Another week and another scandal.  This past week a clip of Molly Sandén’s song “Youniverse” leaked on a website where you could pre-order the download of the song which resulted in SVT allowing all the fourth Semi Final songs (just 30 second clips) to be available for 24 hours.  I wonder if all these “issues” have been created for our enjoyment.  This week we visit the Himmelstalundshallen in Norrköping to decide which two songs will qualify for the final on the 12 March and which two songs will go to the Andra Chansen on the 5 March.  Gina Dirawi will be joined by Henrik Schyffert this week for hosting duties.

The third semi-final is packed full of debut participants but there are a few returning artists as well which make cause some upsets tonight.

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1 SaRaha “Kizunguzungu” (Dizziness) – Predict Finalist

Sara Larsson better known as SaRaha was actually born in Sweden but moved to Tanzania when she was young.  She has performed on major television programmes in Africa but in 2014 actually had a song in the Swedish Charts “Mbele Kiza.” Now she is bringing her Swahili song “Kizunguzungu” which translates to Dizziness to the Swedish Selection.  The very “Haba Haba” sounding song (Norweigian Eurovision 2011) is instantly catchy and should be in contention to qualify.  In the past the Swedes have shunned songs in languages that aren’t Swedish or English but hopefully the beat will get them voting.

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2 Swingfly feat. Helena Gutarra “You Carved Your Name” – Predict Andra Chansen

This is Swingfly’s second attempt in Melodifestivalen with his first entry in 2011 “Me and My Drum” qualifying directly to the final and he finished 5th overall.  His new song “You Carved Your Name” sounds very much like “Me and My Drum” without the catchy Boom, Boom, Boom.  He is backed up by Helena Gutarra who was in The Voice Sweden in 2012 but has done little since then.  With Swingfly’s popularity means he should do well but I’m not sure the song will be good enough this time to qualify directly to the final.

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3 SMILO “Weight of the World” – Predict 7th Place

This boy band have had several names in the short time they have been together; Smile, Smiling Swedes and SMILO.  Typically known for their beach style music, their debut entry for Melodifestivalen is more commercial club style in my eyes.  The band are standing around like they don’t know what they are doing.  The song isn’t bad but the soulless performance will leave them out of the running tonight.

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4 After Dark “Kom ut som en Stjärna” (Come Out Like a Star) – Predict 6th Place

Thank you After Dark for giving us some typical Schlager! This is After Dark’s third attempt to represent Sweden and I love it but this style of music is now considered “out of fashion.”  Even with a drag queen is a pink tasselled outfit, I don’t think the song is strong enough commercially to get the Swedes to vote for it.  I hope I’m wrong but I think After Dark won’t be moving on any further in the competition.

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5 Lisa Ajax “My Heart Wants Me Dead” – Predict Andra Chansen

Being the winner of Idol 2014, you think that Lisa Ajax would be big artist but her winner’s single only charted at 48 in the Swedish Charts.  Her song is pretty solid and has an early Loreen feeling to it.  Her topless dancers won’t go amiss either.  Her vocals during the rehearsal weren’t great so it will all depend on tonight’s performance.  She should qualify to continue in the competition but not directly to the final unless she smashes it tonight.

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6 Boris René “Put Your Love on Me” – Predict 5th Place

This Swedish football player who happens to dabble in singing as well debuts tonight in Melodifestivalen with “Put Your Love on Me.” The song is pretty catchy actually but not sure the footballer’s live vocals are good enough to qualify.  The song is very repetitive so it easy to sing along to after one verse but will his vocals put off voters? Again all depends on tonight’s performance.

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7 Oscar Zia “Human” – Predict Finalist

This is Oscar Zia’s third performance in Melodifestivalen and his second solo attempt.  He lost out with Behrang Miri in the Andra Chansen stage in 2013 but qualified directly to the final with “Yes We Can” in 2014, finishing in eighth place overall.  Zia is a very hot topic at the moment as he has recently come out as gay.  With a combination of his popularity, the amount of media attention and the fact he’s written the song himself Zia should easily qualify for the final.  The song is a mid tempo ballad with haunting tone similar to Mariette’s “Don’t Stop Believing.”

What do you think?