Melodifestivalen 2021 has been an experience with ups and downs, different genres and lots of entertainment. Now we finally have 12 finalists who are ready to battle for the trip to Rotterdam.
DJ Trexx from the Swedish humour group Grotesco made a comeback in Melodifestivalen last Saturday. The Russian DJ upset the Russian embassy in Sweden after performing the interval act “Tingeliin” in Melodifestivalen 2009, an act that was making a parody of Russian stereotypes. Now he was found in a church in Bulgaria trying to bring different cultures together through techno dance. This year, the critics came from the Swedish catholic Edward Blom (who by the way competed in Melodifestivalen 2018).
The former Melfest winner Benjamin Ingrosso and runner-up Felix Sandman performed a fantastic musical medley containing hits from the music genius Ola Håkansson and made schlagers from the 1960:s seem modern.
The recently heart operated singer Tommy Körberg gave me goosebumps when he performed his Melfest winner song from 1988 “Stad i ljus”, even called Sweden’s second national anthem. These are the moments I brought with me from The Second Chance show.
In 2004, the host Shirley Clamp went from The Second Chance to the final with the schlager classic “Min kärlek” and became one of the most successful artists from that part of the competition. The Second Chance was around this time a new thing in the contest and the purpose was to give eliminated entries a second chance. Caroline Af Ugglas (runner-up 2009) and Felix Sandman (runner-up 2018) followed Shirley’s foot steps and Robin Stjernberg (winner 2013) became the first and so far the only one in the history of Melodifestivalen who took detour through The Second Chance and then won the whole contest.
Shirley was a charismatic host. Humble as Petra Mede, she entertained the viewers with both humour and a fantastic singing voice.
All my favourites lost in the (stupid) duels and I will really miss the lovely Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos in the final. But I’m really looking forward to seeing the former Eurovision winner and host Måns Zelmerlöw hosting the final with the entertaining and talented actress Shima Niavarani.
The Final March 13th
- Danny Saucedo – Dandi dansa
- Klara Hammarström – Beat Of Broken Hearts
- Anton Ewald – New Religion
- The Mamas – In The Middle
- Paul Rey – The Missing Piece
- Charlotte Perrelli – Still Young
- Tusse – Voices
- Alvaro Estrella – Baila Baila
- Clara Klingenström – Behöver inte dig idag
- Eric Saade – Every Minute
- Dotter – Little Tot
- Arvingarna -Tänker inte alls gå hem
Danny’s dance and cardboards start the final while Arvingarna ends the show with rebelliously not going home. Eric Saade and my favourite Dotter have good start numbers in the second part of the show and they will most certainly get many votes from the international jury. You might think that even this year there will be an even battle between The Mamas and Dotter, but then the super talented and popular Tusse comes and messes things up.
Did you know… that Linnea Deb, who wrote lots of songs in this year’s contest, has a wide background as a choir singer and song writer in both Melodifestivalen and Eurovision Song Contest? She has, among others, written Finland’s winning entry “Monsters” by Saara Aalto in ESC 2018 and last year’s Danish winning song “Yes” by Ben & Tan. In 2015, she contributed to Sweden’s sixth Eurovision win with Måns Zelmerlöw’s Heroes. In this year’s final she competes with Tusse’s “Voices”, Eric Saade’s “Every Minute” and “Baila Baila” with Alvaro Estrella. Who knows, Linnea Deb might be the brain behind Sweden’s next Eurovision win.
Which entry will represent Sweden in Eurovision Song Contest 2021? Which song is your favourite? Let us know in the comments!
