We’ve reached the best of the best, with just ten songs remaining in our countdown of the top national final songs. Everyone wants that coveted top spot, and these have come up just a little bit short. Check out our #10 to #6 rundown below, which has a slight Melfest theme to it…

10. “My Heart Wants Me Dead” — Lisa Ajax (Sweden)

Lisa Ajax did her best to take the “most morose song title” award from “Only the Dead Fish Follow the Stream”. Why a 17-year old girl would sing a song with such a depressing title remains a mystery, but “MHWMD” was a pop banger that really got people’s attention. With an oriental twist and an impressive dance routine, Lisa really delivered on her Melfest debut. The song has continued to appear all over Spotify post-contest.

Wiwi Jury: “I don’t think I’ve ever fallen in love with a song as quickly as I fell in love with this. From the very first second I heard the Oriental sounds come in, my body just wanted to feel that beat. The chorus is spectacular and Lisa’s vocals are phenomenal. This is a song I could have on repeat for hours on end and never get sick of.” (Antranig)

9. “No Fear” — Saara Aalto (Finland)

We were immediately taken by Saara Aalto. Arguably the early favourite to win the contest, Saara’s “No Fear” was very much her type of song. Perhaps that’s why the juries didn’t respond to it as well as many would have hoped. Saara won the public vote, but she still couldn’t catch Sandhja. We had no fear in putting her safely in our top ten list though!

Wiwi Jury: “Ethereal and elegant whilst also being catchy, ‘No Fear’ is a well-considered entry from Saara Aalto. Out of nowhere the song transforms into a dance floor anthem, perfectly ripe for a high-energy dance routine on the Stockholm stage. I can see why some people find Saara’s vibrato on the title phrase slightly grating, but I think the strength of the song makes up for any annoying vocal quirks.” (Max)

8. “Constellation Prize” — Robin Bengtsson (Sweden)

Folks weren’t surprised when SVT revealed that Robin Bengtsson had beaten Ace Wilder in the first heat of Melodifestivalen. Robin’s cool performance (and those eyes) helped sell an incredibly catchy song. After all, who doesn’t love a good harmonica? With over a million votes cast for him in the final, Robin definitely has a fanbase that stretches far and wide. He might not be our number one, but he’s not far off it.

Wiwi Jury: “‘Constellation Prize’ is one of those songs that just has to be witnessed live in order to be fully appreciated. On record it’s just another country crossover track. But on stage it takes on a whole new life. And that’s completely down to Robin’s delivery. Compared to his rivals, the staging is relatively minimalistic. However, with eyes like his, who needs extra trimmings? His icy blue gaze is like that of a mythical creature and completely draws you in.” (Padraig)

7. “Save Me” — Wiktoria (Sweden)

Before Frans came along and stole her thunder, Wiktoria looked like she was going to have the biggest debut of Melodifestivalen 2016. With a huge stage performance behind her, it was easy to see why. Yes, maybe the “Save Me” performance held her back a little — she certainly seemed more comfortable performing it without the lighting — but it was still a sight to behold. Wiktoria rightfully took second place with the televote and will surely be a strong contender to return in 2017.

Wiwi Jury: “This teen queen is my Melodifestivalen dream! Born in Sweden but channeling Nashville realness, she sounds like an authentic country star — albeit one cast in the mold of Taylor Swift rather than Faith Hill. Her breezy song speeds by, driven by her grit and emotion. Upping the ante on the LED projection dress, she takes us through fire and water and outer space as she uses staging to elevate an already amazing song.” (William)

6. “Human” — Oscar Zia (Sweden)

Oscar Zia’s song “Human” took on a whole new meaning after he decided come out. He hit hard with the international juries, who ranked “Human” as their favourite song of Melodifestivalen. Whilst Oscar couldn’t hold on to his lead when the televotes rolled in, it definitely raised eyebrows as to whether “Human” would have been the better choice for Eurovision in the end. Oscar has every reason to be proud of himself and we’re very happy to put him so high on our list!

Wiwi Jury: “‘Human’ packs a real punch of everything that’s good. Moody staging, dark vocal and a performer story that amplifies the power of something that might have been reduced to melodrama otherwise. Oscar is hardly the only act in the history of #Melfest to add in some backing vocals to the mix (HEJ SANNA!), and his emotive delivery has a lot going for it. Calling upon the dark arts delivers results, y’all.” (Angus)

So that’s it — we’re down to our final five national final songs. With songs from Denmark, Norway, Poland and Sweden still in the mix, who do you think will win? Let us know in the comments section below!

Check out all of our top national final songs posts here

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Kenneth Törnqvist
Kenneth Törnqvist
7 years ago

Eclipse – Runaways
Avantasia – Mystery of a Blood Red Rose
Barbe-Q-Barbies – Let Me Out

SoundofBirds
SoundofBirds
7 years ago

I thought Oscar was great too — I really like ‘Human’, it’ll be staying in my Eurovision playlist! I watched Melfest live and was so excited to see him top the jury vote, and was let down to see the Swedish televote not back him up for the ESC grand final as I’d hoped. The song feels original and breaking newer ground for Eurovision, and has some of the same Michael Jackson quality shared by Armenia’s ‘LoveWave’. I would have voted a few times for Sweden if Oscar Zia had performed ‘Human’ in the GF; but I won’t be voting… Read more »

David Who
David Who
7 years ago

“No Fear” is such a beautiful song – it was exactly my cup of tea and would have slayed in Eurovision. It is my number 2 song that didn’t make it through this year. Most of the others in this part of the list are also in or near my top 10… not a fan of “Constellation Prize” though.

georgekirkas
georgekirkas
7 years ago

I wanted Saara Aalto so much to win UMK! ”No Fear” is a really catchy song and I love it! Also, Oscar Zia should have definitely won Melodifestivalen, ”Human” is one of the most powerful songs I have ever heard! The others are just good for me. I think that ”Cool Me Down” will be the number one of Wiwibloggs. ”Heart Shaped Hole” and ”Never Alone” will follow.

Jr esc nl
Jr esc nl
7 years ago

Toilet Paper girl didn’t really leave a big impression to me. XD

oooops
oooops
7 years ago

Margaret will win. But Michal deserved this more than Margaret

Dean
Dean
7 years ago

Top 3 will be Anja Nissen and Simone from DMGP, and Margaret from Poland

Antranig Shokayan
Editor
7 years ago

Saara was of course my number one – she and Oscar are two of many amazing songs that came second in their respective national finals.

YoungsterJoey
YoungsterJoey
7 years ago

Oscar would not have won Eurovision. Maybe Top 5.

As for Sara, I wanted her to win UMK but now happy she didn’t since Semi Final 1 is a tough semi final and now I won’t be as heartbroken if she didn’t advance in May.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
7 years ago

Four Swedish entries already in your top ten when it was one of the weaker Melfests in memory? I knew Wiktoria was going to be painfully overrated but still!

mad-professor
mad-professor
7 years ago

It’s just a shame that Sweden chose the wrong song.

Paddy
Paddy
7 years ago

Love Lisa Ajax- She was my favourite from melodifestivalen.
Love Wiktoria – Probably second or third favourite from melfest
Like Robin- 5th favourite from melfest.
Like Oscar- 6th favourite from melodifestivalen.
Wonder who will make top 5???

Fafefifo
Fafefifo
7 years ago

Still no rock songs? And all this typical ESC-fan MF hype…I must agree though, that “Constellation prize” and “My hear Wants Me Dead” are really good. “Human” is nice, but this “gay come out story” part….just so cheesy and unecessary!

Happy
Happy
7 years ago

Oscar is my absolute love of 2016! Don’t get me wrong I like Frans too, but “Human” is just beyond literally everything I heard this year between all the countries! Love love love him! And hope to see him again next year at Melodifestivallen!

Paul D.
Paul D.
7 years ago

This is all Melfest related, minus Saara Alto … yikes

Raphael
Raphael
7 years ago

Oscar only 6th??? He would have won Eurovision tbh