CHISINAU, MOLDOVA – Moldovan singer Felicia Dunaf has said she is shocked and sorry for Anna Books’ disqualification from the Swedish national selection Melodifestivalen 2016, after it was revealed the song “Taking Care of a Broken Heart”, recorded by Dunaf in 2014 and written by Swedish songwriters was sent to Melodifestivalen by Brooks.
The song was originally intended for the Moldovan national selection in 2014 but didn’t make the cut. However, the song was published on the website of the Moldovan broadcaster and YouTube, unbeknown to both Brooks or the songwriters who sent the Swedish singer the same entry.
Dunaf said, “I haven’t spoken with Anna Book yet. I’m guessing the songwriters gave her the song as well, although as we know this goes against the rules. All I know is that the singer is well known in her country and that there is a big scandal now because of this incident. I just found out [on Thursday] and I was quite shocked. A lot of journalists from Sweden have reached out to me about it. I am sorry about what happened”.
While Books’ lyrics are different and in Swedish, the same melody is used in both Dunaf’s and Books’ versions. The Swedish singer has received an outpouring of support with the song in question, titled ” Himmel for tva”” in Swedish currently second on the Swedish iTunes charts.
