Tim: So, I had Zara Larsson’s Rooftop all lined up for today as it mentions today’s date in the lyrics, but it turns out we covered it back when it was new, so that’s off the table. Instead, let’s pick a track at random from the ever-reliable Best of Melodifestivalen 1958-2013 album (and that’s not even sarcasm, it’s great). The 2007 victor, which thus went on to represent Sweden at Eurovision, and I hope we’re all in the mood for some glam rock.
Tim: Setting the scene, recall that Finland had won the previous year with Lordi—
Adam: What happened to Lordi? I want them back in my life.
Tim: Oh, no, and anyway now we’re heading into Alice Deejay territory – brilliant, but possibly drifting too far from 2007. Novelty was high on the list: we had Scooch, Ukraine had Verka Seduchka, the winner was…unusual, to say the least.
Adam: Wow that is like the opposite of Lordi. Lordi, Lordi, Lordi. I just like saying Lordi.
Tim: And Sweden had this. What a track, and oh, what a performance – talk about “don’t bore us, get to the chorus”, this is ALL IN right from the start.
Adam: When it comes to 3 minute pop songs it’s best to just jump straight in.
Tim: Structurally it’s unusual – mini-chorus, verse, chorus, repeated verse, chorus – but for me at least that doesn’t harm it at all.
Adam: The rotating stage reminds me of Austin Powers. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
Tim: Well, I can’t help feeling it might not have helped – it fit fine with the look they were going for, and yet on the night it disgracefully (and well against the bookies’ odds) only came 18th out of 24. DAMMIT Europe, what’s the matter with you?
Adam: Yeah screw you Europe! (Please take us back…)
Tim: This song is EXCELLENT, and really should have done so well. Bloody Serbia.