The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — continues to review the songs competing in the grand final of Melodifestivalen 2017. While on a boat tour of Stockholm’s archipelago, we discussed Benjamin Ingrosso‘s song “Good Lovin'”. Were we feeling the love? Read on to find out!
Benjamin Ingrosso – “Good Lovin'”
Watch the performance on YouTube
About Benjamin Ingrosso
Benjamin won Lilla Melodifestivalen in 2006 with “Hej, Sofia!”. He’s since launched his pop career and released the soul single “Love You Again” last year.
Wiwi Jury reviews “Good Lovin'”
Anthony: “Good Lovin’” feels like another generic throwaway pop entry, but Benjamin is born to perform. He delievered the suaveness of Justin Timberlake with the cheeky-chappy stage presence of Olly Murs. He might also want to work on his elocution, as I keep mishearing Benjamin borrowing some of Lisa Ajax’s F-words every time he tries to “forget”.
Score: 7/10
Jordi: What a truly pop-funk, upbeat, delicious song. “Good Lovin’” is exciting, it makes me jive and his vocals ooze sweetness and a pleasant flavour. It’s a clear example of something fresh and current with a classy feeling. His performing skills are outstanding. Charismatic, tender-hearted and killing those moves. Angelic but sassy, slay it honey!
Score: 9.5/10
Antranig: Between the unoriginal musical accompaniment and Benjamin’s less than stellar live vocals, I find little to like about “Good Lovin'”. The lyrics are slightly predatory and I feel as though the majority would be calling this really cheap if it was in any other national final. Benjamin’s movement on stage is the most interesting part and he is a charismatic performer but needs work vocally.
Score: 1/10
Chris: Someone go fetch Anton Ewald, one of his songs has escaped. There’s no inherent problems with “Good Lovin'”, other than the fact it’s just not a standout. It’s exactly the kind of song that ultimately finishes in the lower half of a Melfest final — generic male solo pop. It taps somewhat in to a recognisable mainstream pop and is competently performed. For some countries, this would be a revolution. For Sweden, it’s just above average filler.
Score: 6/10
Dayana: Is this a Swedish version of Bruno Mars’ “Treasure”? Anyway, although the lyrics are a bit way too dull and sound like we’ve heard them 1000 times before, the style “Good Lovin'” is something new in Melodifestivalen. In spite of the ordinariness of the entry, it’s still enjoyable to listen to, mainly because of Benjamin’s energetic and cheerful performance.
Score: 7/10
William: His voice is squealy, whiny and somewhat pubescent — yet his natural swagger and charisma make the total package work. Even so, I find myself paying more attention to his thrusts, sways and hairy forearms. That’s because the song is ultimately just background music that sounds like Justin Timberlake karaoke on a good day. Benjamin can perform. I just wish he didn’t have to perform this.
Score: 6/10
Robyn: This is a lot of fun. “Good Lovin'” brings a fresh sound to a classic R&B style and Benjamin delivers a lively performance. Though it is still pretty generic. There’s nothing about it that has made me want to listen again and again. And I’m not feeling the giant tinfoil shells — they make Benjamin seem like a human baked potato.
Score: 6.5/10
Sami: “Good Lovin'” is not trying to reinvent the wheel, but picks the best elements of the biggest hits from this genre in the past few years. There are several songs what start off the same way as this and the song could really be from Bruno Mars’ or Justin Timberlake’s repertoire. Benjamin still manages to give the song his own flavour. He is very charming guy and manages to actually sound good while dancing, unlike most of those who try the same.
Score: 7/10
Our jury for Melodifestivalen 2017 contains 28 jurors, but we only have room for eight reviews. The remaining scores are listed below.
Angus: 5.5/10
Antony: 5/10
Bernardo: 6.5/10
Deban: 7.5/10
Edd: 7/10
Erdi: 8/10
Forrest: 4/10
Jason: 4/10
Josh: 7.5/10
Jovana: 6.5/10
Luis: 6.5/10
Mikhail: 5.5/10
Natalie: 5.5/10
Patrick: 6.5/10
Rezo: 8/10
Ron: 6/10
Sinan: 6/10
Steinunn: 4/10
Tobias: 3/10
Zakaria: 3/10
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 1 and a high of 9.5.
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Am I the only person who thinks he looks like someone from the Disney Channel?
It’s very fresh and different compared to other Melfest entries this year. It gives me that early 2000s vibe aswl. Btw he reminds me of Jai Waetford from Neighbours(AUS drama) 🙂
Dull. Unoriginal. Bad voice. Enough said.
I agree with Antranig. #TeamAntranig #PromoteHim
Speaking completely objectively, the song is album-filler mediocrity. It is an affront to good taste that this in the final, while Loreen sits it out. Benjamin Ingrosso is a lovely guy, easy to fall in love with, but no – it’s only because I like him that I want him to do better. His whole routine is copied from Anton Ewald, who himself copied it from Michael Jackson…I wonder did Anton choreograph this for him?
My least favorite too.
I fell in love with Benjamin at a piano, quite a while ago. 🙂
Seeing him dance is… a bit uncomfortable? He’s not bad at it – it’s just not where I see him in musical performance. I like that he’s taking a risk at Melfest and is trying to escape being grounded, but it hasn’t fully convinced me. Also, I haven’t spotted hardly any chatter about him on Twitter – it’s like he doesn’t exist! 🙁
Benjamin’s team has some work to do, but I ADORE him and his music – I wish him all the best. x
Get over it with Antranig, it’s just the way he rates entries. Each one has a different rating system.
I do not get the appeal. He does not look great, he does sound nasally, struggles to dance whilst maintaining his breath for singing and his song sounds like a rejected Michael Jackson album track (off the wall so to speak).
Totally underrated entry. He is a good singer and amazing performer. The song is freaking catchy and the performance is enjoyable. Good luck!
One thing’s for certain Soy, Antranig didn’t give Boris René a 1.
What a fuss over a rating… I don’t think this song is particulary good either. It’s kind of generic and alike most pop songs from the 90s. It’s not a 1/10, but I would not give it more than 4.5/10.
His voice IS like that, Antranig! What’s with you? What’s next, Boris René a 1?
Yeah agree. Please fire Antranig or whatever his name is. Seriously 1? He thinks he can make high quality pop songs!
Is his father’s name Tobias? Because those genes must contain some real bias towards Swedish songs!!
This Antranig should never rate any song, his review was so bias and beyond amateurish or much better if wiwi fire him lol
i’m completely ok with his voice. i find it very unconventional and unique but it works for the song. y’all need to be more open-minded.
The worst entry of the Swedish final, by far. I fail to see any charisma, I find him equally annoying and irritating as the performances his mother had in past years. It’s nice to have an entry for a toilet break or to get refills, though. 🙂
Never have I been so annoyed at a singer’s voice
This is the worst entry in the final along with Owe. The song and performance are so kitsch. He qualified only because of teen girls. I swear, if he was a girl, he wouldn’t have even made it to Andra Chansen. Talk about injustice…
Yuck!! Why you have to mention arm hair @WilliamLeeAdams in your review.
It’s the song I like the least in the grand final. His voice is way too nasal and it contrasts with his appearence, and the production itself is very 2012.
You guys need to get rid of Antranig…his reviews makes no sense AT ALL. talk about unprofessional…
Okay song, don’t like his voice that much tbh. Will probably do okay in the final.