alexander rybak how you write a song norway mgp 2018

Ten acts came and put up a good fight, but only one could walk away the victor. In the end Alexander Rybak lifted the Melodi Grand Prix 2018 trophy once more and will sing “That’s How You Write A Song” in Lisbon.

A 50/50 televote and international jury vote was used in the first round of voting. This ended up with Stella & Alexandra, Alexsander Walmann, Rebecca and Alexander Rybak in the super-final. These four acts were then subject to another round of televoting and Rebecca and Alexander Rybak moved onto the top two.

These two performed again and after the final round of voting the Norwegian public chose Alexander Rybak as their Eurovision 2018 representative.

International Jury Line-up

Bulgaria – Vasil Ivanov, Assistant Head of Delegation
Czech Republic – Jan Bors, Head of Delegation
Denmark – Molly, Head of Delegation
Estonia – Mart Normet, Head of Delegation
FYR Macedonia – Aleksandra Jovanovska, Head of Press
France – Edowardo Grassi, Head of Delegation
Israel – Alon Amir, Former Head of Press
Russia – Ekaterina Orlova, Head of Delegation RTR
Sweden – Hellen, Music Enthusiast
United Kingdom – William Lee Adams, journalist and editor of wiwibloggs

Melodi Grand Prix 2018 – Final Four

1. Alexander Rybak

2. Rebecca

Stella and Alexandra

Alexsander Walmann

Tonight’s show also saw Norway’s 1988 representative Karoline Krüger reprise her winning MGP entry 30 years later. Her song “For vår jord” tells the true story of a homeless woman who used to roam the streets of Oslo and was well known by locals.

Wiwiblogger Helle Lund Olsen was also given a surprise this evening.

In a segment taking a look at fans who love Eurovision and follow it year-round, Helle was pointed out in the audience and taken onto stage, giving her a well deserved moment in the spotlight.

We’re glad Norway got a chance to see how much passion Helle and all the Eurovision fans across the globe have for this contest.

So do you agree with the result? Do you think Alexander Rybak can take Norway back to the top ten at Eurovision? Give us your thoughts in the comments below.

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Ron Grainger
Ron Grainger
6 years ago

Hey I’m a huge Eurovision fan from the UK and I just saw the video online. It’s a great (Eurovision) song no matter what the others say. This will do very well, mark my words. Norway should be very excited.

Malin
Malin
6 years ago

Grattis och lycka till Norge!
Kul att få se honom i ESC igen. Nu ska jag lyssna och hoppas jag gillar låten ?

Lieke
Lieke
6 years ago

It doesn’t have the same vibe as “Fairytale”, no. But, honestly, I’m fairly certain we all would still be complaining if he did have a song like that because “it’s too similar!” Having said that, the song’s catchy, the performance looks great (the camera angles can be improved, I feel) and it allows for Alexander to show off his charming personality. Hoping for a spot in the final!

Simon
Simon
6 years ago

Why all the hate? This is such a good song, reminds me a bit of Uptown Funk. Nothing wrong with an upbeat pop song- Eurovision has been missing some of those last few years. I like plenty of the other entries too across many different styles but this just makes me smile

vkhvj
vkhvj
6 years ago

what a fantastic performance! good job! for sure better than weirdo israeli song

íosa
íosa
6 years ago

Oh sweet Jaysus… please tell me this is a joke???!!! Very poor both melodically and lyrically … I fail to understand the “charm” element of his presentation either.. it just looks naff, in my opinion … the minute i heard “fairytale” in the national finals back in 2009, I put on a 50euro bet coz it had “winner” all over it…. but this? seriously? does he not have friends to warn him? tell him the truth? Bless!!

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
6 years ago

He’s got a unique charm, that’s a fact. I was not impressed at all firstly when I’ve heard the song, but his show was amazing. The song seems dated, but it is quite unique, especially in this year’s Eurovision. Of course, hard to think he can repeat the 2009 result, but it should be an easy qualifier and I think he’s able for another top 10.

GG
GG
6 years ago

Rebecca did impress me: her voice, her song, her stage presence!Well done! Stella and Alexandra did a good job last night, the song impressed me much more live than the studio version. They served so much energy and charm on stage! Aleksander W. failed to translate the energy of his song on stage, probably due to an average staging. His voice was on point though and I love his song. Congratulations to the winner whose stage presence and huge fan base placed him first.The staging was good, his charisma is undeniable, but the song doesn’t do much to me. Anyway,… Read more »

Pabs
Pabs
6 years ago

so far
1 Norway
2 Cyprus
3 United Kingdom
4 Malta
5 Czech Republic

Oslo 2019

FR
FR
6 years ago

Norway’s or Sweden’s song: oh that’s so retro and charming, that’s totally intentional!

Eastern European or Middle East song: IT’S DATED, WHAT WERE THEY EVEN THINKING

Philip
Philip
6 years ago

I don’t mind when an ESC Winner returns, but would be painful to watch him ending last, his second time.

SnatchYourWig
SnatchYourWig
6 years ago
Reply to  Philip

It won’t finish last though. I’m not a massive fan of the song, but it’s fun, uptempo and Alexander is a likable stage presence and already known to a lot of viewers. I wouldn’t be surprised if this exceeds a lot of peoples expectations on the night and top ten in the Grand Final isn’t out of the question.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Philip

It won’t even qualify lol

Oscillate
Oscillate
6 years ago

If it qualifies? What will you do?

Philip
Philip
6 years ago

he might pass the semi just because of neighbourly voting, otherwise.. as wiwi juri voted, he is my last choice.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

I didn’t see the NF nor am I going to. So, I don’t know if it was the best song or not. But the song is indeed very unoriginal and generic in its genre. It is not going to my playlist this year. But, his performance is pure fire right there. He puts everything he has got out there. It’s amazing and this will win him a good place, for sure. Is it good for Eurovision? Certainly not. Is it good for the show? Absolutely.

Ffs
Ffs
6 years ago

His face, his style , his song …everything is soooo cringe !

tr
tr
6 years ago

If almost all of the good songs weren’t in the 1st semi-final this garbage wouldn’t even qualify. People chosen this trash just because it’s Rybak. I’m so disappointed in Norway

Sarah Boucher
6 years ago

Norway used an Internal Selection in 1991

Eve
Eve
6 years ago

Yay, the guy with violin is back!!! 😀 What energetic performance, this made me smile, full of positive energy. It will look great on esc stage, good luck!

Roxy
Roxy
6 years ago

It’s sad that he will probably make it to the final while many other good songs will be struggling in semi 1.
As mentioned thousand times before, obviously he got the idea from Love Love, Peace Peace and the base melody sounds very similar to this one, https://youtu.be/DUyTwfxeyUo

Excuse me for not enjoying a so called “fun” song from this Eurovision-obsessed guy.

oscillate
oscillate
6 years ago

I have to be very honest, Rybak impressed me last night! His vocals improved alot. Though I am still on the fence about the song, he delivered a well-deserved win last night. (Though I would be more ecstatic if it was A. Walmann)

Rebecca has an outstanding voice and the song of Mørland is a pretty good. However, I personally think Rebecca lacks appeal and stage presence. There was a disconnection.

Pavel
Pavel
6 years ago
Reply to  oscillate

Because all of them are either rip-offs or plain bad. Zero originality and no quality whatsoever. So many bad songs all around.
Bring back the orchestra and live instruments, we need to overcome this era of garbage music

Rvision
Rvision
6 years ago

I don’t understand one thing.
When there are so many people hating on every single song, whether it’s a cute ballad, a fun song, etc. why are u still watching Eurovision if there is nothing good about the songs?

I really like norways choice. This is something different. It’s not a song about peace or love (finally). It’s a fun song with some easy lyrics.
Go Rybak!! 🙂

Ethan1994
Ethan1994
6 years ago
Reply to  Rvision

Yeah, the ESC fandom just seems to be almost nothing but negativity the last few years, especially when songs get selected.

Musimakeup
Musimakeup
6 years ago

I agree with robyn it’s more of a junior eurovision entry but…:-) 🙂 come on ! it’s just a guilty pleasure song. 100% fast food. 0% serious. Disconnect and have fun for 3 minutes in your life. You’ll probably hate it cause You ´ll be stuck with it for days, but i had a big naive smile and danced. No doubt in 30 years i’ll still be listening to my sobral albums 20 times a week and not ryback, but who cares ! 🙂 love the fun.

Sanny Mofdh
Sanny Mofdh
6 years ago

Alex praised Sobral’s song and message, and is sending a performance with fireworks. Aint life ironic.

sara
sara
6 years ago

I used to have a big crush on him and now im going to see him in person. omg >< and i love the song, it's original and the performance is fun. Top 10 probably!!! we are having way more uptempo songs than ballads, so awesome. Good choice, norway!

A happy Norwegian who love our song
A happy Norwegian who love our song
6 years ago

Seriously Wiwblogs, you should consider need a moderator. Allowing all these rude comments only ruins you blog. When people see they are allowed to write just whatever bad things they can come up with, you actually encourage the haters to come here and spread their negative vibs.

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago

I second that. And I wanna add that we should at least have some idea about how this mysterious filter on the comments section works. Or is it random? I know that’s hard to implement changes now, when Eurovision season is on, but I really think you shoud consider improving it after this years’s contest. We love the site, we just want it to be even better.

anonymous
anonymous
6 years ago

So people shouldn’t be able to express their opinions if they think that song is bad?
There are so many haters because this song isn’t good at all and not because they just hate Rybak. Fairytale was amazing but this is plain trash

A happy Norwegian who loves our song
A happy Norwegian who loves our song
6 years ago
Reply to  anonymous

Maybe you shouldn’t use the word “hate” when you speak about music. I think that word belongs in quite different topics.

Princess Peregrine
Princess Peregrine
6 years ago

The crowd will love this on the Eurovision stage and I’m sure it will be a top 5 entry. Remember Moldova last year – people love a gimmick. It’s well-staged and energetic.

aaron
aaron
6 years ago

Tel Aviv may be the largest city but both times Israel has hosted in the past it’s been in the capital Jerusalem.

Amor
Amor
6 years ago

When I saw the headline for this article my jaw dropped to the point I thought it was going to unhinge. What the hell is going on this year, so many shock wins! I like Ryback, I don’t hate this song but man the only redeeming thing about this song is the staging; it is actually good. It sounds too much like a children’s song for like Sesame Street. They should have just sent Alexander. I really liked his song live.

Sage Anderson
Sage Anderson
6 years ago

That’s it.

Norway is cancelled.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago
Reply to  Sage Anderson

You can’t cancel Norway! That’s ridiculous! 😮

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

They just canceled themselves.

storytellur
storytellur
6 years ago

I was 14 when he won Robyn don’t make us all feel nursing home ready just yet hahaha but seriously yes, his name can only help so much, if that… but take it from moldova 2017 or cheesecake whatever, the public mostly only gets the 3 min exposure and that fact alone will contribute to him qualifying cuz it’s just a fun song well performed, most watchers don’t care about what its true quality or whatever is lmao

Coolhand
Coolhand
6 years ago

see you in Tel Aviv ladies https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Zil45hv6Aj0

Maclaren
Maclaren
6 years ago

Oh… I cannot judge objectively, my love to Eurovision started from Alexander and his violin. I am going weak at the knees just by looking at him on stage. And actually it is a fun song, can it pull Moldova 2017? Why not

Orange
Orange
6 years ago

Israel’s song has leaked and it’s amazing!!
https://goo.gl/JqSFm7

WTF
WTF
6 years ago
Reply to  Orange

Forget Ingrosso, we’re going to Tel Aviv next year.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  WTF

We weren’t going to Sweden to start with.

Maclaren
Maclaren
6 years ago
Reply to  Orange

I liked it a lot, but we need 1) to hear live, 2) to see staging and 3) to remember Israel 2014.

schuyler
schuyler
6 years ago
Reply to  Orange

LOVE IT

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago
Reply to  Orange

Oh….that is not for me. Yuck.

yeni
yeni
6 years ago
Reply to  Orange

This song will give seizures to someone…. “I am not your toy, stupid boy”?? Oyyyyy

vangelis vt
vangelis vt
6 years ago

Great quirky fun and my favourite to win this NF. Plus he is a very recognisable former winner. I can see this doing really well 🙂

James
James
6 years ago

Welcome to the Lys Assia club, Alexander.

Tedi
Tedi
6 years ago

I thought Second Semi couldn’t be any weaker but… hello Norway. Sad. It’s sad. It makes me sad. All good songs are in First Semifinal. His song wasn’t good, he won by his old fame and victory he brought to Norway. Rebeccas song was amazing, I really hoped it would win even though. Such a shame Norway.

LILLIAN LLEWELLYN
LILLIAN LLEWELLYN
6 years ago
Reply to  Tedi

I was there in Oslo Spektrum tonight and I have to say that Alexander was the best. Best staging, best energy and best crowd reaction. Whether that was due to his fame, I can’t say, but he’s proved the naysayers wrong and performed out of his skin like the professional he is. If he can repeat tonight in Lisbon, then don’t be surprised if everyone gathers in Oslo again next year.

And to everyone that wrote him off, hmmm, how tasty is that humble pie now?

Orange
Orange
6 years ago

Israel’s song has leaked and it’s amazing!!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/x13kfg0v6wt0htt/Toy%20-%20Israel.mp3?dl=0

Gobio
Gobio
6 years ago
Reply to  Orange

It will stand out immensely.

azaad
azaad
6 years ago

Now the only question is whether this is Charlotte Perrelli 2.0 or Dana International 2.0, cause this ain’t no Johnny Logan.

If Loreen’s masterpiece couldn’t escape AC last year, I doubt this will qualify….

CDbjerg..
CDbjerg..
6 years ago
Carlos
Carlos
6 years ago
Reply to  CDbjerg..

oh god…what the hell is this?!! are they serously gonna sing it? ahaha!

Yossarian
Yossarian
6 years ago
Yossarian
Yossarian
6 years ago
Reply to  Yossarian

Ah, didn’t see Aaron’s post.

Blah
Blah
6 years ago

The whole hyper violin hoopla is not gonna work the second time around. Not a winner.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Blah

Not even a qualifier.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

I didn’t think there could be something worse than Spain this year, but Norway proved me wrong!

Boy
Boy
6 years ago

@ Hada. Haha, you have right, its awful

katerina
katerina
6 years ago

When I heard Rebecca’s song I was like ”ok, now we are talking, something special is starting to happen’, if they work on this, this could do really well in May”. I guess Rybak is great on stage and super charismatic but still, I cant help being dissapointed.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

Norway was obviously feeling huge nostalgia, as all superfinalists were previous winners. I think Aleksander Walmann and Rebecca had stronger songs, but I can see the appeal to this as well. I guess it will be nice to have Rybak again on ESC. Most likely, it’s not a winning contender, but it will almost certainly qualify.

aaron
aaron
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

When did Rebecca win previously? Was she part of a group? She doesn’t have a Wikipedia article even

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  aaron

She didn’t, but her writer Morland did. He wrote and performed Monster Like Me, Norwegian 2015 entry.

aaron
aaron
6 years ago
Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  aaron

OMG! Thank you Aaron! xx
Wowww

desfolhada
desfolhada
6 years ago
Reply to  aaron

reminds me old ke$ha

Jai
Jai
6 years ago
Reply to  aaron

If this is really their entry I love it!

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  aaron

I was right – It’s definitely not generic! It’s a ”love it or hate it” entry and will stir some controversy. Well done, Israel!

azaad
azaad
6 years ago
Reply to  aaron

This is laughable – not meant as a diss because this has some musical merit but the lyrics and Netta’s attitude are hilarious.

I have a feeling this won’t pass through – it’s not got enough mass appeal for televoters and the juries will likely SLAUGHTER this come May.

mad-professor
mad-professor
6 years ago
Reply to  azaad

The juries will not slaughter it. This is the kind of thing they like, something unique and/or modern. Remember: it was the juries who saved Norway and (to a degree) Armenia last year, and it was also the juries who liked France, Belgium, and Italy in 2016. Let’s also not forget it was the juries who ranked Latvia second in 2015.

Kyna
Kyna
6 years ago
Reply to  aaron

Wow, no wonder Israel is climbing in the odds. I expected to have this kind of song and they didn’t dissapoint me. So so happy for this entry!

Lourdes
Lourdes
6 years ago
Reply to  aaron

It’s not even my type of music, but I really like it! She’s so talented!! It will stand out and qualify for sure!

lundibleu
lundibleu
6 years ago
Reply to  aaron

Well,it’s certainly different and I rather like it. Bits of it remind me of other things (Marina & The Diamonds for one), but as a whole it’s not like anything else we have yet. Will be interesting to see how fans react once it’s released, and to see how it is when Netta performs it live.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago
Reply to  aaron

Horrid

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

But thanks for the link, though! 🙂 (forget my manners, sometimes…)

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

I just heard Israel’s song and WTF???

Polyna
Polyna
6 years ago
Reply to  Hada

Still better than “Wank You Off”.

Jai
Jai
6 years ago

I’m sorry but I think most people only like this song because its by Alexander Rybak (and also because some of y’all think he’s cute- I’ve already seen it be said in the comments) and its from Norway. If this song was sung by a random singer from Albania or Georgia y’all would be merciless in these comments right now.

Dr
Dr
6 years ago
Reply to  Jai

I totally agree, people tend to like the song more if it’s from a western european country. Also judges give more points to western european countries. I’m not saying that the song is bad btw, it has it’s charm

desfolhada
desfolhada
6 years ago

Eurovision 2018 will be so weird, I need it now!

Moustach
Moustach
6 years ago

So bad song and bad show! So ovverated by wiwiblogs as always!

Lourdes
Lourdes
6 years ago
Reply to  Moustach

Actually wiwi jury has rated it really low, so I don’t think they are overrating it.

Roxy
Roxy
6 years ago
Reply to  Moustach

They actually put him dead last with lowest score in their Wiwi jury. It’s the readers who overrated him.

Big Mama
Big Mama
6 years ago

Sorry, but this was so bad, but the best of the songs that Norway could offer this year. It´s annoying that MGP is trying so hard to copypaste Mello in everything, but it falls flat.

John Moynahan
John Moynahan
6 years ago

Omg Norway
What have you done?
One of my favourite national selections of the year and you pick the worst song as your winner
If there’s any justice this will stay in the semi final
Sorry Norway!!