Weeks and weeks of prime-time Saturday night television is dedicated to the run-up show in which Sweden chooses its Eurovision gladiator. This show is called Melodifestivalen. It's a LONG process. It's a huge monster of a tournament. I haven't got a clue how it all works. We're repeatedly shown a many-branched tournament 'flow chart' showing the combatants and the snail-like progress towards Sweden's final victor. This basically involves watching the same songs multiple times.
CDs of Melodifestivalen are now on sale (I saw one in the supermarket). Songs from Melodifestivalen are frequently played on Swedish radio. Artists involved get a lot of exposure. It's something positive for their career. It's not like the UK where everybody thinks you're a loser if you do Eurovision.
This is one of the songs that made it through:
Very Eurovision, eh? Check out the shirt-change in the dark. Nice. He looks a bit like a cult member in that getup doesn't he? If he is I hope the cult is as bouncy and happy as his performance (and doesn't condone mass murder). I have to admit I quite like it, especially the high bit when he shouts " And I cannot get enough!"
Here's another finalist:
When she goes for the high part in the chorus I always imagine her shouting SUUUUPERMAN!!!! She doesn't though. Shame.
The final of Melodifestivalen is this Saturday. Finally! Imagine the uproar if, after all this, the Swedish candidate doesn't even get into Eurovision! Well, that's exactly what happened last year. After weeks and weeks of national selection in Melodifestivalen, Europe didn't even let Sweden into the main competition! What did the winner of Melodifestivalen actually win? What was it all for? That year Sweden broadcast Eurovision artists' commiserations to the would-be Swedish representative. The palpable disappointment even found its way into the headlines of national newspapers. I remember feeling a twinge of disappointment myself. Well, it was sad... OKAY!!!?!?!?!
Let's just hope they get in this year!
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