The next sub category of Schlager music we’re going to take a look at are the undervalued songs, and their equally dismissed performances. We all know about the classics, the songs that get name checked on internet sites and forums, the standards that all new schlager songs are measured against and compared to, the songs that sell, or indeed, get hundreds of thousands of views on youtube.
But the type of Schlager that we’re going to celebrate now has been passed over and cruelly forgotten about. All three examples that we’re going to discuss and present to you have inexplicably come last in their respective heats in Melodifestivalen. And we think that for once, the Swedish public got their opinions on music very VERY wrong. So there were a few bum notes…….so a lot of the lines came out off-key…….so some of the lyrics were spoken, when the melody that the song requested couldn’t be forged by the out of breath singer. They’re STILL amazing songs, and even more incredible performances! These songs didn’t deserve to come last.
On record, the Wrongly Overlooked Schlager song is one of the most listened to type of track on our iPod. And one of the most played type of song at the scandipop club nights! It’s had an unfair lot in life. Coming last at Melodifestivalen has scarred it for life, and meant that many people refuse to give it the time of day. So we’re giving the genre a few more minutes in the light, and even hoping that some readers adopt a song od three for good – sharing its virtues with more and more people.
Here are our top three Wrongly Overlooked Schlager gems;
3. The Nicole – ‘Razborka’
Not just Nicole – The Nicole. This lady stormed the stage at Melodifestivalen 2008 with an extensive Russian themed stage show. She was clearly only misunderstood as a result of being ahead of her time – it was only in 2009 that the public and participants realised that the Melodifestivalen winner would be heading to Moscow. Poor The Nicole, if only she’d waited a year later to treat us to ‘Razborka’, she probably would have stormed the whole contest. Nevertheless, she should take some solace in knowing that the ENTIRE Melodifestivalen interval act this year was inspired by her performance (obviously…probably), and as a result, the soundtrack of the interval, ‘Tingaliin’ went to number one in Sweden for 4 weeks! A lot of ‘Razborka’s genius lies in its lyrics; ”he’s kinda cute….in a retarded way’, ”not impressed by champagne and cash, get me VODKA, and baby shake that ass”, and, ”you are sweet, but you’re full of crap”. All delivered by a jumping, skipping, The Nicole, in a baby doll dress – taking it in turns straddling thrones and men! Culminating in a fake snowstorm. Magical!
2. Verona – ‘La Musica’
All nerves and no knickers, Verona really shone in her Melodifestivalen Heat in 2007. Sashaying aimlessly across the stage in a lemon coloured mini-dress, Verona unwittingly gave us one of the club anthems of our generation – ‘La Musica’! An addictive Italo-Disco beat pulsates its way through the song, as Verona softy sings in Italian. The studio version on record, is absolutely superb. The live version above is also amazing – but for very different reasons, as you’ll see and hear. We met Johan Fjellstrom, the guy behind this song, earlier this year and will forever remember the look of sheer surprise and dibelief on his face when we told him that we absolutely loved ‘La Musica’ and thought it was brilliant. He probably doesn’t get that very often unfortunately.
1. Arja Saijonmaa – ‘Vad Du An Trodde Sa Trodde Du Fel’
One of the most captivating intros to any song of any genre EVER, we were engrossed straight away. Further hypnosis came from the visual – a strong, defiant (translated into English, the song means ‘whatever you believed, you were wrong’) Arja towers grandly and regally over her four male cohorts, furnished in a floor length white fur coat! Even when she climbs down from the box, she’s still taller than the lot of them. Good ‘ol Arja then goes on to take part in a dance routine with the guys throughout the duration of the song – the strain of which on her vocal, becomes quite apparent during the middle eight. But of course, all is rescued seconds later by the phenomenal key change! Finishing last was a big disappointment. It was supposed to be a triumphant comeback performance from the lady who has given Scandinavia one of its biggest hits of all time – ‘Hogt Over Havet’ from 1987. And it should have done a lot better. But unfortunately, Sweden was having none of it for whatever reason. As a result – it’s our number one Wrongly Overlooked Schlager Gem!
