As Deltävling 3 is approaching we are already halfway through the Melodifestivalen tour and this week’s stop takes us to the Swedish city of Leksand, a place famed for its hard crispy knäckebröd.
Saturday’s show will be opened by the electronic-pop duo The Lovers Of Valdaro with “Somebody Wants”. They became the first confirmed act for this year’s contest when they won the Melodifestivalen wildcard as part of the P4 Nästa contest.
The duo is followed by Dolly Style with “Habibi”. The Dolly Style brand has competed in Melfest twice before with both “Hello Hi” and “Rollercoaster” ending up in Andra Chansen. The group has undergone seven line-up changes since debuting in 2015. None of the 2015 dolls remain, while only one member was around in 2016.
Act number three is Martin Stenmarck. He represented Sweden at Eurovision back in 2005 (hello Kyiv). He’s returning this year with “Låt skiten brinna” which can be translated to something like “Let the sh*t burn”.
Next up is Lina Hedlund. She’s best known as one of the three members of the former Swedish europop/schlager band Alcazar. They split up in 2018 and this year Lina is going solo with her song “Victorious”.
Omar Rudberg, formerly of FO&O, is also doing it solo. Unlike his former bandmates Oscar Enstead and FELIX SANDMAN, he will sing in Swedish with “Om om och om igen”.
The sixth act of Saturday’s show is newcomer Rebecka Karlsson and “Who I Am”. She competed in Swedish Idol 2016 finishing second behind LIAMOO.
Last but not least is the Swedish-Sami Jon Henrik Fjällgren (JHF) who will close the show with “Norrsken” meaning “Northern light”. JHF has competed twice before with “Jag är fri” in 2015 and “En värld full av strider” featuring Aninia in 2017.
MELODIFESTIVALEN 2019 SEMI-FINAL 3 SNIPPETS
As in previous weeks we won’t hear the songs in full until the live semi-final on Saturday night. However, SVT has released a 1-minute snippet of the songs, which are available to listen to now on SVT Play.
- The Lovers of Valdaro – “Somebody Wants”
- Dolly Style – “Habibi”
- Martin Stenmarck – “Låt Skiten Brinna”
- Lina Hedlund – “Victorious”
- Omar Rudberg – “Om Om Och Om Igen”
- Rebecka Karlsson – “Who I Am”
- Jon Henrik Fjällgren – “Norrsken”
Clips from rehearsals will be released later tonight through SVT Play.
Lyrics for all of Saturday night’s songs are available on the Melodifestivalen website.
What do you think of the songs in Deltävling 3? Do we have the winner in this heat? Let us know in the comments below!
What are your initial reactions? Who do you want to go direct to the final? Let us know in the comments below!
hahaha be be happy
What a load of old knäckebröd!
But seriously, this is quite a competitive round. A lot of decent songs but none with the real wow factor. Curly haired lad, Jon Henrik, dolly rockers singing about a kebab man and the pretty gays to go through please
Can not wait for Linas generic song to finish last in this semi. It is dated but it still would not even have won 10 years ago or even made the top 5. Jessicas song last year was miles better than her trash.
this did not age well.. lmao
hmm Jon’s song is not as good as I expected, but it’s the strongest opponent to Wiktoria’s. Let’s watch his live performance first to say who’s better.
Appallingly bland Swedish plastics
Don’t forget that generic popsongs are probobly the most successful genre in the music industry.. That’s why Sweden have been so successful in Esc.
Wtf those outfits
After watching the 30 seconde prevew clips, my thoughts have shifted slightly. DF: Lina Hedlund – It has an old school melodifestivalen vibe, but I can’t help but like it! A personal favourite from this sf. Jon Henrik – A nice song that would fit so well in the shire. Not my favourite of his songs but its still nice and fits my own personal tastes. AC: Rebecka – Nice song, and she sings well. I want to see the whole version. Dolly Style – Cute fun song but nothing too outsanding. Borderline AC. DQ/Borderline: Lovers of Valdaro – Very… Read more »
As a swede i am ashamed of the songs this year, all are stolen from other artists and Avicii seem to be popular to steal from…sigh
Good songs, but it sounds to me like Sweden gave up on trying to win ESC.
I think we just want a good song!
Though so far I think all songs that made it through are top 10 worthy, and maybe 2- 3 top 5. Which is more than last year.
Hmm, I don’t we have heard any Top 5 song so far. I say Wiktoria is a contender for the Top 10, the others…I’m not so sure…
*I don’t think […]
It’s like they’re back in the late 2000s again.
Yes, the melfest isn’t all about geting the best song to esc to us. The melfest is bigger than esc here and we expect a good family show. Sweden is dark in februari and the worst mount of the year but the melfest makes me happy and for me a light in the dark . Me and my daughter decorate our home whith melfest decoration, we have especially melfestcandles, a melfestcake. We dressup in funny glitterering clothes and realy enjoy the show. Melfest is so much more than select a winner for esc. And I think most people want their… Read more »
I think that’s true of every national final with a televote. The public never vote strategically for the best Eurovision result, they just vote for who they like best.
The result of mellfest i the song most people like the most.
Not the song we think will win ESC. If europe share our tast. Fine.
Oh Malin, that all sounds wonderful! 🙂
I thought it’d be nice to share that I also have Eurovision decorations and we also exchange presents on Eurovision! 2 years ago some friends and I started a tradition of watching the Melodifest grand final together as well, even though we don’t understand Swedish (yet; but I’m learning). This year’s selection so far is my least favourite for years, but it’s a fun show for sure.
Since Malou went direct to final in Malmö (quite a lot of you was also surprised, ain’t you?), I can’t predict the direction of this one. Anybody has their shot for at least qualifying for the Second Chance round.
I love Fjallgren but that song is a complete dud. Absolute schmaltz.
I’m all for Omar in this semifinal. And I hope Jon Henrik has something up his sleeve, but my first impression wasn’t good.
Weak semifinal
My favorites are The Lovers of Valdaro and Omar for bringing something different and catchy.
Also Dolly Style, they make me wanna dance!
JHF is obviously my favourite but the song seems to lack something. It almost sounds as if Rybak wrote it. It’s just a bit too…err….chirpy?
This has to be the weakes Melodifestivalen line-up ever. “Somebody Wants” FINAL 1. Omar Rudberg – “Om Om Och Om Igen” (cool, interesting beat and voice) 2. Rebecka Karlsson – “Who I Am” (outstanding in this bunch, current and interesting, but a bit generic too. I need to hear the chorus in order to say something more) ANDRA CHANSEN 3. Jon Henrik Fjällgren – “Norrsken” (it sounds a bit like something a Swedish grandpa would sing ft. some Disney soundtrack for a new film with a Sami main character. Not a winner. I prefer his first entry “Jag ar fri”.… Read more »
Omar is bringing it! Also judging from the stage snippet.
Hope he will go DTF, fingers crossed 🙂
I wish I liked this year’s Melfest more than I actually am. Norway is seriously outclassing Sweden. My favourite from this bunch is “Norrsken”, which is a nicely fresh song. There
Can you fans think about this; Why do you call all the western songs generic and then all the balkan songs original? In that case you can also say balkan pop and ballads are generic to because they are all the same with the same structure. So all songs then are generic in their own way. Write 100% original songs youself instead of bitching all the time
… since most worlwide hits are penned by Swedish producers. Case closed.
Swedish production = overproduced with elementary school lyrics
British production = brilliant production with meaningful lyrics
Swedish production in worldwide pop is what B movies are in Hollywood
It seems Ukraine’s Vidbir will be the best national selection this year
I beg to differ. So many fillers in the selection.
That is one of the worst selections lmao
Australia has Decided Not the case!
Judging by the average pack, I think it’s still Melfest, but some countries like Portugal and Lithuania have 1-3 very strong songs, which is what matters the most.
Not including Sanremo as a NF tho.
I think Dolly Style will go directly to final and a potential winner. Out of all the mainstream radio-friendly songs in mello this year?they managed to be entertaining.
I don’t know why everyone’s always so negative, probably just because it’s Sweden. If half of the Melodifestivalen songs were competing in a different country everyone would be screaming winner vibes. From this semi I think Rebecka has the potential to win it all.
Jon Henrik is very disappointing, if he wasn’t such a known name I’d say he was an easy NQ.
Thank you, I don’t want bunch of forgettable songs in my NF.
I also think it’s overreaction. However, there’s something that really irritates me when it comes to their selection, as you just said “If half of the Melodifestivalen songs were competing in a different country everyone would be screaming winner vibes.” or “we will probably get top 5 again this year”.
Those comments spoil Sweden’s entries to me.
Btw, Have you read the comments about Latvia’s Supernova? They are far worse.
Omar – what a star!
Guy has a great voice but they didn’t really give him much of a song here.
Seems there’ll be a suprise in the ending, it’s quite promising for a 1 min snippet.
My top 4 would be:
Habibi and Jon Henrik to the final
Omar and Rebecka or Lina to second chance
I think Wiktoria is the one to beat, stil!. Jon Henrik isn’t winning with what sounds as his weakest entry to date, really a Disney song from the 50 s what he is giving us?
Though it’s a impressive field , much better than the entire 2018 field. But unless something sweeps us of our feet next week, Wiktoria will take the crown!
uh i feel like they’re trying too hard to be contemporary but the songs are dated on arrival. songs aren’t bad just very….mediocre? jon henrik is the one that obviously stands out here. now if only en varld full av strider had been this year, he would’ve ran away with it….
I only read 3 comments and they were all negative as usual as the last 6-7 years so nothing new here:). Sweden have some contenders to a good place in ESC. 1. Hanna Ferm & Liamoo. 2.Rebecka Karlsson 3. Anna Bergendahl.
not u mentioning those three flops and letting out their only shot at going top 10, wiktoria
Why are you always so negative?
sksksjsksks you’re obsessed
Rasmus I’m sorry, but you’re seriously so annoying and can’t take any criticism. This selection just isn’t that exciting, it’s not bad tho. Stop pitying yourself.
I liked Jon Henrik’s snipet.
Ik we had amazing precedents from him but I think it will be great live. He’s very special.
Omar pleasantly surprised me I think his song and Jon Henrik should qualify direct and Dolly Style was also better than their last two songs and should go to Andra Chansen and the last spot would either go to Lina or Lovers of Valdoro they are about even for me so i don’t know which one would go
Oah, Omar Rudberg is in.. I was waiting for him to grow up and participate. Looking forward to see his performance. Also, cheering for Jon Henrik. So far, Sweden didn’t impress me much.
Actually I like most of the songs from this semifinal (except for two I won’t name). As for favourites: The Lovers of Valdaro and Dolly Style.
I had such high hopes for the Lovers of Valdaro and I’m really disappointed
After watching the rehearsals I have to say that I really like Rebecka’s song but there could be done so much more with the staging. And I can tell Jon Henrik staging is going to be beautiful and what a cutie he is! My heart melts! The coolest of them all this semifinal is Omar! I somehow wish for him to go to the final. This semifinal is not bad at all. I will listen to almost all of them after the release. And that is something I didn’t feel last week.
You call me the joy killer? 🙂
None. I’d eliminate all seven. Lin Hedlund at least can be danced to, but still, everything sounds… UNINSPIRED.
I think your friends are really uninspired with your negative attitude to.
A very weak and dated selection going by the snippets. Omar is the only one showing a bit of promise.
have we heard that before? yes for the last 10 years and still we manage to get top 10. NEXT!
DTF = Rebecka and The lovers of Valdaro
AC = Dolly style and Omar
NQ = Martin, Jon and Lina
Sweden are so unpredictable so it’s unlikely my favs will make it through. Jon is SUPER overrated and Martin and Lina just don’t have good enough songs. Omar’s song may qualify but only because it’s a weak semi. Rebecka, The lovers of Valdaro and Dolly style had the best snippets imo but the odds are very much against The lovers and Dolly style so who knows what’ll happen on Saturday
Actually i Like Lina and rebecca they are my favorite in this Semi.
The lovers and The 3 Cosplay Girl for the second Chance.
Very Disappointed about John Henrik , i prefer Spirit in The Sky in MGP better than that song.
I do like Jon Henrik’s song but I defs prefer Spirit in the Sky as well.
I like this semifinal. But it feels more like an opportunity for the artists to promote new music on home soil. I like Martin Stenmark’s new song. Really good. And Omar’s is something I could listen too during summer. And I like Lovers of Valdaro because I like Modern Talking. If I would send someone to the final to get the chance to represent Sweden in Eurovision it would be Rebecka. But I have to see the performance. About Jon Henrik I have to see the whole performance to know if it’s good or not. I think he’s such a… Read more »
Jon Henrik’s song is so disappointing. It’s like a music soundtrack from Disney, which is predictable and unoriginal. Spirit In The Sky is much better than this. I thought he could win this year with en epic traditional song. Man I was wrong.
The Lovers of Vandalo and Lina caught my attention. The rest is just meh.
I understand if people are disappointed with Sweden because of our results the recent years, it make sense that you expect quality. But Sweden is a small country with many musicians. A mediocre radiofriendly hit trough Mello will give you gigs and work for the year, going to Eurovision is not their main goal. That’s why everything sounds safe and a bit boring.
Thank you! Why do people think everyone wants to win mello? Most artists just want their couple of minutes of fame
Of course they want to win. Why do the winners always look so excited then? I agree most don’t go in with the expectation of winning, but it’s not like they don’t want it.
Do you think Rolandz or Sean Banan wanted to win melfest? Or Margaret? Most artists wants the amazing exposure melfest gives them
Exactly, the better they do the more exposure they get.
Actually take Moldova 2018 for example. A song can ba a grower with staging. Its 2019. Its not easy to be original ALL the time. A lot of things have already been done. I we were San Marino i bet my life you would love ALL 7 of them. I know thats true actually.
Which results? We have constantly been in top 10.
And so far MF 2019 is better than all of the MF 2018 songs. Most that passed through is top 10 material, which is more than you can say about MF 2018.Sweden will do as well as it always does, and probably better than last year
Jon Henrik is definitely my favorite! JHF and Rebecka’s pipe will probably get them to finals while Omar (I love his song!) and hopefully lovers of Valdaro will go to AC. Dollystyle were the weakest link in this semi
Let’s just hope we vote right this week…
After semi final 2 result
I think
DF
1. Jon Henrik
2. Omar
AC
3. Dolly Style
4. Rebecka
NQ
5. Martin
6. Lina
7. The Lover of Valdor
But anything can change after full song, staging and live performance
Ehem Malou make to DF Oscar and Margeret not qualify
I think this semi-final slightly has the edge on SF1 in terms of quality. Lovers of Valdaro – Quite surprised but I also expected something relatively decent. I think they COULD and I’ve love to see them make A/C at least. It’s the best P4 Nasta song in Melfest so far. Dolly Style – Much better than Rollercoaster but I’m not that bothered by them either. Martin Stenmarck – Again like D/S not bothered by him either. Lina Hedlund – The Party Voice of 2018 but can’t see it going DTF. Most likely A/C. Omar – Wasn’t that bothered by… Read more »
? really don’t know what you guys are taking about, I think this is a great semi. Better than 1 and 2.
My favourites are Lovers of valdaro and Lina.
Judging by these clips I’m still looking for my melfest winner. Honestly so far the songs I’ve heard would probably see Sweden end up outside of the top 10 in Eurovision. It’s a weak melfest so far.
Much better than last year
Jon Henrik isn’t what I was expecting based on his previous entries, and I think once I have a few hours to mentally reconfigure myself based on that, I’ll be very happy with it! So far nothing in Sweden has seemed a potential Eurovision winner to me – and because of that I’d rather see them take the risk with him than play it safe with a “better contender”! His staging sounds amazing and I love the snippet and I’m excited to see it in full. Honestly, I like pretty much everything in this semi, though! Maybe because it’s all… Read more »
also sidenote I’m loving omar’s look in the big group photo ??? rocking the crop top
I feel John Henrik song a bit dated I was expecting something else; an epic sound idk.
Rebecka is a winner candidate for sure! Need to hear the full 3 minutes of that one now! Not impressed by the others, Jon Henrik is a letdown for me. Martin Stenmarck and Omar have chances of going through I think
She could be, but I REALLY want to hear that drop! The preview clip cuts the song at the wrong moment >_<
Same.. :c
Knowing her from swedish Idol the song sounds really genuine and sincere so I hope it continues to build after the clip ends and she does well on saturday
good to know! This is my first time hearing her sing so I’m looking forward to it!