So, I finally have had a chance to see “Swedish Pride” in full effect with something called Melodifestivalen. This is the precursor to Eurovision (the winner goes to represent Sweden there).

There are some rules to the songs (surprising!). They have to be original (unlike Idol), have to be under 3 minutes, also the last bit of the song needs to be an octave or note higher, you know, because it’s more effective that way, as well as you can be any age. Songs cannot be sold before the end of the competition either. I’m sure there are other rules, I just don’t know them. Remember, this was my first experience seeing this!

It’s a 6 week long competition where the people vote (how socialist eh?) on who goes forward. Unlike Idol, there are not judges, just hosts. The 6th week is the final week, and boy do they put on a show!

Anyway I was lucky enough to see the top 10 acts and the who gets to go forward. Unlike most competitions, there are voting “groups/delegations” which represent other countries (France, Denmark, Norway, etc) as well as sections in Sweden (Stockholm, Malmö, Luleå, etc). Each of these regions award points to each song/artists starting at 1, 2, 4, 8, 10 and 12 points. Yes, it is possible for someone not to get ANY voted… brutal eh. This is worth 50% of the final vote.

Then comes the peoples vote, worth another 50%, but in one HUGE bulk value starting at 11, 22, 44, 88, 110 and 132.

In the end, there can only be one and Anna Begendahl won with a song titled “This Is My Life”. Personally, I was hoping Eric Saade would have won with his song called “Manboy”. It’s got a catchy hook which will definitely hit the clubs of Stureplan this summer! JOY! Plus, it’s pretty lame, so it would be even better if it won! And yes, come Monday morning, I plan to annoy EVERYONE at the office with it… by singing, listening and humming the chorus! :)

Personally, it was an interesting experience. It was like Idol, but people actually care… Actually, more than care, people get SOOOO worked up over it, as they represent Sweden in a few months. Now if only Sweden could get this worked up about hockey for soccer! ;)

Well, without further a-du, here are the songs that were performed.

Song 1 – Darin – “You’re Out Of My Life”

Song 2 – Pernilla Wahlgren – “Jag Vill Om Du Vågar”

Song 3 – – “We Can Work It Out”

Song 4 – Timoteij – “Kom”

Song 5 – Peter Jöback – “Hollow”

Song 7 – Jessica Andersson – “I Did it for Love”

Song 8 – Salem Al Fakir – “Keep On Walking”

Song 9 – Anna Bergendahl – “This Is My Life”

Song 10 – Eric Saade – “Manboy”

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