The last semifinal of Melodifestivalen 2017 takes place this Saturday in Skellefteå — hometown of Melfest host David Lindgren. Compared to last week we have more returning acts — four in total — including Eurovision winner Loreen

Melodifestivalen 2017: Semi-final 4, Skellefteå

Jon Henrik Fjällgren opens the show with “En värld full av strider (Vearelde gusnie jeenh vigkieh)” (A world full of battles). The Columbian-Swedish-Sami jojkare finished second at Melodifestivalen 2015 with “Jag är fri (Manne leam frijje)“. This time, he is joined by Swedish singer Aninia. 

Another returnee is Wiktoria, who made her big breakthrough in last year’s contest, where she finished fourth overall with “Save Me”, taking second in the public vote.

Her song “As I Lay Me Down” is written by Jonas Wallin and Lauren Dyson — who were also on the team behind “Save Me” — together with American Justin Forrest.

Sara Varga, who sang “Spring för livet” at the Melodifestivalen 2011 final, returns in a duet with Juha Mulari. “Du får inte ändra på mig” is written by Sara herself together with Lars Hägglund, who served as a backing vocalist at Melfest from 2008 to 2012.

But the biggest name in the semifinal is, of course, Eurovision 2012 winner Loreen. She is taking part for the third time, after first appearing at Melfest in 2011. She won Melodifestivalen in 2012 with “Euphoria” before going on to win Eurovision in Baku.

Her song “Statements” is written by Loreen together with the songwriting team The Family — Anton Hård af Segerstad, Joy Deb and Linnea Deb. Is this a dream team or what, y’all?

But don’t rule out the debutants. Les Gordons were chosen for Melodifestivalen through Svensktoppen Nästa. Their song is written by the band together with Jimmy Jansson. Jimmy has competed twice himself in 2005 and 2007. He has also been writing songs for other Melodifestivalen artists such as Dolly Style and Panetoz.

Alice Svensson competed at Swedish Idol in 2008. She finished second, ahead of Robin Bengtsson and behind Kevin Borg. Her song “Running With Lions” is written by Anderz Wrethov, Andreas “Stone” Johansson, Denniz Jamm and Alice herself. Wrethov was also behind Jasmine Kara’s “Gravity” from the third heat. Let’s hope Alice has more luck with the vote!

Axel Schylström is another Idol alumni, placing 4th in 2015. In 2013, Axel received 16,000 volts through his body and 70 percent of his skin received third degree burns. He recovered from that accident and competes with the song “När ingen ser” (When no one is looking).

But which act are you most excited about? You can vote for as many of your favourites — just remember that you can only vote once. Be sure to select all of your choices before pressing submit. We will go through the results on Thursday, February 23 when we get the first snippets of the songs.

POLL: Which deltävling 4 act are you most excited for?

[polldaddy poll=9669211]

READ MORE SWEDEN EUROVISION NEWS

Photo: Janne Danielsson/SVT, collage by wiwibloggs

68 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
escphilippines
7 years ago

law of dismissive returns, loreen can’t even sing her winning eurovision properly. (see eurovision 50th anniversary). so fanboys don’t get your hopes up it might do a charlot pierellie. and disappoint you so hard it hurts.

as for the other jon Henrik is the only decent one IMO. coming 2nd last 2015. i hope he does well.

Rich
Rich
7 years ago

Excited by the prospect of Jon Henrik….what a nice and humble and interesting kind of guy he is. It might be his year after all.

I wouldn’t be disappointed if he was selected to go to Kiev.

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

Last chance of Loreen’s career? You are always such a negative Nelly. Please don’t be ridiculous. There’s an 87 year old in the final – so she has at least fifty more years to keep plugging away.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
7 years ago

We know what Loreen is capable of. But I want to see Jon Henrik steal the show and shut it down before they even get to the other 6. >:-)

Milla
Milla
7 years ago

Btw.. Robin Bengtsson is changing the f-word in the final to “freakin'” instead. Better.

Milla
Milla
7 years ago

@an esc fan Well it will be a great way to kick off the release of Loreen’s new album that is coming soon. But she can be without the winning part.. People who don’t win Melodifestivalen still get their hits. In Sweden any way. Loreen lost a ticket to the final in 2011 with “My heart is refusing me”, but it still became a hit. As I understand it in an interview with Loreen, she’s not aiming for a win or Europe and she can’t think about her competitiors. She can’t think that way because it will disturb her creativity… Read more »

Colin
Colin
7 years ago

@an esc fan – Everyone cares about winning, at least to a certain degree. That’s why they are competing. However, there is a big difference between those who have a primary mission to have a good song and an artistic value even if they don’t win, and those who would sacrifice everything in order to win. I believe Loreen, Jon Henrik and Wiktoria are in the first category.

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

Sorry for my second comment in a row, but I’ve just saw the interview with Jon Henrik Fjällgren and it was so sad. 6 friends died because of health problems and suicide, and they kill reindeers for living. Please vote for him. Jon hold on, ESC will get you out of there. Don’t think my comment is a joke.

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

Please don’t say that Loreen does not care about winning, that she only wants to send a message…BS…this is literally the last chance of her career (remember last year joke : ”and other well known Loreen songs”). Sadly she will have her way, and no matter the quality of the song, for her fans she will be great and they will adore her new punk song like ”the emperor’s new clothes”.

Thiago
Thiago
7 years ago

Close your eyes and imagine this: loreen disappoints and goes to second chance. There she fails to go to the final. Just imagine.

Donna Vey
Donna Vey
7 years ago

Obviously so much excitement for Queen Loreen!!! 🙂 😀

So exciting. I will be watching live with you, Sweden!

But it’s frustrating because Loreen and Mariette can’t both go to Kyiv. And right now I badly want to listen to A Million Years again and again and again 🙂

I showed the Mariette 30 second clip to some friends who don’t follow ESC before the ESC Final and they all said “oh yeah, she will win”.

Mariette really slays it. And she has the fire on stage.

Eduardo
Eduardo
7 years ago

Alice’s I wanna live was one of my favorites songs, so I cannot wait to hear the new song. But Loreen is out of this world. She will win this semifinal.

blondboybc
blondboybc
7 years ago

Jon-Henrik was my personal fav in 2015, so I’m hoping he’ll do well again with another great song! If rumours are true, Loreen has some kind of punk song, which won’t be another “Euphoria”. Even if she gets the ticket to Kyiv, I’m not convinced she’ll match her 2012 performance. Bookies and fans may be expecting too much. We’ll know once we see the snippets on Wednesday.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

Thanks Jonas; that makes more sense from a geeky perspective. 🙂

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
7 years ago

Jon Henrik deserves a good showing. Was so unlucky to run into Mans’ LED screens last time. I am excited about his song!

lily
lily
7 years ago

Well the only person I know of that share record company – and/or management – with some of this years biggest favourites is Måns Zelmerlöw. He probably heard the songs both once and twice. And even though he once “discovered” Loreen he’s going with Nano. Then so must I.

Ian
Ian
7 years ago

Unless Loreen comes with something completely out of left field, she’s pretty much guaranteed to go straight to the final.

Then again, crazier things have happened.

Cool
7 years ago

Loreen gonna Winn in mello and ESC. Sweden 2018

Zack
Zack
7 years ago

I so happy Loreen is returning, I loved all her songs since 2012 and hope she can impress Sweden to represent them in ESC. Mariette and Loreen for the crown.

Héctor
Héctor
7 years ago

While the songs have to be revealed, I feel this is the strongest semi…

Milla
Milla
7 years ago

No one will ever beat Loreen’s charisma on stage in Melodifestivalen this year. That is already clear. She’s a true artist and her ability to deliver songs, any song, is amazing. She’s also a perfectionist. Her different descriptions of the song is “rebellious, love, inner strength..” and that it’s more raw this time because she is not Euphoria-Loreen any more. But she haven’t lost her spiritual ways. So I guess we will definetely see a tougher Loreen on stage and a song that will be rock/punk/pop. Anyway, she doesn’t care about winning. She just want to deliver a messege and… Read more »

Miss Uncongeniality
Miss Uncongeniality
7 years ago

The citizens from Colombia are cOlombians not Columbians… Columbian is an old fashioned way to call the Americans (from USA)… So Jon Henrik is colombian not columbian

Maria
Maria
7 years ago

I’m not excited about Loreen, but I’m so curious since we expect a lot from a Eurovision winning entrant. Anyway, I’m sooo excited for Jon Henrik in particular. A duet seems so interesting for our Saami hero. Also, Wiktoria will probably once again slay.

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

Purple Mask, not to speak for Robyn, but I think she was referring to more exclusive double whammy of being a returning champion of both Melodifestival and the Eurovision itself – so that only applied to Carola once, in 2006 both at Melodifestivalen and in Athens. Then it happened again two years later with La Perrelli – and now maybe for the third time this year, who knows?

Colin
Colin
7 years ago

@Purple Mask – ”Yes, but don’t forget that Lena from Germany also came back to defend her title in 2011. ”

I wouldn’t say Lena had the same amount of pressure as Loreen is now. She did it in a row, was internally selected and being the host entry is less stressful. Nobody expects a host country to win again, so they can often risk with less safe choices and play a bit.

AngieP
AngieP
7 years ago

We all have high expectations fromLoreen! Most of us learned about her after her win in 2012 with “Euphoria”. I have no doubt she’s an amazing singer, a great performer and so talented. But, to be honest, usually the second time isn’t as good as the first. “Euphoria” is a masterpiece! There won’t be another song like this. However, this is the talent for a performer, to be able to deliever the message and his music with a different sound. So I hope Loreen doesn’t let down, as almost nothing stands out! It’s the act I’m most excited about! For… Read more »

nn
nn
7 years ago

Is Lorren is huge popular in Sweden as singer. At wikipedia we see that after song from Eurovision , she didn t have song in TOP 10 on swedish charts , only one song was on 15 place, other from 19 to 67 place on charts.

PP
PP
7 years ago

Maybe Loreen wili have same faith like other singer who represent Sweden in past.
Charlotte flop 2 time in semi in last 2 apperance 2012,2017
Roger flop in last time in semi 2017
Carola flop last time in second chance 2008
Marie Berrman flop last time in semi 2012
Nanne Gromvall flop last time in second chance 2007
Afrodite flop last time in semi 2012
Fame flop last time in semi 2004
…..

PP
PP
7 years ago

Purple Mask

You forgot that Carola was 2 nd in MF 1990 and in last apperacne at MF 2008 in duo and they flop in second chance

PP
PP
7 years ago

Robyn Gallagher I think opposite that international juries wili push up so hard in votes Lorren, like juries did at Eurovision 2012 where she got 296 points from juries, second was Zeljko from Serbia with 173, 3 rd and 4 th place with 157 points was Rona froma Albania, Nina from Italy and Pastora from Spain was 5 th place wiht 153 almost half points who colllect queen Lorren from juries. Russia got only 84 points from juries and that countris was only contender to defaat Sweden. In televoting Swede got 343 and Russia got 332 points only 11 points… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

Robyn Gallagher wrote: “Sweden has a history of sending Melfest/Eurovision champs back for another go (Carola, Perrelli) – always with worse results the second time around.”

Geeky fact-checker time… 🙂
Carola first represented Sweden at ESC in 1983 and finished 3rd. She then came back for Sweden in 1991 and finished 1st (on countback). So she actually got a better placing on her second try-out.
She then returned again in 2006 and finished 5th.

Ugnius
Ugnius
7 years ago

@Robyn, yeah but don’t you think they get worse result the second time, simply because all results are worse after you have finished 1st ? :))

Clara Stenström
Clara Stenström
7 years ago

I feel like the winner will be a returnee. Why?

2011: Eric Saade – returnee
2012: Loreen – returnee
2013: Robin Stjernberg – debutant
2014: Sanna Nielsen – returnee
2015: Mans Zelmerlow – returnee
2016: Frans – debutant

Might just be a weird coincidence though.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

@an esc fan: ”I don’t know when was the last time a performer had such pressure, like Loreen has now.” – Johnny Logan.

Yes, but don’t forget that Lena from Germany also came back to defend her title in 2011. 🙂

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

Duff – yes, she was, with “My Heart Is Refusing Me”.

Also something of a tradition for Swedish Eurovision winners, to take part in the year preceding their victory – Abba 1973, Carola 1990…well…three out of seven, anyway. 🙂

Duff
Duff
7 years ago

And I stand corrected. I thought MHIRM was 2010

Duff
Duff
7 years ago

I hope Statements isn’t a let down

Kris
Kris
7 years ago

Lol @purple mask
True that @Colin
Jasmine though has got the fewest views amongst any of the uploaded videos.So probably her gravity wasn’t strong enough to attract votes or views. #physicspun

Duff
Duff
7 years ago

Loreen wasn’t in Melfest 2011 😛

Valeryn
Valeryn
7 years ago

Jag Ar Fri is my favorite Melodifestivalen entry EVER, and one of my favorite national selection entries overall as well. I am hoping for Jon Henrik to come back with something just as good, as he always does.

ESC Lover
ESC Lover
7 years ago

Hope for Wiktoria to the final, even if I don’t know her song 😀

Denis
Denis
7 years ago

Lol all Sweden bashers:) Imagine if you put all that focus on making your own selection better instead of bashing others? How about convincing your broadcasters to take ESC seriously and send real songs and artists instead of local karaoke acts and ballad divas? Perhaps then you will find yourself in top 5. You won’t get there by bashing other countries. Also you all seem to still underestimate Sweden? Haven’t you learned by know never to underestimate? You underestimated Måns and Frans. Look what happened.. No one expects Loreen to sound the same as her “Euphoria” days. People are well… Read more »

Lanti
7 years ago

Given the hype Loreen’s probably going direct.
I really hope Jon Henrik goes direct as well though

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

I guess Carola faced similar pressure in 2006, having won Melodifestivalen twice already, and the Eurovision itself once. Also being a beloved icon. Especially after a fifteen year break – and she lived up to expectations nicely. Loreen will do the same, I predict – even if she doesn’t win, I have no doubt the song will be of top quality and she will deliver a stunning performance. It wouldn’t surprise me if she goes a totally different route to “Euphoria” – she’s a little off the wall, this could be a slow-burning experimental style track, so even if it… Read more »

Voxtaylor
Voxtaylor
7 years ago

Not a huge fan of Melodifestivalen, but this final has Loren and Wiktoria. “Save Me” is my favorite song to ever come out of Melodifestivalen, and I adore “Paper Lights Revisited” and “I’m in it With You.” Not a fan of any other their other stuff, though. I don’t even like Euphoria.

Lilo
Lilo
7 years ago

Seems to be the most exciting semi out of four. Already can’t wait for final – Ace, Mariette, Wiktoria and Loreen in one show! I’m not sure my heart can handle it. Bring it on 11th of March!

Abby
Abby
7 years ago

NO QUESTION Loreen definitely Ive been waiting for new music for way to long!!! Im so excited to hear her new song i just hope they wont block it in other countries.
Long live the queen!!

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

@ Colin : ”I don’t know when was the last time a performer had such pressure, like Loreen has now.”

Johnny Logan.
But Loreen is back because she failed in her career.
And Euphoria is not loved by everyone, but it seems that it has its fans that will vote Loreen no matter what, just because they like Euphoria.
I’m afraid that she will anyway.

Miguel Ángel
Miguel Ángel
7 years ago

I’m not excited about Loreen, her song in 2012 was good but I don’t liked at all. In this semi final I’m wating to hear Wiktoria’s song. So far my favorites for the win are Ace Wilder and Mariette.

AzeriBoy96
AzeriBoy96
7 years ago

They have good music so they occupy good places in the final. I really don’t understand people saying “again Sweden, Russia, Ukraine in Top 5.. Eurovision is so predictable. Pff!” Honey, the problem is that the other countries doesn’t even send good entries every year to occupy those places, while they’re busy fighting their way just to the Final, Sweden, Russia, Australia, Ukraine, Armenia etc. are fighting for the victory or Top 5.