2003 - 01 Iceland

Iceland! Yay! Iceland 2003 was just a beautiful time in the world.

The Actual Icelandic National Final (called Söngvakeppnin or Song Contest) took place on 02/15/2003 and was comprised of 15 Songs. In the Actual National Final, the winner was decided by a single round of Televoting, which Segðu Mér Allt sung by Birgitta Haukdal, won by a mile (With over twice the amount of votes as the 2nd Place Song). Birgitta quickly secured her spot as the ideal Icelandic Eurovision Diva. She decided to sing her song as "Open Your Heart" at Eurovision and because a HUGE fan favorite. Many believe that if she didn't have the bad luck of performing first in a field of 26, she very well might have top 5ed. 

Anywho, the Icelandic NF this year had more than a few good to great songs, although "Segðu Mér Allt " has always been my winner. 


Anywho, of course i used  a different method to select my winner. First, I divided the 15 Songs into 3 Semi Finals. In each SF, I listened to all 5 Songs and awarded "Televotes" to select my 2 Finalists. After the 3 Semi Finals, I listened to the 9 Non - Qualifying Songs and Selected 2 Wild Cards. 



Semi Final 01 -
Number - Title (Translation) - Televote - Place
01 - Hvar Sem Ég Enda (Wherever I End Up) - 1 739 Votes - 5th
02 - Ferrari - 5 274 Votes - 1st

03 - Þú (You) - 3 617 Votes - 3rd

04 - Sögur (Stories) - 2 068 Votes - 4th
05 - Í Nótt (Tonight) - 3 499 Votes - 2nd

Semi Final 02 -
01 - Með Þér (With You) - 1 340 Votes - 4th
02 - Engu Þurfum Að Tapa (We Have Nothing To Lose) - 4 468 Votes - 2nd
03 - Euróvísa (Eurovisia) - 1 945 Votes - 3rd
04 - Segðu Mér Allt (Tell Me Everything) -  6 817 Votes - 1st
05 - Ást Á Skítugum Skóm (Love In Dirty Shoes) - 792 Votes - 5th

Semi Final 03 -
01 - Sá Þig (Saw You) - 2 695 Votes - 2nd
02 - Mig Dreymdi Lítinn Draum (I Had A Little Dream) -  1 458 Votes - 4th
03 - Tangó (Tango) - 4 002 Votes - 1st
04 - Allt (Everything) - 2 392 Votes - 3rd
05 - Þú Og Ég (Er Ég Anda) [You And I (As I Breath)] - 1 007 Votes - 5th

Final -

In the Final, I chose my winner in 2 Rounds of Voting. In the First Round, I listened to all 8 Songs 4 times. After each listen, I awarded each song between 01 and 10 Points. The top 4 Songs advanced to the Second Round, where I awarded "Televotes" to chose my Winner.

Round 01 -
Number - Title (Translation) - Vote 01 - Vote 02 - Vote 03 - Vote 04 - Total - Place
01 - Tangó (Tango) - 06 - 06 - 06 - 08 - 26 Points - 6th 
02 - Þú (You) - 05 - 07 - 05 - 06 - 23 Points -  7th
03 - Ferrari - 07 - 10 - 08 - 08 - 33 Points -  3rd

04 - Engu Þurfum Að Tapa (We Have Nothing To Lose) - 08 - 09 - 10 - 09 - 36 Points - 2nd

05 - Í Nótt (Tonight) - 06 - 08 - 07 - 08 - 29 Points - 5th

06 - Sögur (Stories) - 04 - 05 - 05 - 06 - 20 Points - 8th

07 - Segðu Mér Allt (Tell Me Everything) - 10 - 09 - 10 - 10 - 39 Points - 1st

08 - Sá Þig (Saw You) - 07 - 08 - 07 - 08 - 30 Points - 4th

Round 02 - 

Number - Title (Translation) - Televote - Place

01 - Ferarri - 10 594 Votes - 2nd

02 - Engu Þurfum Að Tapa (We Have Nothing To Lose) - 5 041 Votes - 3rd

03 - Segðu Mér Allt (Tell Me Everything) -  21 964 Votes - 1st

04 - Sá Þig (Saw You) - 3 853 Votes - 4th


Iceland did an absolutely brilliant job of translating  "Segðu Mér Allt" into english....and because the English version is of much better quality, I am proud to announce my First Song of Eurovision 2003 - 


Open Your Heart - Birgitta

Here, you can download all my finalists of the Icelandic National Final of 2003

Iceland 2003 

Comments -
Birgitta has always been my winner, since the moment I heard her. When I first heard the songs, my top 4 were "Segðu Mér Allt", "Þú". "Í Nótt" and "Ferrari"...but over time, "Þú" has fallen WAAAAY out of favor with me. I'm a bit surprised that "Sá Þig" has knocked "Í Nótt" out of my top 4, but so it goes. I was all ready and set to have "Engu Þurfum Að Tapa" get 2nd, but I just can't help myself..."Ferarri" is better. It's just so mellow, smooth and catchy.

Something to get everyone jazzed about Eurovision 2003

So here's a little taste of what's to come. "Genom Eld Och Vatten" is by faaaaaaaaaaaaar my absolute Favorite song of Melodifestivalen 2003, and is quite simply one of the best Melodifestivalen entries ever. Anywho, I've spent a lot of time listening, loving, dancing and singing to it, and over time, i've created my own English version.  Here it is - (Comments would be treasured) -

Song -

Swedish Lyrics with English Translation -

Jag har inte silver och inte guld

I have not silver and not gold

Inget du kan få

Nothing you can get

Det jag äger ligger blottat för din syn

What I own is exposed to your sight

Mina händer är tomma men hjärtat fullt

My hands are empty, but a heart full

Av nåt du inte ser

Of something you do not see

Så jag har nånting som är mera värt ändå

So I have something that is worth more anyway

För om du tappar modet och faller ner på knä

Because if you become discouraged and fall down on my knees

Kan du vila här hos mig

Can you sleep with me

Som en klippa i stormen att luta dig mot

As a rock in the storm to lean on

Och jag sviker aldrig dig

And I never betray you

Jag ska följa dig genom eld och Vatten

I will follow you through fire and water

Över land och hav

Over land and sea

Jag ska älska dig tills hjärtat slutar slå

I will love you until the heart stops beating

Från det högsta berg till den djupaste av dalar ska jag gå

From the highest mountain to the deepest of valleys, I will go

Genom tid och rum ja alla mina dagar ska du få

Through time and space so all my days you get

Och när vindarna leker på vidderna, dansar jag med dig

And when the winds play on the plains, I dance with you

Om solen bränner svalkar jag din hud

If the sun burns my cool skin

För om du tappar modet och faller ner på knä

Because if you become discouraged and fall down on my knees

Kan du vila här hos mig

Can you sleep with me

Som en klippa i stormen att luta dig mot

As a rock in the storm to lean on

Och jag sviker aldrig dig

And I never betray you

Jag ska följa dig genom eld och Vatten

I will follow you through fire and water

Över land och hav

Over land and sea

Jag ska älska dig tills hjärtat slutar slå

I will love you until the heart stops beating

Från det högsta berg till den djupaste av dalar ska jag gå

From the highest mountain to the deepest of valleys, I will go

Genom tid och rum ja alla mina dagar ska du få

Through time and space so all my days you get

Jag ska följa dig genom eld och vatten

I will follow you through fire and water

Över land och hav

Over and land and sea

Genom tid och rum ja alla mina dagar ska du få

Through time and space all my days you get

Genom tid och rum ja alla mina dagar ska du få

Through time and space all my days you get

My Song - 

Oh, I don’t have silver, I don’t have gold

Your love I cannot buy

But I’ll be your treasure if you will be my guide

Oh, my hands are bare, but my heart is full

It’s all to do with you

So I have nothing but a heart to give to you

And when you lose heart, wanna turn around and run

I will keep you safe with me

Like a ship at sea, You can always count on me

However lost you may be

And I’ll follow you through fire and water

Over land and sea

I will love you til my heart beats it’s last beat

From the highest mount to the deepest sea, wherever you may roam

Just look to me and my heart will always guide you home

And though winds may blow and storms may come, I’ll always dance for you

And when you get hot, my love will cool your skin

And when you lose heart, wanna turn around and run

I will keep you safe with me

Like a ship at sea, You can always count on me

However lost you may be

And I’ll follow you through fire and water

Over land and sea

I will love you til my heart beats it’s last beat

From the highest mount to the deepest sea, wherever you may roam

Just look to me and my heart will always guide you home

And I’ll follow you through fire and water

Over land and sea

Just look to me and my heart will always guide you home

Just look to me and my heart will always guide you home

Eurovision 2003

Eurovision 2003.

This is where my Eurovision journey all began. I'll never forget that day in early November of 2003, when (Lord knows how), i stumbled across something about Eurovision. Curious, I visited a few sites. I thought it sounded interesting, so I downloaded the Eurovision 2003 songs....and fell head over heels in love. I listened to the 26 obsessively and scoured the Internet about it. I found out that there was something called the National Finals Song Contest, which was contest between songs that had competed to take part in Eurovision 2003 for various nations and failed to make it. I remember downloading the 24 songs that reached the Final of NFSC, thinking "What can this hurt?"...little did i know it would introduce me to a whole new world of amazing music. Over the course of the Month, i downloaded each and every song that took part in any National Final of that year. I was introduced to Melodifestivalen, Dora,  Operación Triunfo, Melodi Grand Prix, A Song For Europe, Eurolaual and just oh so many other Eurovision National Selections that i've come to obsesses over and follow year after year. I mean, it's hard to believe that 9 years ago, i had absolutely no clue what Melodifestivalen was! I joined esctoday.com's forum and found other Eurovision fanatics, who just couldn't wait to discuss every minute detail of ESC 2003.


And what a great year to start of with! Honestly, i've listened to the 26 Songs from Eurovision 2003 the most by leaps and bounds. I mean, i've been listening to them for 9 Years! And i can honestly say, there simply isn't a bad song in the bunch. I mean, i have a special place in my heart for each and every one. I remember when Croatia and Israel were in my top 5! I mean i bought Lior Narkis' album! I remember when I hated Sweden, thought that Portugal was completely boring and couldn't give two shits about the United Kingdom....Man how things have changed. I specifically remember a moment when I thought that every song got exactly the spot it deserved...but it was just a moment.  I love going back and re - listening to the songs from ESC 2003 just to see how much my taste in music has grown and changed and matured. Portugal was the first ballad I learned to appreciate and Austria was the first completely ridiculous song i bopped along to (This took time of course). It's also interesting that over the years, even though my tastes have grown and matured and changed, my top Two and my bottom Three have always remained the same.

Eurovision 2003 was a pretty interesting and important year. For the First Time, Turkey won (Becoming the very First Song to ever secure a Victory performing 4th), and Sertab is credited with ushering the "Ethnic Revolution". Prior to Turkey's Victory, "Ethnic" songs tended to do poorly at Eurovision, with Pop songs and Ballads faring much better. Turkey got the top spot in the closest top 3 Points wise to this day (Turkey got 1st with 167 Points, Belgium got 2nd With 165 Points and Russia  got 3rd With 164 Points). "Everyway That I Can" went on to sweep the European Music charts by storm, cracking the top 10 in 5 Nations (Belgium, The Netherlands, Greece, Spain and Sweden). This was pretty awesome because it was the biggest Eurovision Winning hit since the United Kingdom in 1997, and proved that a Eurovision song could be a popular hit....and thus many nations began to actually put an effort into their Eurovision entries.

The biggest surprise of the Contest was Belgium's 2nd place. "Sanomi" was sung in a completely imaginary Langauge and before the contest, was barely even thought about (In the Pre - Contest Fan voting, it only got 19th).

Russia was a big favorite to win, mainly because of it's entrants. To represent Russia, t.A.T.u., fresh off their international hit of "All The Things She Said", was selected. The duo quickly became the bookie's favorite and was almost universally booed by the Eurovision community. They were also the subject of a great deal of controversy before the contest. They threatened to perform naked and kiss on stage. Then, during rehearsals, Yulia refused to sing, claiming she had a sore throat. However, the evening of the show, they both performed without any drama.

Other notable facts were that the home team, Latvia, despite being a pre contest favorite to do well, maybe even win, only placed 24th. The United Kingdom placed dead last with the dreaded "Nul Points". The Brits were quick to call foul, claiming that all the other nations specifically did not vote for them due to the United Kingdom sending Military troops into Afganistan with the U.S.A.

The big pre - contest favorite was Spain, who was almost universally declared to have the best Song and would absolutley win in a perfect and just world (It won the Pre Contest Voting with 1 352 Points, a full 302 points above the 2nd place song, Turkey). However, because it's Eurovision, of course it disappointed. It managed to get a respectable tied 8th place (With iceland). Eurovision Fans blamed it on a vocally "Lackluster" performance, but that's just them trying to find an explanation. In truth, her performance was absolutely flawless and one of the absolute best of the evening.

For me, my top Two songs have always been Turkey ("Everyway That I Can") and Spain ("Dime").  At first, it was a struggle to chose between them...but after a couple months, I decided Spain was clearly better and haven't looked back since. 

And so, over the next few weeks, i'll be posting about Eurovision 2003. I'll post my National Finals, comments, thoughts and such, culminating in my Final Ranking of Eurovision 2003.


I hope you enjoy reading/listening/commenting as much as I enjoy taking a walk back to my First Eurovision...which is also one of the Best Eurovisions ever.


Enjoy :)

Hey All!

Hey everyone! I know that my blog has been somewhat absent...but honestly since ESC 2011 is over, i feel like i needed a break. This post is just to let you know to check back soon, because i've decided to blog about some past ESCs, starting with ESC 2003! I've got 4 posts almost ready, just putting the finishing touches on them, but i didn't want you to think i was purposely depriving the world of my thoughts! :)

Get ready, cause Grant's take on ESC 2003 is about to begin!

My Top 16 Songs of Eurovision 2011 - Short Version

Ok...so here's the short version. The Long version has points, comments, how i came to this results, bitching,  celebration, more bitching, thoughts and such. I'm working on that...it'll be posted soon. But in the meantime, here are the results -

16 - Denmark - New Tomorrow - A Friend In London
15 - Israel - Ding Dong - Dana International
14 - Estonia - Rockefeller Street - Getter Jaani
13 -  Germany - Taken By A Stranger - Lena Meyer - Landrut
12 - Switzerland - In Love For A While - Anna Rossinelli
11 - Russia - Get You - Alexey Vorobyov
10 - Azerbaijan - Running Scarred - Ell And Nikki
09 - Serbia - Caroban - Nina
08 - The United Kingdom - I Can - Blue
07 - Austria - The Secret Is Love - Nadine Beiler
06 - Sweden - Popular - Eric Saade
05 - Ireland - Lipstick - Jedward
04 - Hungary - What About My Dreams - Kati Wolf
03 - Croatia - Celebrate - Daria Kinzer
02 - Slovenia - No One - Maha Keuc
01 - Norway - Haba Haba - Stella Mwangi