The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — continues to rate and review the songs competing in the grand final of Sweden’s Melodifestivalen 2020. Next up, we listen to Sweden’s Eurovision 2010 star Anna Bergendahl and her song “Kingdom Come”. Did we hear her regal message? Read on to find out!
Anna Bergendahl with “Kingdom Come”
“Kingdom Come” reviews
Antranig: One must appreciate a queen who can summon six gorgeous dancers out of thin air with a snap of her fingers. “Kingdom Come” is a complete journey and Anna Bergendahl puts on a masterclass. Anna starts out alone on stage, looking absolutely ravishing. The song comes to life as her dancers appear and move in perfect symmetry and the conclusion is absolute anthemic as our gladiatrix poses with her army of warriors. I’d go to war for her.
Score: 9.5/10
Jonathan: In many aspects, “Kingdom Come” feels like a natural progression from “Ashes to Ashes”. Thankfully, this sequel is much improved upon the original. “Kingdom Come” has much more power and drive to it, with this added dynamism helping to engage the viewer from start to finish. Anna stands and delivers a confident performance that is still focused around her despite having six backing dancers. I find myself enjoying the song a little bit more every time I relisten to it.
Score: 8.5/10
Natalie: I love this song. I wasn’t that hot on “Ashes to Ashes”, but this song has some magic. It makes some extensive use of the banjo which is nice, and I adore the drumbeats. This is country-pop done nicely and with real passion behind it. I’m not too convinced on its memorability. It’s obviously in a genre which doesn’t feature at Mello that much but it’s still nothing we haven’t heard before and doesn’t stand have anything that creates a super wow factor. But it’s still solid good music.
Score: 8/10
Ron: “Kingdom Come” is such a powerful empowering song with so much energy in it, definitely a possible Melodifestivalen winner. Anna is a such a great singer (and person), she’s glowing on stage from within and delivers this song so well, you can feel her connection to the song and the message. I’m so happy for Anna’s “revenge” for going direct to the final after last year’s andra chansen with the amazing “Ashes to Ashes”. I also wouldn’t mind (although Dotter is a huge favourite of mine) if Anna finally gets to claim her spot at the grand final of Eurovision.
Score: 9/10
In our Melodifestivalen Wiwi Jury, we have 14 jurors but only room for four reviews. The rest of our scores can be found below:
| Angus: 8.5/10
Åri: 8/10 Barnabas: 6/10 Florian: 9/10 Lucy: 7/10 |
Luis: 7.5/10
Pablo: 6/10 Robyn: 7.5/10 Tobias: 9.5/10 Tom: 8/10 |
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 6 and a high of 9.5.
Anna’s time to shine 10 years later, maybe? She definitely developed into a confidant, powerful performer and this song allows her to show what she knows on stage. Personally, I liked Ashes To Ashes even more, but this is a quality entry. It would still feel polished, yet would have some down to Earth vibe as well. One of my favorite songs here.
The problem with this is the same as with Dotter and all the other finalists. Its ok in terms of Eurovision but its not really a standout nor is it some fresh air like Lithuania or Iceland.
Honestly i‘m curious, how juries will rank this, as they will be the crucial votes for sure (same goes for Dotter and Hannah Ferm as I don‘t believe that they will have a huge advantage in public vote)
I can’t believe you gave this song a 8.13/10. Anna Bergendahl is always overrated except when she actually represented Sweden. We know that story.
I cannot believe what you just wrote
Why? If she came with a really good song I would appreciate it, honestly. But this would be a borderline qualifier or even a non qualifier if send by other country or other singer. It has a wow moment though when the dancers appear but that’s all. Other than that this is average. We are on the point when Anna Bergendahl has turned into some type of Valentina Monetta for some fans. You get downvoted if you say you don’t like the song or something remotely negative because it seems everything they do is perfect, some kind of goddess. Idolized.… Read more »
It’s not about idolizing Anna. “It’s My Life” in 2010 was just plain bad; “Ashes to Ashes” was neat, but not worthy of winning Mello, least of qualifying for the ESC final. “Kingdom Come”, in contrast, just has that same kind of anthemic vibe to it like “Euphoria” and “Heroes”, paired up with a sufficiently impressive staging. It’s the type of song that you can imagine the end credits of Eurovision running over. And in that, it is the only Mello song this year which does that for me. Victor Crone and Dotter would give Sweden another safe Top Ten… Read more »
I think Anna Bergendahl’s ‘Kingdom Come’ will blend in well in the competition this year. And could stand out if it’s next to the Uk, France or Spain.
Stand out next to one of these traditionally awful big 5 countries? That’s a low bar.
whoa at those inflated scores. i feel like the song is okay, but she doesn’t have any stage presence on her own.
Wtf?
Honestly, I don’t think any songs in this year’s Melfest are worth a 9/10 or above.
Her song was better last year but yeah, this is one of the better ones.
Overrated Reba reject
I was already sure she was going to be the winner in the Final, I was only scared that Christer might have given her an early running position just because he thinks Dotter or Hanna are better, but she comes out 11th which is a really strong running position. All the favorites around 10th always win the televotes, so now I am even more sure she will win. We need Anna to save this already boring lineup and with that song a top 10 is basically sure for her!
Agree, running order can help, but isnt guaranteed win.
I think the dancers are so cool. In my mind they connect west with east making this not just a typical swedish song because of it. It’s sad that she can’t have as many dancers in Rotterdam because of the 6 people rule if she wins though.
It just adds to the perfection. Its a metaphore 🙂
THE BEST SONG in any national selection. I’m rooting for our DROTTNING to slay Stockholm and Rotterdam!!!
Great song.. Loved it from the first listen, do wonder if this will give her the redemption she deserves.. I love it and maybe it’s fear on my part.. She just deserves the Grand Final OF Eurovision.. Are fans going to latch on to Kingdom Come, not sure.. Anna or Dotter for me
The staging is so weird. I don’t get the shirtless guys in kilts. Why? This song would have been great for Carola to sing by herself with a wind machine. Actually any song would be great in that setting. But I digress.
I like it but last years was better. I do hope Anna gets the nod for Rotter dam but if not Dotter