Tag: eurovision
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Melodifestivalen 2021 Deltävling #3
Back in the days of 7-inch vinyl, there was always the B-side. There was the hit song on the A-side, and on the B-side there was, generally speaking, a song favoured by the artist, but never likely to be a hit record.… Read the rest
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Melodifestivalen 2021 Deltävling #1
If I had to choose one song or performance from the first heat of this year’s Swedish path to Eurovision (Melodifestivalen) to go straight through, it would be that of Lena Philipsson.… Read the rest
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Eurovision 2020
Most years there’s two or three songs I really, really like, and “meh” is my usual reaction to most of the remainder. But this year, there were half a dozen songs I really liked, including one I’ve put on permanent repeat.… Read the rest
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Vote One Eurovision
“We know this stuff, but most people don’t”, a colleague reminded me the other day, as we spoke about the appropriateness of what you share online, and in particular on social media.… Read the rest
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Eurovision / Melodifestivalen Moment #6 : Half Time Act from Norway
The half time act in Eurovision can often be quite boring. Riverdance from Ireland set the standard, prompting a global phenomenon. When Norway came to host Eurovision in 2010, they were already behind the curve with “flashmobs”, but they did an awesome job “uniting Europe”.… Read the rest
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Eurovision / Melodifestivalen Moment #5 : Shirley Clamp
There are so many occasions when Shirley Clamp SHOULD have been Sweden’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. Of all the times she’s entered, this is probably my favourite.
Min kärlek (Aha)
Ska brinna (Aha)
Så klar som en stjärna i natten
Min kärlek (Aha)
Ska finna (Aha)
Sin väg i det djupaste vatten
Min kärlek till dig
(Min kärlek, min kärlek)My love (Aha)
Shall burn (aha)
As clear as a star in the night
My love (Aha)
Shall find (aha)
Its way in the deepest water
My love for you
(My love, my love)I’ve seen her perform a few times, including at Stockholm Pride, and in the close-up of her feet, at (the sadly now closed) Paradise nightclub.… Read the rest
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Eurovision / Melodifestivalen Moment #4 : Nanne Grönvall
In 2005, in controversial circumstances, Sweden chose Martin Stenmarck with his song “Las Vegas” (which I liked a lot) over Nanne Grönvall with her song “Håll om mig” (which I liked a lot more).… Read the rest
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Eurovision / Melodifestivalen Moment #3 : Molitva
Continuing my “Eurovision Countdown” and highlighting another wonderful song and performance. And highlighting something which I wish there was more of in modern Eurovision: songs in languages other than English. This song is awesome, and was easily my favourite from 2007.… Read the rest
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Eurovision / Melodifestivalen Moment #2 : Loreen at Gay Gala
Initially I was a little “ho hum” about Loreen’s entry in Melodifestivalen (the contest which leads to Eurovision) in 2011, “My Heart Is Refusing Me”. It kinda sounded like someone had put Swedish lyrics into “Google Translate”.… Read the rest
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Eurovision / Melodifestivalen Moment #1: Loreen at Melodifestivalen
As it’s now exactly one month until the Eurovision Song Contest final, I thought I might start sharing each day some of my favourite moments from Eurovision and Melodifestivalen (the Swedish contest).… Read the rest
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Settling in to Stockholm
One of the things I really love about the public transport system (in the centre of town at least) is, for the most part you never have to run to catch the subway (Tunnelbana).… Read the rest
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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.… Read the rest