They’re the theatre revue superstars who had us all singing ding dong in 2021. Now, Eva Rydberg and Ewa Roos are giving it another shot at Melodifestivalen 2023, where they’ll compete to represent Sweden at Eurovision in Liverpool.
The pair will sing “Länge Leve Livet” this Saturday at Mello heat one in Gothenburg. We caught up with Eva and Ewa ahead of their main stage debut.
Eva and Ewa said their Melodifestivalen 2023 track is about the “love of life”, and pays tribute to their five decade friendship.
Interview: Eva Rydberg and Ewa Roos “Länge Leve Livet” (Melodifestivalen 2023)
Welcome Eva and Ewa, and congratulations on making it to Melodifestivalen 2023. You’re back two years after “Rena Rama Ding Dong”, this time with “Länge leve livet”. What is your song about?
Länge Leve Livet” is a swinging up-tempo song that is about the love of life and those dearest to you.
It is specially written for us and is a bit of a tribute to our 53-year friendship.
You both have very successful careers, spending decades in film television and theatre. How did you first meet, and what brought you together for Melodifestivalen?
We met in a revue, hosted by Hagge Geigert in 1969-1970, named Hagges revy. Very popular show.
We wanted to do it together because we have done so many other things together over 50 years but not Melodifestivalen! Then we got “Ding Dong” presented, it totally got us by surprise… So we just had to do it!
Eva, you tried for Melodifestivalen once before back in 1977. What inspired you to try for Eurovision again in 2023?
Melodifestivalen ’77 and ’21 are so different shows, Actually first we said never again after 2021, but then when we got all great feedback adding with a gold record, we started to feel the “mello vibes” again, then we got this song that we couldn’t resist, so… We are back!
What is the highlight of both of your careers?
Rydberg: It is difficult to say, my dance and theatre has given me so many experiences but to pick some I must say playing the lead in Sweet Charity and Funny Girl in 1989-90. Then, of course my years at my own Fredriksdals Theatre and of course several awards could be added as my favourites.
Roos: Releasing my first record in 1963, my first TV performance and of course, winning the Golden Mask Award for best female lead and supporting role.
One of the most memorable parts of your 2021 performance was the dance routine. Can we expect similar things from “Lange leve livet”?
Not exactly the same but a lot of dance from olden times you will see. It will make you want to dance as well!
Your song is in Swedish. Is it important to you that you sing in your native language? And can we expect an international remix, like we saw in 2022 for “Rena Rama Ding Dong”?
It is easier for us to sing in Swedish but of course it might be remixer on this song as well!
Heat one is coming up very soon. Who will be supporting you? How do you prepare before you go on stage?
We do have a great team supporting us with what we need. It is a lot of rehearsals many days that week. We eat correct and drink water.
In 2021, you made it all the way to Andra Chansen but lost out on a spot in the final. How would it feel to make it all the way to the final this time?
We aim for the gold, but we feel like we already won! The song is great and if we reach the voters we believe we do have a chance!
Finally, is there anything you would like to say to all your fans reading on wiwibloggs?
A little teaser for you and all Eurovision fans… we will be releasing a special remix of “Rena Rama Ding Dong” coming in time for the Eurovision finals in Liverpool! Be safe and vote for us!
Will you watch Melodifestivalen 2023? Are you supporting Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos? Let us know in the comments below.
I wonder when we’re going to get an article about the heat 1 snippets.
probably not until after the first show haha
I’m rather surprised you haven’t shared that yet, wiwibloggs 😉
Also, I wonder if SVT will share the short rehearsal clips soon too. I think they usually share those today as well, no? Or is it on the Friday?
I think wiwi will wait because the snippets are only out for like 2 days and all the youtube clips are usually taken down for copyright so i guess it is just easier to write about the semi final itself rather than having a snippet article that is useless 2 days later
From the 1 minute clips, here are my personal preferences:
DtF – Tone and Jon Henrik & Co
To the semi final – Loulou and Victor Crone
Out: Ewa/Eva, Rejhan and Elov/Beny
I do really like Eva/Ewa so I am hoping they bring a great show. I was also hoping for a little more from Victor Crone but we’ll see what comes the night of. I personally really like Loulou’s song too!
OK snippets are out…
First impression:
Finalists: Jon Henrik and Tone for sure (not the best song to be honest, kind of meh but best of the snippets)
Semi wishes: LouLou and Rejhan
Semi prediction: Victor Crone and Elov & Beny
I love Jon Henrik’s song!
After second and third listening i feel that song is the best out of the bunch hehe
Jon Henrik is good but I also think it is his weakest entry to date.
I think it’s his best.
I thought Tone had the best sound and I would not be surprised if she wins the heat.
Overall though a weak heat and I do not think any of these songs will win Mello
I love Ewa and Eva’s energy! They’re so fun and wholesome. One of my few Mello highlights every year they’ve taken part of it! 🙂
Will we get individual articles on the other six songs in heat one?
It would be odd if they don’t
They’re probably writing them up as we speak.
Yup yup
I just realize we had an interview with Theoz the other day, but he’s in heat two. I guess more interviews will come out later.
It’s not on Wednesday before each heat that Robyn listens the songs and share her impressions?
Each time I ask a question to the wiwi team, I’ve never got answers, I’m definetely persona non grata here.
If I remember correctly the press gets to listen to the songs this year a day early, so on tuesday rather than on wednesday.
Thank you! I appreciate a lot your answer
No problem, you can listen to the snippets (1 min) on SVT Play now.
This link goes to Tone’s song first, but as you hit play the rest will roll one after another.
https://www.svtplay.se/video/8oGW2mg/melodifestivalen-2023-tjuvlyssna-pa-bidragen/1-tone-sekelius-rhythm-of-my-show
Love their energy! Two friends having fun together
Îsrael might withdraw! The government is planning to shut down their broadcaster, finally!
So far, it hasn’t happened and there are protests and fights to keep it from happening. But still, it’s an incredibly stupid move, like won’t that affect their ability to be part of the EBU and participate in Eurovision? Do we really want “I.M.” to be the last Israeli entry at the contest?
You think our P.M cares about ESC? LOL. He wants to completely shut down anything even remotely left leaning. This isn’t his first attempt at doing so. He got elected again so he’s trying stuff again.
That would make SF2 highly unbalanced since SF1 would remain with 14 entries fighting for 10 spots.
Eva would have been such a good Charity, she is so like Gwen Verdon. In both looks and talent. I wish I could have seen it.
Eva is like Carol Burnett’s Swedish twin. If you don’t know who that is, she’s a legendary American television comedian.
She does look like Carol! As a dancer, she reminds me of Gwen.
As long as it’s better than Rama Lama Ding Dong!
It is not…. Based on the snippet…
Critics here in Sweden calls it the worst song in Heat 1. I still want them to qualify so bad!
Have they ranked the first seven songs in heat one? What do they think is the best song of this heat?
Yes, they have! The critics and big fans of Melfest are allowed to listen to the songs a few days before the public does it and give their opinion. Many say that Tones song is the best one in this heat, along with Jon Henrik Fjällgren. I think everyone will be able to listen to a snippet of the songs tomorrow.
Sounds promising. But I will keep my expectations and check and wait for the snippets tomorrow to get a sneak preview.
I heard Elo & Benny was the worst..
The critics and many say that they don’t like their song either, but some say that they could be a ‘surprise qualifier’ for some reason. Many also think their song is way more fun than Eva&Ewas song, but we’ll se tomorrow when snippets are released to the public! 🙂
The same critics that praised “I can’t go on” XD
In other news, Adgy said his song will be performed in IRISH. This is HUGE news and should be reported on more since Irish hasn’t been used in the main national selections since 1999! Also, many people say they will support Ireland if they sent something in Irish!
I saw the tweet he made, I assumed it’d be part of the song but perhaps it is the whole song. Looking forward to it on Friday.
Connoly is also singing some of her sing in Irish.
Actually, I think he’s going to sing in Irish for 20 seconds of his song. Not the whole song.
Parts of the song will be in Irish. 20 seconds of it!
Such iconss, they are so precious, i hope they get far in the competition.
I am already impatiently waiting for the unveiling of Loreen’s song, she is the most interesting to me this year in Sweden. A teaser of the song will probably be towards the end of the month, excited!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-o_IAaQp7Q
A leak for Unicorn!
Ok. Nothing for me
wdym, I don’t love the genre but it’s giving winner, unicorn vibes
This is not by Noa Kirel. It’s called ‘Unicorn Vibes’ by Merlyn in the first Semi-final of Eesti Paul, Estonia’s national selection.
I know lmao. I was just trolling Ritoli lol
Dont spread lies!!! This is estonian song… Not Noa Kirel!
It’s only a snippet but it’s something!!
Ewa and Eva are comedians, right? Despite comedians often being joke entries, it’s always fun to see such entries in a competition.
They’re talented in many ways.
You treat them as objects Jonas, disgusting!
I don’t think so. I think he was complimenting them on their talents in different entertainment skills like acting, singing and dancing, as Denis put it below.
yes, but also actors, singers, dancers. If you work in the theatre like they do you have to be everything..
That’s probably what Jonas meant, Ruu.
It is. They have too much talent as performers to be regarded as a “joke”, even if they do bring a lot of humour.