The biggest star at the Greek final

Greek final tonight! I will try my very best to get the webcast to work. Hopefully there will be a stronger server than the Cypriotic, hmm.. Guests on the show are some of my favourite participants this year, Evridiki and Dimitris Korgialas (Cyprus), Dmitry Koldun (Belarus) and Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankulove (Bulgaria). And also my all time favourite in ESC, the true winner in Athens 2006 and most likely the best singer in the world (no I'm not exaggerating): Mihai Trăistariu! I would SO like to watch the show live. I envie you so much right now, Pano!!! (filakia) ;) Πάμε Έλλάδαρα!! Go Greece!!

The Greek final!!

Who will it be?

Sarbel - Geia sou Maria: With a good performance this up-tempo song could do very well in Helsinki. It reminds me of Ricky Martin's songs and just makes me wanna dance. :D I wouldn't be sad if Greece chose him to represent them. Listen here

Tamta - With love: When I first heard Tamta (in a duet with amazing Mihai Trăistariu) I got some serious pain in my ears, the girl couldn't sing! But when I listened to this entry, I radically changed my mind. This ballad is ethno and beautiful, and my favourite among these three. Let's just hope she acutally CAN sing live :P Listen here

Dantis - No Madonna: If Greece decides to send this song, I would get disappointed. The song is kinda rock style (damn you Lordi LOL) and IMO his voice is not at all pleasant to listen to. Listen here

It's exciting! According to the polls it might be any of these for Greece this year. This wednesday (28/2) we will know! Tamta (or Sarbel) to Helsinki!!

Mr Plagiarism and Sarah Dawn Finer to the final!

No surprises yesterday, Andreas Johnson is somehow extremely popular. I just can't understand why. :S His song should be disqualified for plagiarism, since the chorus is exactly the same as "The glory of love" with Benny Goodman's orchestra (Bette Midler sang it too). Listen here

A new favourite!

Well done Cyprus! Evridiki and Dimitris Korgialas are great. This entry is my new favourite among the chosen ones. :D Most likely, this will get a vote from me in the ESC-semifinal. I really like the song, but I still think choosing to sing it in french is a big mistake.

Melodifestivalen, the 4th and last semifinal!

After listening to the last entries in this year's Melodifestival, I can say that none of them was amazing, but there will most likely be a good show :). Here's what I think:

1. Magnus Uggla - För kung och fosterland (For king and motherland)
This semi's wildcard. Took part also in 1979 (last place). His song is about the consumer society, how people tend to shop themselves happy instead of dealing with their problems. This song is very him, and if he goes to the final or the 2nd chance it's (solely) because he is well-known and have been for years. Not a winning song, but will be played a lot on the radio.

2. Emilé Azar - Vi hade nåt (We had something)
A new and un-known artist, originally from Lebanon. He has a nice voice, but the song is a bit boring if you compare with the ones already in the final or 2nd chance.

3. Sanna Nielsen- Vågar du, vågar jag (Do you dare, do I dare)
The girl is 22, but if you listen to her speaking you might guess 52, yes a little old-fashioned. She is talented, with a good voice and the song is schlager, schlager and schlager. Not a fantastic song, but could reach the final, cause it's so swedish.

4. Caroline af Ugglas - Tror på dig (I believe in you)
This girl wants to be eccentric, and in a way she is... a bit scary. This Janis Joplin-inspired voice, maybe it's supposed to be cool, but I'm not a big fan.

5. After Dark - (Åh) När ni tar saken i egna händer ((Oh) When you take it in your own hands)
I'm so happy After Dark is taking part in the contest again, cause that means glamour, show and fun. The song is about handy men/men who are good with their hands. He is actually referring to craftsmen, but when you hear the lyrics there seem to be a "hidden" message LOL. Hilarious if you ask me, and performed by the best drag in Sweden. The song is a bit too similar to Pet Shop Boys' "Go West", but I like it.

6. Sarah Dawn Finer - I remember love
A nice ballad and a great voice, very pleasant to listen to. Perhaps not original enough?? I hope she reaches the final.

7. Verona - La musica
I like this entry, cause I like this kind of music and want more of it in Melodifestivalen. Nice to hear some italian too. However, this song is a little too plain to succeed in the contest.

8. Andreas Johnson - A little bit of love
This guy seems SO sure of passing to the final, cause of his success last year (3rd place), I hope NOT. But most likely he will, can't understand why people like him. This song is very similar to another old one that I can't remember the name of right now. Exactly like his entry last year was very similar to a song that Friends released years ago.

I want this to happen:

To the final:
After Dark
Sarah Dawn Finer

To the second chance:
Verona
Sanna Nielsen

The Cypriotic entry

So finally, tonight this year's entry from Cyprus is revealed, performed by Evridiki and Dimitris Korgialas. The title of the song "Comme ci, comme ça" makes me wonder if the whole song is in french. I so hope not. I would love to watch the present show "Cyprus 12 Points, Chypre 12 Points" where the song is about to be revealed, but unfortunately the webcast doesn't work for everyone, cause of their weak server... How could they make such a mistake? Miscalculate the amount of Eurovision fans?? Hehe, well very soon the song will most likely be available on youtube.

I like Evridiki/Korgialas and their electro dance pop music. My favourite (so far) is Thelo toso na se do, great song take a look:

2 former Idol-participants to the final

The results: Måns Zelmerlöw and Sebastian to the final. Nanne and Sonja Aldén to the 2nd chance. A bit unexpected I thought at first, but Måns and Sebastian are very popular since they took part in the TV-show Idol. Nanne did a great job at stage, so I thought she was going to be in the final for sure. And in the end, she probably will. However, the song is sooo Nanne and I don't like it.

My opinions about the songs in this 3rd semifinal changed a bit after I saw the performances. Måns was amazing on stage, I really like his moves and presence and I'm glad he's in the final. But hmmm Sebastian... No, I still can't stand him. If he, God forbid, wins and goes to Helsinki we can expect the worst result since Martin Stenmarck. Beautiful red blouse though, I want one like that in about 30 years.

I can't help but feel sorry for Magnus Carlsson who once again didn't succeed in the competition. It was so sad too see him loosing to Måns with tears in his eyes and everything. I talked to him 2 months ago and wished him good luck in Melodifestivalen. Maybe you're not supposed to do that? Maybe this is all my fault? Anyway, he must have gained like 15 kilos since then.. Oops. His song will be played a lot on the radio and dancefloors, I'm sure. I'm a bit disappointed about The Attic and Therese being eliminated already after the first round. But their performance was so-so, can't say I was surprised. I want more songs like theirs in ESC!!

Melodifestivalen's final is going to be a good one this year.

Melodifestivalen's 3rd semifinal!

Here is my ranking for the 3rd heat. Looking forward to the show tomorrow :)

1. The Attic feat. Therese - The Arrival
The rythm, the song is SO GOOD!! I love this kind of music! I'll vote for it as much as I can, but I doubt it will be in the final because of the competition from Nanne and Magnus. At least it will be in my mp3

2. Sheida - I mina drömmar (In my dreams)
This is a Swedish-Iranian band, 2 Swedish and 2 Iranian folk musicians. The song is in swedish, persian and baluchian (don't know how to spell that). The band says it's unique that 2 non-european languages enters Melodifestivalen. They describe the song as emotional, a love song, romantic. I think it's a very exciting mix of folkmusic. I really like it and I would love to see it in the final. But will the swedish people like it? I have my doubts...

3. Magnus Carlsson - Live forever
Here we go again hehe. He says MF is a great forum and fun to take part in. He describes the song as a fast disco tune from the 80-ies with lots of glitter and sparkling. He also says he has a bit of a cold, but he hopes and thinks it will pass in time for the contest tomorrow. I think it's a nice song. And I hope the performance will be good. He has a lot of charisma, so I think he'll do just fine. (Sounds like Bosson in the beginning of the song)

4. Måns Zelmerlöw - Cara mia
In the interview he promises a lot of dance, joy and show on stage tomorrow. The song has a classic swedish ABBA schlager sound. I like it. If he passes to the final or 2nd chance probably depends a lot on the performance. Since he participated in TV:s Idol and won antother TV-show "Let's dance", he is popular among people in general I think. And of course, a good dancer.

5. Sonja Aldén - För att du finns (Because you are (exist))
She says the song is about gratitude and love for life. Sounds nice eh? IMO she sounds a bit like Shirley Clamp. The song is a nice ballad, but not at all as emotional as Marie Lindberg's "Trying to recall" in the previous semi.

6. MissMatch - Drop dead
A lot of people say that one of these girls is very similar to Carola. Fortunately for her it's the looks and not the personality they refer to They describe the song like this: Shake some ass and have fun! The song is more rock and less pop than I expected. I don't think they will pass to the final or 2nd chance. And btw, it's not a good idea to chew gum during the interview, it makes you sound stupid.

7. Nanne Grönvall - Jag måste kyssa dig (I have to kiss you)
This is the 10th time she's participating. I have to say she seems like a very nice person. But that doesn't help.. The song is soooooooo Nanne and I don't like it, I'm sorry to say. The rest of the Swedish population will say YAY!!!!!. I say: Boooooooooring!

8. Sebastian - When the night comes falling
He says he looks forward to the contest a lot, that he is very competative and has a hard time to cope with losing. He is one of this year's wildcards and came 2nd in Idol 2005. I wouldn't vote for Sweden's most un-original "artist". But I guess the song is better if you don't have to look at him.

Here's what I think will happen tomorrow:

To the final:
Nanne Grönvall
Magnus Carlsson

To the 2nd chance:
Måns Zelmerlöw
Sebastian


I want this to happen!

To the final:
The Attic feat. Therese
Sheida

To the 2nd chance:
Magnus Carlsson
Måns Zelmerlöw

Värsta schlagern!

There's many opinions about the swedish "schlager"-sound. Some like it a lot and others just can't stand it. However, this parody is hilarious! If this song actually would have been in the contest I think it might have won LOL. Enjoy Linda Bengtzing and Markoolio and their "Värsta schlagern", hard to translate but means something like "Man, this is schlager". I especially like the Carola-imitation haha.

Stupid SVT...

The national television in Sweden decided to stop all the youtube videos from this year's Melodifestivalen. Copyright they claim.... WHAT ABOUT THE EUROVISION FANS?? And what about the potential voters all around Europe? SVT, you're pissing them off! Suckersssss

Story so far: Moldova 12 points

12 p - Moldova: Natalia Barbu - Fight - I LOVE this song! I will probably end up voting for it.

10 p - Belarus: Dmitry Koldun - Work Your Magic - Great song and cool singer! Top ten for Belarus in Helsinki I think. I've heard this guy barely has any experience as an artist, but I would never have guessed. His stage performance, charisma and presence. Just great!

8 p - Slovenia: Alenka Gotar - Cvet z Juga - This is different, ethno, emotional, beautiful, powerful. I like it a lot.

7 p - Denmark: DQ - Drama Queen - I adore Swedish After Dark, so I like this entry. The catchy melody, the glamorous outfits, the sense of humour. Denmark had a lot of very nice songs this year.

6 p - Poland: The Jet Set - Time To Party - This years' entries in Poland's NF didn't exactly make me jump from joy, sorry to say. At first I didn't like this song, but it has grown on me. However, not everyone listen to the songs more than once, hence the importance of the first impression. Exiting to see what Europe might think about it.

5 p - Norway: Guri Schanke - Ven a Bailar Conmigo - It's so G:son. Catchy, but not very original. Hard to say if it's going to be in the final. At least there will be no neighbourly votes from me this year :P

4 p - The Netherlands: Edsilia Rombley - Nooit Meer Zonder Jou - I like the way the ballad turns into an up-tempo song. Nice tune, but she needs a good choreography to reach the final, I think. Hopefully she'll sing in Dutch in Helsinki as well.

3 p - Estonia: Gerli Padar - Partners in Crime - I've listened to this song many times now. But I just cannot like it.

2 p - Malta: Olivia Lewis - Vertigo - Malta usually send good songs to ESC, but not this year. None of their entries in the NF were great, however Claudia Faniello and her L'imhabba ghamja was ok. For a lot of people Vertigo was a big favourite from the start. Me? I think it's awful.

1 p - Romania: Locomondo - Liubi, Liubi, I love you - See previous post :P

-------------------------------------

Albania: Frederik Ndoci - Balada e Gurit - Here, I'm gonna quote Mr H. Simpson: Booooooooooooooring!

This ranking will change for sure. I'm hoping for Sofi Marinova feat. Ustata - Ya tvoya to win the national selection in Bulgaria 24/2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx1Vj0RYy3s

And 28/2 Greece decides for one out of three entries (two of them is great). 9/3 we finally get to hear Turkey's Kenan Doğulu and his Shake it up Şekerim. I'm also a bit curious about Evridiki's song Comme ci, Comme ça (Cyprus). I wonder how much of it that's actually in french. I don't understand. Why sing in french at all?! I mean greek is sooo beautiful. We will know 23/2.

Selecţia Naţională

Romania's national selection has been really messy this year, with several disqualified entries. There were quite a few good entries left in the contest, however they chose not to pick one of them. Instead, they're sending these guys to Helsinki:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMOQ2YKvOdM

Ok, they've got some language skills, but the song itself... I don't know... Kinda funny, but that's about it. Too bad, cause I was really hoping for ESC in Bucharest in 2008. My guess is, the result in Helsinki will put Romania in the semi. Too bad... On the other hand you never know, after all Lithuania's jolly men got themselves a 6th place in Athens... However, I have the solution for Romania. Send Mihai Trăistariu in 2008!

YES!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_m7fycAd9w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z2DvCUhAVs

Look at that, it turned out just the way I wanted! Well, almost :P The fact that Jimmy Jansson went to the 2nd chance wasn't really a surprise, but that Cosmo 4 passed to the 2nd round of yesterday's semifinal instead of Svante and Anne-Lie was kinda unexpected :S It doesn't really matter, since the two participants who got my votes will be in the final. So The Ark and Marie Lindberg, congratulations and good luck!

MF fever!!!

Tonight was a very important night! The big event? The rehearsal for the 2nd semifinal of Melodifestivalen! :) The important part is that I had tickets! The entries in this semi wasn't all amazing I have to admit, but the show was great. About 10 000 cheering people and an excellent host :D It was kind of frustrating to not to get to hear the results, just made up ones hehe, but we'll know by tomorrow (or today actually). The Ark had by far the best performance with "The Worrying Kind" and I'll vote for them tomorrow for sure. Without hearing all the entries this year, I still think they actually have a chance to win (of course with hard competition from Mrs Grönvall). At least I'll be very surprised if they don't pass directly to the final. I also liked the new local star ;) Marie Lindberg and her beautiful "Trying To Recall", she will also get a vote from me. I'm excited about the upcoming result, this is what I want to happen:

Directly to the final in Globen, Stockholm 10 March:
The Ark - The Worrying Kind
Marie Lindberg - Trying To Recall

To the 2nd chance in Nyköping 3 March:
Svante Thuresson & Anne-Lie Rydé - Första gången
Jessica Andersson - Kom

"You know, you don't have to be Swedish to participate in Melodifestivalen. You can even be from a whole different planet, for example last year Carola won with 'I evighet'." (Kristian Luuk)