Douze Points!

Sweden have arguably the best national selection because Eurovision is very important to Sweden.

Ok - now onto the songs...

Charlotte Perrelli - Hero
Nathan's view
Great song with a very catchy tune! Great usage of lights to make her look as if she is in black/white for the first verse. Although she looks rather... weird... I believe this is a good entry for Sweden. It's as catchy as Carola's 'Invincible' in 2006 but still a great song! I have downloaded this too because I love it so much!

Hannah's view
I like this song. A lot. Its got a good, catchy, rhythmical beat and it has great lyrics to match. Both the song and the preformance is very dancey and powerful and it is definitely a pop song! The song is sung well and in tune.
Charlotte is very pretty and her preformance starts in black and white and changes to colour. When i first saw this preformance i siad to Nathan, OMG!! She's wearing a corset covered in mirrors!, This is because she is. Probably.

Sibel - That Is Where I'll Go
Nathan's view
A very boring ballad which will not win - even if they blocked all the other phonelines. Sorry but I hate it. I actually gave up after 2 minutes.

Hannah's view
Unlike Nathan, i do actually reall like this song. It is a touching ballad by someone with a very powerful and impressive voice. The lyrics are beautiful and match the very emotional music. Of course, Nathan would not notice this because:
a) he is a boy (well, thats debateable)
b) he has no emotions
He will have watched the video and thought, gross pink frilly dress and boring ballad. It isnt. So there. Deal with it.

Rongedal - Just A Minute
Nathan's view
A slightly abnormal song with two bald men singing like Mika. Again, I don't like it even though it's very Europop!

Hannah's view
I was very disturbed and creeped out by this entry. It reminded me of two eggs in red suits prancing around a stage. I didnt like the song. Im sorry, but it was entertaining.
The twin/mirror thing didnt work and the one man trying to sing high was singing out of tune and it sounds awful. Mind you, the low notes arent always on track either. This song was purely meant to be seen, not heard. They were both very energetic and slightly camp. I agree with Nathan, very Mika.
So, gold stars all round everyone!! You're just not going through though! Oh well... great job!

Linda Bengtzing - Hur Svårt Kan Det Va
Nathan's view
Such a fantastic song! I loved it right from the first note! If this doesn't win it'll be embarassing for Sweden. If it was translated into English I think it would do better but it's still great as it is! Please send this to Belgrade Sweden!

Hannah's view
This is a good, fun, pop/rock song. I didnt understand any of the words because i am not Swedish, but i still really enjoyed it and I really want to know what it all means in English! The song is very upbeat with a catchy beat and a fun feel to it.
The video is fun and energetic. She delievers a very strong preformance and 'connects with' (or as i say, milks) the cameras and audience. When I first saw the preformance, my first thought was, what's with the guy in the kilt?! But, if anyone's worried, don't be - you get used to it!!

Christer Sjögren - I Love Europe
Nathan's view
Not the best... I give it 3 stars but it will not win Eurovision. It's too boring.

Hannah's view
Not only did I not like this song, but I got really annoyed with it!! If anyone knows of a band called The Mavericks, then they may very well recognise this song he sings. This is because it is a rip off of 'Dance the Night Away' just with different lyrics.
That aside, this guy feels like a teachers pet to me. He's sucking up to Europe and voters by saying, "I love you all!" It's not good or funny. Its stupid and creepy.
Sorry if i've caused any offense, but i hate this song and am very disappointed and annoyed!

Amy Diamond - Thank You
Nathan's view
Great song from Amy! I like the fact that she's only 15 and she's entering Melodifestivalen knowing she would be the youngest winner! Nice and catchy but not as good as Linda's song in my opinion.

Hannah's view
Very rock song start! I really like this song and I have a lot of admiration for the girl who sings this! She's only 15!! She has good vocals and this song is very catchy, upbeat and dancey.
On the video, Amy is very energetic and fun! I don't particularly like her gold jacket or shoes, but that's just a personal thing. She connected well with the audience but her nerves showed in her voice. There was a slight verbrato (shaking) to her voice through out and she took very deep, but quick breaths and they were audible due to the microphone, but I'm nit-picking here!
GREAT preformance!

Sanna Nielsen - Empty Room
Nathan's view
Lots of people seem to like this as their third or fourth, including me, it's my fourth. Although it is a ballad and I hate that everyone seems to send ballad or dance this year but it's a very strong ballad and could have a good chance in Belgrade in May.

Hannah's view
I really like this ballad, possibly more than the other one. In this 'year of the ballad' as Nathan calls it; i believe that this has a good shot as a ballad. It is a very powerful song with beautiful lyrics. I like the fact that Sanna doesn't have to sign MASSIVE notes for the effect of her ballad to be sent across to her audience. There was a LOT of emotion put into this. In the video she almost bursts into tears, bless her! I love this ballad.

Nordman - I Lågornas Sken
Nathan's view
Second entry in Swedish. I don't love it, I don't hate it... I don't like it either. It's quite weird. Not what I'd expect Sweden to send to Eurovision. If this gets through then I'm sorry but Sweden will have their worst result ever by not qualifying through the Semi Final.

Hannah's view
This song creeped me out even more than the eggs in red suits!!
I didnt like his voice, it's very grating and scary and i would NOT like to meet him down a dark alleyway. So what i'm about to say doesn't make matters better...
Personally, i think he was cramming too many words into the chorus and i didn't like his vocals. I think the wall of fire looked rubbish and slightly fake, but the little bursts were MUCH better.

Frida feat. Headline - Upp O Hoppa
Nathan's view
All my favourite entries are in Swedish and this is my second favourite after Linda's song! It's another catchy and Eurovisiony song. I think this would do well in Belgrade as it will appeal to all areas of Europe. However I think this song is better suited to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. If it was to be sung in English then I believe it would do much better in Belgrade, should it get through.

Hannah's view
Ahh! This song is very fun and energetic. It reminds me off the holidays at the beach and sunshine. The artists sing as a group with a lead and backing and 'Headline' interjecting and getting his own section.
This song is very upbeat and catchy, even thogh it's in another language!
One downside... she was wearing a disgusting yellow jacket... i shall not say anymore as i can feel Nathan glaring at me. With my phsycic powers. Because he's not here. (...?)

BWO - Lay Your Love On Me
Nathan's view
One of the biggest names in the Final for Sweden and this is most people's favourite, it's my third and my highest placing song in English. BWO stands for Bodies Without Organs and they are already very popular in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, they also find that some of their past songs have been in the UK charts as well as the European charts. BWO would be a great entry for Sweden if they get through as they are very good and they present the song very well.

Hannah's view
This song is very... weird. As is the Elizabethan style costumes, and the set strewn with metal cages. It is a very catchy, rhythmical song that may have done well, if it was not up against such strong competition.
The lead male singer is very, ummmmmm... attractive and makes good use of this on the cameras. His vocals are good and the song was sung in tune. I loved the bit in the videa where the man is lifted in the air in a cage and fireworks start shooting from the cage! It's brilliant!
*ahem* yes... so... must now go and cast my votes.

"Germany was divided after World War II. The Soviet Union and Poland claimed the East and the USA, UK and France controlled the West. The East became a Communist state and the West became a democracy. Thousands of East Germans fled to the West. The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 to close the border and stop the flow of people. The decline of the USSR led to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and Germany was reunited in 1990. Today 80% of Germany's people live in the West, and the effects of Communism are still felt in the East."

Whitaker's World of Facts - Russell Ash

Hannah's view
Germany entry sung by No Angels is a very good song. The lyrics are quite touching and the rhythm and beat of the song are really good. Its quite upbeat and very 'girl groupish' in the chorus and has a really nice slow section in the middle.
I really like this entry. Its an excellent chance for Germany, as this is their best girl band. I have only one concern. The music is too good. I have an awful feeling also, that it will not get any votes on the fact of the country's positioning. But, I will not let this get me down and neither should anyone else who loves this song! Its a great piece of music and I wish it well!

Nathan's view
Disappear is a very good entry for Germany, however I expect it to score low due to Germany's positioning in Europe. The song itself is a nice ballad, but not as good as Dima Bilan's Believing (Russia). It has a nice rhythmic beat and the chorus is very singable. No Angels are Germany's best girl group so I think they will be slightly upset if they didn't finish in the top half. If Europe suddenly stops voting politically I think this song would finish in the top 10.

"Ireland was divided in the 1920s, when 26 counties in the south gained independence from the United Kingdom. Since then there has been conflict in Northern Ireland between those who want to remain part of the United Kingdom and those who want a united, independent Ireland. Since Ireland joined the European Community in 1973 it has become a modern, high-tech nation with successful industry. It began using the Euro in January 1999, along with ten other nations."

Whittaker's World of Facts - Russell Ash

Hannah's view
Well... wow! Dustin the Turkey. Its hard to sum this one all into one word.
When you first hear it, its like Marmite. You love it, or you hate it. In my case, i hated it but it made me laugh. It was a comedy entry and the starting line just contradicted the whole song! 'I come from a land that knows who to write a good song...' And this is the land that produced a song screamed by a puppet of a turkey?!
But, after a while, the beat and catchy chorus does start to grow on you. 'Irelande Douze Point' - say it very Englishly pronouncing it all... Also the random quips and comments like, 'Terry Wogan's wig!' and 'We're sorry for Riverdance'. It certainly made me and Nathan laugh, i dont know about anyone one else.
This entry is very controversial and i expect there will be a lot of debate about this one!

Nathan's view
Wow! Ireland! I mean, its a joke entry? From Ireland? Eurovision's best country? It's a good one at that! I love it. It's really grown on me and the chours is fantastic! The comments that Hannah stated above really do make us laugh and I think it will do really well. I know it's odds on to win and I believe it will... Dublin get ready! We're coming to party!

Hannah's view
What can I say except I love it!!
Nathan played it to me, and I INSTANTLY loved the song! Its upbeat, catchy and so dancy! You feel like you want to just get up and dance or sing along or something! Or is that just me...?
I really like this song (as you can tell) and I hope it does well in the final, because it will reach the final. This is not its kiss of death.

Nathan's view
One of my early favourites but has sunk recently. It gets a bit boring after a while but at first it really makes you want to dance and sing along. I don't think it will get out of the Semis.

"San Marino is entirely surrounded by Italy and it is the third smallest state in Europe. The tiny republic attracts about three million tourists every year. San Marino's inhabitants (known as Sammarinese) enjoy the world's sixth highest income per person."

Whitaker's World of Facts - Russell Ash

Hannah's view
I personally do not like this song. I think that the music is that of a rock song and the lyrics are from a ballad and have had to be adapted for this song. I dont like the voice of this band and I feel that this will not do well in Belgrade.

Nathan's view
I like it. I have very much the opposite opinion of Hannah. I like the way it all fits together and as Italian normally does well in Eurovision, the most recent song I can think of is Tornerò (Romania 2006), I expect this song to get through the Semi Finals and then get a mid table position in the Final.