After weeks of speculation, it’s time to find out which artists will officially be part of the Melodifestivalen 2021 lineup. Today broadcaster SVT will announce the first nine artists in this year’s competition. There will be nine more names tomorrow and the last ten on Thursday.
SVT is announcing the artists on its social media accounts and on the Melodifestivalen app. We’ll be updating this page as today’s artists are revealed. One artist will be announced every hour from 7:00 to 15:oo CET.
Melodifestivalen 2021 – First nine confirmed act
Danny Saucedo
Song title: “Dandi Dansa”
Songwriters: Danny Saucedo, Karl-Johan Råsmark
This is Danny Saucedo’s fourth time in Melfest, the third as solo artist. His best results were in 2011 and 2012, where he placed second both times, with “In the Club” and “Amazing”, respectively.
Lovad
Song title: “Allting är precis likadant” (Translation: “Everything is exactly the same”)
Songwriter: Mattias Andréasson, Alexander Nivek, Lova Drevstam, Albin Johnsén
Upcoming singer Lovad — aka Lova Drevstam — is making her Melodifestivalen debut. She recently duetted with Albin Johnsén — and he is also behind her song for Mello.
Kadiatou
Song title: “One Touch”
Songwriter: Joy Deb, Linnea Deb, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Anderz Wrethov
Kadiatou Holm Keita came to fame on Swedish Idol in 2018, where she placed second. Since then, she has released a number of singles, including her recent release “Best I’ve Had”.
Mustasch
Song title: “Contagious”
Songwriters: Ralf Gyllenhammar, David Johannesson
Mustasch is a hard rock band fronted by Ralf Gyllenhammar. The band have been rocking since 1998 and have release numerous album. Ralf competed solo at Melfest 2013 and made it to the final with “Bed on Fire”.
Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos
Song title: Rena rama ding dong
Songwriters: Göran Sparrdahl, Kalle Rydberg, Ari Lehtonen
The two veteran Swedish entertainers will perform as a duo. Eva and Ewa are believed to have a comedic musical number.
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Emil Assergård
Song title: “Om allting skiter sig” (Translation: “If everything sucks”)
Songwriters: Emil Assergård, Jimmy Jansson, Jimmy ”Joker” Thörnfeldt, Anderz Wrethov, Johanna Wrethov
Emil is a singer-songwriter and has released three albums. Last year he was nominated for Male Live Performer of the Year at the Rockbjörnen awards.
Emil Assergård’s 2018 song “För Alltid”
Tess Merkel
Song title: “Good life”
Songwriters: Tony Malm, Tess Merkel, Palle Hammarlund, Mats Tärnfors
Tess is best known as one-third of the disco trio Alcazar. With the group, she has competed five times, last in 2015. However, this is Tess’ debut as a solo artist.
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Paul Rey
Song title: “The Missing Piece”
Songwriters: Fredrik Sonefors, Laurell Barker, Paul Rey
Pop-soul singer Paul made his Mello debut in 2020 with “Talking In My Sleep”. The song placed eighth in the grand final.
Arvingarna
Song title: “Tänker inte alls gå hem” (Translation: “Not going home at all”)
Songwriters: Stefan Brunzell, Nanne Grönvall, Thomas G:son, Bobby Ljunggren
The popular dansband represented Sweden at Eurovision 1993 with “Eloise”. They return to Melodifestivalen in 2019 with the song “I Do”.
What do you think of the names revealed so far? Can any of these artists give Sweden a Eurovision win? Tell us your thoughts below!
I noticed that five of the first nine songs are in Swedish. Could we be seeing more Swedish language songs at Melfest this year?
I feel like Danny Saucedo being announced in this first group means Eric Saade is going to be announced in the coming days. Don’t ask me to explain, it just makes sense.
So so so happy Paul Rey is back! Talking in my sleep was one of my fave NF songs last year
I agree, Talking In My Sleep was one of my favourites from last year’s Melfest and I was hoping that he was going to come back next year, can’t wait to hear The Missing Piece.
I believe that Danny can win in Swedish. If he does, the song could always be translated into English – the same as what Carola and Lena Philipsson did. Abba too.
Even if that sometimes happens, I think that more songs lose some charm when translated than not. For instance, I have no idea how Invincible sounded in Swedish, but it’s English lyrics feel like they are made by a computer generated algorithm. They aren’t necessarily bad, but lack some personality.
At least in festivals like FiK, Sanremo or Beovizija, which limit all entries to national languages, I can see some logic in translating. Melodifestivalen offers options of having both Swedish and English songs, so I personally see very little reason for additional changes.
I agree Colin. Honestly if Danny wins, I feel like he is one of the few artists who might opt to keep the language in Swedish if he can. I think it would be fantastic to hear a song sung in Swedish by Sweden for the first time since the 1990s
I agree with Colin too. I also completely agree with your post. All I meant is that there is absolutely no reason to count him out just because it’s in Swedish, which people seem to be doing.
Don’t worry Jonas, I understood what you meant and agree with you. 🙂
Good to clarify for others though.
The opposite can be true too. Charlotte Nilsson won Melodifestivalen with a Swedish song – she didn’t translate, but completely ditched the Swedish lyrics for a whole new set of English ones – and then went on to win in Jerusalem. The same thing happened the next year with the Olsens for Denmark.
I agree. Translations aren’t always a bad thing. They can be equally good as the original, or in some cases, even better. Still, in most cases, they tend to be turned to only one language – English, which can make the contest a tad less diverse. I can also tell you about two translations which I actually think improved on songs. First, we have Serbia in 2015. Bojana’s song originally was called ”Ceo svet je moj” (The Whole World is Mine) and the lyrics were also partially about accepting her inner beauty, but mostly through eyes of a guy who… Read more »
Interesting, thanks, I didn’t know that!
Whatever happens, even a small bit of Swedish would be nice – like the Bulgarian line in Poli Genova’s 2016 song, it might be the best part.
I want Dotter to win 2021
Because she didnt won in 2020
I disagree with you. I don’t think he will translate it if he wins. And really hope that he will keep it in swedish if he wins.
I am glad that Paul Rey is back. He was really good last year. In his debut, he finished 8th, so he might be a dark horse this year.
I wasn’t following national finals in 2011, but I see a lot of hype around Danny, so I’m curious.
I want to hear more about Mustasch’s song. I enjoy “Bed on Fire”. Though I’m aware this year’s attempt with his band might be a bit more hard rock which I’m not into at all.
Suffice to say that the winner of MelFest will probably be announced tomorrow or the day after…Lovad actually seems like she’ll have a good song but she’s not likely to place well.
Probably apart from Danny, they are saving the more interesting names for later.
Rubbish so far
yeah you have heard all songs right? A artist who is not super famous to you. In your opinion they have rubbish songs? hahah okey…..
you forgot that Eva Rydbeg was in Melfest 1977 wiwwibloggs:)
I saw Danny and now I realize that I’m old too
haha how old are you? i bet you are not old:) i remember Danny to so
So everyone up to now were in Aftonbladet reports but Mustasch, right? Not many surprises then, but at least a few…
Yes. Secrecy does not work and it has been like that for years. That’s why they are normally presented altogether. This format works much better if it’s actually kept a secret who they will announce.
Woah can’t wait to hear Danny’s song in a few months!! I know there is a bit of ambivalence from some knowing that it is in Swedish but you have to remember that he primarily sings in Swedish now. And I must say I absolutely love his Swedish language songs!! I’m sure he’ll get to the finals at least!!
He is much better in swedish!
I haven’t been this excited about melodifestivalen in years! Looking forward to Danny and his banger in swedish. will of course vote for him and hope for him to represent us!
Why are they releasing the names so fast? I can’t keep up with it. They should have released one artist a day if you ask me. Or one a week…even better!
Be ready to wait 28 weeks then lol
This was obviously a joke, because other national finals usually release the names of their participants all at once, or in two parts the most. Releasing one per hour is indeed a bit… extra hype… But I guess that Melfest can afford it. The line-up does look promising.
At least someone got it lol
Not looking forward to this joke song. If its a good song, then great, but why not take this, and by extension Eurovision, with a bit more gravity?
OMG! We (Sweden) always hear that we take ESC too seriously! I so tired of all the negative people commenting Sweden’s songs but this one was just too funny!
And, Melfest is for the swedish audience. Not for the european audience. You don’t have to watch.
Um, okay. And you don’t have to comment but, you did anyway. Just as I am going to watch Melodifestivalen anyway. So how about you chill for a moment, Sandra.
Wow, thanks for the downvotes Sandra, Linus, and Denis! My opinion must hurt your Swedish pride so much for you guys to make so many alternate accounts! I’m honoured.
Because MF isnt only a national selection to find a winner, its a celebration of Swedish music. So joke entries is a thing. I doubt it will do well but it has an audience for sure
Thank you for explaining 🙂
In Sweden Melfest is more important and a bigger thing than ESC. That’s why there’s usually a number of songs that seems weird to an international audience. They simply aren’t made for the international audience.
Like Rolandz that competed in Melfest a couple years ago. Swedes usually thinks they are hilarious but the international audience didn’t get it. Well, they weren’t supposed to.
Danny is singing in Swedish so I don’t think we will have him as winner. I think he just wants to take part without any prestige. It still sounds like a great dance-anthem though so I look forward.
Out of the rest Kadiatou sounds most promising. Potential winner alert even, as always when the Debs are involved..
I’m really excited for Mustache!! And Eva and Ewa! They are so funny and charming! And I have high hopes for Danny!!
One Touch is probably an entry to put an eye on as it’s been co-written by the Debs, who won Eurovision 2015 with Heroes
They’ve had fourteen other entries since then, though.
The Debs are serious about this you know! They always compete to win, nothing else! So that song should be labelled “Winner warning”
Danny will be next years Robin Bengtsson, nice song but not winner worthy (hope he proves me wrong) and Eric will be next years Felix Sandman, a lot of hype but will fall flat on vocals.
I believe both of them are not really competing to win. Especially Danny (who propably has a swedish song) is back for a good show and to promote a new hit possibly. Also it is Bjorkman’s last melfest so he had to come up with something good (and not with a basic lineup as it usually happens) and a comeback of some big names of this decade is indeed exciting.
Also I believe many artists have suffured a lot economically due to corona regulations, so that is why some return becuase they miss performing and also need that extra future income, and it is a plus that they probably know Christer Björkman quite well i guess (nothing negative, it works like this when looking for jobs too, if you know the right people you do have an advantage)
I agree about Danny. As for Eric I don’t think that there’s hype, I mean I don’t think that a lot of people think that he’s in it to win it. Maybe it’s like what Danny is said to be doing, there aren’t live shows now so Melfest is a good opportunity for something live. Personally I thought that maybe Danny would be aiming for the win, but when I read his song’s swedish title then it became apparent to me that this was not the case. It’s highly possible that Eric will perform a song in swedish so when… Read more »
I think Eric is more there to ventilate his feelings during his turbulent year, he dumped his fiance, and seemed really down, so I think he might more be there to get some of his happiness back, performing and entertain people.
Only 3 artists chosen and I can already sense The Mammas will have a really hard time trying to win again in 2021.
So, they’re starting with Saucedo, are they gonna close with Saade like it’s 2011? We’ll know in 2 days. I have to add that I believe that since Danny’s song is probably in swedish he’s officially not gonna represent Sweden in 2021. We don’t have the songs yet of course and maybe it’s a great one, but I don’t think they will pick a song in swedish. 2020 has taught us though that you can never say never, but I find it highly unlikely. Possibly he justs want to reconnect with the swedish audience and this is why he chose… Read more »
I don’t think it’s neither the running order nor the semifinal allocation
I never said it’s the running order. However, I get the misunderstanding, mea culpa, I should’ve clarified that I meant that maybe they would present these artists like the running order of 2011.
He hasn’t released a song i english in while and I think it is only natural that he chose swedish now. I think that it is going to be a really good year in Melfest 2021. Artists have lost their ability to meet the audience like they use to do and Melfest is a big opportunity the be seen and heard in Sweden. I think that Danny doesn’t care about winning in 2021 like he used to do. I think he wants to connect to his swedish audience. Because of that we will probably see really good artists and more… Read more »
Yes, he confirms in Aftonbladet he is not in it for winning, but rather this is his opportunity to preform a good show since all his performances this year has been cancelled.
It’s true. They say it’s never too late but personally I think that Danny’s momentum was back then, in the early ’10s. Now I believe that it is someone else’s momentum, if you ask me, I’d say it’s Dotter’s momentum
It could be like that. But, Danny has taken a lot steps in his Swedish career and has had some really good sings in swedish. His swedish songs are pretty different from his english ones. He has a broader audience now. He can’t be ruled out.
Unless they have duds this time around (in which case they’d probably not make it through the selection). I would think The Mamas or Dotter would get spot 7 in the 4th heat, depending on whom SVT feel have the winning song package.
As always, I’m hoping for a good song in Swedish to go in 2021. I know it will never happen but it’s nice to dream
For me, Danny makes better music when he sings in swedish than in english, because he shows more character. If he has a good entry it would be cool to see him win
And that matters because?
The whole point of languages is nuances. For decades swedes have used English language in music, but Swedish language is actually quite suitable for Swedish language as well. If we are to celebrate diversity in the extended Europe, we could include different genres, people and languages. It’s nothing strange about that.
Yes, but if we are to compete you have more sucess with a song in English than in Swedish. Even when were forced to sing in Swedish we only won twice,and one of them was by default. Swedish language music is good for Swedes but if you want international use English
This is the kind of mindset Björkman has taught us to use. It’s a common thing to say watching the Swedish finals that, “it’s a good song, but would it work in eurovision”. Maybe a eurovision winner has no formula. Netta and Salvador Sobral can both raise the same trophy. Also Lordi and Jamala. Italy uses their language year after year and they still get decent placements. It can be difficult to compare the two, but we wouldn’t send a joke act if we sent something in Swedish language. But maybe we could just stick to what we like one… Read more »
You can’t use one the only native language song to win in decade as an example when the rest has been English.
Because there is great music in Swedish that we never see at Eurovision.
Swedish music can be heard on YouTube. Spotify. You don’t need Eurovision for it..
Same with any other language!
That doesn’t mean Swedish doesn’t deserve to be heard on the eurovision stage.
Just got to keep waiting for them to finally send JHF.
The thing is, more than a lot of other languages, Swedish lends itself really well to music. I think it’s one of the reasons why the country has such a noted music industry (the foremost probably being the social security net that allows people to pursue a music career without fear that they’d end up homeless like in the USA)
The fun advantage of being in another timezone is I get to see this news earlier as the rest of Europe wakes up from their slumber.
And it’s gonn be interesting to see what Danny has put forward, especially that he co-wrote his entry. 🙂
I may have the check out his past Mello discography to familiarize myself. 🙂
I think (and hope) his song will sound more like his swedish music than his previous Melfest entries. There’s quite a big difference between the two.