Klara Hammarström's _Beat of Broken Hearts_ Melodifestivalen

They may have missed out on a ticket direct to the Melodifestivalen 2021 final. But eight acts did manage to score a place in Andra Chansen — the Second Chance round that determines the final four acts to advance. They did this by placing third of fourth in their heat.

Andra Chansen is made up of four duels. Producers paired acts for the duels using two rules. The first is that acts from the same semi-final do not compete against one another. The second is that an act that placed third in a semi-final is paired against an act that came fourth in another.

The results are in, and the final four qualifiers are….

Alvaro Estrella “Baila Baila”

Paul Rey “The Missing Piece”

Clara Klingenström “Behöver inte dig idag”

Klara Hammarström “Beat of Broken Hearts”

Duel 1: Alvaro Estrella beat Lillasyster

Alvaro’s “Baila Baila” or “Dance Dance” in English, is a reggaetón party song sung mostly in English with a few Spanish lyrics thrown in for good measure. The lyrics are about dancing like devils with your one desire, even when the sun goes down. You can see it now. In the Ibiza heat with a cool cocktail in hand with beautiful sweaty bodies getting it on to “Baila Baila” on the beach. Who needs central heating when you have Alvaro warming up a cold Annexet studio and bringing the party to Stockholm?

As for Lillasyster, rock on. They delivered a proper rock concert with “Pretender” — and one seemingly filled with more strobe lights than people in Stockholm! From fire to screams, they had it all and helped us remember those sweaty nights walking on sticky floors before the pandemic.

Duel 2: Paul Rey beat Frida Green

We don’t know what “The Missing Piece” is, just please say it ain’t Paul Rey! This was among the simplest performances which made it among the most powerful. He wore a pared-back beige and white outfit and moved around between expanses of black and large orange plinths, all lit by tasteful and subtle lights. His face carried this — he felt every note and that voice was tender, sweet and all kinds of amazing.

Frida’s “The Silence” is all about hope and letting time lead you to solutions. Frida wore a 1990s prom dress inspired by nature. The green sequins worked well against the largely green and gold background, and her fiery red hair added real pop. There definitely wasn’t any silence here. Her voice, among the strongest of the night, really filled the void. It’s just a shame that she had to deliver a rather predictable song  that was very ballad-by-numbers. It could have been written by a Melodifestivalen Artificial Intelligence programme.

Duel 3: Clara Klingenström beat Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos

Clara’s “Behöver inte dig idag” has a folky-pop sound, a little bit Anna Bergandahl, a little bit Taylor Swift. And banjos, y’all! The chorus is especially good with a really uplifting feeling. The lyrics carry an uplifting message: “The strength that is in me / Makes me free from you.” There is a lot of beauty in the simplicity.

Eva and Ewa are a spirited duo who remind me of that aunt who has a little too much to drink at the family reunion. Every expense was spared in this — the costumes, the lack of staging, even the lighting…it all seemed very elementary school talent show. Weirdly, though, that works well in the current climate where we are all re-thinking how we live. Even if “Rena rama ding dong” sounds like an aggressive pick-up line, there’s charm here courtesy of the two leading ladies. It’s no wonder this is so loved.

Duel 4: Klara Hammarström beat Efraim Leo

“It’s a song that a lot of people can relate to with a lovely message, and I would say that it’s a very beautiful song that could almost have been taken out of a Disney movie,” Klara says when asked about “Beat Of Broken Hearts”. But what exactly is that message? This upbeat pop number is about how can you find the motivation to keep going on even after you face something as deterring as a heartbreak. “The beat of broken hearts / Gonna gonna make it through / Gonna find a way for you / And heal our broken parts / Never ever fall apart”, sings Klara. The songstress is direct. She’s not here for people keeping their emotions buried and putting up a strong front. “Ignore all sideshows distractions”, she commands. There’s nothing foolish about sharing your feelings — “Don’t care about the silly season”. But Klara admits that the process is tough. We might lose our way or fade away, but in time all our hearts will heal. The staging was beautiful — she dressed like a high-fashion extra from a Game of Thrones set in the future and worked a beautiful lightscape.

“I can’t go on like this,” Efraim sings in “Best of Me”. “Knew you were trouble / Ever since your first kiss.” This modern pop song has shades of Harry Styles but leans more One Direction. It’s a modern pop song, but there is something quite generic about it as a studio cut. Thankfully SVT served eye-popping staging as ever, with lots of bright white and blue-purple panels in the background, and some monochrome costumes that popped against it all.

What do you think of the winners of tonight’s Andra Chansen duels? Let us know in the comments box below!

72 Comments
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lasse braun
lasse braun
3 years ago

clara or klara could change the whole system!
we need some fresh some air at the melo – ok lovely dotter could benefite from it at the end but this is ok for me. 🙂

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago

Well we’ve got our final lineup! I don’t think any of these songs are going to trouble the top half of the scoreboard but I guess we needed the numbers.

Jake
Jake
3 years ago

CLARA! I’M SO HAPPY. Thank you Sweden 🙂

Anna
Anna
3 years ago
Reply to  Jake

Yes I love Clara with C not the robocop Klara, ok Klaras song is ok as well but a typical ESC ballad that we hear every year.

Last edited 3 years ago by Anna
Héctor
Héctor
3 years ago

I said Alvaro Estrella would qualify but I didn’t want to believe it at all. Man, this is embarrasing. It seems that after all you just need some Spanish words, the Latin vibe and fiesta. So so trashy, dull and uninspired.

Hector
Hector
3 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

I’m not you, you’re not me, but I gotta say, I do agree

Héctor
Héctor
3 years ago
Reply to  Hector

That’s it!

Malin
Malin
3 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

If a spanish artist want to go to ESC – participate in melfest. Swedes love Latin songs.

Last edited 3 years ago by Malin
Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
3 years ago

In her interview after the show Klingenström said she would keep the song in Swedish if she won, since her English “isn’t very good”. Not that it’s relevant, just something I thought some of you would be happy to hear.
It’s nice to see something cut through the cynicism in MelFest. Reminds me of Marie Lindberg 2007.

heyok
heyok
3 years ago

“Trying to recall” is a Melodifestivalen classic, definately a similar feel to its success then. It also felt very honest, humble and genuine. Nice comparison

Last edited 3 years ago by heyok
Davo
Davo
3 years ago

I agree with the first two results and disagree with the second two. But Eric Saade is going to win in the end anyway!

Grft
Grft
3 years ago

Here’s how the entries are charting on Spotify Sweden at the moment:

#2 Tusse
#5 Eric Saade
#9 Danny Saucedo

#13 The Mamas
#15 Dotter
#19 Clara Klingenström

#26 Alvaro Estrella
#27 Anton Ewald

#45 Charlotte Perelli
#48 Arvingarna
#49 Klara Hammarström

#65 Paul Rey

Paddy
Paddy
3 years ago

Paul Rey was amazing tonight. I think he’ll be a real dark horse for the juries. This will be an exciting final!

Lisianthus
Lisianthus
3 years ago

Alvaro was terrible. What the h is wrong with people? Lillasyster is a million times better.

Dave
Dave
3 years ago

Yessss Klara and Clara!!! My two Queens

Milla
Milla
3 years ago

Clara! We are from the same island. So happy for her!

Denis
Denis
3 years ago

Nice solid songs. Do I think they could win? Absolutely not! They are there to fill out. But good none the less.

ESC8
ESC8
3 years ago

Well 3/4 of my predictions were correct. The only one that I didn’t predict was Clara, it was a surprise for me, even though the betting odds were favouring her. It is indeed a dark horse for the final as it seems, but I do not think that she will be the one. I am not a fan I admit, but this is not the reason why I think that she’s not gonna win. As for the ones I wanted through (not my predictions, my favourites), well, only Klara made it. Lillasyster out, Eva & Ewa out, Frida Green out.… Read more »

Hector
Hector
3 years ago

Also, guys, the running order of the Mello final has just been released! https://twitter.com/melfest_en/status/1368311140200112134

Benny Hill
3 years ago
Reply to  Hector

Producers clearly don’t like The Mamas. :/

Anna
Anna
3 years ago
Reply to  Benny Hill

Well their song is really meh this year, very in the middle, very lagom…

Sale
Sale
3 years ago

When will we know about the running order

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
3 years ago

You know i’m open to behöver inte dig idag winning the whole of melfest this year. Danish vs Swedish at eurovision?

Zsófi
Zsófi
3 years ago

I’m so glad for Clara but I’m devastated for E&E. I loved them so much, even my boyfriend started humming the refrain even tho he only listens to my singalong through earphones.

Jake
Jake
3 years ago

I do think its incredibly cruel to have Eva & Ewa face Clara–she has had the #1 selling song in Sweden since last week…I think E&E would’ve made it through against any other…also, this format favors that all 4 songs being of the same ilk

Boreal
Boreal
3 years ago

Clara Klingenström blew me away. Dark horse of the Grand Final.

Grft
Grft
3 years ago
Reply to  Boreal

I honestly wish she could win it all lol. I know it’s impossible but still.

Hector
Hector
3 years ago
Reply to  Grft

Well, she advanced to the final, so there’s hope. Maybe just a tiny little, but still better than nothing at all

heyok
heyok
3 years ago
Reply to  Grft

She is 7th in the odds, higher than all other AC qualifiers + Arvingarna and Ewald. Could definately see a top 5 finish which is amazing for someone that has never participated before with a swedish song thats not really adjusted for the contest in any way. Not sure what the International jury will think about it or if enough people will continue to support her in the final for her to reach even higher

Last edited 3 years ago by heyok
Benny Hill
3 years ago
Reply to  Boreal

That would be only the second time in modern history that a song from AC won the whole thing, right?

Lolek
Lolek
3 years ago
Reply to  Benny Hill

Yeah! Although Felix Sandman’s second place in 2018 came close to being the second time.

Sara-Stina
Sara-Stina
3 years ago
Reply to  Lolek

Yep, I know at least 1 more song from andra chansen that came second in the finals (2009), so it’s not uncommon that a song there places fairly well in the final.

lasse braun
lasse braun
3 years ago

clara dark horse from now!
klara & the magic light in final too.
thx sweden. 🙂

Samo
Samo
3 years ago

How are Evas not in the final??? I no longer believe in justice.

heyok
heyok
3 years ago
Reply to  Samo

It was a novelty act lol and when in a duel against an honest and genuine song with a message and a good singer it was always going to lose. Couldnt be more deserved

EuroNerd
EuroNerd
3 years ago

so happy for clara !!

zach
zach
3 years ago

i’m sad for the grandmas but clara was too good to let go

Edu
Edu
3 years ago

Happy for Alvaro and Klara, but very sad for Frida Green, the silence is a masterpiece and her live voice is incredible :'( It’s an underrated song.

JeyDelrey
JeyDelrey
3 years ago

I’m sad to lose the Evas but I’m so over the moon that Clara made it to the final! Definitely my favorite entry this year. So fresh and yet nostalgic. I love her. I would love for her to win somehow next week but I know it won’t happen. At least I discovered a new awesome artist!

Benny Hill
3 years ago

I was supposed to be sad for Eva & Ewa but it doesn’t matter anyway. I don’t see Sweden winning in May.

Milla
Milla
3 years ago
Reply to  Benny Hill

I can’t see anyone as a winner to be honest. So far.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
3 years ago
Reply to  Benny Hill

I’m usually pretty spot on with my guesses for ‘the winning entry’. But one time I was totally wrong and that was when I thought heroes wouldn’t win in 2015. The song itself was nothing too special I thought at the time but overall it was the staging that reallt elevated it to winner level. In an open field of songs with no outstanding winner, I could see Eric Saade do the same for Sweden this year and win it all with every minute.

Last edited 3 years ago by Frisian esc
Stian F
Stian F
3 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Im sorry but there is no way a song about “wanting it all” “every second and every minute” of the day ever will win Eurovision. Winning songs in eurovision have deeper meaning and message and lyrics that many many can relate to. Noone will ever relste to the lyrics of “Every minute” and i refuse to believe the juries will vote for such a low quality song coming to lyrics!!!

DDRaven
DDRaven
3 years ago
Reply to  Stian F

Well, it’s Sweden, so if he is chosen he will be at least top 5 with the juries. The televote is the decider for them

Denis
Denis
3 years ago
Reply to  Stian F

Deeper meaning? Estonia 2001 had a very deep message about having fun. And Ukraine 2004 had a deep meaning about dancing wild dances. And Finland 2006 had a meaning about celebrating rock music. Deep indeed..

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
3 years ago
Reply to  Stian F

Not really.. there are enough winning songs without a very deep message. Take me to your heaven, my number one, satellite, running scared etc. Good production + performance is enough to end up high with the juries. Luka hänni got 7th with that combo.
But in the end we can only wait to see what will happen 🙂 melfest itself is still an undecided match between eric, tusse, dotter.

Last edited 3 years ago by Frisian esc
Milla
Milla
3 years ago
Reply to  Stian F

There are other words you can use to write about the feelings Eric is singing about though. He sounds younger than he is.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

I’m so glad for Clara.
One of the most honest entries in Melfest I remember. She doesn’t need anything but herself on stage

Tom
Tom
3 years ago

Aww so sad for Eva and Ewa, I would have preferred them over Paul and Alvaro, however Andra Chansen is probably my favourite part of Melfest this year haha ?

Last edited 3 years ago by Tom
Guipomme
Guipomme
3 years ago

So happy for Clara, I’ve been listening to her song on loop since last week 🙂
Good results imo, glad that Klara went through too !

Last edited 3 years ago by Guipomme
Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago

All 4 of my favourites through to the final!

I am worried that it might be the only good news I get all night…….

Emily
Emily
3 years ago

Genuinely gutted for Lillasyster and Eva/Ewa, but we can’t always have our favourites through. The other two duels were to be expected though. Who do I want to win? Honestly now I’m conflicted.

Rasmus
Rasmus
3 years ago

Im very sad for Ewa/Ewa but i knew it was the hardest duel. I think it was very close

Hector
Hector
3 years ago

So happy for Clara, and so sad for Eva & Ewa, I wish they could both be in. But anyway, congratulations to all the winners, I am so looking forward to this Mello final!

Alo
Alo
3 years ago

Yess clara and Klara

Donkey
Donkey
3 years ago

I’m so happy paul rey got through, such a good performance! Also loved Clara today, big grower.

Lolek
Lolek
3 years ago

Very happy for the winners. Especially happy Klara H will get her chance to perform at the eurovision finals!

There were a lot of good acts during AC, a shame they couldn’t all go to the finals.

Leo
Leo
3 years ago

Sweden doesn’t deserve Rock music

heyok
heyok
3 years ago
Reply to  Leo

revenge for the people who made sure mustasch were eliminated

Last edited 3 years ago by heyok
Name*
Name*
3 years ago

Well this was a complete disaster.

MollieLouise
MollieLouise
3 years ago

So happy for Clara, I wanted her most of all to make the final! Great song, and respect for singing in Swedish 😀

Grft
Grft
3 years ago

SO PROUD FOR CLARA KLINGENSTRÖM!! So deserved. One of my favourite songs this year, too bad it was against the grandmas… Congrats to Klara Hammarström as well, so deserved after last year’s robbery. Well done girls 🙂

Jeff USA
Jeff USA
3 years ago

Congratulations to all who advanced! I’m super excited for the final it will be an interesting one. Also I’m so happy for Clara K her song is great and her reaction to making it through was so cute and genuine.

Lolek
Lolek
3 years ago
Reply to  Jeff USA

Yes she seemed so happy! And the Evas were so sweet in congratulating her.

Jeff USA
Jeff USA
3 years ago
Reply to  Lolek

Clara K and Eva and Ewa were my favorite of of night so I was sad to see them paired together:( Klara H was also really good as well.

heyok
heyok
3 years ago

Not feeling so sad for Clara on here anymore are we? Bye bye Ding Dong :))

Gloria
Gloria
3 years ago

Klara looked 100% better here (and more confident) in her performance.

Azaad
Azaad
3 years ago

Apparently the lyrics to Clara’s song are really good, according to Swedes. That may explain why she qualified here and beat the likes of Tess in her original semi.

Grft
Grft
3 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

Tbh the song itself and the vibe it’s giving me are really good… even if I don’t understand a single word lol.

Azaad
Azaad
3 years ago
Reply to  Grft

I appreciate the hints of a darker instrumental when I listened to it again, which I think ties well with the bittersweet lyrics.

Eurofandom is toxic and I'm glad I left
Eurofandom is toxic and I'm glad I left
3 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

Behöver inte dig idag means not needing you today. So it’s really empowering and she sings amazingly

Erik
Erik
3 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

It is closer to a poetic usage of our language as opposed to filling out your Swedish language songs with “dandi dansa” and “ding dong”. That said I was actually rooting for “ding dong” because I personally want uplifting happy songs.

But yes, lyrically that song has some qualities. It uses words in our rich language that you don’t always hear in music.