Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest

Norway has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 59 times since making its debut in 1960 and has only been absent twice since then. In 1970, the country boycotted the contest over disagreements about the voting structure, and in 2002, they were relegated. The contest is broadcast in Norway by NRK, which also broadcasts Norway's national selection competition, Melodi Grand Prix.

Norway
Member stationNRK
National selection events
National final
Internal selection
  • 1991
Participation summary
Appearances59 (56 finals)
Host1986, 1996, 2010
First appearance1960
Highest placement1st: 1985, 1995, 2009
Nul points1963, 1978, 1981, 1997
External links
NRK page
Norway's page at Eurovision.tv
For the most recent participation see
Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022

Before 1985, Norway's best result in the contest was Åse Kleveland's third-place in 1966. Norway's three victories in the contest were achieved by Bobbysocks in 1985, Secret Garden in 1995 and Alexander Rybak in 2009. Norway also finished second at the 1996 contest, with former Bobbysocks member Elisabeth Andreassen. Norway has finished last in eleven Eurovision finals, of which four times with "nul points". In 2019, Norway became the third televote-winning country to not win the contest (the previous ones being Italy in 2015 and Russia in 2016). Norway has a total of eleven top-five results in the contest, the latest being Margaret Berger's fourth-place in 2013.

History

Norway's first entrant in the contest was Nora Brockstedt in 1960, who finished fourth with the song "Voi Voi"; Brockstedt would return the next year with "Sommer i Palma", this time placing seventh. Åse Kleveland then finished third in 1966 with "Intet er nytt under solen", following which Norway would fail to reach the top ten in fourteen out of their next fifteen attempts, with the exception being Bendik Singers’ seventh place finish in 1973. Before 1985, Norway had only received a top-ten score in six out of twenty-four attempts, and had finished last the same number of times.

Bobbysocks gave the country its first victory in 1985, with the song "La det swinge". Norway went on to achieve two more top five results over the next ten years, with Karoline Krüger in 1988 and Silje Vige in 1993, who both finished fifth.

Norway's second victory came in 1995 with Secret Garden's mainly instrumental Celtic-influenced ethno-piece "Nocturne". In 1996, Elisabeth Andreassen, who had won the contest as one half of Bobbysocks, returned to the contest as a solo artist, finishing in second place. In 2003, Jostein Hasselgård came fourth.

Norway won for the third time in 2009, with Alexander Rybak's hugely successful song "Fairytale". The song’s score of 387 points was the highest ever winning total under the 1975-2015 voting system, and also achieved the biggest ever margin of victory: 492 points in total were distributed between the competing countries in 2009, meaning "Fairytale" received 78.7% of the points that could be rewarded. Rybak later returned to the contest in 2018, performing "That's How You Write a Song"; he received the highest number of votes of the second semi-final, but ultimately placed fifteenth. He remains the only Norwegian entrant to have won a semi-final, as well as the only two-time semi-final winner in the history of the contest.

In 2012, Norway finished last in the final for the eleventh time. Norway has the dubious distinction of finishing last in the Eurovision final more than any other country, and along with Austria, has received "nul points" (zero points) in the contest on four occasions; in 1963, 1978, 1981 and 1997.

Since the introduction of the semi-final round in 2004, Norway has finished in the top ten seven times. Wig Wam finished ninth with "In My Dreams" in 2005, Maria Haukaas Storeng was fifth in 2008 with "Hold On Be Strong", Alexander Rybak won in 2009, Margaret Berger was fourth in 2013 with "I Feed You My Love", Carl Espen finished eighth in 2014 performing "Silent Storm", Mørland & Debrah Scarlett finished eighth in 2015 with "A Monster Like Me", Jowst and Aleksander Walmann finished tenth with "Grab the Moment" in 2017, and Keiino finished sixth in 2019 with "Spirit in the Sky", placing first with the televote. In total, Norway has eleven top-five and twenty-four top-ten finishes in the contest.

Participation overview
Table key
1
 Winner
2
 Second place
3
 Third place
◁
 Last place
X
 Entry selected but did not compete
†
 Upcoming
Year Entrant Song Language Final Points Semi Points
1960
 Nora Brockstedt "Voi Voi" Norwegian[lower-alpha 1] 4 11 No semi-finals
1961
 Nora Brockstedt "Sommer i Palma" Norwegian 7 10
1962
 Inger Jacobsen "Kom sol, kom regn" Norwegian 10 2
1963
 Anita Thallaug "Solhverv" Norwegian 13 ◁ 0
1964
 Arne Bendiksen "Spiral" Norwegian 8 6
1965
 Kirsti Sparboe "Karusell" Norwegian 13 1
1966
 Åse Kleveland "Intet er nytt under solen" Norwegian 3 15
1967
 Kirsti Sparboe "Dukkemann" Norwegian 14 2
1968
 Odd Børre "Stress" Norwegian 13 2
1969
 Kirsti Sparboe "Oj, oj, oj, så glad jeg skal bli" Norwegian 16 ◁ 1
1971
 Hanne Krogh "Lykken er" Norwegian 17 65
1972
 Grethe Kausland and Benny Borg "Småting" Norwegian 14 73
1973
 Bendik Singers "It's Just a Game" English, French[lower-alpha 2] 7 89
1974
 Anne-Karine Strøm and Bendik Singers "The First Day of Love" English 14 ◁ 3
1975
 Ellen Nikolaysen "Touch My Life (with Summer)" English 18 11
1976
 Anne-Karine Strøm "Mata Hari" English 18 ◁ 7
1977
 Anita Skorgan "Casanova" Norwegian 14 18
1978
 Jahn Teigen "Mil etter mil" Norwegian 20 ◁ 0
1979
 Anita Skorgan "Oliver" Norwegian 11 57
1980
 Sverre Kjelsberg and Mattis Hætta "Sámiid ædnan" Norwegian[lower-alpha 3] 16 15
1981
 Finn Kalvik "Aldri i livet" Norwegian 20 ◁ 0
1982
 Jahn Teigen and Anita Skorgan "Adieu" Norwegian 12 40
1983
 Jahn Teigen "Do Re Mi" Norwegian 9 53
1984
 Dollie de Luxe "Lenge leve livet" Norwegian 17 29
1985
 Bobbysocks! "La det swinge" Norwegian[lower-alpha 4] 1 123
1986
 Ketil Stokkan "Romeo" Norwegian 12 44
1987
 Kate Gulbrandsen "Mitt liv" Norwegian 9 65
1988
 Karoline Krüger "For vår jord" Norwegian 5 88
1989
 Britt Synnøve Johansen "Venners nærhet" Norwegian 17 30
1990
 Ketil Stokkan "Brandenburger Tor" Norwegian 21 ◁ 8
1991
 Just 4 Fun "Mrs. Thompson" Norwegian 17 14
1992
 Merethe Trøan "Visjoner" Norwegian 18 23
1993
 Silje Vige "Alle mine tankar" Norwegian 5 120 Kvalifikacija za Millstreet
1994
 Elisabeth Andreasson and Jan Werner Danielsen "Duett" Norwegian 6 76 No semi-finals
1995
 Secret Garden "Nocturne" Norwegian 1 148
1996
 Elisabeth Andreassen "I evighet" Norwegian 2 114 Host country[lower-alpha 5]
1997
 Tor Endresen "San Francisco" Norwegian 24 ◁ 0 No semi-finals
1998
 Lars A. Fredriksen "Alltid sommer" Norwegian 8 79[lower-alpha 6]
1999
 Stig Van Eijk "Living My Life Without You" English 14 35
2000
 Charmed "My Heart Goes Boom" English 11 57
2001
 Haldor Lægreid "On My Own" English 22 ◁ 3
2003
 Jostein Hasselgård "I'm Not Afraid to Move On" English 4 123
2004
 Knut Anders Sørum "High" English 24 ◁ 3 Top 11 previous year[lower-alpha 7]
2005
 Wig Wam "In My Dreams" English 9 125 6 164
2006
 Christine Guldbrandsen "Alvedansen" Norwegian 14 36 Top 11 previous year[lower-alpha 7]
2007
 Guri Schanke "Ven a bailar conmigo" English[lower-alpha 8] Failed to qualify 18 48
2008
 Maria "Hold On Be Strong" English 5 182 4 106
2009
 Alexander Rybak "Fairytale" English 1 387 1 201
2010
 Didrik Solli-Tangen "My Heart Is Yours" English 20 35 Host country[lower-alpha 5]
2011
 Stella Mwangi "Haba Haba" English, Swahili Failed to qualify 17 30
2012
 Tooji "Stay" English 26 ◁ 7 10 45
2013
 Margaret Berger "I Feed You My Love" English 4 191 3 120
2014
 Carl Espen "Silent Storm" English 8 88 6 77
2015
 Mørland and Debrah Scarlett "A Monster Like Me" English 8 102 4 123
2016
 Agnete "Icebreaker" English Failed to qualify 13 63
2017
 Jowst "Grab the Moment" English 10 158 5 189
2018
 Alexander Rybak "That's How You Write a Song" English 15 144 1 266
2019
 Keiino "Spirit in the Sky" English[lower-alpha 9] 6 331 7 210
2020
 Ulrikke "Attention" English Contest cancelled[lower-alpha 10] X
2021
 Tix "Fallen Angel" English 18 75 10 115
2022
 Subwoolfer "Give That Wolf a Banana" English Upcoming †

Hostings
Year Location Venue Presenters
1986 Bergen Grieghallen Åse Kleveland
1996 Oslo Oslo Spektrum Ingvild Bryn and Morten Harket
2010 Oslo Telenor Arena Nadia Hasnaoui, Haddy N'jie and Erik Solbakken

Songs of Europe
Year Location Venue Presenters
1981 Mysen Momarken Rolf Kirkvaag and Titten Tei

Awards

Marcel Bezençon Awards
Further information: Marcel Bezençon Awards
Year Category Song Composer(s)
lyrics (l) / music (m)		 Performer Final Points Host city Ref.
2009 Press Award "Fairytale" Alexander Rybak (m & l) Alexander Rybak 1 387 Moscow
[1]
2015 Composer Award "A Monster Like Me" Kjetil Mørland (m & l) Mørland & Debrah Scarlett 8 102 Vienna
[2]

Winner by OGAE members
Further information: OGAE
Year Song Performer Place Points Host city Ref.
2009 "Fairytale" Alexander Rybak 1 387 Moscow
[3]

Conductors
Year Conductor[lower-alpha 11] Musical Director Notes Ref.
1960 Øivind Bergh N/A [4]
1961
1962
1963
1964 Karsten Andersen
1965 Øivind Bergh
1966
1967
1968
1969
1971 Arne Bendiksen [lower-alpha 12] [5]
1972 Carsten Klouman
1973
1974 Frode Thingnæs
1975 Carsten Klouman
1976 Frode Thingnæs [lower-alpha 13]
1977 Carsten Klouman
1978
1979 Sigurd Jansen [lower-alpha 14]
1980 [6]
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985 Terje Fjærn
1986 Egil Monn-Iversen [lower-alpha 15]
1987 Terje Fjærn N/A
1988 Arild Stav [lower-alpha 16]
1989 Pete Knutsen
1990
1991
1992 Rolf Løvland
1993
1994 Pete Knutsen
1995 Geir Langslet
1996 Frode Thingnæs
1997 Geir Langslet N/A
1998

Additionally, there was an orchestra present at the 1999 national final, conducted by Geir Langslet (the winning song, however, was presented without orchestral accompaniment) and at the 2015 national final, conducted by Anders Eljas.

Heads of delegation
Year Head of delegation Ref.
1998–2005 Jon Ola Sand
[7]
2006–2009, 2012–2015 Stian Malme
[8]
2010–2011 Skjalg Solstad
[8]
2016–present Stig Karlsen
[8]

Supervisors

List of supervisors of Melodi Grand Prix, better known as MGP-general or GP-general in Norway:

Year Head of delegation Ref.
c. 2007–2012 Per Sundnes
[9]
2013–2015 Vivi Stenberg
[10]
2016–2017 Jan Fredrik Karlsen
[11]
2018–present Stig Karlsen
[11]

Commentators and spokespersons
Year Commentator Spokesperson Ref.
1960 Erik DiesenKari Borg Mannsåker
1961 Leif RustadMette Janson
1962 Odd GrytheKari Borg Mannsåker
1963 Øivind JohnsenRoald Øyen
1964 Odd GrytheSverre Christophersen
1965 Erik Diesen
1966 Sverre ChristophersenErik Diesen
1967 Erik DiesenSverre Christophersen
1968 Roald Øyen
1969 Sverre ChristophersenJanka Polanyi
1970 No commentatorDid not participate
1971 Sverre ChristophersenNo spokesperson
1972 Roald Øyen
1973 John Andreassen
1974 Sverre Christophersen
1975
1976 Jo Vestly
1977 John Andreassen
1978 Bjørn ScheeleEgil Teige
1979 Egil TeigeSverre Christophersen
1980 Knut AunbuRoald Øyen
1981 Sverre Christophersen
1982 Bjørn ScheeleErik Diesen
1983 Ivar Dyrhaug
1984 Roald ØyenEgil Teige
1985 Veslemøy KjendsliErik Diesen
1986 Knut BjørnsenNina Matheson
1987 John Andreassen and Tor PaulsenSverre Christophersen
1988 John AndreassenAndreas Diesen
1989 Sverre Christophersen
1990 Leif Erik Forberg
1991 John Andreassen and Jahn Teigen
1992 John Andreassen
1993 Leif Erik Forberg
1994 Jostein Pedersen
1995 Annette Groth
1996 Jostein PedersenRagnhild Sælthun Fjørtoft
1997
1998
1999
2000 Marit Åslein
2001 Roald Øyen
2002 Did not participate
2003 Roald Øyen
2004 Ingvild Helljesen
2005
2006
2007 Per SundnesSynnøve Svabø
2008 Per Sundnes and Hanne HoftunStian Barsnes-Simonsen
2009 Synnøve Svabø
[12]
2010 Olav Viksmo-SlettanAnne Rimmen
[13]
2011 Nadia Hasnaoui
[13]
2012
[13][14]
2013 Tooji
[13][15]
2014 Margrethe Røed
[13][16]
2015
[13][17]
2016 Elisabeth Andreassen
[13][18]
2017 Marcus & Martinus
[13][19]
2018 Aleksander Walmann and Jowst
[13][20]
2019 Alexander Rybak
[13][21]
2020 Marte StokstadNot announced before cancellation
[22]
2021 Marte StokstadSilje Skjemstad Cruz
[23]

See also

Notes and references

Notes
  1. The title and line "Voi Voi" is in Northern Sami.
  2. Also contains some lyrics in Spanish, Italian, Dutch, German, Irish, Hebrew, Serbo-Croatian, Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian.
  3. Although the song was performed mostly in Norwegian (and with joik), the title and line "Sámiid ædnan" is in Northern Sami.
  4. Contained words in English in the reprise.
  5. If a country had won the previous year, they did not have to compete in the semi-finals the following year.
  6. Spain originally gave its 12 points to Israel and 10 to Norway. After the broadcast it was announced that Spanish broadcaster wrongly tallied the votes and Germany should have got the top mark – 12 points – instead of being snubbed, as it happened. The mistake was corrected and so Germany was placed 7th over Norway. Israel and Norway both received 2 points less than originally and Croatia, Malta, Portugal, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium, Estonia and Turkey all received one point less than indicated during the broadcast.
  7. According to the then-Eurovision rules, the top ten non-Big Four countries from the previous year along with the Big Four automatically qualified for the Grand Final without having to compete in semi-finals. For example, if Germany and France placed inside the top ten, the 11th and 12th spots were advanced to next year's Grand Final along with all countries ranked in the top ten.
  8. Although the song was mostly performed in English, the title and line "Ven a bailar conmigo" is in Spanish.
  9. Although the song was performed mostly in English (and with joik), the line "Čajet dan čuovgga" is in Northern Sami.
  10. The 2020 contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  11. All conductors are of Norwegian nationality unless otherwise noted.
  12. Conducted by Egil Monn-Iversen at the national finals.
  13. Conducted by Helge Hurum at the national final.
  14. Conducted by Egil Monn-Iversen at the national finals.
  15. Also conducted the Danish entry. Fred Nøddelund conducted at the national final.
  16. The song was performed without orchestral accompaniment at the national final.

References
  1. Klier, Marcus (18 May 2009). "The Eurovision 2009 Marcel Bezençon Awards". esctoday.com. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  2. "Winners of the Marcel Bezençon Awards 2015". eurovision.tv. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  3. Cobb, Ryan (21 April 2017). "Analysing ten years of OGAE voting: "Underneath the fan favourite bias is a worthwhile indicator"". escxtra.com. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  4. Roxburgh, Gordon (2012). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Vol. One: The 1950s and 1960s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. pp. 93–101. ISBN 978-1-84583-065-6.
  5. Roxburgh, Gordon (2014). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Vol. Two: The 1970s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. pp. 142–168. ISBN 978-1-84583-093-9.
  6. Roxburgh, Gordon (2016). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Vol. Three: The 1980s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84583-118-9.
  7. "Executive Supervisor". eurovision.tv. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  8. "Se hele finalen her". 3 April 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  9. GP-general Per Sundnes slutter i NRK
  10. – Skulle veldig gjerne hatt en seier i beltet før jeg gir meg
  11. Gir seg som MGP-general
  12. Norli, Kristin (18 May 2009). "Klagerekord mot Svabø" [Complaint record against Svabø]. Aftenposten (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  13. Granger, Anthony (20 February 2020). "Norway: Olav Viksmo-Slettan Steps Down as Commentator After Ten Contests". Eurovoix. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  14. Hondal, Victor (26 May 2012). "EBU announces voting order". ESCToday. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  15. Granger, Anthony (12 May 2013). "Malmo'13: All The Spokespersons Announced". Eurovoix. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  16. Granger, Anthony (10 May 2014). "ESC'14: Voting Order Announced". Eurovoix. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  17. Doyle, Daniel (23 May 2015). "Vienna Calling: Spokespersons revealed". ESCToday. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  18. Granger, Anthony (14 May 2016). "ESC'16: 42 Spokespersons Revealed For Tonight". Eurovoix. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  19. Granger, Anthony (9 May 2017). "Norway: Marcus & Martinus Announcing The Jury Points". Eurovoix. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  20. Granger, Anthony (9 May 2018). "Norway: JOWST & Aleksander Walmann To Reveal Norwegian Jury Points". Eurovoix. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  21. Herbert, Emily (13 May 2019). "Norway: Alexander Rybak Revealed as Eurovision 2019 Spokesperson". Eurovoix. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  22. Sand, Camilla (17 April 2020). "Marte Stokstad blir ny kommentator for Eurovision Song Contest" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  23. Hagen, Knut-Øyvind (17 April 2020). "Slik blir årets alternative Eurovision Song Contest". NRK (in Norwegian).
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