For sure 'Army of Lovers' are back- for Melodifestivalen 2013

                             Prepare the dressing room, bin those ole glitter balls- prepare to shoot that Laserbeam- As they are on the way....

 Yes,  it's confirmed Army of Lovers will make their very first international comeback with a song competing in Melodifestivalen- this one I am so looking forward to.

Check out perhapes their most famous UK hit Cruified video, they were a glimmer of dance glamour during the serious Dance scene of the early 90's...Le originale line up is- Alexander Bard, Jean Perrie Barda & Camilla Henemark- the three have comeback together for the song 'Rockin The Ride'

it's Nicole & Hugo from Belguim- Yes, the one's with those purple 70's jumpsuits!

It's not only UK's ole Brotherhood of Man from 1976 who are still doing the cabaret circuits even today. We were surpised to find non-other than Beguim's Nicole and Hugo

It was their performance from way back in 1973 when Nicole & Hugo sung 'Baby baby'  that created Eurovis History.Who can forget those purple jumpsuites and that dance routine - they made such an impact! However back in the years B.a. - before Abba
 this song actually finished up in last place! Nicole & Hugo were just ahead of their time.
However due to poor Nicole falling ill for Eurovision back in Dubin in 1971 Another Belguim duo called Lily & Jacques (!!)  stole all Le Nicole & Hugo' glory at Eurovision 71 singing Nicole & Hugo's own hit
  'Goeiemorgen, morgen' (check out 71 rehearsal)

This tune was a great success in Belgium so Nicole & Hugo choose this for their own 2012 comeback- I just had to go straight to i-tunes to buy this classic.
 We must say Nicole & Hugo are still doing those -baby, baby dance-steps in the vid and looking and sounding just    'fantastive'

Eurovision's Song 2 or even Song 3 - Is it really the kiss of death?

 

 The debate is running 'hot' should Eurovision Song Contest's Grand Final running order be choosen or not? Or a random draw as has been the case according to the rule-book recently. Just how important is it?
For a long time it has been asumned that if your country sings early on in the massive Grand Final proceedings you have not a chance of winning- or even getting a respectable Top 3 placing particularly for song 2 or even Song 3.
     Most certainly early on you would perhapes want to make the best and the greatest memorable impression- but surely that is a minor draw-back?

  So we consulted the -Eurovision History book To find out how many songs if any have found success on the scoreboard from singing early on...

We have a couple of Song 1 winner's famously UK's Brotherhood of Man in 1976 'Save all your kisses for me' and Sweden The Herreys in 1984 with 'Diggi lou, Diggi lay'

 Of course the first song 1- does stay in our memory-bank better we know this- but historically Song 3 in fact has given us a few more winners than lucky Song 1- The three winners were-

1958- France: Andre Claveau "Dors, Mon Amour

1971- Monaco: Severine "Un Banc Un Arbre Une Rue"

1994- Ireland:  Paul Harrington Charlie McGettigan "Rock n Roll Kids"


So what of the Song 2 stigma - that is talked about so much- is it really true?

Well being the Song 2 has still actually brought two 3rd places-

1997 Turkey: Sebnem Paker "Dinle"

and two 4th places.

1974 United Kingdom: Olivia Newton- John 'Long live love'

1977 Monaco: Michele Torr 'Une Petite Francaise'

Most recent being in 2002 -
UK's Jessica Garlick - 'Come back' -

She was a unlucky Song 2 that scored 111 points and finished in 3rd place. Since then in 2002- UK entries have not improved on this result! that was all born from a Song 2 running place at Eurovision final. Then in Dusseldorf Eurovision 2010 -Bosnia & Herzegovina's Dino Merlin sang the Song 2 'Love in Rewind' going on to
score a big 125 points and a 6th placing. It was certainly one of that years highlights and successes.

So what if 2009's Alexander Rybak was a Song 2 with 'Fairytale' would the history books been very different? I think not, perhapes Norway may not have clocked up massive 387 points. But you cannot change a good song- and mostly a massively popular song wins regardless, I think. The few exceptions above we found out- are actually rather great old songs still remembered fondly in Eurovision-dome.

So for Malmo and Eurovision Final 2013- pick carefully EBU/Svt  that song 2. It may turn out to be a huge success after all...

All now Making plans for Malmo 2013

           

  As the plans are taking shape for Eurovision 2012 over at SVT / EBU some interesting format changes came to light recently for next year.
               One of the most interesting was for the competition to return to the single host format as Eurovision scales back- on the annual bigger and better annual progress- normally resulting in more
special effects and larger sports venues. Finally they realized this is a song contest  and not a sport. So for Malmo it will be back to basics certainly no LCD screens on stage and an element of  smaller eurovision contests of the past. With only one contest host this news was a surprise annouchment I think seeing as Melodifestivalen contest normally offers two or more hosts that format seem to entertain rather well for the home national audience. So Sweden has a whole army of possible presenters for a Tv host at Eurovision 2013 it will be a hard one for SVT to pick the best one? It will have to be someone who can Sing Dance and be multi lingual?

But wait there is more changes for Malmo- we know how SVT love to change things around and next year will be no different. Yet this time they plan to get rid of the random song running order selection for Eurovision grand final. This has created quiet some reaction in Eurovisdome and on the web myself I think it will not made too much difference and this rule has always been a double edged sword. As in the past one of the best songs of the year can be lost in the early song placing as well as a bad song taking a prime place in the running order. A smooth running order made by the show producers would nt be too bad - as long as only the songs that prove their worth in the semi final voting get prime Grand Final places. It would be outrageous to give a top 3 semi final song as Song 2 or 4 in the final running I like this new rule and think it fits in well with the back to basic contest format. Til then it will cause some debates as did the 50/50 jury voting change.

Loreen performs a new song- 'Calling out your Name' from the new album

Look who has gone back into the Studio- Abba's Agnetha

'another comeback' what joy-

This week saw a exciting News report-

Abba's Agnetha Faltskog- she is so often labled as the recluse, the abba member who is constanlty in hiding?
all these crazy stories. Yet as far as keeping the schlager-dream alive, she is the only one member of the band today who wants to do more 'new' music for the international market.
 Abba -who almost single handedly changed the musical pop landscape forever in the mid- seventies, have never reformed on stage or in the studio. Yet Agentha looks set to record another international album - after her 2004 'My Colouring Book'

The blond-one Agentha so often under estimated in the shadow of her band mates and main songwriters Bjorn & Benny. Certainly she has wrote her own pop tunes since her breakthrough in 1968 in Sweden. Last time- at the time of 'My Colouring Book' questions were asked- will we see any completly new
songs penned by Agnetha? Then the whole album turned out to be an album of covers - a tribute, in her very own style- to those 1960's female singers that Agnetha grew -up with.

This new concept will not be simply a 'Colouring Book 2'- we think. Seeing as it's been confirmed in the press that Agnetha's producer will be
Jorgen Elofsson, who has worked with Celine Dion, Westlife and wrote Britney's 'You drive me crazy'  
and recorded recently with Marie Serneholt, Charlotte Perrelli Eric Saade & Agnes.

Certainly this new album release should finally put those Garbo rumours to rest, it seems very likely Agentha enjoys a full and active happy life-style on her farm. She pops up at public events, quiet regularly in Stockholm now-a-days and now in her sixties still has a passion to let her voice be heard all over the world-
it's likely to be a long wait for her fans...as the abba-studio process has always been a long one - and well worth waiting for.

Read more here

Lets speculate- bout Melodifestivalen 2013: In true Aftonbladet style!

Rumour  has it..... just all over Stockholm Town this month- and although at the STV Melo HQ the 2 500 new songs submissions for Sweden's own National Final have hadly had chance to hit the mail room floor. As already one of Sweden's gossip rags Aftonbladet- no less, are speculating on just what big names will be taking part in Melodifestivalen 2013. It seemed like last year there was a lack of  big stars returning to Melo- however in 2013 we have the added big bonus of that Free ticket all the way to the Eurovision Grand Final in Malmo if you win. That has got to create some interest we think-
and we have some returns from the Queen diva herself -Carola- as well as Sarah Dawn Finer. Jessica Andersson (one half of Fame pop duo of  2003) Jessica has a new album due for a release delayed until Spring next year. What a dead- give away - or maybe wishful thinking. In fact at this early stage, although songs may have a particular artist in mind anything can happen often at Melodifestivalen things change at the last minute.
 Cast your eyes over the full rumour list below, you'll find the ever popular host/ pop singer Mans Zelmerlow. If Mans does not find the right tune, we think he would most certainly be a perfect presenter from Stv for Eurovision 2013.

Linnea is from Sweden's Idol 2010- and currently in the Top 3 singles -with a hit called 'Lyckligare nu'

• Sean Banana
• Linnea Henriksson
• Cookies N Beans
• Jump the Gun
• Carola
• Helena Paparizou
• Måns Zelmerlöw
• Nordman
• Jenny Silver
• Jessica Andersson
• Jessica Folcker
• Martin Rolinski (singer from BWO)
• Eric Amarillo
• Sarah Kelly
• Youngblood
• Mimmi 
• Cecilia Vennersten
• Sarah Dawn Finer
• Gravitonas
• David Lindgren
• Swingfly
• Topcats
• Linda Bengtzing

ABBA Deluxe coming soon feat: Austrialian Historial TV Special

Yes, that history book on the shelf - keeps repeating itself. Yet here at schlagertunes, we don't mind at all..

Especially when it comes in the format of the Deluxe Album/DVD Editions of Abba's past albums, this year already we 

had the final 'Abba- The Visitors' had this Deluxe 2 disc treatment and this Deluxe set even had the bonus of a rare unreleased demo track from Abba's vaults on it. It has been almost the norm for universal/polar to release one of these remastered albums each year. So image the delight to find out for 2012 we have 'two for the price of one'- Ohhh hold on! not such a good deal 'two for the price of two!'then is more accurate. 

Anyhow this package released in November from Universal will include the full 'Abba In Australia' special that was watched my more people downunder than the 1969 moon landing! As well as booklet notes on the set by Carl Magnus Palm who recently did new interviews with Bjorn & Benny about the recording and production of the Abba album 
check out more details from the Abba guru - at his site     C M P

here is the track-list

DISC 01: CD

1.  Mamma Mia

2.  Hey, Hey Helen

3.  Tropical Loveland

4.  SOS

5.  Man In The Middle

6.  Bang-A-Boomerang

7.  I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do

8.  Rock Me

9.  Intermezzo no 1

10.  I’ve Been Waiting For You

11.  So Long

Bonus Tracks:

12.  Crazy World

13.  Medley: Pick A Bale Of Cotton – On Top Of Old Smokey – Midnight Special

14.  Mamma Mia (Spanish Version)

DISC 02: DVD:

1. ABBA In Australia (Television Special Export Edition)

Mamma Mia

Hasta Mañana

Ring Ring

Tropical Loveland (Hawksbury river clip)

Waterloo

I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do

Rock me

Dancing Queen (not included on Australian edition)

Honey, Honey

Fernando

So Long

SOS

2. Made In Sweden – For Export (SVT)

Mamma Mia

I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do

So Long

3. SOS (Seaside Special, BBC)

4. Mamma Mia (Top Of The Pops, BBC)

5. The Best Of ABBA, TV Commercial

6. Greatest Hits, TV Commercial

7. International Sleeve Gallery

Loreen is currently hidden away working on here debut Album

Yes- I for one cannot wait to hear the follow up to Euphoria- from Sweden's Loreen. And if this preview clip is anything to go by- it will be another dance floor stomper as a follow-up.
The album will be called 'Healed' available on 24th October 2012..before then we will see the new single from the album in 2 more weeks

The Spice Girls- turned down Eurovision- but are confirmed to do London Oympics 2012

There have been some almost annual rumours that the Spice Girls, and or Geri Halliway would sing for U K at Eurovision Song Contest. Back in 2010 it seems boyband Blue bet the girls to it.
The Spice Girls re-union is finally happening .. for the Closing Ceremony of the London Games 2012 this coming Sunday night- how exciting it promises to be a pop extravaganda with the likes of Pet Shop Boys, George Micheal, One Direction, Coldplay and even a promise of Kate Bush doing 'Running down the hill' -of course what else?

See some pics already in the press from the rehearsals- via The Mail  Here

Ivi Adamou turns out to be the Sweden's Summer Hit of Eurovision 2012

  Here at -schlagertunes, HQ M.E.L.B - our blogging is on a winter/summer (GMT) break. Blame the London Games 2012... however please do not worry we will return to regular blog-casts later on - it's just there is not too much Melodifestivalen or Eurovis' stuff to report or review just now. Except for-        

 A very interesting developement has happened over in Sweden's Top 10 singles. A massive seller has turned out to be the Cypus entry from Baku- Way back in January 2012 Ivi Adamou's song for Cyprus became a fan-favourite in Eurovis'fandom and certainly Cyprus delivered with an amazing performance. To be honest I was expecting Cyprus to perhapes give us a Top 5 placing maybe? instead a mere 16th placing in the Grand Final for lovely Ivi. Sweden gave Cyprus there 12 points- to make up the total of 65 points on the scoreboard. Plus this 16th placing still turned out to be Cyprus's best result since 2004
Lisa Andreas sung 'Stronger every minute'    

Then the unexpected the swedes followed this up with an amazing chart run for 'La la Love' as a single-
As you would expect Loreen's 'Euphoria' enjoyed 6 weeks at poll No: 1 position in Sweden back in April this year  already, yet after the Swedes Eurovision 2012 win you'd expected more chart success. Instead Ivi is looking up, up , up towards No:1 in her own right with 'La La Love' while Loreen is at No: 9 !
This shows how Eurovision votes- don't measure always sales and Hit potential.
      

Sweden's Top Ten- this week- thanks to-
     http://www.hitparad.se/

1	2			Flo Rida Whistle			Poe Boy/atlantic / Warner WMS
2	1			Alina Devecerski Flytta på dej!			Anders Johansson Enterprise/emi Music Sweden / Emi EMI
3	3			Panetoz Dansa pausa			Wm Sweden / Warner N/A
4	4			Ivi Adamou La La Love			Day1 Entertainment / Sony Music SME
5	6			Norlie & KKV Där jag hänger min hatt			Fantabolous Music / Universal UNI
6	5			Carly Rae Jepsen Call Me Maybe			Interscope Records / Universal UNI
7	10			Simple Plan feat. Sean Paul Summer Paradise			Atlantic Records / Warner WMS
8	8			Gotye feat. Kimbra Somebody That I Used To Know			Samples'n'seconds Records / Universal UNI
9	7			Loreen Euphoria			Wm Sweden / Warner WMS
10	9			Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa Payphone			A&m/octone Records / Universal UNI