Stuðlabandið to Malmö!!!

Cha Cha Cha. 

Käärijä’s Finnish stunner didn’t win in Liverpool, some of you may have noticed that.
This video here is a live version (in Finnish!) by the Icelandic Stuðlabandið (google says Stuðla = Factor) and I love how the crowd eats it up.

I’ve been watching the Stuðlaboys for a while as their live performance videos are really impressive. They may be mostly a coverband but I’m amazed by how their crowds go crazy every time.
Their live songs have also been released as audios through your favourite digital sources and there’s a few Eurovision covers among them. 

Cha Cha Cha is their latest digital single.

My absolute favourite is Draumur Um Nínu. The Icelandic entry from 1991 (known as Nina by Stefan & Eyfi). It only ended 15^th in Eurovision but it has become the ultimate "beyond Eurovision classic" in Iceland and the crowd singing along conforms that.
They also did Paper, the 2017 Icelandic entry by Svala Björgvinsdóttir, daughter of Bo. Svala guests on that performance.

Their 2021 Christmas (studio) EP Jóhlahól Stuðlabandsins includes Komdu Om Jólin, a traditional Icelandic Festive staple which is actually a cover of the 1987 Italian Eurovision song Gente Di Mare by Tozzi & Raf.
In 2021 they recorded Euphoria, Loreen’s first Eurovision winner from 2012 and Gleðibankinn, the very first Icelandic Eurovision entry by Icy from 1986.
 

picture from Stuðlabandið facebook

Photo: I have a soft spot for bands in matching outfits :).

Over the past few years they have moved from the dansband style to include more rock’n’glitter. Even covering Rammstein.
Now somebody write them a great original tune and get them to Malmö in 2024.

they have a logo

Links and sources

Stuðlabandið Website, FB, Youtube channel
Cha ChaCha at the Liverpool Collection
Paper at the Kyiv Collection
Euphoria at the Baku Collection
 
Youtube links:
Cha Cha Cha, Paper (with Svala), Draumur Um Nínu, Komdu Om Jólin, Euphoria & Gleðibankinn.

Sjonni's Friends - What's Another Year

This years Icelandic Eurovision singers Sjonni's Friends have recorded a version of the 1980 winner What's Another Year (Johnny Logan for Ireland).
You can download the song here at the Sjonni's Friends website and watch the videoclip.

Their Eurovision song Coming Home was written by the late Sjonni Brink and his wife Þórunn Erna Clausen and will be performed in the Tuesday May 10 semi final.
Update: Til Hamingju Ísland!
Sjonni's Friends made it to the Eurovision final on March 14! After an exiting result-draw the last finalist announced was Iceland. Congratulations guys!

source: Coming Home - Sjonni's Friends website
More about Sjonni's Friends here at the Düsseldorf Collection.
More about Johnny Logans first winner at the Eurocovers post What's Another 30 Years: Here.

Ready Steady Girls

Yours truly is a guest editor at Ready Steady Girls, the website about all the gorgeous sixties girls singers.

With Eurovision round the corner I was invited to select my pick of the pops, six sixties girl tracks with a Eurovision connection. And write a bit about them too.

Please take a look here at Ready Steady Girls and vote for your favorite.

Düsseldorf 2011

For all release info, versions and chart adventures of the 2011 Eurovision stars, please check the Düsseldorf Collection.

Till Hamingju Hera!

I haven't done any Road To Oslo style features this year as all Eurocovering favorites who had their discographies featured at Eurocovers seemed to fail miserably (see Eurocovers, A Jinx?)

But now I'm very happy to congratulate Hera Björk with her victory in Iceland. Her song Je Ne Sais Quoi is the Icelandic entry for Oslo 2010.
Hera Björk was featured in this Eurocovers post in 2007 and a bit in this one in 2009.

Je Ne Sais Quoi is not dissimilar to the mighty Eurobandiđ's This Is My Life but it's probably because both songs share songwriter Örlygur Smári (Öggi).

Hera Björk Þórhallsdóttir entered the Icelandic preselection in 2007 (with Mig Dreymdi) and in 2009 she ended 2nd (behind Believe Again) in the Danish final with Someday.
She also was a backing singer for the Icelandic entries of 2008 (Eurobandið) and 2009 (Yohanna).

Composer Öggi previously co-wrote the Icelandic entries of 2000 (Tell me - Einar & Telma) and 2008.

Hera Björk released two albums: Christmas album Ilmur Af Jólum in 2000 and Hera Björk in 2006. The 2006 album features an Icelandic coverversion of Alvedansen, the Norwegian 2006 entry.
In 2008 and 2009 Hera Björk was a part of Frostrósir.
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Hera Björk MySpace
Hera Björk Website
Örlygur Smári MySpace
Hera Björk at 2010 The Oslo Collection
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For all your Eurovision 2010 needs like release info, details on recorded versions and charts you can check out The Oslo Collection.

Yep, Eurobandið time again, This Is My Life, album out now!!

Eurocovers favorite Eurobandið* have released their debut album and it's a real treat for Eurocovers fans. The Second Best Band In The World (after BWO of course) release their CD This Is My Life with 11 tracks including the Eurovision 2008 entry with the same title.

The album also has a remix of the Icelandic contender, some great Eurocovers and other songs of interest.

Don't leave without me now = Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, Celine Dion's winner from 1988 (for Switzerland).
A ba ni bi - Israels 1978 winner.
Hold me Now - Johnny Logan's second victory for Ireland in 1987
By Your Side = the english version of Regína Ósks Þér við hlið, preselection song from 2006
Fire = Eldur, Fridrik Omárs solo pre-song from 2007
Thinking of you = Fridriks solo song from 2006 Það Sem Verður
Við sigrum að ári! - Making your mind up, Tha' Fizz's winner (U.K. 1981).
In My Dreams is the most interesting cover of all . The Norwegian rockers' Glam hit (9th in the 2005 contest) now is a smoochy love ballad.

Unfortunately, the Icelandic version of This Is My Life is not on the tracklist. So no perfect 10 then.

Excerpts and full tracklist of the album here at Tónlist. And you haven't seen the official video yet, there's a YouTube here, and it's fab.

Eurobandið featured in this and this and this and this Eurocovers post (a lot I know, maybe they'll send some competition giveaway CDs by now), for some sounds go to their MySpace.
* I keep calling them Eurobandið, Euroband sounds so tacky.

Eurovision 2008 - Till Hamingju Eurobandið

Congratulations to Eurobandið for winning last night Icelandic final with This Is My Life. The song, originally Fullkomið líf in Icelandic, can be hear at the bands MySpace. Or download the song Official & Free at Tonlist

The band, with Friðrik Ómar and Regína Ósk has already been featured in these Eurocovers posts.

Eight countries chose their entry last night. You can find out more at the official Eurovision site and many others. Ireland has chosen a turkey named Dustin. No comment, watch here (Youtube).

Svanhildur Jakobsdottir & Nútímabörn

Been doing some browsing and I came across a comprehensive Icelandic record label discography page at Wiki. SG Hljómplötur.
Some great picture sleeves (I borrowed these from there) to be seen and there's some very interesting Eurocovers to be found in Iceland still.

The singer Svanhildur (Jakobsdóttir) recorded (at least) 4 Eurovision covers in the early 70s.
Next to her Eurocovers her other claim to Eurovision fame is that Svanhildur was the spokesperson who announced the Icelandic votes in 1997. And she's Anna Mjoll's mum (see comments)

Svanhildur LP Ég kann mér ekki læti (SG Hjlómplötur SG 050) features:
- Ekkert Svar (Apres toi, Luxembourg 1972)
- Betlað rænt og ruplað (Beg, steal or borrow, U.K. 1972)

And a 7"inch single by Svanhildur from 1971: (SG - hljómplötur SG 559) (top picture)
- Ég skal bíða þín (Un banc , un arbre, une rue, Monaco 1971)
- Þú ert minn súkkulaði-ís (Jack in the box, U.K. 1971)

Another one I found is by a ultra cool looking band called Nútímabörn LP Nútímabörn (SG - hljómplötur SG 023)
- La La La (Spain 1968)

Any help would of course be massively appreciated!!

Eurovision 2008 - Eurocovers from Icelands preselection stars

Iceland are still at it. After 12 weeks of pre- pre- semi semi's there's 12 songs left which will compete in a new series of heats to create a final final. You can hear all songs still in the competition at the RÚV website.

Last year there were some interesting Eurocovers by the Icelandic hopefuls (see this Eurocovers post), this year only two of the artists have recorded Eurovision songs.

This Saturday (19-1) is the first round and the third song, Lullaby To Peace, is performed by Ína Valgerður Pétursdóttir, Seth Sharp og Berglind Ósk Guðgeirsdóttir. Ína Valgerður who has recorded a Eurovision winner. It's Non Ho L'Eta, originally by Gigliola Cinquetti.
Valgerður's version however is a straightforward coverversion of the coverversion by Elly Vilhjálms, Heyr Mína Bæn, who recorded the Icelandic version in 1964. You can find Elly Vilhjálms' version in the Eurocovers post 10.000 coverversions: Non Ho L'Eta. (updated with gorgeous picture sleeve!)

Valgerður's version is from Icelandic Idols but her solo album hasn't substantiated yet. More details here.

The second Eurocovering Icelandic singers are Eurobandið (Friðrik Ómar and Regína Ósk). They have been featured recently at Eurocovers (here). Their song Fullkomið líf is in the third semi heat (02-02).
Their Myspace features a live Eurovision medley and they have recorded an Icelandic version of 1981 winner Making Your Mind Up (Bucks Fizz) titled Við Sigrum Að Ári. (also available for dowload at their MySpace)
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No CD is released yet, but I'm hoping this year will the Eurobandið year! (starting with a few new promo pics??)

And Eurocovers readers may have noticed my personal campaign to promote Dr. Gunni. Well, it worked, and he has one song in the third round. Hvar ertu nú? by Dr. Spock. It won the wildcard round and it's loud!


UPDATE 19-1: - Lullaby To Peace by Ína Valgerður Pétursdóttir, Seth Sharp and Berglind Ósk Guðgeirsdóttir is eliminated.

Eurobandið in the Laugardagslögin 2008

Laugardagslögin being the name for the lenghty selection procedure to select Icelands next Eurovision entry (Belgrade 2008).

They have been featured here before (last August), the Eurobandið, and now they will feature in the 8th preselection round in Iceland.
The Icelanding multi week selection has started early, and they're already in the 8th 3-song preselection round, coming Saturday (21.15 CET)

Eurobandiðs song Fullkomið líf is written by Örlygur Smári (Oggi) who also wrote the 2000 Icelandic entry Tell me (Youtube) and the utterly brilliant Segðu mér from the selection that same year.
It promises to be an interesting round though, as the Eurobandið has to take it up against the Hara Sisters, an Icelandic X-factor act describing themselves as Pussy Punk.
The show can be seen on the net, but it's only three songs in a tedious long show.
Better watch the re-run here (the day after) and skip the bla bla bla. And fingers crossed that Eurobandið will do better than Dr. Gunni who's song Ísinn (sung by Heiða) was kicked out of the competition.
http://ruv.is/Laugardagslogin/ features the songs that have been in the competition so far
Eurobandið MySpace features their Icelandic cover of Making Your Mind Up.

UPDATE
Eurobandið made it! Congratulations! Their song Fullkomið Líf (Perfect life) will now be in the Icelandic national final on February 16th 2008. You can hear the song (and all the others that have been in the selection) here.

There will be many Eurocovers stars in the 2008 Eurovision selection season, even some I can't disclose yet, and they will all be featured here at Eurocovers with their coverversion(s) of Eurovision songs.

Older Eurocovers posts featuring Icelandic artists:
The original Eurobandið article, Elly Vilhjálms, Helena Eyjólfsdóttir, Friðrik Ómar, Hera Björk & Bríet Sunna Valdemarsdóttir, Gunnar Olason,

Eurobandið: Icelandic Party People Make Up Mind

Eurobandið (The Euroband..., sounds more exotic in Icelandic really) are Icelandic popstars Friðrik Ómar and Regína Ósk who got together in 2006 to create a live show with coverversions of Eurovision songs. They played several festivals in Iceland including last weeks Gay Pride and basically guarantee a great party.
The keyboard player in the band is Grétar Örvarsson, who entered Eurovision with Stjórnin in 1990 (Eitt lag enn, 4th) and with Heart 2 Heart in 1992 (Nei Eða Já, 7th), the two best results for Iceland until Selma ended 2nd with All Out Of Luck in 1999. (or: until the free language rule was introduced)

Eurobandið haven't released any CDs yet but at their MySpace you can download a live Eurovision medley and an Icelandic studio version of Bucks Fizz' Making Your Mind Up (Við Sigrum Að Ári). (Use the download function in the MySpace player, it works!)

Friðrik Ómar appeared in the Icelandic national final (Söngvakeppni) of 2006 with Það Sem Verður (3rd) and in 2007 with Eldur (2nd). Regina Ósk sang Þér Við Hlið in the 2006 selection ending 2nd.

In this Eurocovers post you can find Friðrik Ómar's version of the 1994 Eurovision winner Rock 'n' Roll kids. (Ef pú piggur pad)

10.000: # 7 - Non Ho L'eta (Per Amarti) - Gigliola Cinquetti (1964)

Here's the # 7 most covered Eurovision song of all time. A close call between # 8 and # 7 in the top 10 of most covered Eurovision songs.

# 7
- Non Ho L'eta (Per Amarti)
- Gigliola Cinquetti

- 187 versions listed

Eurovision fans know 1964 is the 'Lost Contest'. Until today all footage of the contest seems lost except for a few fragments. Danish TV (the contest was in Copenhagen) destroyed all light entertainment archives in the late 60's because they were branded uncultural and not worth saving. And somehow all the other TV companies have displaced their copies too.

Before the Eurovision victory Gigliola Cinquetti won the San Remo contest with Non Ho L'eta (Per Amarti) (written by Mario Panzeri & Nicola Salerno) together with Patricia Carli. (from 1957 to 1967 all San Remo songs were performed by two artists).

It was the start of a formidable career for Gigliola Cinquetti in Europe but also in South America and Japan. Non Ho L'eta was her breakthrough hit and she returned to Eurovision in 1974 where she finished second (behind ABBA's Waterloo) with Si. In 1991 she had the daunting task to restrain Toto Cutugno, her co-host in the chaotic Eurovision song contest at Cinecitta.
You can find a superb worldwide Gigliola Cinquetti discography at Big Cobra's site.

Too Young To Love?Several local legends recorded the song but the only worldwide superstar I could find is Vera Lynn, Sweetheart of the forces (47 at the time). Her English version was released on a 1964 single. (This Is My Prayer HMV POP 1287, 1964) which has just been issued on CD for the first time on a 2CD 'Vera Lynn - Singles Collection'.

Eurovision stars that have recorded Non Ho L'eta are Sandra Reemer (when she was 14 years old), Karina (at 20), Alice & Ellen Kessler (both 28), Grethe & Jørgen Ingmann (29 & 42), Mrs Einstein (Combined age 300), José Guardiola , Micky and Raquel Rastenni.

伊東ゆかり- 夢見る想い
A word.doc with all versions (Cinquetti's and covers) listed is here. Versions in 20 languages are there including Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Korean.
One of the nine Japanese versions listed is sung by Yukari Ito - 伊東ゆかり who performed in the San Remo contest herself in 1965 with the wonderful L'amore ha i tuoi occhi.
HMV Japan stocks a nice compilation of Yukari Ito's hits including Non Ho L'eta and Dio come ti amo.

Тамара Миансарова - Дай помечтать мне
The Russian version Day pomechtat' mne featured here by Tamara Miansarova started out life as a Flexi-disc with the Krugozor magazine. (San-Remo-64 Krugozor 1964 N2 (12) - Flexi also has Cinquetti's own version. (CD pictured does not include this track)

조애희 -나이도 어린데
A Korean version was recorded by Jo Aehee - 조애희 in the 60's and there's a later re-recording too.
I don't have many details but I do know the first version was on a various artists LP with a title somewhat like this: 이금희,박재란 외 - 오아시스 하이라이트 (or....)

Elly Vilhjálms - Heyr mína bæn

The last version featured is by Ellý Vilhjálms (1935-1995) from Iceland.
Elly Vilhjálms was one of the most popular singers in Iceland in the 60's and 70's and she's still regarded as a national treasure. She earned her pedestal in the Icelandic music history gallery singing Jazz standards, Pop hits and national originals in Icelandic. A recommended CD compilation is Lítill fugl which includes Heyr mina bæn and Það er svo otal margt (A cover of All kinds of everything, Irelands 1970 winner)
The CD is available from various Icelandic CD shops and as a download from http://www.tonlist.is/ (English version is under construction though)

Vilhjálms Icelandic version has been covered at least three times, by Ína Valgerður, Paul Oscars sister Diddú (Sigrún Hjálmtýsdóttir) and by Ragnar Bjarnasson.

LOOKING FOR:
Actually I miss quite a few interesting versions of this song, most notably the one Tsin Ting (Jìng Tíng) 静婷- Aini Aini (Non ho l'eta) - Chinese on EP (Tae 142) from Hong Kong, probably sung in Mandarin.

VII: Year Of The Puppet - Puffin On A String

With the Icelandic selection taking off on Saturday (see post below) , it's time to link back to the days when Iceland were too busy fighting geysers and eating puffins to be a Eurovision Nation.
Yes it's back to 1967 again with The Year Of The Puppet.

The Icelandic version of Puppet On A String was recorded by Helena Eyjólfsdóttir and is titled Þú kyssir mig.
In the alternate universe where Iceland entered Eurovision in the 60's, Helena is the dream songstress to have brought the trophy to Reykjavik. Her early work includes coverversions of jazz standards as well as international pop classics.

Not uncommon in Iceland, Helena released her first record when she was 11 years old. Most of her work was recorded in her teens. She sang in several groups and with jazzbands like the Atlantic quartett, Gunnar Ormslev, Björn R. Einarsson and Svavar Gests.
She still performs occasionally but is withdrawing slowly from the music business.

Þú kyssir mig is available on CD 'Hvítu Mávar', a compilation of Eyjólfsdóttirs early work which also includes her version of Boom bang a bang (Og þú).

She also recorded an Icelandic version of Beg, steal or borrow probably with a band or duo. (Details and recording wanted)

Eurovision Covers For Christmas

To get into the December spirit here's two Eurovision songs reworked with Christmas lyrics.

A Snowy Jingly bellsy Christmas version of 'Gente di mare' by Tozzi and Raf is as unlikely as Ms. Claus serving Reindeercarpaccio.

So a Christmas interpretation of the Italian song can only come from Iceland, where the sun won't be seen until late in the next Eurovision season, but the people are real 'Gente di mare'.
'Komdu um Jólin' by Gunnar Olason (Olafsson) is on VA Christmas CD Jólastemming and other compilations.


'Stad I Ljus', by Chess player Tommy Körberg is a different case. The monumental hymn lends itself perfectly for the Season to be jolly and depressed at the same time.
Sofia Källgren, MF star, turns the song into 'Spread your light' which has appeared on several Christmas compilations in Sweden (100% Jul 2 (1996)and Svenska Julklassiker (2002)).
More about Sofia at http://www.sofiakallgren.com/

'Stad I Ljus' has been recorded by several gospel and religious singers over the years, most notably Christian Rivel and Michael Järlestrand, who recorded both Swedish and English versions. (files wanted)

The youngest version of 'Stad I Ljus' was recorded by the ever lovely Fame Academy student, Emil Sigfridsson, MF star, on his latest CD 'Äntligen'. The CD also includes his 2004 MF song 'Innan mörkret faller' as a bonus track.
Find out more about Emil at http://www.emilsigfridsson.se/
On his 2003 CD Emil already covered another Tommy classic 'Anthem' (from Chess).

P.S. Another Icelandic Christmas reworking is 'Stjarnar mín' by 'Íslensku Divurnar'. Thanks for the tip Stelios.
This version of Swedens Se på mig (Jan Johansen, 1995) was released on 2002 Christmas album 'Fróstrosir'(2002) and is now re-issued on a compilation 'Fróstrosir - Bestu lögin'. (sorry, don't have the song).

If I Had Your Lovski

Анастасия Стоцкая, Anastasia Stotskaya, well known for her participation in the 2005 Russian selection with 'Shadows dance all around me' has recorded a Russian version of Selma's 2005 James Bond like entry 'If I had your love'.
It's titled Vso za lyubov - Все за любовь and I found it on a Russian compilation 'Созвездие хитов 7', with a Bond Babe style lady on the cover, so the circle is round. (Pic: not Anastas!a).

The Russian version has a new arrangement compared to the English language coverversion Stotskaya recorded last year, which was recorded with Selma's original instrumental recording. That demo wasn't officially released back then but I found this recording on a 200 track mp3 disc offered on internet which doesn't seem to be very official to put it mildly.

Another Eurocover, 'Music & Me', is Stotskaya's Russian version of 'I can't live without music', The Siegel song that made Corinna May make a fool of herself back in 2002...

Anastas!a was also in line for a Russian Six4One style recording of the Swiss 2006 entry 'If we all give a little', which was supposed to be recorded in Russian with 6 stars from CIS countries, but I guess that plan never substantiated.

Anastas!a: Vso za lyubov (Russian) - If I had your love - Music and Me
P.S. Anastasia should have a go at representing Russia again in the near future if you ask me. No more bad haircut guys with weird piano antics plz.