Dave Gee: Life from Right Field

Martin Stenmarck to represent Sweden | eurovision song contest 2005 at esctoday.com

What's happening with the world of music? A shock decision today in the world's greatest pop music nation - Sweden...

The final of the Melodifestival contest was held today (their competition to decide Sweden's entry for this year's Eurovision song contest) - and despite having a bunch of corkers to pick from in the Final 10 songs, they picked a dodgy bloke named Martin Stenmarck singing a dodgy Tom-Jones-lite rock number called Las Vegas.

Second place went to Nanne Grönvall (who represented Sweden a few years ago, and also tried for the UK contest). Her song Håll om mig wasn't the best slice of pop in the world, but wasn't as pants as Martin's track.

Third place went to the real deserved winners, Alcazar with their song Alcastar - maybe a tad self indulgent, but still pure pop genius, and currently Number 1 on the Swedish single charts. Little Shirley Clamp was fourth with Att älska dig (good wee pop song, but last year's effort Min kärlek was better).

The other song which was criminally overlooked was Linda Bengtzing's Alla Flickor, which sounded like a traditional Swedish Eurovision Abba-style pop stormer - a bit like Charlotte Nilsson's winning number from '99 actually.

Meanwhile the UK have chosen Pop Idol reject Javine (with her Turkish-R&B track Touch my Fire), over former glamour model Jordan - now known simply as Katie Price - who performed Not Just Anybody while wearing a tight pink PVC jumpsuit, despite being pregnant.

There's still 69 days until the real contest in Kiev, Ukraine...