Melodifestivalen winner Linnea Deb is aiming to inspire other women after winning the competition for the fourth time. 

Deb is the first female songwriter to win four editions of Melfest having been involved in the songwriting process for Marcus & Martinus’ entry Unforgettable. 

Click to read this story at a glance…

• Linnea Deb, the first female songwriter to win four editions of Melodifestivalen, aims to inspire more women to enter the music industry
• Deb’s involvement in Eurovision extends beyond Sweden, as she becomes only the second woman to write songs for five different countries
• With a record-breaking fourth victory in Melfest, Deb surpasses Ingela “Pling” Forsman

Speaking exclusively to The Euro Trip, Deb said: “It was an achievement that was almost unreachable.

“I’m the first woman ever to have four wins in Melodifestivalen. I feel so honoured. I hope I can inspire other women to come into the music scene as writers.” 

Deb first won Meflest as a songwriter in 2013 when she, her then husband Joy Deb and Joakim Harestad Haukaas wrote You by Robin Stjernberg. 

Further wins came in 2015 and 2021 when she wrote Heroes by Måns Zerlmerlöw and Voices by Tusse. 

Deb’s fourth victory put her one victory clear of Ingela “Pling” Forsman with whom she shared the record until this year. Fordman won Melfest in 1985 and then back-to-back in 1995 and 1996. 

Asked directly if it was important to her that she inspires other female songwriters, Deb said: “Of course. It’s a big thing for me. 

“I have two daughters. Women in general need more time in all aspects of music and life.” 

This year, Deb also became only the second woman – after Sharon Vaughn – to have written Eurovision songs for five different countries at Eurovision thanks to her involvement in the revamp of Malta’s song, Loop. 

Kevin Lee – one of the songwriters of Loop – asked Deb for advice when he was revamping Sarah Bonnici’s song, and she put forward Joy for the job. 

“I was in the studio with Joy and we were playing around with hooks, trying to elevate the chorus of it. I came up with some stuff and that’s how I became a songwriter too. 

“All the songwriters liked what we did, so Sarah came to Stockholm, had a session, we recorded her [vocals] and here we are.” 

As well as Sweden and Malta, Deb has been credited on Eurovision songs for Finland, Denmark and San Marino.