Thirty-nine countries are competing with the aim to lift the trophy in Malmö. The twenty-third country to be introduced is Sweden. The country won the contest five times and this year Robin Stjernberg will represent the host nation.

Basic information

Performer: Robin Stjernberg
Song: You
Language: English
Music: Robin Stjernberg, Joy Deb, Linnea Deb, Joakim Harestad Haukaas
Lyrics: Robin Stjernberg, Joy Deb, Linnea Deb, Joakim Harestad Haukaas

The song

This year’s Swedish entry is about a nostalgic theme. The singer recalls all the moments he had with his father as he owes everything to him.

Hey, do you remember
How we would stay up all night
Talking ’bout our destiny
And I played the piano
And you would strum on your guitar
Those were the days
If only you could see me now
I live my dream
I owe it all to you
I owe it to you

Isn’t it crazy
Isn’t it crazy
It’s all because of you
All because of you

It’s all because of you
All because of you
I know that if the sky would fall
I’d survive it all because of you

The performer

Robin Stjernberg was born in Hässleholm. Stjernberg had won in the Sommarchansen in Malmö in 2006. In 2007, he took part in an event held at the Globe theatre where 15 finalists vied to become part of a prospective boy band. He was one of four chosen to become part of the band, eventually called What’s Up! The other finalists that made part of the band were Eric Saade, Luwdig “Ludde” Keijser and Johan Yngvesson. In 2011 he came second in Swedish Idol. After Idol, he released his first music single All this way on 2 December 2011. Robin released his own Idol-compilation My versions on 4 January 2012. The first official single from the album will be his version of Beyoncé’s song Halo. Stjernberg is reportedly working on a non-cover album. Robin Stjernberg’s song became the first Second Chance song ever to win the Melodifestivalen final.

The songwriters

Robin Stjernberg together with Joy Deb, Linnea Deb and Joakim Harestad Haukaas penned this year’s Swedish entry. Joy Deb started his tracklist as a songwriter/producer 2005. Besides writing and producing songs he works part time teaching sound engineering & music production at SAE Institute. Linnea Deb is Joy’s wife. She worked professionally as a vocalist for more than 10 years and worked as a backup singer (both live & studio) for Swedish artists like Ace of Base and Carola. Joakim Harestad Haukaas is a producer and songwriter based in Stockholm, awarded with golden records as well as winning the Junior Norwegian Song Contest in 2003 (as artist and songwriter in 2U).

The national selection

Melodifestivalen was once again to determine the Swedish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. Four semi-finals and a second chance round had been held before the grand final, where ten songs competed. The winner was chosen by international jury and tele-voting.

Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest

Sweden was the second Scandinavian country to enter the Eurovision Song Contest in 1958. Since then, they took home the victory five times in 1974, 1984, 1991, 1999 and 2012. The country finished in the top ten another 26 times and is one of the most successful participating countries. Until 2010, it was also the only country apart from the big four that has been in the final of every Eurovision Song Contest since relegation started in 1993. However, since 2008 the country was not very successful but last year managed to get the contest back on home soil.

Statistics

This will be Sweden’s 53rd participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. For the 16th time in total the country is represented by a male solo performer. Sweden remains one of the countries that had each of their entries at least partly performed in English since the abolishment of the language rule in 1999. Previously, all Swedish entries between 1973 and 1975, when the choice of language was free, had been performed in English. Sweden was also the first country without English as an official language to present a song in English in 1965. This year’s entry is also performed entirely in English.

Swedish vote in Eurovision

Sweden gave its most points to Ireland while Norway awarded its most points to neighbouring Sweden. However if considering the semi-final points Sweden have its most points to Finland while Denmark vote more for Sweden.

The betting odds

According to oddschecker.com, Sweden is currently standing at number 5 to win the Eurovision Song Contest.

Vi önskar Sverige och Robin Stjernberg lycka till och ett bra resultat i Malmö!

Videos

Preview clip

Scars

On my mind

Tomorrow another country will be introduced (hint – she wants to tie the knot!)

Have your say

You can rate the Swedish entry by voting in our poll

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You can view previous parts of this series by clicking here