Music & lyrics: Jakob Samuelsson, Martin Eriksson
Artist: The Poodles & E-type

Martin Eriksson, also known as E-type, participated in 2004 with "Paradise" and reached a 5th place.
Jakob Samuelsson is the singer of The Poodles, which came 4th in 2006 with "Night of passion".

The Poodles is Jakob Samuel (singer), Christian Lundqvist (drums), Pontus Nordgren (guitar) and Pontus Egberg (bass).

Review:
The song is quite good, like a mix of both E-type and The Poodles kind of music. But E-type is not a good live singer, that could have cost the final spot.

Photo: www.mlrecords.com

Music: Lars "Dille" Diedricson, Martin Hedström
Lyrics: Wille Crafoord
Artist: Face -84

Lars “Dille” Diedricson wrote Eurovision winner "Take me to your heaven", but also "Allt som jag ser", "No hay nada más", "Som stormen", "Älvorna" and "Jag ljuger så bra" together with Martin Hedström.

Wille Crafoord came 3rd in 1997 with "Missarna".

Face 84 is a girl band.

Review:
No, no, no. This song is crap in my opinion. Stupid lyrics, bad vocals and a simple melody.

Photo: www.mlrecords.com

Music & lyrics: Niclas Molinder, Joacim Persson, Pelle Ankarberg, Niko Valsamidis, Fredrik Larsson, David Jassy
Artist: Velvet

Niclas Molinder, Joacim Persson and Pelle Ankarberg wrote "Blow the spot" in 2004 and "Mi amore" in 2006. The other three composers are debutants.

Jenny Petersson, alias Velvet, sang "Mi amore" in 2006 and reached the second chance.

Review:
This song is much better than "Mi amore" in 2006. A fantastic performance on stage. Velvet should have been in the final with this catchy disco song. And she did not even get to the Second Chance. What a pity!

Photo: Yaya.

Music: Henrik Wikström
Lyrics: Kristian Lagerström
Artist: Brandur Enni

Henrik Wikström's first entry was "Okej, jag ger mig" in 1983. He performed in Melodifestivalen 2000 with the group Avengers and "När filmen tar slut". Since 2004 he has written many entries together with Bobby Ljunggren and/or Fredrik Kempe; for example "Efharisto", "Min kärlek", "This woman", "Etymon", "Att älska dig", winning song of 2006 "Evighet/Invincible", "Cara mia", "Vågar du, vågar jag".

Kristian Lagerström is a debutant.

Brandur Enni comes from Faroe Islands and has no experience from the contest.

Review:
A sad and beautiful ballad with fantastic lyrics. Brandur made a good performance and has a great voice. Maybe the melody was too anonymous.

Photo: www.mlrecords.com

Music & lyrics: Michael Michailoff, Joakim Orramius, Patric Jonsson
Artist: Michael Michailoff

All the composers are debutants in Melodifestivalen.

Michael Michailoff participated in Fame Factory 2002 and has released two albums.

Review:
Another guy with good vocals. The song has influences from British pop/rock and reminded a lot of Oasis, but also Andreas Johnson's "Sing for me". At the same time it was too repetitive in the chorus.

Photo: www.mlrecords.com

Music & lyrics: Sandra Nordström, Mathias Venge, Peter Wennerberg
Artist: Amy Diamond

All the composers are debutants in Melodifestivalen.

Amy Diamond got her break-through only 12 years old with "What's in it for me" in 2004. Amy Diamond is the youngest artist this year, she turns 16 in April.

Review:
15-year-old Amy Diamond is amazing on stage. So energic and professional. "Thank you" is a catchy bubbel-gum-pop song. I think Amy is better than the song.

Photo: www.amydiamond.se

Music: Amir Aly, Maciel Numhauser, Robin Abrahamsson, Bobby Ljunggren
Lyrics: Suzzie Tapper
Artist: Suzzie Tapper

Bobby Ljunggren's first entry in Melodifestivalen was "När morgonstjärnan brinner" in 1987. He has three victories; "Se på mig", "Kärleken är" and "Evighet/Invincible". He has also written "Om igen", "Du", "Ett liv med dig", "Anropar försvunnen", "Not a sinner nor a saint", "Unbreakable", "Bye bye", "Efharisto", "Min kärlek", "This woman", "Etymon", "Att älska dig", "My no 1", "För att du finns", "Vågar du, vågar jag".
Amir Aly, Maciel Numhauser and Robin Abrahamsson are debutants.

Suzzie Tapper was popular in the 80's with the group Suzzies Orkester. In 2002 she wrote "Ge mig mitt hjärta tillbaka".

Review:
Suzzie Tapper made a very sensitive and touching performance. The ballad is very simple and naked, her voice seems quite weak. But it moves me in a good way. It reminds a lot of last year Sonja Aldén, but is not as strong as "För att du finns".

Photo: www.mlrecords.com

Music: Torgny Söderberg, Magnus Johansson
Lyrics: Ingela "Pling" Forsman
Artist: Christer Sjögren

Since 1981 Ingela Pling Forsman has written over 30 entries in Melodifestivalen - a Swedish record. She has three victories; "Bra vibrationer", "Se på mig" and "Kärleken är". Through the years Ingela has written the lyrics to "Min kärlek", "Om igen", "Du", "Efharisto", "Ett liv med dig", "Håll om mig", "Jag ljuger så bra", "Jag måste kyssa dig". Her first song as a composer was "Etymon" in 2006.

Torgny Söderberg's first entry was "Fröken Ur sång" in 1974. Ten years later he won with "Diggi-loo, diggi-ley". He is also the man behind "100%" and "Kärleken är evig", His latest entry was "Det svär jag på" in 1999.

Magnus Johansson is a debutant.

Christer Sjögren is a well-known singer in Sweden and Scandinavia (and also Germany) after some successful years with the group Vikingarna. This is his first attempt in Melodifestivalen.

Review:
A strange mix of calypso/swing/schlager. Would not have qualified to the final if not Christer Sjögren sung it. Once again the singer is better than the entry.

Photo: www.mlrecords.com

Music & lyrics: Tony Nilsson, Mirja Breitholtz
Artist: Ola Svensson

Tony Nilsson and Mirja Breitholtz are debutants. In 2007 they had written the big hit "Nathalie", also performed by Ola.

Ola Svensson became famous after Idol 2005.

Review:
I had expected more from Ola after his mega hit "Nathalie" last summer. But "Love in stereo" gets better and better.
Photo: Karin Törnblom.

Music & lyrics: Lasse Lindh
Artist: Lasse Lindh

Lasse Lindh had a hit in summer 2007 with "Ingen vind kan blåsa omkull oss nu".

Review:
A kind of indie pop song, nothing for this sort of events. The song is okay but nothing more.

Music & lyrics: Nicole Fuentes, Tord Bäckström, Stefan Åberg
Artist: The Nicole

All the composers are debutants.

Nicole Fuentes is called The Nicole.

Review:
The Nicole sang out of tune most of the time, but the song is actually quite good with an original arrangement.

Photo: www.mlrecords.com

Music: Fredrik Thomander, Anders Wikström
Lyrics: Ingela "Pling" Forsman
Artist: Alexander Schöld

Since 1981 Ingela Pling Forsman has written over 30 entries in Melodifestivalen - a Swedish record. She has three victories; "Bra vibrationer", "Se på mig" and "Kärleken är". Through the years Ingela has written the lyrics to "Min kärlek", "Om igen", "Du", "Efharisto", "Ett liv med dig", "Håll om mig", "Jag ljuger så bra", "Jag måste kyssa dig". Her first song as a composer was "Etymon" in 2006.

Alexander Schöld, from Fame Factory 2005, sang on the demo.

Review:
Alexander Schöld presents a typcial Jimmy Jansson song. Quite good the first times you hear it, then it gets annoying. And by the way, his voice is too weak and impersonal.

Photo: www.mlrecords.com

Music: Amir Aly, Henrik Wikström, Magnus Rongedal, Henrik Rongedal
Lyrics: Magnus Rongedal, Henrik Rongedal
Artist: Rongedal

Henrik Wikström's first entry was "Okej, jag ger mig" in 1983. He performed in Melodifestivalen 2000 with the group Avengers and "När filmen tar slut". Since 2004 he has written many entries together with Bobby Ljunggren and/or Fredrik Kempe; for example "Efharisto", "Min kärlek", "This woman", "Etymon", "Att älska dig", winning song of 2006 "Evighet/Invincible", "Cara mia", "Vågar du, vågar jag".
Magnus and Henrik Rongedal are backing singers in great demand, for example Mendez (2002) and Electric Banana Band (2006). In 2006 they wrote "Mi amor" to Gregor.

Amir Aly has written two songs this year.

Review:
A pop/disco with obvious influences from Bee Gees, Scissor Sisters and Mika. The Rongedals brothers are great on stage and made a vivid performance.

Photo: www.mlrecords.com

Music & lyrics: Bobby Ljunggren, Aleena Gibson
Artist: Sanna Nielsen

Bobby Ljunggren's first entry in Melodifestivalen was "När morgonstjärnan brinner" in 1987. He has three victories; "Se på mig", "Kärleken är" and "Evighet/Invincible". He has also written "Om igen", "Du", "Ett liv med dig", "Anropar försvunnen", "Not a sinner nor a saint", "Unbreakable", "Bye bye", "Efharisto", "Min kärlek", "This woman", "Etymon", "Att älska dig", "My no 1", "För att du finns", "Vågar du, vågar jag".

Aleena Gibson is also known as Anna-Lena Högdahl. She wrote "Anropar försvunnen" (2000) and three entries in 2003; "Nothing can stop me", "We're unbreakable" and "Better believe it", which she also performed. "Better believe it" did not qualify to the final, but instead won ”Baltic Song Contest” the same year. In 2007 she wrote and performed "Anything but you" together with Stefan Andersson.

Sanna Nielsen came 3rd with "Igår, idag" (2001), 5th with "Hela världen för mig" (2003), 9th with "Du och jag mot världen" (2005) and 7th with "Vågar du, vågar jag" (2007).

Review:
Sanna has an incredible voice, and Bobby Ljunggren and Aleena have made a classic, magnificient Eurovision-ballad. This can lead all the way to Belgrad...

Photo: www.mlrecords.com

Music & lyrics: Vlatko Ancevski, Vlatko Gicarevski, Mats Nilsson, Stevan Tomulevski, Teddy Paunkoski, Otis Sandsjö
Artist: Andra Generationen

All the composers are debutants and members of Andra generationen, a Macedonian folk group.

Review:
Quite interesting entry. Folk music from Macedonia and funny lyrics in Swedish.

Photo: www.andragenerationen.com

Music & lyrics: Carola Häggkvist, Andreas Johnson, Peter Kvint
Artist: Johnson & Häggkvist

Carola Häggkvist had her huge break-through after the victory in Melodifestivalen 1983 with "Främling" scoring maximum points from the juries. In ESC in Munich she came 3rd. She had some years with bible studies before she made come back in the contest 1990. But "Mitt i ett äventyr" ended 2nd after Edin-Ådahl. Her revenge came the following year. With almost maximum points this time also, "Fångad av en stormvind" brought her to Rome and her second participation in ESC. After a tough battle with Amina, representing France, Carola could give Sweden its third victory. In 2003, "När löven faller", with lyrics by Carola, was picked by SVT to compete, but was later disqualified when Carola refused to perform it herself. She appeared two times as a host of the event, in 2000 and 2003, before she made a comeback in 2006 with "Evighet/Invincible" - and won for the third time.

Andreas Johnson came 3rd in Melodifestivalen 2006 with "Sing for me" and 2nd in 2007 with "A little bit of love". He had a big break-through in 1999 with the smash hit "Glorious", which climbed the charts in the UK and the rest of Europe. In 2005 he released the single "Show me XXXX" and the album "Mr Johnson your room is on fire".

Peter Kvint co-wrote both "Sing for me" and "A little bit of love". He also composed "When the night comes falling" for Sebastian in 2007.

Review:
Carola and Andreas Johnson have both great voices and made a good show on stage. The song is a U2 inspired pop/rock anthem. Maybe the chorus is not catchy enough, like for example "Evighet/Invincible", "Sing for me" and "A little bot of love". That may be the case it did not get directly to the final.

Photo: www.mlrecords.com

Music & lyrics: Alexander Bard, Anders Hansson, Bobby Ljunggren, Henrik Wikström
Artist: BWO

Anders Hansson has produced many songs from Melodifestivalen, for example "Dansa i neon", "Det gör ont" and "Not a sinner nor a saint". He has written "Gone" (2005) and "Temple of love" (2006).
Alexander Bard has written the lyrics to three previous entries in Melodifestivalen; "En dag" 1989, "Driver dagg faller regn" 1996 and "Jag saknar dig, jag saknar dig" 1997. In 2006 he composed ""Temple of love".
Bobby Ljunggren's first entry in Melodifestivalen was "När morgonstjärnan brinner" in 1987. He has three victories; "Se på mig", "Kärleken är" and "Evighet/Invincible". He has also written "Om igen", "Du", "Ett liv med dig", "Anropar försvunnen", "Not a sinner nor a saint", "Unbreakable", "Bye bye", "Efharisto", "Min kärlek", "This woman", "Etymon", "Att älska dig", "My no 1", "För att du finns", "Vågar du, vågar jag".
Henrik Wikström's first entry was "Okej, jag ger mig" in 1983. He performed in Melodifestivalen 2000 with the group Avengers and "När filmen tar slut". Since 2004 he has written many entries together with Bobby Ljunggren and/or Fredrik Kempe; for example "Efharisto", "Min kärlek", "This woman", "Etymon", "Att älska dig", winning song of 2006 "Evighet/Invincible", "Cara mia", "Vågar du, vågar jag".

The members of BWO are Alexander Bard, Marina Schiptjenko and Martin Rolinski. In 2005 they participated with "Gone" in the second semi, but did not reach the final. In 2006 they got a wild card and "Temple of love" reached 2nd place.

Review:
Wow, this is BWO's best song ever in the contest. It is a mix of all kind of disco song through the years; ABBA's "Take a chance on me", Madonna's "Hung up" and Swedish Lili & Susie's "Oh Mama". A great show and the singer has a really good voice.

Photo: www.bwo.ru

Music & lyrics: Mickey Huskic
Artist: Mickey Huskic

Mickey Huskic is a debutant and sang on the demo.

Review:
This is so boring. Balkanballads are usually good, if we think of "Lane moje" and "Leijla". But this is more power rock ballad than soft and beautiful.

Music: Anderz Wrethov, Frida Muranius
Lyrics: Anderz Wrethov, Frida Muranius, Sam Persson
Artist: Frida Muranius featuring Hedline

Anderz Wrethov wrote "Like fire tonight" in 2006. The other two composers are debutants in the contest.

Frida Muranius had a hit with "Dunka mig gul och blå" in 2007.

At first the song was called "Leva livet".

Review:
"Upp o hoppa" is a really feel-good-hiphop. I never thought it would go to the final - this kind of music never does. It is a simple melody but in a way it makes you happy.

Photo: www.mlrecords.com

Music: Pontus Hagberg
Lyrics: Pontus Hagberg, Malin Eriksson, Jonas Sjöström
Artist: Thèrése Andersson

Pontus Hagberg, alias Evan, participated in 2006 with "Under your spell", which he also had written together with Malin Eriksson and Jonas Sjöström.

Thèrése Andersson was a part of the group Pay-TV in 2004 and 2005 singing "Trendy discoteque" and "Refrain, refrain".

Review:
This opera/pop/schlager has something, hard to explain what it is. Thérèse sing well and the chorus grabs you. I think it is over produced, though.

Photo: www.thereseandersson.com

Music & lyrics: Patrik Isaksson
Artist: Patrik Isaksson

Patrik Isaksson reached the second chance in 2006 with "Faller du så faller jag".

Review:
Patrik Isaksson was much better in 2006 with "Faller du, faller jag". "Under mitt tunna skinn" has nothing special, we have heard it earlier from Patrik. And he has not the right charisma to go through the tv screen.

Music: Henrik Bie
Lyrics: Mattias Olsson, Angelica "Aja" Thelin, Magnus Lannér
Artist: Caracola

All the composers are debutants.

Review:
A really happy bubble gum song with a catchy chorus. Maybe it was to energetic and vivid to go directly to the final.

Photo: www.plugged.se

Music: Henrik Wikström, Bobby Ljunggren
Lyrics: Ingela "Pling" Forsman, Henrik Wikström
Artist: Ainbusk

Bobby Ljunggren's first entry in Melodifestivalen was "När morgonstjärnan brinner" in 1987. He has three victories; "Se på mig", "Kärleken är" and "Evighet/Invincible". He has also written "Om igen", "Du", "Ett liv med dig", "Anropar försvunnen", "Not a sinner nor a saint", "Unbreakable", "Bye bye", "Efharisto", "Min kärlek", "This woman", "Etymon", "Att älska dig", "My no 1", "För att du finns", "Vågar du, vågar jag".
Henrik Wikström's first entry was "Okej, jag ger mig" in 1983. He performed in Melodifestivalen 2000 with the group Avengers and "När filmen tar slut". Since 2004 he has written many entries together with Bobby Ljunggren and/or Fredrik Kempe; for example "Efharisto", "Min kärlek", "This woman", "Etymon", "Att älska dig", winning song of 2006 "Evighet/Invincible", "Cara mia", "Vågar du, vågar jag".
Since 1981 Ingela Pling Forsman has written over 30 entries in Melodifestivalen - a Swedish record. She has three victories; "Bra vibrationer", "Se på mig" and "Kärleken är". Through the years Ingela has written the lyrics to "Min kärlek", "Om igen", "Du", "Efharisto", "Ett liv med dig", "Håll om mig", "Jag ljuger så bra", "Jag måste kyssa dig". Her first song as a composer was "Etymon" in 2006.

Josefin Nilsson from Ainbusk participated in 2005 with "Med hjärtats egna ord". Now she brings the whole group consisting of Annelie Roswall, Birgitta Jakobsson and Josefin's sister Marie Nilsson.

Review:
A classic Bobby Lunggren-ballad. But not as good as, for example, "Empty room", "Se på mig" och "Ett liv med dig". It has a sweet tune, but it is quite boring, the chorus never lifts. Maybe it is wrong artists for the right song.

Photo: www.mlrecords.com

Music & lyrics: Daniel Bellqvist, Robert Birming, Frederik Zäll
Artist: Eskobar

The three composers are all members of the group Eskobar, which was formed in 1996. In 2001 they had a big hit with "Someone new" together with American singer Heather Nova.

Review:
Eskobar was awful live on stage. But somehow I like this ordinary pop song. But the contest was not the right forum for this kind of song.

Photo: www.eskobar.com

Music & lyrics: Niklas Strömstedt
Artist: Niklas Strömstedt

Niklas Strömstedt became a well-known artist in the 80's. In 1994 he formed a group together with Anders Glenmark (several entries in MF) and Orup (composer of "It hurts" SWE 2004). Niklas wrote the Swedish entry in ESC 1992; "Imorgon är en annan dag" and Melodifestivalen entry "Lev livet" in 2006.

Review:
This is a Niklas Strömstedt-song with some influences from Per Gessle's sound. Soft and nice. The guitarr intro is great.

Music & lyrics: Pontus Assarsson, Jörgen Ringqvist, Lisa Troedsson-Lundin, Caisa Troedsson-Lundin, Anna Törnqvist, Malin Törnqvist
Artist: Calaisa

Pontus Assarsson has written "The one that you need" (2002), "Vindarna vänder oss" (2004) and "When love's comin' back again" (2006).
Jörgen Ringqvist is a debutant.

Lisa Troedsson-Lundin, Caisa Troedsson-Lundin, Anna Törnqvist and Malin Törnqvist are members of the country group Calaisa.

Review:
The girls have beautiful country voices. But this ballad is too boring. I never thought this would get to the second voting round.

Photo: www.mlrecords.com

Music: Fredrik Kempe, Henrik Wikström
Lyrics: Fredrik Kempe
Artist: Daniel Mitsogiannis

Fredrik Kempe wrote "Finally" (2004), which he also performed. In 2005 he and Sanna Nielsen sang "Du och jag mot världen". Other entries are "Cara mia" and "Vågar du, vågar jag".
Henrik Wikström's first entry was "Okej, jag ger mig" in 1983. He performed in Melodifestivalen 2000 with the group Avengers and "När filmen tar slut". Since 2004 he has written many entries together with Bobby Ljunggren and/or Fredrik Kempe; for example "Efharisto", "Min kärlek", "This woman", "Etymon", "Att älska dig", winning song of 2006 "Evighet/Invincible", "Cara mia", "Vågar du, vågar jag".

Daniel Mitsogiannis is a debutant.

Review:
This up-tempo song with Greek influences reminds a lot of "Cara mia". What a pity it did not get a Second Chance. It was a great show on stage.

Photo: www.mlrecords.com

Music & lyrics: Johan Fransson, Tobias Lundgren, Tim Larsson
Artist: Linda Bengtzing

The three composers have written "Just like a boomerang", "Innan mörkret faller", "Runaway", "Olé olé", "Jag tar det jag vill ha" and "Kalla nätter". In 2005 they had five entries; "Alcastar", "Om natten", "Alla flickor", "Vi kan gunga" and the winner "Las Vegas".

Linda Bengtzing has participated two times, "Alla flickor" 2005 and "Jag ljuger så bra" 2006.

Review:
Anothher classic schlager from Linda Bengtzing. And she does it well, this is her style. A good stage show. But sometimes she has got too much energy.

Photo: www.mlrecords.com

Music & lyrics: Lina Eriksson, Mårten Eriksson
Artist: Nordman

Mårten Eriksson participated as a singer in 1996 with "Förlorad igen" and then he composed ""Genom eld och vatten" (2003). Together with Lina Eriksson he has written "The name of love" (2006) and "Kom" (2007).

Nordman was a very popular group in the mid 90's. In 2005 they made a comeback through the contest with "Ödet var min väg". Nordman is Håkan Hemlin and Mats Wester. Mats Wester wrote "En gång ska hon gråta" in Melodifestivalen 1997.

Anette Ingemansson & Ida Segersten sang on the demo.

Review:
This is nothing special. Typical Swedish folk music we heard from Sarek a few years ago. It is difficult to explain, but I think this song do not suit Nordman.

Photo: www.nordmanclub.se

Music & lyrics: Christian Antblad
Artist: Sibel Redzep

Christian Antblad wrote "Tills jag mötte dig" (2003).

Sibel Redzep participated in Idol 2005.

Review:
Sibel sings a really nice powerballad. Maybe it is a bit advanced, but she has a good voice. The chorus is great.

Photo: www.mlrecords.com

Music & lyrics: Sebastian Fronda, Thomas Thörnholm , Michael Clauss
Artist: Fronda

Thomas Thörnholm wrote "Se mig" in 2000, "Sista andetaget" in 2002, "It's in the stars" in 2004. He also wrote the Norwegian entry in 2004 "High".
Michael Clauss wrote "Mama take me home" (2006). Together they wrote "Live forever" in 2007.
A song by Sebastian Fronda was selected last year, but was disqualified since he refused to perform it.

Review:
The song has some gipsy influences mixed with Fronda's typcial rap style. Quite funny song, but not a song for ESC.

Photo: www.fronda.se

Music: Fredrik Kempe, Bobby Ljunggren
Lyrics: Fredrik Kempe
Artist: Charlotte Perrelli

Bobby Ljunggren's first entry in Melodifestivalen was "När morgonstjärnan brinner" in 1987. He has three victories; "Se på mig", "Kärleken är" and "Evighet/Invincible". He has also written "Om igen", "Du", "Ett liv med dig", "Anropar försvunnen", "Not a sinner nor a saint", "Unbreakable", "Bye bye", "Efharisto", "Min kärlek", "This woman", "Etymon", "Att älska dig", "My no 1", "För att du finns", "Vågar du, vågar jag".
Fredrik Kempe wrote "Finally" (2004), which he also performed. In 2005 he and Sanna Nielsen sang "Du och jag mot världen". Other entries are "Cara mia" and "Vågar du, vågar jag".

Charlotte Perrelli has competed once in 1999 with "Tusen och en natt/Take me to your heaven" - and won both Melodifestivalen and Eurovision Song Contest.

Agneta Körssvik sang on the demo.

Review:
Charlotte Perrelli's comeback in the contest is with a modern pop/disco song with influences from Kylie Minogue and S Club 7. She has an impressive voice and makes a great show.

Photo: www.charlotteperrelli.com