MELODIFESTIVALEN       2004 SEMI FINAL 1 / Karlstad February 21st 1 En gång för alla | Nina&Kim Music & lyrics Gustav Eurén, Karl Eurén & Niklas Arn "Sounds like Village People's "In the navy". It is supposed to be in a humorous way but it does not help. The song is too bad." The composers wrote "15 minuter" in MF 2003. Gustav and Karl Eurén also wrote "Bara du och jag" in MF 2000. Nina Inhammar and Kim Kärnfalk are former singers of the band Friends, who won the Swedish final in 2001 with "Listen to your heartbeat". Friends also came 2nd in 2000 and 8th in 2002. Now the girls perform as a duo, and was offered to sing "Give me your love" in 2003 but declined. Description of the song: A happy disco in a humorous way. Photo: www.ninakim.se 2 Still Believe | Joachim Bergström Music & lyrics Johan Bejerholm, Jonas Sahlin & Emil Heiling "An ordinary ballad. Nothing special." Description of the entry: A pop song with an unusual arrangement. The verses are r'n'b and the chorus straight pop/rock. Photo: www.mlrecords.com 3 Älvorna | Sarek Music Lars "Dille" Diedricson & Marcus Ubeda Lyrics Dan Attlerud "The intro is stolen from Sertab's winning song of 2003. Maybe a little bit repeating, but the etno style is really good." Dan Attlerud has written "Se mig" in 2000 and "Sista andetaget" in 2002. Lars Diedricsen wrote "Take me to your heaven" in 1999, "Allt som jag ser" in 2001 and "No hay nada mas" in 2002. Marcos Ubeda composed "Never let it go" in 2002, but also songs as "Aqua playa" and "My love" in 2003, "No hay nada mas" and "Son of a liar" in 2002. Sarek came 6th in 2003 with "Genom eld och vatten". Since last time they have changed some members, now the group consists of Zara Kronwall, Jessica Wetterstrand, Ola Hertzberg, Göran Månsson and Stina Jadelius. Description of the song: A song in a modern suggestive rhythm with nordic mystic. Photo: www.mlrecords.com 4 Love turns water into wine | Karl Martindahl Music & lyrics Peter Broman & Miqael Persson "A classic Beatles tune. Easy listening, quite catchy. A good voice that matches the song." Karl Martindahl has been seen in "Fame Factory", autumn 2003. Jan Johansen was mentioned as a performer when the entries were presented. This is the composers first entry ever in Melodifestivalen. Description of the entry: A positive pop/rock song in midtempo. Photo: www.mlrecords.com 5 It's in the stars | La Gaylia Frazier Music & lyrics Lars Andersson & Thomas Thörnholm "A nice disco ā la 70's like Earth Wind & Fire and Afro-Dite. LaGaylia Frazier has a powerful voice, one of the best." Lars Andersson has written 3 entries in the 80's. Thomas Thörnholm wrote "Se mig" in 2000 and "Sista andetaget" in 2002. LaGaylia Frazier is born in the USA, but has lived in Sweden for some years. She has toured a lot with the pianist Robert Wells and his concept "Raphsody in rock". Description of the entry: A melodic disco. Photo: www.mlrecords.com 6 Som stormen | Sara Löfgren Music Lars "Dille" Diedricson Lyrics Carina Danielsson Bergsman & Eddie Jonsson "A pop schlager in mid-tempo. Quite good actually, but not a winner in Istanbul." Lars Diedricsen wrote "Take me to your heaven" in 1999, "Allt som jag ser" in 2001 and "No hay nada mas" in 2002. Sara Löfgren has been a star in Fame Factory autumn 2003, and her first single "Starkare" ("Stronger") reached no1 on the charts. Description of the entry: Halftempo-pop in the singer/songwriter genre. Photo: www.mlrecords.com 7 Tro på mig | Niklas Andersson Music & lyrics Lasse Berghagen "A type of ballad that attracts older people. An excellent voice, though." The composer Lasse Berghagen was one of four specially invited by SVT. Lasse Berghagen has composed five entries in Melodifestivalen. In 1969 Jan Malmsjö sang "Hej Clown". Lasse Berghagen performed three years in a row; 1973 ("Ding-Dong" 7th place), 1974 ("Min kärlekssång till dig" 2nd place) and finally a victory in 1975 with "Jennie Jennie". He also wrote the lyrics to "Du är alltid en del av mig" performed by Henrik Åberg in 1996. Niklas Andersson has performed in many musicals, both in Sweden and London. He sang "I want you" in MF 2002 but did not make it to the final. 8 Tango! Tango! | Petra Nielsen Music & lyrics Thomas G:son "A hot tango, much dancing and energy on stage. The chorus is unfortunately too repeating." Thomas G:son has had 7 entries in MF and wrote the winning song in 2001, "Listen to your heartbeat". Andrés Esteche recorded the demo. Petra Nielsen is a well-known musical star in Sweden and has played the role as Roxie Hart in Chicago in London. Her mother, actress Monica Nielsen, participated in Melodifestivalen 1966. Description of the entry: A tango! Photo: www.mlrecords.com SEMI FINAL 2 / Gothenburg February 28th 1 Finally | Fredrik Kempe Music & lyrics Fredrik Kempe "The verse could be stolen from Elton John's "Your song" and the chorus from ABBA. A good voice in a happy song." Fredrik Kempe had a big hit in 2002 with "Vincero", a mix between euro-disco and opera. Description of the entry: A touch of the 70's and 80's. A mix between Bee Gees, Elton John and ABBA. 2 Soy tu Venus por esta noche | Baccara Music & lyrics Robert Habolin, Mats Jansson, Robert Olausson "A soft disco which sounds just like Baccara in the 70's." Robert Olausson wrote "We're unbreakable" in 2003. Baccara had a big hit in the 70's with "Yes sir I can boogie". In 1978 they represented Luxembourg in the ESC with "Parlez-vous franįais?". Mayte Mateos is the only original member, now having Cristina Sevilla by her side. Description of the entry: Classic 70's disco in a modern way. Photo: www.mlrecords.com 3 Vindarna vänder oss | Fame Music Henrik Sethsson & Pontus Assarsson Lyrics Dan Attlerud "Fame won't win again. This is much worse than "Give me your love"; a traditional (what we in Sweden call) 'dansband'." Henrik Sethsson wrote the winning song in 2001, "Listen to your heartbeat". Together with Pontus Assarsson he aslo wrote "The one that I need" in 2002. Dan Attlerud has written "Se mig" in 2000 and "Sista andetaget" in 2002. Fame is Magnus Bäcklund and Jessica Andersson, both former participants in Fame Factory 2002. They won the Swedish final in 2003 with "Give me your love". Description of the entry: An up-tempo schlager pop. Photo: www.mlrecords.com 4 You are the sunshine of my life | Jennifer Escola Music & lyrics Ari Lethonen & Dick Cruslock "Jennifer has a good voice and the song is a mix between Motown, Vanessa Paradis and S Club 7." Description of the entry: Motown-inspired up-tempo pop with influences from the 60's. Photo: www.mlrecords.com 5 Trendy Discoteque | Pay TV Music & lyrics Håkan Lidbo & Ulrika Lidbo "This kind of music has never been heard in MF, maybe it's too modern. No chance, I guess." Pay TV is new group with the models Chanelle Ferarri, Claudia Cash and Neena Fatale. Description of the entry: Electroclash-pop. 6 Säg att du har ångrat dig | Anne-Lie Rydé Music Tony Johansson Lyrics Thomas G:son & Tony Johansson "A little disappointment, but still Anne-Lie Rydé has an excellent voice and a classic 'schlager'. The chorus is too slow, unfortunately." Thomas G:son has had 7 entries in MF and wrote the winning song in 2001, "Listen to your heartbeat". Anne-Lie Rydé has had a long career both as a singer and an actress, but has never competed in the contest. Description of the entry: A schlager from the 60's in a modern costume. Photo: www.mlrecords.com 7 (Are U) ready or not | La Roxx Music & lyrics Jon Hällgren, Koshiar Mehdipoor & Magnus Sagrén "Nothing special. An ordinary pop song, no particular hook or catchy chorus." La Roxx is Tobias Kagelind, Beata Harryson-Nordström and Frida Öhrn. Tobias Kagelind had his breakthrough in the boyband Consoul in late 90's. Then he has been a tv host in the youth channel ZTV, including backstage reporter in Fame Factory, spring 2003. Description of the entry: Happy up-tempo pop. 8 Paradise | E-type Music & lyrics E-type, Fredrik Ekdahl "This is not E-type's best song, but it will surely take him to the final in the Globe Arena. It grows after a few times, though." E-type is one of four specially invited by SVT. E-type has had several hits since his debut album "Made in Sweden" (1994); "Here I go again", "This is the way", "Life", "Africa" and "Campione", which was the official anthem for European Championships in football 2000. "Paradise" is produced by Rami and Max Martin, who has written several hits to stars as Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Boyzone, Westlife and Celine Dion. Photo: www.e-type.se SEMI FINAL 3 / Umeå March 6th 1 Blow the spot | Bubbles Music & lyrics Niclas Molinder, Joacim Persson & Pelle Ankarberg "A better entry for Bubbles than last year. A good disco tune, and good voices." Bubbles came 9th in Melodifestivalen 2003 with "T.K.O.". The five girls in Bubbles are Caroline Ljungström, Sandra Joxelius, Patricia Joxelius, Yenny Andersén and Hannah Steffenburg. Yenny and Hannah were too young to participate last time, but now the whole group will be on stage. Description of the entry: An up-tempo disco/pop song. Photo: www.mlrecords.com 2 Innan mörket faller | Emil Sigfridsson Music & lyrics Niklas Edberger, Johan Fransson, Tim Larsson & Tobias Lundgren "Not as good as I thought. And ballads have no chance any longer in the Swedish finals." This quartet of composers wrote Andrés Esteche's "Just like a boomerang" in MF 2003. Johan Fransson was previously the lead singer in Date (MF 2001 & 2002). Emil Sigfridsson came 3rd in the first season of "Fame Factory" in 2002 and his debut album was a big success on the charts. Description of the entry: A ballad ā la 80's. Photo: www.mlrecords.com 3 Baby I can't stop | Gladys del Pilar Music & lyrics Daniel Eklund & Mats Hedström "A little bit too anonymous." Mats Hedström wrote "It takes two" in MF 2002. Daniel Eklund wrote "Last to know" in MF 2002. Gladys del Pilar participated the first time in 1994 with "Det vackraste jag vet", which resulted in a second position. In 2002, together with Afro-dite, she won and "Never let it go" represented Sweden in Tallinn. The girls made another try in 2003 with "Aqua playa" but came 7th. Description of the entry: A Motown schlager. Photo: www.mlrecords.com 4 Här stannar jag kvar | Sandra Dahlberg Music & lyrics Sandra Dahlberg & Johan Becker "A nordic etno style, but with a modern sound." Both Sandra Dahlberg and Johan Becker are in the talent show Fame Factory this season. Johan Becker has written songs for A-Teens, Peter Jöback, Charlotte Nilsson, Nicole Lacy, Kim Sanders and participants in talent shows as Popstars and Fame Factory. Johan Becker sang "She´s A Mystery To Me" in the movie "The Longshot" where Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake are acting. He has recently had a big hit with "Every Single Star", performed by finalists in the tv-show "Star Search" in Germany. Sandra Dahlberg has been described as a mix between Nanne Grönwall and Shakira. Description of the entry: A mix between All Saints and Hedningarna (Swedish folk music). Photo: www.mlrecords.com 5 Super mega nova | Itchycoo Music & lyrics Mia Bergström, Håkan Glänte & Tobias Gustafsson "The worst entry in this semi final. Last position?" Tobias Gustafsson & Mia Bergström form the group Itchycoo. Description of the entry: A pop/rock song. 6 C'est la vie | Ann-Louise Hanson, Towa Carson & Siw Malmkvist Music & lyrics Thomas G:son "Maybe a little old fashioned, but still it has its charm." Thomas G:son has had 7 entries in MF and wrote the winning song in 2001, "Listen to your heartbeat". Siw Malmkvist won Melodifestivalen both in 1959, with "Augustin", and 1961, with "April april", but was refused to sing in ESC. On the other hand she performed the Swedish entry in 1960 "Alla andra får varandra". Other entries are "Vår i hjärtat" in 1961 and the latest song "Det är kärlek" in 1988. She hosted the contest in 1996. Ann-Louise Hanson has a record of 12 entries in MF; 1963 x2, 1966, 1967 x2, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1982, 1983 and the latest a duet with Molle in 2002. Towa Carson has performed three songs. "Alla har glömt" and "Vem frågar vinden" in 1967 and "Du vet var jag finns" in 1968. Photo: www.mlrecords.com 7 Bulletproof heart | Autolove Music & lyrics Peder Ernerot & Gustave Lund "A big surprise; I never thought this would be so good. It grows." Peder Ernerot and Gustave Lund were two members of the rap trio Just D and had a lot of hits in Sweden in the 90's. Autolove includes Malin Nilsson and the composers, but only Malin will be on stage together with artist from Circus Arts. Description of the entry: An up-tempo synth song. 8 Efharisto | Bosson Music & lyrics Ingela "Pling" Forsman, Bobby Ljunggren & Henrik Wikström "A mix between Erasure and Antique. He sings well and the song is one of the best this year." Pling has had 23 entries in MF; won in 1985 "Bra vibrationer" and 1995 "Se på mig". Bobby Ljunggren 13 entries; won in 1995 "Se på mig" and 1998 "Kärleken är". Henrik Wikström 2 entries. Bosson (alias Staffan Olsson) had a top 10-hit in Euorpe and Asia with "One in a million", the soundtrack of the film Miss Congeniality starring Sandra Bullock. The song resulted in a Golden Globe nomination. Bosson has toured with Kylie Minogue and Britney Spears. Description of the entry: A Mediterranean-inspired disco. Photo: www.mlrecords.com SEMI FINAL 4 / Malmö March 13th 1 Det gör ont | Lena Philipsson Music & lyrics Thomas "Orup" Eriksson "At first it was a huge disappointment, very repeating in the chorus. But then it grew a lot." Lena Philipsson was one of four specially invited by SVT. She chose between two songs; "Det gör ont" and another one, written by Magnus Uggla. Lena has participated in MF five times, but only performed on three occasions; in 1986, 1987 and 1988. She has also hosted the Swedish selections two times; in 2000 and 2003. Thomas "Orup" Eriksson wrote two of the entries in Melodifestivalen 1989. "Mitt ibland änglar" (3rd) performed by Fingerprints and "Upp över mina öron" (2nd) performed by himself and Anders Glenmark. He was specially invited in 1998 but withdrew. Later he released the song "Du kom, du sågs, du segrade" on his album "Teddy". At first the song had the title "Stopp! Nej! Gå härifrån", but the composer changed to "Det gör ont". Later he wrote a new song named "Stopp! Nej! Gå härifrån" for Lena's album. Photo: www.lenaphilipsson.se 2 Just like me | Anders Borgius Music & lyrics Anders Borgius "An ordinary rock song, like Bon Jovi and Bryan Adams." Anders Borgius was disqualified last year since his song had been available on the Internet. Description of the entry: Up-tempo country/rock. 3 Boom bang-a-bang | Lotta Nilsson & Glenn Borgkvist Music Lars Erlandsson, Fredrik Lenander & David Clewett Lyrics Larry Forsberg, Sven-Inge Sjöberg & Lennart Wastesson "A traditional schlager you only hear in this contest." Lars Erlandsson and Fredrik Lenander wrote "T.K.O." in MF 2003. The song had originally lyrics in English and the title "You take me up". Glenn Borgkvist is the singer in the group Brandsta City Släckers, who participated in Melodifestivalen both 2002 and 2003. Lotta Nilsson sings in the dance band Candela. Description of the entry: Up-tempo pop ā la 80's. 4 La dolce vita | After Dark Music & lyrics Larry Forsberg, Sven-Inge Sjöberg & Lennart Wastesson "Very catchy and very gay. But the voices are not that good." This trio has written the two entries performed by Östen med resten in 2002 and 2003. They also composed "Crazy in love" and "Love is all" in 2003 and "Kom och ta mig" in 2002. After Dark is a group of drag queens with a long career in Sweden. The singers on stage will be Christer Lindarw (who designed Lill Lindfors's dress in ESC 1985) and Lasse Flinckman. Description of the entry: Schlager disco. 5 Runaway | Pandora Music & lyrics Niklas Edberger, Johan Fransson, Tim Larsson & Tobias Lundgren "A positive surprise. Pandora sings like Shania Twain and the song is really good." This quartet of composers wrote Andrés Esteche's "Just like a boomerang" in MF 2003. Johan Fransson was previously the lead singer in Date (MF 2001 & 2002). Pandora, alias Anneli Magnusson, had a big hit with "Trust me" in 1993. That started her success abroad, especially in Japan. She has sold over 2,2 million records. Description of the entry: An up-tempo schlager. Photo: www.mlrecords.com 6 Äntligen | Fre Music & lyrics Henok Fre, Jonatan Fre, Roberto Martorell & Putte Nelsson "A nice ballad ā la Boyz II Men and R Kelly. Unfortunately without any chance to win." Jonatan Fre and Henok Fre are brothers and has released an album in 2001. Their music is soft soul and r'n'b. Description of the entry: A soft midtempo ballad that shows how good the guys sing. 7 Min kärlek | Shirley Clamp Music Bobby Ljunggren & Henrik Wikström Lyrics Ingela "Pling" Forsman "A pop ballad. Quite okay, but nothing extraordinary." Pling has had 23 entries in MF; won in 1985 "Bra vibrationer" and 1995 "Se på mig". Bobby Ljunggren 13 entries; won in 1995 "Se på mig" and 1998 "Kärleken är". Henrik Wikström 2 entries. Shirley Clamp participated in Melodifestivalen 2003 with "Mr Memory" but did not make it to the final. Description of the entry: A song in midtempo with power. Photo: www.mlrecords.com 8 Olé Olé | Andrés Esteche Music & lyrics Niklas Edberger, Johan Fransson, Tim Larsson & Tobias Lundgren "Latino, latino and latino. Andrés sings a Ricky Martin-song and is looking for revange." This quartet of composers wrote Andrés Esteche's "Just like a boomerang" in MF 2003. Johan Fransson was previously the lead singer in Date (MF 2001 & 2002). Andrés Esteche has become very popular after his season in Fame Factory 2002. "Just like a boomerang" did not qualified to the final last time, but Sweden's new latino king makes another try. Description of the entry: A happy latino song with a lot of party. Photo: www.mlrecords.com