Peter Jöback has released a video clip for his Melodifestivalen song “Hollow”. It is an acoustic version featuring Peter’s stunning voice and a piano. In some ways, I think it works better than the original. Lets hope they release this version too, even if just as a digital download.
Well, in last week’s second chance final, two women got through – the wonderful Pernilla Wahlgren and the not-so-wonderful Jessica Andersson. No offence to Jessica but her song is sooo boring. Ican’t believe it got through over Alcazar or Neo. I suspect that part of the problem was the silly way that the duels were set up (a pointless exercise). I think many of the people who liked Alcazar also liked Neo and vice versa. The result was a split vote that let Jessica and Kalle Moreaus through, both boring songs. Jessica then beat Kalle. Sigh.
Anyway, that’s how the game works and it is all a game after all. Not much bitchin’ about it!
We’re gearing up for the final which is this weekend. Here are the ten finalists with my comments for what they’re worth. They are in the order that they will be performing.
Darin – You’re Out Of My Life
Quite disappointing actually. Darin was favourite to win the contest but I’m sure that’s changed now that everyone has heard the song. Darin ha the potential to be an international star but I don’t think this will be the song to do it. He has released much better ones than this in his career.
Pernilla Wahlgren – Jag Vill Om Du Vågar
Pure schlager and I love it. Plus it’s in Swedish too which in my view is a definite plus. She’s gorgeous and the song is a lot of fun. I wonder if she’ll do an English version should she win.
Andreas Johnson – We Can Work It Out
I don’t mind this song at all and it’s quite good. I just don’t think it’s memorable enough to win. I always enjoy listening to it but five minutes later, I can’t remember how it goes.
Timoteij – Kom
Another Swedish song (there are only two in the final) but boring. A bit too folksy for an international contest.
Peter Jöback – Hollow
My favourite, of course. A big ballad sung with a big voice. This will get people’s attention for sure. Plus it helps that Peter is known outside of Sweden.
Ola – Unstoppable
I wasn’t too impressed at first but it has really grown on me. Its main hook is the catchy piano riff which reminds me of “The Persuaders” TV theme for some reason.
Jessica Andersson – I Did It For Love
As already mentioned, boring. There’s no real heart or soul in this song.
Salem Al Fakir – Keep On Walking.
I love this infectious slice of indy pop. It’s a bit different to the norm which makes it stand out. I’m sure it will do well.
Anna Bergendahl – This Is My Life
A ballad but one with some heart and soul (unlike Jessica). Not my favourtie but I don’t mind it at all. I have a feeling this will do well on Saturday and could even be the winner. I hope not.
Eric Saade – Manboy
He’s cute with a killer smile and the song is a lot of fun. Definitely the best performance with the shower scene at the end. I’m sure this will do well and being the last song won’t hurt.
In order, my favourites are:
Despite a slow start to Melodifestivalen, things have picked up considerably. The fourth semi-final was by far the best so far, with some great songs.
Even putting my bias aside, Peter Jöback was always going to get through to the final. “Hollow” is a big song with a big hook sung with a big voice.
Good to get some dance pop schlager with Pernilla Wahlgren. Love this one.
Some more fun dance pop with Neo and “Human Frontier”. I became a Neo fan last year and this song does not disappoint. Love the outfit too plus the cane.
I was disappointed that Sibel was totally knocked out of the competition. Her energetic performance of “Stop” combined with her chunky purple dress should have got her through to at least Andra Chansen, the second chance final but alas no.
Peter got through to the final, and Pernilla and Neo will get another go in Andra Chansen. That now makes three artists (Pernilla, Neo and Alcazar) in Andra Chansen that I want to get through and of course, only two will get through. The way it is structured, Neo and Alcazar can’t both get through but I would be happy for either of them to join Pernilla going through to the final. We should know by this time tomorrow who is making the final line up for the grand final on 13 March 2010.
I love these two posters of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe (aka Pet Shop Boys) and they would look fabulous on my wall. They were produced as part of a campaign for HMV UK a couple of years ago and are part of a bigger series. They are currently being offered through HMV’s reward scheme but the catch is that you have to be a UK resident. Grrr. And I couldn’t find them on eBay either. Double grrr. A hex on HMV.
Not only are the photos themselves stunning but they each reference a song and an artist that has inspired them. Coincidentally, the artists referenced are big inspirations to me too which makes the posters even more special. Needless to say, Neil and Chris are also personal inspirations.
Dusty Springfield is the best bar none. The song chosen is a favourite of Dusty fans, the soulful and moody “Goin’ Back”. This clip features candid footage, some of it filmed in Australia back in the 60s. I got a bit teary while watching.
Billie Ray Martin is a German soul dance diva who had a worldwide dance hit some years back with “Your Loving Arms”. Here is the promo clip for this infectious dance number.
Although it’s been more than two hours since the movie finished and I have been trying to distract myself with uptempo music, I still feel an emotional wreck. I feel all cried out, probably because I have been crying my eyes out.
The reason is the movie “Prayers For Bobby” starring Sigourney Weaver as Mary Griffith, the ultra religious mother of gay teen Bobby. She cannot accept his sexuality because it goes against what she has read in the bible. And one doesn’t question the bible. Bobby feels more and more alienated and eventually takes his own life. Mary goes to pieces (as did I) and starts a journey of questioning her blind acceptance of the bible and eventually becoming involved with PFLAG. Her speech towards the end of the movie is inspirational.
Sigourney is simply brilliant as always, although you spend most of the movie hating her. Ryan Kelley as Bobby is superb. I recognised him from somewhere and when I checked, I saw that he had played Ryan in one of my favourite “Smallville” episodes “Stray”. This is considered by many to be one of the best episodes in the series history mainly due to the performance of Ryan.
This movie is a must-see, especially for any parents of gay kids. Here is the trailer which is emotional enough by itself.
I fell in love with Swedish singer Caroline af Ugglas in last year’s Melodifestivalen. I found her quite captivating and enchanting (and I did love her blue boots). She was so up and happy to be there but when she sang “Snälla, snälla”, she poured out her heart with such emotional angst.
I got to checking out her back catalogue and discovered this song (in English). It’s called “Egoistic” and has a real fun clip where Caroline is a complete bitch to everyone and everything as she goes about her day in Stockholm. Cute dog too.
Egoistic
Self-preoccupied
So selfish
The one and only
You’re ignorant
Undisciplined
Be spiteful
That is what you areSelf-conceited
Unreliable
So greedy
With no self command
You are biased
Unpredictable
Narrow-minded
That is what you areThere’s so many strong wills in this world
So many voices yearning to be heardLet your brain grow
Let some light in
Let your heart go
And you might win
Say what is winning
When someone has to lose
I must say that Melodifestivalen has been a bit lack lustre so far. An impressive line up of artists but the songs haven’t quite been up to scratch. The quality has picked up for the third semi-final but none of my favourites made it through to the final, although one did get through to the second chance final so there is hope yet.
“Headlines” by Alcazar is my favourite out of the first three semi-finals. Not as punchy as their entry last year but very catchy nonetheless and I love the effect of the cars driving seemingly under the stage.
“Doctor, Doctor” by Elin Lanto is a great dance pop song which has nothing to do with the Thompson Twins classic with the same name. She looked great on the night and the effect with her hair towards the end was visually stunning. I can’t believe it came so low.
A change of pace with Eric Linder and “Hur kan jag tro på kärlek?”, one of the few Swedish language songs in the contest. A more traditional Swedish pop ballad but beautifully sung. It only just missed out on the second chance final. It was great to see Kenneth Gärdestad get recognition. He wrote the lyrics for the song and of course is best known for all those classic songs that he wrote with his brother Ted back in the 70s.
None of the other songs rang my bells so to speak. Darin made it through to the final and I do acknowledge that the song does sound like it could be an international hit single and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up representing Sweden at Eurovision in Oslo. He also has the talent to break it internationally. The song just didn’t grab me on the night.
Only one more semi-final to go. Another impressive line up which includes Peter Jöback, Neo and Pernilla Wahlgren (responsible for one of my all time favourite Melodifestivalen songs “Piccadilly Circus” in 1985). There was a bit of a drama earlier in the week which could have seen Peter’s and another contestant’s songs being disqualified but thankfully that has been sorted out. I have heard the one minute clips from each of the songs but will wait until I have seen all the complete performances before I pass any judgement.
I’m having an Aussie nostalgia music trip tonight and I just had to share this one.
Jane Clifton was probably best known as tough nut Margo Gaffney in the TV show “Prisoner”. What many don’t know is that she is a very good singer and she had a top ten hit back in the 80s with her body image anthem “The Girl On The Wall”.
And isn’t that Doreen (Colette Mann) popping up in the clip?
Here’s an oldie. “Sex Symbol” from 1985 is one of those songs that I still sing to myself today. I don’t know why but I’m sure a psychologist could have fun with that.
I’m not sure how well it went on the charts at the time although it was popular in the gay community. It was orange vinyl which was fab. Another piece of trivia was that it was produced by Michael Hutchence from INXS.
Anyway, I found the clip on YouTube today which gave me a big nostalgic thrill.
We’re halfway through the Melodifestivalen semi-finals and there hasn’t been much to grab me so far. My personal test when it comes to songs is, would I buy it as a single if I just heard it somewhere? And I can honestly say there is only one so far that fits that criterion. The incredibly infectious “Manboy” by Eric Saade. Sure it’s lightweight pop but there’s nothing wrong with that. Music is meant to be fun after all. Eric’s performance was very good, especially with the shower at the end. I’m sure that the OH&S guys were hovering around very nervously. It was no surprise that Eric has gone straight through to the final. Since the final hasn’t screened yet, SVT have asked that YouTube do not host the clip so here is a still picture instead.
Singing in the shower!
Don’t get me wrong. Some of the other songs are good but just don’t grab me. I’ll be happy to have them on the Melodifestivalen double CD. The songs that have got through to the final so far have all been good, strong songs however, even if they don’t totally rock my boat. It’s surprising that only male solo singers have got through so far. Some of the female singers have been good enough to get a spot in the final like Hanna Lindblad and Anna Maria Espinosa
I thought that Jenny Silver’s song “A Place To Stay” sounded promising but it never quite got anywhere. Another disappointment was Anders Ekborg who sounded incredibly pompous and was ultimately quite boring. A shame since I think he’s normally very good.
We have been spoilt with the hosts in the past couple of years. Petra Mead was great last year and the team of Kristian Luuk and Björn Gustafsson the previous year was unbeatable. In comparison, Christine Meltzer and Måns Zelmerlöw have been merely competent and don’t have that extra spark. Dolph Lundren has been a surprise though. I’ve only known him to be a stoic action hero but it turns out he has a good sense of fun as well a decent musical talent and dance moves. His rendition of “A Little Less Conversation” wasn’t too shabby at all.
The main highlight was the performance of “Holding Out For A Hero” by three schlager divas, Nanne Grönvall, Charlotte Perrelli and Sonja Aldén. This should be released as a single in its own right.
Two more semi-finals to go and there is an impressive line up of artists who are favourites of mine. Tomorrow has Erik Linder, Alcazar, Elin Lanto and Darin. The following week has Peter Jöback (go Peter), Pernilla Wahlgren and Neo. I’ll be in hog heaven. 
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