Last time two songs in Swedish went directly to the final were in 2007, when Anna Book’s “Samba Sambero” and Tommy Nilsson’s “Jag tror på människan” got the most votes. Last Saturday, it happened again.
Danny Saucedo, former Melfest runner-up with “In The Club” (2011) and “Amazing” (2012), had the most star quality in the first heat with his dance moves and interesting show. His weird, but dance-friendly song “Dandi Dansa” got stuck in my head while I was amazed at the rolling floor and the cardboards with different messages on, for example “Mer öl” (Eng: “More beer”).
Arvingarna lifted the roof with their great dance band schlager and fantastic ending poses. The people had longed for something simple and happy that brightens up gloomy pandemic times, which was shown in the retrogressive result that didn’t benefit future pop stars like former Idol participants Nathalie Brydolf and Kadiatou.
Nathalie Brydolf had a good ESC song, but she had no chance when her running order was between the spectacular shows from Danny and Arvingarna. I even liked Jessica Andersson’s hopeful song and beautiful voice, but the competition was tough. Lillasyster reintroduced metal in the competition and got to the Second Chance accompanied by Paul Rey and his future radio hit.
It was refreshing to see the host Lena Philipsson’s vulgar humour in the corona adapted Melodifestivalen without an audience. It was a different kind of TV production, but I liked the postcard inspired artist presentations that gave me a Eurovision feeling.
Participants Heat 2 – February 13
- New Religion
Artist: Anton Ewald
Song writers: Jonas Wallin, Joe Killington, Anton Ewald, Maja Strömstedt
- Rich
Artist: Julia Alfrida
Song writers: Julia Alfrida, Jimmy Jansson, Melanie Wehbe
- 90-talet
Artist: WAHL feat. SAMI
Song writers: Sami Rekik, Christopher Wahlberg, Josefin Glenmark, Jesper Welander, Andreas Larsson
- The Silence
Artist: Frida Green
Song writers: Anna Bergendahl, Bobby Ljunggren, David Lindgren Zacharias, Joy Deb
- Rena rama ding dong
Artist: Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos
Song writers: Göran Sparrdal, Kalle Rydberg, Ari Lehtonen
- Tears Run Dry
Artist: Patrik Jean
Song writers: Herman Gardarfve, Patrik Jean, Melanie Wehbe
- Little Tot
Artist: Dotter
Song writers: Johanna ”Dotter” Jansson, Dino Medanhodzic
In Heat 2 it’s the women’s time to shine. There is potential for new stars to succeed with only last year’s runner-up Dotter as a typical Melfest-rival. Frida Green got famous with her amazing voice through Sweden Got Talent and SAMI has been a part of the nice hiphop duo Medina.
Among the hosts is Ocsar Zia, runner-up in Melodifestivalen 2016 with entry “Human”. Today he mostly sings in Swedish and speaks frequently on the radio. He’s accompanied by the rapper Anis Don Demina who got popular among the kids last year when he made it to the finals with the song “Vem e som oss”.
Even the comedians Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos will contribute to entertain the children in the second semi-final. They might not be ESC winners, but they are guaranteed to liven up the atmosphere with humour and a song writer who has written songs for the Swedish 90’s icon and Europop rapper Dr. Alban. More crazy ladies are needed in Melodifestivalen!
It’s easier to guess the result this week, even though I haven’t heard the songs, but I hope I’m wrong and I’m ready to get surprised!
To the final: Dotter and Frida Green.
Lots of people saw Dotter as their favourite last year with only one point behind the winning song, she’s a given finalist. With Frida Green’s powerful voice and good song writers she will join Dotter in the final.
To The Second Chance: WAHL feat. SAMI and Anton Ewald.
The hiphop duo will win the points from the children with their energy. Anton Ewald was lip-syncing when he made it to the final in Melodifestivalen 2013 and 2014 with the songs “Begging” and “Natural”. He might not be a good singer, but he will dance good all the way to The Second Chance. He has earlier danced in Melodifestivalen entries before, among others Danny’s “Amazing” in 2012.
Did you know… that the artist Patrik Jean who competes with the song “Tears Run Dry” and his song writers Melanie Wehbe och Herman Gardarfve wrote The Mama’s winning entry “Move” last year?
What did you think about the songs in the first heat of Melodifestivalen 2021? Let us know in the comments!
