FSC Sweden

[SwedishFailurez]

As the new co-jury of Sweden I can say that I’m really proud of A-lister’s accomplishment with our recent victory. It reflects how powerful the Swedish music scene truly is outside the Eurovision/Melodifesivalen-bubble.

Both I and A-lister are looking forward to share exciting and diverse songs from Sweden in upcoming editions, including our current one of course.

 

[SwedishFailurez]

FSC#148 - June 2021

Nira K
Mitt i juni

PRESENTATION:

For this edition, we are going for yet another Swedish language entry and sending the artist Nira K with the song Mitt i juni (In The Middle Of June). Mitt i juni is a dreamy synth-pop song with heavy influences of Swedish music flavors. The song was written in 2018 when Sweden was experiencing an exhausting heatwave and fires nationwide were reported. “Mitt i juni, Sverige står i brand” is a metaphor for maintaining a loving relationship despite the world is on fire and the struggles it bears.

Nira K debuted with her single Du har fel which also was a hit on Spotify there the song reached the viral top 50 in Sweden. Throughout Nira’s career, she has been on minor concert tours in Sweden, and her music is solely made for a niche audience within the Swedish music market. Nira has never enjoyed mainstream success and her career was on hiatus for a few years until a new wave of singles was released in 2020 like Kontroll and of course Mitt i juni. Ever since, curious music buffs have discovered Nira K’s discography and a loyal following is on the rise.

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
Tårar faller mot din hud
Som att de har precis tagit slut
Och jag viskar, “Jag ska stanna kvar hos dig”
Vaknar upp från ingen dröm
Sen du kom och jag har haft svårt med sömn
Det är ingenting för mig

[Chorus]
Nu står vi stilla och du håller min hand
Det är mitt I juni, Sverige står i brand
Om jag blundar hör jag...
Ditt namn som ropar efter mig
Jag kastar stenar på dom som går förbi
Alla idioter från vårt förra liv
Sanningen är närmre än du...
Anar och jag vet det kommer alltid vara vi

[Verse 2]
Har du glömt det som jag sa?
Jag har ångrat alla ord jag sa
Så jag ber om din förlåtelse i kväll
Tårar faller från din kind
När jag tänker på vad du betyder
Du är allt och lite till

[Chorus]
Nu står vi stilla och du håller min hand
Det är mitt I juni, Sverige står i brand
Om jag blundar hör jag...
Ditt namn som ropar efter mig
Jag kastar stenar på dom som går förbi
Alla idioter från vårt förra liv
Sanningen är närmre än du...
Anar och jag vet det kommer alltid vara vi

[Bridge]
Står på gränsen mellan dröm och verklighet
Sen du kom i ett svep

[Chorus]
Nu står vi stilla och du håller min hand
Det är mitt I juni, Sverige står i brand
Om jag blundar hör jag...
Ditt namn som ropar efter mig
Jag kastar stenar på dom som går förbi
Alla idioter från vårt förra liv
Sanningen är närmre än du...
Anar och jag vet det kommer alltid vara vi

LYRICS [ENGLISH TRANSLATION]:

[Verse 1]
Tears fall on your skin
As if they have just run out
And I whisper, "I will stay with you"
Waking up from no dream
Since you came and I have had difficulty sleeping
It's nothing to me

[Chorus]
Now we stand still and you're holding my hand
It's in the middle of June, Sweden is on fire
If I close my eyes I hear...
Your name calling for me
I throw stones at those who pass by
All the idiots from our past lives
The truth is closer than you...
Think and I know it will always be us

[Verse 2]
Did you forget what I said?
I've regretted all the words I said
So I'm asking for your forgiveness tonight
Tears fall from your cheek
When I think about what you mean
You are everything and a little more.

[Chorus]
Now we stand still and you're holding my hand
It's in the middle of June, Sweden is on fire
If I close my eyes I hear...
Your name calling for me
I throw stones at those who pass by
All the idiots from our past lives
The truth is closer than you...
Think and I know it will always be us

[Bridge]
Standing on the line between dream and reality
Since you came in one go

[Chorus]
Now we stand still and you're holding my hand
It's in the middle of June, Sweden is on fire
If I close my eyes I hear...
Your name calling for me
I throw stones at those who pass by
All the idiots from our past lives
The truth is closer than you...
Think and I know it will always be us

 

[A-lister]

FSC#149 - July 2021

Gozzina
Håll om mig

PRESENTATION:

For this edition, Sweden is sending the catchy uptempo track Håll om mig (Hold Me), performed by the music project Gozzina. The entry is a catchy and lighthearted Pop track which includes elements of both Country-Pop and Swedish Schlager-Pop and is a perfect fit for any summer party out there!

Gozzina consists of producer and songwriter Rasmus Gozzi and singer Annie Forsberg. Usually Gozzi is known for releasing novelty/joke songs with a light vulgar context, and while this entry is also meant to be nothing more than simply a catchy lighthearted Pop song, it doesn't include the novelty factor that tends to be Gozzi's signature and thus has a more universal and wider approach.

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
Vill att du ser mig
När vi tittar på varandra och jag ber dig,
Vill aldrig se dig med nå'n annan, kan du lova
Att vi finns där för varandra för oss båda

[Pre-Chorus]
För jag vill att du och jag ska aldrig ändras, vi kan stärkas
För jag vill att det vi har aldrig förändras, vi kan stärkas
Visa dina känslor och vad du känner

[Chorus]
Jag sa håll om mig, håll om mig, håll om mig
Om du vill att du och jag ska bli nåt mer, mer, mer
Håll om mig, håll om mig, håll om mig
Så det är festligt om att vi har nått på g
Håll om mig nu

[Verse 2]
Vill att du hör mig, när jag viskar i ditt öra för du gör mig
Helt jävla galen på det sättet du berör
Vill kunna stanna den här tiden som vi har nu med varandra

[Pre-Chorus]
För jag vill att du och jag ska aldrig ändras, vi kan stärkas
För jag vill att det vi har aldrig förändras, vi kan stärkas
Visa dina känslor och vad du känner

[Chorus]
Jag sa håll om mig, håll om mig, håll om mig
Om du vill att du och jag ska bli nåt mer, mer, mer
Håll om mig, håll om mig, håll om mig
Så det är festligt om att vi har nått på g
Håll om mig nu

[Bridge]
Släpp aldrig taget om mig
Jag vill hålla mig så nära intill dig, dig, dig
Håll om mig, håll om mig, håll om mig
Om du vill att vi två blir nått mer

[Chorus]
Jag sa håll om mig, håll om mig, håll om mig
Om du vill att du och jag ska bli nåt mer, mer, mer
Håll om mig, håll om mig, håll om mig
Så det är festligt om att vi har nått på g
Håll om mig nu

LYRICS [ENGLISH TRANSLATION]:

[Verse 1]
Want you to see me
When we look at each other and I ask you,
Never want to see you with anyone else, can you promise
That we are there for each other for both of us

[Pre-Chorus]
Because I want you and I to never change, we can be strengthened
Because I want what we have never to change, we can be strengthened
Show your feelings and what you feel

[Chorus]
I said hold me, hold me, hold me
If you want you and I to be something more, more, more
Hold me, hold me, hold me
So it's festive that we've got something going on
Hold me now

[Verse 2]
Want you to hear me, when I whisper in your ear because you make me
Absolutely fucking crazy the way you touch
Want to be able to stop this time that we now have with each other

[Pre-Chorus]
Because I want you and I to never change, we can be strengthened
Because I want what we have never to change, we can be strengthened
Show your feelings and what you feel

[Chorus]
I said hold me, hold me, hold me
If you want you and I to be something more, more, more
Hold me, hold me, hold me
So it's festive that we've got something going on
Hold me now

[Bridge]
Never let go of me
I want to stay so close to you, you, you
Hold me, hold me, hold me
If you want the two of us to be something more

[Chorus]
I said hold me, hold me, hold me
If you want you and I to be something more, more, more
Hold me, hold me, hold me
So it's festive that we've got something going on
Hold me now

 

[A-lister]

FSC#150 - August 2021

Myra Granberg
HKF (Håll käften & försvinn)

PRESENTATION:

Sweden is kicking off this August with the catchy and contemporary Electronic Dance-Pop entry HKF (Håll käften & försvinn) (SUGL - Shut Up & Get Lost), performed by 27-year old singer-songwriter Myra Granberg. The lyrically quirky uptempo track incorporates elements of both Swedish Indie-Pop and Tropical house.

Starting out as a songwriter, Granberg debuted as a solo artist under her own name in 2018 with the single Tills mitt hjärta går under (Until My Heart Goes Under), however it wasn't until a year later in 2019, after signing with Sony Music, that the song really took off and it would eventually peak within the top. 10 on the official Swedish Singles Chart in early 2020. Granberg also released her debut EP Bara hälften kvar (Only the Half Left) in 2020 and has since achieved success on Swedish radio as well as receiving nominations for the Swedish Grammy Awards including "newcomer of the year". This summer, Granberg also achieved her first top. 3 charting position with the single Lose my mind.

Apart from her career with Swedish language Pop and general songwriting, Granberg is also having a side project under the pseudonym Lvly, under which she releases Electronic Pop music for Epidemic Sound with songs like Red Lights among others.

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
Du är en pöl
Utav ett hav
Livet rullar inte på silverfat
Less på ditt snack
Less på ditt tjat
Offerkoftan måste av, måste av

[Bridge]
Om du va här hos mig just nu
Skulle jag skrika över Stockholm, "Åh, fyfan vad du är sjuk
Och tror att det är så synd om dig, buhu"
Men ingen orkar bry sig, snälla tror du att jag bryr mig?

[Chorus]
Håll käften och försvinn
Fan, du fattar ingenting
Inget alls av det jag menar
Ingenting av det jag vill

Bara fuck yourself och gå
Att du orkar hålla på
Fan, du fattar ingenting
Snälla, tror du att jag bryr mig?
Bara håll käften och försvinn
Håll käften och försvinn

[Verse 2]
Vi var ett team
I samma lag
Men du har spårat ur totalt, ur totalt
Ja, du får va lack
Jag är mest glad
För om du drar så kanske jag får må bra

[Bridge]
Om du va här hos mig just nu
Skulle jag skrika över Stockholm, "Åh, fyfan vad du är sjuk
Och tror att det är så synd om dig, buhu"
Men ingen orkar bry sig, snälla tror du att jag bryr mig?

[Chorus]
Håll käften och försvinn
Fan, du fattar ingenting
Inget alls av det jag menar
Ingenting av det jag vill

Bara fuck yourself och gå
Att du orkar hålla på
Fan, du fattar ingenting
Snälla, tror du att jag bryr mig?
Bara håll käften och försvinn
Håll käften och försvinn

[Bridge]
Om du va här hos mig just nu
Skulle jag skrika över Stockholm, "Åh, vad du är sjuk
Tror att det är så synd om dig, buhu"
Men ingen orkar bry sig, ingen jävel orkar bry sig

[Chorus]
Håll käften och försvinn
Fan, du fattar ingenting
Inget alls av det jag menar
Ingenting av det jag vill

Bara fuck yourself och gå
Att du orkar hålla på
Fan, du fattar ingenting
Snälla, tror du att jag bryr mig?

Bara håll käften och försvinn
Fan, du fattar ingenting
Inget alls av det jag menar
Ingenting av det jag vill

Bara fuck yourself och gå
Att du orkar hålla på
Fan, du fattar ingenting
Snälla, tror du att jag bryr mig?
Bara håll käften och försvinn

LYRICS [ENGLISH TRANSLATION]:

[Verse 1]
You're a puddle
Out of a sea
Life does not roll on silver plates
Tired of your drivel
Tired of your nagging
The victimhood mentality needs to go, needs to go

[Bridge]
If you were here with me right now
I would shout over Stockholm, "Oh, damn you're so sick
And think it's so bad for you, boo-hoo"
But no one bothers to care, please do you think I care?

[Chorus]
Shut up and get lost
Damn, you don't understand anything
None of what I mean
None of what I want

Just fuck yourself and go
That you have the strength to keep going
Damn, you don't understand anything
Please, do you think I care?
Just shut up and get lost
Shut up and get lost

[Verse 2]
We were a team
On the same team
But you have lost it totally, totally
Yes, you can be mad
I'm mostly happy
Because if you leave then maybe I can feel good

[Bridge]
If you were here with me right now
I would shout over Stockholm, "Oh, damn you're so sick
And think it's so bad for you, boo-hoo"
But no one bothers to care, please do you think I care?

[Chorus]
Shut up and get lost
Damn, you don't understand anything
None of what I mean
None of what I want

Just fuck yourself and go
That you have the strength to keep going
Damn, you don't understand anything
Please, do you think I care?
Just shut up and get lost
Shut up and get lost

[Bridge]
If you were here with me right now
I would shout over Stockholm, "Oh, you're so sick
think it's so bad for you, boo-hoo"
But no one bothers to care, no fucker bothers to care

[Chorus]
Shut up and get lost
Damn, you don't understand anything
None of what I mean
None of what I want

Just fuck yourself and go
That you have the strength to keep going
Damn, you don't understand anything
Please, do you think I care?

Shut up and get lost
Damn, you don't understand anything
None of what I mean
None of what I want

Just fuck yourself and go
That you have the strength to keep going
Damn, you don't understand anything
Please, do you think I care?
Just shut up and get lost

 

[Ekholmia]

FSC#151 - September 2021

Lou Elliot
Happy For Me

PRESENTATION:

This month Sweden is represented by the the 28 year old artist Lou Elliot from Gothenburg. Lou Elliot is her artist name, her real name is Louise Lennartsson. The song she is representing Sweden with is ”Happy For Me”. It’s written by Louise herself, Cassandra Ströberg and Alex Shield. The song is produced by Carl Silvergran and Pontus Persson.

Apart from being a solo artist she is also a member of the band Estraden, in which she sings in Swedish. She is also established as a songwriter for other artists. She has written songs for the likes of Molly Sandén, Darin and Norlie & KKV.

She made her solo debut in October 2020 with the song ”Best You’ve Ever Had”. That song was written by herself, Gustav Måns Nyström and Linnea Anna Södahl.

She is signed to Sony Music, Milkshake Label‎.

LYRICS:

Fighting in a taxi, home and cried until we fell asleep
This night's supposed to be about me, but somehow
You're making it all about you
How come it's all about you?

Center of attention
And you can't stand it at all
Said I was too high
You like me better when I fall
When I'm breaking in two
How come it's all about you?

Though you said you'd try, said you'd try
Said you'd try better this time
You never try, never try hard enough to make it right

Guess you only want me at my worst
You feel better when I say, "It hurts"
But it's hard to make you see
You don't even know how to be happy for me
Saying everything I wanna hеar
But your eyes tell mе it isn't real
And it's hard to make you see
You don't even know how to be happy for me

All my friends and family are questioning my common sense
Said I wouldn't let you make
That same old mistakes again waiting on you
To not make it all about you

'Cause you said you'd try, said you'd try
Said you'd try better this time (better this time, better this time)
You never try, never try hard enough to make it right
(Make it ri-i-ight)

Guess you only want me at my worst
You feel better when I say, "It hurts"
But it's hard to make you see
You don't even know how to be happy for me
Saying everything I wanna hear
But your eyes tell me it isn't real
And it's hard to make you see
You don't even know how to be happy for me

Though you say you try
It's all a lie
I'm running out of second chances
But I wait and wait
For you to change
But can you even change with me?

'Cause you only want me at my worst (only want me at my worst)
You feel better when I say, "It hurts"
But it's hard to make you see
You don't even know how to be happy for me (happy for me)
Saying everything I wanna hear (wanna hear)
But your eyes tell me it isn't real (isn't real)
And it's hard to make you see
You don't even know how to be happy for me
And it's hard to make you see
You don't even know how to be happy for me

 

[A-lister]

FSC#152 - October 2021

Dotter
Vintern jag var sexton

PRESENTATION:

For this edition, we see a familiar face making a comeback to the FSC. We last saw singer and songwriter Johanna Jansson in the FSC back in July 2020 with the entry Backfire, which ended up in the top. 3.

Jansson, who goes by the stage name Dotter (Swedish for "Daughter"), is perhaps mostly known to Eurovision and Melodifestivalen-fans for her attempts at representing Sweden in the European contest with her Melodifestivalen entries Cry [2018], Bulletproof [2020] and recently in 2021 with Little Tot. In the 2020 final of Melodifestivalen she ended up as a runner-up with just 1 point behind the final winner, and the entry Bulletproof also remains her highest, and so far only top. 3, charting single on the official Swedish singles chart to date.

Apart from her own solo material, Jansson has also co-written songs to other artists including the Melodifestivalen entries A Million Years from 2017 and Victorious from the 2019-contest.

This month's entry for Sweden titled Vintern jag var sexton (The Winter I Was Sixteen), was released a year ago and is Dotter's first, and so far only, single sung in Swedish. It's a melodic, beautiful and slightly melancholic Swedish pop ballad about the longing for a teenage love and a time long gone.

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
Jag minns den vintern jag var sexton år
När du var min tills den stunden då du lämnat mig
Som om igår, det just hade hänt
När du försvann ut i mörkret, du var iskall

[Chorus]
Och alla nätter som jag drömt
Att du vände dig tillbaks, och tillbaks
Att du kysser mina röda läppar
Alla dagar som jag glömde
Vi var ännu tillbaks, och tillbaks

[Refrain]
Alltid varje gång det lider mot jul
Alltid varje gång det lider mot jul
Varje gång det lider mot jul

[Verse 2]
Ta mig till den ljuva tiden nu
Då när du kom och förtrollade en frusen värld
Det var vi, det var du, det var jag
Hade allt, trodde ingen kunde krossa oss

[Chorus]
Och alla nätter som jag drömt
Att du vände dig tillbaks, och tillbaks
Att du kysser mina röda läppar
Alla dagar som jag glömde
Vi var ännu tillbaks, och tillbaks

[Refrain]
Alltid varje gång det lider mot jul
Alltid varje gång det lidеr mot jul
Varje gång det lider mot jul

[Bridge]
Jag minns dеn vintern jag var sexton år
När du var min tills den stunden då du lämnade mig

[Build-up]
Jul
Alltid varje gång det lider mot jul
Varje gång det lider mot jul

[Chorus]
Alla nätter som jag drömt
Att du kommer hit tillbaks, och tillbaks
Att du kysser mina röda läppar
Alla dagar som jag glömt
När vi var ännu tillbaks, och tillbaks
Alltid varje gång det lider mot jul

LYRICS [ENGLISH TRANSLATION]:

[Verse 1]
I remember the winter I was sixteen years old
When you were mine until the moment you left me
As if yesterday, it had just happened
When you disappeared into the darkness, you were ice cold

[Chorus]
And all the nights that I dreamed
That you turned back, and back
That you kiss my red lips
All the days that I forgot
We were still back, and back

[Refrain]
Always every time it's heading towards Christmas
Always every time it's heading towards Christmas
Every time it's heading towards Christmas

[Verse 2]
Take me to the sweet time now
Then when you came and enchanted a frozen world
It was us, it was you, it was me
Had everything, thought no one could crush us

[Chorus]
And all the nights that I dreamed
That you turned back, and back
That you kiss my red lips
All the days that I forgot
We were still back, and back

[Refrain]
Always every time it's heading towards Christmas
Always every time it's heading towards Christmas
Every time it's heading towards Christmas

[Bridge]
I remember the winter I was sixteen years old
When you were mine until the moment you left me

[Build-up]
Christmas
Always every time it's heading towards Christmas
Every time it's heading towards Christmas

[Chorus]
All the nights that I dreamed
That you come back here, and back
That you kiss my red lips
All the days that I forgot
When we were still back, and back
Always every time it's heading towards Christmas

 

[SwedishFailurez]

FSC#153 - November 2021 ​

Raaban feat. Séb Mont​

Vertigo​

PRESENTATION:

For this edition, our representative is the Swedish DJ Raaban whose real name is Robbin Söderlund. Raaban has created many EDM hits through a broad range of collaborations with other singers such as Rabih Jaber, Stockholm Syndrome ("Karma" FSC 59), and Japanese singer Yuka Masaki. Raaban is most famous however as being part of the former duo group Tungevaag & Raaban.

During the period under the “Tungevaag & Raaban” name, he has released singles such as “Samsara”, "Parade", "Take Me Away" and "Bad Boy" which was the Swedish entry in FSC 124. The duo has also collaborated with the Estonian Eurovision representative Victor Crone. The Tungevaag & Raaban duo pathed ways in 2019 as Raaban’s career has continued to develop as a solo composer.

This month’s entry for Sweden is yet another Raaban collaboration which is with the Australian singer Séb Mont. The song is an uptempo EDM about love being like the feeling of a “Vertigo”, that's the title of the song.

EXTENDED MIX:​

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
Knock on your door, four in the morning
Running around, chasing the feeling
Can't feel the ground, no gravity
Head in the clouds, harder to breathe
When I'm at your door at four in the morning

[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, I'm strung along, strung alone
On another love, 'nother love
It's like I'm never learning
But I love the way it burns me

[Chorus]
You don't know you got it, you got it, you gave me vertigo
But I still want it, I want it, just like a domino
I'm falling for ya, it's over, I'm under your control
You got me spinning around, round
One second I'm up then I'm down, down

[Drop]
You got me spinning around, round
One second I'm up then I'm down, down

You got it, you got it
I want it, I want it
Know I'm falling for ya, it's over, I'm under your control
You got me spinning around, round
One second I'm up then I'm down, down

[Verse 2]
Nobody else got me like you do
Under your spell when I'm around you
You in control, I'm on your strings
Got vertigo, everything spins
Nobody else got me like you do, oh

[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, I'm strung along, strung alone
On another love, 'nother love
It's like I'm never learning
But I love the way it burns me

[Chorus]
You don't know you got it, you got it, you gave me vertigo
But I still want it, I want it, just like a domino
I'm falling for ya, it's over, I'm under your control
You got me spinning around, round
One second I'm up then I'm down, down

[Drop]
You got me spinning around, round
One second I'm up then I'm down, down

You got it, you got it
I want it, I want it
Know I'm falling for ya, it's over, I'm under your control
You got me spinning around, round
One second I'm up then I'm down, down

[Bridge]
You got it, you got it, you gave me vertigo
But I still want it, I want it, just like a domino
I'm falling for ya, it's over, I'm under your control
You got me spinning around, round
One second I'm up then I'm down, down

 

[A-lister]

FSC#154 - December 2021

Icona Pop x VIZE
Off of My Mind

PRESENTATION:

Sweden is rounding up this year with a banger and a comeback to the contest with the EDM/House and Dance-Pop duo Icona Pop and the entry Off of My Mind. The song, which is a collaboration together with German EDM/House duo VIZE (consisting of music producer Vitali Zestovskih and DJ Johannes Vimalavong), is a catchy EDM/House stomper ready to set any upcoming New Year's party on fire!

We last saw Icona Pop, consisting of Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo, in the FSC back in August 2015 when the entry Emergency managed to reach a top. 5 position in the contest. The duo, which was formed in 2009 and debuted with the single Manners in 2011, got their domestic as well as international breakthrough with the single I Love It (which featured British Electro-Pop singer-songwriter Charli XCX) in 2012. I Love It remains the girls' most successful single to date and one of the biggest Swedish music exports of the past decade, reaching the top spot on the official British Singles Chart and the top. 3 in various other markets including Germany and Australia. Icona Pop is also one of the few Swedish acts to achieve a top. 10 single on the American Billboard Hot 100 chart.

So being back to the contest again after all these years, will they manage to top their previous attempt? You decide!

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
We don’t
Have control, no, we’re just powerless tonight
(Na-now our) egos
Are letting go into a thousand little lies

[Pre-Chorus]
Yeah, I get reckless when you put your hands on my body
Go crazy for that touch, your arms wrapped around me
There's nothing in this world right now that could stop me
You say your heart is mine
But where's your mi-mi-mind?

[Chorus]
Can't stop thinking about the way your body moves
Bad thoughts taking me down, there's nothing I can do
Can't stop thinking about the way your body moves
Get off of my mind I got nothing left to lose

[Post-Chorus]
Get off of my mind, off of my mind, off of my mind
Off of my mind, off of my mind, off of my mind
Off of my mind, off of my mind, off of my mind
Get off of my mind I got nothing left to lose
Get off of my mind, off of my mind, off of my mind
Off of my mind, off of my mind, off of my mind
Off of my mind, off of my mind, off of my mind
Get off of my mind I got nothing left to loosе

[Verse 2]
I hope
We don't push it past the point of no rеturn
(Na-now we're) so close
To the fire, I can feel the way it burns

[Pre-Chorus]
Yeah, I get reckless when you put your hands on my body
Go crazy for that touch, your arms wrapped around me
There's nothing in this world right now that could stop me
You say your heart is mine
But where's your mi-mi-mind?

[Chorus]
Can't stop thinking about the way your body moves
Bad thoughts taking me down, there's nothing I can do
Can't stop thinking about the way your body moves
Get off of my mind I got nothing left to lose

[Post-Chorus]
Get off of my mind, off of my mind, off of my mind
Off of my mind, off of my mind, off of my mind
Off of my mind, off of my mind, off of my mind
Get off of my mind I got nothing left to lose

[Chorus]
Can't stop thinking about the way your body moves
Bad thoughts taking me down, there's nothing I can do
Can't stop thinking about the way your body moves
Get off of my mind I got nothing left to lose

 

[A-lister]

FSC#155 - January 2022

Veronica Maggio
SE MIG

PRESENTATION:

Sweden is starting off the new year with yet another comeback, this time with singer-songwriter Veronica Maggio and the catchy entry SE MIG (SEE ME), the first single released from the singer's seventh album titled Och som vanligt händer det något hemskt (And as Usual Something Awful is Happening). The song includes elements of Maggio's own specific blend of Swedish Indie-Pop, Vispop and Scandipop as well as 1980's synth-pop influences.

This is Maggio's sixth entry in the FSC following Jag kommer (I'm Coming) [#8 FSC26 - Apr 2011], Sergels torg [Sergel's Square] [#6 FSC57 - Nov 2013], Hela huset (The Whole House) [#18 FSC64 - Jun 2014], Vi mot världen (Us Against the World) [#15 FSC89 - Jul 2016] and latest Solen har gått ner (The Sun Has Set) [#22 FSC130 - Dec 2019].

Following her 2006 debut single Dumpa mig (Dump Me) and other singles such as Nöjd? (Satisfied?) [2006], Måndagsbarn (Monday's Child) [2008], Välkommen in (Welcome Inside) [2011], Låtsas som det regnar (Pretending as if it's Raining) [2013] and Tillfälligheter [Coincidences] [2019], Maggio has become one of the most successful singers in Sweden with four of her studio albums reaching the top spot on the Official Swedish Albums chart as well as two #1 singles, with additional two top. 3, four top. 5 and 5 top. 10 singles on the official Swedish Singles chart. She has also reached success in neighboring Scandinavian countries Norway and Denmark, with two top. 3 and two top. 10 albums on the Norwegian albums chart (making her one of the most successful Swedish language artists internationally).

With this comeback to the FSC, the question remains if she will manage to finally get her first top. 5 (or higher) position? The power is in your hands fellow FSC'ers!

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
Du pekar mot himlen
Så jag gör mig redo
Jag vet att du tänker
På vilka som ser oss
Den eviga natten är din vän
Du håller den hårdare än mig
Du väntar på dunder
Vi räknar sekunder

[Bridge]
Vi kommer hitta nåt ikväll som du kan drömma om
Jag håller fingrarna i kors och tittar bort

[Chorus]
Så kan du bara se mig, se mig?
För jag vill va bredvid dig, vid dig
Hörru, hur är det med dig, med dig?
Det blir alltid samma svar
Så kan du bara se mig, se mig?
För jag vill va bredvid dig, vid dig
Hörru, hur är det med dig, med dig?
Säger nej men menar ja

[Verse 2]
Du säger i juni
Jag blundar och ser det
Om du inte kan
Så målar jag bilder
Vi ses under läktarna ikväll
Vi stannar för alltid om du vill
Det är inte så farligt
Du har ingen aning

[Bridge]
Du håller handen över varningstexten fast jag vet
De röda bergen tornar upp sig över stan
Jag släpper styret och vill blunda i en evighet
Vi kommer krascha men ikväll så är vi bra

[Chorus]
Så kan du bara se mig, se mig?
För jag vill va bredvid dig, vid dig
Hörru, hur är det med dig, med dig?
Det blir alltid samma svar
Så kan du bara se mig, se mig?
För jag vill va bredvid dig, vid dig
Hörru, hur är det med dig, med dig?
Säger nej men menar ja

[Middle Eight]
Nej, nej, nej, du kan bara va dig själv nu
Säg, säg, säg, du är bara här ikväll nu
Nej, nej, nej, jag vill bara va med dig nu
Säg, säg, säg, jag vill lära känna dig ju

[Outro]
Kan du bara se mig, se mig?
Så kan du bara se mig, se mig?
Så kan du bara...

LYRICS [ENGLISH TRANSLATION]:

[Verse 1]
You point to the sky
So I'm getting ready
I know that you're thinking
About who sees us
The eternal night is your friend
You hold it tighter than me
You're waiting for thunder
We count seconds

[Bridge]
We will find something tonight that you can dream of
I keep my fingers crossed and look away

[Chorus]
So can you just see me, see me?
Because I want to be next to you, by you
Listen, how are you, you?
It will always be the same answer
So can you just see me, see me?
Because I want to be next to you, by you
Listen, how are you, you?
Says no but means yes

[Verse 2]
You say in June
I close my eyes and see it
If you can't
Then I paint pictures
See you under the stands tonight
We stay forever if you want
It's not that bad
You have no idea

[Bridge]
You hold your hand over the warning text, though I know
The red mountains tower over the city
I let go of the handlebars and want to close my eyes for an eternity
We will crash but tonight we are good

[Chorus]
So can you just see me, see me?
Because I want to be next to you, by you
Listen, how are you, you?
It will always be the same answer
So can you just see me, see me?
Because I want to be next to you, by you
Listen, how are you, you?
Says no but means yes

[Middle Eight]
No, no, no, you can only be yourself now
Say, say, say, you're just here tonight now
No, no, no, I just want to be with you now
Say, say, say, I just want to get to know you

[Other]
Can you just see me, see me?
So can you just see me, see me?
So can you just...

​

 

[A-lister]

FSC#156 - February 2022

Skott
It's Not Too Late

PRESENTATION:

For this February edition, Sweden is turning down the tempo a bit but the mystic up with the enchanting and mysterious Indie-Pop track It's Not Too Late, performed by 30-year old Indie-Pop singer-songwriter Pauline Skött (who simply goes by the stage name Skott). This actually marks a comeback to the FSC for the singer, who we last saw competing roughly five years when she ended up in the top. 5 with the entry Lack of Emotion back in January 2017.

Skott debuted with the single Porcelain back in 2016 (which was later to be included on the singer's 2020- debut album Always Live for Always, which also included the 2016- single Amelia and the 2019- single Bloodhound). As a build up to the release of her debut album, Skott released a handful of stand-alone singles as well as the 2018- EP Stay Off My Mind (including the single with the same name).

This edition's entry was released in the autumn of 2021, and is the first official single taken from the singer's second studio album titled A Letter from the Universe, which was released earlier this year. Skott is still awaiting her big commercial breakthrough, but has managed to gather a following of Indie-Pop fans since the debut and has carved out an interesting musical niche for herself in the Pop landscape.

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
Honestly, I believe in us
But believe it's not all it takes
We've been standing still
While the world's on tilt
It gets comfortable
Before the fall

[Pre-Chorus]
I've been losing myself in my mind for days
(Can't remember what you're doing)
Staring at the sky 'til the morning breaks
(Stop pretending who you fooling)
Watching the stars 'til it all makes sense
Gotta move, gotta move, got no time to waste

[Chorus]
Tell me, it's not too late
We still have a heartbеat
Something to believе in now
(Don't wake me)
From the distant dream
Can you hear the voices
Telling us to carry on
(I'm waking)

[Verse 2]
Honestly, there's a danger here
We're not thinking clear
We go dumb
When we try to be something else
Than we truly are, you see
Things go wrong

[Pre-Chorus]
I've been losing myself in my mind for days
(Can't remember what you're doing)
Staring at the sky 'til the morning breaks
(Stop pretending who you fooling)
Watching the stars 'til it all makes sense
(They make sense sometimes)
Gotta move, gotta move, got no time to waste

[Chorus]
Tell me, it's not too late
We still have a heartbeat
Something to believe in now
(Don't wake me)
From the distant dream
Can you hear the voices?
Telling us to carry on
(I'm waking)
(I'm waking)

[Outro]
Tell me, it's not too late
It's not too late
Tell me, it's not too late
It's not too late
Tell me, it's not too late

 

[A-lister]

FSC#157 - March 2022

Agnes
Here Comes the Night

PRESENTATION:

So for this edition, Sweden brings yet another comeback to the contest, this time with our last FSC-winner Agnes (who won the contest nearly a year ago back in April 2021 with the entry Fingers Crossed). If you want to learn more about Agnes, you can read the previous presentation.

This month's entry; Here Comes the Night, is the third single taken from Agnes' fifth studio album titled Magic Still Exists (which was released in October 2021). The song can be described as a grand Pop song with a top-notch production and anthemic hook. While ABBA might have made a comeback last year, this track sounds like what an actual updated ABBA sound could have sounded like in this era.

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
Calling out for awakening
To feel something deeper
Holding out for the sky to sing
For all the believers (Yeah)
Walking into the heat of night
We're closer to freedom
See the bliss growing in your eyes
It's all that I need

[Pre-Chorus]
Counting down the hours
Can you feel the power?
Can you feel the power?
(Faith, love, spirit, heart)

[Chorus]
Is there anybody out there
Underneath the bright stars?
If you wanna fall in love forever
Find it after dark
If you're nothing but a dreamer
With a fearless heart
If you wanna get lost together
In the after dark
Here comes the night

[Post-Chorus]
Here comes the night
Falling into you like a sweet devotion
Here comes the night
Here comes the night
Falling into you like a sweet devotion
Here comes the night

[Verse 2]
Dancing into the state of sound
I stick to the beat now
Feel the love growing all around ('round you)
And inside of me

[Pre-Chorus]
Counting down the hours (Hours)
Can you feel the power? (Can you?)
Can you feel the power?
(Faith, love, spirit, heart)

[Chorus]
Is there anybody out there (Still)
Underneath the bright stars? (Underneath)
If you wanna fall in love forever
Find it after dark
If you're nothing but a dreamer (Dreamer)
With a fearless heart
If you wanna get lost together
In the after dark
Here comes the night (Here comes the night)

[Post-Chorus]
Here comes the night
Falling into you like a sweet devotion
Here comes the night

[Chorus]
Is there anybody out there
Underneath the bright stars?
If you wanna fall in love forever
Find it after dark
If you're nothing but a dreamer
With a fearless heart
If you wanna get lost together
In the after dark
Here comes the night

[Post-Chorus]
Here comes the night
Falling into you like a sweet devotion
Here comes the night (Here comes the night, yeah)
Here comes the night (Here comes the night, yeah)
Falling into you like a sweet devotion
Here comes the night

 

[A-lister]

So the first victory for Sweden in a year, and again by the lovely Agnes, it was a fierce competition but we managed! I am also happy to see that it's possible to win without a music video, since statistically it is harder to do.

Thank you to everybody that supported us the #157 - March 2022 edition and made this victory possible!

#1
131 pts

 

[A-lister]

FSC#158 - April 2022

Dotter
Bon Voyage

PRESENTATION:

For this April edition, and as our host entry, we are back to the Swedish language again (with a little feature of French and English) and with yet another comeback to the contest. So let's welcome, for the third time in this competition, the now 34-year-old Pop singer Johanna Jansson, who we better know by the stage name Dotter. We last saw Dotter in the contest half a year ago with the entry Vintern jag var sexton (The Winter I Was Sixteen), which was Jansson's second top. 3 in the FSC following the entry Backfire (that ended up in the top. 3 back in the July 2020 edition). Could this edition's entry become her third time charm perhaps?

This entry is yet another Swedish language song from Dotter, but this time with a more fun and uptempo sound. The track is a catchy and well produced Pop song with a touch of Swedish Schlager-Pop and also a bit of that quirky Swedish Pop sound we've seen in the contest previously by artists like Miss Li. The topic of the lyrics however isn't as light as the sound, but rather tells a story about deceive and how people turn their back on you when times get hard ending up in lost friendships.

If you want to learn a little bit more about Dotter, you can always go back and read the previous presentation by clicking the link.

LYRICS:

[Intro]
Bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah

[Verse 1]
Jag tittar ut i natten
Och undrar hur det kunde hända
Hör ekon utav skratten som dog
Och hur du fick mig känna

Tappade kontrollen om allt, du blir nån annan
När mörkret faller, faller du med
Hur kan du bli så jävla kall?
Du blir nån annan när skeppet sjunker ner

[Chorus]
Det är väl dags att gå hem
Men jag står kvar
Varför bryr jag mig, bryr jag mig ens?
Baby, bon voyage
Du kan ha tappat en vän
En gång förlorad, I won't come back
Won't come back again
Baby, bon voyage

Bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah
Baby, bon voyage
Bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah
Baby, bon voyage

[Verse 2]
Du låtsas som det regnar
Men du kan glida bort med havet
Finns inget här för dig att hämta, nej
Och ba' va' snälla, minsta kravet

Tappade kontrollen om allt, du blir nån annan
När mörkret faller, faller du med
Hur kan du bli så jävla kall?
Du blir nån annan när skeppet sjunker ner

[Chorus]
Det är väl dags att gå hem
Men jag står kvar
Varför bryr jag mig, bryr jag mig ens?
Baby, bon voyage
Du kan ha tappat en vän
En gång förlorad, I won't come back
Won't come back again
Baby, bon voyage

Bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah
Baby, bon voyage
Bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah
Baby, bon voyage

[Bridge]
För ekona utav skratten som dog
Och hur du fick mig känna
I won't come back, won't come back again
Baby, bon voyage

[Chorus]
Det är väl dags att gå hem
Men jag står kvar
Varför bryr jag mig, bryr jag mig ens?
Baby, bon voyage
Du kan ha tappat en vän
En gång förlorad, I won't come back
Won't come back again
Baby, bon voyage

Bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah
Baby, bon voyage
Bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah
Baby, bon voyage

LYRICS [ENGLISH TRANSLATION]:

[Intro]
Bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah
[Verse 1]
I'm looking out into the night
And wondering how it could happen
Hear echoes of the laughter that died
And how you made me feel

Lost control of everything, you become someone else
When the darkness falls, you fall too
How can you get so damn cold?
You become someone else when the ship sinks down

[Chorus]
It's time to go home
But I stay
Why do I care, do I even care?
Baby, bon voyage
You may have lost a friend
Once lost, I won't come back
Won't come back again
Baby, bon voyage

Bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah
Baby, bon voyage
Bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah
Baby, bon voyage

[Verse 2]
You pretend it's raining
But you can slide away with the sea
There is nothing here for you to get, no
And just be please, the smallest demand

Lost control of everything, you become someone else
When the darkness falls, you fall too
How can you get so damn cold?
You become someone else when the ship sinks down

[Chorus]
It's time to go home
But I stay
Why do I care, do I even care?
Baby, bon voyage
You may have lost a friend
Once lost, I won't come back
Won't come back again
Baby, bon voyage

Bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah
Baby, bon voyage
Bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah
Baby, bon voyage

[Bridge]

For the echoes of the laughter that died
And how you made me feel
I won't come back, won't come back again
Baby, bon voyage

[Chorus]
It's time to go home
But I stay
Why do I care, do I even care?
Baby, bon voyage
You may have lost a friend
Once lost, I won't come back
Won't come back again
Baby, bon voyage

Bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah
Baby, bon voyage
Bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah
Baby, bon voyage

 

[A-lister]

For the first time in a long time I found time to update the Swedish FSC wikia page , if you want a summary of Sweden's journey in the FSC until now, you can check it out!

 

[A-lister]

FSC#159 - May 2022

Renaida
D-vitamin

PRESENTATION:

Summer is just around the corner in the Northern Hemisphere, and haven't we all been longing for some Vitamin D? Put on your dancing shoes because for this May edition Sweden is sending a catchy club song in Swedish, and the song is just about that; to letting yourself go loose and crazy after a year of darkness and cold (something we all could very well need now after years of a global pandemic and other global uncertainties).

The entry is performed by 24-year old Renaida Braun, who ended up sixth in the 2016-season of the Swedish version of the talent-TV show Idol and got her breakthrough by finishing top. 10 in the 2018-Finale of the Swedish National selection to Eurovision; Melodifestivalen, with the entry All the Feels. After some some singles in English, Renaida has crossed-over to Swedish and started releasing club-oriented tracks in the language such as this entry and the 2020- Dansant ångestattack (Danceable Anxiety Attack).

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
Bort med alla gråa moln, samma visa varje år
Blir som en björn i ett ide, väck mig när det är vår
Januari, februari, mars, april, gör det samma
Vill byta ut vinterjackan, ta på somriga klackar

[Bridge]
Ge mig trettio grader plus, bara nu
Sippar drinkar, jag vill bara fucka ur
Ja jag vill, ja jag vill

[Chorus]
Jag vill ha D-vitamin, ge mig ditt D-vitamin
D-D-D D-vitamin
Ge mig ditt D-vitamin
Jag vill ha (D-vitamin)

Solen ditt svin
Ge mig ditt D-vitamin
D-D-D D-vitamin
Jag vill ha (Jag vill ha)

[Verse 2]
Kan vi bara spola fram? Jag behöver stimulans
Vill ju va' fri, vill ju leva, sätta hjärtan i brand
Januari, februari, mars, april, gör det samma
Vill byta ut detta mörker som gör mig så förbannad

[Bridge]
Ge mig trettio grader plus, bara nu
Sippar drinkar, jag vill bara fucka ur

[Chorus]
Ja jag vill, ja jag vill
Jag vill ha D-vitamin, ge mig ditt D-vitamin
D-D-D D-vitamin
Ge mig ditt D-vitamin
Jag vill ha (D-vitamin)

Solen ditt svin
Ge mig ditt D-vitamin
D-D-D D-vitamin
Jag vill ha

[Chorus]
D-vitamin, D-D-D D-vitamin
Ge mig ditt D-vitamin
Jag vill ha (D-vitamin)

Solen ditt svin
Ge mig ditt D-vitamin
D-D-D D-vitamin
Jag vill ha (Jag vill ha)

LYRICS [ENGLISH TRANSLATION]:

[Verse 1]
Clear all the gray clouds, the same story every year
Becomes like a bear in hibernation, wake me up when it's spring
January, February, March, April, it's all the same
Want to replace the winter jacket, put on summery heels

[Bridge]
Give me thirty degrees plus, just now
Sipping drinks, I just want to go crazy
Yes I want, yes I want

[Chorus]
I want vitamin D, give me your vitamin D
Vitamin D-D-D
Give me your vitamin D
I want (vitamin D)

Sun, you pig
Give me your vitamin D
Vitamin D-D-D
I want (I want)

[Verse 2]
Can we just fast forward? I need stimulation
Want to be free, want to live, set hearts on fire
January, February, March, April, it's all the same
Want to replace this darkness that makes me so pissed

[Bridge]
Give me thirty degrees plus, just now
Sipping drinks, I just want to go crazy
Yes I want, yes I want

[Chorus]
I want vitamin D, give me your vitamin D
Vitamin D-D-D
Give me your vitamin D
I want (vitamin D)

Sun, you pig
Give me your vitamin D
Vitamin D-D-D
I want

[Chorus]
Vitamin D, Vitamin D-D-D
Give me your vitamin D
I want (vitamin D)

Sun, you pig
Give me your vitamin D
Vitamin D-D-D
I want (I want)

 

[A-lister]

FSC#161 - July 2022

Klara & Jag
Nu grönskar det

PRESENTATION:

It's time for another comeback for Sweden, this time with the female Pop duo Klara & Jag (Klara & I). The duo made their FSC-debut back in April 2020 with the entry Måste jag dö? (Do I Have to Die?), a stand-alone single released in 2019 between their 2018-debut EP Storyn of My Life (The Story of My Life) and their 2020-debut album Det slutar inte här (It Doesn't End Here).

Klara & Jag, which consists of the members Klara Wörmann and Johanna Frostling, debuted with the single Samma gamla nätter (Same Old Nights) in 2017 and has released singles such as 2.0 and Aska (Ashes) (which features former Melodifestivalen-entrant and member of Swedish boyband FO&O; Oscar Enestad).

After a couple of years break, the duo started their own record label and made their comeback with this month's FSC-entry Nu grönskar det (Now It's Blooming) in early spring 2022. The single, which is the first one taken from their new album I stadens famn (In the City's Embrace), is a catchy Dance-Pop song which includes elements from 90's House-Pop, Swedish Vispop as well as subtle folk/ethno elements, which gives the song a unique touch and is also perfect for long summer nights.

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
Jag ser solen bakom taken
Borde inte vara vaken nu

[Pre-Chorus]
Broarna vid Gamla Stan
Brände allihopa häromdan
Huset där vi kastade glas
Samma gamla nätter du och jag

[Chorus]
Och nu grönskar det i stadens famn
Nu doftar det av damm damm damm
Jag såg er gå vid Kungsholms strand
Mitt hjärta bara bam bam bam bam bam
(ba ba ba bam bam bam)

[Verse 2]
Ser du mig när hon är naken?
Sover ni i våra lakan nu?

[Pre-Chorus]
Broarna vid gamla stan
Vattnet där har inte runnit klart
Slottet som var du och jag
Nu finns inget mer än luften kvar

[Chorus]
Och nu grönskar det i stadens famn
Nu doftar det av damm damm damm
Jag såg er gå vid Kungsholms strand
Mitt hjärta bara bam bam bam bam bam
(ba ba ba bam bam bam)

[Middle Part]
Och mellan sten och betong, står hela våren i blom
Gyllene skålar med tårar, mitt hjärta det bara bom bom
Dagen är alltid för lång, kan man få sova nån gång?
Gyllene tårar i skålar, mitt hjärta det bara bom bom

Och mellan sten och betong, står hela våren i blom
Gyllene skålar med tårar, mitt hjärta det bara bom bom
Dagen är alltid för lång, kan man få sova nån gång?
Gyllene tårar i skålar

[Chorus]
Och nu grönskar det i stadens famn
Nu doftar det av damm damm damm
Jag såg er gå vid Kungsholms strand
Mitt hjärta bara
(Mitt hjärta bara, mitt hjärta bara) bam bam bam bam bam

[Outro]
(ba ba ba bam bam bam)
(ba ba ba bam bam bam)
(ba ba ba bam bam bam)

LYRICS [ENGLISH TRANSLATION]:

[Verse 1]
I see the sun behind the roofs
Should not be awake now

[Pre-Chorus]
The bridges next to The Old Town
Burned all of them the other day
The house where we threw glass
The same old nights you and I

[Chorus]
And now it's blooming in the city's embrace
Now it smells of dust dust dust
I saw you walking by Kungsholms strand*
My heart just bam bam bam bam bam bam
(ba ba ba bam bam bam bam)

[Verse 2]
Do you see me when she's naked?
Are you sleeping in our sheets now?

[Pre-Chorus]
The bridges next to The Old Town
The water there has not finished flowing
The castle that was you and me
Now there is nothing left but the air

[Chorus]
And now it's blooming in the city's embrace
Now it smells of dust dust dust
I saw you walking by Kungsholms strand
My heart just bam bam bam bam bam bam
(ba ba ba bam bam bam bam)

[Middle Part]
And between stone and concrete, the whole spring is in bloom
Golden bowls with tears, my heart it just boom boom
The day is always too long, can one ever sleep?
Golden tears in bowls, my heart it just boom boom

And between stone and concrete, the whole spring is in bloom
Golden bowls with tears, my heart it just boom boom
The day is always too long, can one ever sleep?
Golden tears in bowls

[Chorus]
And now it's blooming in the city's embrace
Now it smells of dust dust dust
I saw you walking by Kungsholms strand
My heart only
(My heart only, my heart only) bam bam bam bam bam bam

[Outro]
(ba ba ba bam bam bam)
(ba ba ba bam bam bam)
(ba ba ba bam bam bam)

*Kungsholms strand is a street which stretches on the north side of the Stockholm inner-city borough and island of Kungsholmen

​

 

[A-lister]

FSC#162 - August 2022

Jubël feat. Aleyna Tilki
Diamonds

PRESENTATION:

While the world is in a dark place at the moment and tensions between countries are on the rise, including the latest diplomatic crisis between Sweden and Turkey, we all need something light in our lives to remind us that there is good and happy moments too and here music plays a crucial part. Now, from a long-time Eurovision fan, what better way to build bridges than music? To quote John Lennon; "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one", so for this month's edition Sweden is sending the unapologetically catchy 80's and 90's-inspired EDM-Pop bop collaboration Diamonds, by Swedish EDM-Pop-project Jübel featuring Turkish Pop star Aleyna Tilki.

Jübel, a quartet consisting of singer-songwriters and producers fronted by Sebastian Atas and Victor Sjöström, and co-produced in the background by David Lindgren Zacharias and Viktor Broberg, debuted as a music project back in 2017 with the single Illusion (which was used in a global advertisement campaign for the Swedish retailer and fashion line H&M). In 2018, they got their first top. 10 hit on the official Swedish Singles Charts with their cover Dancing in the Moonlight, which also brought them some international success charting in the top. 15 in the UK as well as becoming a minor hit in Australia and Belgium among other markets.

Now 22-year old Alyena Tiki started out as a semi-finalist at the age of 14 on the Turkish version of Got Talent and has since her 2017 solo debut with the single Sen Olsan Bari (If It Were You) become one of the biggest rising Pop stars in her homeland and a Youtube viral success with hundreds of million views.

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
We could build a world for two
You and me alone in the sunrise
Leave it all for something new
So take a part of me

[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause he will never treat you right
I can name a million reasons why
You deserve another kind

[Chorus]
Put your diamonds on me
Put your diamonds on me
Put your diamonds on me

[Post-Chorus]
My love
Join me on the right side, flying above
I can be your fortune (Ah, ah)
Without you I am broken

[Verse 2]
I see you everywhere I go
Even in my dreams, I can't help it
I don't wanna take it slow
So take a part of me

[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause he will never treat me right
I can name a million reasons why
I deserve another kind

[Chorus]
Put your diamonds on me
Put your diamonds on me
Put your diamonds on me

[Post-Chorus]
My love
Join me on the right side, flying above
I can be your fortune (Ah, ah)
Without you I am broken

[Outro]
Put your diamonds on me
Ooh-woah, ooh-woah, ooh-woah
Diamonds on me

 

[A-lister]

FSC#163 - September 2022

Brother Leo
Caroline

PRESENTATION:

So after winning last month's edition, Sweden is changing the direction a bit with this month's hosting entry. Closing the summer season with this cool, catchy and funky reggae-inspired midtempo indie-Pop song performed by Brother Leo.

Brother Leo is the new music project, and pseudonym, of now 36-year old Pop singer Ola Svensson (who up until 2016 professionally went by the mononym Ola). Svensson first started out at the age of 19 on the TV-talent show Swedish Idol back in 2005 where he finished eighth overall. The following year he debuted with the single Rain, which topped the official Swedish Singles chart followed by the debut album Given to Fly, which also managed to top the Swedish Albums chart. In 2007 he released his follow up album Good Enough, which included the singles Natalie and S.O.S. (both of which managed to top the Swedish Singles chart respectively). In 2008 he would re-release his second album following his attempt at representing Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest after finishing in the second chance round of the Swedish national selection Melodifestivalen with the entry Love in Stereo.

In 2010, Ola made his second attempt in Melodifestivalen with the entry Unstoppable which managed to qualify to the final. The single became his fifth #1 on the Swedish Singles chart and was followed by the release of his third, and self-titled, album which also became his first album released through his own newly established record label. 2012 would mark the year when Ola managed to get some international success, in particular in Italy where the first single from his fourth album; I'm in Love, managed to give him a top. 5 hit in the country. Except for some smaller projects, Ola took a break from music in around 2014-2015 and came back as Brother Leo in 2018 with the single Strangers on an Island followed by a handful of singles, including this month's Swedish entry which was released earlier this year. A new album, which would be Ola's fifth in total and first under the new pseudonym, is expected sometime this year or next year.

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
She said, come along with me kind of like your style
I just wanna dance and I live near by
I really wanna do you wanna drink some wine
Sorry by the way I’m Caroline

[Chorus]
Hey ya, Im looking for somebody
Somebody that would stay up and listen to my problems
I feel a little lonely, Im looking for somebody
Somebody that can touch me
I’m looking for somebody, somebody

[Verse 2]
And I go, Come along with you wanna taste your vibe
I can do the dance and I’d love some wine
I really wanna do you wanna waste some time
If your up I’m down Caroline
And we go

[Chorus]
Hey ya, Im looking for somebody
Somebody that would stay up and listen to my problems
I feel a little lonely, I’m looking for somebody
Somebody that can touch me
I’m looking for somebody, somebody

[Bridge]
And she goes, and she goes
Flightmode, no satellite
I guess were going late tonight
Flightmode, no satellite
I guess were going late tonight
If your up I’m down Caroline, Caroline, Caroline
Come along, come along with me

[Chorus]
Hey ya, Im looking for somebody
Somebody that would stay up and listen to my problems
I feel a little lonely, I’m looking for somebody
Somebody that can touch me
I’m looking for somebody, somebody

 

[A-lister]

FSC#164 - October 2022

Innan dom stelnar

PRESENTATION:

For this edition, Sweden is sending the six-piece music collective Den Svenska Björnstammen (The Swedish Bear Population) with the midtempo alternative-Folk rock song Innan dom stelnar (Before They Stiffen).

The band, which consists of members Petter Frisendahl, Klas Isaksson, Åke Olofsson, Mattias Göransson, Dan Brännvall and Ambjörn Göransson, debuted back in 2008 as a seven-piece (including former member Kim Dahlberg). They got their breakthrough in 2011 with the single Vart jag mig i världen vänder (Wherever in the World I Wander), which topped the official Swedish Singles Chart and ended up as one of the biggest songs in Sweden of that year, and is still considered one of the biggest Swedish language songs of the 2010s. The following year, they released their debut album titled Ett fel närmare rätt (One Wrong Closer to Right), which also included the popular Svalkar vinden (The Wind Cools). Since then, they have released additionally four studio albums including the 2022 Djur och människa (Animal and Human), where this edition's entry is taken from.

It is not that easy to define the band's musical direction, but overall it can be described as a blend of indie-rock, indie-pop, electronica, alternative folk and Swedish vispop. The band has become sort of a cult band domestically, and while they haven't lived up to the commercial success of their breakthrough, they still remain a respected band.

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
Jag undrar vart du tar allt ifrån
Vart gömmer sig ditt slut?
Hur många tankar tänker du?
Vi kunde komma vidare fast ingen fatta hur
Blöder som en andra chans
Det finns ingen revansch bara förlorade
Försök att ta sig samman
Även tillsammans finns jag kvar
Ett borttappat jag kan ändå ge ett svar

[Chorus]
Botten upp, skål för oss
Kärlek till alla som vägrar ge upp
Avundsjukan är illa menad
Och leenden är vackrare innan dom stelnar
Det regnar nu, men solen kommer och strålarna ska skölja över våra lögner
När hatet gror, och vi blir vänner
Snälla släpp inte mina händer

[Verse 2]
Du hugger dig fast vid din matbordskant
Jag pratar bort ord för att kunna va kall
Du blandar skammen med kaoset i kaffet
Jag går igenom, jag går igenom
Stanna lite längre, håll mig lite hårdarе
Mena lite mer, riskеra att bli sårade

[Chorus]
Botten upp, skål för oss
Kärlek till alla som vägrar ge upp
Avundsjukan är illa menad
Och leenden är vackrare innan dom stelnar
Det regnar nu, men solen kommer och strålarna ska skölja över våra lögner
När hatet gror, och vi blir vänner
Snälla släpp inte mina händer

[Bridge]
Jag glömde bort min förundran
Vara vän med mjukhet ett tag
Det vi lever av viker undan
Kvar i ett borttappat svar

[Chorus]
Botten upp, skål för oss
Kärlek till alla som vägrar ge upp
Avundsjukan är illa menad
Och leenden är vackrare innan dom stelnar
Det regnar nu, men solen kommer och strålarna ska skölja över våra lögner
När hatet gror, och vi blir vänner
Snälla släpp inte mina händer

LYRICS [ENGLISH TRANSLATION]:

[Verse 1]
I wonder where you get everything from
Where is your end hiding?
How many thoughts are you thinking?
We could move on, but no one understood how
Bleeding like a second chance
There is no revenge only lost
Attempts to pull oneself together
Even together I remain
A lost I can still give an answer

[Chorus]
Bottoms up, toast to us
Love to all who refuse to give up
The jealousy is ill-intentioned
And smiles are more beautiful before they stiffen
It's raining now, but the sun will come and the rays will wash over our lies
When the hate grows, and we become friends
Please don't let go of my hands

[Verse 2]
You cling to your edge of the dining table
I talk away words to be able to be cool
You mix the shame with the chaos in the coffee
I'm going through, I'm going through
Stay a little longer, hold me a little harder
Mean a little more, risk getting hurt

[Chorus]
Bottoms up, toast to us
Love to all who refuse to give up
The jealousy is ill-intentioned
And smiles are more beautiful before they stiffen
It's raining now, but the sun will come and the rays will wash over our lies
When the hate grows, and we become friends
Please don't let go of my hands

[Bridge]
I forgot my wonder
Be friends with softness for a while
What we live on is slipping away
Left in a lost reply

[Chorus]
Bottoms up, toast to us
Love to all who refuse to give up
The jealousy is ill-intentioned
And smiles are more beautiful before they stiffen
It's raining now, but the sun will come and the rays will wash over our lies
When the hate grows, and we become friends
Please don't let go of my hands

 

[A-lister]

FSC#165 - November 2022

Sofia Karlberg & Discrete feat. TUSO
Hold My Love

PRESENTATION:

For this November edition, Sweden is going back to Dance music with the hypnotic and mysterious EDM and Deep House track Hold My Love performed by 25-year old, up-and-coming, singer Sofia Karlberg in collaboration with Swedish Dance act and music producer August Discrete Ramberg and Welsh songwriter Tudor TUSO Davies. The song is the title track taken from Karlberg's second EP released this year, following her first EP release Spotless Mind from 2019.

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
Where do I go from here
Lost on this road I fear
I'm far from home, my dear
So can you hold, can you hold?
Won't let our fate decide
The destination's right
Beyond the dreams we hide
So can you hold?

[Chorus]
Hold my love
Just hold my love
Hold my love
Just hold my love

Hold my love
Hold my love
Hold my love

[Verse 2]
We're moving out of time
Across the faded lines
Looking for paradise
So can you hold, can you hold
Caught in the golden hour
Above the highest tower
Tell me to not look down
So can you hold?

[Chorus]
Hold my love
Just hold my love
Hold my love
Just hold my love

Hold my love
Hold my love (hold my love, hold my love)
Hold my love
Hold my love
Hold my love

[Middle Part]
Both eyes set to a rhythm
We're going headfirst into a dream
And now that both lives set for collision
We're not alone, we're not alone
Both eyes set to a rhythm
We're going headfirst into a dream
And now that both lives set for collision
We're not alone, we're not alone

[Chorus]
Hold my love
Hold my love
Just hold my love
Hold my love
Hold my love

Hold my love
Hold my love
Hold my love
Hold my love
Just hold my love
Hold my love