Eurovision veteran and Michael Jackson composer in Swedish selections

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