Luxembourg - Tali Golergant - Fighter

digital release image / fgphotolux

Last year in Liverpool it was announced that Luxembourg would return to our beloved competition after 30 years. And here they are.

Tali Golergant's Fighter is the winner of the Luxembourgian selection. The song is written by Ana Zimmer, Dario Faini, Manon Romiti en Silvio Lisbonne.
The song is sung in a mix of French and English.
The digital single was released on January 12.

A new version is made for Eurovision and was released on March 29.

Tali  has released (digital) a number of singles since 2020.

Versions:
Fighter - ESC version

- digital 29-3, on the official Malmö album

Fighter - original single version
- digital (12-1)

Fighter - karaoke 

- Official karaoke album (digital)

- The karaoke doesn't match the original nor the ESC version, noticed at the 1:50 to 2:00 mark (Also see comments) 

Luxembourg Song Contest
On Januari 27 Luxembourg had their final with 8 songs, with three songs proceding to a superfinal. 
You can find out more and listen here at rtl.lu. Or search for the official playlist at Spotify (Luxembourg Eurovision Song Contest by RTL radio Lëtzebuerg). All songs have been released as digital singles

Luxembourg's Eurovision is remarkable of course. Often accused of scouting their entries in other countries it worked well for them, clocking up 5 wins with 37 entries. 

They gave us Vicky Leandros when Greece didn't participate yet and Poupéé De Cire, Poupéé De Son when France wasn't ready for a Serge Gainsbourg Eurovision song. 
L'Amour Est Bleu (Love Is Blue) from 1967 became of the great evergreens albeit mostly in instrumental versions.

Links and sources:
Tali Golergant: Website, FB, Insta, Linktree

Luxembourg's 2024 at ESCHistory

RTL's Eurovision pages

Vicky's Luxembourg posts at Eurocovers: L'Amour Est Bleu, Après Toi.

Czechia - Aiko - Pedestal

Aiko won the Czech national select ESCZ 2024 with her song Pedestal written by Aiko herself (Alena Shirmanova-Kostebelova) with Steven Ansell.

Aiko currently lives and works in Brighton where many moons ago Napoleon did surrender.

Fortune's Child

Pedestal can be found on Aiko's third album Fortune's Child released in 2023 (October 13). The album will also be released on red vinyl LP. 

It is available through her website shop and now hips to many European countries. (Thanks Torsten)
The album has received several favourable reviews in U.K. magazines (websites)

A new version is made for Eurovision, the new video is here.

The digital single of the ESC version was released on March 22, even though it's listed as January 1 on Spotify. A karaoke was released on the same date.

Versions
Pedestal - Eurovision version

- digital 22-3, Official Malmö album

Pedestal - original version
- album Fortune's Child (LP/Digital)

Pedestal - karaoke of ESC version

- digital 22-3, also on the official karaoke album (digital)

- the karaoke has no backing vocals as such but has the speaking voices in the interlude bit.

Links and sources:
Aiko Website, FB, Instagram, Shop

ESC-History's Czechia page on 2024

Malta - Sarah Bonnici - Loop

Digital release image

Malta started their search for a Eurovision entry early. Starting in October, four rounds produced 12 songs which competed in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest final on the 3rd of February.

A  number of the 36 songs have been released as digital singles, but not all and the winning song is one of the songs not released yet. (but here's the video)

Loop is written by Sarah herself with Kevin Lee, Leire Gotxi Angel, Michael Joe Cini and Sebastian Pritchard-James.

The digital single was released in a new version on March 14 but the original version wasn't released except in videos / performances..

Versions:

Loop - single version

- digital 14-3, Official Malmö album

Loop - karaoke

- Official karaoke album (digital)

The original version only in videos/performances

Previous participants Kurt Calleja  (no he's not, See comments) and Moira Stafrace (of Chris and Moira, 1994) didn't make it to the final.

Links and sources:
Sarah Bonnici: FB, Insta

Malta 2024 at ESC-History

Malta Eurovision (PBS): FB, Instagram

Azerbaijan - Fahree feat. Ilkin Dovlatov - Özünlə Apar

pic from Fahree's Instagram

Fahree (Fəxri İsmayılov) will represent Azerbaijan in Malmö. He will be joined on the Eurovision stage by Ilkin Dovlatov (İlkin Dövlətov).

The song Özünlə Apar (Take it with you) was revealed on March 15.

It was written by Fahree himself, Edgar Ravin, Hasan Haydar, Mila Miles and Mado Salikh.

Even though the title is in Azerbaijani, the song is in English with just a few lines in the home language.

Premiered here 

Versions:

Özünlə Apar - original

- digital 15-3, Official Malmö album

Özünlə Apar - karaoke

- Official karaoke album (digital)

Links and sources:
Fahree: Insta, (old) FB

Armenia - Ladaniva - Jako

2023 album Ladaniva

Duo Ladaniva will sing for Armenia in Malmö.
Ladaniva are Jaklin (Zahklin) Baghdasaryan and Louis Thomas.

Their song Jako is written by the duo themselves with Audrey Leclerc.

Jako can be found on the selftitled Ladaniva album released last year on September 29.

The album is available on CD and LP as well as digital.

Both are available through the PIAS webshop but also the likes of Fnac, Amazon, Bol, JPC etc.

And maybe even your local record store

CD: Jiguli/PIAS PIASLL208CD

LP: Jiguli/PIAS PIASLL208LP (Yellow vinyl)

However, Jako was released as a Youtube audio on July 9, which is not according to the EBU rules. But last year's "borrowed" lyrics were no problem so I guess they'll get away with this as well.

Jako - Ladaniva in Armenian script:  Երգ - Լադանիվա

Versions

Jako - original

- LP/CD Ladaniva, Official Malmö album

Jako - karaoke

- Official digital karaoke album

Links and sources:

Ladaniva: FB, Insta

Georgia - Nutsa Buzaladze - Firefighter

Nutsa Buzaladze (ნუცა ბუზალაძე) will represent Georgia in the 2024 contest.

Her song is titled Firefighter and is written by Darko Dimitrov and Ada Skitka.

The song was revealed on 11-3, watch and listen here

The digital single is also dated 11-3.

The karaoke version was released on March 13.

Nutsa is an international phenomenon. She participated in talent shows in Latvia, Turkey, Georgia and the US. She currently lives in Dubai.

When she participated in The Voice Of Turkey she was coached by Hadise of Dum Tek Tek fame. (4th in the 2009 contest)

For Songwriter Darko Dimitrov it is the 9th Eurovision entry as a songwriter and he worked as a producer even more. Mainly for Macedonia / North Macedonia, Wiki will tell you more.

In 2017 Nutsa entered the Georgian selection for Eurovision with White Horses Run. She ended second behind Tamara (Tako) Gachechiladze.

In the 2023 season of American Idol she finished in the final 12 and got to perform with Kylie Minogue.

Versions:

Firefighter - single version

- digital 11-3, Official Malmö album

Firefighter - karaoke

- digital 13-3, also on the official karaoke album (digital)

Links and sources:
Nutsa Buzaladze: Website,  FB
You will find Nutsa's recent music on Spotify under Nutsa while the older stuff is under her full name. 

Israel - Eden Golan - Hurricane

digital release image

Eden Golan (עדן גולן) is the winner of the Rising Star competitition (HaKokhav HaBa) and will represent Israel in Malmö.

Eden will perform the song Hurricane which is approved by the EBU. (earlier suggestions weren't)

The song is written by Avi Ohion, Keren Peles and Stav Beger.

The song was revealed and released on March 10

Here you can listen to it.

Original considered song October Rain was rejected by the EBU for political content, as was second choice Dance Forever.

Hurricane is a revised version of October Rain.

Parts of October Rain have leaked onto the www.

I am aware of the situation thrown up by the Israel-Hamas war and its influence on this years Israel participation and Malmö Eurovision.

I'm not going into that here, I'm sure you can find enough about that on the internet via your favourite algorhythms.

Versions:

Hurricane - single version

- digital 10-3, Official Malmö album

Hurricane - karaoke

- Official karaoke album (digital)

pic from HaKokhav HaBa FB

Links and sources

HaKokhav HaBa FB

Portugal - Iolanda - Grito

pic from Iolanda's Facebook

Iolanda is the winner of the 58th Festival da Canção. Her winning song Grito (outcry) is written by Iolanda Costa herself with Alberto Hernández.

Grito was released on January 18 on the compilation album Festival da Canção 2024 including all entries of this year's competition.
A CD version is released and available here at Fnac for example.

A standalone digital single was released on April 12.

Iolanda's first venture into FdC territory was as a songwriter. In 2022 she co-wrote the song Mar No Fim with (and for) Blacci, but it didn't make it to the final.

Versions:

Grito

- digital (18-1), CD Festival da Canção 2024, Official Malmö album

Grito - karaoke

- Official karaoke album (digital)

Links and sources:
Iolanda FB, Insta
Festival da Canção 2024 at ESC History
Festival da Canção pages at RTP

ESC Portugal

 

Sweden Marcus & Martinus - Unforgettable

digital release image

Marcus & Martinus are the winners of Melodifestivalen and they will represent the host country.

Unforgettable is written by Jimmy "Joker" Thörnfeldt, Linnea Deb and Joy Deb and Marcus & Martinus themselves.

The song was released as a digital single on March 2 and can also be found on the Melodifestivalen 2CD (see below)

Marcus & Martinus Gunnarsen (earlier a.k.a. M&M) finished 2nd (behind Loreen) in Melodifestivalen last year with Air. (written by the same songwriters as Unforgettable).

The Norwegian twins' first claim to fame is winning the Norwegian Junior Melodi Grand Prix in 2012 with To Dråper Vann (Two drops of water).

They have released three albums since 2015 which all went to #1 in Norway and 2, 1, 1 resp. in Sweden. The latest one, Moments from 2017 also did well in other countries.

The History Of Eurovision Twins

Go here to last years Azerbaijan post to read all about that. (scroll down a bit there)

Songwriters

For Joy Deb and Linnea Deb Unforgettable is the third Melodifestivalen winner / Eurovision entry after Robin Stjernberg's You in 2013 and 2015 ESC winner Heroes by Måns Zelmerlöw. They also wrote many other preselection songs. I can highly  recommend Mellopedia if you want to find out more.

Jimmy "Joker" Thörnfeldt is one of the songwriters of Tattoo, has 24 Melodifestivalen entries to his name and also co-wrote this year's Austrian entry.

He also co-wrote Sweden's 2021 entry along with Cyprus and San Marino form the same year. In 2023 he also has his name under the entry of Cyprus.

pre-release image

This years Melodifestivalen 2CD is out since March 3. There's a slightly altered format and it now has 30 songs in the competition. (tracklist below) 
I ordered mine at Bengans (here) who sell to the world.

(Warner Music Sweden 5054197949630)

See tracklist below, also including extra versions released.
This year Melodifestivalen has 5 rounds of six songs each with a final on March 9.

Versions:

Unforgettable - original

- 2CD Melofifestivalen 2024, digital 2-3, Official Malmö album

Unforgettable - karaoke (= instrumental)

- Official karaoke album (digital)

Charts

Swedish top 100 (Topplistan): 4, 1, 2, 3, 6, 13, 15, 21, 22

Norway top 40 (VG Lista): 26, 28, -

Links and sources

MF 2024 at ESC-History

Marcus & Martinus: Website, Insta, Shop

MF Instagram

Scroll down to see the MF in the charts results from 2002 to 2024

Melodifestivalen no longer updated on Facebook but here's a linktree with all kind of apps SVT apparently do approve of and that includes TSMAFKAT X.

Mellopedia is the wiki of Mello

Melodifestivalen 2024 2CD Tracklist

With additional released versions (digital unless otherwise noted)
CD1
1.Supernatural - Adam Woods
2.Hela Världen Väntar - Samir & Viktor

- Also released the Rasmus Gozzi remix 
3.Min Melodi - Melina Borglowe
4.Forever Yours - Elisa Lindström
5.Awful Liar - Lisa Ajax
6.Heroes Are Calling - Smash Into Pieces

- also released instrumental
7.When I’m Gone - Maria Sur
8.Norrland - Engmans Kapell
9.The Silence After You - Dear Sara

- also released acoustic enad sped-up versions
10.Ahumma - C-Joe
11.Dragon - Liamoo
12.Unga & Fria - Fröken Snusk
13.Effortless - Jacqline
14.Aldrig Mer - Clara Klingenström
15.Take My Breath Away - Kim Cesarion
CD 2
1.För Dig - Klaudy
2.I Won’t Shake (La La Gunilla) - Gunilla Persson
3.Give My Heart A Break - Cazzi Opeia
4.Done Getting Over You - Albin Tingwall
5.30 Km/H - Lia Larsson
6.It’s Not Easy To Write A Love Song - Dotter
7.Circus X - Scarlet
8.En Sång Om Sommaren - Lasse Stefanz
9.Happy That You Found Me - Danny Saucedo
10.Unforgettable - Marcus & Martinus
11.Controlla - Chelsea Muco
12.Back To My Roots - Jay Smith
13.Banne Maj - Elecktra
14.Light - Annika Wickihalder
15.Que Sera - Medina

MF In the charts

Below are the chart results of Melodifestivalen and Eurovision hits in the Swedish top 60 since 2002, when the 32 song MF was introduced.
In a sudden change, 2010 saw only a few entries released on cdsingle, and it showed decline in the number of MF hits.
Since a few years streaming is the main factor in  the Swedish charts so Eurovision hits chart without being released on cdsingle. Some only chart one or two weeks just after the contest.

Melodifestivalen (and Eurovision) in the Swedish charts

2024 top 100: 25 MF Hits - 12 Top 10 hits - 3 #1 hits - 1 Eurovision hit

2023 top 100: 19 MF hits - 7 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 10 Eurovision hits 

2022 top 100: 20 MF hits - 10 top 10 hits - 2 #1 hits - 10 Eurovision hits

2021 top 100: 23 MF hits - 8 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 16 Eurovision hits
2020 top 100: 16 MF hits - 6 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 2 Eurovision hits
2019 top 100: 21 MF hits - 10 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 10 Eurovision hits
2018 top 100: 21 MF hits - 7 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 10 Eurovision hits
2017 top 100: 21 MF hits - 6 top 10 hits - 0 #1 hits - 9 Eurovision hits

2016 top 100: 26 MF hits - 9 top 10 hits - 2 #1 hits - 12 Eurovision hits

* 2016 Digilistan top 60 - 17 MF hits - 9 top 10 hits - 2 #1 hits

2015 top 100: 19 MF hits - 6 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 6 Eurovision hits

* 2015 Digilistan top 60: 22 MF hits - 9 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 14 Eurovision hits

2014: 17 MF hits - 5 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 6 Eurovision hits

* 2014 Digilistan top 60 2014: 22 MF hits - 10 top 10 hits - 2 #1 hits - 18 Eurovision hits

2013: 22 MF hits - 6 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 4 Eurovision hits

2012: 17 MF hits - 7 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 4 Eurovision hits

2011: 18 MF hits - 7 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 2 Eurovision hits

2010: 28 MF hits - 10 top 10 hits - 3 #1 hits - 9 Eurovision hits

2009: 28 MF hits - 12 top 10 hits - 2 # 1 hits - 16 Eurovision hits

A record breaking 15 Eurovision hits in the week after the contest, most on downloads (sales) alone

2008: 30 MF hits - 14 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 9 Eurovision hits

2007: 28 MF hits - 10 top 10 hits - 2 #1 hits - 7 Eurovision hits

2006: 23 MF hits -10 top 10 hits - 3 #1 hits - 6 Eurovision hits

2005: 23 MF hits - 9 top 10 hits - 4 #1 hits - 3 Eurovision hits

2004: 22 MF hits - 8 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 3 Eurovision hits

2003 : 17 MF hits - 8 top 10 hits - 3 #1 hits - 2 Eurovision hits

2002 : 13 MF hits - 4 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 3 Eurovision hits

* 2014: The official charts in Sweden have gone a bit crap, with Spotify and other steamers as a much too infuential source. This list is still the 'official chart' but we'll feature the digilistan as well.
The Digilistan is now the main (digital) sales based Swedish chart.
Changes in 2015: The MF has only 28 entries and the official charts have gone up to a top 100.
Changes in 2016: The method for the official Swedish charts has changed again, now it is almost the same as the digilistan.

You can check your Swedish charts weekly at Sverige Topplistan.

Greece - Marina Satti - Zari

debut album Yenna

This year it's 50 years ago that Greece made their debut on the Eurovision stage.

On October 25 ERT announced Marina Satti (Μαρίνα Σάττι) as the singer for Greece in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.

The title Zari (Ζάρι) was announced on February 13.

The song was revealed and released on 7-3

The eclectic songwriter bunch are Marina Satti, Palmer Jordan Richard, Stolar Jay Lewit, OGE, Beshkov Konstantin Plamenov, Nick Kodonas, Gino the Ghost, 

Vlospa and Solmeister (Manolis Solidakis)

Marina Satti released her debut album Yenna (Birth) in 2022 including her biggest hit so far: Pali.

Her most recent single TUCUTUM combines both her Greek and Arab heritage and if it's anything to go by we could be in for something special in Malmö.

Versions:

Zari - original

- digital 13-2, Official Malmö album

Zari - karaoke

- Official karaoke album (digital)

Links and sources:
Martina Satti: FB, Website (in Greek), Insta

ERT Eurovision pages (in Greek)

Iceland - Hera Björk - Scared Of Heights

digital release image

Hera Björk will represent Iceland in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest with the song Scared Of Heights written by Ferras Alqaisi, Jaro Omar, Michael Burek and Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir.

Iceland's Söngvakeppnin 2024 had its final on March 2.

10 songs participate with two semis of 5 songs each. All songs were performed in Icelandic in the semis.

Finalists could either perform in Icelandic or English.

The Icelandic version of Scared Of Heights is titled Við Förum Hærra (We go higher). Both version were first released on the digital compilation Söngvakeppnin 2024, see below. On February 27 both track were released as a digital single but they are the same versions.

Hera Björk (Hera Björk Þórhallsdóttir) is no stranger. In 2010 she finished 19th in Oslo with Je Ne Sais Quoi.

She also entered the Danish Melodi Grand Prix in 2009 with Someday and ended up 2nd.

Songwriter

Songwriter Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir, or just Ásdís María or even just Ásdís, participated in the Söngvakeppnin of 2014 as a singer herself with the song Amor. She made it to the final but not the top2.

Söngvakeppnin 2024

The participating songs were announced and released on January 28 in a digital album Söngvakeppnin 2024. available through all your favourite digitessen.

8 of the 10 songs have also been released in their English versions so the album has 18 tracks in total.

Versions:

Scared Of Heights - English

- Official Malmö album

Við Förum Hærra - Icelandic

- both digital on album Söngvakeppnin 2024 (28-1) and digital single

Scared Of Heights - karaoke

- Official karaoke album (digital)

Links and sources:
Hera Björk: FB, Instagram

RÚV Söngvakeppnin pages