gooddelta

It was a print interview that I can't find atm but I love thinking back to one in Smash Hits in 2000 when Samantha Mumba was asked about her website and she replied something like "Oh, I'm really getting into the internet at the minute" 😂

Glad Felicia won the heat over the firemen, as catchy as that was. My System is the best song I've heard from Felicia's new solo venture for sure. Quite gutted for Klara as it deserved better than fifth, that's for sure, hope it becomes a big hit in Sweden. Not sure Robin deserved that second chance slot really, bit of a mid song, my least favourite in the heat probably.

Debuts at No.1 in Sweden, now that's iconic

I saw Grace live last night and she was so brilliant. She basically played this album in full along with a bit of Roots acoustic and another older track. She performed an amazing encore of Hotel Delilah, a medley of I Feel Love/Can't Get You Out Of My Head/Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight) and then of course ended with Super Love Me, which was so epic to hear live. That song seriously deserved to be a hit. She was also so funny, I loved her humour and crowd interaction, and MDE was one of the funniest live performances I've seen in some time (the lyrics are hilarious, I loved it from first listen last year). I always forget how much I loved her on X Factor, I checked my iTunes and have purchased downloads on there of several of her live performances, Too Young was a particularly strong one from that time. She deserves to be a much bigger star.

Finally confirmed to my own contest! Was trying to pick between six options but have settled on one finally. Up to 26 confirmed now, please keep them coming, you still have all weekend and Monday though.

First impressions of Deltävling 2 songs: Arwin - Glitter I think this will do well with younger voters, it's pretty charming and catchy and the chorus and production is very punchy in BTS kind of fashion. Laila Adèle - Oxygen Welcome to Melodifestivalen 1988. Surprised this is in the mix as it is very (clearly intentionally) dated. Good vocal but kind of sounds like a Whitney or Jennifer Rush b-side as the chorus isn't that instant to me, I can't imagine it on Swedish radio in 2026. But it definitely stands out, as nobody else is doing throwback ballads like this. Will wait to see what the live is like. Robin Bengtsson - Honey Honey Swedish folky dance songs always seem to do well and Robin always seems to make the final. It's decent and radio friendly enough to suggest this could head to the second chance I guess, but not one I could see myself rushing back to a lot so hope it's not another DTF. FELICIA - My System Unga & Fria was completely robbed of a final place in 2024. I haven't loved FELICIA's English stuff so far anywhere near as much as her more folk/EPA influenced material as Fröken Snusk but this is a 00s Clubland banger of the highest order and surely must be a finalist for her this time. Fresh and nostalgic at the same time. Klara Almström - Där hela världen väntar Lovely cascading strings on this and the soft but powerful vocal make me think of Laleh. I could absolutely imagine this being a radio hit in Sweden and a springboard to bigger things for Klara, what a beautiful melody and production and a big chorus hook. Would love it to be a dark horse tomorrow! Brandsta City Släckers - Rakt in i elden This almost certainly has one of the final slots sewn up, thanks to their previous contest form with Kom och tag mig two decades ago, it's going to sweep the older vote groups. It's pretty anthemic too so I don't hate that it will sweep, but it's a shame a few other songs will have to go out. Predictions: 1st: Brandsta City Släckers (a given I think - definitely getting the oldie vote and kids will give it mid to high scores too) 2nd: FELICIA (hope she can go direkt this time but I see a route for Arwin, Robin and Klara too) 3rd: Arwin - Glitter (could easily be this or Robin to the second chance round - I think he will sweep the younger groups though) 4th: Robin Bengtsson - Honey Honey (it's nice but not the strongest song he's done - personally I don't think it deserves to go further in this heat but recognisability factor and it being radio friendly will stop him being last) 5th: Klara Almström - Där hela världen väntar (this deserves so much more, I hope it can cause an upset - if Laleh was singing it it would be DTF I'm sure) 6th: Laila Adèle (ultimately not going to get the younger voters at all and older voters will prioritise Brandsta City Släckers and maybe Robin and even Klara) FELICIA and Klara are my easy favourites and big takeaways from this semi, but I like all of them up to a point actually.

More listens are required to this I think, it feels a bit 2013 to me and sounds like a John Martin release. Not a bad thing, just an unexpected throwback. I can see it growing but need to get used to the vocal mix. The production on the track itself is sounding good.

Such a loss, hope Kath feels better very soon. An integral part of this site and contest.

Thanks for sharing. Interesting pivot for Love's Got A Hold On My Heart to A-list, I suppose it was the first 'new' single after the success of the Step One era, and summer 1999 was extremely poppy, maybe the height of the late 90s pop boom.

Think I might pass on that one, it's a quality collection of tracks but there can't be many tracks not covered by the Yearbooks and Extras now so 80s compilations will surely get harder to shift.

Well done both, looking forward to seeing your work in The Lounge!

Yes, that's fine.

Caught a bad case of Copacabana Boy-itis.

No semi-finals here. Even if we get 50 bops (note: this won't happen) you'll only be able to vote for 10 of them.

Very well done to all in the top ten, a kind of poppy top four and alt rest of it! A high scoring month due to the extra participants! Delighted to see Dalisska wasting little time to get back to the top ten, what an amazing entry that is. And finally The Spodic Empire wait for a top ten is over! Sovarasma top five is great too, I predicted big things for that one when it appeared in their national final <3 Glad Aeroche recovered enough to get out of the bottom ten! And Land of DW deserved better too along with a few others in the bottom ten, but my favourites were spread across the board here, although very unusually I didn't vote for any of the top four - I think that might be a first in 181 contests. Thanks for amazing hosting Dan! Wasn't that bad watching from the sidelines as I didn't have to worry tonight about unexpected snubs ha.

359 points! Wow, fully deserved and I wouldn't have called that lead but can see why it won, very well done Scene! Making up for the unjust non-qualifer last time in the finest style.

Rontvian update after 181 finals: 1. République d'Áskorza 650 2. Altyr Muunilinst 611 3. Aeroche 544 (+12) 4. Hendinia 471 5. Danæviia 452 (+3) 6. FARC 413 7. Cor Lupus 412 8. Summericia 404 9. New Lexico 365 10. Kluminican Republic 364 (+6) 11. Bøtanikkä 329 12. Fljótavík 327 13. Quintessa 317 14. Ramrynia 286 15. Séyetana 281 (+9) 16. Ojnoj 264 17. Jadakissnia 251 (+7) 18. Kathaldazia 239 19. Greenfroze 236 (+4) 20. Land of DW 235 (+15) 21. Tartford 234 22. Numayania 231 23. Qärenfanghoney 227 24. Terra Avium 214 25. Lookylion 211 26. Hushkanukia 209 27. Espen 198 28. Unovia 197 29. Dobago 193 30. Zanmatony 188 (+5) 31. Cumulonimbia 182 32. Persephonia 181 33. Trifoski 178 34. St. Burbia 176 35. Elëdan 174 36. Skall 174 37. (The Actual Republic of) Bellamia 173 38. #00274E 168 39. Jupiterdonia 166 40. Yehesi 163 41. Vülkyria 158 42. Bhangra 156 43. Helgon 156 44. Kylienips 156 45. Thelonia 151 46. Singerpurear 147 47. D'yermak'er 145 48. Cadelicia 143 49. Daehun 139 50. Oslol 137 51. Lotunia 136 52. Caerfyrddia 128 53. Mdiče 120 54. Tinnmark 119 55. Utopia 114 56. Mulgracia 114 57. Harmonica 109 58. N DNTN 107 59. Suedeonia 105 60. Ultraviolenceland 104 61. Wholune 104 62. Sovarasma/Why So Sirius 102 (+13) 63. Aelandor 102 64. East Rukahavian 100 65. Rolloland 98 66. United States of Jack 97 67. Herzebania 90 68. Aquafina 88 69. Beaverdonia 85 70. Pupok 83 71. Neliönoir 82 (+1) 72. Holland-Oats 80 73. POPHub 79 74. Xanaga 76 75. Kyriatine/Baleghde 71 76. Torchwood 71 77. Bignia-Zaragovina 70 78. Batidas 69 79. Niceland 68 80. Sangria 67 81. The Spodic Empire 65 (+11) 82. Angelicland 65 83. PRoJ 64 84. Republic of Adonia 63 85. Pestolia 61 86. Isconia 59 87. Ben's Sanctuary 58 (+8) 88. Aesthetica 56 89. B.a.N.G 56 90. Deandria 53 91. N-Lazone 52 92. Scotland 2 52 (+10) 93. Eastovka/A-Konohagakure 51 94. Ajanaeda 50 95. Kingdom of Shadow 49 96. Bronzil 48 97. Sandebörg 48 98. Yuxhaaq 48 99. Dalisska 47 (+18) 100. Avalonia 45 101. Medhelnia 45 102. Taahino 43 103. Kingdom of Horanius 43 104. Florina 43 105. Nonsuch 43 106. Quotosibb 42 107. Zechonia 42 108. Ingermanlandia 41 109. Triangledonia 40 110. Desbuanda 39 111. Scherzland 38 112. Flynnonda 38 113. FNT Nickodonia 36 114. Land of Jack 36 115. Sandénia 34 116. Lorikeet 31 117. Simondly 29 118. Buzzjack Mountain 28 119. Sergeistan 27 120. Lotopialand 26 121. M.K.L. 25 122. Abeltesfayeton 24 123. Cheiron 22 124. Yobnedorica 21 125. Cowtermont 21 126. Triodopolis 21 127. Rivandia 20 128. UnoShake 20 129. Varakë 19 130. Ethanola 19 131. Tapatilandia 19 132. Macromia 17 133. Brechtoria 17 134. Greenland 17 135. Azure 16 136. Järkangel 16 137. Liechenstaan 15 138. Cascadia 14 139. Alteria 13 140. Joedonia 13 141. Euphoriffith 12 142. Farahtyn 12 143. Umiiruka 12 144. Hinterlandia 13 145. Bokia 11 146. Frandoot 11 147. Phlumptopia 11 148. Zaminton 11 149. Britmasu 10 150. Juranabaijan 10 151. Conoria 9 152. Arcodesia 9 153. Fervorosia 9 154. New Caprica 9 155. Faztickle 8 156. Frahliso 8 157. Jayrusalem 8 158. Lievant 8 159. Palmyra 8 160. Tyronosaurusland 8 161. Astoria 7 162. PoisonVine Bay 7 163. Herbilore 6 (+2) 164. Pagasa 6 165. Aprogonia 6 166. Jamora 6 167. New Alba 6 168. Priceville 6 169. Budtar 5 170. Jukianië 5 171. Enty 3 172. Spila 3 173. Camdonia 2 174. Inner Massivia 2 175. Llewandia 2 176. ChrIseland 1 Much like Deandria a few months ago, veteran nation Dalisska waste no time on their return on scoring a Rontvian gold medal as we are won over by the atmospheric sounds from Storefront Church! Land of DW bag our silver medal for the second month running, meaning they climb into our all-time top 20, while Sovarasma complete an alt-leaning podium as they take our bronze medal. Aeroche are the highest scoring of our all-time top 10 this month, as they inch ever closer to the top two with another 12 points. Host Danæviia and the always great Kluminican Republic are the other nations in our top ten to score, while Séyetana, Jadakissnia and Greenfroze from our all-time top 20 impress once more to consolidate their placings there. The Spodic Empire and Ben's Sanctuary head up the 90s bloc in our vote, scoring 11 and 8 points respectively for their brilliant entries.

What on earth are Aeroche doing that low? Great track. Cheiron running away a bit. My early odds set before all the predictions posts came up were kind of there or thereabouts so not unhappy with those at all so far!

Oh I loved the Milky song back in the day. I expected it to go top three and it only got to No.8! So to see it have a second life on streaming is fun.

I would have to check a long way back but maybe not, certainly some high points in the early days though. Anyway there was no question of them going anywhere else this time, thank you for sending such a striking entry!

Dalisska taking so long to get off zero is an injustice!

Disappointing list indeed. Sophie’s Read My Lips is the only one I would really like. I usually pick up 4 or 5 each year so will save some money at least.

I gather that she came 2nd in the age group voting but then they reverted to the overall public vote to determine who had the final slot, so it could technically be a different song. So as far as I understand, 1st place in the heat and the second chancer are determined by the overall number of votes, but the second spot is determined by who wins the age groups (obviously after taking out the heat winner). It's massively convoluted and probably nearly always a foregone conclusion unless the votes are incredibly close. But the real problem was the lack of tension and bad pacing. I don't think a lot of people want to wait around for 15 minutes after the second finalist has been announced to find out who came 3rd in the heat and has a slim chance of getting to the final eventually, as who cares really.

01 Nik Kershaw - The Riddle (favourite) (few people have a better handle on a great pop melody than Nik Kershaw - this is, and always will be, an amazing track) 02 Conan Gray - Actor (great discovery, every Conan song I hear I think 'this is better than I expected' so I should probably check more of his stuff out, and judging by the strength of this then I will be because he'll be sticking around!) 03 The Weeknd - Blinding Lights 04 David Bowie - Life on Mars? 05 George Michael - Faith 06 Eric Saade - Made of Pop (haven't thought of this song since 2010, but it's nice to hear it again) 07 Troye Sivan - Got Me Started 08 Ruel & DMA’S - What a Life 09 Guitarricadelafuente - BABIECA! 10 Fred again.. & The Blessed Madonna - Marea (we’ve lost dancing) 11 Shawn Mendes - Teach Me How to Love 12 Markus Riva - You Make Me So Crazy 13 Luke Black - VOMIT

Speaking just for myself, but with all the other song contests on the site, and generally the mass of new singles and albums released each week that I want to listen to (as well as old favourites ofc), I only tend to have time to check new (or new to me) songs once, but then I will go back to my favourites again. If I listened to these 39 songs multiple times then I wouldn't have time for anything else I want to check that week. I personally feel I'm used to my tastes enough by this point to know if I'm going to like something enough to want to check it again. Certainly songs do grow on me over time, but there needs to at least be a baseline level of enjoyment for me to want to return to it. I think Pop Factor is actually easier/quicker to vote in than something like BJSC because I already know 75% of songs in each category so I will know quite quickly where the new ones will slot in. If anything I often like to bump up a new discovery over an old track, because daring choices should be rewarded (IF you like them of course ha).