Second Runner-Up: Sweden’s Robin Bengtsson

Hej Sverige! The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has arrived in Stockholm. After revisiting the home of Eurovision 2016 at Globen, we got all fika, and downed some hot cinnamon buns and coffee while discussing Sweden’s Eurovision 2017 song “I Can’t Go On” from Robin Bengtsson. Does he have what it takes to give Sweden its seventh victory? Or can he really not go on? Read on to find out!

Robin Bengtsson – “I Can’t Go On”

About Robin Bengtsson

Idol 2008 alum Robin made his Melfest debut in 2016 with the song “Constellation Prize”, which placed fifth overall. His smoky voice made plenty of ladies (and gentlemen) melt, and those eyes really drew audiences in. Building on that he returned to Melodifestivalen this year with “I Can’t Go On” — a number penned by Sweden’s Eurovision 2013 act Robin Stjernberg. And while he wasn’t the favourite of the Swedish public this year — he came third in the televote — he stormed to the top of the jury table. Why did the musical experts love him? “I think it’s a great song and the whole package,” he told us moments after his win, “from walking in on back stage and the treadmills. It brought something new to the competition and perhaps that’s what they liked.”

“I Can’t Go On” reviews

Sami: “I Can’t Go On” has it all. The song is a great pop track and the performance is polished to perfection. While there are some gimmicks — hello hand choreography — the act doesn’t rely on that. It would work with just Robin performing it solo, too. The dancers on the treadmills are just a bonus — and one that really works. It takes flight on and off stage, which also gives it huge potential to become a pan-European radio hit.

Score: 10/10

William: I despise this genre of music — it feels cheesy and schmaltzy and gets irritating very quickly. But Robin does a good job embodying the endless cool the song requires to make it palatable. My personal highlights include him pretending to grab his crotch and his fancy footwork on the treadmill — he’s just schooled Sakis Rouvas and Barei in one fierce pivot. The song is meh, but the staging takes this to another level. He’s selling it very well.

Score: 6.5/10

Deban: “I Can’t Go On” is a polished pop/R&B tune driven by super-slick choreography. Robin Bengtsson sprinkles some naughty-boy grit with his suggestive dance moves. There’s also an R-rated version of this track that appeals to adult-friendly audiences. Overall, there’s nothing to dislike. The 2017 Melodifestivalen winner is aiming for a Eurovision victory — and he could get it.

Score: 8/10

Jason: The consummate professionalism and undoubtable effort that has gone into the Swedish entry deserves recognition. That is undeniable. The song itself is catchy and Robin performs it very well. The grand-final Melfest performance was minimally toned down, but still loaded with cheese and sleaze. This isn’t top-three material — not for me, anyway.

Score: 5.5/10

Rezo: In the Melodifestivalen 2017 Wiwi Jury I gave this a perfect score, because Robin can go on — and he did. It’s a song in at least two parts — and I’m loving both of them. The opening establishes Robin as he gets ready to slay on stage. The second part shows us his strong vocals, professionalism and outstanding choreography. Yes, he knows what Eurovision needs. I can’t wait for his f*cking beautiful performance in May.

Score: 10/10

Kristin: All I can think about when listening to “I Can’t Go On” (besides that crotch shot..seriously??) is why Nano isn’t representing Sweden. This is a genuine Swedish pop production, with Eurovision written all over it and Robin does a great job. He and his posse own the stage, no doubt, but besides that, this is a forgettable tune at best. It will be all about the treadmill gimmick and Robin’s strikingly beautiful blue eyes, because the song itself is just so freaking bland.

Score: 5/10

Robyn: This is what Sweden does best — bold, confident pop performed by a skilled singer with captivating staging. While the Melfest semi-final performance verged on sleazy (it was the crotch shot rather than the F-word), the toned-down grand final performance got it right. With Robin, his treadmills and his menswear quartet, this is sure to be a stand-out performance of ESC 2017 and a strong contender for the win.

Score: 9.5/10

Chris: The original version of this staging — and even the swearing — made “I Can’t Go On” come across, at best, as sleazy. With the changes made for the Melfest final though, Robin turned things around. Overall, this is a good slice of pop music that won’t harm Sweden’s run of form whatsoever. There’s nothing that immediately screams “winner” though: Robin himself was in shock when he won Melfest. When the artist didn’t have confidence in victory, it’s never a great sign.

Score: 7.5/10

In our Wiwi Jury, we have 38 jurors but only room for eight reviews. The rest of our scores can be found below:

Anastas: 5.5/10

Andy: 8/10

Angus: 9/10

Anthony: 8.5/10

Antony: 9/10

Antranig: 7.5/10

Bernardo: 7/10

Bogdan: 9/10

Dayana: 7.5/10

Edd: 9/10

Erdi: 10/10

Forrest: 7.5/10

George: 7.5/10

Jacob: 4/10

Jordi: 8.5/10

Josh: 9.5/10

Jovana: 8/10

Luis: 8/10

Marek: 1/10

Matt: 8/10

Mikhail: 8/10

Natalie: 3/10

Padraig: 8/10

Patrick: 7.5/10

Renske: 9/10

Sinan: 7.5/10

Stanislav: 9/10

Steinunn: 6/10

Tobias: 9/10

Zakaria: 3/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before calculating the average score, the highest and lowest scores are dropped. This is to remove outliers and reduce potential bias. We have removed a low of 1 and a high of 10.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 7.58/10

What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!

See our current Eurovision 2017 reviews and rankings

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88 Comments
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Americanvision
Americanvision
6 years ago

Score just about right. It’s mostly on the strength of the staging. 7.5 for me. I see this finishing 3rd overall so they can win it next year. Lol

kenna
kenna
6 years ago

‘Sleazy and shmaltzy’ – just as accurate as one can probably get about this song.

Sweden’s trashy Europop extravaganza continues with this entry over here. The song’s made to be “radio-friendly” and achieves exactly that, unfortunately, it doesn’t achieve my approval, considering that Melodifestivalen had such a fine array of songs this year. It’s made for Eurovision, and sticks to the premise. Nothing more, nothing less. Final rating : 5/10

May
May
6 years ago

Good staging and catchy tune, but oh God it’s so forgettable.
It feels good while I’m watching the video, but one cat GIF later and I have forgotten this song even exists. Can’t vote because I’m not in a participating country, but remembering it to do so in the first place would be a hard task. It’s easier to remember Switzerland’s song for crying out loud, and I haven’t more than remotely liked any of their songs in like 10 years?

Stoyan Petrov
Stoyan Petrov
6 years ago

Sweden is great indeed! I like them a lot. Top models and self-obsessed people gonna love them too. However, I can’t see the Swedish Ken dolls wining the whole thing. The reasons behind this statement could be explained by using the instruments of the social psychology. Heterosexual men gonna hate Sweden over their narcissistic choreography. Those who are introvert may dislike them too. It is also questionable whether the jury gonna place Robin higher enough due to somehow the terrible message of his song. I hope you get me clear. Italy, Portugal, Belgium and Bulgaria offer songs with a positive… Read more »

HBau
HBau
6 years ago

Overpolished scandipop. But bloody good at it. 8.5/10

Pablo
Pablo
6 years ago

I want to like this song, but it grows staler as time goes on. Not gonna lie, Robin’s live and stage presentation is on point and considering all, it is a great winner of Melfest, but stripping it back it’s all kind of… lackluster. Sweden knows how to put a show and elevate their songs, and I Can’t Go On is not without its own merits as a catchy, fun song. It just isn’t as grabbing as the other mass hit radio friendly song Sweden sent a few years back. (Heroes). It may end in the top 10 due to… Read more »

Aria
Aria
6 years ago

@Colin
No problem. Maybe you’ll be leaner on the commentors in future. 🙂

B Astrid
B Astrid
6 years ago

Meh….Robin is a cool guy, he’s very good at what he does but this song? Meh. I am totally indifferent towards this song. It would be better if I hated the song because at least I would have a strong feeling for it but this song is just another song and it has absolutely nothing special about it. I find this song to be very mediocre just like the minds of the people who think this should win. I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets in the top 5 but I definitely don’t think it is deserving of such a… Read more »

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

@Aria – Sorry, didn’t want to sound rude. I appologize if I did.

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

I prefer ‘Constellation Prize’ over ‘I Can’t Go On’, but the performance in the last is better. The song itself is good, but nothing great, is the staging what takes it to a higher level. Sweden knows how to deliver a solid performance and nobody can deny the staging is something new in Eurovision, starting in the backstage and the treadmills coreography. I especially like the part when Robin looks at the camara at min. 2:21.

Obviously, it will qualify and most probably reach the top 5.

Sweden is currently my 13th. 7/10

Aria
Aria
6 years ago

@Colin
I wouldn’t consider myself bad with English.
But that use of the word ‘lean’ is alien to me and the Google dictionary too.
Maybe it’ll become more popular in future.Thanks for telling me.

Davve
Davve
6 years ago

Just as predictable as Christmas coling around every year… So is the Wiwibloggs readers bashing the Swediah entry. It happens every year. Just as predictable as you being over the moon about France entry every year.

The difference is… sweden will end up on top.. France will struggle to reach the top15

(#Hero / #Invincible / #Statements)
(#Hero / #Invincible / #Statements)
6 years ago

Well, at first, i wasn’t fan of Sweden’s song..
(I even used to be very annoyed by it..)
But now,the song has really grown on me though..
Its hella cathy song.Pretty nice although its flaws..
~~ My Grade: 7,5/10 – My Rank: 9th/42

— — — *My ScoreBoard* — — —
~ 8,0: Israel(5th) – Latvia(7th)
~ 7,5: Poland(8th) – Sweden(9th)
~ 7,5: UK(10th) – Iceland(11th)
~ 7,0: Malta(12th) – Denmark(13th)
~ 7,0: Slovenia(14th)
~ 6,5: Netherland(20th) – Greece(24th)
~ 6,0: Montenegro(25th) – Serbia(32th)
~ 5,0: Germany(36th) – Spain(37th)
~ 3,5: Belarus(40th)
~ 1,5: Norway(42th)

Davve
Davve
6 years ago

This will win!! For sure

tt
tt
6 years ago

I really liked Constellation Prize, this one – I can’t stand. 3/10 from me

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

@Aria – You are either joking (very likely) and in that case a good one or you are not very good with English and in that case, lean can, besides thin, mean less strict. That was what I was referring to.

Aria
Aria
6 years ago

@Colin
So why you want to become leaner then?

Maclaren
Maclaren
6 years ago

Btw, Robin mentioned in his interview to ESC.Kaz that Alvaro Estrella will be one of his backing dancers/ singers. Alvaro came 3rd with Sergey last year, interesting what will happen this year.

Loo
Loo
6 years ago

HAHA LOL here we go again. The hate train against Sweden has started yet again. Get a Life people. Your jealousy is pathetic. You all like this song and you know it will do extremely well. Get over it. L

velorin
velorin
6 years ago

Sometimes I am really wondering if people are deaf. The studio version of this song is extremely autotuned and high pitched which makes it unbearable to listen to and no this didn’t work without his staging Sami.. Have you seen his performances in the pre-parties ? It was boring af ? People are quick to judge other acts like Finland, Belgium and Macedonia in the preparties without staging but no word about him, okai.

It’s very mediocre and melfest had way better options to choose from, this entire package just feels very sleazy.

Education Sentimentale
Education Sentimentale
6 years ago

Obviously this joyless monotone corporate suit of a song and its uncharismatic singer NEED to be gimmick-supported and choreographed from start to finish. Personally, I don’t see anything of great merit in the whole soulless show. But as long as there is a pretty blue eyed boy to look at, there will be viewers who love a circus number like this. I still hope it won’t be too many. Because musically and lyrically the Swedish entry is a nothingness of the worst kind. 3.5/10 at best. (I have to admit I just can’t stand Robin’s voice, but I know this… Read more »

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

Good but not great. Without the staging, is it an amazing experience to listen to? I don’t think so and based on just the song, I would be surprised if this was genuinely many people’s no.1. The whole thing is almost too polished. I would compare it to Sergey from last year (not quite as good of course) but without Russia’s traditional support.
I think it deserves to finish around the 10th position but it will do better than that.

Sofia Helqvist
Sofia Helqvist
6 years ago

Robin replicated in Ikea
looks> 100 %
tastes> like plastic (0%)

soon to be manufactured in Macau, China

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

I just wanna see if someone falls from the treadmill

oscillate
oscillate
6 years ago

The song is not that bad. However, the singer is devoid of charisma and emotion, hence making it difficult for some to love, or even appreciate, this song.

Marc
Marc
6 years ago

@Denis You said many times Ogae poll and fans opinion are useless, and now you’re saying Robin will do amazing in the televote cause fans like it :S It always depend.. (San Marino 2013 or Israel 2014 were Top 3 in that poll). Fans also loved the Swedish entry from 2008 (Winning the Ogae poll again) and that was a big flop in the televote xD. Don’t get me wrong, Robin is going to get a deserving Top 10 for sure yes, maybe Top 5 (we don’t know most of the stagings yet) but Robin being 3rd in Swedish televote… Read more »

Lukewarm
Lukewarm
6 years ago

Sweden are always pioneers when it comes to staging. In comparison, “I Can’t Go On” becomes a let down. The song offers nothing revolutionary or even exciting, quite the opposite. It is catchy enough to get a 6.5/10.

02 NOR | 04 UK | 11 SRB | *12 SWE* | 14 DEN | 16 POL
19 LAT | 20 ICE | 23 GRE | *24 CZE* | 26 NLD | 27 BLR
33 MNE | 34 ISR | 36 GER | 37 MLT | 38 ESP | 42 SVN

PP
PP
6 years ago

Sweden is wiiner. In final in TOP 5 with juries (1.Belgium 2.Sweden 3.Denmark.4.Australia 5.The Netherlands 6.Bulgaria..)
In TOP 5 with televote 1.Italy 2.Bulgaria 3.Sweden 4.Romania 5.Armenia
1.Sweden
2.Belgium
3.Italy
4.Bulgaria
5.Denmark

JCM
JCM
6 years ago

Random Pop song 5/10 for me.

jerry
jerry
6 years ago

@Maclaren- I’ve heard that too, was a girl from Estonia. Yes Robin seems…not like a solo artist, but like an old boyband. Make Robin more proeminent !

Andreea
Andreea
6 years ago

I suggest for the wiki jury to just crown him the winner with the best rank and that’s it. They’ve already included 8 Swedish acts from Melodiefestivalen, so it’s pretty obvious the wiki preference for Sweden, comparing to other countries. For 2018 I suggest the “Wiki Top 40 songs from the national finals” to include songs from Melodiefestivalen only. Except Nano and Jon the rest of the songs were pretty generic, simply pop songs (Wiktoria, Mariete and the others)…nothing outstanding, nothing wow. Simply pop songs. Robin makes no exception, it’s just a pop radio trash but it’s so overrated and… Read more »

O.P
O.P
6 years ago

Why do i think of mr Grey ?

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

@(J)ESC Fanatic, @Zebb – Thanks guys for taking time to read my comment.

@Aria – Oh, just the contrary…

Maclaren
Maclaren
6 years ago

I remember recently reading an overview of Eurovision entries written by one aspiring young blogger. For the context, the girl seemed to be clueless about the whole Melodiefestivalen business and ‘who is who’ in Eurovision. But it was an interesting read as it probably indicated how the rest of 200 million (mostly clueless) viewers are going to perceive the acts. So, the girl stated, that she liked the Swedish song but would not appoint top marks because… they were too old to be a boyband. Right, people perceive Robin and his group of (who supposed to be) back dancers as… Read more »

cheesecake
cheesecake
6 years ago

9.5 for me.
Top 5 in Kyiv easily.

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
6 years ago

@Colin

My rating system is almost identical to yours. Some people have a different one though. For example, Antranig seems to give extremely high or extremely low scores more often than we do. That’s just a part of his rating system and we shouldn’t go crazy if he gives 0/10 all the time (even though I personally don’t).

Pant7
Pant7
6 years ago

Performance 9
Singer 8
Song 6
Robin song was so much better last year.

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

Haters gonna hate,sadly hate rules the world! Jealousy too!

The song will do much better than Frans, because he has both jury support as well as fan support(OGAE), where Frans didn’t have support from any. This is top 5, top 3 even. And that’s something most of you won’t get why!
Anyone predicting the song will reach below top 10 is wishful hoping

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

7.5? This is your highest score so far!

I have to say, I wasn’t enthusiastic about any act in Melodifestivalen this year (except Mariette!Slayed!)
However, this song ticks all the boxes. Production, song, staging. It fits Eurovision, which is more of a show and less clearly the song (hate to say this.)

It has grown on me. Now, I watch and I enjoy the performance. I believe it’s unlikely to get top 5, probably it will get top 10.

I’ll give it a 7.5!

Zolipop
Zolipop
6 years ago

OMG, it’s not that good! :O And the fart-like sounds before the first chorus are annoying as hell.

Sam
Sam
6 years ago

There were far better songs in Melodifestivalen than this and not even any of them could win. I’m surprised people are rating this so highly and as a potential winner!? Really?! Come on, I actually wouldn’t be surprised to see this fail to get out of the semi-final.

Darren
Darren
6 years ago

Live the song, and live Robin! Sweden makes up for Germany as being a country consistently in my Top 10 each year, and probably the same for most people. Right, Robin looks like he’d try to sell you a car, but he’s so fine! Vocally, I don’t think he’s the strongest in contention but the song suits his voice pretty well! This will finish high! I don’t know if it will win as such, as there are better in the competition but I’m loving it and play it atleast a few times a day on Spotify. Sweden will always be… Read more »

Zebb
Zebb
6 years ago

@Colin – that’s an interesting point. No one knows how anyone gives a score. What criterias, basing on what? For example I would prefer to split entry into components (vocals, arrangement, charisma, etc etc), rate each and sum up and then make a tab, but it would be way to big and still soulless as would still require explanatory. In the end, that’s what makes everyone’s text way more valuable than scores.

Aria
Aria
6 years ago

@Colin
So you are fat now?

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

6/10

Serenity
Serenity
6 years ago

-Honey, I want you to listen to this song:”I can’go on, I can’t go on…….”
-What kind of crap cheese fest is that?
-It’s the swedish entry!
-Oh. Then I LOVE it! Pure perfection! I’ll give it a 10/10!

Leo M
Leo M
6 years ago

This is more about the stage performance because the song is nothing special. It is a good pop song but without the staging, you probably would not take any notice. I expect it to be a copy and paste from Melodifestivalen and it probably will come top five in the final.

Avstriya
Avstriya
6 years ago

For me this entry is the climax of recent Swedish pop culture: soulless, meaningless, generic by the book, plastic. Even the entertainment factor is disputable.

4,5/10 on a good day

Racal
Racal
6 years ago

The song is ok-ish, the staging is one of the most ridiculous I’ve seen in Eurovision (and that says a lot!). The suits, the treadmills, the spaceship lights, the backstage walk… Why not add some fire eaters, snakes around the dancers’ neck, and two acrobats performing a mid-air ballet on top of it all?

Seriously, this is way too much and super tacky. I loved Frans last year, but this looks like a cheap second-hand Justin Timberlake (and a bad one). But this is Sweden, so of course it’ll qualify and has a shot at placing in the top 3.

BB
BB
6 years ago

This whole package reminds me of a bland song fronted by Posh Spice, whose creative team is trying to hide the fact that there’s nothing underneath!