Melodifestivalen 2014 - Songs we will miss in the final

I'm kinda ok with the final's line up but I will miss some songs and I'd rather have them in Friends Arena instead of some finalists. So, just a quick post!

Alvaro Estrella instead of Yohio!
JEM instead of Ellen Benediktson!
Martin Stenmarck instead of Linus Svenning!
EKO instead of Ace Wilder! (One of this year's best songs!! How on earth did it came last in the semi?)
Jessica Folcker & Dr Alban instead of Oscar Zia! (I'm ok with Oscar but I'd rather have Jessica and Dr Alban in the final. I adore Jessica's vocals and I think it would have been better if she had sung this by herself)
Linda Bengtzing instead of Anton Ewald!
Janet Leon... I want to fit this in the final but there's no room. So we can have the "jury's choice" like in 2009. 11 songs in the final!

So the ideal 2014 final is like this (random order):
Alcazar
Helena Paparizou
Sanna Nielsen
Panetoz
Alvaro Estrella
JEM
Martin Stenmarck
EKO
Jessica Folcker & Dr Alban
Linda Bengtzing
Janet Leon

Ah I wish!

Melodifestivalen 2014 - Andra chansen - Results

Photo: Christian Örnberg

I think the photo is more than enough but ok... Helena made it! She is in the final!! Wooohooo! Linus Svenning is the second finalist. Helena ("Survivor") beated Outtrigger ("Echo") in the first duel and Linus ("Bröder") beated Martin Stenmarck ("När Änglarna Går Hem"). Poor Martin! :( I wanted him in the final. And for him it's 2005 all over again. Actually the whole night felt like 2005. Helena and Linus were both in the first semi. Just like Alcazar and Linda Bengtzing who were also in the first semi in 2005 and both made it to the final through andra chansen...

The rest of the songs:

5. State of Drama – ”All We Are”
6. JEM – ”Love Trigger”
7. Ellinore Holmer – ”En himmelsk sång”
8. Ammotrack – ”Raise Your Hands”

Well Sweden, your next task: Alcazar to Copenhagen, Helena to be the runner up. :)

Melodifestivalen 2014 - Rehearsals of the second semi

So, rehearsals of semi two!

JEM - Love Trigger
I think I like the song but their voices are so indifferent and bland. There's nothing special about JEM. Not when they perform "Love Trigger" at least...

The Refreshments - Hallelujah
No, definitely not my cup of tea. This would be the perfect toilet break but I never do that while Melodifestivalen or Eurovision is on. So it's gonna be really boring for me. It's good to have diversity in the contest but at least give us some good songs of each genre.

Manda - Glow
I think I like this... It's really nothing special but ok... I can see it making it to andra chansen. 

Panetoz - Efter Solsken
Ok... Just ok. Enjoyable song but it can't make it that far I'm afraid...

Pink Pistols - I Am Somebody
Now you can't have a mello without a drag act right? Ah sure you can but still... I actually like the chorus quite a lot but generally it's not a song I'd listen to outside the mello bubble.

Sanna Nielsen - Undo
Ladies and gentlemen here is our first finalist! There's something in the chorus that kinda bugs me but the verses are amazing! At least what we've heard so far! It's not an "Empty Room" but it's really good!

Little Great Things - Set Yourself Free
I wasn't expecting that kind of song by Little Great Things! I was expecting a teen pop or something. Well I hadn't read or heard any of their comments on the song or the music they do. The song is actually ok but not my thing.

Martin Stenmarck - När Änglarna Går Hem
Thank you Martin for not entering with something like "Las Vegas"! This is so much better! I like it! It's really a Martin Stenmarck song!

Well it looks like that Sanna and Martin will sail to the final without a problem. But hey! It's the Swedish who vote here! ;) And finally February 8th is here! Well almost here! First row for me in the live tomorrow! :D

Melodifestivalen 2014: The artists, the songs, the composers - Heats 1 & 2

Here we are! The artists of the first two semis are revealed! And of course Helena Paparizou was one of them. ;) Also, the expected Yohio and Sanna Nielsen. And many unknown artists (to me).

Photo: Lina Siksjö

Semi-final 1: Malmö 1/2

• Aleo
Artist: Mahan Moin
Composers: Mahan Moin, Anderz Wrethov

• Bedroom
Artist: Alvaro Estrella
Composers: Jakke Erixson, Jon Bordon, Lauren Francis, Kristofer Östergren

• Bröder
Artist: Linus Svenning
Composer: Fredrik Kempe

• Bygdens son
 Artist: Sylvester Schlegel
Composer: Sylvester Schlegel

• Casanova
Artist: Elisa Lindström
Composers: Ingela ”Pling” Forsman, Bobby Ljunggren, Jimmy Jansson

• Songbird
Artist: Ellen Benediktson
Composers: Sharon Vaughn, Johan Fransson, Tim Larsson, Tobias Lundgren

• Survivor
Artist: Helena Paparizou
Composers: Bobby Ljunggren, Henrik Wikström, Karl-Ola Kjellholm, Sharon Vaughn

• To the End
Artist: YOHIO
Composers: Andreas Johnson, Johan Lyander, Peter Kvint, YOHIO

Yeah, apart from Helena and Yohio I have no idea who the rest are! And if I just stick to the names then it's Helena and Yohio to the final! It's all about the songs though so I can't be sure about anything. It's the Swedes who vote after all. If you know what I mean. ;) I'm sad that Helena competes in Malmö and not in Linköping. But I totally expected it right after I found out (last night) that she'd be in today's press conference. Now she will either open the semi or perform last. She and Yohio will be the ones who'll share the spots 1 and 8. Who knows... I might repeat last year's craziness... Love Malmö!

Photo: Lina Siksjö

Semi-final 2, Linköping 8/2

• Efter solsken
Artist: Panetoz
Composers: Johan Hirvi, Mats Lie Skåre, Nebeyu Baheru, Njol Badjie, Pa Modou Badjie

• Glow
 Artist: Manda
Composers: Joy Deb, Linnéa Deb, Melanie Wehbe, Charlie Mason

• I Am Somebody
Artist: Pink Pistols
Composers: Joakim Törnqvist, Nestor Geli, Per Ivar Hed, Susie Päivärinta, Tord Bäckström

• Love Trigger
 Artist: JEM
Composers: Thomas G:son, Peter Boström, Julimar ”J-Son” Santos

• När änglarna går hem
Artist: Martin Stenmarck
Composers: Andreas Öhrn, Alexander Bard, Martin Stenmarck, Peter Boström

• Set Yourself Free
 Artist: Little Great Things
Composers: Charlie Grönvall, Cristoffer Wernqvist, Felix Grönvall, Adam Dahlström

• Hallelujah
Artist: The Refreshments
Composer: Joakim Arnell

• Undo
Artist: Sanna Nielsen
Composers: Fredrik Kempe, David Kreuger, Hamed "K-One” Pirouzpanah

Ok I didn't get Helena in "my" semi but I got Sanna Nielsen! And Martin Stenmarck! Funny that the last time I got to see Sanna was in April 2011, with Martin in Kvällen Är Din! Now I'll get to see them again! What can I say about the second semi? Again, I only know Sanna and Martin! And I've just heard of Panetoz... I'd say it's Sanna and Martin to the final. Based on my taste, that is. :P Sanna's song seems to be a ballad. That's the vibe I get by the title. But then I see Fredrik Kempe's name there and it screams schlager. We'll see...

EDIT: I just watched a video from TV4 and Sanna confirms it's a ballad!

Generally I'm not too excited about the names. 16 artists are revealed and I only care about 3 of them. Hopefully the songs will be good.

On Thursday we'll know the rest of the contestants. Expressen and Aftonbladet are sure that Alcazar are in. I'm not. At all. Tess is supposed to be in Thailand for two months during the mello season. I doubt she'll be going back and forth for Melodifestivalen. And I've posted this on many groups on fb and on escunited.com. Imagine if they're actually in! xD That would be awesome but I'll also be pissed coz they'll definitely be in Gothenburg's semi (again!). And neither Helena or my Alcazar will be in "my" semi! Grrr!