The bad news with Sweden is that she does that singing thing. And by that I mean the song. I just don’t get it. Now I appreciate that its a woman of few years, looking at me and singing with her guitar, but she is no female Tom Dice and that is its only comparable song on the contest for me. I think it relies too much on the light stick gimmick thing to deflect from a weak song and Anna doesn’t do anything visually to sell the song to me in the way of movement or girlish charm.
Admittedly it was performed well, but I still think the lack of quality in the song and the fact that it is too early in the semi and the kind of thing that is an album track and not a stand-out sng is not going to help it. It probably will qualify, just but then again it’s just as likely to miss out big time.
Franko: Folk on here and back home know that I haven’t been overly fond of more recent Swedish entries. Their lack of imagination and originality in recent years has been quite frustrating, especially when I know that there was better on offer in their national final. I really wanted that fine tradition to continue but find to my surprise that I’m actually quite impressed by this year’s entry from our favourite scandie schlagermeisters.
In the same way that less was more for Belgium so it is with this. Anna and guitar centre stage letting the song speak for itself. It was never my favourite song, but in this context it works and could wrack up a few points. It’s not a winner by any stretch but bravo for the effort this year Sweden!
Nick: Can’t quite see it with Sweden. First reaction was what a nice change of pace it was, then she started doing that voicey thing she does, then it just seemed to be dragging on a bit so I gave up and went off for a croissant.