The first semi-final of Melodifestivalen 2021 will get underway this weekend. Fans are ready to celebrate the return of high-profile acts such as former winners Arvingarna and Jessica Andersson, as well as two-time runner-up Danny Saucedo.
Amongst the returnees, some debutantes are also making waves. Show opener and Idol 2018 runner-up Kadiatou is noted as an outsider to win the whole contest. However, amongst the pack of wolves there’s always an underdog. So it is with fellow Idol 2018 alumnus Nathalie Brydolf with “Fingerprints”.
Scroll down for “Fingerprints” lyrics
Melodifestivalen 2021: Nathalie Brydolf “Fingerprints”
Nathalie Brydolf was born and raised in Stockholm and has been singing since high school. She sang in choirs and took musical studies in London before returning to Sweden. She impressed Idol judges with her strong voice finishing in sixth place, and the next year became part of the Bachelor Sweden 2019 programme. As we said, this is her first year in Mello, and while she faces big competition, she’s excited about her song.
She says: “My song came about when one of my fantastic songwriters felt the enormous pain of loving someone who can not show their love back, and I think that very many can relate to that feeling. It is an incredibly beautiful ballad that I hope will hit many right in the heart. Viewers can expect a lot of love and sadness and a lot of emotions on stage – and maybe a beautiful long dress.”
6. Nathalie Brydolf – “Fingerprints”
This semi’s ballad. Simple arrangement, which subtly builds. Nathalie has a Kate Bush quality to her voice. Really good chorus (catchy and emotional) and a big dramatic moment in the right place. Should be even better live.— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) February 3, 2021
“Fingerprints” was written by Laurell Barker, Anna-Klara Folin, Andreas “Stone” Johansson and Etta Zelmani. A majority female team serving up a heap of experience and talent.
Etta Zelmani is the daughter of famous Swedish musician Sophie Zelmani, and Laurell Barker and Andreas Johansson are familiar Eurovision names. Johansson is a prolific songwriter, with one of his biggest hits being “Calling” by Arashi, “Miracles in December” by Exo and “Nonstop” by Oh My Girl. In terms of the Euro sphere, he notably co-wrote “Too Late for Love” for John Lundvik. In 2019, Laurell Barker became the second (and first female) songwriter to have three Eurovision songs in one year, the most successful being “She Got Me” by Luca Hanni. She’s also co-written “Stones” by ZiBBZ and “El Diablo” by Elena Tsagrinou. Together with Johansson, they co-wrote Raylee’s “Wild” and “Hero”.
What do the “Fingerprints” lyrics mean?
“Fingerprints” is a song about being trapped in an abusive relationship. The metaphor uses fingerprints as a symbol of a neglectful lover’s entrapment: “Your fingerprints are on my heart, and I don’t wanna take them off”. She equates the prints to painful scars: “Cause even though you’re far from me, you left a mark, I’m scarred, I’m scarred, I’m scarred.”
Throughout the song, Nathalie directly references the neglect of her partner, “You never said you want me, now all you do is haunt me.” and continues to use the metaphor of touch to describe it “All over my body, I feel your touch, All those memories there telling me, I’m not enough for you.”
The descriptions grow more visceral as the song continues, including her inability to remove the effect her partner has had on her: “How could you ever think I could choose anything, your fingerprints, they’re lingering, like an ink on my skin, never sting like a sin.”
The lyrics are very powerful and effective and suggest a dark moody ballad. Sadly there is no happy ending for our tormented heroine, but the message of the lyrics will undoubtedly resonate with anyone who has been through this kind of terrible relationship.
“Fingerprints” lyrics — Nathalie Brydolf (Melfest 2021)
Don’t you know you’re killing me here in the dark
You are, you are, you are
Cause even though you’re far from me you left a mark
I’m scarred, I’m scarred, I’m scarred
You never said you want me
Now all you do is haunt me
Still whisper to me softly
You do, you do, you do
Ooo
ooo
Your fingerprints are on my heart
Ooo
Ooo
And I don’t wanna take them off
All over my body
I feel your touch
I do, I do, I do
All those memories there telling me
I’m not enough
For you, for you, for you
You never said you want me
Now all you do is haunt me
Ooo
Still whisper to me softly
You do, you do, you do
Ooo
ooo
Your fingerprints are on my heart
Ooo
Ooo
And I don’t wanna take them off
How could you ever think
I could choose anything
Your fingerprints,
they’re lingering
Like an ink on my skin
Never sting like a sin
Your fingerprints,
there still lingering
You never said you want me
Now all you do is haunt me
Ooo
Still whisper to me softly
You do, you do, you do
Ooo
ooo
Your fingerprints are on my heart
Ooo
Ooo
And I don’t wanna take them off
Ooo
Ooo
And I don’t wanna take them off
What do you think of the “Fingerprints” lyrics? Do you think an outsider could go direkt til final from semi-final 1? Let us know below!
Photo: Stina Stjernkvist, SVT
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