FOR YOUR INFORMATION. Would you like to represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with your song? In that case, it is time to ’Take a chance’ and start writing songs which you can send to the Melodifestivalen song submission during the period Augusti 24 to September 16! In this article we will present the rules for this year’s competition.
For information in Swedish see this article.
About Melodifestivalen 2021
For the 61st time (or for the 20th time as a tour in Sweden), Swedish Television, i.e. SVT, have decided to use the Melodifestivalen as their selection to find the best song and artist who will represent Sweden in the music competition Eurovision Song Contest 2021.
According to the rules (in Swedish), 28 songs will most likely participate, where 14 songs will be chosen by a national jury, and the remaining 14 songs by the editorial staff at Melodifestivalen (i.e. SVT). The jury will choose their songs from the national song selection while SVT can choose songs from the song selection and/or make invitations to specific songwriters and artists.
One of the 28 songs in the contest will be performed by an invited artist from the Swedish Radio’s music competition P4 Nästa. This so-called wild card will be selected in a radio final on September 12, 2020.
Where and when can I submit my song/s?
All the entries you want to submit must be uploaded at melodifestivalen.se. However, the song submission will open on August 24, 2020 and will then remain open until September 16, 2020 at 11:59 AM (Central European summer time).
What will happen after the song submission has closed?
When the submission has closed, SVT will listen to all the submitted songs and select the best ones. These songs, approximately one thousand, will then get through to the national jury which has the task is to choose 14 songs that they think is the best hits for the competition. When the jury’s job is finished, the editorial staff at Melodifestivalen will select additional 14 songs, which includes to select a song to the invited wild card from the P4 Nästa contest.
According to the competition rules, SVT has said that they will reveal all the artists and songs for Melodifestivalen 2021 during October and November 2020. However, the official dates are not yet confirmed.
Rules and regulations (FAQ)
Who’s allowed to send in songs?
The Melodifestivalen are open for anyone* – including non-Swedish citizens – to take part both as song writers and as artist(s). However, at least one person in the song writing team is needed to be a Swedish citizen and/or being registered in Sweden (no later than August 24, 2020). This rule does not apply if you want take part as an artist.
SVT has a policy that at least half of the line-up must include songs done entirely or partly by female song writers. This means that it is wise to start collaborations outside your own circle of song writer colleagues**.
* If you are an employee at and/or a client for SVT between August 24, 2020 and March 30, 2021, then you are not allowed to send in songs and take part in the 2021 edition of Melodifestivalen!
** In Melodifestivalen 2022, SVT will extend this policy to include that every song writing team (with two or more persons) must have at least one (1) female song writer in its team.
The song requirements
Only songs which has never been public to the public* can take part in the 2021 edition of Melodifestivalen. In the contest, SVT will decide when the 28 competing entries will be released on the public platforms**.
If your submitted song once were submitted to another Eurovision national selection and/or previously demo versions has been used (for different reasons), we strongly recommend you make an online check that the song is not public published before you submit the song to the contest. If the song is online for so called public views, then it is no longer possible to submit that specific song to Melodifestivalen 2021.
The participating songs must be nor longer than 3 minutes (but not shorter than 2 minutes)***.
Singing is mandatory. However, how much is not said.
* This rule applies both analogue as digital platforms, such as concerts, social media platforms, radio- and TV stations etc.!
** SVT decides itself when the songs may be made public, which usually occurs after the songs have left the competition or after the public has decided the last heat winners.
*** You can submit songs who break this rule, but in those case these songs will need to be re-written for Melodifestivalen to fit the time limits.
Are there any language rules?
Although SVT has a policy regarding the amount of songs they want to see being performed in Swedish language in Melodifestivalen, it is still alright to send in songs in any language(s) you want! You are also welcomed to send in the same song performed in different language versions.
Remember that it is still SVT who decides in what language your artist(s) will sing in if your song(s) are selected to take part in Melodifestivalen 2021.
The artist selection
To take part in the Melodifestivalen 2021 as an artist, you must be at least 16 years old (at the latest in May 2021). There is no maximum age limit.
SVT will choose the artists along with the song writers for each song. Despite this, SVT have the final word in this decision. Demo artists may be selected to compete in the contest; however, they are not self-written for this purpose. This rule also applies to the winning artist in the Final (the artist or group who will represent Sweden in the Eurovision 2021)!
Extra rules (only for Melodifestivalen, not Eurovision)
In 2021, SVT still have expanded rules regarding the stage performances. This means:
– That a maximum of eight (8) people are allowed on stage, which include the artist(s)/group, their eventual back-up live singers, and dancers.
– A maximum of one (1) live instrument will be allowed on stage.
However, if the winning entry contain any of these things the song must be re-arranged for Eurovision 2021. This is because the EBU (who arranges the Eurovision Song Contest) doesn’t allow these extra rules.
NB: SVT still allows prerecorded choirs. From 2021 it will also be allowed to use that in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Other terms and conditions
It is important to know that SVT has the final word in every decision. This means they have the rights at any time disqualify songs, artists and/or song writer who break the rules. SVT also own the right to change the rules at any time.
Therefor we recommend everyone who send in songs to Melodifestivalen 2021 to read the complete rules (in Swedish) before you send in your songs. Please also take note in the sections regarding Other terms and conditions (especially the B- and C-section) which includes information about ownership and other requirements.
