Sweden chose “Hold Me Closer” by Cornelia Jakobs, the winner of Sweden’s national final, a televised song contest called Melodifestivalen. 

Sweden knows how to put on a large-scale musical television event. This is evidenced by their successful hosting of 2016 Eurovision and each epic episode of this year’s Melodifestivalen. While Cornelia Jakobs is heading to Eurovision, the true winner of Sweden’s national final was the host, Oscar Zia:

Sweden is performing in the second semifinal.

Ursula’s Thoughts: While “Hold Me Closer” was not my favorite entry in Melodifestivalen, it is like one of those songs that by the third time you have heard it on the radio you are like oh yeah I really like this song. Also, Cornelia Jakobs is a very cute human. (On a side note check out our other Melodifestivalen favorite entries here.)

Christa’s Thoughts: Beautiful breakup song. Big fan of rhinestone crop top. I still do not know how I feel about the use of the revolving green screen/diffuser.