Melodifestivalen 2014 - Sanna Nielsen won!

The problem when I delay these posts is that I forget what I wanted to write about. Up until last year I was blogging as soon as the semis and the final were over. But not this year. So many things happened this year that I kinda abandoned the blog. But here I am, 5 days after the final.

Sanna did it! 7th time's the charm in her case! Her dream finally came true! She will represent Sweden in Copenhagen! And I'm so happy for her! Even happier coz she won mello with only 2 points above Ace Wilder! Thank God! 3 more points for Ace and we would have the worst Swedish entry ever! I have no problem with Ace. I don't even know her. But I hate her song.

So, Sanna first, Ace second and my Alcazar finished 3rd! Both in juries and televoting! So proud for them! :') And that top 3 got actually the biggest response in the arena! The audience went crazy during and right after Alcazar's performance! It was insane! They also cheered for them during the voting numbers' announcement. And that happened only during Alcazar's and Ace's numbers! However I knew that Sanna was going to win as soon as she stepped on Friends' stage. The second the playback kicked in the audience started cheering. It was too obvious she'd win. In the televoting at least.

And then we have Helena Paparizou who finished 4th! Amazing Helena! I saw her after the final and she was so happy. Her comeback in Sweden was great. And now we wait for the album on March 26th.

About the rest of the acts, I don't really care. I'm just happy that Yohio did so bad. He should change that "I'm a star" attitude. I was waiting at the after party entrance (as always) for the artists and Yohio arrived with about 10 others who made a circle around him so that nobody would go near him. Such a diva! Honey, you're nobody so stop acting like you are.

And then we also have Anton Ewald who came last both in juries and televoting! Hahaha! Sooo happy about that! Even happier coz Sanna won. That "do people want a popstar (refering to himself) or a Sanna Nielsen?" ate him alive! And after the final he blamed the media for his last place! LOL

Unfortunately I didn't get to see Alcazar after the final. I went behind the green room after the final was over and when they were done with the interviews, Tess saw me and screamed a "Heeeey Ifiiiiiii!" on her way out. At least they knew I was there to cheer for them haha. Ah an EP is on its way so I will have chances to see them somewhere. And they should definitely keep coming back to Melodifestivalen. If Sanna could do it so can them!

The rest of the night was good. I liked the opening and interval acts but really there's nothing more to say. Only that the final needs to return to Globen. Asap.

So, Sweden 12 points! :D

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 - Final's running order revealed

This is so sad! :(

1. Anton Ewald – Natural
2. Ellen Benediktson – Songbird
3. Alcazar – Blame It On The Disco
4. Oscar Zia – Yes We Can
5. Linus Svenning – Bröder
6. Helena Paparizou – Survivor
7. YOHIO – To the End
8. Sanna Nielsen – Undo
9. Panetoz – Efter solsken
10. Ace Wilder – Busy Doin’ Nothin’

3? 3?! 3?!?!??!?! Goodbye Copenhagen! :'(

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!

Melodifestivalen 2014: Artists to be announced next week

Next Tuesday, 26th of November and Thursday, 28th of November at 9:50 CET, SVT will announce the artists that will compete at Melodifestivalen 2014! There will be a live webcast (here).

On Tuesday, we have the press conference of the artists that will compete in Malmö and Linköping! Fingers crossed that Helena Paparizou will compete in Linköping's semi! I got my ticket (first row!) so I really want her to compete in Lkpg but I doubt it. I bet they put her in Gothenburg's semi! And yes, I am 100% sure that she's in. I know it. I can bet my life on it. ;)

I'm also pretty sure that YOHIO (meh), Sanna Nielsen (yay!) and Linda Bengtzing (yay!!) are in. But I don't bet my life on these 3. I don't know it for fact. ;)

And on Thursday, we have the press conference of the artists that will compete in Gothenburg and Örnsköldsvik.

Tick tock, tick tock...

Kvällen Är Din - Being in the audience

Well that was cool! Really cool! Now I know (...yes it's here I belong... oops! sorry! too much Sanna yesterday! hahaha) it's a lot funnier being in the audience than watching the show at home! And that's because that they have to record every act over and over again if there's even a tiny mistake! And Martin Stenmarck made quite a few of them. He was really nervous but he has a great sense of humor and I laughed a lot every time he couldn't remember his words!

Well the main reason for which I went to the show was Sanna Nielsen. I saw on her facebook page that she would perform on the show and that we could be in the audience. No way I'm gonna miss that! Well I don't know if I'm allowed to give any details since the show hasn't been aired yet so I'll just tell you that Sanna sang two songs and she had to perform them both twice due to some minor mistakes. That's why I loved being there! All of you (well the Swedes and some of you) will watch her performing them once but I got to see her twice! Hahaha 

I'm ready to do it again! Even if there's no one famous artist there (well Martin will always be there since he's the host). This was pure fun!

And here's a photo of Sanna and Martin.

 

PS Of course I took a photo with both of them and I did the en till, en till again! They both laughed! ;) hahahaha

Sanna Nielsen - I'm In Love (album review)

I always had in mind the album reviewing and I think it's time I began reviewing the albums. During the last week of Melodifestivalen I bought a few albums and I want to review them. I recently saw a review of Sanna's album and I kinda got jealous. Hehe. So I think this is the right time to start since Melodifestivalen is over and there are no more NFs waiting. There wouldn't be a better album to begin with since Sanna's is the one I'm listening to the most. OK here we go.

1. Devotion*

T & m: Bobby Ljunggren, Marcos Ubeda

"Devotion" was the first single of the album, released on 18th January 2010. So it's not actually a new song. There wasn't a better song to be first on the tracklist! It's a great song! I love the lyrics! It makes me happy!

*the lyrics are wrong but it was the only studio version I could find on youtube

2. I’m In Love

T & m: Bobby Ljunggren, Irini Michas, Peter Boström, Thomas G:son

Aah this song! Sanna's entry in Melodifestivalen 2011. Before we listen to the song Sanna described her feelings when she first listened to it. She said she wasn't so impressed until it reached the chorus. After listening to the chorus she had to enter Mello with this! So when we first listened to 1 minute of each song competing in the second semi-final I didn't get the feeling Sanna got. I was disappointed until I watched her performing it live*! After that I said "OK Sanna was right". Listening to the full song made me entirely change my mind! This is so schlager and for a schlager lover like me, it's perfect! 

* the video is from the final

3. Part Of Me

T & m: Henrik Wikström, Amir Aly 

"Part Of Me" was the second single of the album. I hadn't listened to it until I bought the album. I don't know why... This is not one of my favourites. But this doesn't mean I don't like it. Honestly there's not even a single song of the album that I don't like! It's just not an wow song for me. It's all about taste. ;)

4. Not Afraid To Love

T & m: Sanna Nielsen, Henrik Wikström

A really relaxing song! I love it! It fits Sanna's voice! Just great!

5. If You Were Mine

T & m: Bobby Ljunggren, Kristina Lagerström, Marcos Ubeda

The video is from the first official presentation of the song and I am really glad I was there! Another relaxing song that I enjoy listening to at nights.

6. Can’t Stop Love Tonight

T & m: Marcos Ubeda, Thomas G:son

I just love this! I love the chorus! That rhythm! "And we livin' it up!" shit! Amazing!

7. Demolition Woman

T & m: Sanna Nielsen, Henrik Wikström, Kristian Lagerström, Amir Aly

OK this is my FAVOURITE song of the album!! While we were waiting at Åhléns City a few songs of the album were playing until Sanna got on stage. "Demolition Woman" was the one stuck on my mind! The one that impressed me the most. I buy the album, I get home and I see that Sanna is one of the writers! She has to write her own music! From now on there should always be a few songs (co-)written by Sanna! "Demolition Woman" is totally the most played song of March! I usually put it on repeat! I really can't describe how much I ADORE this song!    

8. This Time Love Is Real

T & m: Oscar Holter, Jakke Erixson, Alexander Bard

Love it! Haha this album is full of love! It's a fantastic song! That's all I'm gonna say!

9. Take Me Home

T & m: Oscar Holter, Jakke Erixson

Hmm another not favourite song but again, not a bad song. I really like the parts right before the chorus and I like the lyrics!

10. Foolish Heart

T & m: Henrik Wikström, Kristian Lagerström     

Love it love it love it! Really strong melody and lyrics! For some reason I wanted this to be higher on the tracklist. Not that the tracklist has anything to do with which songs are good or bad but I feel like this should be in the first 5. It feels strange... Anyway! Love it!

11. Just Like That

T & m: Henrik Wikström, Kristian Lagerström

I think I just realised why I wanted "Foolish Heart" higher on the tracklist. "Just Like That" is a relaxing song and it just doesn't sound right coming after a song like "Foolish Heart" hehe. I like such relaxing songs. I love sleeping while listening to music and this song is perfect for that! Of course this doesn't mean that I don't listen to it during the day! haha

12. Paradise

T & m: Bobby Ljunggren, Marcos Ubeda

"Devotion" was the best song to be first on the album and "Paradise" is the best to end the tracklist! The title fits perfectly with the music! If you listen to the song without knowing its title you'd definitely bring paradise on your mind! Personally I bring to my mind a picture of a deserted beach. And it's the best way to go to bed! It's 1am so good night!

Oh and as you noticed I haven't put links to all of the songs. That's because they are not on youtube. But you can listen to a few seconds of them here. 

OK people, this is an album you should definitely add to your collection. It's a masterpiece! Go ahead and buy it here!