The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — continues to rate and review the songs competing in the grand final of Sweden’s Melodifestivalen 2019. Next up, we listen to Melfest 2015 runner-up Jon Henrik Fjällgren with “Norrsken (Goeksegh)”. Did we find it illuminating?
Jon Henrik Fjällgren – “Norrsken (Goeksegh)”
“Norrsken (Goeksegh)” reviews
Angus: Jon Henrik brings pure magic to the stage. Where other entires reflect Sweden’s commercial music industry, “Norrsken” reflects the nation’s heritage and culture. The pan pipes nod to ABBA’s “Fernando”, the whole staging alludes to the northern lights but also the Sami culture, and Fredrik Kempe’s songwriting hand blends the joik with powerhouse pop elements. Jon Henrik has total conviction when he sings and he takes you to another world. This is different, this is Swedish and this is outstanding. And rarely for a third time Melfest entrant, this is the best of the three songs he’s entered.
Score: 10/10
Antranig: “Norrsken” is much more accessible that Jon Henrik’s previous efforts. That’s not to say his previous efforts were not good but this is more appropriate for a broader audience. Jon Henrik creates an atmosphere like no other and the entire package is so marketable. This is a professional and dynamic entry that could work wonders at Eurovision. Bonus points for singing to a reindeer!
Score: 8.5/10
Cinan: I should say that I’m really happy that he sings this time, but I don’t think this entry is a better one from his previous entries. It’s a really good song and he manages all the time to make us feel happy while he sings these words. I don’t think this will win, but he should do well in the final.
Score: 6/10
Florian: While “Norrsken” isn’t my favourite of Jon Henrik’s Melodifestivalen entries, I do get that there’s something unique to this song. Singing in Swedish helps create a really special atmosphere. However, that 3D reindeer scene was more of something from Ivan (Belarus 2016) than up to the usual Melfest standard.
Score: 6/10
Luis: “Norrsken” brings a more pop-orientated side of Jon Henrik, and it’s slightly underwhelming compared to his previous entries. Those two songs were epic anthems that took you on a journey to discover the core of Sami culture, while this year’s song feels more like a pleasant tourist trip in Lapland. “Norrsken” feels like it’s been toned down to reach the older demographics. It’s a bit more family show than Mello should be. Nevertheless, it’s a decent enough entry for Sweden to do well at Eurovision. Sadly, Jon Henrik could go with a much more thrilling entry.
Score: 7/10
Ron: We need Jon Henrik Fjällgren at Eurovision. After failing to win twice in the past, I’m not sure how many more songs we’ll get from him in case he won’t win this year, so we should consider this one seriously. He brings so many great things to the stage: a fresh sound, the Swedish language, joiking and a great staging and story that he manages to deliver very well. Those are the kind of acts I would like to see at Eurovision, with a bit of every country’s culture, language and charm, instead of an English pop track. While I’m not getting a total winner vibes here and I’m not sure this is his best entry at Melodifestivalen, I wouldn’t mind it representing Sweden at Eurovision as this is a great option.
Score: 8.5/10
In our Melodifestivalen Wiwi Jury, we have 12 jurors but only room for 6 reviews. The rest of our scores can be found below:
| Anthony: 8/10
Bernardo: 5.5/10 Deban: 6/10 |
Lucy: 3/10
Robyn: 9/10 Tobias: 4/10 |
Before calculating the average score, the highest and lowest scores are dropped. This is to remove outliers and reduce potential bias. We have removed a low of 3 and a high of 10.
I know this has bearly any chance to win. But i realy like how earthy and original this sounds. Its actually my favourite together with hello to win. The only thing i think that needs improvement is the staging.
Don’t believe a word, it’s just they’re agenda, ss usual! Make up your own mind, plesse!
Sweet Jon Henrik… Im from Sweden myself and this is NO DOUBT the artist who I really want to represent my country in ESC. Its a shame he competed the same year as “Heroes” back in 2015. He would have won if only Måns had been a year later… After the semifinal I actually thought that this would be Jon Henriks victory, now Im afraid he´s not standing a chance…I would LOVE to send something swedish, I wanna show Europe the kind of swedish culture Jon Henrik represents…and comon, that guy who “Joiks” for Norway sounds like a indian…Its a… Read more »
Like you are the joik expert LOL. There are different ways to joik, just ask Jon Henrik. Jon Henrik are following Keiino on Instagram and he has given his support to Keiino. But maybe you don’t think Jon H knows about joik like you do. LOL. JEALOUSY IS AN UGLY THING.
I admit one thing. I am jealous. Jealous that Norway succeded with something Sweden wont do…sending joik…Im really sad that Jon Henrik probably wont represent Sweden this year either…(And the other thing. Ofc Im not an expert. But I really think Jon Henrik is better then Keiino and it bothers me that Keiino gets to be a part of ESC while Jon wont)
I do it all for me
You
Do you
and I do I do me
While I think, when it comes down to it, Jag är fri is my favorite SONG of his, this is my favorite ENTRY – as in, the whole complete package! 2015 was bombastic and impactful, but don’t forget most of the power coming from the backing vocals, which wouldn’t have been well suited for Eurovision. 2017 was an improvement on that front but overall the song left me wanting more, and for a song in Jon Henrik’s name, Aninia got most of the big moments. Norrsken is the first time I’ve felt him truly take ownership of the song and… Read more »
The jury gave him 51 and 56 points in 2015 and 2017. Since this is his worst song yet in the contest I do not think he will get more than 50 points from the jury. He wont win the televote this year either so he has zero chance
I love it! It my fav in mello and will be my 3rd fav if it goes to Eurovision behind Norway and Cyprus
Love that it has a higher score than his first attempt “Jag är fri”.. I guess it is easier to give a higher score when you know the artist. Because this song is clearly the worst he has participated with. I should stop complaining before wiwibloggs remove my comment again..
His worst entry by far. This lacks energy.
One of the best songs in this years finals. I really hope we send Jon henrik or John Lundvik to Eurovision
Sweden are too boring and predictable to send something like this unfortunately
Hopefully he win
One irrelevant observation is that four corners of the earth, at least, are represented in the MelFest final. Jon Henrik was born in Colombia, Bishara in Syria, Mohombi in Congo, and John Lundvik in England.
The Reindeer was hillarious. Deduct 4 points.
Olive the Reindeer
I wouldn’t mind at all if Sweden sent this. I’m just sad bc it reminds me we never got Jag ar fri to the ESC stage. Why couldn’t he have tried it a year later?? Why is the world so cruel sometimes???
Too Disney-ish for me. I prefer his previous entries, especially “Jag ar fri”.
Not as good as En varld full av strider, but still good 🙂
I’m surprised the plagiarism claims are not mentioned in the reviews. Because the chorus is very much like “Sun is shining”. In Sweden there has been a lot of debate about this in swedish press.
This plagiarism claims has nothing to do in Wiwibloggs post. Let the EBU handle the rules. That is not Your or Wiwibloggs job.
I’m all for different opinions but seeing a 3/10 and a 4/10 in the jury scores makes me question people. Like, seriously, how?
I don’t think this is as good as the masterpiece that was his second song but that Melfest was much tougher than this one. JHF is my winner, mostly for many of the reasons that Robyn said.
This is Jon’s weakest entry in MF
I love this song. I can’t see Sweden picking a song sung in there own language but I would love if they brought this to Tel Aviv.
It’s different, it’s other worldly and it’s epic! It gives me goosebumps going into that last chorus. Amazing.
I also have a feeling the juries would prefer a more universal, pop song (your usual high quality Swedish fare) and this might be left behind. I HOPE NOT!
If this wins MeloFest then I would be shocked but absolutely delighted.
That is the thing, we don’t want to send a song that is an exact copy of Another well known song made by other Swedes! You talk about mainstream pop , generic etc. And that fjällgrens song is not that, but the fact is that his song is a copy the EDM song “Sun is shining” (Axwell and Ingrosso) which i would say makes it the most generic of the whole bunch
Norrsken – It’s very nice to hear Swedish language in the finals and Jon Henrik is always a great performer. The song has such sweet lyrics and it’s very calming. Jolk gives it authenticity, yet it’s very accessible. It misses a big ‘oomph’ in the build-up to make it stand out as some of his other songs do, but this is very good too. – 8/10
I’m glad Angus likes the song. 🙂
It feels too contrived for my taste, but I wish Jon Henrik all the best.
I LOVE Jon Henrik and have been rooting for him to make it to Eurovision. Unfortunately, there’s only one great Sami-inspired song in the Eurohunt this year and it’ll be representing Norway in the contest. “Norrsken” is so cheesy, like a theme song for a children’s movie. I’m of the opinion that “Jag Är Fri” was his best entry and it’s been diminishing returns since then.
A little bit, but it’s a banger. The only place people will be dancing to “Norrsken” is in a kindergarten classroom.
Spirit in the sky is fun, danceable, great Message in the text, a melody that stick and a great hookline 🙂 Goo Keiino, you will represent Norway and the Sami people in a great way. I don’t get the cheesy part, explane?