The Melodifestivalen 2020 circus has come to town — and more specifically to Semi-Final 1 in Linköping. On February 1 seven acts competed to advance direkt till final in Stockholm. Sonja Aldén brought beautiful balladry, while Suzy P and OVÖ leaned more party. But in the end it was Robin Bengtsson (“Take a Chance”) and The Mamas (“Move”) who won the day. Malou Prytz (“Ballerina”) and Felix Sandman (“Boys with Emotions”) will live to sing another day in the Second Chance round Andra Chansen.

Melodifestivalen 2020: Semi-Final 1 Winners (direkt till final)

Robin Bengtsson – “Take A Chance”

Robin Bengtsson rode a wave of hype coming into the semi-final and the public felt it was deserved. Standing in front of a projection wall, he told the story of falling in love with someone on the London Underground. The song was breezy and light and showcased Robin in lovely, jaunty form. It felt pure.

The Mamas – “Move”

The ladies brought us light alongside John Lundvik at Eurovision 2019. And tonight they turned those lights up even more. This was uplifting and joyous — three minutes of non-stop happiness. They didn’t just move mountains, they blew them up and caused an avalanche! This was endearing and the song will no doubt prove enduring this Mello season.

Melodifestivalen 2020: Semi-Final 1 Andra Chansen

Felix Sandman – “Boys With Emotions”

Felix, who finished second back in 2018, lets guys know that it’s OK to let it all out. He encourages men to forget what their emotionally unavailable fathers said and to embrace their emotions, good and bad. He brought the song to life with thoroughly contemporary staging that included the projection of words onto his white clothing. This was polished but quirky, mainstream but in some ways “out there”.

Malou Prytz – “Ballerina”

This teen queen has grown up a lot in the past year. She’s left the teeny bopper sound behind and arrived with something much more mature. She danced on stage with her alter ego, using simple moves to great effect in her dark pop ballad.

Eliminated Acts in Linköping

Sonja Aldén – “Sluta aldrig gå”

Suzy P – “Moves”

OVÖ – “Inga Problem”

249 Comments
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Anita
Anita
4 years ago

I totally agree about “Boys with emotions”. I was surprised to hear what William and Padraig said about the performance in their reaction video.
The last three entries of Sweden at Eurovision I didn’t really support. This song I would love to see at the ESC.

bitch
4 years ago

heya

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago

Like all the selections in every country then:)

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
4 years ago

We’ll, something did work, since he went DTF.

horrified
horrified
4 years ago

Why did Robin B wear womans clothes and footwear?

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago
Reply to  horrified

He didn’t, but even if he did, he can do as he pleases. His diamond shoes looked great.

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  horrified

I bet you are a person that cant buy something you like before 5 of your friends have said its nice. Your very uncertain on yourself. Robin is not.

horrified
horrified
4 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

So sorry. Thought your government had adopted a new law. We’ve heard so much about your gender revolution where guys were forced to play with dolls and wear dresses. Are so much looking forward to see what it’ll do to the next generation.

Denis
Denis
4 years ago
Reply to  horrified

It’s 2020, people can wear what they want!

diana
diana
4 years ago

The songs that go directly to final will not be available until the last semifinal is done. The ones that go to AC are available though, and the ones who didn’t qualify of course

Marie
Marie
4 years ago
Reply to  diana

Yes, and that is fair. Otherwise some songs will be played for weeks before the final and others only one week.

Guest
Guest
4 years ago

I don’t mean to sound negative. I love the mamas but the song is very cliche and predictable. I just wish they were given a better song.

Gunilla
Gunilla
4 years ago

In an interview whith Gustav Dalander (SVT) yesterday 1 feb by ESC Fan TV you find the explanation. And yes, Gustav reviles that SVT has an hidden agenda why they keep melfest in Swedish . ; )

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  Gunilla

It’s not really a hidden agenda. Melodifestivalen is a program by the Swedish public broadcaster for the benefit of Swedes. Yes it’s their ESC selection process but it’s so much more. It would be nice to have English subtitles but it shouldn’t be a priority

Marie
Marie
4 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

I believe it was a joke that SVT has a hidden agenda, see the clip on YouTube that Gunilla wrote about.; )

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago

its a great sistem 🙂 7 songs each week keeps the exitement up:) 28 songs released today is not good

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago

They’re not trying to force you to watch it on TV, they’re just trying to be fair to the later semi-finalists. They don’t want last night’s songs to get an advantage.

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

That’s just the way it’s always been. If you really want to see them, last night’s show is still available on SVT play for the rest of today before it disappears tomorrow.

Marie
Marie
4 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

I think from the start they didn’t release any songs until after the final. Then they started to release those who didn’t go to second chance or the final and eventually they begun to release those who went to second chance and all songs after the second chans.

SVT think that it’s unfair toward those who goes to the final first if their songs can be played more weeks than those who goes to the final last week.,

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago

Nah, that’s too big an imposition on Swedish viewers for just a tiny amount of international viewers online. You could learn Swedish? Like I posted elswhere, the Melodifestivalen twitter account (in English) describes what’s going on – you could follow that.

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago

I don’t like that I have to wait so long to get the audios of the songs I like. I’m into Boys and Chance now, I wanna listen to them now. At least the performances can be watched on SVT, the wait for the audios is the worst, imo. I also had the same thought about Felix. Just look at the comments here. This slightly more creative track is already too much to process for the common fan guy. 😉 Not that I’m surprised. Verse-chorus-verse-chorus is all their bland personalities can handle.

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago

If it’s anything like in the last years, we’ll have to wait until all semi finals are completed to get the direct finalists’ audios.

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago

Same here.

Marie
Marie
4 years ago

It’s unfair towards those who goes to the final last week if those who goes to the final fist week will be released four weeks earlier and can be played on radio etc.

At first the songs that went to andra chanson wasn’t played either until all songs was ready for the final.

Marie
Marie
4 years ago

Yes and that is fair agains the songs that will be qualify i a mouth!

Geo
Geo
4 years ago

All of them are horrible. In the same time, any of them could represent Sweden and it’ll be a major flop. More chances for some other countries

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  Geo

The only thing that is horrible here is that you write on ALL swedish articles and still after 20 comments by you i could not find ONE who were positive. Not even a little positive on anything. You hate us. WE GET IT! your vote dont count in ESC anyway:) 1 vote dont matter

Geo
Geo
4 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

Mine and the other televoters… I was extatic Sweden received fewer points in both 2018 and 2019… Especially last year, the look on John’s face was priceless, when he processed the thought he lost so badly, with only 93 points from the televote. Also, 21 points from the televote to InGROSS-oh in 2018, yes yes yes! Hope this trend to continue this year, too. Televoters are making justice for the injustice made by corrupted juries

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  Geo

Bye

Ben ESC
Ben ESC
4 years ago

I don’t know if it was a slight headphone lag, but I could’ve sworn that The Mamas were lip syncing in their first performance, or at least had their microphones turned down and the backing vocalists turned up? Their encore performance seemed live and fine though…..

Pierre
Pierre
4 years ago
Reply to  Ben ESC

The real singers were behind the curtain. Coming directly from a funeral parade in Louisiana.

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago

one act is disqualified. Thorsten Flink next week. He is in court so SVT dont want that.

Pierre
Pierre
4 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

In other countries he would be innocent until proven guilty. But not in sweden.

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  Pierre

thats nice but i dont know him.

Gabi
Gabi
4 years ago

Robin has such an annoying voice I can’t believe someone can listen to him. The song is pretty good but it takes two, a great song and an amazing singer to succeed.

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  Gabi

i like his voice

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

I like his everything.

Liam
Liam
4 years ago
Reply to  Gabi

Robin has a lovely voice, come on

Mkkk
4 years ago

Thorsten Flinck is disqualified! SVT will find a replacement, and the replacement will still sing “Miraklernas Tid”.

Denis
Denis
4 years ago

Show wise speaking, I think it was a strong semi. The first one is usually never this good, most songs were better than all songs in 2018 and 2019 final. Last year we had to wait to the last one to get strong songs, and in 2018 they never came. I hope the rest is as strong..
Now let’s hope just we find a winner that manages to get enough televotes and not one that gets jury support and bottom 5 in televote. We want the Ingrosso effect to never happen again!

Domnona
Domnona
4 years ago

Tha Mamas are so overrated. Yes their vocals were best of the night, but the song sounds too old-fashioned. It sounds so 60’s/70’s. They are better than their song

BREXIT CAREER WOMAN
BREXIT CAREER WOMAN
4 years ago
Reply to  Domnona

spot on

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  Domnona

overrated, underrrated. Whats in between?

Nicky91
Nicky91
4 years ago

The Mamas have a tune made for eurovision, what a earwurm, it makes you want to dance

BREXIT CAREER WOMAN
BREXIT CAREER WOMAN
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicky91

it sounds like a funeral song from North Carolina

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
4 years ago

oh stfu

Gurl
Gurl
4 years ago

Sweden has proven again they are masters of the staging. Take two OK songs (Robyn and Felix) and serve an amazing show! I’m surprised about Felix not going DTF after that performance and stage, but yeah, the song is rather weak. I loved The Mamas, such great voices and so much energy!

Pierre
Pierre
4 years ago
Reply to  Gurl

To me they were all mediocre. Robins voice will never be worth listening to. Hope it’ll get better the next semifinal.

Patrick
Patrick
4 years ago
Reply to  Pierre

Agree, he was soooo off… everyone who was watching with me was quite shocked… As was I. Good song though!

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  Pierre

i think your mediocre:) ps all songs in all selections are mediocre so….. get used to it:)

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
4 years ago

is it just me or does take a chance give off major abba vibes

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

I’m really growing to like this one. The performance is a bit too stiff, if Robin turns it up a tad in the final, I’ll be very happy with it. I find it really ABBA- Swedish, too – in a good way.

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
4 years ago

I kinda vibe with it tbh, when he sings “if you take a chance on me” or something like that, the chords are just rly pleasing to me. and anything that is abba-ish gets automatic points from me haha

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

Same here. I really get into a good mood as the song progresses. Watching it again, I think he’s great in the last third, it’s just the beginning where I found him a little stiff. Can be fixed easily.

Mia
Mia
4 years ago

Suzi looked like she’s ready to be put in oven, that costume lmao
I liked her song but that performance was underwhelming to say at least.
Mamas are great, but song does nothing for me, sorry.
Can’t believe that Malou who can’t sing go to AC, and Sonja didn’t, she had beautiful elegant performance.
One word for Felix- pretentious, don’t like it. Robin was the best. All in all, decent semi-final.

Valentino
Valentino
4 years ago

The Mamas were so much better than the rest of the competition. And as much as I like Robin, his performance was so cheesy.

BREXIT CAREER WOMAN
BREXIT CAREER WOMAN
4 years ago

mommas going bananas

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
4 years ago

Recent editions of Eurovision showed that soul-gospel-pop songs do very well, especially with juries
Austria 2018 – 1st with juries, 3rd overall
Sweden 2019 – almost 1st with juries, 5th overall
Just imagine The Mamas on the Eurovision stage
Perfect vocals, flawless harmonies, great positive vibes, simply stunning!

RumahDara
RumahDara
4 years ago
Reply to  Roy Moreno

Albania 2010 can’t relate

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
4 years ago
Reply to  RumahDara

Well, it was a bit different than the two I wrote about plus it was a different time
Though I loved that entry :3

emeej
emeej
4 years ago
Reply to  RumahDara

Such an underrated entry but 2010 was one of the strongest ever years at Eurovision

M_K
M_K
4 years ago

The Mamas really deserve their spot in the final. They did a great job live. Their song is decent—while it is quite basic and simple, it does put focus on the performers (which I think is the right thing to do here) and yet does not play out all “soul diva trio” clichés. An enjoyable entry. Then again, I’m not really a fan of Bengtsson’s song. Sounds like BWO leftovers to me (lacking the energy of any of their entries) and his vocals were not quite on point last night. I would have preferred to see Malou in the final.… Read more »

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

still convinced felix would’ve gone dtf with a non-embarrassing performance. that was just too much and mismatched with the song. either way this semi wasn’t it, i’m just happy for the mamacitas, while robin and malou are still their bland, impersonal selves

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
4 years ago

Malou is not a ballarina, she is a total queen who deserves the world with that modern dynamic yet balladesque banger. You know what? I don’t care about the Sia vibes. “Ballarina” is a strong song with attitude and message. If her live singing gets better in the long and high notes, she’d better go and win it all, because SONGWISE that is what I call a Eurovision winner if I would decide after listening to the audio. And give her golden pyro on stage! (Sounding William-ish today at the beginning <3)

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
4 years ago
Reply to  ESCFan2009

Oh, and the bridge sounds Billie Eilish-ish 😀 Amazing song!

NickC
NickC
4 years ago

Felix is freefalling in the odds. Mamas are now fifth.

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago

I was there live. The Mamas is the best! It was better Times before without all mean bloggs.

Marajax
4 years ago

Voted as Fav to win Eurovison Australia decides next sat
This boy can SING

Fan From Texas
Fan From Texas
4 years ago

Of the four songs that advanced, Malou and The Mamas are the better two, but overall I think all four of these songs are week. Norway’s selection is much more interesting and diverse. I was really hoping Felix would do well but his is an emotion less song about emotions. And Robin’s is a one sided love song which is really hard to connect to. I hope the other Deltävlings are better.

impressiveinstants
impressiveinstants
4 years ago

Don’t care for any of these.

Nicky91
Nicky91
4 years ago

i don’t care about the next semi, semi 2 = Dotter successful comeback journey bore show

of course Dotter will DTF with her song Bulletproof, as long as you’re long enough in Mans’s good side you’ll be successful with melfest producers boring

Peter M
Peter M
4 years ago

Sweden are the heavyweights of generic pop. So good at producing feel-good, happy pop music but I don’t think they’ll ever bring something like “Arcade,” “1944,” or “Amar Pelos Dois” to Eurovision. When there isn’t a good emotional song in Eurovision, then the most radio-friendly song wins.

SASSZ
SASSZ
4 years ago
Reply to  Peter M

Haha sweden got faaaar better produced emotional songs then songs like Arcade, they are just to good to want to be apart of melodifestivalen, its well known Mello is kind off 90% trashmusic lol

Robert
Robert
4 years ago
Reply to  SASSZ

Don’t be nasty man, Arcade is fantastic.. Swedish pop is not the best full stop.. Usually overproduced! I like that, but bashing on an winning song is stupid

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago
Reply to  Robert

y’all need to understand melodifestivalen music does not reflect swedish pop music at all, it hasn’t since 2017. swedish pop ppl listen to is NOT overproduced

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  Peter M

Look up generic .

Saraa
Saraa
4 years ago
Reply to  Peter M

Arcade was coproduced by a Swede tho

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  Peter M

The thing is I’m sure they can and such entries have been in various editions of MelFest but they never win…

Mr X
Mr X
4 years ago
Reply to  Peter M

Absolutely agree – although Sweden was able to give these two winners 12 points from the jury.

Denis
Denis
4 years ago
Reply to  Peter M

Arcade is co-written and produced by a Swede. So clearly we have brought it, what ever it is. And Arcade is probably the most radio friendly winner n years. it’s exactly what Lewis Capaldi would sing..

Lesbi honest
Lesbi honest
4 years ago

Aside from being happy with the results (loved The Mamas!) I also want to congratulate the hosts of tonight’s show. Lina and Linnea brought a lot of charm and warmth, and I think David will grow into his role as well. Well casted, SVT!

Pierre
Pierre
4 years ago

After the past years slick performances unfortunately sweden continues with more of the same. They need to rethink the format and get rid of the usual suspects for the preselection. Too It should be possible to find song writers with just a minimum of originality.

Milla
Milla
4 years ago
Reply to  Pierre

This is a what many swedes talk about. Fans outside of Sweden act like we are not aware of the problems. People, media in particular, question the songwriters and choices of songs and artists. And even the format. But all these people working with Melodifestivalen don’t seem to recognize any problems. We get good placings in Eurovision no matter where the points come from. But.. I would also like to say that Eurovision is a quite old-fashioned place where the winning formula often is no where near the market for music today. That’s why winners don’t get anywhere after winning.… Read more »

Denis
Denis
4 years ago
Reply to  Pierre

Exactly. Balkan countries gets praised whenever they send the same Balkan ballad sound., Then it’s really good..

Railar
Railar
4 years ago

The Mamas are great, but their song isn’t. Robin on the other hand has stronger song than his Eurovision entry in 2017. He was amazing!

bastian
bastian
4 years ago

The mamas were amazing. I wouldnt mind to see them win Melfest. Go for revenge queens! I also liked Robin and Sonja. Sonja deserved AC imho. Felix was…okay. I really hope they dont send him in the end.

Nicky91
Nicky91
4 years ago
Reply to  bastian

Sonja is a bore with that lifeless song

SASSZ
SASSZ
4 years ago

It is a bit fun to read all the comments as a Swede haha. I can say like this, Malou will never win, she can make it to the final if she is lucky in the second chance, but thats it. We don’t like that kind of music here. Robin Bengtsson will definitely not win either. Swedish social media is full of people who do not understand why this has gone to The final at all, never seen a finalist be so disliked. The song is also very similar to a song by a highly respected Swedish female artist and… Read more »

Denis
Denis
4 years ago
Reply to  SASSZ

LOL, if it so disliked then why did it pass straight to final? I think it’s just a Swedish thing to complain..
I think all four entries could reach top 10 but think any of them will win MF

SASSZ
SASSZ
4 years ago
Reply to  Denis

He prob sent to The final bcs The other songs were pretty bad…The kids voted on Felix in the app where their votes are not as valuable as they have been through telephone voting otherwise i think Felix had been sent to The final rather then Robin. And im talking about winning lol Who cares about being top 10 haha. If Paul or Hanna has a somewhat decent song i think this will be pretty easy for them.

Denis
Denis
4 years ago
Reply to  SASSZ

I actually think Robin was better than Sandman. Sandman was to hyped, the song wasn¨t that good!

emeej
emeej
4 years ago
Reply to  SASSZ

Very solid analyisis! Others I know in Sweden are chocked Robin made it to the final and I myself even thought he would miss out on andra chansen.. even thought Sonja was better.
I think The Mamas won this semi and Felix came 3rd even though he has slightly less comments and likes on his yt video than Malou. He is still above her in the betting odds.
I still think Felix has the best chance out of these four to win it

Jake
Jake
4 years ago

I can see the international juries give The Mamas the win in the Melfest final. I wonder how Sweden would feel about it. I know Malta will not love that cause they are bound to split the vote with Destiny for the soulful gospel audience…and we know that Malta is gonna go the Cesar Sampson/Jon Lundvik song route.

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  Jake

The Mamas song is kind of like gospel schlager it’s not full on gospel or soul whereas if Malta went down that route they’d probably do something more soulful. I think they would be different enough but it’s probably a moot point since The mamas probably won’t win MelFest

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
4 years ago

I called it all along that The Mamas would go DTF
And now, to the 2nd semi final!

Preuss
Preuss
4 years ago

Taking my hats off for The Mamas, those women are incredible and tonight’s performance was no doubt the strongest. They were honestly such a big factor for Sweden last year and I hope people have realized by now that it should’ve been John Lundvik ft. The Mamas given how much they gave the performance. I’ve never seen someone add as much to as performance as those women

Isa
Isa
4 years ago
Reply to  Preuss

Well, actually, I think the Beauty Queens did for Marija Šerifovi? and “Molitva” what the Mamas did for John Lundvik and “Too late for love”. 😉

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

The best 2 songs went DTF in my eyes. I was a bit skeptic of Malou’s entry when I heard the snippet, but after the hearing the whole song, I really liked it. Great start to the show, can’t wait to see what next week holds, particularly Anna Bergendahl & Linda Bengtzing!

Kosey
Kosey
4 years ago

I think I might be the only one to be massively underwhelmed by these songs tonight. I can’t get the polished slickness of Benjamin Ingrosso out of my head. The LED lighting, the sharp camera cuts, the cheeky smiles to camera, I hate to say it but it feels cliched. There wasn’t a song here where I genuinely believed in the story I was sold.

Thomas
Thomas
4 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

Bla bla

Erik
Erik
4 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

Honestly, maybe Christer Björkman’s plan is to be disliked so they have a reason to make a major change. Instead of diversity in a melfest suit, they could try it for real. Maybe select songs that is something ELSE than what could be heard on Spotify top 50 already. How would it work for someone to be able to have a staging with only one camera shot? Less visuals. More vocals and emotions. What if people above 40 could participate with a more traditionally written song. The real problem for us has become that we have walked the safe path… Read more »

Logical Person
Logical Person
4 years ago

Robin’s song is really good.

Sami
Sami
4 years ago

The Mamas were great live and the song benefitted from being the opener of the night creating a positive vibe for the rest of the evening. They should probably start the final as well. Robin’s song was one of those that I didn’t get at all while listening to the snippet but the whole song was actually rather nice. The melancholic sound reminds me of Anna Bergendahl’s last year’s entry and I would anticipate a similar finish in the final. Malou’s song was really Sia, but there’s no problem with that. The songwriters also stated themselves that the song has… Read more »

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago

Robin’s song seems to be the most effective regarding memorability. After hearing it only twice, I can’t get it out of my head. It won’t leave.

Colin
Colin
4 years ago

I didn’t hear the snippets and watched it all tonight for the first time. It was kind of one of the most predictable semis in a long time. Robin, Felix, Malou and The Mamas are the four most recognizable names paired with four most memorable songs of the evening. I think it was a shock to no one when the four went on. I couldn’t necessarily say who will go DTF and who to AC, but it was obvious it’s between them. For me, The Mamas owned the evening!

Grafton
Grafton
4 years ago

This was honestly a super strong semifinal! All 4 qualifiers had really good song. My favourite is Take a chance, this is such a catchy melody and the performance is okay. The Mamas are also amazing. Felix and Malou were better than what I expected ; Felix’s staging really stands out (love the choreo and the styling) and the chorus stays in your head, and Malou is adorable and the camera cuts are really interesting (but again it’s too Siaesque for me). Well done Sweden 🙂