Photo: Emil Nylander/Warner, Source: Aftonbladet

SVT is treating us this year with the premier of Musikkalendern (Music Calendar). In typical advent calendar fashion, a different artist gives a personal greeting and in-studio performance each day of December until Christmas. The best of the best in indie, pop, rap, and rock, and classic vocals join together in an attempt to bring a little light during dark times. For this week’s musikblogg, we’ll scratch the surface of Musikkalendern and then look at the first song in the series.

Swedes Love Advent Calendars

It’s December so jul (Christmas) is in full-swing in Sweden. When it comes to Christmasey underhållning (entertainment), Julkalender is the first thing that comes to mind. Translating to “Christmas Calendar,” this beloved annual television tradition kicked off on Dec. 1. For more on Julkalendar, see the blog I wrote in December of 2019 here. This year’s series is called Mirakel (Miracle). One short episode will air each day on SVT and can also be streamed via SVTplay. Start watching now or you’ll fall behind!

SVT’s Musikkalendern

SVT’s has given its viewers an extra guldklimp (golden nugget) of Holiday magic. Musikkalendern also debuted Dec. 1. The first three episodes are from pop-wonder Darin, indie geniuses Amason, and super songstress Sanna Nielsen. Here’s the program description in Swedish:

Under 24 av årets mörkaste dagar sprider vi varje dag hopp tillsammans med några av Sveriges mest populära och spännande artister. I ett intimt och exklusivt musikaliskt möte får du uppleva låtar som betyder något för just den artisten och några personliga ord som ger kraft på vägen i den utmanande tid vi lever i just nu.

The goal of the Musikkalender is to spread a little joy to the at home audience with an “exklusivt musikaliskt möte” (exclusive musical meeting). Each artist opens the program with words of encouragement, thanks to frontline workers, and messages of hope. Expect original songs, as well as some Christmas classics, sung by artists spanning several genres. Here is a list of all 24 artists below courtesy of musikindustrin.se:

Amason, Arvingarna , Tomas Andersson Wij, Anna Bergendahl

Darin, Sarah Dawn Finer, Sabina Ddumba

Guleed, Hurula, Silvana Imam med Marzena 

Janice, Sofia Jannok, Peter Jöback

Klara Keller, Samuel Ljungblahd

Petra Marklund, My Marianne (Molly Sandén) & Jonathan Johansson

Sanna Nielsen, Daniela Rathana

The Mamas, Tove Styrke

Zacke med Yarlie, Zikai, Måns Zelmerlöw

Darin är först! Darin is first!

Photo: SVT, “Darin, Musikkalender”

The first artist bakom luckan (behind the advent window) is songwriter and pop artist Darin. Singing an original love song “En säng av rosor” (A Bed of Roses). We will use his performance as some listening practice. First, watch the video WITHOUT subtitles (turn on and off by clicking on the word bubble button) and fill-in the blanks of the song. Next, watch it again WITH text to correct your work.

Titta! / Watch!

Glaset är halvtomt ____ nu
______ om du varit här
Dagarna går men vill aldrig ta slut
Önskar jag var där du ____
Gatorna ekar av dig
Minnen som _____finns där
Allting jag ser är en film om oss två
Har fastnat ___ vår lilla värld

Jag ska göra en säng av rosor
Jag ska tända varenda ljus
Jag ska spela den musiken
som du alltid _____ sjunga x2

Jag ska göra en säng av rosor
Jag ska göra en säng av rosor
Jag ska göra en säng av rosor till dig

🙋🏻🙋🏾‍♂️Who is going to watch musikkalender along with me?! Which performance are you looking forward to? Tell me below in the comments!