Siw Malmkvist's journey with the Eurovision Song Contest is filled with successes and odd twists due to the selection processes of the time. Here is a brief overview of her participation, focusing on the song "Augustin" and her later performances.
1959: Victory with "Augustin" in Melodifestivalen
In 1959, Siw Malmkvist won the Swedish selection, then called *Säg det med musik: Stora Schlagertävlingen* (retroactively Melodifestivalen 1959), with the song "Augustin", composed by Harry Sandin with lyrics by Åke Gerhard. The lively schlager song about a charming but impatient suitor won by a landslide with 105 points. Despite the victory, Sveriges Radio (SR) decided that Brita Borg would represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest in Cannes, as Malmkvist, 22 years old, was considered too inexperienced. On 11 March 1959, Borg performed "Augustin" and received 4 points (3 from the Netherlands, 1 from Denmark), giving Sweden a joint 9th place out of 11 countries. In Sweden, "Augustin" became a big hit, reaching fourth place on the *Show-Business* sales chart and selling over 60,000 copies, marking Malmkvist's breakthrough.
1960: Eurovision with "All others get each other"
The following year, Malmkvist was chosen internally by SR to represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest in London with "Alla andra får varann", despite not having won the national selection. The song, written by Ulf Kjellqvist and Åke Gerhard, was performed by Inger Berggren and Östen Warnerbring in the Melodifestivalen and won. In London on 29 March 1960, Malmkvist's performance received 4 points (1 from the Netherlands, 1 from Italy, 2 from France), giving Sweden a 10th place out of 13 countries. Malmkvist herself was not particularly fond of the song, but the performance strengthened her international profile.
1961: Another Melodifestivalen victory, but no Eurovision
In 1961, Malmkvist won the Melodifestivalen again with "April, April" together with Gunnar Wiklund. However, SR again chose another artist, Lill-Babs, to represent Sweden in Cannes. This pattern, where the winner of the national final did not always get to go to Eurovision, was common during Sweden's early years in the contest and frustrated Malmkvist, although she continued her successful career.
1969: Represents Germany with "Primaballerina"
In 1969, Malmkvist competed for West Germany with the song "Primaballerina", becoming the first artist to represent two different countries in Eurovision. The dramatic song about the charm of a ballerina won the German selection. In Madrid on 29 March 1969, "Primaballerina" placed 9th out of 16 entries with 8 points (3 from Yugoslavia, 2 from Spain, 1 each from Belgium, Norway and France). Interestingly, she shared the position with Sweden's entry, "Judy, min vän" by Tommy Körberg. Malmkvist's success in Germany built on her already established popularity there with hits such as "Liebeskummer lohnt sich nicht".
Siw Malmkvist's Eurovision history is marked by the unpredictable selection processes of the time, where national victories did not guarantee a place in the contest. Although she did not perform "Augustin" at Cannes, the song became a milestone in her career. Her performances in 1960 and 1969 demonstrated her versatility and international appeal.
She returned to Melodifestivalen in 1988 with "Det är kärlek" (eliminated in the first round) and in 2004 with "C'est la vie" together with Towa Carson and Ann-Louise Hanson (10th place in the final). In 1996, she hosted Melodifestivalen, and in 2020 she was inducted into the Melodifestivalen Hall of Fame for her contributions, including the victories with "Augustin" and "April, April".
Malmkvist's Eurovision journey is a story of talent and perseverance, navigating a complex system and building a successful career in Sweden and Germany. Her performances, especially "Augustin", are beloved milestones in Swedish music history.