This upcoming Saturday it is time for the Eurovision Song Contest. Hosted by Sweden, since we won last year, with Euphoria. Growing up, that was big. The dream was to stand on that stage. The event is still big. Living in San Francisco, I have found friends who might be even more excited about it than I was before. Saturday night Pacific Time, the recorded version of the event will be replayed. And strict rules for the guests, to be disconnected during the day, not to reveal any results… That was difficult last year, having a dear excited cousin Anna, who send me a text… EUPHORIA – WE WON!!! 🙂
Today, as a reminder about the event, the winning song Waterloo by ABBA from 1974 was shared (see below). For all ABBA lovers: since last week, there is now ABBA The Museum open in Stockholm. It is part of a larger Swedish Music Hall of Fame.
I am sure it partly covers the impact ABBA has had on it’s fans. I have only in the past two months in San Francisco met one, and heard another, case of women that have learnt Swedish for the only reason that they loved ABBA.
As of me… I was Agneta. And yes, I do have the ABBA music book with me… to San Francisco.
I was listening to the radio the other day and heard them talking about the ongoing series of American Idol. The view numbers are decreasing, and they claimed an American Idol fatigue – the number of artists having performed the same covers starts to be too many. It’s not new any longer.
I know what might be the next big thing. It’s recently been pitched in Sweden. And I won’t say more. Just yet. Can’t wait for it to be created and cross the boarders.
What is similar to American Idol, and is still going strong, is the Eurovision Song Contest. The difference is that the artists participating compete with a new original song, representing their country, voted by the countries and the populations. I wouldn’t say that it is as ingrained in our Swedish culture to watch the national Melodifestivalen, leading up the Eurovision Song Contest Final, as it is to watch Donald Duck 3pm Christmas Eve – but very close.
Here in the U.S., a Norwegian friend hosts an annual party the evening of the final with a replay of the event. Norway won 3 years ago. There are clear and strong instructions to stay out of Social Media and news, so that we don’t know who the winner is… With the new feature of starred Facebook friends, and automatic notifications of their updates on my phone, I didn’t succeed to avoid my cousins shout out real time in Sweden… but it was fun to watch.
There is a sweet rivalry going on in-between Sweden and Norway – but they didn’t deserve to fall that far down the list…
And here is the winning song, “Euphoria” with Loreen from Sweden.
Enjoy,
Johanna
Lyrics: Euphoria
Why, why can’t this moment last forevermore?
Tonight, tonight eternity’s an open door…
No, don’t ever stop doing the things you do.
Don’t go, in every breath I take I’m breathing you…
EuphoriaForever, ’till the end of time
From now on, only you and I
We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up
Euphoria An everlasting piece of art
A beating love within my heart
We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up
We are here, we’re all alone in our own Universe,
We are free, where everything’s allowed and love comes first,
Forever and ever together, we sail into infinity,
We’re higher and higher and higher, we’re reaching for divinity.
Euphoria
Forever, ’till the end of time
From now on, only you and I
We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up
Euphoria
An everlasting piece of art
A beating love within my heart
We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up
Forever we sail into infinity,
We’re higher, we’re reaching for divinity…
Euphoria, euphoria
We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up
Euphoria….An everlasting piece of art
A beating love within my heart
We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up
Euphoria, euphoria
We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up
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