Eurovision 2008 - Denmark

All night long
Simon Mathew

Music: Jacob Launbjerg, Svend Gudiksen, Nis Bogvad
Lyrics: Jacob Launbjerg, Svend Gudiksen, Nis Bogvad


History (1956 to 2007):

Denmark's previous appearances: 36 year(s) out of 52
Years participated: 1957-1966; 1978-1993; 1995; 1997; 1999-2002; 2004-
Best result: 1st (1963, 2000)

With a 37 year gap between its wins in 1963 and 2000, Denmark holds the record for the longest period between successive Eurovision victories. Austria will manage to take the record if it ever wins again, though the prospects of that happening are fairly remote now that broadcaster ORF has withdrawn from the Contest all together.

Since televoting, Denmark has seen highs and lows. The country missed the 1998 contest due to relegation, but did better than it deserved with the painful 'This time I mean it' in 1999, which finished 8th. In 2000, Denmark strolled to a surprising victory with the Olsen Brothers' 'Fly on the wings of love'. As usual, the single was a hit everywhere apart from the UK, though ironically, XTM's dance cover was a UK smash in 2003 - purists might not have liked it, but it was a great example of a cover version managing to do something completely different to the original. Denmark almost won again in 2001, with the enjoyable 'Never ever let you go', but it was down to earth with a bump in 2002 when Malene and 'Tell me who you are' finished last. Needless to say, Malta - always good at spotting an underdog - was among the few countries who gave it any points at all. To be fair, the song wasn't too bad, but Malene gave a tuneless, uncomfortable performance, proving just how much this can matter on the night. After that there was little for Denmark to cheer about - having had to miss 2003 through relegation, the country competed in the Semi Final in 2004, where Tomas Thordarson - widely regarded as having one of the year's better songs in 'Shame on you' - could only finish 13th, missing out on a place in the Contest proper.

With Denmark having to take part in the Semi Final in 2005, few people had high expectations for Jacob Sveistrup and his song 'Talking to you', with the bookies initially rating his chances of victory as 66-1, while voters in the Soult.com Eurovision Poll 2005 placed it 35th out of 39 songs. However, Denmark pulled off one of the year's surprises, a strong vocal performance from Jacob propelling his song to 3rd place in the Semi Final, and 10th in the Final - just enough to secure direct qualification to the 2006 Final.

In 2006 Denmark was represented by Sidsel Ben Semmane, and in 2007 by a drag queen called DQ.


This year's entry:





My prediction & opinion:


This year Denmark is sending a pop-folk song, the clothing of the singer is old-fashioned and the song is boring.

My prediction for the Semi Final: 14th to 16th
My prediction for the Final: Will not qualify