I kind of have a fascination with demos. I definitely don't have as big a collection of them as many people, but I am always up for hearing the demo version of a song I know and like (though if the demo is revealed first, I may hold off on listening to that until after I've heard the final version)--I think it ties in with that whole music dorky side of me that's fascinated by all the behind-the-scenes things that go on in the creation of a track (my interest in recycled tracks links into that as well). The demo may be a considerable step back from the final version or it may be an improvement, but either way it's kind of interesting to hear either a track in development or what might have been. Given that we're in the middle of Melodifestivalen season, then, I thought I'd share something that manages to combine both interests.A Miracle--this schlager track would enter the 2005 Melodifestivalen in Swedish, with the title "Att Älska Dig," where it was performed by Shirley Clamp, who ended up taking fourth in the final. Had she won, though, presumably this is the set of lyrics we would have heard her singing in Kiev. This version, though, is a demo sung by Shirley's friend Sonja Aldén, who was one of the song's co-writers. Sonja would eventually make it to Melodifestivalen as a solo star in her own right, first with "Etymon" in 2006 and then more successfully with "För att du finns" in 2007.
I don't believe Sonja Aldén's version of this song is purchasable anywhere, but you can buy Sonja's album Till dig here (physical), here (digital), or from any country's iTunes store. Shirley Clamp's album Lever mina drömmer, which contains the Swedish version of this track, can be purchased here (physical), here (digital), or from any country's iTunes store. Speaking of demos, Sonja's version of Carola's song "Invincible" is also out there on the Internet, if you're interested in it.
While we're on the topic of people who competed in Melodifestivalen 2007, I would like to express my longstanding frustration that there seems to be literally nowhere to buy Måns Zelmerlöw's song "I Can Be Your Friend" except for this mobile phone-linked Swedish digital music store. It was on Swedish iTunes for a bit, one of those "only available if you buy the whole album" songs, but for a while now it's not even been available there anymore. It sounds great (I love the sound of that bridge or verse or whatever it is...and the chorus, too), and there's literally nowhere we can buy it. Record companies! What are you doing? I want to give you my money--let me! Anyway, should you want to listen to a clip of it, you can click on the little speaker icon next to the track's name at this link. It better be on his next album or a b-side or something...
Next up: something else Swedish, I think.
8 comments:
I'm normally a fan of the Swedish versions of schlager, but I think 'A Miracle' is fantastic. This would have been a very strong contender in Kiev, and may have even taken the prize from Greece, performance permitting. I do think Sonja's voice is more suited to ballads, though.
That guy in the bottom pic is like, "Oh, shit, she's having my schlagerbebis!"
Sonja's voice is fine, but somehow she lacks that slightly deranged quality that Shirley brings to everything she does. Sonja does seem to be queen of the demos--when I read a news item about "You and I" being chosen as the Hilary Clinton theme song, the background info stated that before Celine Dion, the song had been demo'ed by a Swedish singer that sounds like Celine. Of course I figured that must have been Sonja...
i come for the insightful commentary about demos (which i absolutely agree with), I stay for the dribble worthy pics of Mans.
Shallow? Me?
thanks for the Sonya track :)
What a schlager-tastic post! Can I be shallow too and dribble at Måns??? :-)
I'm with you, PPG. Demos work better for me after I've heard and like a particular song. It's cool to hear it's (sometimes) humble beginnings. :)
And what's the deal with Apple not allowing folks to purchase songs from other countries' iTunes??! Are they afraid that my $9 or 57 pounds is fraudulent or something? sheesh... Sorry about the rant...
Do you know, I agree on both counts--2005 had some great songs, and I don't think "Att Älska Dig" would have been my first choice, but I would've been glad to see it there, and think you're right about how well it could have done. I'd also second the motion that Sonja's got a great voice for ballads--though a few more ballad-like mid-tempos like "Har Står Jag" on her next album would be very welcome!
D'luv, that will NEVER get old. Still the best word EVER.
Oh really? I never knew that about that Celine song, that it was demoed by a Swedish singer! I know what you mean about the "deranged" thing and Shirley--maybe why Sonja's voice suits ballads so well?
Ha ha, well, it probably had been far too long since there'd been a picture of him on here! I need to find an excuse to post that one of him in makeup again--still the best.
You're welcome! :D No problem.
Of course! ;) That's very welcome here...incidentally, had you all heard he's single again? Well, he might be dating someone now, I have no idea, but he broke up with his long term girlfriend a little while back.
I know! I know it has to do with label licensing and stuff, but the only argument there that I even have the slightest bit of time for is the whole "we're doing a phased release thing and want the artist to be promoting in that country when we release it"--though even that is questionable. Honestly, though, there are some older albums that obviously are never going to be released here, and many newer ones as well--they really should be made available for us to buy.
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