Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2018 Denmark DMGP

On Saturday, it will become the first Nordic country to select its entry for Eurovision 2018. And today Denmark’s DR has released the ten songs which will battle it out in this weekend’s Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2018.

You can listen to all the entries in the Spotify playlist embedded below. They have also been uploaded to Tidal and Deezer.

However, due to geo-blocking restrictions, it looks like international fans must make do with the 30-second snippets which are available on the DMGP website.

A DR representative has told wiwibloggs that they are working to remove the streaming restrictions.

DANSK MELODI GRAND PRIX 2018: PARTICIPANTS

  1. Ditte Marie — “Riot”
  2. Anna Ritsmar — “Starlight”
  3. Rasmussen — “Higher Ground”
  4. Sannie — “Boys on Girls”
  5. Sandra — “Angels to My Battlefield”
  6. Lasse Meling — “Unfound”
  7. CARLSEN — “Standing Up for Love”
  8. KARUI — “Signals”
  9. Rikke Ganer-Tolsøe — “Holder fast i ingenting”
  10. Albin Fredy — “Music for the Road”

Amongst the familiar names is Ditte Marie. The singer last participated in DMGP in 2012, singing “Overflow”. Ditte was also part of Le Freak in 2011. She didn’t make the Superfinal on either occasion, but returns for another go this year.

She’ll be singing “Riot” this year. The song’s writers include Lise Cabble, who co-wrote Emmelie de Forest’s “Only Teadrops”. Lise also wrote debutant Anna Ritsmar’s entry, “Starlight”.

DMGP 2018 will take place on February 10 — which just happens to be a Saturday night. Sannie will be singing “Boys on Girls” in the contest, but she’s likely best known by her previous moniker: Whigfield.

The 90s dance pop star had her breakout hit in 1994 with “Saturday Night”. A classic of cheesy pop compilations ever since, she’s since branched out. She’s been releasing songs under her real name (Sannie Carlson) since 2016.

In the debutants, Lasse Meling has flirted with Eurovision in the past. He released a music video for his own take on Lucie Jones’ “Never Give Up On You” in 2017. He’ll sing “Unfound” in this year’s DMGP.

And it’s not just the mainland getting involved this year. Faroese sisters Vanja, Laila and Barbara make up the group CARLSEN. They enter with “Standing Up For Love”.

Fresh from her appearance at Spain’s OT Eurovision Gala last week, Austria’s Eurovision 2014 winner Conchita Wurst will provide the interval entertainment.

What do you think of the ten DMGP songs? Which one is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.

Follow all of our Denmark Eurovision 2018 news.

96 Comments
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Colin
Colin
6 years ago

I am very impressed by DMGP in general. I appreciate the effort to make it a quality music show. Higher Ground is EXCELLENT! I really love it and think it can even be a contender for the big ESC win. Music For the Road is also very good. I love it’s sing-a-long and feel-good vibe. I also love Angels To My Battlefield; It’s heartfelt and I like the metaphors used. Surprisingly, I like Standing Up For Love! Usually, this type of cheesy love anthems fail to impress me, but I am really digging this one. Even the weaker songs are… Read more »

Nicko
Nicko
6 years ago

The best are:
1)Signals
2)Starlight

I don’t get the hype for Rasmussen.Really…

Alex
Alex
6 years ago

What the hell is the point of region blocking? There is no good reason!!!

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

All I hope is that they find themselves another “Only Teardrops” someday. There was a winner that did everything right. And then they did a terrific job hosting! I know they have it in them, they just need a stronger pool of entries. I don’t know why they’re having such a hard time.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

OK, I’ve listened to all the snippets now, so here’s what I’ve got from what little I’ve heard: “Higher Ground” is the safest bet. Can’t hear the name without thinking of Stevie Wonder (or the great Red Hot Chili Peppers cover) but his voice is powerful and the big, “Thunder”-like sound could push them over. Good staging and a good live vocal could do the trick. “Boys on Girls” is my other favorite – catchy but a little kooky. I would be happy if either of those tracks represented Denmark and have the best chance of rescuing it in the… Read more »

EscAU
EscAU
6 years ago

the danish one is special! also aargh denmark always so strict with copyright and geoblocking

Flynn
Flynn
6 years ago

Not feeling Riot for some reason Starlight seems like it could have potential from the snippet Higher Ground sounds a bit Imagine Dragons, it’s a little dated but I think it’s one of my favourites in this selection so far Boys on Girls sounds pretty good and is definitely a different sound than what Denmark usually send and could surprise Angels on my Battlefield is kinda dull normally would like that type of song but it does nothing for me and the title has me worried about tortured lyrics Unfound sounds good until the tempo speeds up and on a… Read more »

Azaad
Azaad
6 years ago

Judging from the volcanic ashes and hot mess that is Iceland, and the cool disappointment of Norway, Denmark (based on overall national finals) will once again place 3rd of the 5 Nordics- I’m assuming that Melodifestivalen will be of the same standard as previous years and Saara will obviously slay for Finland. Music on the Road and Higher Ground are the standouts. Both would be Denmark’s best entry since 2013. The former is an enjoyable dirty country bop that is done quite well and good country is a rarity in ESC, so I think it’ll do well (Waylon is the… Read more »

up!
up!
6 years ago

Nope, nothing in there for me… What’s wrong with the Scandinavians? Wasn’t there a time when they were once trendsetters?
If I had to choose s.th. from this bunch, it would be Albin, but it’s only the best of the weak…

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

Unfortunately, I can’t listen to the full versions (angry face) but I heard the snippets. Really quickly: “Riot”: Wow, that’s a dynamic song. It builds up to the chorus beautifully. The only thing is that I feel the chorus is repetitive. “Starlight”: Beautiful voice. She seems young, but she’s talented for sure. I can’t understand if there’s a build up. “Higher ground”: like the chorus, it’s good for a big stage. “Boys on girls”: nice melody. The song itself is good but I’m not a fan. “Angels to my battlefield”: first I don’t really like the title. The song itself… Read more »

Epsu
Epsu
6 years ago

Denmark HAS to send Rasmussen to Portugal ! They CANT do same mistake that Sweden did last year when they send generic BS instead of real masterpiece (En Värld Full Av Strider) ! ONLY if Higher Ground doesnt work live (i dont think its possible) u can send Rikke or Sandra. But please…

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Epsu

Sweden’s little mistake still got it fifth place…

MTD
MTD
6 years ago

Somehow, “Signals” made on my replay list. And wow, I like it MUCH.

Thanks for that song (and “Unfound”).

You can now select the worst song of the bunch Denmark, as you usually do.

Iberian
Iberian
6 years ago

I love Whigfield’s (Sannie’s) song, it’s kinda Lana del Rey having a good time. I really hope “Boys on Girls” wins.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Ok, I have only listened to snippets of the songs…my favs:
– Signals: I like the R&B style in this song. Work a little bit more on it, and they will have a great entry.
– Music for the road: I bit cliché, but it still decent and interesting.
– Holder fast i ingenting: Not a big fan of this kind of music, but this one is nice.
The rest is just the rest for me.

Susan
Susan
6 years ago

Higher Ground is definitely the est of the bunch. Hope it wins and goes through to the final.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

Is Sandra a talent show winner? Cause she’s leading the odds right now !! The song is good but is not the strongest/standout, I feel, to be so clear ahead of the rest of the field?

Rasmus
Rasmus
6 years ago
Reply to  Kris

hi
No sandra has never won a talent show and are not very known in Denmark at all

Chromium
Chromium
6 years ago

What’s the Danishes’ deal with wanting to start a riot?! :))

Based on the snippets, Karui is my favorite, but I’m also loving the Scandipop from Sannie and Rikke Ganer. 🙂

Daniel_2017
Daniel_2017
6 years ago

As far as I could tell from the snippets, this is a better selection than Norway’s and certainly better than Iceland’s (man, what a snoozefest there!!!). I liked Rikke best, I can’t wait to hear the full version. I’m kind of excited also to see Whigfield again ;)). I remember when ‘Saturday night’ came out, I used to watch Hitlist UK religiously on MTV, and it was a huge deal when it entered at number 1, ending the seemingly endless reign of Wet Wet Wet’s ‘Love is All Around’ and, at the same time, somewhat ruining Kylie’s comeback (i.e. keeping… Read more »

Mar
Mar
6 years ago

Denmark does follow the exact same recipe every year. 10 pleasant, mainstream sounding, inoffensive pop songs with one or two standouts (that usually don’t even win) and, of course, the token Danish language song.
Higher Ground sounds nice, as does Holder Fast I Ingengting. Watch Denmark choose Standing Up for Love (aka Soldiers of Love 2.0)

Dew
Dew
6 years ago

Only like Unfound from the snippet but it’s still an okay pop song.

Gobio
Gobio
6 years ago

“Higher Ground” can be cool if Rasmussen goes with an epic Nordic Viking staging, with shirtless men rowing while shirtless, and that could fit the feel of the song. I know it sounds crazy, but that’s my association about the song XD.

Gobio
Gobio
6 years ago
Reply to  Gobio

Oops I wrote shirtless twice

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago
Reply to  Gobio

Fair enough. We have to make sure that they’ll be shirtless!

Gobio
Gobio
6 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

It’s important y’all

Kris
Kris
6 years ago
Reply to  Gobio

That makes no sense!!The song is based on some sort of preparation for battle!! There should be swords and fights and helmets involved not random shirtless people.

Cobra863
Cobra863
6 years ago
Reply to  Kris

Everything should involve shirtless people.

Daniel
Daniel
6 years ago

I’m catched up with “Music of The Road”, my favorite from Denmark this year! <3 It's such a lovable entry. Maybe because I'm more exposed to country sounds living next to the US, but I'm also very fond of "Signals" and its modern R&B vibe. "Higher Ground" is amazing as well, the song is exquisite and with a good battle staging it could do very well. The Danish token "Holder fast i ingenting" is again up to par with its relatives from previous year, good quality and very radio-friendly. And finally "Standing Up For Love" may be a little cliché… Read more »

Martin Pedersen
Martin Pedersen
6 years ago

Are you going to make a review of the songs on YouTube, Wiwibloggs?

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago

I feel that Denmark and Norway are following the same path. Both selections are radio friendly and unpretentious. Since I’m not one of those who are always looking for “winners”, “bops” or “divas that slay”, I’m perfectly OK with that. The thing is that Norway seems to be doing it with more success. “Higher Grounds” is the only one that really stands out, since it’s not something we expect to find on the radio but on the closing credits of a movie. You may like it or not (I’m not sure yet in which group I am), but it’s the… Read more »

Martin Pedersen
Martin Pedersen
6 years ago

Are you going to make a review of them on YouTube, Wiwibloggs? 🙂

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

What’s the pressure?

brennan
brennan
6 years ago

no love for ‘Signals’ ? it’s the only song in the selection that sounds like it’s in the right decade

brennan
brennan
6 years ago
Reply to  brennan

also her sound is very similar to anya (she’s an amazing danish r&b singer) so i am all for this

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago
Reply to  brennan

I think it’s the most sophisticated track. Nothing original, but what she does with her voice is very tasteful.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

Haven’t listened to the songs yet (razza frazza country restrictions) but I’m not hopeful. The Danes miraculously pulled it together last year (although I’d chalk it up largely to Anja’s voice – and if you want to be technical, the best Danish song that year was the UK’s entry), but it sounds like slim pickings this time. I’ve heard this Music for the Road song is good? Last time I heard of a country-flavored Danish entry, it was Never Ever Let You Go, and fhat finished second. I also like the idea of actually sending a song in Danish, which… Read more »

Didier
Didier
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

You should go listen in youtube… this years songs are good!…. Rasmussen is great!!!..

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Twist Of Love in 2006 was kinda country. 2009 too to a lesser degree.

Personally, I think country music & Eurovision should not mix.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

I’d largely agree, save for the Dutch country songs (Calm After the Storm was my favorite for that year). I guess there’s some novelty in seeing a genre I largely assumed was mostly American (for the record, we don’t care for it either) being performed by non-Americans for a pretty much entirely non-American audience. At best, it makes me happy to see some of our music cross over. At worst, we get an unholy country/Europop abomination like Cotton Eye Joe.

Curly
Curly
6 years ago

So far (and basing my opinion only on the snippets), I’ve only liked “Higher Ground”, “Starlight” and “Holder fast i ingenting”. But it’s not “OMG I love them so much!”. It’s just a humble like, let’s say. Anyway, all of them gave me the feeling that I’ve heard this before. Nothing new, unfortunately.

Let’s wait for the full tracks and live performances, but the way I see it, I have a strong feeling that Denmark will find it hard to qualify this year 🙁

Noel Hoffmann
Noel Hoffmann
6 years ago

Denmark, please send Carlsen with Standing Up For Love. Amazing song, amazing voices.
Btw, one of the best natinal final in this year! Good luck from Hungary! 🙂

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

Before listening to all of them I made a prediction on the ones I will like based on the titles and the postcards. Maybe I am biased by my own prejudices, but I got it rigth! My thoughts on the SNIPPETS: 1. Lasse Meling – “Unfound”. I can’t see his lack of talent anywhere, maybe the full version is worse. This song is pop, but I think it has an indie vibe (?) I’m loving. You don’t need a perfect voice to sing, just make it sounds special. And that is what Lasse is doing here. (7/10) 2. Rasmussen –… Read more »

eurovision6
eurovision6
6 years ago

I dont like any of them, hopefully the live performance can make it better.. No high hopes from me though, awful selection..

ts
ts
6 years ago

Personally don’t think Denmark can get a brilliant result with any of them- on par with the UK selection this year.

Hayley
Hayley
6 years ago

It just straight up has to be Holder fast i ingenting that song is Miles ahead of everything else here
However this is Denmark who’ve picked the wrong song 3 years in a row so I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets forgotten about unfortunately

Trans Mermaid
Trans Mermaid
6 years ago

Boys on Girls its a BOP and i wanna see it live in my city Lisbon!!!
I live for it

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago

I really like the songs, they’re better than the songs in Norway.

JEFFERSON LAMAS
JEFFERSON LAMAS
6 years ago

Loved Carlssen and Ditte Marie !!!

Bastian
Bastian
6 years ago

Typical Danish so whats new? 😛 I often enjoy their songs. I really like Riot, Higher ground and Standing up for love 🙂

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago

Is there another link to listen to the full songs? I’ve tried the one Soy posted but only could listen to 2 songs there. Spotify is still geoblocking. Why making things so difficult, Denmark?

Aria
Aria
6 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Search for Rares Alex on YouTube.

ale
ale
6 years ago

Riot doesn’t sounds all that bad, but it is very average. Anna’s Starlight sounds like something teens listen nowadays on radio I could see it maybe on JESC but ESC? It’s cute, I guess. Higher Ground sounds neat and well produced but something is missing –– MAYBE, the most Eurovision from the first three. I love love Boys on Girls, it’s such a pleasant sounding song very radio friendly, but I wonder how it would do live. Angels to my Battlefield isn’t bad, but forgettable tbh. Unfound is cute, pleasing but average. Standing up for Love? God, so old sounding… Read more »

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

Denmark won’t be in the final this year.

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

I like Signals and Music For The Eoad. The other ones sound underwhelming.

Ari
Ari
6 years ago

It really sucks to go through all the songs of a selection without finding one single track to add to one’s playlist.

I feel like Denmark just got lucky in 2013. With that standard, they won’t get lucky for a very long time.

“Unfound”, “Music For The Road” and “Higher Ground” have decent moments, the women are just horrible.

We can already count out Denmark, Norway and Iceland for the victory. Two Nordics to go.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

Says a lot that the Nordic country I have the highest hopes for this year is Finland.
I doubt this will be another year like 2016 where Sweden is the only Nordic country in the final but I’m keeping my fingers crossed more than ever that the others know what they’re doing.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
6 years ago

This is already so much better than last years selection! There are like 4 songs that i like. Last year i liked none

Geo
Geo
6 years ago

No winner or a sure qualifier. No final for Denmark this year, especially they’re in the 2nd one, filled with usual qualifiers (Russia, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine, Australia, Hungary….)

West
West
6 years ago

Higher Ground and Boys on Girls are the best – if any of them will win it’ll go straight to the top of my list. And other songs aren’t bad either!

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Riot! – way too formulatic and basic to stand out, just like the televote poison Where I Am from last year. Starlight – apparently people either love it or hate it, I personally find it annoying and childish. Higher Ground – a wack version of Pioneer by Freddie. Serving emo band trying to go pop. Sound isn’t current, track is underproduced. Opening like the THX sound effect. Boys on Girls – reminds me a lot of Ariadne from Estonia last year. Very hypnotizing sound, smooth vocals, good production, but too repetitive maybe. Angels to My Battlefield – not bad but… Read more »

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
6 years ago

1 karui
2 sannie
3 Rikke ganer

Rich
Rich
6 years ago

The songs that appeal to me at the moment are “Higher Ground” I still feel they is more interesting segments to come to the song than what we can hear from the snippet. I am intrigued to listen to the full length version. This should do well. The singer Rasmussen has a powerful voice that is for sure. The production of the song is very cinematic with a slight Viking musical undertone. I believe this is an appeal rather than a flaw. Sounds very authentic to me. I believe Rasmussen can deliver a strong performance. The one to watch at… Read more »

MD
MD
6 years ago

It’s like they’ve already chosen the song and now they want to go for one of ten versions of it. They are all the same, generic, bland, totally uninspired, “narrow-pass in the semi” songs. Good luck Denmark, you’re gonna need it

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

You better stan for HFII! These basics won’t even consider it because they don’t get the lyrics but it has the best and most interesting production in the selection.