The Wiwi Jury – our in-house panel of music unprofessionals – have been on a whistle stop tour of Sweden and the 12 finalists of Melodifestivalen 2015. Today Måns Zelmerlöw and his song ‘Heroes’ came under inspection. Were we taken in by the banjo twangs or did we want to smash Måns over the head with the dang banjo? Read on to find out!
http://youtu.be/WX_8Zj7d4rk
Måns Zelmerlöw – ‘Heroes’
Robyn: “Heroes” starts off with a moody southern sound, but it builds and builds until it’s a big ol’ banger. The chorus is super catchy and Måns is a very likeable and charismatic performer (and it helps that he’s not unattractive). The staging, with its carefully coordinated animation and live action works really well. All up, it’s a great piece of anthemic pop and I can’t stop listening to it. I’d be very happy to see this in Vienna.
Score: 10/10
Deban: The opening bars of this track sounds like a homage to music from rural Alabama- until it bursts into a killer hook. Douze points for excellent staging. Måns Zelmerlöw is fabulously telegenic, and his pumped arms work a visual treat. “Heroes” is a weak entry without the visuals, but as an overall package, it deserves a spot in the Top 5.
Score: 7.5/10
Bogdan: If David Guetta’s “Lovers On The Sun” had a child with Avicii’s “The Night”, they would call it “Heroes”. Song’s OK overall, but it lacks originality and it’s a bit too last year for my taste. As for staging, I’m sorry but Queen Beyoncé did it better. Måns is very handsome and he might even win Melodifestivalen thanks to his looks, but his copy/paste song does not deserve to go to Vienna.
Score: 3/10
Denise: Love it! It sounds like a mix between Avicii and Coldplay which is awesome. People might say that the staging is this great as a compromise for the quality of the song, but the LED screens and the songs are both perfect for me. Props for Måns, he probably rehearsed a 1000 times with the screen so it would be on point, but it all came naturally without a thinking face.
Score: 10/10
Billy: Måns for the win! “Heroes” is at the same time beautiful and original, and so is Måns’ voice. I really loved the staging, chrous and music. It is something different but powerful, something that will for sure win Europeans’ hearts. Sweden should go to Eurovision with a distinctive pop entry with a dynamic beat, like this song. I would call it the ideal winning entry.
Score: 10/10
Padraig: When it comes to staging, Måns is the undisputed king of Melfest 2015. It’s no mean feat to move perfectly in sync with visuals that he can’t even see. The song itself is *almost* perfect. Insanely catchy, those earworms turn to butterflies in my mind. But I can’t shake away the niggling feeling that I’ve heard it all before. Still, we can’t expect “Euphoria” levels of originality all the time, that would just be silly.
Score: 9/10
Angus: Out of the light, like a star, like a hero, Måns Zelmerlöw has arrived. He flits between goofy cowboy, LED butterfly mutant and swag-tacular-drop-it-low leather pants realness without ever compromising audience attention or engagement. There might be a strong showing from the men of Melodifestivalen this year but homeboy dials the drama past the danger point. Electrifying, triumphant and one of the two frontrunners Måns has demonstrated clear mandate to go to Eurovision.
Score: 10/10
Ron: I love Måns, I love all his previous songs in Melodifestivalen, this time it’s something deeper than the usual. The visual aspect of the performance is amazing! (I want to see it on the eurovision stage). Måns definitely knows how to deliver the song, he’s looking and singing great, the camera loves him, the lyrics are interesting, I just love it. I hope to see him in Vienna.
Score: 9/10
Sami: Even if it reminds me a little too much of David Guetta, I really like the song. The performance isn’t that overwhelming as everyone is saying, sometimes it feels even little boring but sure it’s cool and something new. Måns sounds great and I’m sure this is one of the songs which will be fighting for the victory on Saturday evening.
Score: 9/10
William: Mans’ voice does not suit the country-chat opener. The song’s lyrics make no sense. This feels disposable and lacks a memorable chorus. I’m pretty sure y’all are voting on a) the background and b) the fact that Mans is easy on the eyes (especially in leather pants). I am calling on my Gods to call on Jon Henrik’s Gods to pull the power on Mans’ fancy backdrop. Then we’ll see if his song can carry the day…
Score: 7/10
Wiwi Jury Verdict: 8.45/10
Dodo_ESC: Måns is not homophobic. it was a missunderstanding and he used the wrong word long time ago.
Nope, Eric or Jon have that spark which this song lacks of, but this time Sweden is not a favourite for me 🙁
Estonia and Slovenia are just huge (Italy not bad either).
The songs more than decent, but not the best there. But the staging, god the staging. If the Swedes know anything it’s how to stage something. The whole focus of it is just perf
I even liked the live performance better than the original song. If this happens than you know it’s a great artist!
If he wins Melodifestivalen, he’ll win Eurovision as well.
I know that Eric Saade are furious, but that’s a good sign, because it means Mans is a huge competition to the overrated Saade.It means the song is better, and I know you little girls all are secretly in love with Mans even though you are claiming your fidelity to Eric. 😉
This sounds quite generic. Jon Henrik is my favorite so far, and tbh, I do NOT want this homophobe neither in the semi-final nor in the final.
The best and greatest show is performed by Eric this year. Catchy melody, singable easy lyrics for our music lovers of all ages. This in comparison with someone who sings copied music and figures from another film, is a lazy mans work, then it does not help, when Mans complaines about being bullied when younger or other teardrop stories.
Eric is a perfectionist and works enormously hard to make the greatest of something. He is a real winner this year!
I can’t undetstand why you all so impresed with his stage performance. As Bogdan said, interactive LED screen is something we’ve saw done in the past with a much bigger succes. I thing chorus whould be much better with dancers and not Mans walking around the stage. Anyway, i like this song very much but i thing Mariete is the best choice for Sweden.
I do like this song, but at the same time I think is too overrated.
The chorus are nice, but the rest of the song is just ok.
Just listen to the song without watching the video… Would you still think that it’s good? “We are the heroes of our time…” just… “Out of the light, like a star, like a hero…” That song was so overrated that year. Sanna Nielsen could have won Eurovision 2008 with “Empty Room” – an outstanding, beautiful ballad, beautiful words, beautiful music…
No to HOMOPHOBIC artists in the ESC!!! No to HOMOPHOBIC Mans Zelmerlow who said gays are ABNORMAL!!!
nooooooo; i know this is it, this is the maybe) winner song (of Esc) but i do not wanna go again to swedennnn , it is tooo expensive..:=)) by the way, he is really great, his voice, performance everything unique for esc, cuould be the next winner, but it iwll be a hard competition , italy another strong candidate!! both of them are mt favs!! i do not know i will support both in the hall and vote for both!
It would be so cool to have 1 of my FAVOURITE singers in Eurovision 2015. Sweden only won 3 years ago. But I want them to grasp their 6th Eurovision win if Måns is selected. I wonder can SVT top the phenomenal success of ESC 2013 in 2016 if they win. I bbelieve they can. Even though Petra Mede will be a hard act to follow.
On my Facebook group “Bonsoir l’Europe”, I gave it a 9.7 out of 10.
STOCKHOLM 2016!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve been hooked on this for 2 days now. Spent the whole time at the gym working out to this song. 10/10. This can easily win or give Sweden another top 3.
This is scandipop at it’s best. The visuals are super cool, particularly at the beginning when it looks like the cartoon guy is sitting right next to Mans. I think that Sweden should send either this or Jon Henrik to Vienna. I love Eric Saade and Sting, but we all know that repeat participants never do as well the second time in Eurovision. Statistically, it will be very hard for Eric to do as well or better (3rd or higher) than his 2011 performance. I worry Sweden will send Mariette, who I don’t think is as strong as the male… Read more »
I really like the song and feel it would be a good choice for Vienna but I have to agree the lyrics do not really make any sense at all.
Go for gold!
I do like this song. It has a complete package. Good stage easy going song but with good quality, gorgeous guy with a good voice. Do believe that he is going to win. At Sweden. But the song isn’t as good or as original as Estonia, Italy, or France.
I agree the song is not that original, it doesn’t bring anything new to the table… but I also confess it has been growing on me since the semifinal and now I actually like it. I said it before and I’ll say it again, even if you put the song aside, his staging is the most spectacular and overall more coordinated, so that will give him extra points, like others have said, it’s the whole package. I don’t usually like to root for the “popular”, “pretty” boys in Melfest, (just like Anton, David, Eric or Danny in the past) but… Read more »
As always Sweden is toooooo overrated…I mean…8.45, that`s too much.A good song..but not so incredible.
@Eugene ESC UK
He still have a good spot though.
He has Jessica’s boring ballad and Linus trash song before and after him.
Eric on the other hand has to battle against schlager Magnus and the favorite Mariette, so if you ask me Måns got a great spot.
I would be ok with it winning melodifestivalen but i don’t see it finishing in the top 5 hounestly
It’s the lyrics that let the song down the most for me. The chorus makes absolutely no sense AND he repeats it over and over.
TBH I wouldn’t hate the song if the chorus was tweaked.
we gays need to stick with each other to flush out homophobia out of this planet.
I’m with William & Bogdan on this one.
I woke up to 15 replies? All I got to say is if he wins, I can see this, Italy, Estonia, and Spain to battle for the top spot. Plus did anyone caught Robyn’s reply yesterday about Måns’ acoustic version of “Heroes”? I love it even more.
After checking what he said i can say 4 sure that,, that statement of his was NOT homophobic at all..
He is totally gay friendly and has no issues with homosexuals..
It is absurd to even claim that a person like Mans could be homophobic!
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About his entry now..
Its one of my favorites & i would be happy if *Heroes* wins the upcoming Melodifestivalen…His live performance on the semifinal was KING..! <3
One of the best performances i have ever witnessed in whole Melodifestivalen! <3
8 / 10 4 the song
10 /10 4 the performance
The song is absolutely trashy for mine. The performance is beyond spectacular – could be some of the best staging I’ve ever seen – but you can make a cake nice and pretty with a lot of decorations and it will still taste like trash if that’s what it is.
I hope Sweden sends basically anything else TBQH.
Just send Mans, Karin Park and Johann Sebastian Bass, and I’ll call it a good year.
Ahahahaha well said MAthias! Accusing Mans for homophobic is weird.
And for the record, would a homphobe do this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrZfqezn5GA
Måns to Vienna!
Mans is not homophobic but it doesnt matter. It’s a music contest. MANS FOR THE WIN!
I’m sorry I just really don’t get how this is so popular. It left me cold, confused at it’s popularity and dreading the prospect of it’s potential victory
http://wiwibloggs.com/2014/03/23/sweden-mans-zelmerlow-homophobe/44030/ Here is the post about Mans homophobia, to be honest I don’t think he is homophobe
What is this homophobia issue do you people speak of? Just wondering when did that all began? He seems like a potential winner for Sweden but plenty of you people don’t seem to agree.
I hope he wins! I’m bi and I may not agree with his point of view at all. But it’s a good song. I liked takasa and they felt the same way. I don’t expect people to always agree with me or who I am, I can like the song without respecting his ideas. Furthermore he apologized and has since tried to remedy what he said. Good luck to him and Sweden!
mans + leather pants .. HELLLOO !!
NO HOMOPHOBIA in the ESC!!!!! No to Mans!!!!!
I feel like this is good but nothing new…
weak entry