The Swedish participating broadcaster, Sveriges Television (SVT), selected its entry through Melodifestivalen 1983.

"Främling" was the first entry ever to get maximum points from all of the eleven juries, prompting the presenter to say before the final votes were announced: "Det här är inte alls spännande!"

It was performed by the 17-year-old –and then unknown– Carola Häggkvist, who quickly went on to be one of Sweden's most popular singers.

The final, held in Munich, attracted an estimate of 5,6 million viewers (about 70% of Sweden's population back then).

Carola was drawn #4 in a field of 20 and was considered a big favourite for the title.