Reykjavík Grapevine - 18.05.2012, Page 29

The two semi-fnals will take place on May 22 and 24. The GRAND FINAL is on
May 26. We will be watching along WITH EVERYONE ELSE!
Music | Eurovision
From the beginning of Icelandic Eu-
rovision times (1986), Icelanders
have been from 75% to 100% sure
that the nation will win the song
contest. This happens every year,
so we have been disappointed on a
yearly basis.
It goes like this: First the quality of the
Icelandic song is trumpeted to high
heavens. It is without a doubt the best
song of the contest. The Icelandic me-
dia tells tales of some foreign betting
offices placing our song at the very top.
We also get news of legions of foreign
Eurovision freaks claiming our song is
their favourite. When the harsh reality
dawns on us after the contest we find
a way to explain away our loss. For in-
stance: It's all cliquishness—the Eastern
countries only vote for each other! Or:
Our song was too good/modern for
those stupid European countries that
are years behind us in pop quality evo-
lution!
This cycle of hope/disappointment
was especially strong the first time we
competed in the contest with Magnús
Eiríksson’s “Bank of Fun,” performed by
the shiny Icy Trio. Before the contest,
the nation thought it had basically al-
ready won the contest and that it would
only be a formality to go and collect the
prize. When we came in at 16 (out of 20
nations), we were furious. The winner
that year was Sandra Kim, a 14-year-
old singer from Belgium. Her young age
was obviously the only reason she won.
We would have to top that novelty: “We
should send two pregnant women next
time to get the attention we need,” one
guy from the Icelandic Eurovision Com-
mittee remarked.
In 1986 we were also very angry
at the other Scandinavian countries.
There we were, doing this stupid song
contest for the first time, and they only
gave us three points in total! And we
gave them lots of points! Silly Sweden
even got 12 points from us!
Our biggest fear isn’t losing though;
it is winning. The nation's economy
would collapse if we had to host the
show. Where would we stage it? At
Harpa? At the giant airplane hangar in
Keilir?

It is this mix of hope, fear and disap-
pointment that makes Eurovision so
thrilling for us. The streets are totally
empty during the contest. In 1999 we
almost won when Selma sang “All Out
of Luck.” She was beat at the last min-
ute by some Swedish hag; I was so
worked up that I almost knocked my-
self out by banging my head against the
wall.
This year we send Greta Salóme, an
elegant newcomer, accompanied by
Jónsi (not of Sigur Rós), who compet-
ed in 2004. She sings “Never Forget,”
which she wrote and composed. The
chances of winning are sky high and
God might even have a hand in it, if we
win. As Greta said in an interview, she
thanks God for winning the Icelandic
pre-contest. So with God on our side,
I'd say it's 100% sure that Iceland wins
this time! We better prepare Harpa or
the hangar for 2013.
Still, I wouldn't be surprised if silly
Sweden wins with that super catchy
“Euphoria” song.
Just like last time, and the time before that…
Words
Dr Gunni
Photographs
Press
ICELANd WILL dEFINITELY
WIN EUROVISION THIS TIME!
EUROVISION PREdICTIONS

1. Sweden: I have long been a sucker
for cheesy, anthemic trance music.
Harkens back to my raving days,
dancing under the stars in the New
Zealand wilderness.

2. Russia: Um, need I explain? Danc-
ing Grandmas with bad teeth. Any-
thing that makes me laugh out loud
goes at least in the top ten.

3. Netherlands: A song with instru-
ments and fully clothed, non-gyrating
women playing them, something dif-
ferent indeed!

And finally, my prediction for Iceland
in this year’s Eurovision... I am think-
ing, just, you know, without much real
insight or knowledge, that Iceland will
get tenth place. Just because, that’s
why.
- Bergrún Anna Hallsteinsdóttir

As Eurovision is mostly about futile,
vapid political gestures of solidar-
ity and friendship between nations
whose diplomatic relations need bol-
stering for one reason or another, I
feel I can safely say that the winner
will be the result of a collection of
sympathy votes.
Greece and Ireland have both suf-
fered tremendous financial woes of
late, mostly due to corruption and in-
competency running rampant in their
respective governments. Yet, they
have managed to maintain a rather
‘victimized’ image, while Iceland’s
troubles have painted an image of its
people as being greedy, short-sighted
and unwilling to shoulder blame. For
these reasons, I feel that Greece and/
or Ireland will place in the top three.
Russia is a likely contender for the top
three as well, with its combination of
political power, nuclear weapons, and
the novelty of picking a group of old
Otyak women yelling over a house
beat for this year’s number.
Meanwhile Iceland, having once
again picked a tepid and forgettable
turd of a song even by Eurovision’s
standards, and having failed to make
any real friends on Europe’s political
stage, will, as usual, trail somewhere
in the 15-25 range.
- Sindri Eldon
29
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 6 — 2012
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