Karin Gunnarsson, the Executive Producer of Melodifestivalen, had to pair Loreen up with the song Tattoo after receiving a demo of the track in 2022.
Tattoo was the winning song in both Melodifestivalen and Eurovision in 2023, but it took the initial thought of Gunnarsson to Loreen involved with the song.
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- Karin Gunnarsson, Executive Producer of Melodifestivalen, recognised the potential of Tattoo as a perfect fit for Loreen and personally ensured she received the song
- Loreen convincingly won both Melodifestivalen and Eurovision, affirming Gunnarsson’s initial thought
- Gunnarsson commemorated Loreen’s victory with a tattoo of a crystal ball before Eurovision, demonstrating her confidence in the song’s success
Speaking exclusively to The Euro Trip, Gunnarsson said: “I heard the song and all I could think about was, ‘This is such a Loreen song’.”
Tattoo was written initially by Peter Boström, Cazzi Opeia, Thomas G:son, Jimmy Jansson and Jimmy Joker. The group sent a demo to Gunnarsson and the Melodifestivalen team.
“The songwriters and I had a conversation going, and I know Loreen, but not that well. It was someone else who played it to her.
“If the song existed, then I had a feeling that she would not be able to say no. She’s such a creator, artist and incredible person.
“For me it was hand in glove, and I hoped she would feel the same.
“When she heard it she just felt that it was her song.”
Loreen won Melodifestivalen convincingly with the song in mid-March last year, and was a firm favourite to win Eurovision two months afterwards.
Despite Sweden facing stiff competition from Käärijä from Finland at Eurovision, Gunnarsson gambled on getting a tattoo to celebrate Loreen’s win before heading to Liverpool with the Swedish delegation.
“I have a tattoo. I did this two weeks before Liverpool.
“I thought to myself, ‘This is going to happen’, but I didn’t want to jinx it. I did it and I didn’t tell anyone. All the time in Liverpool I always wore long sleeves.
“At breakfast on Sunday – the day after the Grand Final – I had short sleeves on and I went over to Thomas G:son and I showed him. I had told him if we win, I’d get the crystal ball tattoo.”
G:son reacted positively to seeing the tattoo of a crystal ball, but questioned how she’d had time to get the tattoo so soon after Loreen’s win the night before in the Grand Final.
“He was so happy that I hadn’t told anyone.
“If we hadn’t won, it would have still been a great story. I wouldn’t have regretted it.”
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