We’re in Växjö for the third heat of Melodifestivalen 2017 this week. Four acts — Ace Wilder, Nano, Mariette and Benjamin Ingrosso — have already made it through to the final. Seven more acts will be looking to book their place at Friends Arena too, or at least make it to Andra Chansen — the second chance round.
Unlike in previous weeks,though, it’s practically a whole group of newcomers competing. Robin Bengtsson and Krista Siegfrids return for a second straight year, but otherwise it’s new blood. Will the likes of FO&O — perhaps Sweden’s most successful boy band — or Bella & Filippa — rising YouTube stars — make a name for themselves?
Today is our first real chance to tell, as SVT will upload thirty seconds of each act’s rehearsals, as well as a minute snippet of each song. Check out both as well as our thoughts below. We’ll update this post as videos become available.
Melodifestivalen 2017: Deltävling 3 Växjö
1. Robin Bengtsson – “I Can’t Go On”
William: Robin is bang-on-trend with this soul-funk number that makes him go oooh. Like his Capitol Records counterpart Lisa Ajax he drops the F-bomb and he does so at just the right moment to grab your attention. This kind of music is not my cup of tea. But tea is one of the world’s most-consumed beverages, so I’m sure this will find its fans. But as of now it’s not reaching the heights of his entry from last year. In fact, it feels a little sleazy!
Check out the “I Can’t Go On” lyrics
2. Krista Siegfrids – “Snurra min jord”
William: She asks us to spin her life and we have the strong feeling she’s going to be spinning ours on Saturday evening. Krista steps away from the schlager she performed last year and instead goes more mainstream with this mid-tempo electro number which we strongly suspect will lead to a banger of a chorus. Or I hope so at least. If this has a pop drop coming I’m going to be so mad. Krista can do big and I want to see her do that again!
Check out the “Snurra min jord” lyrics
3. Anton Hagman — “Kiss You Goodbye”
William: In the opening Anton strums the guitar and sounds very singer-songwriter at a cafe run by hippie lesbians (this is not shade — some of my best friends are lesbians who run a hippie cafe). Things pick up with the chorus, though I worry this might become a bit one note from there. He’s charming and handsome and clearly has the voice. I’m just hoping the song can add some intrigue and interest because it’s sounding a tad flat for me now.
Check out the “Kiss You Goodbye” lyrics
4. Jasmine Kara — “Gravity”
William: She’s beautiful like a Barbie doll, but it’s clear that Jasmine is also strong. Her vocals are full and powerful and she’s defying “Gravity” with this song which soars, pulsates and has me saying wow. She sounds as if she’s setting up something epic and I cannot wait to hear the rest. Could this be the EDM banger of the year? Get it, gurl.
Check out the “Gravity” lyrics
5. Owe Thörnqvist — “Boogieman Blues”
William: You do you Owe! This comes from another era and makes no apologies about it. The “Boogieman Blues” may not court votes, but it will make Sweden smile. Depending on how it stacks up to the full versions of the other songs, it may find itself in the final or Andra Chansen. Remember the Playtones with “The King” a few years ago? Anything is possible.
Check out the “Boogieman Blues” lyrics
6. Bella & Filippa — “Crucified”
William: Fans of the United Kingdom Eurovision selection may be screaming Darline! But Bella & Filippa go higher and further, delivering a sweet, summery tune that straddles folk and Top 40. I’m loving this! Unfortunately entries in this genre don’t tend to slay, and I imagine it’ll get lost. But what a promising debut from these beauties.
Check out the “Crucified” lyrics
7. FO&O — “Gotta Thing About You”
William: There’s a lot of hype surrounding FO&O, which may explain why I’m slightly let down by this snippet, which, while way better than the likes of Lighthouse X, feels so boyband cliché. That said the production is on-point and there is a clear anthemic quality that will make the pre-teen set pump their fists and wave their lighters (or at least the flashlights on their iPhones). Charisma and chemistry will be key.
Check out the “Gotta Thing About You” lyrics
(Photo: Stina Stjernkvist/SVT)
What are your thoughts on each song? Do you think there’s a real standout amongst them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
I don’t doubt there’s hate for anything that has to do with Sweden at ESC. I don’t like Sweden being always top 5 or win so often either. But I recognize what Sweden has offered to ESC with some amazing songs. We know they are ahead of others as for the music production! And this isn’t bad at all. However, @Loo and @Bella you can’t say that Sweden will definetely be top 5 or win without even knowing which song will represent the country in Kiev! This isn’t fair for the other countries. It’s like saying that all the other… Read more »
@Mikaela: If Hungary sends Gabi, it could happen for them.
Apologies for my countrymen. We’re not all arrogant. I’d be happy for Sweden to be represented by a song that I like, and to end up in the top 10. And I’d like to see a new country winning ESC for the first time.
A raw prediction, based on the short audioclips and the even shorter videoclips: Robin, Jasmine and Krista will definitely advance, but who will go straight to the final and who will go to A.C.? As for the last spot, I’m thinking maybe FO&O or Anton; but beware the possibility of an upset from Owe. I don’t think Bella and Filippa have a chance. If Marie and Sanne could not get past the opening round in MF 2015, and the duo Darline could not qualify in the U.K., I wonder if even First Aid Kit could get past the likes of… Read more »
@Maclaren – spot on. Hahahah… And @Loo, except Mariette, I can’t see any other relevantly good song for ESC. Everything else is the same copy-paste uninspiring pop sound which dominates today on the radio. If that’s “high” for you, you lack any serious music diversity. May the best win (on ESC). I don’t know about Sweden, as their Melfest is kinda “rigged”. Hahahah… Oh, I laughed as a little child (and was proud in the same time) when a good song won over Christer’s choice (back in 2013, love “You”!). Let that happen this year, as well. 🙂 And that… Read more »
I wanna hear Swedish at ESC! Go Krista!
@Loo, very few planets which are light years ahead of Earth are actually habitable. Unless there is a strong marketing campaign behind them and some astronomers with a hidden agenda claiming the different. Swedish representation in Eurovision is like Kardashyans family who came to fame due to a few assets but a much bigger marketing campaign behind their… behinds.
Anton & Jasmine- direct to the final
Robin & Krista- second chance
Honestly couldn’t care less about this semi
Lol I only like Gravity.
Ugh this Melfest is absolutely rocking my world. I cant wait for all the final songs to be released so I can binge listen to them. I really think that every single one of the 12 songs in the final would qualify to the final of Eurovision.
I wish that at the end of the Melfest that they would let the losing songs in the final go to other countries – maybe Nano has an Irish granny that he’d forgotten about and he can come sing for us!
When will Krista realize nobody in Sweden votes for Swedish schlager anymore?
The quality of songs has really dropped off this year.
@Colin: In that case, Czech Republic for the win! 😀
I laugh off all statements claiming Sweden/Russia/Armenia or any other country which hasn’t picked yet will be in top 5. Just because a country has a good track record doesn’t mean the luck will follow (e.i. Greece, Ireland). Anyway, Iceland and Malta both have maybe 5 songs better than anything released in Melfest so far.
@LOO, you don’t think it’s arrogant to say, even before a song has been chosen and we still know nothing about the last 7 songs from the 4th heat, that Sweden is guaranteed to finish top 5 and most likely will win? That’s an INCREDIBLY arrogant statement based on zero facts. Over the last 5 contests Russia has a better average result than Sweden (3.4 v 4.8) but you don’t see Russian fans pouring into the comments section claiming they’re guaranteed a top 5. You guys have done really good recently, but your attitude is REALLY off-putting. Try being gracious… Read more »
@Loo: I agree that Sweden is “light years” ahead of other countries when it comes to music production at the moment. (And yes, I’m jealous.) The UK has a great industry, but it’s notoriously cliquey and very anti-Eurovision. I would like to bring Sweden’s Melodifestivalen to the UK one day – it is a dream I have. Maybe for 2037? 😀
@Jr esc nl: Please be nice. Pretty please? Thank you. 🙂
@Jr esc nl
If my comments are arrogant, then God help some of the fan’s comments.
@loo + bella
Altough I agree that other people on this site sound really bashing and maybe jeaulous, you guys kinda have the same problem the other way around because every time i read a comment of Loo i smell so much arrogance… Just saying, no hate intended xD
My prediction:
Final: Krista Siegfrids, FO&O
Second chance: Robin Bengtsson, Jasmine Kara
Out: Bella & Filippa, Anton Hagman, Owe Thörnqvist
Dear fans,
Sweden is the one who will be queen of eurovision.Mariette and Robin can win it in a landslide.Hate as much as you want.Loo I support you I will always agree with you.i will laugh very hard with you people when Sweden will win.
From Bella with love…
I see that the fans tries to do everything in their power to make Sweden look bad. Sorry guys, just like earlier years, you won’t succeed. Your ignorance will never affect us.
Sweden is going to be top 5 this year and most likely win and I know that you know it too. It has only been two semis yet, but each of the four songs that are qualified has the capacity to win it all. Sweden is lightyears ahead of other countries. Jealousy is not healthy guys, calm down and enjoy the contest instead.
From Sweden with love!
I believe this is the worst of the 4 shows. I can hardly find a song I like. Robin’s song is so different from last year. I don’t like this one. I’m not a fan of Krista generally, but I expected better. “Kiss you goodbye” is a nice song. Period. I actually liked “Gravity”. I want to see that live. But I have to admit it reminds me of Titanium especially in the chorus (what’s happening with Titanium this year?). I love OWE THÖRNQVIST and the song is sweet, but it comes from another era. “Crucified” has a country sound.… Read more »
Generally dissapointed from this semi final, there’s no tragic song but they are generally mediocre, and I really am not sure about my ranking. Things can totally change on Saturday. It’s the weakest one so far (Semi Final 1 was the strongest so far). Nothing of big competition from Semi Final 3, I think that Sweden’s participation will be between Ace, Mariette, Wiktoria and Loreen (if they make it next week). My ranking for the semi: 1. Bella & Fillipa: Nice country melody giving a nostalgic feel. Not a fan of the lyrics. 7/10 2. Jasmine Kara: This one has… Read more »
I think this semi is actually okay. 1) FO&O – I really like this, this is catchy and nice and actually has a good performance (*cough* Lighthouse X *cough*). 2) Krista – “Faller” was good, but this year she seems to be even stronger. I hope she makes it at least to AC. 3) Robin – It’s obviously not as strong as last year, but still good. 4) Anton – Major Shawn Mendes vibes. Okay, but not that original. 4) Jasmine – Can’t really decide between her and Anton, this is also quite good. 6) Bella & Philippa – Ugh,… Read more »
Wow I really don’t like any of these at this point.
I still think it’s between Nano and Loreen.
Really boring semi final!!!!
1) Krista Siegfrids with “Snurra min jord” – Final – I loved Krista last year and this year is no different. It’s very modern sounding (and even her schlager song last year was still modern), the only problem is that it’s in Swedish (before I get attacked know that I’m Swedish and am allowed to hate on my own language). If the song was in English it’d have a much better chance of doing well. 2) Bella & Filippa with “Crucified” – Final – I like it. Not crazy about it. But it’s a good song. 3) FO&O with “Gotta… Read more »
People are being so over dramatic (what a shock for Eurovision fans, right), but this semi-final isn’t that bad.
Not really feeling FO&O’s song, but it’s probably gonna go through.
I actually quite enjoy Owe’s song, it’s fun and makes me smile without being a joke, and that’s a good thing.
If I had to pick here tho, I’d choose Gravity.
Leaning towards Krista and Jasmine to go direkt till final. Not fond of Robin’s or Anton’s song. Unsure about FO&O, but the teen girl vote will send them through. The rest are just okay. Hoping Krista makes it through to either final or andra chansen! 😀
If I’m not wrong, Bjorkman said this year Sweden has at least 3 songs that could win Eurovision. Well… maybe those 3 are in the last semi because for now any of them would win. This semi is the weakiest.
Well, as I suspected, I will be supporting Krista on this semi. The competition doesn’t seam high, so I hope that she will actually made it to the grand final this year.
I feel like an outsider. I really like Krista’s song this year.
My top picks
It’ really is between these 4
Robin Bengtsson with ” I can’t go on”
Jasmine Kara- with “Gravity”
Bella & Filippa with “Crucified”
FO&O with “Gotta thing about you”
I can’t all these Eurovision fans constantly bashing Melodifestivalen when it is by far better than any other NF and far better than the quality of songs in Eurovision itself. Stop being salty because your expectations are way too high, everybody seems to be expecting every single song in every single semi final to be Euphoria. I’m sorry but half of these songs are better than songs from Eurovision. Just because its Sweden, they’re getting bashed.
My favorites
1. Bella och Filippa
2. Jasmine KAra
3. Ove TörnQvist
4. Krista Siegfrids
5. Robin Bengtsson
6.FO&O
7.Anton Hagman
@ (J)ESC Fanatic – nothing new there, Eesti Laul > Melfest every year
Lol @ people who say Eesti Laul is better than MF. Eesti Laul is so bad this year. Go MF, go Sweden.
I only genuinely like Bella & Fillipa and Owe’s songs….the rest just fall flat to me :/
Bit disappointed with this semi’s line up. Semi final 1 and 2 both had strong 2 DTF acts. I feel like this semi will have a strong DTF with Robin (not as good as last year’s but still catchy) but the other is completely open since they’re all mediocre at the moment. Still I’ll wait for the full songs before making a final judgement, especially with Jasmine Kara. I feel like there’s a killer part of the song SVT are hiding. I’m not going to make a judgement about the entire Melodifestivalen 2017 before firstly hearing the full sf 3… Read more »
For me this year Eesti Laul and EMA are better NF than Melodifestivalen.I like all the songs, but there’s nothing interesting here.
Cambell Grace, well music is certainly subjective because I think this semi is much, much stronger than the first two.
After a pretty strong two semi’s, this has dropped like a rollercoaster. Robin Bengtsson – in comparison to Constellation Prize, this is garbage. Nothing more to say. Krista Siegfrids – I really liked Faller, and this is okay too. Probably A/C I think. Anton Hagman – he’s good looking but the song……..no. Jasmine Kara – I had a feeling she’d deliver and she has. However, I feel like due to this semi being more of a popularity contest she won’t qualify DTF. Owe Thornqvist – stands out the most but meh…a little cheesy. Could make A/C. Bella and Filippa –… Read more »
Based on the clips Krista and Jasmine have the best songs by far.
But naturally, Sweden will go with the pretty boy with a terrible song and send Anton direkt till final
No. We do well in this competition because 80% of the songs are bad in esc. End.
All this fuss over Lisa Ajax swearing during her song and so does Robin bengtsson!
Eurovision-fans can be the worst kind of critics. Especially against Sweden if something doesn’t fits! Krista will compete for Sweden when pigs fly! There are far better artists in Melodifestivalen than her. And schlager is dead. That’s for sure. New times are coming. And I can see that Melodifestivalen tries to keep up with sounds that is popular to listen to outside the esc-bubble. That’s why Frans did better than any song last year after eurovision. I started to like it after some time..
Eesti Laul 2017 > Melodifestivalen 2017
TRUTH!!
Milla
Sweden can win Eurovision 2017 with any songs from MF 2017 , thanks to overrated points by juries , as always they did from 2013 to 2016.
At least…we will wait with anguish the semi-final4…