Eurovision potential important in Melodifestivalen

At the moment, the confidence of SVT’s Eurovision team is particularly good, but in the end, of course, the success factor depends on who wins the Melodifestivalen this year.

Sweden has won the Eurovision Song Contest six times. Only Ireland has taken home the first prize more times: seven, including twice with the same artist – Johnny Logan.

— To win the whole competition, you have to have an individuality. We have several Swedish contributions that stand out. Loreen of course, but also Jon Henrik Fjällgren, Maria Sur and Marcus & Martinus. What speaks against Loreen winning the whole Eurovision is that she has already won once. On the other hand, it didn’t stop Johnny Logan, says Carolina Norén.

She knows what she’s talking about, as host for Svensktoppen and recurring commentator for Eurovision on Sveriges Radio, she has worked with the song competitions since 1998.

Loreen won the Eurovision Song Contest with “Euphoria” in 2012. Stock photo. Wow feelings

Anna Charlotta Gunnarsson, journalist and presenter for Melodikrysset, has herself sat on the international ESC jury. She is moderately impressed by this year’s songs in Melodifestivalen.

— It has been incredibly difficult to find contributions that can stand on their own and that give me wow feelings this year. For the first time in years, it has felt rejected and watered down. It is noticeable that it is often the same group that writes the songs and that the contributions are based on certain concepts.

Gunnarsson calls for new thinking when it comes to music.

— In Eurovision, the quality gets higher and higher, with us it’s the opposite. New ideas need to enter Melodifestivalen, the variety of numbers and songs must increase, she says.

After “Tattoo” was performed by Loreen during the final contest week, Sweden rushed to the top at Eurovisionworld, where the odds are compiled for the Eurovision Song Contest. Previously, Ukraine was at the top, but after experts and journalists who heard Loreen sing reported on how it sounded, the betting companies got a new favorite.

But the question is whether Europe has tired of our well-produced pop? Hanna Fahl, journalist at Dagens Nyheter and author of the book “Melodifestivalen: Från frack till folkfest”, is on that track.

— Five to ten years ago, Sweden had its heyday in Eurovision. Then our professional, well-produced contributions with a handsome, young guy worked well. Now it’s a little more clever. In recent years, there have been submissions and artists that have stood out and won. They have had a different expression, the local one, and performing the song in their own language has been a trend. Sweden has been lousy at such grants, she says.

The chances are bright

Several of the experts TT talks to believe that Sweden still has a great chance of winning – if we send Loreen.

— Her song is already a hit with many streams on Spotify, not only in Sweden. Loreen has a very clear and unique expression. Apart from her, Marcus & Martinus could possibly reach the top ten, their song would certainly do just fine in Eurovision. But they can’t win, says Hanna Fahl.

Carolina Norén explains that it is not only the song that must capture the viewers’ interest, but also who the artist is.

— The important thing is the whole. But without a good song you don’t stand a chance. Another advantage is that there is something interesting for the commentators to tell about the artist. There, Maria Sur has something that stands out.

Anna-Charlotta Gunnarsson says that it is noticeable that the record companies are betting on Loreen and Marcus & Martinus, simply because they have the best chance in Eurovision, but that the Swedish people should not take the profit in advance.

— Loreen would have a great chance of winning in Eurovision, unless Ukraine takes it home again because there are other things that are important in Europe right now.