The Norwegian second chance contest was beforehand seen as an open battle between six equally strong songs. Four songs are now left on to fight their own battle in making it on the charts without the chance to represent Norway in Belgrade.
The band Ole Ivars is for the first time taking part in the Norwegian selection though they have more than 40 years of experience in the music industry and has received 14 gold and platinum records in Norway and Sweden in relation to their 42 albums. They are still in the run to replace Guri as the Norwegian contestant at the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest after being won of two winners of the second chance contest.
They will be followed to the final by the three country-girls Cathrine, Aina and Renate. They call themselves Tinkerbells and have existed as a band since 2006. Aina has previous experience from Norwegian finals as choir singer and she is married to songwriter Svein Gundersen. It is his 7th song in a Norwegian selection. Jan Groth, who has written the lyrics, has represented his country before. He was a part of the group Just 4 Fun who was chosen as Norway’s representative in 1991 with the song Mrs. Thompson.
Below you can see the video of the two winners. Tinkerbells’ Hold On was performed in the first Norwegian pre selection show and Ole Ivars’ Som i himmelen is from the third show.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ueTrn2AGGVs
http://youtube.com/watch?v=MUi6F2jkAM4
Links
NRK’s website about Melodi Grand Prix
In my view
Personally I think it is interesting that a dansband and a country song beats favourites like Podium and internationally known Lene Alexandra. Although Sillycone Valley would have made a great Euroclub hit, sometimes "ok boobs" are just not enough…
The opinion expressed in "In my view" are those of the author and are not necessarily the one of EuroVisionary.com.
