SVT, the Swedish national broadcaster, have revealed the first inductee of the Melodifestivalen Hall of Fame, ahead of heat one, on Saturday 31st January, in Linköping.

Janne Lucas (Persson)’s hit silver medal from 1980 is a Swedish evergreen. Songwriters Lasse Holm and Gert Lengstrand really get the full signal in this poppy piano boogie that has had us screaming “Växeln hallå hallå” for 46 years. So of course Janne’s telephone trauma is included in the Melodifestivalen Hall of Fame. Janne Lucas had the following to say:

“It feels of course very fun and honourable, and came completely unexpectedly. It’s extra nice because the song is still alive, we still play it when we’re out and about and the audience always wants to hear it. You don’t get tired of it, which is a bit strange after so many years. The fact that it is now being recognised in this way is really cool.”

Christer Björkman, honorary Chairman of the Hall of Fame committee, had the following to say:

“For those of us who have been around since 1980, this song is forever etched in the collective memory. If you wake us up in the middle of the night, we still know the chorus by heart, like a mantra. The fact that it has been passed down to new generations shows how irresistible and indelible it is, and that is exactly why it has an obvious place in the Hall of Fame.”

As part of the Hall of Fame presentation, Maja Ivarsson, Admira & Elecktra will perform “Växeln hallå”, with a 2026 twist. Maja Ivarsson had the following to say:

“It was a no-brainer when SVT contacted me and asked if I wanted to do the first interlude in Melodifestivalen 2026 – with my own interpretation of “Växeln hallå”. Of course I wanted to put my own stamp on the song, but at the same time retain what makes it a real classic. Also, getting to do the number together with Elecktra and Admira makes it extra fun, and hopefully we can create a new old banger together.”

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Author: Richard Taylor

Source: SVT & YouTube/Magnus Wennberg