Hej Sverige! The grand final of Melodifestivalen 2019 will take place tonight. It’s where Sweden will decide who will represent them in Tel Aviv — and will give us the final confirmed artist for Eurovision 2019. Over the past few weeks, the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has been reviewing the 12 songs that will be performing in the final at Friends Arena tonight. But which is our favourite?
The jury’s favourite was John Lundvik. His bold romantic gesture “Too Late for Love” picked up and average score of 8.3/10, putting him at the top of our list.
In second place was Lisa Ajax. She might have made it to the grand final via the andra chansen round, but the jury put her direct to second place with an average score of 8.05/10 for her song “Torn”.
And in third place was former Alcazar singer Lina Hedlund. The Wiwi Jury was feeling her modern schlager number “Victorious and gave Lina an average of 7.65/10.
At the bottom of the list was Arvingarna. Most of the jury weren’t so appreciative of their classic dansband sound and gave them only 4.05/10.
1. John Lundvik – “Too Late for Love” (8.3)
The best: “Take it from someone who thought “My Turn” was awful — “Too Late for Love” is incredible! John Lundvik is an exceptional performer and his connection with the song is so pure, genuine and engrossing. He feels every note and his delivery is captivating. The soulful nature of the song gives it its identity and John Lundvik is undoubtedly one of the best options for Sweden.” (Antranig, 9/10)
The worst: “This is such a good song, but even better performed by the amazing John Lundvik. I love how the staging at Melodifestivalen is simple and all about the voices. It’s not my favourite song in the final, but this one has started to grow on me. Sweden has always good music to offer.” (Cinan, 7.5/10)
2. Lisa Ajax – “Torn” (8.05)
The best: “”Torn” is all about progression, focused power and the big pay-off. This is a class effort, which for the first matches Lisa’s potential and has glimmers of winning song about it. The only weak chink here is staging. The song is about progression, and lighting could reflect that better. That aside, Lisa should be in a strong position to challenge in the final.” (Angus, 9/10)
The worst: “This song has clearly been produced for the likes of Loreen. And while Lisa Ajax isn’t up in that league yet, she does put her emotions into the track. This feels more mature than her previous entries and vocally she’s also improved from her previous Melodifestivalen appearances.” (Florian, 7/10)
3. Lina Hedlund – “Victorious” (7.65)
The best: “A cleverly crafted Swedish pop banger, thumping a message of inspiration and self-assurance. Victorious’ club-ready feel is the perfect mood-lift for any situation. What’s not to love? Alcazar’s relevance on the music scene spans two decades. Lina Hedlund comes with enough experience and talent to take this track to the top of the charts, and to win Melodifestivalen in tow.” (Deban, 9/10)
The worst: “A nice throwback to the years where schlager dominated Melfest, but with a hint of 2019 in it. Lina’s career experience makes wonders when on stage. “Victorious” is a number that demands a confident performer and she delivers. Having said that, I predict a fate similar to what Jessica Andersson achieved last year. Virtually being forgotten in the finals.” (Bernardo, 6.5/10)
Melodifestivalen 2019: Reviews and rankings
- John Lundvik – “Too Late for Love” (8.3)
- Lisa Ajax – “Torn” (8.05)
- Lina Hedlund – “Victorious” (7.65)
- Wiktoria – “Not with Me” (7.45)
- Anna Bergendahl – “Ashes to Ashes” (7.3)
- Jon Henrik Fjällgren – “Norrsken (Goeksegh)” (6.85)
- Malou Prytz – “I Do Me” (6.8)
- Mohombi – “Hello” (6.5)
- Nano – “Chasing Rivers” (5.7)
- Hanna Ferm & LIAMOO – “Hold You” (5.6)
- Bishara – “On My Own” (4.95)
- Arvingarna – “I Do” (4.05)
What do you think? Who is your favourite in the Melfest final? Who would you like to see represent Sweden in Tel Aviv? Share your thoughts below!
Lundvik was the jury’s unanimous choice, while Jon Henrik, 4th in the televote, was massacred by the jury (last); and yet, he still finished 4th. Even a perfect jury score for Fjallgren wouldn’t have beaten Lundvik.
This clip shows most of you in the comment section at the moment hahaha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-j4KrU4pfk
Lets be honest ….SWEDEN is in 1 half of 2 semi —- so it will be better to send some group or man ….but if they send Hanna and Liamo there will be another ballad in the 2 semi ………..i am boring of swedish men ( but there is no other option actually cause there are already 6 girls in 1 half of 2 semi …).. I don think Arvingarna, Nano, Lisa, Malou or Liamo and Hanna wil win ) the best options would be Fjllgren cause its diferent but also Norway has similar song in some way …so its… Read more »
Finally some recognition for Lisa . It’s time
She has a powerful voice, that’s for sure.
I really hope John wins tonight. As a singer-songwriter he is so deserving of this title anyhow, and I love “Too late for love” as a song – it happens to suit my current situation in life. Everything lines up for me. But the competition will be strong, and the final choice will be up to Sweden.
Well I guess this will be a pretty suspense-free final if everyone is right and John Lundvik is the winner. I am shocked its such a clear cut winner. Maybe there’s just too many ballad choices in the final this year and this one at least feels less traditional for Sweden with the gospel tinge. But when I think of clear cut winners at Melfest I think of Euphoria and Heroes with great stagings. This almost feels too basic.
It has the gospel vibe but it’s such typical schlagger/melfest song.
It’s nothing new for Swedes but it’s enjoyable and John elevates it
I hope Bishara will win this. His voice is incredible!!
And if he doesn’t win, than he has to come back to Melfest 😀
Unfortunately just having a great voice is not what makes you win! It’s the package,,
Worst Melfest ever!!!
Pretty weak crop this year. John Lundvik is probably the best, maybe Jon Hendrik Fjallgren for being distinct, but neither would make my top ten for the year.
I agree its weak, but I disagree that Lundvik is the best… He is actually one of the worst to me.
The biggest buzz here in Sweden is definitely about John Lundvik so he’s probably gonna win tonight. I do however have a feeling Bishara will come second in the televotes.
Just hope that Jon henrik also has a slight chance of winning since he and John Lundvik are my favorites this year!
I don’t like any of them. Why does Sweden favour men over women? Every single year the Swedes screw the female artists over.
I don’t know why Sweden favours men over women. Maybe it’s because a lot more women watch melodifestivalen
I do however believe that if a woman came with a strong pop or r’n’b song, she’d win.
Wiktoria came 2nd in 2016 and 2017 in televote.
Hanna will be 2nd or 3rd tonight.
I don’t think Swedes have a problem with gender. They vote for a song.
Remember that the International jury so far hasn’t liked Wiktoria (just to use one example). The two previous times she has competed the swedish voters has rated her higher than the International Juries.
Sweden is so so so so bad. John is Cesar and Wiktoria is Moldova, but nobody says about Moldova that the singer elevates the song. There’s no better and appropriate year for Sweden to stay in semifinal than 2019.
Yes, cause those two countries were the first ones to use that genre and everybody else is a copy.
Really!
Malou is the only sensible option for Sweden.
Are you kidding mee ?
I like it a lot, but somehow it’s still missing something.
Anyway, it’s another top 10 to Sweden.
I’m almost positive that Sweden will choose John Lundvik but that song is so very boring, I don’t even wanna listen to the full song
“HANNAMOO” all the way 😀
1. Wiktoria, 2. Anna Bergendahl, 3. Lisa Ajax, 4. John Lundvik, 5. Jon Henrik, 6. Hanna Ferm & Liamoo
Any of them would be good with me. I am hoping for my top 2, but others are good too.
Just not the song about teen sex, please…
Oh Colin, I hope you haven’t jinxed the result!
I hope so too. This year I have been a jinx quite a lot, but that stopped with Island last weekend. Sweden has a great line-up, I hope they know how to use it.
the bandwagoning is real
The songs ok… it’d be good to have some black representation at Eurovision for a change though
Should have happened with Makeda in Germany too! Kerrie-Anne as well, but I am really growing on Michael’s song too. Not to mention that last year UK had both Asanda and Jaz Ellington as obvious winners. Even if France made the right choice, Emmy Liyana and Lisandro would probably be just as good.
Considering we already have Bilal and Mahmood as African descents, it’s close enough.
None of them are black though. They’re are north african indeed but not considered black at all.
also Conan has egyptian descents ( I heard) but i am not sure
It’s funny, his personality is sooo very Swedish so I don’t even see him as a black person.
John is black and very much Swedish. The two are not mutually exclusive. I guess this comment was supposed to be funny, because…?
I still cross my fingers for Wiktoria and Anna… against the odds obviously….:-(
I don’t like Is it too late for love, I find it generic. Instead of him, I would prefer Wiktoria, Anna Bergendahl or Mohombi. But I think that Bishara or John will win
How boring
John Lundvik’s Too Late for Love, is obviously the best choice for Sweden to win a 3rd eurovision victory this decade.
if nobody but u didn’t win last year, then a cover of it won’t either
With that argument, you could say that “Nobody But You” was itself a cover of a Brian McKnight song.
It’s not even the same song. This one edm-oriented. If it’s a “cover” then it’s a much better version.
Right, because one gospel song didn’t make it then it somehow means all gospel songs wont make it.
It won the jury vote, and John’s song is more accessible to the public + he is more charismatic than Cesar was.
I still have a small amount of hope that Sweden will choose Jon Henrik Fjällgren, even though its not his best effort, but its something different from usual swedish entries.
But unlike two years ago, where I was disappointed with En värld full av strider, I dont expect anything.
Well John won the public vote at the jury rehearsal with 34.8% of the votes with Bishara 2nd (no surprise) with 15.8%. I think John wins. Even if Bishara could snath the first place with the televotes tonight then he will not get a good reception from the international juries and John won’t fail. I’m almost sure of it. Europe seem to like Wiktoria, she could threaten the first place with the juries instead. But in the public vote yesterday she was only 6th. Everything points at John really. I hope so.
I am not a fan of any of these tbh ! Is it just me?
The only song in this year’s 28 I actually liked is who I am !!
I have my top 12 of already elected Eurovision songs this year, and none of the songs in our national final would enter that top. So yes, I agree. /Disappointed Swede