After several weeks of anticipation and one exciting final in Reykjavík, Iceland has finally decided. María Ólafsdóttir will sing the English-language song “Unbroken” at Eurovision 2015 in Vienna.
During the competition itself, the jury and televoters had 50/50 weigh in after all the singers had performed. The top two finishers, who advanced to a superfinal sing-off, were Icelandic pop idol Friðrik Dór with “Once Again” and María. Once there, the jury had no say, and the final result came down to the public.
Maria, who placed first in our poll and with our in-house jury, went for gold — literally. She was the perfect pop princess bathed in yellow light and wearing a shimmering, glittery gold dress. Her backing dancers seemed a tad awkward at times, but her vocals were on point.
For his part Friðrik channeled Michael Buble with his soulful, Old World number. He wore a simple black suit with tie and crooned about a lost love and how he wanted her to take him back. At least he knows Iceland loves him…
Our jury awarded Maria an impressive score of 9.39 for the Icelandic version of her song, which is entitled “Lítil Skref“. Here’s how wiwiblogger Denise described it:
This song is amazing. When I heard it for the first time I already knew this would be my big favourite in Iceland and even in the whole Eurovision contest. Her live performance is also great. He has an lovely voice and she can reach all of the high notes. Really curious about the English version of the song, but I just know that Maria won’t let us down.
Review: Iceland’s national selection
This year’s Söngvakeppni was a close call, and according to most people, is probably the strongest national final held in Iceland for some years. Do you agree? Is Maria a worthy winner?
OH! I love it!
I really want to sing it to my girlfriend!
Nice song and she’s very cute. I like
I don’t get the fuss about it. It’s nice and happy, but way too repetitive. It also reminds me of “Only Teardrops” way too much. It really is suitable for a Disney princess series. And it ways way better in Icelandic too. My top 11:
1. France: 9.7/10
2. Cyprus: 8.8/10
3. Malta: 8.6/10
4. Switzerland: 7.8/10
5. The Netherlands: 7.7/10
6. Denmark: 7.1/10
7. Iceland: 6.7/10
8. Georgia: 6.5/10
9. Belarus: 6.2/10
10. Albania: 6.2/10
11. FYROM: 6/10
Boring. My rating 4/10
Oh wow, so relieved a great new song has come through to Vienna. Denmark’s song is a joke, and Cyprus’ needs a rework badly. My fave now so far, just can’t wait for the uk’s song now!
at this stage, Iceland, Lithuania and Italy are the 3 clear front runners.
I think this is a great entry, and Iceland will probably do very well with this. Also, for those saying it’s a copy of previous winners, what she’s wearing is, the song isn’t. For those complaining that it’s in English and not Icelandic, songs in English tend to do better. In 2013 Eg a lif was an amazing song, but didn’t do fantastically.
Looks like a status quo ish for a Eurovision performance. I wonder how old is she. She looks very young.
Nice winner!
I think its a good entry from Iceland. I don’t think it is as good as Johanna was in 2009, but it could do pretty well in my opinion.
Oh, this is so predictable and so cheesy. Where are the quality songs this year? Italy, you may be my #1 at the moment.
Not a bad song.
The winning song was okay, and the vocals were excellent. But, I had preferred Sunday’s song in Icelandic until the English version was sung in the final, then I wasn’t so happy with it. Good luck to María in Vienna! 🙂
I was so diassapointed SUNDAY changed Fjaðrir to English. It didn’t deserved to win after that.
Of those presented on the night, the best song probably won. It’s a nice song, and she is a very good singer. Although I find nothing special in it, it will probably do very well in Vienna. 7/10
like her, like the song, but those backing dancers either need better choreography or to be got rid of!
To Eugene ESC UK
I’m totaly agree about IL Volo and their song Grande Amore (Real Love). I think this song has potencial to be the winner of the ESC 2015. Hopefully the Italians chose it to Vienna.
Yay.
The song is just average and repetitive, tbh. Something feels off about it, even though she is clearly an amazing singer.
The song is ok but the backing dancers need choreography help badly or they will distract from the song.
Why were all songs translated to English? SUNDAY’s song was amazing and unique in Icelandic, it could’ve had a very good chance of being in the final top 5 that way. It’s a shame it got an English version.
Wtf is up with you, Nordics? First Suitcase and now Feathers, learn how to fucking choose.
I love how this song is so dated and everyone is like YESS
the dated, safe and previous winner copy never ever wins ….
Not terrible but objectively, this will reach the final and the impact there might be ….. Underwhelming as it should
Best NF so far this year and Iceland would´ve been my #1 with six of the 7 songs in this final, so… I prefered Sunday & Fridrik tho.
1. Iceland
2. Netherlands
3. Denmark
4. Cyprus
5. Macedonia
6. Malta
7. France
8. Belarus
9. Switzerland
10. Albania
11. Georgia
Hi Lucy, go hug your momma and cry on her shoulder. Too hyperbolic
*END UP
See? I’m so mad I can’t even type properly
I can’t believe a country actually chose the right song. I havn’t followed their national selection but I think I should’ve. It’s amazing. This could be a winner, at least top 5 but we still have over twenty five songs left, however I have a great feeling about Marìa Ólafsdóttir. Even better than Amber and have been fighting her corner strongly, however my worrior has fallen to my new Golden Girl.
I HAVE TO USE CAPS LOCK I’M SORRY…
MARIA’S SONG IS BOTH PERSONALLY AND GENERALLY SPEAKING A CHEAP POP SONG WITH AWFUL LYRICS THAT CAN BE HEARD ANYWHERE AND THEY CHOSE IT INSTEAD OF BEAUTIFUL HEART WARMING BALLAD WHICH FRIDRIK SANG SO LOVELY,I WAS CLOSE TO TEARS… YOU MADE A FATAL MISTAKE ISLAND,I HOPE YOU END U DEAD LAST IN SEMI FINAL
i was so very very happy with my country and i am from Iceland and i was love this song so very much and i am so very very happy she’s have win this 😀
YES! This song is now officially one of my favourites to win!
1.Malta
2.Iceland
3.The Netherlands
4.Denmark
5.Switzerland
6.Albania
7.France
8.Cyprus
9.Georgia
10.Belarus
11.F.Y.R Macedonia
LOve it. My new nr 1 🙂 Iceland will qualify once again. One of the best ESC countries, well done guys!
mocosuburbian
I agree with you fatal mistake. I think they would be in supefinal and maybe win if they sing in icelandic not english.
The reason why SUNDAY didn’t win is the translation into English
honestly, it was made for Icelandic. The English version didn’t have any of the darker, mysterious qualities that the previous had.
YES YESS This is literally the first time my favourite from the national selection wins! New favourite! Now Iceland can actually win, even though I preferred it in Icelandic.
GO ICELAND AND GO MARIA!!!!
I was on the edge of my seat for this! So happy Iceland went with María, even though all seven of the finalists would have been amazing entries for Iceland in my opinion. I think we might’ve found the new Yohanna.
Maria is 100 % better than Fridrik. I was affraid that Fridrik would be choosen in supefinal with 2 songs.
I m sad because Sunday not win, and also Stefania didn t get chance to go to final
My new number one, her live vocals are just beautifully sharp and warm at the same time
Unbroken has more Eurovision identity than Once Again. Maria is a very good singer. The song is good and I believe that Iceland reach the final this year.
BUT, my favorite still is Amber with Warrior. Worrior from Malta is simply the best, until here.
(I am not a Maltese)
Thank god Iceland made the right choice! Europe had started disappointing me…Maria was by far the best! Well done and good luck Iceland!!
From Greece.
Ecstatic! My new favorite entry!
Not sure about this. It’s quite nice though.
Some people don’t recognize a good song when they see it, all those who criticize Friðrik’s song have no taste for music AT ALL!
Yes! My favourite national final of the day and my favourite won! I was so happy when they picked both Maria and Friðrik because those were my top favourites so I though whoever Iceland picks, I’ll be happy.
I am however, not that happy with the switch of language, I think Maria’s song sounded better in icelandic.
But I’m still a fan of the song, so at the moment Iceland goes on top of my list of selected songs so far 😀
OMG OMG OMG!!!! Finally a country that makes the right decision!!!! #fangirling
Friðrik should have won 🙁
María has just an average song, Friðrik’s was PERFECT!
A rightful winner. The only other songs which could have done as well didn’t reach the superfinal, so SUNDAY or Stefanía Svarvarsdottir.
Thank god the other dude didn’t win, his song was literally worse than ‘Three minutes to earth’
YES, best song and choice in my opinion, but WHY changing it to English, the original version was beautiful!
So, so worthy winner! This and “feathers” would both be perfect entries and I am so happy with this result! 😀