It’s our final Nordic country today – seems a little strange to say that when we haven’t reached the top 10 yet, it normally has at least a couple of Scandinavian countries in it. But I am sure the country that’s come out as the top Nordic won’t mind that, after all, they are the only northern European country not to win Eurovision yet – Iceland. Like several countries, they have previous contestant returning, though in Iceland’s case, she’s coming back solo, after being one half of a duet in 2012. Will she improve on her placing this year?
Iceland haven’t been in Eurovision as long as you might think, only entering in the mid-1980s. Yet you get the feeling that they are overdue a win now with all their Nordic relatives having won multiple times each. Can Greta do it? Certainly this seems more likely to hit the upper placings in a final since they surprisingly (but deservingly) were runners up in 2009. They’ve had a decent qualification record, qualifying every year between 2008 and 2014 before slumping badly last year. One imagines we’ll be seeing them in the final this year again though.
The official video is taken from the Icelandic national final and as you’ll see, slickly produced, all very dramatic etc. However, there is a sneaking suspicion that this is trying to win this year’s contests with last year’s song and concept, albeit it’s well done, but no longer original or having the “wow” factor. That approach of mirroring the successful concept of the previous year tends not to work, or doesn’t bring the win at least. Greta is a talented musician and experienced performer, and will no doubt put on a good show, but I just got the feeling when seeing her at the London party, there just feels something missing from this that would push it on to the very top positions.
Live at London Eurovision Preview Party (bonus live playing of violin at start):
Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest:
First entered: 1986
Appearances (excluding this year): 28
Best result: 2nd in 1999 and 2009
Last year’s result: 15th in semi-final (did not qualify)
Good song but can’t see it troubling the top of the score board. It does make me laugh when countries look at the previous winner and copy either the style of song or staging.