He’s the man who sings “Too Late For Love”. But it’s never too late to catch up with Sweden’s Eurovision 2019 representative John Lundvik. And that’s exactly what our William did at last Sunday’s London Eurovision Party.
The gents talk backing vocalists, the journey to Tel Aviv and, of course, the song.
John’s uptempo number quickly became a fan favourite during Sweden’s Melodifestivalen and eventually won the contest in record-breaking fashion. “It’s so crazy. And such a blessing and honour that so many people have felt that it’s part of themselves and that they can relate”.
Thanks to its gospel and soul vibes, “Too Late For Love” stands out compared to typical Swedish entries: “It’s not really Swedish and the song is also a hybrid: It starts off like a ballad, then it turns out to be a pop song, then it’s an uptempo song, and all of a sudden there is a hook that is gospel”.
John Lundvik “Too Late For Love” Live @ London Eurovision Party 2019
Like in Melodifestivalen, John will once more share the limelight with his backing vocalists — The Mamas. However, John reveals that finding The Mamas wasn’t an easy task: “I don’t know what the hardest part was, but I’m so happy that we found them. Because finding a great singer is kind of easy to do in Sweden, but finding a personality is a whole another thing.”
And the Mamas come from all over, from Washington DC to L.A. to parts of Africa: “I mean, The Mamas are such a huge part of the performance and the energy. It’s so fun being there on stage with them”.
John Lundvik “Too Late For Love” (First Reaction)
Due to John’s love of gospel music, you might expect him to come from a gospel family. However, this is not the case. He discovered the genre all by himself. But it has a very special meaning to him: “I just love the music. The gospel is all about the vibe, singing from the heart and I love singing from the heart because it has to feel genuine and I’m done with faking.”
Lundvik also competed in Melodifestivalen 2018 with “My Turn”. The number also did really well and finished third in the Melfest final. However, John is glad that he didn’t win last year: “I don’t think that I was mentally prepared for a win. And this year has really taught me how it is to be in this kind of mode because it is really different. But it is such a cool thing because I’m ready to go and I’m here representing”.
John’s staging in Melodifestivalen was designed by the team behind Benjamin Ingrosso’s 2018 entry. So clearly these people are professionals. Most importantly, they always make designs that fit with the person they are working with: “The first thing that they do is like, they wanna know the person before they start working, and I think that is a huge thing that they have, they wanna know you before they start working and that’s been so good for me”.
John also gives a little hint about his staging for Tel Aviv: “There are huge tweaks and there will be more glamour and there will be more staging”.
What do you think about “Too Late For Love”? And what is your message to John? Let us know in the comments below.
So, copy – paste with more lights? Classic Swedes…
Jelalousy suits you good. If you have a brain you understand that its pretty hard do somethng no one already have. It started in 1956 you know
Tell that to Switzerland, Malta and Cyprus who are copying Fuego. Cyprus is even copy pasting itself.
Do u think this is a copy. Have u herd Norwaysslng, thats acopy. Finland 2018 and Barby girl
This has to win.
I came just to hear only now the studio version. This is just horribly autotuned. It bleeds the ears.
How can some people like this ???
Have you herd Italiens and Icelands song. This 2 arehorribly songs
Italian studio song is also an autotune piece of art.
Then try listening to the live version, you know the version people will hear on the night of the actual show. John and his choir are amazing live.
That’s why I get shocked when I listened to the studio version. I know he can sing live.
wrong
This is top 3, or nr1
More glamour ? He sings Gospel and don’t even know what it means WTF. Why not MARUV as a nun ?
So they have an OK song that I was highlighted by a very well crafted staging performance and now he’s talking about “huge tweaks” and “more glamour”. Honestly, I don’t know if I like how it sounds. At least we’ll still have the mamas, they’re amazing.
I get the feeling Sweden wants to win this year.
Sweden always want to win every single year
All the time? No. A top 5 maybe every year? Yes.
Sweden is desperate to beat Ireland’s record. What are you talking about?
That’s not the same as “winning every year”.
we’re not that desperate to win every year, we can’t afford that. although 4 years sounds like a reasonable time to win again according to some here
We dont’t want to win every year and we are not desperate to beat Irlelands record. How fun would that be if that was true? We love the show and to be a part of it, that’s the truth
I wouldn’t say we are desperate to beat Irelands record. But we definitively are giving them a fight. Now if only Ireland cared to fight back instead of not caring:)
Yaaass! Give me glamour, gospel, golden rain, light and attitude! And more gospel realness! And gospel! And did I say gospel? <3
I think you forgot to mention gospel 😉
Im not religious at all but i love Gospel, bring it on. One of the best Swedish songs for a few years. Love John too. Good singer.
Another crap that will end up in top 5 (or even top 3) for being swedish. Btw. John is very nice guy.
Your opinion is so stupid that i wont even say anything about it
The end isthe best. And john is very polite and kind.
He’s got an impressive life story and I respect him much more because of that.
Love that Pic of him and Wiliam . Hugs all round after what been happening in the world this week hug away. Love is forever. Folks having fun showing appreciation for and caring for each other.