighty schlager track 'I through it was forever' Shirley's Angels looked a sure winner over Prenilla Andersson's song. It lost out in the first round- so it was abit of a disapointment for schlager. Shortly we will look at how the tunes do in the swedish top 40-

the best songs so often fall by the way in Melodifestivalen yet turn out to be big sellers and hits.

Schlager FEVER in Malmo before the heated 2nd Chance Round

The last semi final in Malmo- turned out to be another schlager victory this time for

Linda Bengtzing with her new upbeat tune 'E del fel pa mig?' The second Globen place

went to rocker Nicke Borg with his rock ballad 'Coming home' this means one of the favourites had to miss out. This time it was Melody Club with 'The Hunter' which finished in 5 th place.

Other faves Love Generation went on to 2nd Chance together with Linda Pritchard who gave us a performance to remember with 'Alive' This weekend is all set for the Second chance round...

the duel- that has created lots of schalger interest is Jenny Silver vs Love Generation. It seems so unfair to match these 2 great song against each other, we are hoping Jenny can hold off the Love Gen girls to finally getto Globen with the schlager-tastic 'Something in your eyes'

-We did rather like Anders Fernette's performance 'Run' it did not qualify in Malmo- nexttime Anders

Ding Ding- Let's hear it for the boy, Danny- wins in round one

The first semi-final of Melodifestivalen 2011- had one show-topper from Nanne Gronvall singing 'I have nothing' -it was so fantastic to see Nanne back on Melodifestivalen stage we hope one year with the right song Nanne will return to Mf contest again. Until then Nanne confirmed her Schlager-Diva status in Lunea so well.

Meanwhile- Danny became the first to qualify for Globen with his Dance track 'In the club' as he was always a dead certainty for the final. Since he is so popular Danny will be a hit of the 2011 season- yet is this song really a perfect choice for Eurovision? I am not convinced. Then we got Swingfly just another chart hit in the swedish charts that would'nt work too well for Sweden in Dusseldorf - I think. So it certainly looks like a up-beat Melodifestivalen for 2011

One of the first qualifiers for the second chance was Percilla Andersson, a great tune- in fact one of the best on the night. Then what happened to Le Kidd- the performance and tune was certainly worthy of at least 2nd Chance round, it failed to gain the votes. Another causality was the summer-pop song from Jonas Matsson's 'On my own' the only consolation was he showed off his arm tatoos- this alone got one tele-vote from us.

Then came Jenny Silver, what a song! - her performance was nothing short of amazing... and the song everything you can expect from pure-schlager - for sure Bjorn and Benny will be checking their unsured back catalog- on hearing this song ('are you sure we did'nt do this one!' nan!) . This song just has to go to Globen,it made 2nd chance only 'Something in your eyes' is what swedes do best- Jenny was so worthy of that 2nd chance place at Globen.

I hope they do -Listen to their heartbeats' in Melodifestivalen this year, and don't get lost in just trying to be original and a bit different- this has so often not worked for Sweden.

What not we can ask ourselves? it worked well for Belgium's Tom Dice in ESC 2010. That's true but from Sweden the expectation will always be higher- as a leading musical market of Europe.

shades 'n' tatts of Jonas Matsson

Jenny does Schlager- and not just in Lulea! in denmark too?

It looks like a most exciting start to Melodifestivalen 2011- with the first semi final in Lulea. There has been a few review & rehearsals taken place. The top favourites at the moment is Danny of EMD, Pernilla Andersson, Jenny Silver. Jenny debuted in 2010 with 'A place to be' a Minogue-eque song that was one of the best of last year- yet missed out on qualifing outside the semi-final.

Now jenny has gone completely schlager with 'Something in your eyes' and with songwriting credits from Thomas G:Son who has brough us many schlager classics in the past.

With Freinds entry 'Listen to your heartbeat' & Carola's mightly 'Invincible' & 'Vem e du vill ha' back in 2002 for Kikki Lotta & Bettan. To name just a few- then last year for Denmark 'In a moment like this' that gave Denmark 4th place in Oslo 2010. So it's really no surprise to see G:Son featured twice with songs in Melodifestivalen 2011 ( he wrote Sanna Nielsen's I'm in Love')

As well as in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix over in Denmark -2 more songs choosen for the danes final in a few weeks.

The first reviews for Jenny silver's entry is a real return to G:Son form - just classic schlager with an Abba-like chorus- with an amazing key change, and even simular to a recent remix of 'Fantasy Island' Tight Fit's 80's hit - that we all adore. All this and a fab frock to boot!

ohhhh.. I feel a historical schlager-moment could well be born in Lulea on saturday.

check out this great clip & interview that reveals the new Jenny silver -look for 'Something in your eyes' (in fact in this clip-she looks almost like a swedish jennifer saunders!!)

Meanwile the danish Schlager G:Son entry is another 'Jenny'- with non other than 90's singer Jenny Berggren from Ace of Base- She recently started her own solo career as ole Ace of Base reformed in 2010- with two replacement girl singers. Ace of base- had been rumoured to take a song into Melodifestivalen/Eurovision for about the past 8 years - yet it just never happened. So maybe now Jenny-does-Schlager in MGP, they may at last take to the Eurovision stage -even if its one Ace of Base member..her song is 'Let your heart be mine' good luck- to both the Jenny's

for a possible Dusseldorf -schlager battle? who knows.