Eurovision Legends Part 2: Magnus Carlsson

Magnus Carlsson has never been to Eurovision, but can certainly be classed as a eurovision legend. His many attempts to represent his country Sweden has resulted in a growing collection of international fans and admirers of his work.

Magnus grew up in Fristad, outside Boras. He attended comprehensive upper secondary school for 2 years with a focus on musical training, and four further years on the music univerity in Gothenburg where he studied to be a music and song/voise teacher .

Carlsson has been a singer with a two swedish bands; Barbados, a member of International pop-disco band Alcazar and a solo singer.

In 2000 Carlsson debuted in Melodifestivalen together with Barbados with the song Se Mig (show me). Carlsson and his bandmates almost went to Stockholm, but were pipped at the post by the outrageous native swede Roger Pontare with 'When spirits are calling my name'. Se Mig available below:



The next year Barbados tried again with 'Allt Som Jag Ser' (the power of love). They once again finished in second place while Friends (with lead singers Nina Och Kim) got the vote to Copenhagen. Allt som jag ser available below:



Finally in March 2002, Magnus and Barbados decided to have one final go at Melodifestivalen. The song Varlden Utanfor (The World Outside) was highly thought of and a favourite with bookmakers, but failed with a dissapointing 4th position. It, however remains one of the best songs of any national final of 2002. Sweden decided to send Afrodite with 'Never Let It Go'. Varlden Utanfor is available below:




In Winter 2002, Carlsson decided to leave Barbados, and December 13, 2002, Carlsson was announced as an official member of the group Alcazar. This brought the trio to a quartet. Alcazar were already receiving strong success abroad. On January 24, 2003 he performed his last concert with Barbados. Barbados did continue, and in March 2003, reached the Melodifestivalen Final with the song 'Bye Bye'. The song finished last place and has to this date been the last we have seen of Barbados at MF.

Alcazar twice took part in MF following the arrival of the high profile Carlsson. In 2003, Alcazar performed 'Not A Sinner Nor A Saint' finishing 3rd. The song became an instant hit, and won the fan-based National Finals Song Contest with some ease. The song itself went gold in Sweden and was Alcazar's first swedish no.1



In 2005, Alcazar tried one final time, after first refusing the proposed entry 'Alcastar'. The song again was a huge success, and Alcazar recieved their second no.1. The song itself finished 3rd at MF behind Nanne and Martin Stenmark.



Following 2005, Magnus decided enough was enough of band-life, and decided to go solo. This resulted in the deforming of Alcazar.

In February 2006, Magnus was a contestant in the MF final, after automatically qualifying with the song Lev Livet! (love life). Unfortunately the song did not win, and Carola marched onto Athens to record a Swedish 5th place.



This year Magnus performed in the third heat of Melodifestivalen 2007 with Live Forever, an eighties inspired electropop dance song. However, it came in 5th place and was knocked out of the contest, not even qualifying for the MF final. The song was released as a single and currently Magnus stands at position 7 in the Swedish music charts, falling one place on last week. A chart which represents the MF final of 2007.



Will Magnus return to MF in 2008? Or has he now decided to call time on MF and concentrate on his solo career. One thing can certainly be said; he has given us some euro-classics!

Thanks for the memories Magnus....

Tack!




Information courtesy of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus_Carlsson & http://www.magnusonline.se/