Eurovision – Iceland

After watching the ballads below and reviewing discussion boards, I feel like Iceland is a strong competitor but not quite strong enough to pull a win. As I mentioned before, there is nothing particularly innovative or memorable about her song and performance of it. Her young age is impressive, but I don’t think that will be enough to beat out other countries that have more expressive performers (like the UK), have more interesting songs sonically (Malta), or songs that are more indexical of a national culture (France). My prediction is that she will finish top 10-15. We’ll find out soon!

Someone on a blog joked that this years ESC is ridden with ballads (hence, “Balladvision”). Here are some links to the other ballad competitors: 

     

interesting thread on the BBC ESC Message BoardIn this thread, writers on the BBC message board try to discuss what would make a good song for the ESC. The suggestions people had include: uptempo/uplifting song, memorable hooks/catchy melodies, innovation (”one that is a big surprise”), and emotional connection (whether happy or sad). Interestingly, the last poster said that the song doesn’t matter, that the competition is rigged and is highly political. As someone who has never witnessed the contest or its atmosphere in first person, I wonder how many people have the same sentiments about the results being rigged, and if that feeling differs from country to country. Are some countries sore losers and accuse the contest of cheating? Or are any of these sentiments found? Also interesting, nobody mentioned the use of things that are particular to a country- someone mentioned innovation but no one said anything about indexing any aspect of a nation’s culture. Is the ESC then mostly just about voting for the best pop song? Or is it about voting for the nation that does the best at choosing someone who celebrates its sprit through song? In terms of Yohanna’s song, it is not very upbeat or uplifting, but the melody is catchy. It is an emotional song, but as the commentary on Iceland’s page on the BBC Messageboard states, there is nothing particularly unique about her song. All agree that it is well done, but as one user said, all the adjectives used to describe her song are quite bland. Nothing really stands out about her- she is stereotypically pretty, her song is pretty, her stage presence isn’t lacking, but none of these things are really memorable in a way that would distinguish her from the rest of the songs.  Another page on the BBC messageboard is about the number of ballads in this years ESC. Other countries mentioned are Denmark, Hungary, Malta, France, and UK. One user speculates the large number of ballad entries has to do with the last two ESC winners (Finland, Serbia, Russia). These remarks were made in February, before the finalists were announced. The last post guessed that Iceland would make it in the top 15, and Yohanna did. As I was browsing other threads, I found that Iceland was mentioned as a top contender a few times- never was it mentioned as a winner, but a number of times, I saw users put Iceland on their top 10 list. I don’t think Iceland will win, but it’s a solid entry and should do relatively well (top 5-10). 

You say you really know meYou’re not afraid to show meWhat is in your eyesSo tell me ’bout the rumoursAre they only rumours?Are they only lies?Falling out of a perfect dreamComing out of the blueIs it true? (Is it true?)Is it over?Did I throw it away?Was it you? (Was it you?)Did you tell meYou would never leave me this way?If you really knew meYou couldn’t do this to meYou would be my friendIf one of us is lyingThere’s no use in tryingNo need to pretendFalling out of a perfect dreamComing out of the blueIs it true? (Is it true?)Is it over?Did I throw it away?Was it you? (Was it you?)Did you tell meYou would never leave me this way?Is it true? (Is it true?)Is it over?Did I throw it away?Was it you? (Was it you?)Did you tell meYou would never leave me this way?(Is it real?)(Did I dream it?)Will I wake from this pain?Is it true? (Is it true?)Is it over?Baby, did I throw it away?Ooh… is it true?

interesting! Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir is the real name of Iceland’s entry this year, but she changed her artist name to just “Yohanna” so that more people (namely English speakers) could pronounce and read it. Also, on YouTube, the comments on her videos always mention how she was born in Denmark (though she was raised in Iceland, and I believe her parents are from Iceland originally). This seems to be a controversial issue: what is nationality and does it have to be the birthplace? Does it depend on the nationality of the parents (that seems to be a defending comment used against those who think it is unfair that she was born elsewhere)? 

As I mentioned in the previous post, the 2009 entry is Yohanna. Her full name is Johanna Guorun Jonsdottir. She was born in Denmark, but her family moved to Iceland when she was two. She attended a music school for children, and won various singing competitions. She released her first album when she was just ten years old, with a second following just a few years later. She released a third as well, which was a collection of Christmas songs. She took a few years off and returned in 2008 with the release of her fourth album “Butterflies and Elvis”. On this album, she collaborated with a British songwriter named Lee Horrocks. This year, she has been chosen as Iceland’s nominee for the ESC.  The song that one Yohanna the title as Iceland’s nominee is “Is it True?”. It was written by Oskar Pall Sveinsson, Chris Neil, Tinatin Japaridze, and is sung in English. The lyrics are about the singer asking her ex if the relationship is really over, and asking who is to blame. The feel of the song is a typical pop ballad. Here is a link to her performance:  

        

Iceland made its debut in the ESC (Eurovision Song Competition) in 1986. It has never won the contest, though it did receive second place in 1999 (Sweden won). Last year, Iceland made it to the final round, and ended up placing 14th overall. In the past, Iceland has been in last place two times- in 1989, and 2001. Their nominee has been Sigriour Beinteinsdottir three times (1900, 1992, 1994), Selma Bjornsdottir twice (1999, 2005), and Elrikur Hauksson (1986, and 2007). Here is a youtube link to a compilation of past Iceland entreesHere is a link to this year’s representative on the official Eurovision website. Her name is Yohanna, and she’s just 18 years old.

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