Eurovision 2008 - Norway

Hold on be strong
Maria Haukaas Storeng

Music: Mira Craig
Lyrics: Mira Craig

History (1956 to 2007):

Norway's previous appearances: 4 year(s) out of 52
Years participated: 1960-1969; 1971-2001; 2003-
Best result: 1st (1985, 1995)

Norway is renowned for scoring 'nul points' - under the present voting system, introduced in 1975, it has achieved the feat three times (most recently in 1997), and finished last on a further three occasions. However, victories in 1985 with the dreadful 'La det swinge' and in 1995 with Secret Garden's beautiful 'Nocturne' have helped redress the balance. Certainly, Norway's two winners could hardly be more different - remarkable then that both were written by Rolf Lovland, composer of 'You raise me up' - originally recorded by Secret Garden themselves (with vocals by Brian Kennedy, Ireland's participant in 2006), but perhaps more famously covered by Josh Groban in 2003, and Westlife in 2005.

While neighbours Sweden have generally prospered under televoting, with a run of top ten finishes between 1998 and 2004, Norway's record has been patchy. After a respectable 8th place in 1998, the awful 'Living my life without you' finished an undeservedly high 14th in 1999. 2000 brought a catchy song in 'My heart goes boom', but a relatively disappointing 11th place. In 2001, Haldor performed 'On my own', what I thought was a rather attractive and powerful ballad. However, televoters were evidently distracted by Haldor's grimacing, and it scored just 3 points from Portugal for its efforts, finishing last. Following this poor result, some were wary when Norway came back in 2003 with another male-sung ballad. However, Jostein was cuter and more endearing than Haldor, and 'I'm not afraid to move on' finished a very respectable 4th.

As a result, the Norwegians found themselves directly qualified for the Final in 2004, and were probably confident about sending yet another male with a ballad - unfortunately, however, as far as the televoters were concerned, Knut Anders Sørum had more in common with Haldor than Jostein. Finishing last (again) with just 3 points, the title of Norway's song assumed an amusing irony, Knut's position being anything but 'High'.

Fortunately, 2005 brought better things for Norway, with Wig Wam's rock anthem, 'In my dreams', finishing a promising 6th in the Semi Final, before going on to secure 9th place in the Final. Guaranteed a place in the 2006 Final, hopes were high that Christine Guldbrandsen could gain another top ten placing with the lovely 'Alvedansen'. However, despite a good vocal and visually appealing performance, Christine's song failed to resonate with the voting public, picking up just 36 points in 14th place. Consequently, Norway must once again take part in the Semi Final in 2007.

In 2007 Norway was represented 45-year-old Guri Schanke emerging as the winner. I have a deep aversion to Scandinavians sending Latino-inspired songs to Eurovision - it just seems so very cheap, desperate and inauthentic - so Norway's entry being called 'Ven a bailar conmigo' was never going to be a good start.

This year's entry:





My opinion & prediction:

This year’s entry from Norway it’s a catchy pop-ballad singed by the beautiful Maria Haukaas Storeng. Her face will remind the Romanians, of the latino singer Elena Gheorghe. The song is Jennifer Lopez style, and who says that this song won’t reach the final, has nothing to do with Eurovision.

My prediction for the Semi Final: 4th to 8th
My prediction for the Final: Definite qualifier; 12th to 14th