The final of Melodifestivalen is fast approaching. But before that, eight acts have another chance to prove themselves as they compete in the second chance round. Melfest debutant Efraim Leo will compete in Andra Chansen to earn one of four remaining spaces in the final. He’s bidding to represent Sweden at Eurovision 2021 with his song “Best of Me”.
Scroll down for “Best of Me” lyrics.
Melodifestivalen 2021: Efraim Leo “Best of Me”
Melodifestivalen newbie Efraim Leo is a 23-year-old singer-songwriter from Stockholm, Sweden. A keen poet, he started playing the guitar at age 13 and soon started transforming his poetry into pop songs. In 2016, Efraim featured on MARC’s “Show You The Light”, which peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Dance Chart and was awarded gold certification in Sweden. Then in 2019, he released his debut single “You Got Me Wrong” and performed on the Swedish music festival circuit. As well, he opened for Swedish pop music legends Icona Pop at the 2019 Stockholm Pride festival. In 2020, Efraim Leo launched his debut EP Timing.
Efraim Leo co-wrote “Best of Me” alongside Cornelia Jakobsdotter, Amanda Björkegren and Herman Gardarfve — one of the songwriters behind The Mamas’ 2020 winning entry “Move”. Herman also provided backing vocals for Belarus’ Ivan at Eurovision 2016, and produced the United Kingdom’s Eurovision 2017 entry “Never Give Up On You” for Lucie Jones.
Meanwhile, Cornelia Jakobsdotter is a Melodifestivalen veteran. As part of Love Generation, she competed in the Swedish national final in 2011 and 2012 — making it to the Andra Chansen round in 2011. Cornelia is the daughter of two-time Melfest star Jakob Samuel — singer in the metal band The Poodles.
Amanda Björkegren makes her Melodifestivalen songwriting debut. She’s a singer-songwriter based in Stockholm, Sweden.
What do the “Best of Me” lyrics mean?
Efraim Leo’s song is a lighthearted summertime pop track about struggling to move on from a relationship with somebody who you still have feelings for. It’s a universal sentiment that could resonate with a lot of listeners.
“It’s a song about how hard it is to leave someone that you like”, Efraim tells SVT. “It was born when I, Cornelia, Amanda and Herman were sitting in a Stockholm hotel room in morning wraps and jamming. At the end of the day, the song was there. The viewers can expect a delightful and energetic song which will make it hard to stand still.
In Andra Chansen, Efraim Leo will duel against Klara Hammaström’s “Beat of Broken Hearts” for a spot in the Melodifestivalen 2021 final.
“Best of Me” lyrics — Efraim Leo (Melfest 2021)
I can’t go on like,
I can’t go on like this
Knew you were trouble
Ever since your first kiss
I’m sleeping with the sound on,
In case you forgot
The reasons why you left me,
And took off
Call me if you need me,
I wish you would
Cause I don’t wanna leave you,
Even if I should
Hate to think, you do better now
Use to be the one you care about
Can’t help but help myself cause
You got the best of me
Don’t know how, to move on when you
Keep on showing on my phone and I
Can’t help it hurts like hell cause
You got the best of me
I’ll never win right?
You’ll never want me back?
Don’t want to face it,
Not when you look like that
I’m sleeping with the sound on,
In case you forgot
The reasons why you left me,
And took off
Call me if you need me,
I wish you would
Cause I don’t wanna leave you,
Even if I should
Hate to think, you do better now
Use to be the one you care about
Can’t help but help myself cause
You got the best of me
Don’t know how, to move on when you
Keep on showing on my phone and I
Can’t help it hurts like hell cause
You got the best of me
You got the best of me
You got the best of me
I’m sleeping with the sound on,
Wish you would call
Don’t know what to say though,
But I would say it all
Hate to think, you do better now
Use to be the one you care about
Can’t help but help myself cause
You got the best of me
Don’t know how, to move on when you
Keep on showing on my phone and I
Can’t help it hurts like hell cause
You got the best of me
You got the best of me
Cause you got the best of me
What do you think of “Best of Me”? Will Efraim Leo defear Klara Hammaström and make it to the final? Let us know in the comment below.
Tess Merkel’s song wasn’t much of a hit song, but I would have picked it over this. :–(
i’d be embarrassed to present a song like this in 2021, it honestly sounds like a one direction bonus track
It took four people to write this?
I love this song