Melodifestivalen 2017 : Deltävling 4

I thought by now I would have a clear idea of which song would go on to represent Sweden at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The multi-week event, consisting of four heats, a “second chance final” and then the actual final is called “Melodifestivalen”, and it’s probably the most watched event each year on Swedish television.

While many of the artists are genuinely committed to making it through to Eurovision, I’m sure many others see it as an important marketing event to launch or re-launch their careers, especially if they have a new album coming up. I don’t quite understand why Loreen, having so spectacularly won Eurovision a couple of years ago has returned. She’s showbiz royalty in Sweden already. Perhaps it was the opportunity to perform a song that she, herself, had co-written.

“They work for six months on these songs”, a friend noted earlier today.  I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise Loreen looked a little disappointed to discover she had only made it through to “Andra Chansen”, the second prize event where the public is asked to vote to choose between two artists in a “duel”. Loreen is pitted against an attractive, young male singer, who is bound to be popular with the family audience. So possibly, Loreen won’t make it through to the final, which is sad. Her song is good, and she performed it well.

So there you go. I thought I’d have a favourite, by now. This week’s songs and performers were all very good. But I still don’t have a favourite. Perhaps my mind will crystalize over the next fortnight. Not next week, but the following, we’ll know who’ll represent Sweden at Eurovision this year.