MELODIFESTIVALEN 2022. In this article we give answers to frequently asked questions regarding the regulations for the Swedish Eurovision 2022-selection Melodifestivalen.
Please note that the information is only a summary of the rules that Swedish Television (presented as SVT) released in early Summer 2021. Before you start to submit any songs, we recommend you read the rules, so you know exactly what SVT requires from you, particularly the C-section (Other terms and conditions) which includes information about ownership and other requirements.
For information how to submit your songs, read this article. You can also read the FAQ in Swedish here.
• Who is allowed to submit songs and/or take part as an artist?
Songwriter (composer and/or lyricist)
The Melodifestivalen contest are open for anyone, including non-Swedish citizens, in any ages and genders. However, at least one (1) person in the song writing team must be a Swedish citizen and/or being registered in the Swedish population register (in Swedish called folkbokföringsregistret) no later than August 27, 2021.
Please note that if you are an employee at and/or is a client for SVT between August 2, 2021, and March 30, 2022, then you are not allowed to send in songs to the 2022 edition of Melodifestivalen!
The Singer/artist/music group
To take part in the Melodifestivalen 2022 as an artist, you must be at least 16 years old (at the latest in May 2022). For this purpose, however, there is no maximum age limit as well as you are not needed to have a Swedish citizenship and/or being registered in the Swedish population register (in Swedish called folkbokföringsregistret).
On the other hand, if you are an employee at and/or is a client for SVT between August 2, 2021, and March 30, 2022, then you are not allowed to take part as an artist in the 2022 edition of Melodifestivalen!
More information about the artists/singers can be found in the paragraph Can I decide the singer/artist for my song?
• Are there any gender requirements for a song writing team?
No, there are none. On the other hand, SVT has a policy that says that at least one half of the line-up should consist of songs written/composed by female songwriters, alternatively in collaboration between both female and male songwriters. However, this policy should be interpreted as a wish (and not a rule) from SVT to all the song writing teams.
• Which are the song requirements?
1. Firstly, only a song which meet all the following requirements can be selected by SVT/the Jury to take part in the 2022 edition of Melodifestivalen:
- – The song must be newly written (i.e., cover songs and/or plagiarism are not allowed).
- – The song has never been public to the public.
- – The song has not been published before SVT’s deadline, and certainly not before September 1, 2021.
Examples of situations where the song must not have been released in public are all kinds of concerts, social media clips, TV- and radio stations etc. More information about this can be found in the paragraph Why is it important that the song should not be published before September 1, 2021?
2. Singing and/or speaking in the lyrics is mandatory. However, how much is not said.
– Remember that there are no obstacles to e.g., use expressions such as swearing. On the other hand, SVT may disqualify songs that have a title and/or lyrics that may seem offensive. You should also know that the EBU, who organize the Eurovision Song Contest, does not allow swearing in the Eurovision songs, as well as all forms of religious, commercial, and political messages and gestures.
3. All participating songs must be nor longer than 3 minutes (but not shorter than 2 minutes).
– However, SVT allows demo songs who break this rule but only if they can be re-written for Melodifestivalen to fit the time limits.
• Why is it important that the song should not be published before September 1, 2021?
Any songs released on public platforms before September 1, 2021, may not compete in Eurovision 2022. This is according to the Eurovision Song Contest competition rules. In some cases, it has been possible to circumvent the EBU’s regulations, but to be on the safe side – only send in unpublished songs, regardless of whether you send it to Melodifestivalen or to other countries’ national selections!
We also recommend all the songwriters to verify that no versions of the song have been published on any platform. For an example where the song was sent into another country’s national selection a previous year but was not selected to take part that year. If the song in any form is public published before or during Melodifestivalen 2022, without permission from SVT, then the song is no longer allowed to take part in the contest!
On the other hand, song(s) may be published by mistake which means that SVT will investigate the matter. Thus, disqualification does not take place as long as intent is lacking!
Approved publications by SVT
1. Song publications during the competition
Since many years, SVT has a rule that says that the songs which qualifies to the Second Chance program (in Swedish called Andra chansen), as well as the songs that does not qualifies from each semi-final’s program, may be released after each semi-final show. However, the songs which are the public’s favourites to the Grand Final in each of the semi-finals programs will only be released after the results has been decided in all the semi-finals programs. This means that these songs will compete in its semi-final, however, afterwards the songs will be in ’quarantine’ until the last semi-final has been aired on live television.
There is, however, not yet confirmed whether SVT will continue with this rule or not in the 2022 edition of Melodifestivalen. More information regarding this will most likely be released in the weeks before the competition begins.
2. Sneak clips, studio versions and rehearsals
During the competition weeks, it may also happen that SVT releases sneak clips and/or parts of studio versions of the competing songs. This is so-called approved publications – if it only takes place in SVT’s channels and for a limited time. It may also happen that accredited media and fan sites will be able to watch the rehearsals and/or listen to the studio versions of the songs. This is also approved if it only happens on SVT’s premises.
• Can I decide the singer/artist for my song?
Since it is SVT that have the final word in every artist decision, the answer to this question is that it depends whether SVT approves your request. They can choose the demo singer* and/or an or the artist you prefer. However, in the end it is SVT who decides who’s going to sing each song. This rule includes both the songs that will be selected by the Jury, who selects one half of the line-up, and the remaining songs, which will be selected by the Melodifestivalen team at SVT.
You should also be aware that SVT has the rights to disqualify any artists and/or songs where the production cannot agree with the songwriter(s) on which artist will perform the song(s) in the contest. In such cases the song and/or the artist may be replaced.
How many people are allowed on stage?
SVT allows up to eight (8) people** for each stage performance. The number of people includes the singer(s) and/or other members of a band as well as any dancers, choir singers***, etcetera. You should also know that SVT has the rights to change the maximum number of people on stage in Melodifestivalen, for an example due to the ongoing corona pandemic.
Notes
* Demo singers are not self-written for this purpose.
** In the Eurovision Song Contest only 6 people are allowed on stage (for each country’s stage performance).
*** The eventual using of so called ’pre-recorded choirs’ are not included in the allowed maximum people during the stage performances. This means that you can use as many background singers as you want for this purpose (as long as their voices to the song only are pre-recorded).
• Are there any language rules for the songs?
The singer/artist is free to sing in any language(s), and the song writing team is also allowed to upload the same song in different languages versions. However, if your song is selected to take part, it is SVT that decides which language version that will be used.
SVT has decided that approximately ten (10) of the selected songs will be performed in Swedish.
• Are there any extra rules for the stage performances?
Firstly, all music will be pre-recorded and not performed by a live orchestra, and all the singing must be performed ”live”. However, SVT still have expanded rules regarding the stage performances, which means that it is allowed to use pre-recorded choirs* in the songs and/or having one (1) live instrument on stage.
Please note that the EBU does not accept these extra rules* (at least the live instrument rule), and if it contains any of these additional elements, except for the manditory pre-recorded music, the song must be re-arranged for Eurovision 2022.
Notes
* To date (August 2021), it is not known whether EBU will continue to allow pre-recorded choirs in the Eurovision Song Contest. An exception was made in the 2021 contest and EBU evaluates the issue for next year’s competition.
• What else is important to know regarding the rules?
As mentioned earlier, we recommend everyone who wants to send in songs to Melodifestivalen 2022 to carefully read through the entire regulations – especially the sections regarding copyright and other conditions. You should also know that it is SVT who is the owner to the rules, which means that they have the rights to adjust and/or re-written the rules, as well as they are allowed to disqualify songs, artists, lyricists, composers, and others, who in a conscious or unconscious way breaks the rules.
