Sweden...The Masters of Eurovision©

Danielle Gilbert

UCOR 1440

February 13, 2017

Sweden...The Masters of Eurovision©

The songs of Eurovision can often be exciting and times completely ridiculous, but there are times the songs hold a deeper meaning than what is initially given. Analyzing these songs gives a closer look at what the performances were really supposed to mean. While looking through these performances it becomes easier to see common trends that the country uses. How they choose to portray themselves as a country can say a lot about their diversity.

Although it may look like any other generic pop song, the stronger perception is that “Popular” by Eric Saade depicts a young man’s dream of being the most popular person in the eyes of the girl he likes and draws on many popular Western images to perpetuate what he defines as “success” or “popular” (2011). Taking a look at the performer's outfit, his use of a single leather glove and a red leather jacket is reminiscent of the late Michael Jackson who dominated the pop music genre with a very distinguished career. If you look at the overall stage and choreography set up, you can clearly see how much the Backstreet Boys and Justin Timberlake had an influence on the routine used throughout the performance. The use of three backup dancers that all perform the same dance moves gives off the boyband look while differentiating Eric from the rest. Towards the end of the song he is literally placed inside a glass box as if he is a trophy inside a trophy case. This alludes to the fact that he will one day be idolized so much that even he will become a trophy. Contrary to the recent Swedish song entries, this performance was over the top with many different aspects taking place.

One of the many winning songs for Sweden Loreen’s “Euphoria” represents a girl’s fight to protect the feeling of euphoria with the one she loves (2012). The performance begins with flashing lights and the wind machine blowing as if the singer is in the middle of a storm. With very little light covering the stage, Loreen seems to being covered in darkness. The camera continues to stay focused on her, only pulling away to get her complete profile as she continues the performance and dance signifying that she is the center point of this song. The choreography in the performance is very unique in its slow and flowing movements it is as if she is fighting with something in a very methodical way. The stage can be representative of her mind and, as an audience, we are watching her mental struggle to keep up the sense of euphoria, singing, “Why can't this moment last forever more Tonight, Tonight eternity's an open door No Don't ever stop doing the things you do Don't go” (Eurovision.tv). Euphoria can be defined as “a feeling of well-being or elation” and this is what Loreen is trying to protect (Merriam-Webster).

Following the win of 2012, Sweden’s 2013 Eurovision song really held no meaning at all. “You” by Robin Stjernberg was ultimately the generic pop song that you would expect to hear from the everyday radio station (2013). The main theme for the song is a man’s love for his partner and how he finds strength in their relationship. The lyrics are the telling sign behind the meaning of the song the chorus repeats again and again with “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” (Eurovision.tv). The listener can clearly tell that the singer is alluding to his partner and how much their support has given him over time. The outfits used in this performance by both the singer and the backup dancers are dressed in white and a soft brown tone these colors bring thoughts of warmth, purity, innocence, and foundations (Smith). Going with the theme of the song, these colors seem very appropriate for the entire performance as he is singing about the strength in his love life.

“Undo” is a power ballad that uses Sanna Nielson’s voice to the fullest the swell of music and lyrics in the song state the undoing of her past and her growth into her own person (2014). The staging of the performance sets the singer in center of the stage without any backup dancers. The absence of other people adds to her loneliness at the beginning, but depicts her independence and strength towards the end of the song, singing, “Silent I can’t wait here silent Gotta make a change” (Eurovision.tv). The lyrics are very clear that the women is making a change in her life and undoing her mistakes. The chorus alludes to the singer’s growth and change with the lines, “Undo my sad, Undo what hurts so bad Undo my pain Gonna get out, through the rain I know that I am over you At last I know what I should do Undo my sad” (Eurovision.tv). At first, the tone of the chorus seems sad and disheartened, but by the second chorus the music has swelled to the point where the singer in her journey has gained confidence in herself and the growth of the music mimics that of her independence.

“Heroes” performed by Måns Zelmerlow was the winning song of the 2015 Eurovision song contest (2015). His modern pop song with a unique interaction with background images gave for an amazing performance. However, on closer inspection of the production, you can see that there is a deeper meaning being displayed. That being that he represents the generation to set an example and change the world. Throughout the song Måns interacts a lot with the background visuals, but more often than not, the images interact with him. From the very beginning we can see that the visuals seem to copy everything that the singer does. The child moves like he does, sits like he does, and walks like he does which supports the idea that he is setting an example for those that follow him. The chorus states that “We are the heroes of our time But we're dancing with the demons in our minds…” (Eurovision.tv). The demons in his case depict the right or wrong of what is expected in society.

The singers used across the five years I have chosen to look at show quite a lot of diversity in Sweden. With alternating years of men and women performers it is easy to see the clear equality between both genders in Sweden. Both the composers and the performers are all Swedish, but their backgrounds are very different. When researching the background of the performer Eric Saade, it was interesting to see that the performer comes from a diverse background with a Palestinian immigrant father and a native Swedish mother. Loreen, for example, comes from Moroccan parents who immigrated to Sweden (Eric Saade). Although a few of these performers seem diverse in their ethnic background, the country continues to ignore this and puts the singers into a generic pop song mold. The lack of musical diversity in song choice is another telling sign of the country’s feelings towards diversity in their society. Each seemed to follow a guideline set in place for the composers to push out winning tracks, leaving out the potential for a truly unique and meaningful piece. For example the composer of the winning song, Thomas G:son, is a known for composing more than 60 songs for the Eurovision song contest (Loreen).

After analyzing these songs, I can say that there is a lot more hidden within the extravagant performances that is Eurovision. These acts often help tell a story about the country or performer, inviting the audience to see more than what lies on the surface. You can see the great diversity, or lack of, in the country when viewing the country performances across the years. Sweden has proven through these performances their commitment for equal rights between both men and women. The background of the performers alludes the fact that Sweden is a very diverse country with a lot of immigration taking place.

Appox.1354

Works Cited

"Eric Saade." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 07 Feb. 2017. Web. 14 Feb. 2017.

"Euphoria." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, Web. 14 Feb. 2017.

"Eurovision.tv." Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Feb. 2017.

"Loreen." Loreen's Official Website. Warner Music Sweden, Web. 14 Feb. 2017.

Loreen. “Euphoria,” music and lyrics by Thomas G:son and Peter Boström. Azerbaijan, Eurovision Song Contest, 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfo-8z86x80 Accessed 13 Feb. 2017. e

Nielsen, Sanna. “Undo,” music and lyrics by Fredrik Kempe, David Kreuger, and Hamed "K-One” Pirouzpanah. Denmark, Eurovision Song Contest, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PQJI-3LW-8 Accessed 13 Feb. 2017. E

Saade, Eric. “Popular,” music and lyrics by Fredrick Kempe. Germany, Eurovision Song Contest, 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-04pUETT7oI Accessed 13 Feb. 2017. E

Smith, Kate. "You Searched for Soft+brown." Sensational Color. Kate Smith, Web. 14 Feb. 2017.

Stjernberg, Robin. “You,” music and lyrics by Robin Stjernberg, Joy Deb, Linnea Deb, and Joakim Harestad Haukaas. Sweden, Eurovision Song Contest, 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtjdTPnCcu0 Accessed 13 Feb. 2017. E

"Thomas G:son." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Feb. 2017. Web. 14 Feb. 2017.

Zelmerlöw, Måns. “Heroes,” music and lyrics by  Linnea Deb, Joy Deb, and Anton Hård af Segerstad. Austria, Eurovision Song Contest, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sGOwFVUU0I Accessed 13 Feb. 2017. E