Skip to main content

Eurovision veteran and Michael Jackson composer in Swedish selections

22 November 2010 at 20:53 CET

The interest among the media and public in Sweden ran high today, as the artists for the first two out of the four semi-finals in Sweden were revealed. The 16 artists were presented by the broadcaster SVT on a well-attended press conference in Stockholm. Traditionally, the press conferences with the artists to compete in Sweden are among the biggest of the year in Scandinavia.

Former Eurovision winner gears up

A notable act in next years Swedish selections is the former Eurovision Song Contest winner Elisabeth Andreassen. The Swedish-Norwegian singer conquered for Norway in 1985 as part of the duo Bobbysocks. In 1996 she reached second place in the Contest, again for Norway.

Elisabeth Andreassen has also competed in Melodifestivalen, the Swedish national selections, on multiple occasions. She is now aiming to score her first win for Sweden.

2008 runner-up ready for more

Sanna Nielsen finished as the runner-up in Melodifestivalen 2008 after Charlotte Perrelli's Hero. Her ballad Empty Room received the highest score in the vote of the people, but the juries removed her from the spot in Belgrade.

“That was a huge year for me, I got the vote of the people, and I still carry it with me. But I've stopped thinking about having to top that. My new song is a very powerful up-tempo with a very likeable and simple refrain. It's great for Melodifestivalen,” Sanna Nielsen says to Eurovision.tv.

“He came up with magic”

An unpredicted act in next years Melodifestivalen is the Swedish-American pop/hip hop artist Swingfly. He performs Me and My Drum, a song written by Teron Beal. The songwriter co-wrote the song Heaven Can Wait on Michael Jacksons last album and has also worked with names like Jennifer Lopez and Whitney Houston.

“His merits are heavy, I trust him with everything. Teron has written songs for me previously as well that has done pretty good in the States. With this song, he came up with magic,” Swingfly says to Eurovision.tv.

Read the full list of artists and songs presented for Melodifestivalen today:

Semi-final 1 – Luleå

Desperados – Pernilla Andersson
Songwriter: Pernilla Andersson

In the Club – Danny
Songwriters: Figge Boström, Peter Boström, Danny Saucedo  

Me And My Drum – Swingfly
Songwriters: Johan Ramström, Patrik Magnusson, Teron Beal, Swingfly

Oh My God – Le Kid
Songwriters: Märta Grauers, Anton Malmborg Hård af Segerstad, Felix Persson

On My Own – Jonas Matsson
Songwriters: Sari Autio Olsson, Peter Autio

Social Butterfly – Rasmus Viberg
Songwriters: Amir Aly, Henrik Wikström

Something In Your Eyes – Jenny Silver
Songwriters: Erik Bernholm, Thomas G:son, Henrik Sethsson

Try Again – Dilba
Songwriters: Niklas Pettersson, Linda Sonnvik


Semi-final 2 – Göteborg

Elektrisk – Anniela
Songwriters: Johan Alkenäs, Tim Larsson, Tobias Lundgren, Johan Fransson

Ge Mig En Spanjor – Babsan
Songwriters: Larry Forsberg, Sven-Inge Sjöberg, Lennart Wastesson

I'm In Love – Sanna Nielsen
Songwriters: Irini Michas, Peter Boström, Thomas G:son, Bobby Ljunggren

Like Suicide – Christian Walz
Songwriters: Fernando Fuentes, Henrik Janson, Tony Nilsson

My Heart Is Refusing Me – Loreen
Songwriters: Moh Denebi, Björn Djupström, Loreen

Oh My God! – The Moniker
Songwriters: Daniel Karlsson

Seven Days And Seven Nights – Brolle
Songwriters: Brolle

Vaken I En Dröm – Elisabeth Andreassen
Songwriters: Lars ”Dille” Diedricson, Calle Kindbom, Kristian Wejshag