Norway’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 promises to be its biggest ever. A record 26 artists will compete in this year’s Melodi Grand Prix, including 2019 champions and Eurovision fan-favourites KEiiNO. With their anthemic pop-joik fusion track “Monument”, Europe’s favourite trio are hoping to settle some unfinished business and bring the Eurovision trophy back home to Norway.
KEiiNO — that’s Tom Hugo, Alexandra Rotan and Fred Buljo — will showcase the full version of “Monument” live during semi-final one of MGP 2021. As pre-qualified finalists, they’re guaranteed a spot in February’s final, and are one step ahead of their competitors to becoming Norway’s next Eurovision act.
Scroll down for “Monument” lyrics
KEiiNO in Melodi Grand Prix 2021: “Monument”
Eurovision fans will remember KEiiNO from their appearance at Eurovision 2019. They won MGP 2019 with their iconic track “Spirit In The Sky”, and went on to win the televote with a whopping 291 points in the Eurovision grand final. Their spectacular performance put them in 6th place overall, with a combined total of 331 points from the public and jury vote. Today, “Spirit In The Sky” remains wildly popular with Eurovision fans, who named it their fifth favourite entry of all time in the 2020 edition of ESC250.
Since then, Tom, Alexandra and Fred have enjoyed success around Europe and the world. In May 2020, they launched their debut album “OKTA” to critical acclaim. They have gone on to tour the world, winning Scandipop awards, Sami music awards, and have even been nominated for Norwegian Grammys and NIMMA awards.
Their MGP 2021 entry “Monument” is a more adult version of “Spirit In The Sky”. It stays true to their signature dance-pop Sami joik fusion sound, with a heightened level of sophistication. Speaking to wiwibloggs, KEiiNO front-woman Alexandra told us that KEiiNO has more to offer this time around:
“We still feel we haven’t shown our full potential on the Eurovision stage, so when we found ourselves with a song with something special, we just went for it.”
Meanwhile, Fred tells us that “Monument” is an indicator of how much the band has grown.
“Although some fans might be disappointed that our second try for the trophy isn’t as Euroschlager as ‘Spirit in the Sky’. And we’re not mad if people prefer ‘Spirit’ over ‘Monument’. But it didn’t make sense for us to do the same all over again. We’ve grown both as a band and songwriters, and we feel ‘Monument’ represents the group in a better way.”
What do the “Monument” lyrics mean?
According to Alexandra, the lyrics are about the most important people and moments in a person’s lifecycle. “Monument” pays tribute to those who enrich other peoples’ lives, honouring the everyday heroes we encounter in our day-to-day lives who haven’t received medals or had streets named after them. “Monument” is about the traces we leave behind, the moments you’ll always remember, and the connections that make a lasting impact.
On top of the epic drum beats, soaring strings and killer melodies, KEiiNO throws a little something extra into the mix — Sami rap. During the second verse, joiking superstar Fred shows off his rap abilities. He tells us that these lyrics channel the voice of his great-grandfather, guiding him through his life. You can find the translation to Fred’s Sami rap below.
The “Monument” lyrics also contain references to Norse mythology — with “thunder and gloria” possibly representing Norse gods Odin and Thor.
“Monument” lyrics – KEiiNO (Melodi Grand Prix 2021)
Songwriters: Tom Hugo Hermansen, Alexander Nyborg Olsson, Fred Buljo, Alexandra Rotan and Rüdiger Schramm
Original text (English and Sami) |
English translation |
| (Joik chant introduction)
Where do we go when it’s over Crying loving dancing fighting In your voice I feel it coming back to me In your voice I hear the sound of history What if we are never ending Min bálgat leat báhzan In your voice I feel it coming back to me Visot máid don oainnat Ooh, one last time Thunder and gloria (Joik outro)
|
(Joik chant introduction)
Where do we go when it’s over Crying loving dancing fighting In your voice I feel it coming back to me In your voice I hear the sound of history What if we are never ending Our paths are still visible In your voice I feel it coming back to me Everything you see Ooh, one last time Thunder and gloria (Joik outro)
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What do you think of the “Monument” lyrics? How does it measure up to its Melodi Grand Prix competitors? Let us know in the comments below.
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Okay now please Norway you only have one job
The staging needs work yet, but I’m sure they’ll be working on that. This is a super entry, worthy of doing very, very well in Rotterdam.
WOOOW!!! Very impressive voices!!! 12 points from Belgium!
The staging was meh but Alexandra’s vocals omg!! This woman is incredible
They slayed their performance!
The song is anthemic and an adult version of Spirit in the sky. I hope the staging will make it clear what the song is about. I also love the lyric video which shows Norwegian landscape. The song’s lyrics represent that too.
I never said it’s the same song. They are different song, with similar patterns but Monument shows a more mature side of Keiino.
That doesn’t mean it’s the same……
Thank you, exactly!
Based on what I read on twitter, “Thunder and Gloria” is like an SOS call one makes when lost in a fjord (a common natural formation in Norway) whereby Odin sends a raven as a form of aid upon hearing the call.
I love how this song is so quintessentially nordic with the joiking and reference to natural scandinavian landscapes and mythology. I absolutely adore it!
If that’s the case, there goes my only issue with the lyrics, because it’s a beautiful way to insert part of your culture in a pop song.