Sweden’s track record in the Eurovision Song Contest is indeed remarkable, with a long history of success spanning over six decades. Last year the Norwegian singers Marcus & Martinus could bring another Top 10 entry in Malmö. With the song “Unforgettable” they made the 9^th place.

With seven victories, Sweden shares the record for most Eurovision wins with Ireland, further highlighting its status as one of the most successful countries in the history of the contest.

Sweden’s continued success in Eurovision can be attributed to various factors, including its strong tradition of pop music, innovative staging concepts, and a well-established national selection process, such as Melodifestivalen. These elements have helped Sweden maintain its position as a frontrunner in the Eurovision Song Contest and continue to delight fans with memorable performances year after year.

Sweden made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1958 with „Lilla Stjärna“ sung by Alice Babs, which earned an impressive 4th place in Hilversum. However, it took some time for Sweden to secure its first victory. In 1974, ABBA surprised Europe with their modern and catchy song „Waterloo,“ which still receives airplay on radios around the world today.

Regrettably, the ABBA hype did not immediately take off, but rather started two years later in Sweden and Scandinavia, eventually spreading to other parts of the world. ABBA went on to have a hugely successful global career, achieving numerous #1 hits, even in countries such as the USA, Japan, and Australia.

ABBA’s distinctive musical style has been imitated by many artists, and numerous Swedish entries in the Eurovision Song Contest have echoed the sound of ABBA’s music. This style has also been copied by artists from other countries. Interestingly, not many people are aware that ABBA attempted to enter the ESC with „Ring Ring“ in 1973, which only managed to secure 3rd place in the Melodifestivalen.

ABBA’s global success following their Eurovision victory in 1974 helped popularize a new music genre in Sweden known as „Swedish Schlager.“ This genre, characterized by catchy melodies, upbeat rhythms, and often sentimental lyrics, became immensely popular in Sweden and had a significant influence on Swedish pop music.

The legacy of Swedish Schlager is still evident today, with dedicated events such as „Schlagerkvälls“ continuing to celebrate this genre and its connection to Eurovision music. These events provide a unique and exciting experience for fans of Swedish pop music and Eurovision alike, allowing them to immerse themselves in the vibrant and infectious sounds of Schlager.

In Scandinavia, including Sweden, there is indeed a great enthusiasm for the Eurovision Song Contest. Pre-selection shows, such as Sweden’s Melodifestivalen, Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix, and Denmark’s Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, are highly anticipated events that attract widespread attention and serve as the highlight of the year for many people. These shows not only determine the country’s representative for Eurovision but also showcase the rich musical talent and diversity of each nation, further fuelling the excitement and passion surrounding the contest.

Not only have the winning songs from the Eurovision Song Contest become hits, but even lower ranked songs have managed to make it onto European charts. For instance, Frans with „If I Were Sorry“ achieved success despite not winning the competition.