The first semi-final of Melodifestivalen was held at the Scandinavium in Gothenburg on 9 February 2008. Eight songs in total competed, seven songs which had been submitted to SVT, along with one of the four wildcards.

The two songs that progressed automatically to the final were "Thank You" by Amy Diamond, the wildcard, and "I Love Europe" by Christer Sjögren. The two songs that passed to the Andra Chansen round were "Line of Fire" by E-Type & The Poodles and "Visst finns mirakel" by Suzzie Tapper.

* Andreas Johnson - We Can Work It Out

* Anna Bergendahl - This Is My Life

* Darin - You´re Out of My Life

* Eric Saade - Manboy

* Ola - Unstoppable

* Peter Jöback -Hallow

* Salem Al Fakir - Keep On Walking

* Timoteij - Kom

1. Ulrik Munther – "Soldiers"

2. Top Cats – "Baby Doll"

3. Sonja Aldén – "I din himmel"

4. Andreas Lundstedt – "Aldrig aldrig"

5. Timoteij – "Stormande hav"

6. David Lindgren – "Shout It Out"

7. Mimi Oh – "Det går för långsamt"

8. Thomas Di Leva – "Ge aldrig upp"