Welcome to XTRA Decides! In this feature the team here at ESCXTRA rank the national final songs, giving our choice of the winner. Specially for Sweden’s selection Melodifestivalen 2021 we are scoring each semi-final. Later we will choose our Andra Chansen (Second Chance) duel winners and score the grand final. We’re scoring using the Melfest style scoring system. (12-1)
This week we score the seven songs of semi-final 4. After giving our scores, the team has chosen The Mamas and Tess Merkel to go direct to the final. In addition our choices mean Clara Klingenström and Eric Saade would go to the Second Chance (Andra Chansen) round. Check out the scores and thoughts of some of the team below.
Our Scores
The Mamas – In The Middle 12: Tom O, Aline, Maria, Tom R, Nick, Costa, Bente, Lisa, Tim, Issac | 1 DTF | 166 |
Tess Merkel – Good Life 12: Angelos, Nathan P | 2 DTF | 128 |
Eric Saade – Every Minute 12: Sami, Dominik, Sean | 3 AC | 111 |
Clara Klingenström – Behöver inte dig idag | 4 AC | 81 |
LOVAD – Allting är precis likadant | 5 | 66 |
Efraim Leo – Best of Me | 6 | 65 |
Sannex – All Inclusive | 7 | 28 |
Reviews
The Mamas – In The Middle
Tom R
There’s something magical about The Mamas’ voices. Every one of their songs, every one of their performances makes me feel invigorated and motivated. I honestly can’t put into words how amazing their music is. This song is my clear winner for this semi-final, and could easily get a Top 3 final result. I am expecting another Dotter vs. The Mamas battle in the final, and I’m totally ready for it. The teaser clip of the performance also gives lots of hope – I really think could be a magical performance and a way, after the sad loss of “Move” last year, to say we are back!
Lisa
Wow! Every time you think, not again, surely? Somehow The Mamas deliver single after single. All they know is feel good anthems for the soul and how to make you feel happy on the darkest of days with their story telling and passion for music. They have this way of making you believe they are your gospel mums telling you everything is okay. ‘In The Middle’ is more than okay, it is exactly what they do best. From the way it pays tribute to the loss of ‘Move’ and respects that time, to now focusing on the future and clearly with those gold glittery outfits, they see victory in that future. I see it too and it would be more than deserved for them to finally have their moment front and centre in Rotterdam and achieve Eurovision victory as well.
Tess Merkel – Good Life
Nathan P
Tess has certainly ran with the schlager baton in her had from Alcazar to her solo work. Much like Lina Hedlund’s track “Victorious” is has that ever present Disco undertone to their respected entries. I think however Tess does a more accurate rendition of an Alcazar track with that beat hitting harder and the glitter being shinier. It’s a solid entry with very interesting styling let’s just say that! Is it going to set the scoreboard alight like Alcazar used to? No. But is it still a very good and solid entry? Absolutely. Prediction – Andra Chansen. That SF is just too competitive for DTF.
Nick
I have nothing but respect for Tess Merkel. I had to take a couple of looks to accept the fact that she’s 50 years old. She is a great performer and for her solo go in Melodifestivalen, Good Life is some entrance! This is fresh, contemporary, yet very Alcazar. I mean, it even contains the line ‘stay the night’. What more do you want? Tess is here to impress.
Xtra Decides so far
Check out more from our Xtra Decides feature with the links below…
- 🇧🇬 We choose ‘Imaginary Friend’ for VICTORIA
- 🇪🇸 We choose ‘Memoria’ for Blas Cantó
- 🇸🇪 Melodifestivalen: our semi-final 3 direct finalists
- 🇳🇴 We choose KEiiNO
- 🇫🇮 We choose Telfon Brothers x Pandora
- 🇳🇴 We choose ‘Vi er Norge’ as the Melodi Grand Prix wildcard
- 🇭🇷 We choose Bernarda with ‘Colors’
- 🇸🇪 Melodifestivalen: our semi-final 2 direct finalists
- 🇭🇷 We choose Bernarda
- 🇸🇪 Melodifestivalen: our semi-final 1 direct finalists
- 🇱🇹 We choose The Roop
- 🇫🇷 We choose Barbara Pravi
- 🇮🇱 We choose ‘La La Love’ for Eden Alene
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