The Return of Martin Sternmarck...in Linköping!

I am thinking this weekend could be one of the most exciting Semi-Final's for 2014. It certainly has two of the biggest stars in the swedish music scene, with the return of Sanna Neilsen, and then the mighty Martin Sternmarck. Last time we saw Martin with 'Las Vegas' at Melodifestivalen 2005, and although his entry did not do all that well in Kiev, it did launch his massive career in homeland Sweden.

Having these two stars, should mean an easy qualifing Mf final placing for both. Sanna is the favourite to win Melodifestivalen 2014 together with a Fredrik Kempe magical tune called 'Undo'

The winning songwriter's who brought us 'Euphoria' Peter Bostrom & Thomas G'Son. Have a new hit called 'Love Trigger' by JEM. Its a very 90's flashback dance tune, which may well be popular in Linköping but as a Eurovision Song Contest entry for Sweden, I think it could be a big mistake.

For the Second Chance' round I am going to tip JEM with Little Great Things' and/or 'The Refreshments' Their tune 'Hallelujah' is very caughty, I think having the Sanna/Sternmarck factor to compete may lose The Refreshment the mature audience tele-vote. It's always differcult to perdict what will turn out to be great songs from the SVT 1-minute previews available. I am expecting alot more from Sanna Neilsen in her full length version of her song. Martin Sternmarck sounds like his massive No:1 hits  "7milakliv" & "100 ar fran nu (blundar)" that can only we a good thing with the swedish voters.

Yet we all know how crazzy the votes can get in the semi-final rounds.

'Never made it to the Bedroom..' Or even Melodifestivalen Final- We Luv'd Alvaro.

Well the race is on...as Melodifestivalen kicked off in Malmo yesterday. As always there was some shocka televotes going on, and that superpower of Yohio. He managed to take Song 1- directly to the final with 'In the End' not an easy task, as David Lindgren (2013) & Ola back in 2010 proved.
Yet no other song or artist has taken song 1 directly into a grand final placing since the semi-finals began.

Comparing 'In the End' Vs 'Heartbreak Hotel' from last year, the new tune is slightly less annoying for me. Yet 'In the End' as a Eurovision entry for Sweden, I feel it may well bomb. Which brings us to poor Alvaro Estrella, now he did'nt bomb- he actually came 6th, and did a killer performance. I liked this George Michael-esque tune alot. I was just hoping swedes would be kind with the tele-votes.
However a very hard one to sing 'Live' so maybe it is best for our ole 'Melo playlists'. It will be intresting to see how this goes in the single charts as well- as with 'Casanova' but I think 'Bedroom' will make an impact over Elisa's schlager romp on the charts. So the future looks bright for AE.

So the rest was as expected Helena Paparizou's 'Survior'  did not quiet make the grade, however Andra Chance round may well be kind to Helena. If she can qualify I predict the international juries would just adore her song and performance, certainly Greece would give 12 points.

Then Ellen Benediktson is a real fantastic singer, so why has she got a less than average ballad to sing? ('Songbird')  I hope in another time, and place/or Melo contest, Ellen will do rather well. I think we have yet to see a real Melo winner.

There is still so much schlagertastic stuff to hear from the likes Sanna, Alcazar, Janet Leon and Linda Bengtzing plus newbies J.E.M + two Saade clones Oscar Zia & Anton Ewald.

Ohhh and the one, I am so looking forward to is the return of the amazing Princess of Schlager.

Miss. Shirley Clamp.  ( having Shirl' in Melo is almost like a Schlager Royal visit)

                             
-OMG has overnight Yohio turned into 'One Direction' ?

Melodifestivalen Review It starts saturday in Malmo. with Yohio!

   

2014 promises to be a fantastic Melodifestivalen season and as Sweden has been hiden by a blanket of mid winter. The Spring party sounds and lights of Melodifestivalen are just around the corner for Sweden.
Last year produced & proved to be a wonderful year for the underdogs as two males singers who survived the second chance round in 2013.
Just went on to produce one of Melo biggest summer hits with Anton Ewald's 'Begging' it was almost une 'Cara Mia'  (Måns Zelmerlöw, 2007) - moment.
Then the historical winner Robin Stjernberg with 'You' never before has a second chance qualifier  gone on on to win Melodifestivalen 2013.
This for me shows how important it is for Sweden to make the right selections for each semi-final
so a potencial ESC winner does not get lost in the whole she-bang.
So just what will happen in 2014 starting in Malmo, where Eurovision 2013 left off, we have Yohio to kick of all the procedings in Semi  Final 1. I am so excited already..

Having heard all 8 tracks minute-clips, I think Helena Paparizou will do well but not convinced she will get an easy ride to the final or be part of Second Chance round. 'Survivor' is not a bad track, but certainly no winner. My three favourites are Elisa Lindstrom's 'Casanova' it's set to be one of the big 2014 Back-to-schlager tunes, and one of the songs you know will get regular repeats when the Melo 2014 CD arrives. As will Alvaro Estrella's electro song 'Bedroom' sounding almost like George Michael's nephew on this hit, I hope Alvaro makes second chance at least.Then there is some kempe magic with a swedish tune called 'Broder' we think Linus Svenning should bring in a heap of votes and likely to gain a Grand Final placing.
This first round promises some interesting tunes for starters, even if the two big names Helena & Yohio don't have the strongest of tunes this year... That's ok when you have Linus and Elisa as well as Ellen Lindstrom with 'Songbird', she is almost delivering the same 'Birds' theme produced in ESC 2013 by Netherlands classic song by Anouk. Watch out for this song also.

  In 2014 it looks set to be the year Le schlager came-back, fingers crossed.

It's the number one song in Heaven.. it's Lili & Susie 'Would you be mine'

well actually it has just shot to pole number 1 position in the swedish singles charts.
  Last time they showed us Heaven,
    This new single is looking to be just the biggest selling Lili & Susie track they have ever come up with (to date)

  now Girls Question, what bout next year Melodifestivalen 2015?

Meanwhile, Vaidas Baumila in Lithuania sounds rather great?

Hold on, another hunk-alert  this time- over in Lithuania, introducting Vaidas (who does not own a raincoat, but that's ok)
 They have a 'Lithuanian idol' style National Final where they choose the artist
 before the song, it looks very simular to the way Germany found Lena in 2010 via the 'Unser song for Oslo' national competition. So this is not a new concept by far, however the artists competing have to sing a previous Eurovision song to present themselves and go onto the final.

We think Vaidas Baumila just actually nailed his own version of Italy's Marco Mengoni's 'Lessenziale'
given a simular rather excellent song for Copenhagen. Preferably without this time, a mention of any left or right feet or shoes... Lituania could have a very good change in Copenhagen.

Finally Belarus, have got it Right with some 'Cheesecake'

Belarus in Eurovision, way back in 2007 when Koldun sang 'Work Your Magic' Belarus had it's greatest success at Eurovision in 6th place in the final, since then and over the past 11 years. I think Belarus have struggled to get it right, and many songs from the likes of Angelica Argurbash (2005) Ruslan (2008) + the amazing Petr Efimo  and 2012's Litesound tune all deserved something better than a semi-final placing in Eurovision Song Contest.

Finally enter TEO ... (or real name- Yuriy Vaschuk!)  who actually sang in the Belarus National final back in 2009 and even wrote last year's entry 'Rhythm of Love' by Alyona that was a lot better than the song actuallly sent to Malmo last year by along shot. So please Belarus you got it right, stay with this one - for a smooth ride into the final in Copenhagen 2014.

ESC Question- Has there ever been a song in Eurovision about any item of food, before?
a contest first or not. We give a big thumbs up to TEO.

 Anyhow give me a slice anyday.. any cream with that?

Armenia have spoken Aram For Copenhagen 2014!

Armenia just recently picked the artist they will send to Copenhagen and the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 his name is Aram - and with a couple of state-side minor hits up his sleeve already he looks like a excellent choice. we like the electro-pop track 'Shine'

It's one of Aram's previous hits from June 2013,  the actual Armenian- song for Copenhagen will be revealled later on..

In the meantime Aram have 5 months to grow his eye brows....

Little Great Things- is Abba- the third generation & bid for more Melodifestivalen glory..

2014.

It will be 41 years since Agnetha Benny Bjorn & Frida took to the Melodifestivalen stage with the pop favourite 'Ring Ring' then in the meantime 'Waterloo' a follow-up managed to created international pop music history. Then even a Abba museum opening this year in Stockholm stad.

In 1986 the second generation Peter Gronvald (Benny Andersson's son) joined forces with the famous Nanne in a 80's pop band called 'Sound Of Music' and the 4th placed 'Elorado' being the first time we saw the Andersson-clan back in sweden's favorite national song contest. 'Sound of Music' became then 'One More Time' and even sung for Sweden at Eurovision Song Contest 1996 when they finished in third place.

Now two son's of Nanne & Peter namely Felix & Charlie have formed their own band called

'Little Great Things' and will compeat in the Melodifestivalen 2nd semi-final in 2014 with their own song called "Set Yourself free'

so during the 40th anniversary of 'Waterloo' We will witness the third generation of Abba, in Benny Andersson's grand son's - The best of luck to the band that should bring us some great things ..

'
- 'Little Great Things'- or Spot the Benny's? (the 2 with beard's it must be surely)

Melo- Names for 2014 - The artists are revealed and Helena is back for Sweden-

Yes, now we have the first of 2 batches released from SVT of the artists for Melodifestivalen 2014.
There is not too many surprises for next year and alot of first timer artists here with lots of old timer songwriters in the music credits.

After a few years of rumours former winner Helena Paparizou
enters for the first time for Sweden. Her song will be 'Survivor' and certainly will be in with a big chance in semi-final 1. As one last year's success stories Yohio, he was pipped to win in Melo 2013 and finished up with a huge hit with the tune 'Heartbreak Hotel' although he did'nt impress the Melo juries so much in the Melodifestivalen Final contest. Will Yohio better this 2013 fantastic debut?

Here is the full run down on the first two semi-finals: (not in any running order of course)

Also so great to see former Melo winner Mr Martin Sternmark back for the first time since 2005.

Semi Final One.

Mahan Moin- “Aleo” (Mahan Moin, Anderz Wrethov)

Alvaro Estrella - “Bedroom” (Jakke Erixson, Jon Bordon, Lauren Francis, Kristofer Östergren)

Linus Svenning - “Bröder” (Fredrik Kempe)

Sylvester Schlegel - “Bygdens son” (Sylvester Schlegel)

Elisa Lindström- “Casanova” (Ingela “Pling” Forsman, Bobby Ljunggren, Jimmy Jansson)

Ellen Benediktson- “Songbird” (Sharon Vaughn, Johan Fransson, Tim Larsson, Tobias Lundgren)

Helena Paparizou- “Survivor” (Bobby Ljunggren, Henrik Wikström, Karl-Ola Kjellholm, Sharon Vaughn)

Yohio - “To the End” (Andreas Johnson, Johan Lyander, Peter Kvint, Yohio)

Martin's ready for Race 2

Semi Final Two.

Panetoz - “Efter solsken” (Johan Hirvi, Mats Lie Skåre, Nebeyu Baheru, Njol Badjie, Pa Modou Badjie)

Manda - “Glow” (Joy Deb, Linnéa Deb, Melanie Wehbe, Charlie Mason)

Pink Pistols - “I Am Somebody” (Joakim Törnqvist, Nestor Geli, Per Ivar Hed, Susie Päivärinta, Tord Bäckström)

JEM - “Love Trigger” (Thomas G:son, Peter Boström, Julimar “J-Son” Santos)

Martin Stenmarck - “När änglarna går hem” (Andreas Öhrn, Alexander Bard, Martin Stenmarck, Peter Boström)

Little Great Things - “Set Yourself Free” (Charlie Grönvall, Cristoffer Wernqvist, Felix Grönvall, Adam Dahlström)

The Refershments - “Hallelujah” (Joakim Arnell)

Sanna Nielsen - “Undo” (Fredrik Kempe, David Kreuger, Hamed “K-One” Pirouzpanah)

Peter Jöback returns home to sweden, as 'Candy Darling' in 'Life is a Schlager Song'

                                          Stop the cab- Jöback has a new important schlager- mission!

Peter Jöback began his career as a melodifestivalen starlett, singing
 'En Sensation' way back in 1990.
Now he is finally returning to his ole schlager roots at long last..
Since then he has been internationally famous in musical theater, and recently re-created  'Phantom of the Opera' starring role in London and recently in his amost second home from home New York City.

Back in stockholm, a wonderful fabulous new musical called 'Livet ar en Schlager' is about to be staged for the very first time. This event is bringing Jöback back home to re-create the part of 'Candy Darling' for this new musical. Along side Helen Sjöholm who will play the main part of Mona in the show.The last time the two sang together was as part of the original cast of Bjorn and Benny's  'Kristina' in the 90's.

What is  'Livet ar en Schlager'?  It is was a swedish comedy-movie from 2000, with a rather simple story line of Mona who is a hard working mother of  4 children who are called Kikki, Anna Book, Lena Ph and Carola! yes sssir,
As you can image a big Melodifestivalen fan is Mona, and you can see the swedish melodies help her get though her ordinary surburban life. When suddenly against all odds Mona comes up with her own song that puts her in the Melodifestivalen final and a chance to become a Schlager-Queen herself.

Add to this story-line new music from the one and only Fredrik Kempe - we think and hope 'Livet ar en Schlager' will be a success..and who knows where else Peter and Helen could take this show, we can
be sure of two amazing performances from these two. As well as a great platform to but Melodifestivalen in the schlager spotlight again.

You can watch the movie version of 'Livet ar en Schlager' here on u tube. Feat. an appearence from Carola herself, and Army of Lover's Jean-Pierre Barda.
  ( unfortunately with no english subtitles though )

Wonderful Wonderful Copenhagen - for Eurovision 2014 join us!

--Emmelie pedal's to Copenhagen after Malmo 2013 - with her trophy in the bag?

It's official the Eurovision Song contest 2014 will travel the shortest distance ever
in the contests long history. Not only has the worlds best loved song contest stayed in the nordic region in 2013, with Emmelie De Forrest's win for Denmark
the new host city has been announced today from Eurovision.tv as
Copenhagen 2014

Never before has the contest traveled such a short distance from Malmo Sweden back accross
the Oresund Bridge a distance of only a meer 8 Km (5 miles) Yes wonderful Copenhagen will
host each semi-final and the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. The grand danish city last hosted Eurovision Song Contest back in 2001 previous to this it was way back in 1964 on 21st March 1964 Copenhagen hosted the song contest. Not many european cities have been a host city three times
and we all love the fact it's back in the danish capital...