Hej hej! The grand final of Melodifestivalen 2017 will take place tomorrow night. It’s where Sweden will decide who will represent them in Kyiv and possibly bring home that sought after seventh Eurovision victory. Over the past few weeks, the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — have been reviewing the 12 songs who’ll be performing in the final at Friends Arena. But who is our favourite?
The Wiwi Jury couldn’t resist Mariette‘s uplifting anthem “A Million Years”, giving it an average score of 8.27/10. We were also impressed by Ace Wilder‘s playful song “Wild Child”, with an average of 8.1/10. Rounding out the top three was Wiktoria, whose country pop tune “As I Lay Me Down” earned an average of 7.6/10.
We were less impressed with FO&O, whose classic boy band song “Gotta Thing About You” only managed to get an average of 5.25/10. And we weren’t grooving to Owe Thörnqvist‘s “Boogieman Blues”, giving the music legend an average score of only 5.19/10.
1. Mariette – “A Million Years” (8.27)
Watch the performance on YouTube
Positive: “Striking. Stirring. Powerful. Mariette’s comeback to Melodifestivalen is a strong one to say the least. Mariette has switched up the mood whilst staying true to her own style. The bungee dancers are an original and well-thought staging choice and the chorus has such a clever hook. I could just about listen to this for a million years. LOVE. IT.” (Josh, 9.5/10)
Negative: “It’s a strong uplifting melody and, whilst the production in the chorus could be a bit more thrilling, she makes up for it in the catchy synth post-chorus. In a competition full of modern electro-pop songs, this fails to stand out to me. However, if this were coming from any country other than Sweden I’d be wetting myself about it.” (Edd, 7/10)
2. Ace Wilder – “Wild Child” (8.1)
Watch the performance on YouTube
Positive: “Oh, Ace, I should never have doubted you. Ace kills it yet again. She seems so much more at ease on stage and has a great performance to go with it. Maybe I’m too much of a fan, but part of me thinks that this has to be Ace’s best chance yet to go Eurovision.” (Chris, 9/10)
Negative: “I just don’t feel it, the chorus is nothing I easily remember and I’m still waiting for “Busy Doing Nothing” version 2. “Wild Child” deserved to qualify to the final, but only because the other competing songs weren’t good enough. Ace has ended up second and third but I don’t think she will do better than that this year.” (Tobias, 7/10)
3. Wiktoria – “As I Lay Me Down” (7.6)
Positive: “Wiktoria ticks so many boxes: girl-next-door charm, innovative staging, pitch-perfect vocals that balance power and control. The production gives the song a purity that allows Wiktoria’s vocals to soar: her harmonies in the chorus are stunning and smack of classic country from Dolly Parton. A potential — and very deserving — winner.” (William, 9/10)
Negative: “I love the country-style close vocal harmonies of the song. And it’s so good to see Wiktoria free to move around this time, not rooted to the spot for the “Save Me” projections. I can see the song’s appeal to dansband-loving Swedes (and Wiktoria is adorable) but it’s not one of my Melfest 2017 favourites.” (Robyn, 6/10)
4. Robin Bengtsson – “I Can’t Go On” (7.58)
Watch the performance on YouTube
Positive: “Robin is proving us once again that he has more than just amazing eyes – he can sing and he can move. The song is well produced and so well directed for TV. And while the choreography is complicated, Robin makes it look effortless. I really enjoyed this performance, including the behind-the-scenes tour.” (Ron, 9/10)
Negative: “The entire thing comes off as sleazy from start to finish and I absolutely cannot stand it. I did not come to Melodifestivalen to see framed crotch shots by Sleazy McSleazeface and his creepy army. Genuinely, this song makes me uncomfortable and that’s perhaps a worse sin than anything else in any other national final.” (Chris, 2/10)
5. Nano – “Hold On” (7.4)
Watch the performance on YouTube
Positive: “Wow! This song is not a what you typically would describe as a “Melodifestivalen song” and I think that’s why I like it so much. You don’t have to be a Melfest or Eurovision fan to enjoy it and that’s why this song has a potential to do well. “Hold On” could be the biggest surprise of this year and, yes, I see winner potential.”(Tobias, 9/10)
Negative: “Nano lacks the passion and the ability to hit some of the higher notes and the chorus falls flat on its face. He’s swallowed up on stage and rather than conveying his interesting personal story, he’s paralysed by it. “Hold On” has been compared to a number of songs and as a whole, it feels very unoriginal. This is very overrated.” (Antranig, 1/10)
6. Jon Henrik Fjällgren feat. Aninia – “En värld full av strider (Vearelde gusnie jeenh vigkieh)” (7.35)
Positive: “Breathtaking! Combining his traditional Sami style with Aninia’s powerful vocal is such a phenomenal move. The song builds into such a strong finale that it moves me emotionally. Sweden should be proud of the ethnic roots of this entry and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate diversity in Kyiv than with Jon Henrik and Aninia. Absolutely amazing.” (Josh, 9.5/10)
Negative: “This song leaves me cold. While you watch, you just get the feel that the duo has their harmonies polished and that there’s some epic ethnic music… but that’s pretty much everything. Folk should engage the viewers as it’s a kind of music they don’t consume daily. This, however, is just distant.” (Luis, 3.5/10)
7. Boris René – “Her Kiss” (6.44)
Positive: “This is so energetic, it gets you into the mood immediately. It’s funky, catchy, with some really cool hooks. The refrain does remind me of some styles from the earlier 2000s, but at least it’s is this century. The production of the song blends these past styles with contemporary sounds, which gives it life.” (Mikhail, 8.5/10)
Negative: “Easily the most talented former footballer ever to sing at Melodifestivalen, Boris has more charisma than all the other singers combined. But ultimately this is a song contest and his number speaks more to 1978 than 2017. This belongs at a disco night or a costume party, not at Eurovision.” (William, 5.5/10)
8. Lisa Ajax – “I Don’t Give A” (6.31)
Positive: “Lisa is all about attitude and determination with “I Don’t Give A”, but behind this it still feels kinda sweet. Her voice is mesmerising, angelic and pure and she has mixed it with a current pop sound. Her song is catchy and sassy, and she can definitely perform. Love the idea that there’s a bad girl burning inside her. Ready to smash it.” (Jordi, 8/10)
Negative: “The chorus is so repetitive that the whole song ends up being the chorus. I like the effort about the staging and it looks like they have tried to make it look more international but the whole package is just a no for me. I can see this being played in a teenager’s room who’s going through a teenage crisis, but please let it stay there.” (Tobias: 4/10)
9. Anton Hagman – “Kiss You Goodbye” (6.15)
Click here to watch at YouTube
Positive: “There’s something charming and inoffensive about this. Where Lisa Ajax’s giant selfie background came across as vain, Anton’s is much sweeter and there’s less focus on it. It’s a nice little package and overall, I’d like to see it at the Melfest final.” (Chris, 6.5/10)
Negative: “Let’s be real: if he wasn’t easy on the eyes he’d have been forgotten in the semi-final. His progress here is not based on the song — which, while pleasant, is ultimately forgettable. Instead it’s down to his puppy dog eyes and a fierce LED floor. But I do like LED floors!” (William, 4.5/10)
10. Benjamin Ingrosso – “Good Lovin’” (5.96)
Watch the performance on YouTube
Positive: “What a truly pop-funk, upbeat, delicious song. “Good Lovin’” is exciting, it makes me jive and his vocals ooze sweetness and a pleasant flavour. It’s a clear example of something fresh and current with a classy feeling. His performing skills are outstanding. Charismatic, tender-hearted and killing those moves.” (Jordi, 9.5/10)
Negative: “Between the unoriginal musical accompaniment and Benjamin’s less than stellar live vocals, I find little to like about “Good Lovin’”. The lyrics are slightly predatory and I feel as though the majority would be calling this really cheap if it was in any other national final.” (Antranig, 1/10)
11. FO&O – “Gotta Thing About You” (5.25)
Click here to watch at YouTube
Positive: “Somehow this shouldn’t work. “Gotta Thing About You” sounds like a One Direction reject from 2012 and it doesn’t even represent The Fooo Conspiracy’s recent sound. The staging is like classic boyband styles from the ’90s and so it should all be a disaster. But yet… it’s my Foo(o) boys! They know how to work it and they bring the performance to life.” (Robyn, 7.5/10)
Negative: “Leaning more N’SYNC than One Direction, FO&O have fallen into a time warp and woken up with unfortunate clothes and a sound that comes from another era. The chorus has a nice anthemic quality, but this just feels so schmaltzy, partly because of the lame choreography. Easily the worst song that’s still in the contest.” (William, 3/10)
12. Owe Thörnqvist – “Boogieman Blues” (5.19)
Watch the performance on YouTube
Positive: “Boogieman Blues” is quite simply a smile-inducing three minutes. Owe delivers the confidence and swagger that comes with his over 60 years of experience in this genre, and his quirky demeanour is charming. It’s nice to see that, at least in Sweden, doo-wop isn’t dead. (Forrest, 6/10)
Negative: “This might be original when you compare it with the other songs at Melodifestivalen, but it’s basically the same song Owe has done many times before — in the ’50s. It doesn’t stand a chance when it comes to representing Sweden at Eurovision, so I don’t know what it is doing in the final either.” (Sami, 1/10)
Melodifestivalen 2017 grand final – Wiwi Jury reviews and rankings
- Mariette – “A Million Years” (8.27)
- Ace Wilder – “Wild Child” (8.1)
- Wiktoria – “As I Lay Me Down” (7.6)
- Robin Bengtsson – “I Can’t Go On” (7.58)
- Nano – “Hold On” (7.4)
- Jon Henrik Fjällgren feat. Aninia – “En värld full av strider (Vearelde gusnie jeenh vigkieh)” (7.35)
- Boris René – “Her Kiss” (6.44)
- Lisa Ajax – “I Don’t Give A” (6.31)
- Anton Hagman – “Kiss You Goodbye” (6.15)
- Benjamin Ingrosso – “Good Lovin’” (5.96)
- FO&O – “Gotta Thing About You” (5.25)
- Owe Thörnqvist – “Boogieman Blues” (5.19)
The grand final of Melodifestivalen 2017 screens this Saturday at 20:00 CET. We’ll be at Friends Arena in Stockholm with full coverage.
What do you think? Did the Wiwi Jury get it right? Who should win the Melfest grand final? Share your thoughts below!
And among all, William has the worst taste
Based on their comments, some of the wiwi juries are rather tasteless, or have the tastes of teenage girls, grandmas or rednecks. I’ll leave it at that
I love Jon Henrik Fjällgren!!! I hope he surprises everyone and takes out the crown.
Thank you wiwi jury
Love mariette she is the best by miles don’t understand the love for nano and Jon Henrik, wiktoria is my 2nd but it’s a distant second
Are you sure hat Mariette ropes can be used in Kiev?
Last year Sergey said in an interview that he wanted acrobats, but he was told that nothing can be attached to the ceiling.
There’s absolutely any doubt Mariette is the best option to Sweden…
Trust me, she will not. Jon Henrik will
I don’t understand those of you who say “XYZ” song is trash/garbage etc. I think all the songs (even the ones I don’t personally care for that much) have their merit – otherwise they most certainly would not have made it to the finals. As such I wish all the contestants good luck in the finals!
But also with that said, go Ace Wilder! I’m team Ace (but I’d probably be totally fine with most of the songs repping Sweden at Eurovision tbh).
Am i the only one, who loves Benjamin’s song? I think it’s the most cathcy and memorable. He is charismatic and has a unique voice. I like his stage show too.
It may be your fav to win, but I can assure you it won’t. To me it’s between JH and Wiktoria, with Nano or Robin bringing up the rear. 🙂
Robins somg its awful. I hope he didnt winn
What’s the big deal over Mariette anyway? It’s just another empty, manufactured pop song in my opinion with the addition of a gimmick of dancers on bungee cords. I also don’t understand the hype over Robin, Ace or Nano, and to be honest Wiktoria is starting to fade for me. I’d rather have Jon and Aninia win to show that Sweden can send something totally different and special
Sweden should send Wiktoria. Her song is most streamed on Spotify out of all entries by far. It would be stupid to not send her.
And I can’t at Wiwibloggs giving Wild Child an average above 8. It’s trash.
I predict Wiktoria will win it. But it will be a tight race!
JHF & A for the win!!!!!
Your top 2 are the ones that are flopping the most on the charts, I think they’ll be bottom half in the televote (and deservedly so). Wiktoria and Jon Henrik for the win.
“A Million Years” probably has the best overall package (singer, song, staging). I’d love it if it won – or “I Can’t Go On” or “As I Lay Me Down”.
I would suggest that it’s going to be a battle between Jon Henrik + Aninia and Nano…
I have a feeling none of wiwi’s top 3 will do well #curseofwiwi
*but i do not take this work into my soul…
Of course it has nothing to do with what we like or dislike. I really like Loreen in this work, more than Euphoria, but you do not take this work into my soul. The mastery of a work in which we can perceive a masterpiece has to do with an outstanding creativity, skill, profundity and perception of timelessness. For me, sorry, but no.
Yeah Mariette isn’t gonna win, she kind of lost a lot of hype after her semi, nobody in Sweden is really talking about her and she isn’t that high on the spotify charts either. It’s probably between Wiktoria, Jon Henrik & Aninia, and Robin. Crossing my thumbs for JHF + A, I want us to send something other than the generic pop we always send.
For example, I don’t like Australia 2016, but I know is a high quality. As a composer I know what I say. Maybe I don’t like many songs, but I know where the quality is. You gotta learn.
Natalia, are you wiriting music everyday like me? I don’t know if people like this song. The production of this song is awesome. Do you know what does “production quality” mean? If you don’t like the song… OK. But it does not mean it’s not a MASTERPIECE.
Meanwhile, at Wiwi-poll, the biggest three-way tie ever, with Jon Henrik, Wiktoria and Matiette leading with less than ten votes from each other. Right three, if you ask me.
Antonio. Sorry to say but there is NO MASTERPIECE HERE, not even Statements. Within 1 year no one will ever want to hear any of these songs, not even “En värld full av strider (Vearelde gusnie jeenh vigkieh)” (the singer’s voice is a disgrace) which is still the best of these. And i do not say “sorry Sweden” because it is normal … A masterpiece appears once in 10 years, or 1 in 15 years!
Mariette is the least worst in the competition. Too much of dreadful and unoriginal songs. Hopefully, legend Owe will be more higher than Shawn Mendes wannabe and that boyband who most likely slept in the last 15/20 years.
Still, the only song that can fight for a TOP5 (but not to win) is JON HENRIK FJÄLLGREN FEAT. ANINIA. And do not dare to send this song in English to Kiev.
Hunter Best production EVER (Eurovision) 🙂
Hunter I repit, the best production EVER (Eurovision)
Natalia Kazankina I agree. There are many people that use this word with any song. But not me. In fact, It’s the first time I use this word. I’m composer.
@ Natalia
Sorry to tell you that, but, STATEMENTS WAS A MASTERPIECE.
@logicx PREACH
The only thing I’m concerned about is that usually Wiwibloggs favourites don’t win in the end. (this year!)
This song is absolutely amazing!
I don’t really like Victoria and Ace (I mean the songs).
Mariette FTW!
Please, let’s stop using the word MASTERPIECE for any song … Of all until now, of all the countries that have already presented their songs, only ONE has soul and genius to be a timeless and cult song that will outlive all of us. Masterpiece is just that … Something very rare to happen …
Please, we are fed up with this kind of songs, they seem all outputs of industrial production in series … Predictable, soulless, nothing special. And the worst is that Sweden exports this and is contaminating the whole Eurovision with plastic pop trash.
Honestly. Sweden , if you want a chance next to Belgium or Italy, you gotta pick Ace Wilder. That is one energetic performance. I absolutely love it. My number 2 is Robin Bengtsson. What a sexy performance. It ticks all my boxes. Viktoria is number 3 but I don’t actually feel what’s so special about this, especially not as she hurries back to bed. My number 4 is Nano & closing my top 5 is Boris René. I still want to come back to Loreen. I believe Sweden has made a bad choice. When I saw that performance, it was… Read more »
Luis again has the childish comment about Jon Henrik….. by the way Jon Henrik and Aninia should be second, in front of Ace and overrated WIktoria.
I agree… “Statements” was a MASTERPIECE. The best production EVER (Eurovision). I’m talking about wiwibloggs.
“An average score of 8.27” Oh come on; thats really high for ratings comkng from the wiwi jury
@ Antonio
If it was only about voting for the divas then how can you explain Anton’s won over a MASTERPIECE? Think again
Just Divas… You vote for Divas. You can’t compare “Wild Child” to “Hold On”. There’s a big difference when we talk about the quality of the production.
I would like to see one of these winning.
1. Lisa
2. Jon & Aninia
3. Ace
4. Mariette
5. Wiktoria
Mariette this is awesome. I could love you for a million years. Aand i cant stand Wiktoria listening live. She doesnt know the techniques of singing at all , when you listen her you can hear nothing but her breathe all the time. Even though her performance is not so efforty she is out of breath during the performance. Compare her with Loreen: how a hard and efforty her performance was but her vocals were heavenly.
GO WIKTORIA!!!!!!!
Nano or Wiktoria <3, Both won't be first in their semi final tho, I cannot see it happening
Ace is the best.
12. Ace
10. JFF & A
08. Nano
07. Viktoria
06. Mariette
05. Robin
04. Lisa
The rest is weak.
Rooting for JFH och Aninia and Mariette the most. Wiktoria I love as well. Kinda rooting for Owe to at least not finish in last place because that’d be quite upsetting. I like Lisa, Ace and Robin too. Not fussed about anyone else.
Go for gold Wiktoria!!!!!
Go for gold Wiktoria!!!!!