The last semi-final of Melodifestivalen 2021 takes place this Saturday.
Seven more acts will compete for two spots direkt till final. Two artists will head to next week’s Andra Chansen for one last chance to reach the final.
After this week, we will know all the songs hoping to represent Sweden at Eurovision 2021. We get our first taste of the last seven songs today, in the form of 60-second snippets.
Melodifestivalen 2021 Semi-Final 3
Song Snippets
Click on each act to hear their snippet:
1. Tess Merkel – “Good Life”
2. Lovad – “Allting är precis likadant”
3. Efraim Leo – “Best of Me”
4. The Mamas – “In the Middle”
5. Sannex – “All Inclusive”
6. Clara Klingenström – “Behöver inte dig idag”
7. Eric Saade – “Every Minute”
Clips from each act’s stage rehearsals follow later tonight. These give us our first impression of how the acts will look on Saturday night. We’ll only see the full performance and hear the full songs during the live show. In the meantime, you can also read our first thoughts of the entries.
Melodifestivalen 2021 Semi-Final 4 Running Order
Former Alcazar member Tess Merkel opens the show, singing “Good Life”. She has a wealth of Melodifestivalen experience but this will be her first solo appearance.
Lovad makes her Melodifestivalen debut this year, performing second. She will sing the song “Allting är precis likadant”.
Efraim Leo also debuts at Melodifestivalen, performing third in the fourth semi-final. The 23 year-old will sing “Best of Me”.
Defending champions The Mamas are certainly among the big names in this year’s lineup. Their Eurovision journey was cut short last year after the contest was cancelled but they will be fighting for another chance to represent Sweden.
Dansband Sannex will perform fifth, making their Melfest debut. The name of their song is “All Inclusive” and they will hope to be included in the grand final lineup.
Clara Klingenström comes from a family of musicians and will make her Melfest debut with “Behöver inte dig idag”. She describes her song as “goddamn revenge”.
Eric Saade has the honour of closing the show. He finished third at Eurovision 2011 and enters this year’s competition as one of the favourites. Singing last in the fourth semi-final has led to previous Melfest victories, most recently for John Lundvik in 2019.
What do you think of this week’s snippets snippets? Can any of them compete for the win? Let us know in the comments below.
Eric might not win this but the song sounds super modern…!
When will we be able to watch the rehearsal clips?
After listening to this this is B/N Dotter and Eric. Also i like Clara’s song super Anna B feels
So we can kind of confirm this line up is worse than last couple of years. It’s hard to have 28 good songs but the very problem for Sweden is how impersonal all of the chosen entries sounds. They have always managed to have that one good song and get saved by the juries. I don’t know about it this year though. They rely a lot on the staging so they will probably elevated them but I don’t really think any of them are top 10 material. At best Tusse, who will remind people of The Weeknd. My top in… Read more »
The Mama’s pulled a Kiieno. Coming back with a repeat of their last entry. How uninspired.
Clara’s song seems interesting. But not much else there tbh.
Matter of taste…I prefer “Monument” to “Spirit in the sky”
Somehow, Clara has become my favorite of the year. I worry that she won’t make it because Eric will be much more memorable to televoters.
I could probably drink Eric’s bath water, but his song is so-so. 😛
like the clara snippet a little but but still prefer klara from starship one. 🙂
Now I want Dotter and the two grandmas or even that rock band to win. The only three songs I remember after watching the performances.
Imagine if Rena Rama Ding Dong did the unthinkable and won melfest! Won’t lie, i’d almost like to see it hehe.
You and me both. 😀
Poor Christer wouldn’t survive the heart attack.
Isn’t it his last year this year? Hopefully the quality of the songs will shoot up next year.
Saade`s team composer is weak. 10 years after his victory, in my opinion, no qualify to final.
btw, composers = songwriters
Eric Saade’s song sounds like something right out of the Romanian radio pop collection circa 2008. I get that Melfest is traditionally sonically outdated but this is an extreme case.
Yeah, it sounds like Play&Win had produced it. I see it now.
The Mamas & Eric Saade DTF
Tess Merkel & Efraim Leo AC
Lets be honest thought its going to be between Dotter, Eric and The Mamas come the Final. (Possibly Tusse but that song is beyond bland)
According to bookies (and reality) Tusse is winning Melfest by a mile. Have a nice day, mate 😉
According to the bookies, Dotter was supposed to win by a mile last year as well.
Odds mean jack all. What matters is your performance on the night of the finale and if the jury and televote will go for it.
Bookeis don’t always get it right haha, bit like last year Mate!
so many dislikes by Dotter crazy fans hahah I can’t wait for them to go super dooper crazy when she loose next month 😀 Even though her song is ok, nothing wow of course, but she is no where near the best one this year, and it will 100% translate in her final result. No metter how much it hurts you guys, Tusse WILL win, mark my words. Doesn’t metter if he is the best one or not, he will win ’cause Sweds have that “going for simpathy, going for the poor, going for the one with a sad story… Read more »
A weak selection this year. I am team Eric Saade.
For me:
1-Tess
2-Clara
3-Eric
4-Sannex
5-Lovad
6-Mamas
7-Efraim
1. Eric
2. Efraim
3. Lovad
4. Sannex
5. Tess
6. Mamas
7. Clara.
For me:
1. The Mamas
2. Lovad
3. Tess
4. Eric
5. Clara
6. Efraim
7. Sannex
Based on this minute:
1. The mamas
2. Lovad
3. Efraim
4. Eric
5. Tess
6. Sannex
7. Clara
i’m prepared for tusse to win the whole thing. i honestly don’t like his song whatsoever but he has an amazing voice. i’d rather see him return with a more personal and better written song but i won’t be surprised if the clear best (dotter) doesn’t win :/ just disappointed
Don’t assume anything. We learned that harsh lesson last Saturday with Norway
wasn’t too harsh for me honestly. tix was my winner of mgp <3
I was talking about the euro fandom in general that threw a collective tantrum when Keiino lost. It wasn’t personally directed at you.
Don’t like anything.. The mamas came with a weaker song and the lyrics in Eric saade song are terrible.. But probably they will qualify if I look at the recent weeks results.
Dotter should go to Rotterdam and its only because she has the best song and the total package.
definitely the best semifinal so far!
i actually like every song except for “all inclusive” by Sannex.
surprisingly my fave is i guess… Clara Klingenström. it’s nice and calm and pleasant, maybe not screaming eurovision enough to succeed but i like it.
Eric’s song is good too (though the lyrics…), the Mamas aswell but move definitely had more impact
wouldn’t be surprised if we see hte 2 andra-chansen songs of this semi in the final again
Fun fact: The songwriters behind Sannex’s song are the Smith & Thell! There was an artictle about it on Aftonbladet, but I can’t link it since my phone’s battery is going low. Not sure why they didn’t want their own names connected with the song?
I think it’s gonna be between Tusse and Dotter so I think yes.
What a terrible edition of Melodifestivalen this year. Sweden could totally not qualify this year.
lol ok
Dotter would totally qualify.
She would, but idk why but they gonna choose Tusse xd
He’d qualify too though, albeit he wouldn’t do as well as Dotter.
lol okay sis that will never happen
Happened in 2011.
I think the winner will be Tusse or Dotter
What is your smell fest has been a mixed bag, this is definitely the strongest semifinal of the lot. Anything can happen on Saturday. I wish everyone good luck
I’m guessing you talk into your phone and that was an accidental insult…
Honest to God, that is exactly what happened. I was dictating through my phone. I didn’t think to check to make sure it was accurate. I don’t know whether I should actually Edit it or keep it up Because it’s so funny. I honestly wasn’t trying to insult melfest. It was a mistake.
“Ohmygod Kath have you seen the final 7 songs of this year’s Melfest?”
“I have Kim, I have. Mel fest? More like Smell fest!”
By the way people, my first sentence was supposed to start with “while this melfest has been a mixed bag.” I was dictating through my phone and I didn’t catch the error. It’s too late to edit, so I hope you can all have a good laugh
I love Eric’s song, there’s something dark about it…
Yeah, his chance of winning Melfest again haha On a serious note, I don’t think it’s dark or anything, he’s just trying to be more creative, but without strong vocal, without better song, he will flop for sure
Honestly don’t care if he flops or not, I just like his style
I move the Mama’s snippet, I think they could be a contender again for the melfest victory, and I find the snippets of Efraim Leo and Eric interesting, even if I think the na na na na in Eric’s song have nothing to do here.
Lol the well placed mistake! I LOVE Mama’s snippet, not I “MOVE” #MovingMountain2020RIP
I wouldn’t be surprised if the “Mama’s” win Melfest again…
Sweden is dead.
Period.
Harsh claim, but it’s turning more and more real every year
I think I like Mamas this year more, hated last years mediocre attempt.
Eric sounds ok, but a bit annoying, will depend on the performance.
So far, Tusse is winning Melfest this year in my book,
even if I want queen of light Dotter to do so 🙁
I mean the juries will be absolutely drooling over Eric’s song. I think from what I’ve heard from my Swedish friends as well is that it’s really Swedish and that it’s something that they (Swedes) love. Winner vibes for me too.
In addition, everyone from 14-25 will already have their votes locked in for Eric no matter the song.
14-year-olds would have been only four when he won, that may as well have been 1984 for them – even you didn’t start watching until you were six.
Yes, but he had a lot of hit songs from 2010-2014 such as popular, hotter than fire and hearts in the air that many Swedes basically grew up with.
To say that any Swede currently aged 14 to 25 years old will automatically be voting for Eric is a very bold claim. Do you think similar claims can be made about other nationalities or do you think Swedes are particularly susceptible to sweeping generalisations?
It’s the same thing as saying if adele participated in a british national final she’d win.
As much as I’m fond of Eric Saade, I think it’s ludicrous to suggest that he is comparable to Adele, the 39th best-selling music artist in the world.
If Adele ever entered a UK NF, wiwibloggs would probably crash (although William would probably be in touch with his hosting servers before publishing that article!).
That’s internationally. If we only talk about Sweden, you ask a thousand people at gamla stan to name as many songs from eric/adele as they can. They would likely be able to name more songs from saade.
Gamla stan is mostly filled with tourists, though…
Well, let’s just say a general Swedish street then.
No one in Sweden actually said that. At least not the press.
That’s what all of my friends there told me.
The thing is – Danny has a fan base in all kind of ages but Saade does not so I really think this will have a tough time in the competition this year.
“I’ve heard from my Swedish friends as well is that it’s really Swedish and that it’s something that they (Swedes) love.”
How Swedish indeed! I’m sure all of my Swedish friends will love this too then, if it is as Swedish as it sounds.
Can somebody from Sweden please explain to me why Tusse is no. 1 with bookmakers? For me, it doesn’t sound like a winner at all so I’m just curious to know.
*political correctness.
oh. ur one of those people.
The giveaway comment that makes it all add up!
exactly this, its a big part of why
He’s got a respectable song that’s polished, sounds like previous winners, performs it well and has fans in Sweden, so he’ll do well with the international jurors and local televote, which puts him in a good place for the final.
Oh I much prefer Little Tot to Million Voices, but I think the Swedish public just doesn’t like Dotter. Her support is in international ESC fans. Her challenge is winning MelFest.
Agreed, I wonder why she appeals so much more to an international fan base than a Swedish one (from what I understand).
Performance. It was very good. But I feel like my fellow Swedes thinks the song is better than it actually is. They think it could be top 3 in Rotterdam. It would be fun but doubt it could reach that high.
So it has to be Dotter, Tusse or The Mamas
Krister —— why???? Did you have to put all the good songs in the same semi. This is the best Swedish pop has to offer. Clara and Tess are my favorite songs.
I wasn’t expecting this from Tess Merkel, I really liked it. Mamas seem strong, but I was kinda let down with Eric Saade although Joe/Linnea Deb wrote it. They are the only Swedish songwriters in the recent years who made great contemporary pop tracks imo.
Off topic but does anyone have a clue why when I’m reading wiwibloggs on my phone and I click on an article, it opens a different one sometimes? Like I wanted to see the ‘Sugar’ one but it opened this one. Hmm…
In my case, while the page loads, adds tend to move the link I want to click on so… sometimes I end up opening something different ><‘
Anyone remember the Wiwi application? I still have it on my phone, even if it doesn’t work anymore. I really liked it!
But yes, I have the same problem as you BeepBoop, when I check wiwi on my phone’s browser.
Efraim Leo and Eric Saade are amazing!! I‘m so sad with The Mamas.. last year they were my winner but this years song is not more than AC for me 🙁
I literally feel the same. I think melodifestivalen might be between efraim and eric. I don’t know words to describe their songs.
my high expectations for tess merkel weren’t let down at all
Same
”Good Life” is the best of this group.
I expected somthing different from The Mamas although
I think Eric, The Mamas will take the tickets for the final , Tess and Sannex will head to Andra Chancen
Eric’s song is not bad as many would say, but it is definitely not the classic eurovision entry. That can be good though if he manages to have a good staging (and he probably can) because then he will stand out from the rest.
It’s classic Swedish pop with artsy staging, the jury will love it.
1) The Mamas
2) Tess Merkel
—————————–
3) Eric Saade
4) Clara Klingenström
—————————–
5) Efraim Leo
6) Lovad
7) Sannex
I like that.
And got down voted. For saying that I like this ranking. Jaysus. Can’t win with you lot. There’s no hope for some of you. 😛
the lyrics are simple, repetitive but the music is dreamy!
2. Tess Merkel – “Good Life”
It was nice surprise! Catchy!
Let’s see how the live performances will look like, but nothing here sounds like a winner to me. I’m still rooting for Dotter
Interesting selection. Tess and Clara stood out most to me on first listen.
Eric’s sounds like it might be quite funky but why does it sound like he’s holding his nose during parts of the chorus?
Also, I suspect that The Mamas have given us the more boring bit of the song – I sense there is a build to a big moment coming later in the song.
I think the ‘Oh na na na’ bit is an auto tuned sample. Similar to ‘breathe in with me, breathe into you’ from Jax Jones’s ‘Breathe’, me thinks.
Thanks Benny. I am not familiar with that artist or song. I guessed it was auto tune, I just thought it was a bit odd to make it deliberately sound like he is holding his nose?
We’ve seen weider at ESC. It wouldn’t shock me at all. 😛
Or ‘Can’t be getting mad what, you mad?
Can’t handle that.’ from Ciara’s ‘Like A Boy’, for example.
Absolutely love the production on Good Life.
I love In The Middle. Less uplifting than Move but still very good.
I wouldn’t mind at all if it was between Dotter and The Mamas again.
Still love Eva & Ewa though. 😛
Looks like I’m in the minority but Eric’s song seems really interesting to me. Quite interested in seeing how it translates on stage. I think I like it but there are some unusual things going on in it.
Tess has what sounds like a great song so I hope she does well and obviously, the Mamas are quality, even if I’m not finding the song as immediately catchy.
Not feeling the others yet but if you put me on the spot, based on these, Sannex could be a perfectly ok AC song.
DTF: Tess Merkel – Good Life (the only song that deserves to get through – reminds me of Lady Gaga’s 911), Eric Saade – like it because of authenticity. I still think his staging will uplift the song. Certainly he won’t win the whole thing
AC: Efraim – having other songs in mind this song deserves to get to ac at least, The Mamas – nothing special
It seems like, after all, the winner will more than likely be Dotter or The Mamas, with Tusse and Eric also in contention.
Eric? What was good with that song?
The song? From the snippet, I’d say it’s radio-friendly and competent pop that sounds similar to current pop music that charts well. I’m sure people will find the chorus catchy, especially as it’s layered (in a way that reminded of how Zedd produces pop music). Eric? He can deliver a stage performance, so I would expect him to do something entertaining that pushes the song further. He’s also undeniably a handsome and well-styled man, so this also adds to his appeal. Even the way he tilts his head and looks directly into the camera, in his promo shot used above,… Read more »
The Mamas, DTF and all the way to Rotterdam!
I had low expectations after reading the downbeat reviews here earlier in the week, so I’ve found some of the snippets surprisingly better than I anticipated.
‘In The Middle’ sounds like it might be better than ‘Move’?
I’m sure Eric will qualify, his song sounds better than I expected, the trick for him will be the stage performance. If he just stands there and sings, I can’t imagine him winning, but I would be surprised if that’s all he turns up to do.
The more I listen to their song the more I think the Mamas could win again. It actually might be Dotter vs. The Mamas again.
In The Middle’s chorus……damn. It’s just so good.