Melodifestivalen

Sweden’s Melodifestivalen 2022 continues and last Saturday two more acts made it to the grand final and another two will try their luck in the upcoming second-chance semi-final. This Saturday, seven more acts will perform their songs in heat two of Mello 2022.

Today SVT previewed studio versions of this week’s competing songs for the Mello media. Join us as we bring you our first reactions to the seven competing entries in heat three. Fans will get their first listen of the heat three entries when snippets of the songs are released on Thursday.

Melodifestivalen 2022: Heat 3 first reactions

Disclaimer: The media listening sessions involve the studio versions of the competing songs being played over a video call. This is not the same as the experience of seeing the song performed live so please keep that in mind. We will do our best to convey our first impressions of the songs.

Cazzi Opeia – “I Can’t Get Enough”

Sample lyric: I know that I’m a mess / I’m the first one to confess / I got issues

“I Can’t Get Enough” is the brightest and poppiest number of the week and it’s one of my big favourites. The song comes with a string orchestra and builds up to a fairly mighty synth-pop chorus. Cazzi has a great pop voice and it seems a given that she’ll bring a quirky style to the Mello stage. It’s a really catchy pop number and a perfect song to start the show with.

Lancelot – “Lyckligt slut” (“Happy ending”)

Sample lyric: Vill inte ha nåt vackert / Jag vill ha nåt som är fult / För vackert har ett slut
(Do not want anything beautiful / I want something ugly / Too beautiful has an end)

“Lyckligt slut” is a simple folk-pop ballad with simple acoustic guitar and Lancelot’s voice is very pleasant. The lyrics are about the bittersweet feeling of wanting a relationship to end while it feels completely perfect, so that there are no bad memories, only a happy ending. The problem is, the song is a little too laidback, a bit easy listening. It’s too easy to lose attention. Lancelot could over come with if he can bring a captivating live performance. P.S. It’s pronounced “sloot”.

Lisa Miskovsky – “Best to Come”

Sample lyric: It will always hurt / Not in vain / More like driving in the rain

Weirdly, this reminds me of the style of Christian pop that was really big in the ’80s! “Best to Come” is a bold self-empowerment anthem, that never gives up with its mission to motivate. There’s even an obnoxious key change which actually works really well, as it adds to the song’s intense energy. In theory, I wouldn’t really enjoy a song like this, but in the audio version at least it is impossible to dislike its relentless cheer. Lisa’s vocals are on point and she’s sure to deliver on Saturday.

Tribe Friday – “Shut Me Up”

Sample lyric: She shut me up! / I really tried to speak my mind / But she shut me up

Tribe Friday gets its influences from the UK, with shades of ’90s Britpop and the ’00s garage rock revival. “Shut Me Up” is a super cool pop-rock jam, and builds to a really enjoyable chorus. I want to say this is the best band entry in Melfest 2022 so far. The song gets a little repetitive near the end, up the energy holds. Tribe Friday seem like the sort of band who will deliver with their live performance.

Faith Kakembo – “Freedom”

Sample lyric: I won’t give up / I’m not afraid / No my hope don’t stop believing

Faith has this week’s best vocals. Her voice is strong and clear and I even want to say there are hints of Adele (but better?). “Freedom” is a fairly bog-standard uplifting Eurovision ballad. There are no surprises, which puts the burden on Faith to make it interesting. It feels a bit boring near the end, but there is potential for that to be overcome with a captivating live performance.

Linda Bengtzing – “Fyrfaldigt hurra!” (“Fourfold hurray!”)

Sample lyric: Jag ska leva detta livet / Som att det faktiskt vore mitt / Bara sträcka upp ett finger för ”I don’t give a sh*t”
(I’m going to live this life / As if it were actually mine / Just stretch a finger for “I do not give a sh*t”)

The song is an upbeat number, sung almost entirely in Swedish. (See above for the one English line — which would never be allowed at Eurovision!) The Swedish lyrics mean if will have limited international appeal, but as the song is all about bursting through and proudly doing your own thing, I don’t think that matters at all. Hey, it’s Linda Bengtzing — that should be reward enough!

Anders Bagge – “Bigger Than the Universe”

Sample lyric: Lord, my heart is / Beating like a symphony / And every word is poetry

Anders is well known in Sweden, both as a judge of Idol and for his recent stint as the popular Sea Bear on The Masked Singer. Making the most of that momentum, he has the uplifting “Bigger Than the Universe”. (Yes, there are a lot of uplifting songs this week!) Anders has a tone to his voice like the Olsen Brothers, and he brings a similar cosy vibe, like a nice uncle. The song doesn’t do anything amazing, but it’s a perfect choice to close the show.

General note: This is an unusual week! There don’t seem to be any big Mello stars (like Robin or John) who we could expect to hoover up points. Instead we’ve got interesting newcomers and a few returning icons but no obvious shoo-in for going direct to the grand final! Saturday’s show will be very interesting.

What do you think? Which songs are you looking forward to hearing? What do you think this week’s results will be? Sound off in the comments section below!

59 Comments
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Nikos
Nikos
2 years ago

What do you think of the similarty between the songs “Bigger than the universe” with Anders Bagge and “Quedate Conmigo” with Pastora Soler? Both very good but have a lot of similarities. :)!

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  Nikos

And 10 years of difference 😮

Daniel
Daniel
2 years ago
Reply to  Nikos

Not to surprising, since Anders Bagge is one of the writers of Quedate Conmigo 🙂

Nikos
Nikos
2 years ago

I see how Bagge get most of the votes in the big final – i don’t know if everyone outside of Sweden understand how “big/likeable” he is in Sweden. He has his own tv-show – he works with homeless dogs, he is the judge of Swedish Idol etc etc. But i do think Cornelia will be very close to Bagge in the final. Then the jury decides to send Cornelia to Italy – the outcome i belive in :)!

Denis
Denis
2 years ago
Reply to  Nikos

I think audience will vote for Cornelia as well. Bagge hasn’t really that big of a song most people think he has. It’s overblown rock-musical without the campiness of Queen and Meatloaf. Lance Hedman probably is more vote friendly than Bagge

Last edited 2 years ago by Denis
Babes
Babes
2 years ago

Cornelia has the ticket to Turin in her pocket! And I’m not even a fan of her song!

#synthsareawesome
#synthsareawesome
2 years ago

People of Sweden, is Lancelot making Elliott Smith/ French chanson stuff in a sense that most of the appeal is lost if you don’t get the lyrics? Or the general vibe for a Swedish person wouldn’t differ?

Denis
Denis
2 years ago

It¨’s more Swedish 70’s folk pop in new version. Like Victor Leksell

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago

This sounds like the best SF overall! Looking forward to listening to the snippets tomorrow

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago

That’s next week bro lol

Héctor
Héctor
2 years ago

I’m hyped about Tribe Friday.

Tzs
Tzs
2 years ago

Klara?

Tzs
Tzs
2 years ago

@Robin – who do u think will go to the final and Semi 5? According to you and your listening? Last week u was right

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

I was already expecting good things from them and based on Robyn’s descriptions Cazzi Opeia and Tribe Friday may indeed have entries I’ll like.

Erik
Erik
2 years ago

Finally a semi-final where NONE of the singers feel predictable.

Erik
Erik
2 years ago

Are not Wiwibloggs in place to interview the artists as they have done before?

Erik
Erik
2 years ago
Reply to  Erik

Okay, but all restrictions in Sweden is removed

Denis
Denis
2 years ago
Reply to  Erik

Yes but there are travel restriction to Sweden until March 31st. And even if all restrictions are lifted Mello won’t have full capacity of anything until the final.

Erik
Erik
2 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Sorry jag glömde det. Jag är också svensk

Tzs
Tzs
2 years ago

Lancelot is now second to qualify :O

Denis
Denis
2 years ago
Reply to  Tzs

Not sure if he actually will qualify though. Especially with that running order. The only certain qualifier is Anders Bagge I think.

Last edited 2 years ago by Denis
Erik
Erik
2 years ago
Reply to  Denis

John Lundvik was number 2 in 2018 and went straight to the final

Tzs
Tzs
2 years ago
Reply to  Erik

Was about to say same haha

Tzs
Tzs
2 years ago
Reply to  Erik

Malou and John Lundvik were 2 in running orther in 2018/19 and Theoz was also second

Denis
Denis
2 years ago
Reply to  Tzs

There are of course exceptions. Lundvik and Prydz were not expeced to qualify but surprised. That doesnt mean it happens often especially with songs in Swedish.

Tzs
Tzs
2 years ago
Reply to  Denis

But Theoz did haha somehow

Denis
Denis
2 years ago
Reply to  Tzs

He got to semi final which isn’t straight to final..

Tzs
Tzs
2 years ago
Reply to  Denis

But he did not go home …. He has got a chance still

Ady
Ady
2 years ago
Reply to  Erik

Rösta på cazzi !!!

Ady
Ady
2 years ago
Reply to  Erik

I like cazzi from Sweden

Andre
2 years ago

Sorry but this is not unpredictable at all. Anders Bagge is loved in Sweden and Lance has the exact kind of song that always hits the charts in Sweden. No one can “steal” their places in the final.

Denis
Denis
2 years ago
Reply to  Andre

But starting as number 2 is never a good sign…
That usually means The producers sees you as fillers.

Tzs
Tzs
2 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Malou Prytz 2019, Lundvik 2018, Theoz 2022??

Ugnius
Ugnius
2 years ago
Reply to  Tzs

Theoz didn’t qualified DTF, he just made to the semi-final

Denis
Denis
2 years ago
Reply to  Ugnius

And the others weren’t predicted to qualify..

Tzs
Tzs
2 years ago
Reply to  Ugnius

But he is continuing and not going home

Nikos
Nikos
2 years ago
Reply to  Andre

Cornelia will be second after Bagge after the voting. The international jury dont know anything about Bagge and they will send Cornelia to Italy.

Tzs
Tzs
2 years ago
Reply to  Nikos

Liamoo and Klara are still here. Cornelia is another Beegendahl 2.0

Tzs
Tzs
2 years ago

This semi is make for newcomer to qualify to the final or Semi final 5/ also is made for Girls … we have 4 of them here …

I think Anders and Cazzi will go to the final
And Faith and Lisa to ACH

5 will be probably – Group
6 Linda
7 Lancelot (i would love to see him in ACH) tho – he has got rly good music!

As long as Linda will be eliminated i am fine – and do not like her songs in Melo – sorry

Erik
Erik
2 years ago
Reply to  Tzs

Her early melfest songs are real classics here. But you can have your own opinion. They are carried mostly by their Swedish lyrics

Tzs
Tzs
2 years ago
Reply to  Erik

I was living in Sweden so i know haha. But i never like her song somehow 🙁

Lolek
Lolek
2 years ago

I might be in the minority here but I am hoping Linda brings a good Schlagger banger. Just wouldn’t be Melo with one of those tunes.

Otherwise very excited to hear all the other songs!!

Kosey
Kosey
2 years ago

Tribe Friday sounds like something I’m going to enjoy – the 90s Britpop, 2000s garage rock sound is music I enjoy outside of Eurovision, so I’m excited! Something like Blur or Arctic Monkeys would be great

Illi
Illi
2 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

Same here.

Fronk
Fronk
2 years ago

Sounds promising! Altough, to be picky, Lacelots lyrics are mistranslated. Instead of “Too beautiful has an end” it’s more like “Because beautiful has an end”

Denis
Denis
2 years ago

Fun to see a field with no real big Mello stars, makes it unpredictable!
I predict Bagge and Miskowsky to final, followed by Faith Kakembo and Cas to Semi final. Now question is can any of these threaten Cornelia?

Aron
Aron
2 years ago

This semi seems to go more to the ballad/midtempo type of semi, except the rock/punk group i suppose

Denis
Denis
2 years ago
Reply to  Aron

And except for Linda Bengtzing who always will have uptempo!

Aron
Aron
2 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Oh yeah forgot about her hahaha

Erik
Erik
2 years ago
Reply to  Aron

Except Cazzi

Illi
Illi
2 years ago

For Robyn’s reactions, I think Cazzi Opeia and Tribe Friday could be my jam. I looove Britpop and Synthpop!!!

Last edited 2 years ago by Illi
Tzs
Tzs
2 years ago
Reply to  Illi

Robin had also Synthpop … and it was annoying tho

Illi
Illi
2 years ago
Reply to  Tzs

Yeah, but there’s good synthpop out there.

Tzs
Tzs
2 years ago
Reply to  Illi

How do u know? Song is not out ..

DarkSideStan
DarkSideStan
2 years ago

I like how this semi is looking to be unpredictable

Miss Uncongeniality
Miss Uncongeniality
2 years ago

I would love an “only girls” passing on this semi:
Cazzi and Linda or Lisa “till finalen”
Faith and Lisa (or Linda) “till semifinal”

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago

cazzi opeia’s song sounds exactly like the song she wrote for bts from the description, which is one of my favorites from their discography. i’m glad robyn enjoyed it too, she’s one of my big favorites this year !

Niya
Niya
2 years ago

Yeah she’s also been involved in creating some of SM’s biggest bops so my expectations are high!

Last edited 2 years ago by Niya
Sale
Sale
2 years ago

Which one did she wrote?