Smith & Thell
(feat. Swedish Jam Factory) Forgive Me Friend
PRESENTATION:
This edition marks Sweden's 100th entry to the FSC (my 73rd) and to celebrate that we are sending the catchy Swedish-styled Country-folk-Indie-Pop track Forgive Me Friend performed by the duo Smith & Thell. The duo, consisting of singer/songwriters Maria Jane Smith and Victor Thell, debuted back in 2012 with the EDM-Pop track Kill It With Love, which would be followed by some stand-alone singles as well as songwriting and producing credits for other artists including the Melodifestivalen entries Groupie (performed by the duo Samir & Victor in the 2015 contest) and Human (performed by Victor Zia in the 2016 edition).
The duo's fourth single, and first single taken from their 2017 debut album Soulprints, titled Statue (The Pills Song) got released in 2015, but except for some commercial success working for other artists, the duo would have their own breakthrough as a music act with Forgive Me Friend in 2018, which also was the first release from their EP Telephone Wires released in November of that year. The song became a radio hit in Sweden and peaked within the top. 10 on the Official Swedish Singles Charts and has lately started to gain interest internationally being added to radio playlists outside of Sweden and just recently debuted in the top.40 on the US Billboard Alternative chart.
LYRICS:
[Verse 1]
I, I've been keeping secrets from you dear
There's things of me are scared and you're my fear
The crack goes in the ground
And you, you've been coming closer to the edge
Wondering what goes on in my head
And so I shut you out
[Chorus]
And I guess that we don't need to be falling apart
But you will always have a special place in my heart
I never wanted this to end, can you forgive me friend?
'Cause I fell in the hole, in the hole, in the hole
My heart was turning cold, turning cold, turning cold
I never wanted this to end, can you forgive me friend?
[Verse 2]
And I, I promised you that we would never change
That you and me would always stay the same
How I let you down
[Chorus]
And I guess that we don't need to be falling apart
But you will always have a special place in my heart
I never wanted this to end, can you forgive me friend?
'Cause I fell in the hole, in the hole, in the hole
My heart was turning cold, turning cold, turning cold
I never wanted this to end, can you forgive me friend? (Hey)
[Bridge]
So can, can you forgive me friend?
Can you forgive me friend for breaking us apart?
'Cause in the end, I didn't want this to end
Can you forgive me friend? Forgive my ugly heart
[Chorus]
And I guess that we don't need to be falling apart
But you will always have a special place in my heart
I never wanted this to end, can you forgive me friend?
'Cause I fell in the hole, in the hole, in the hole
My heart was turning cold, turning cold, turning cold
I never wanted this to end, can you forgive me friend? (Hey)
It's been almost two years since the last victory for Sweden, so this is really awesome !! It's the fourth victory since I joined six years ago, and fifth in total for Sweden since the debut in this contest 10 years ago!!!
Thank you to all that voted for the Swedish entry in the #FSC122 - April 2019 edition and made this victory possible !
#1
139 pts
... and a reprise of (my) Sweden's votes this edition:
For this May edition, Sweden is sending the 20-year old singer and actor Felix Sandman with the well produced, fresh and catchy urban-inspired Pop entry Imprint, the second single released from the singer's 2018- solo debut album EMOTIONS.
For fans of the Swedish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest; Melodifestivalen, Sandman might be best remembered for his runner-up entry Every Single Day from the 2018-edition, which would also become his first, and so far only, chart-topper on the official Swedish Singles charts. The song was later on followed up by the 2018- stand-alone single Tror du att han bryr sig?(Do You Think He Cares?), a duet between Sandman and the winner of Melodifestivalen 2018 and Swedish entrant to the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 Benjamin Ingrosso, which charted in the top. 10 on the Swedish Singles charts.
Sandman started out as part of the boyband trio FO&O back in 2013, and together with fellow members Oscar Enestad and Omar Rudberg, the group came to release two studio albums and also managed to qualify to the finals of Melodifestivalen 2017 with the entry Gotta Thing About You before the trio broke-up late that same year.
Sandman can currently be seen playing one of the lead characters in the first Swedish Netflix original series titled Quicksand [swe: Störst av allt (Biggest of All)], and he also just recently released his first single taken from his upcoming follow-up solo album.
LYRICS:
[Verse 1]
Seventeen, driving fast in a stolen car
Why'd you give me the keys to your heart?
We were young, felt like love, thought we knew it all
Closed our eyes, took a shot in the dark
[Pre-Chorus 1]
Ay, I got scared and you noticed
Showed your cards but I folded
I thank me for you leaving
I thank me for you going
Now you're living your new life
I'm still stuck in these highlights
Breaking down
[Chorus]
Used to have it all
Threw it all away
Now you're just an imprint on my pillowcase
Used to have it all
Lost it in the waves
Now there's just an imprint where you used to lay
Now there's just an imprint that you left on me
[Verse 2]
Twenty-two, now I miss all the little things
Like how you slept on my side of the bed
How you make me feel I could do anything
But now I'm drinking my courage instead
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Oh, I fucked up bad and I know it
You was there at my lowest
I thank me for you leaving
I thank me for you going
Now you're living your new life
I'm still stuck in these highlights
Breaking down
[Chorus]
Used to have it all
Threw it all away
Now you're just an imprint on my pillowcase
Used to have it all
Lost it in the waves
Now there's just an imprint where you used to lay
Now there's just an imprint that I can't erase
[Bridge]
Mhm, mhm
Mhm, no
[Chorus]
Used to have it all
Threw it all away
Now you're just an imprint on my pillowcase
Used to have it all
Lost it in the waves
Now there's just an imprint where you used to lay
Now there's just an imprint that you left on me
Summer has finally arrived (on the Northern hemisphere that is) and to get into the right summertime groove, Sweden is sending the catchy and modern dancehall-vibed-EDM-bop Bad Boy by the Swedish-Norwegian DJ/producer EDM act Tungevaag & Raaban with vocals by Swedish/Gambian singer and newcomer Luana Kiara.
The duo consists of 32-year old Swedish DJ/Producer Robbin Raaban Söderlund and 25-year old Norwegian DJ/Producer Martin Tungevaag. Söderlund started out as one part of the Swedish novelty Eurodance duo-act Laser Inc, that managed a one-hit-wonder back in 2007 with their debut single Det var en gång en liten fågel(There was once a little bird), followed up by their first and only album release Roger That! in 2009.
Martin Tungevaag debuted in 2014 with the solo single Wicked Wonderland, which became a top. 5 hit in both Sweden and Norway as well as charting in some other countries.
As a duo, they released their debut single Samsara, back in 2015, that became a chart hit in the Nordic countries, it's been then followed up by various singles with their latest top. 10 being All for Love released in 2018, later that year they also got a nomination for the MTV European Music Awards in the category Best Norwegian act.
LYRICS:
[Verse 1]
Rolled up sleeves and a
24k smile to match his red eyes commas in his hair and a
Chain with a saint, but he ain’t none
Inked up neck and the
Letters on his fingers speak of trouble trouble, trouble, trouble
Don’t go flexing boy you’ll get trouble
[Pre]
Oh, bad boy messing with the boom boom
Oh, bad boy riding on the vroom vroom
Oh, bad boy, bad boy hah
Bad boy, bad boy hah
Oh, bad boy messing with the boom boom
Oh, bad boy riding on the vroom vroom
Oh, bad boy, bad boy hah
Bad boy, bad boy hah
[Verse 2]
Rolled up sleeves and he’s
Coming on hard
He’s gonna hurt the ones he love
Cause no savage can be trusted no no no riding lambos, hitting bandos yeah yeah trappin and hustle, trouble trouble
Don’t go flexing boy you’ll get trouble
[Pre]
Oh, bad boy messing with the boom boom
Oh, bad boy riding on the vroom vroom
Oh, bad boy, bad boy hah
Bad boy, bad boy hah
Oh, bad boy messing with the boom boom
Oh, bad boy riding on the vroom vroom
Oh, bad boy, bad boy hah
Bad boy, bad boy hah
[Chorus]
Na-na-naughty na-na-naughty
Bad boy, bad boy hah
Bad boy, bad boy hah
Na-na-naughty na-na-naughty
Bad boy, bad boy hah
Bad boy, bad boy hah
[Bridge]
He’s involed in a bai bad man ting
At steppa thinks he’s the next big thing no long talking
Just queff them all straight
Never gonna give it up
Never gonna change no no
[Pre]
Oh, bad boy messing with the boom boom
Oh, bad boy riding on the vroom vroom
Oh, bad boy, bad boy hah
Bad boy, bad boy hah
Oh, bad boy messing with the boom boom
Oh, bad boy riding on the vroom vroom
Oh, bad boy, bad boy hah
Bad boy, bad boy hah
[Chorus]
Na-na-naughty na-na-naughty
Bad boy, bad boy hah
Bad boy, bad boy hah
Na-na-naughty na-na-naughty
Bad boy, bad boy hah
Bad boy, bad boy hah
Another flop result for Sweden unfortunately, I know that "urban-leaning" entries tend to not be too popular with the FSC crowd but #26 really!? I expected at least a bit better... Oh well... hopefully we can turn the trend around in July...
Thank you to all that voted for the Swedish entry in FSC#124 - June 2019 !
#26
27 pts
... and a recap of (my) Sweden's votes this edition:
After achieving Sweden's first victory in the FSC 7.5 years ago with the entry Spread a Little Light, singer Molly Sandén is back in the contest for the second time with her brand new single Det bästa kanske inte hänt än (The Best May Not Have Happened Yet). This catchy uptempo Swedish-language Pop song, which incorporates subtle club vibes, is the second single released from Sandén's fourth studio album (titled the same as this entry) and lyrically takes on the topic of moving on from a relationship that isn't working any longer.
Sandén's first rise to fame came through her participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2006 at the age of 14 where she ended up third with the entry Det finaste någon kan få (The Prettiest Anyone Could Get), which remains Sweden's best position in the contest that Sweden withdrew from in 2015 and has yet to come back to. Sandén's younger sisters Frida and Mimmi also entered the contest the following editions.
In 2009 Sandén qualified to the finals of the Swedish selection to the Eurovision Song Contest; Melodifestivalen with the entry Så vill stjärnorna (So Want the Stars), which was followed by the release of her debut album Samma himmel (Same Heaven) in the same year. In 2012 Sandén entered the selection again and ended up fifth in the final with the entry Why Am I Crying which became her first single to chart within the top. 10 on the official Swedish Singles Chart. In 2012 she also released her follow-up studio album, and so far only English language full album, Unchained which managed to top the Swedish albums chart. Sandén released the EP Like No One's Watching in 2015 which included the 2014 release Freak as well as the single Phoenix. In 2016 Sandén entered Melodifestivalen for a third time with the entry Youniverse which also managed to qualify her to the finals as well as giving her a second top. 10 single.
In 2017 Sandén came back to the Swedish language with a more matured style and urban-oriented sound with the singles Rygg mot rygg (Back Against Back) and Utan dig (Without You) which later on were followed by her third album release Större (Larger) in 2018 and the single Sand.
LYRICS:
[Verse 1]
Du längtar efter nästa steg
Men jag har börjat festa mer
Vi ville alltid samma saker
Nu är jag inte lika säker
Hur skulle jag förlåta mig
Om jag skulle lova dig allt det där?
För jag är inte riktigt klar än
Tänk om jag kommer ångra mig sen?
Vi siktade mot rymden
Vi fastna ibland molnen
Och jag vill stanna kvar här nu
Men du vill hitta vägen ut
[Chorus]
Vågar jag, vågar du, vågar vi släppa taget
Innan jag, innan du, innan vi träffar marken?
Säg, ska vi våga tänka tanken?
Det bästa kanske inte hänt än
Vågar jag, vågar du, vågar vi släppa taget
Innan jag, innan du, innan vi träffar marken?
Säg, ska vi våga tänka tanken?
Det bästa kanske inte hänt än
[Verse 2]
Brukar säga, "borta bra men hemma bäst"
Men väljer ändå borta mest
Och kanske är det allt för ofta
Jag hellre sover kvar på soffan
Vår kärlek var en explosion (Explosion)
Men lågan brann så stort att den dog för fort
Nu fyller vi mest ut en tystnad
Vi frågar men har slutat lyssna
[Chorus]
Vågar jag, vågar du, vågar vi släppa taget
Innan jag, innan du, innan vi träffar marken?
Säg, ska vi våga tänka tanken?
Det bästa kanske inte hänt än
Vågar jag, vågar du, vågar vi släppa taget
Innan jag, innan du, innan vi träffar marken?
Säg, ska vi våga tänka tanken?
Det bästa kanske inte hänt än
[Bridge]
För jag kan inte längre blunda (Nej)
För allt det där jag trycker undan (Nej)
Hur mycket vågar tiden vänta?
Hur länge orkar kroppen längta?
Vågar du, vågar du, vågar jag
Vågar du, vågar du, vågar jag
Vågar du, vågar du, vågar jag
Vågar du, vågar du, vågar jag
Vågar du, vågar du, vågar jag
Vågar du, vågar du, vågar jag
Vågar du, vågar du, vågar jag
[Chorus]
Vågar jag, vågar du, vågar vi släppa taget
Innan jag, innan du, innan vi träffar marken?
Säg, ska vi våga tänka tanken?
Det bästa kanske inte hänt än
Vågar jag, vågar du, vågar vi släppa taget
Innan jag, innan du, innan vi träffar marken?
Säg, ska vi våga tänka tanken?
Det bästa kanske inte hänt än
LYRICS [ENGLISH TRANSLATION]:
[Verse 1]
You long for the next step
But I've started to party more
We always wanted the same things
Now I'm not so sure
How would I forgive myself
If I would promise you all that?
Because I'm not quite ready yet
What if I regret it later?
We aimed at the space
We got caught in the clouds
And I want to stay here now
But you want to find the way out
[Chorus]
Dare I, dare you, dare we to let go
Before I, before you, before we hit the ground?
Say, should we dare to think the thought?
The best may not have happened yet
Dare I, dare you, dare we to let go
Before I, before you, before we hit the ground?
Say, should we dare to think the thought?
The best may not have happened yet
[Verse 2]
Used to say; "Away good but at home best"
But still choose away the most
And maybe it's all too often
I'd rather keep sleeping on the couch
Our love was an explosion (Explosion)
But the flame burned so big that it died too fast
Now we mostly fill out a silence
We ask but have stopped listening
[Chorus]
Dare I, dare you, dare we to let go
Before I, before you, before we hit the ground?
Say, should we dare to think the thought?
The best may not have happened yet
Dare I, dare you, dare we to let go
Before I, before you, before we hit the ground?
Say, should we dare to think the thought?
The best may not have happened yet
[Bridge]
Because I can no longer close my eyes (No)
For all that I push away (No)
How much does the time dare to wait?
How long does the body crave?
Dare you, dare you, dare I
Dare you, dare you, dare I
Dare you, dare you, dare I
Dare you, dare you, dare I
Dare you, dare you, dare I
Dare you, dare you, dare I
Dare you, dare you, dare I
[Chorus]
Dare I, dare you, dare we to let go
Before I, before you, before we hit the ground?
Say, should we dare to think the thought?
The best may not have happened yet
Dare I, dare you, dare we to let go
Before I, before you, before we hit the ground?
Say, should we dare to think the thought?
The best may not have happened yet
For this August edition, we're seeing yet another comeback for Sweden with music producer and songwriter Victor Rådström aka NEIKED and his longtime collaborator and childhood friend the singer-songwriter Miriam Bryant. Bryant ended up second in the FSC exactly six years ago back in August 2013 with her breakthrough track Push Play, which was produced by Rådström. The duo would continue to work on Bryant's solo career, with Rådström producing tracks for the singer's debut album as well as following English language releases including the 2016 single Black Car, which is Bryant's most successful track chartwise to date, charting in the top.3 on the Official Swedish Singles chart.
Parallel to working on Bryant's solo releases, Rådström started his own solo project NEIKED in 2015 and achieved some international success with his 2016 single Sexual, which peaked within the top. 5 in markets like the UK and Australia.
On this month's entry, Bryant is serving lead vocals as a featured singer for Rådström's solo project and it's the third single taken from Rådström's debut album the 2019 Best of Hard Drive. The song can be described as a melodic and warm midtempo Scandinavian-styled electro-Pop track.
LYRICS:
[Verse 1]
We will be a work of art
A monument in every park
You'll love me forever
At least another thousand years
Millenniums without a tear
'Cause we'll be together
[Pre-Chorus]
How did I find you?
[Chorus]
You're upside down, I'm inside out
We're opposite, crazy but we just make sense
You're out of sight, I fall behind
We're opposite, crazy but we just make sense
[Verse 2]
You'll go down in history
No one else made sense of me
You know me by heart
Legends for the rest of time
Your name resting next to mine
Never apart
[Pre-Chorus]
How did I find you?
[Chorus]
You're upside down, I'm inside out
We're opposite, crazy but we just make sense
You're out of sight, I fall behind
We're opposite, crazy but we just make sense
[Bridge]
How did I find you?
How did I find you?
How did I find you?
How did I find you?
[Outro]
We're opposite, crazy but we just make sense
We're opposite, crazy but we just make sense
Haven't been logged in for a while so a little late, as for the results in the last edition, I will not say much about it, but I am thinking twice whether it's worth investing in this any longer...
Regardless...
Thank you to the few of you that supported the Swedish entry in this edition !
#27
31 pts
... and a recap of (my) Sweden's votes this edition:
For this edition, Sweden goes straight up unapologetically Pop with the catchy and well produced bop Break Up a Bit performed by 23-year old singer and reality celebrity Peg Parnevik.
Peg was born in Sweden and is the daughter of Swedish professional golfer Jesper Parnevik. She grew up in the USA but due to her famous father and the reality show Parneviks, which premiered in 2015 on Swedish TV and follows the Parnevik family, she became a name on her own in Sweden and started her music career in Sweden back in 2016 with the single Ain't No Saint, which became her best charting single to date, charting within the top. 3 on the Official Swedish Singles Charts.
LYRICS:
[Verse 1]
You say that you know me
No-no-no-no you don't
You say that you love me
Shu-shu-shut your mouth
No, I used to think you were holy
But now I, now I know
[Pre-Chorus]
High on all the ways you move
Your antics got me sober
I've been feeling something, baby
Since we said it's over
[Chorus]
We've been up here before
Slamming cars, slamming doors
Tangled up on the floor
I know I cannot let you go
We've been up here before
Starting fights, starting wars
And I still come back for more
I know I cannot let you go
[Post-Chorus]
We've been up here before
I know, I know I cannot let you go
We've been up here before
I know, I know I cannot let you go
And we break, break up a bit
Falling back then break, break up a bit
[Verse 2]
Call me up at a party
Say, say you're just a friend
But you're not even holy
Nah, nah, we're more than that
No, I used to think we were rollin'
Used to think we were golden
[Pre-Chorus]
High on all the ways you move
Your antics got me sober
I've been feeling something, baby
Since we said it's over
[Chorus]
We've been up here before
Slamming cars, slamming doors
Tangled up on the floor
I know I cannot let you go
We've been up here before
Starting fights, starting wars
And I still come back for more
I know I cannot let you go
[Post-Chorus]
We've been up here before
I know, I know I cannot let you go
We've been up here before
I know, I know I cannot let you go
And we break, break up a bit
Falling back then break, break up a bit
We break, break up a bit
Falling back then break, break up a bit
[Bridge]
We break up a bit
We break, break up a bit
Oh, we break up a bit
Falling back then break, break up a bit
[Chorus]
We've been up here before
Slamming cars, slamming doors
Tangled up on the floor
I know I cannot let you go (I can't let you go)
We've been up here before
Starting fights, starting wars (starting up a war)
And I still come back for more
I know I cannot let you go (no)
[Outro]
And we break, break up a bit
Falling back then break, break up a bit
And we've been up here before
Starting fights, starting wars
And I still come back for more
I know I cannot let you go
A bit of relief to finally see a decent result for Sweden again after months of flopping, a bit ironic though considering I think the previous Swedish entries were stronger and better imo... anyways I hope that this is a sign for some better months ahead... we'll see
Thank you to everyone that supported the Swedish entry in FSC#127 - September 2019 edition !
#10
80 pts
... and a recap of (my) Sweden's votes this edition:
Sweden continues the Pop route for this edition, this time with a comeback of singer-songwriter Ebba Tove Nilsson aka Tove Lo to the contest. This marks the singer's third entry, having ended up 8th back in the FSC#63 - May 2014 edition with the song Out of Mind and 5th in the December edition of the same year with the entry Talking Body, will this be her third time charm?
This month's entry titled Sweettalk my Heart is the fifth single taken from Nilsson's fourth studio album Sunshine Kitty, released this September. The song, which combined with its modern yet timeless style clearly inspired by both 90's and 80's Pop, can nearly be described as something close to "Pop perfection" with its efficient verses, the catchy bridge and the almost ridiculously strong and melodic hook, all following Tove Lo's recipe and sense for creating great Pop tunes combined with her individual style, somewhat raspy and distinct vocals as well as her personal and raw lyrics on top of that setting her apart from many other Pop acts out there.
For many out there, Tove Lo is mostly known for her breakthrough hit and so far biggest international chart success, the 2013 Habits (Stay High), but aside from her own solo career she has also been co-writing songs for other artists with Ellie Goulding's 2015 Love Me Like You Do being one of her greatest successes chart-wise as a songwriter, as well as collaborated with various other music acts. Below find a list of some of her stand-out singles and collaborations to date:
Stay High [2013] <- famous remix of Habits (Stay High) by American duo Hippie Sabotage Not on Drugs [2014] Heroes (We Could Be) [2014] <- together with Swedish DJ-Producer Alesso Desire [2016] <- together with British group Years & Years Close [2016] <- together with American singer Nick Jonas from the Jonas Brothers Cool Girl [2016] True Disaster [2016] Bad as the Boys [2019] <- together with Finnish singer ALMA Really Don't Like U [2019] <- together with Australian singer Kylie Minogue
LYRICS:
[Verse 1]
Tell me you love me, tell me you're mine
Tell me, I know it, don't need a sign
But I feel different, know you don't lie
But I want attention, commitment, intertwined
What are your dreams?
Give me the details, all in-between
Just let me know, yeah, we can go far
Don't turn your shoulder, get colder, keep me warm
[Pre-Chorus]
Sweeter than love
Is the taste of all those promises
That pulls you in for good
Can't get enough
Put your top moves on and run with it
Sweet talk that shit, so good
[Chorus]
I can be yours
I can be yours now
I can be yours
I can be yours now
I can't get enough
Put your top moves on and run with it
Sweet talk that shit, so good
[Verse 2]
Tell me forever, how can you know?
It doesn't matter, see as we go
Hope is protection, saving us both
Got good intention and passion, can't run low
Don't wanna deal with all the sad stuff, keeping it real
Playing pretending when it gets rough
Don't want us ending, we're mending, shake it off
[Pre-Chorus]
Sweeter than love
Is the taste of all those promises
That pulls you in for good
Can't get enough
Put your top moves on and run with it
Sweet talk that shit, so good
[Chorus]
I can be yours
I can be yours now
I can be yours
I can be yours now
I can't get enough
Put your top moves on and run with it
Sweet talk that shit, so good
[Bridge]
Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet
Ah, sweet, sweet, sweet talk my heart
Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet
Ah, sweet, sweet, sweet talk my heart
Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet (I can be yours)
Ah, sweet, sweet, sweet talk my heart (I can be yours)
Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet (I can be yours)
Ah, sweet, sweet talk my heart now
Mmm
I can be yours, yeah
[Pre-Chorus]
Sweeter than love
Is the taste of all those promises
That pulls you in for good
Can't get enough
Put your top moves on and run with it
Sweet talk that shit, so good
[Chorus]
I can be yours (I can be yours)
I can be yours now
I can be yours (I can be yours)
I can be yours now
I can be yours (I can be yours, I can be yours)
I can be yours now
I can be yours
Sweet talk my heart now
Considering the competition in this edition, I am satisfied with Sweden's results, yes I would lie if I said I didn't think we had a winner candidate this time around, but it's all right, it's still one of our best results this year so far and the third time in total we managed a top.5 spot this year
Thank you to everyone that supported the Swedish entry in the FSC#128 - October 2019 edition !
#5
90 pts
... and a recap of (my) Sweden's votes this edition:
It's time to go back to the Swedish language for this edition and also for another comeback to the FSC, this time around with singer Darin, who came third back in the FSC#83 - January 2016 edition with the entry Lagom.
Darin Zanyar shot to fame in Sweden at the age of 16 when he became the runner-up in the first ever season of Swedish Idol back in 2004, which was followed by his debut single Money for Nothing (co-written by Swedish singer Robyn (FSC#118) among others) and later on his debut album The Anthem in 2005, both releases topping the official Swedish Singles and Album charts respectively back then. Seven studio albums later, six of which also topped the Swedish album charts, as well a bunch of radio and charts hits and one attempt at representing Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010 when Darin ended up 4th in the final of national selection Melodifestivalen, Darin has clearly established himself as one of the bigger local names on the Swedish Pop scene.
This month's entry Hög (High) is a stand-alone single that got released back in the end of March this year and is simply a catchy, well-produced, Pop tune in Sweden, and is probably going to be included on Darin's upcoming third Swedish language studio album.
LYRICS:
[Verse 1]
Världen den har blivit stum
Dimman kommer sakta, allting snurrar runt
Vänner frågar hur jag mår
Vad jag tagit, om även om kan få
[Bridge]
Och jag vet inte vad du gör
Och alla runt omkring
Dom fattar ingenting
Jag vet inte vad du gör
[Chorus]
Och alla trodde jag va hög när jag flög, fallit för djupt för dig
Vet inte vad du gör med mig (Vet inte vad du gör med mig)
Alla trodde jag va hög, att jag ljög, men jag blir sån av dig
Vet inte vad du gör med mig (Vet inte vad du gör med mig)
[Verse 2]
Känner hur mitt hjärta slår
Hundratusen slag i minuten, oh
Aldrig riktigt fallit hårt
Kan inte stoppa ruset, jag kan inte stå
[Bridge]
Och jag vet inte vad du gör
Och alla runt omkring
Dom fattar ingenting
Jag vet inte vad du gör
[Chorus]
Och alla trodde jag va hög när jag flög, fallit för djupt för dig
Vet inte vad du gör med mig (Vet inte vad du gör med mig)
Alla trodde jag va hög, att jag ljög, men jag blir sån av dig
Vet inte vad du gör med mig (Vet inte vad du gör med mig)
[Post-Chorus]
Kommer jag nånsin ner igen? (Kommer jag, kommer jag)
Kommer jag bli mig själv igen? (Kommer jag, kommer jag)
Alla trodde jag va hög när jag flög, fallit för djupt för dig
Vet inte vad du gör med mig
[Middle-Eight]
Och jag vet inte vad du gör
Och alla runt omkring
Dom fattar ingenting
Nej, jag vet inte vad du gör (Vad du gör)
[Chorus]
Och alla trodde jag va hög när jag flög, fallit för djupt för dig
Vet inte vad du gör med mig (Vet inte vad du gör med mig)
Alla trodde jag va hög, att jag ljög, men jag blir sån av dig
Vet inte vad du gör med mig (Vet inte vad du gör med mig)
[Post-Chorus]
Kommer jag nånsin ner igen? (Kommer jag, kommer jag)
Kommer jag bli mig själv igen? (Kommer jag, kommer jag)
Alla trodde jag va hög när jag flög, fallit för djupt för dig
Vet inte vad du gör med mig, vet inte vad du gör med mig
LYRICS [ENGLISH TRANSLATION]:
[Verse 1]
The world has become mute
The fog comes slowly, everything spins around
Friends ask how I feel
What I have taken, if also they can get
[Bridge]
And I don't know what you're doing
And everybody around
They understand nothing
I don't know what you're doing
[Chorus]
And everyone thought I was high when I flew, fallen too deep for you
Don't know what you're doing to me (Don't know what you're doing to me)
Everyone thought I was high, that I was lying, but I become like that because of you
Don't know what you're doing to me (Don't know what you're doing to me)
[Verse 2]
Feel how my heart beats
Hundreds of thousands of beats per minute, and
Never really fallen hard
Can't stop the rush, I can't stand
[Bridge]
And I don't know what you're doing
And everybody around
They understand nothing
I don't know what you're doing
[Chorus]
And everyone thought I was high when I flew, fallen too deep for you
Don't know what you're doing to me (Don't know what you're doing to me)
Everyone thought I was high, that I was lying, but I become like that because of you
Don't know what you're doing to me (Don't know what you're doing to me)
[Post-Chorus]
Will I ever come down again? (will I, will I)
Will I be myself again? (will I, will I)
Everyone thought I was high when I flew, fallen too deep for you
Don't know what you're doing to me
[Middle-Eight]
And I don't know what you're doing
And everybody around
They understand nothing
No, I don't know what you're doing
[Chorus]
And everyone thought I was high when I flew, fallen too deep for you
Don't know what you're doing to me (Don't know what you're doing to me)
Everyone thought I was high, that I was lying, but I become like that because of you
Don't know what you're doing to me (Don't know what you're doing to me)
[Post-Chorus]
Will I ever come down again? (will I, will I)
Will I be myself again? (will I, will I)
Everyone thought I was high when I flew, fallen too deep for you
Don't know what you're doing to me, don't know what you're doing to me
Yet another top. 5 for Sweden, I'm satisfied with that and didn't really know what to expect but anything within the top. 10 in this edition is fine with me and realistic
Thank you to everyone that supported the Swedish entry in the FSC#129 - November 2019 edition !
#5
92 pts
... and a recap of (my) Sweden's votes this edition:
To close this year, Sweden is slowing down the tempo again and invites singer-songwriter Veronica Maggio back to the contest for a fifth time. This marks the first time a ballad with the singer is being entered to the contest with the song Solen har gått ner (The sun has set), taken from the Maggio's sixth studio album Fiender är tråkigt (Enemies are Boring).
Since her 2006 debut single Dumpa mig (Dump Me), she has become one Sweden's most successful and popular singers with four #1 albums and various music awards.
[Verse 1]
Jag trodde det var glömt och förlåtet
Tusen år sen, sen vi gjorde slut och du gråter
Är vi nu på samma sida i bråken?
Känns som att vi är galaxer ifrån men
Jag undrar om det är som det låter
Flera gånger har jag hört att jag är så svår men
Nu när jag blivit bättre så går det
Sämre än det borde, jag försöker förstå det
Andas, andas, glömmer bort att andas
Mm-mm, alla måste andas
[Chorus]
Solen har gått ner
Inget kvar att se
Snälla ta mig med
Blinkar och sen ler
Jag har ingenstans att va
Bara tomma flaskor kvar
Men solen har gått ner
Och jag hör dig gå
[Verse 2]
Jag ställer mig på tå här i baren
Ser dom andra vänta ute på trottoaren
Dom stänger stället men min stol får stå kvar än
Önskar att du kunde hålla mitt hår sen
Slänger nötter på nån i personalen
Gick iväg när dom fråga "Vem var det?"
Stanna, stanna, snälla förlåt mig
Vi glömmer det men vem såg mig
Andas, andas alla måste andas
[Chorus]
Solen har gått ner
Inget kvar att se
Snälla ta mig med
Blinkar och sen ler
Jag har ingenstans att va
Bara tomma flaskor kvar
Men solen har gått ner
Och jag hör dig gå
[Middle eight]
Det är jag, några kids och en man i kostym
Sitter kvar nån station, det får bli som det blir
Kommer hem, tänder upp, allt på högsta volym
Det får aldrig va mörkt mellan åtta och sju
Kanske flytta nånstans där det aldrig är stängt
Han på 7-Eleven har tröttnat på mig
Jag blir bländad av strålkastarna på din bil
Jag står kvar här på sträcken i ljuset, i ljuset
[Chorus]
Solen har gått ner
Inget kvar att se
Snälla ta mig med
Blinkar och sen ler
Jag har ingenstans att va
Bara tomma flaskor kvar
Men solen har gått ner
Och jag hör dig gå
[Outro]
Och jag hör dig gå
Och jag hör dig gå
Och jag hör dig gå
LYRICS [ENGLISH TRANSLATION]:
[Verse 1]
I thought it was forgotten and forgiven
A thousand years ago, since we broke up and you're crying
Are we now on the same page in the brawls?
Feels like we're galaxies away but
I wonder if it is as it sounds
Several times I have heard that I am difficult but
Now that I've gotten better, it's going
Worse than it should, I'm trying to understand it
Breathe, breathe, forgetting to breathe
Mm-mm, everyone must breathe
[Chorus]
The sun has set
Nothing left to see
Please bring me
Blinking and then smiling
I have nowhere to be
Only empty bottles left
But the sun has gone down
And I hear you leave
[Verse 2]
I'll stand on my toes here at the bar
See the others waiting outside on the sidewalk
They close the place but my chair may still stand
Wish you could hold my hair later
Throwing nuts on someone in the staff
Left when they asked "Who was it?"
Stay, stay, please forgive me
We forget it but who saw me
Breathe, breathe, everyone must breathe
[Chorus]
The sun has set
Nothing left to see
Please bring me
Blinking and then smiling
I have nowhere to be
Only empty bottles left
But the sun has gone down
And I hear you leave
[Middle eight]
It's me, some kids and a man in a suit
Keep sitting some station, it will be as it gets
Coming home, lighting up, everything on maximum volume
It must never be dark between eight and seven
Maybe move somewhere where it's never closed
He at 7-Eleven has got tired of me
I am dazzled by the headlights on your car
I keep standing here on the lines in the light, in the light
[Chorus]
The sun has set
Nothing left to see
Please bring me
Blinking and then smiling
I have nowhere to be
Only empty bottles left
But the sun has gone down
And I hear you leave
[Outro]
And I hear you leave
And I hear you leave
And I hear you leave
Can't lie and say I'm not a bit disappointed by this month's results for Sweden, not the best way to end the year but hopefully 2020 will bring some more successes to us...
Thank you to everyone that supported the last Swedish entry in 2019 though !
#22
45 pts
... and a recap of (my) Sweden's votes this edition:
In 2019, I tried to once again present a diverse side of Swedish music while still staying true to my own taste, with both ballads and uptempo songs and everything in between in different styles. Just as in 2018, 1/3 of the entries were in local language (this time all in native Swedish). Results-wise this year was a bit of a dip compared to 2018 though, with "only" half of the entries ending up in the top. 10, however while 2018 had two top. 3 spots, this was evened out with the first victory for Sweden in nearly 2 years back in April 2019!
Looking forward to a new year and decade to share more Swedish music with you and to discover new music from your countries as well!
Sweden is starting out this new year and decade with a big timeless-styled Pop song which draws inspiration from artists like Adele and classical Pop sounds stemming all the way back to the 1960's Motown going through 1970's glam to the big 1980's Pop ballads.
LÉON is the stage name of 26-year old Lotta Lindgren who is yet fairly unknown to the masses but debuted with the single Tired of Talking back in 2015, and after a handful of EP releases including tracks such as the 2017 single I Believe in Us, she finally released her self-titled debut album in 2019 where also this edition's entry is taken from.
LYRICS:
[Verse 1]
Seeing the sun go down again
Staying in my bed for too long now
Heard you were out last night
My friends say you're looking well, you seem happy
But you're a liar if you say that you're fine
Bet you wonder if I think of you now
Done my best to stay away, but I think I'm going crazy
[Chorus]
You and I
You don't wanna talk about it
You don't wanna talk about
You and I
We don't ever talk about it
But in my head
Oh, you say, say you still want it
That you're done with being lonely now
It's you and I
You and I
[Verse 2]
Standing beneath the flickered lights
When I shut my eyes you seem closer
Dancing to keep the tears away
Get this heavy weight off my shoulder
And every stranger, I pretend they are you
They'll never hold me, never touch me like you do
Done my best to stay away
But I think I'm going crazy
I'm going crazy
[Chorus]
You and I
You don't wanna talk about it
You don't wanna talk about
You and I
We don't ever talk about it
But in my head
Oh, you say, say you still want it
That you're done with being lonely now
It's you and I
You and I
[Bridge]
I know you're out there somewhere, somewhere in the night
For a fleeting moment thought you passed me by
See the sun come up now, as it hits my eyes
All the things I wanna tell you, that you don't wanna talk about
[Chorus]
You and I
You don't wanna talk about it
You don't wanna talk about
You and I
We don't ever talk about it
But in my head
Oh, you say, say you still want it
That you're done with being lonely now
It's you and I
You and I
FSC#122 - April 2019
... 
