Last Saturday, lots of things made me upset. But there were also lots of things to be happy and excited about.
In the second semi-final, the show was great and entertaining, with good hosts. Last Saturday however, I feel like the hosts were lacking in chemistry between each other. And the very talented rapper Timbuktu, started the show with a baroque version of one of his hits, “Flickan och kråkan”, which I found a little strange.
As well as this, the band Mustasch was allowed to compete in the semifinal, which caused lots of people to protest against their participation in Melodifestivalen because in 2018, the band’s singer Ralf Gyllenhammas was convicted for sexual harassment after pushing a beer bottle between a woman’s breasts. But theoretically, it’s not against the rules to let someone who finished his sentence to compete. Last year, Thorsten Flinck was disqualified because he was arrested during the event, which was against the rules.
Another problem in this situation happened two years ago. Mustasch printed merchandise with a beer bottle between a woman’s breasts, which the victim found very offending. Today, the band apologizes, but won’t explain why they did what they did.
Watch Aftonbladet’s interview with the band here.
Mustasch’s entry finished in sixth place. The audience had much better taste and voted for former Eurovision winner Charlotte Perrelli, and the very talented debutant Tusse to the final.
Deltävling 4 – Saturday 27th February
- Good Life
Artist: Tess Merkel
Song writers: Tony Malm, Tess Merkel, Palle Hammarlund, Mats Tärnfors
- Allting är precis likadant
Artist: Lovad
Song writers: Mattias Andréasson, Alexander Nivek, Lova Drevstam, Albin Johnsén
- Best Of Me
Artist: Efraim Leo
Song writers:: Efraim Leo, Cornelia Jakobsdotter, Amanda Björkegren, Herman Gardarfve
- In The Middle
Artist: The Mamas
Song writers:: Emily Falvey, Robin Stjernberg, Jimmy Jansson
- All Inclusive
Artist: Sannex
Song writers: Greta Svensson, Hans Thorstensson
- Behöver inte dig idag
Artist: Clara Klingenström
Song writers: Clara Klingenström, Bobby Ljunggren, David Lindgren Zacharias
- Every Minute
Artist: Eric Saade
Song writers: Eric Saade, Linnea Deb, Joy Deb, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt
The fourth semi-final will be very exciting! Two former Melodifestivalen winners are competing in the same semi-final: Eric Saade (Winning with “Popular” 2011, third place with “Manboy” 2010) and The Mamas (“Move” 2020, backing singers in “Too Late For Love” 2019). Will the nice singing Mama’s be historic and win three times in a row?
I think Arvingarna will fill the dance band quote in the final, with Sannex losing their chances. It means that one of the debutants Lovad, Clara Klingenström or Efraim Leo gets a chance to shine.
It will also be exciting to see the hysterically funny hosts Pernilla Wahlgren and the unpredictable comedian Per Andersson. Pernilla Wahlgren is a former schlager artist with entries like “Jag vill om du vågar” (2010) and the one hit wonder “Picadilly Circus” (1985). She’s also Benjamin Ingrosso’s mother (Melodifestivalen winner 2018 with “Dance you off”). She’s also starring in her reality show “Wahlgrens värld” where we follow her family’s daily life.
To the final: Eric Saade and The Mamas.
The former Eurovision bronze medalist Eric Saade describes his entry “Every Minute” as “a sexy, addictive pop song with a little bit of dark in it.” And as for the Mama’s, they never disappoint!
To The Second Chance: Tess Merkel and Clara Klingenström.
Tess Merkel is, after her time in Alcazar (a band that has participated in Melodifestivalen five times!) a professional and talented disco queen who will give us a hopeful song, perfect in these pandemic times. A new star on the schlager front is joining her and I’ll take a wild guess on Clara Klingenström.
Did you know… that Robin Stjernberg, one of the song writers behind The Mamas’ entry “In The Middle”, represented Sweden as an artist in Malmö, Eurovision 2013 With the song “You”, where he finished in fourteenth place. Thereafter, he has established himself as a songwriter and producer. He has also written more songs for Melodifestivalen during the years and was the runner-up in Swedish Idol 2011, but his career started in the boy band What’s Up with Eric Saade among others. He is also the first act to win Melodifestivalen coming from Andra Chansen.
Who are you most excited to see and hear in Heat 4? Who do you predict to qualify directly to the final? Let us know in the comments!
