Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Parting Shots [from Stockholm]



Stockholm is a very colorful city. Certainly with respect to the architecture. But also with the people.

O
n Saturday night, our group ventured out to a club that played throbbing techno dance music in one part. The other part of the club played songs from the Melodifestivalen competition. The winner of this contest represents Sweden in the Eurovision song contest. A surprising number of the songs are sung in English. And everyone was singing along and emoting (oh my) to the songs. Even as they were played for the 4th or 5th time. Of course, the amount of spirits consumed may have had something to do with that. Nonetheless, this is serious stuff. We could only observe for so long before we joined in. Okay, in actuality, TJ dragged us off the techno dance floor and out into the midst of reveling euro pop-tarts.

Most of the songs are eminently danceable. Lyrically, some are good, some are bad, and some are truly awful. I think the word "cheese" might apply. Sample lyrics to one song below:

We can dance all night with the bourgeoisie
Lay your love on me
Take a chance on me, take the liberty
Lay your love on me

The winner is a dramatic diva-esque tune called Hero. Someone (he who shall remain nameless, but has two letters in his name) likes this song. So I have no alternative, but to purchase it on iTunes Sweden. Should anyone else want to hear this fine example of europop at its, er, best, let me know. :)

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