Greta Salóme is a hot favourite to win Iceland’s national final Söngvakeppnin 2016 tomorrow. Like most of the finalists, her song will be performed at the final with English lyrics, and Greta has just released the English version of her song, “Hear Them Calling”.
The original Icelandic version of the song, “Raddirnar” (The Voices) was the top pick of the Wiwi Jury, earning a high score of 8.17/10, with one jury member noting that “this song taps into something primal and universal — yet swells with modern instrumentation and production”.
It was also a favourite with Söngvakeppnin viewers, who voted it into the final, after Greta delivered an impressive performance at the first semi-final. She brought the song to life with back-projected images, which she interacted with using precise choreography.
The Söngvakeppnin rules state that while all songs in the semi-finals must be performed in Icelandic, the version performed at the final should be in the language intended for the Eurovision performance. This means that Greta and four of the other five finalists will be singing in English at the final.
Greta, who has written both the music and lyrics herself, has captured the epic, Nordic feel of the song. She sings, “I hear them calling me, I hear them whispering/They’re singing, ‘Now we are coming home'”.
The English language version has impressed fans, with some even wondering if the volcanic island nation will finally win Eurovision, 30 years after its first entry. Reykjavik 2017, anyone?
Greta Salóme – “Hear Them Calling”
https://youtu.be/Mp6gYJE3oLE
Greta Salóme “Hear Them Calling” lyrics
Can you hear them calling?
Oh, they’re calling out tonight
Now the skies are burning
Oh, they burn so bright
We shiver as we step into the cold, cold night
Then we’re running, we are running now
I hear them calling me, I hear them whispering
They’re singing, “Now we are coming home”
I hear them calling me, I hear them howling
Singing, “Now we are coming home”
Oh, oh…
See the shadows dancing
Oh, they dance for us tonight
And as I’m tossing and I’m turning
Oh, they come alive
We shiver as we step into the cold, cold night
Then we’re running, we are running now
I hear them calling me, I hear them whispering
They’re singing, “Now we are coming home”
I hear them calling me, I hear them howling
Singing, “Now we are coming home”
Oh, oh…
Can you hear them? I hear them calling me, oh…
Can you hear them? I hear them calling me, oh…
I hear them calling me, I hear them whispering
I hear them calling me, “We’re coming home”
I hear them calling me, I hear them whispering
I hear them calling me, “Now we’re coming home”
I hear them calling me, I hear them whispering
I hear them calling me, I hear them whispering
They’re singing, “Now we are coming home”
(I hear them calling me, I hear them howling)
Singing, “Now we are coming home”
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Image: Greta Salóme
I thought she would do this.
I would prefer it in Icelandic but it will do better in English.
Can we petition Greta to sing it in Icelandic? This song won’t do very well in English.
To Greta’s credit, not only that she has done one heck of a translation (keeping the similar words, feelings and impact), but she has changed to English before the contest, giving voters exactly what they will hear in Stockholm (hopefully, since this HAS to win tomorrow).
On the other hand, Eneda Tarifa and possibly Ira Losco… now, that’s unprofessional.
As ESC rules change all the time, do you think it’s possible to suggest a new rule that would ban translations and replacing songs? If you want an English song, write it. If you chose something to represent you, stick with it, give voters some credit. I love Greta’s translation though, but: a) this is a rare example that does well, b) I would prefer more diversity.
Slightly prefered it in Icelandic, although it doesn’t sound cheap in English (like many translated songs tend to do).
Eugene,
I hope you like that every Eurovision song is sung in English now because it explains why Ireland and the UK haven’t won since the sing-in-your-own-language rule has been abolished.
@Eugene
I’m not generally against songs that are sung in English but I think that in this case of Greta’s song Icelandic lyrics (or at least one part in Icelandic) would fit the mystical theme of the whole song. It’s not a bland love song like for example Përrallë – it’s a mystical song and Icelandic lyrics emphasise this atmosphere.
The song and stage performance are formulaic cr*p. Hate it.
I like it in English with that Of Monster and Men sound, but I think it has lost some of its magic.
Wow like this much more. Maybe the lyrics are quite repetitive, but the production is way better!
Oh, you will hear me calling in to vote for this, alright!
The icelandic version is so much better. And i LOVE the male backing vocals.
@eugene
You’re right about most people not knowing there ever was an Icelandic version. However, ignoring the fact whether you understand the lyrics or not, they just sound better in the original. It’s better to sacrifice some of the original meaning in the translation to stay true to the original sound. ‘Ég heyri raddirnar’ sounds nothing like ‘I hear them calling me’.
In the ESC you need only good song and good staging. Nothing more. All funny effects useless and unnecessary. For viewers it is always very clear, but not for jury.
“Originality” and “showiness” is not enough. Good entry may be very classic, but must be orderly and catchy. And that’s why Samir & Viktor are good, while many other craps are bad. It’s so simple, easy, obvious and clear.
Greta is a great lyricist and it sounds fantastic in English too. However, I am underwhelmed by the fact that almost all songs are in English 3 years in a row. For a show that celebrates different cultures, we hear too much of the same language.
Forgot to add, I also hope this doesn’t suffer the same fate as Litil Skref/Unbroken, which was leagues better in Icelandic.
It’s still my favourite in the Icelandic selection by far, but if this wins and it’s performed in English I don’t know if it will be my favourite in Eurovision (which Raddirnar would have been.) Because while the song is still really good, it’s lost the magic the Icelandic lyrics gave it which makes the song that much better. Still, I’m sure she’ll slay on stage.
I liked the Icelandic version better. I think singing in another language than English helps a song to stand out and makes it more original. Also no one cares if the lyrics are bad or cheap (for example “N’oubliez pas” – in English this would have been a very cheasy song while in French it was okay because most of the people did not understand a word). I’m sure Molitva would not have won if Marija sung in English. Or look at Rändajad (Estonia 2011). It scored good, even though over 90% did not understand what the song was about.… Read more »
I’m gonna disagree with you there Eugene. Yes, it’s great to be able to understand a song’s lyrics, and it’s not surprising most countries sing in English. But a really good song can be appreciated beyond language barriers. Look at Molitva, or more recently Grande Amore. I doubt all of the public or jury could understand their respective languages.
In regards to Greta’s song – I still really like it, but I personally prefer the Icelandic. Will probably grow on me though.
Actually scrap that. Just listened a second time. Its still my favourite.
I loved the icelandic version and it was may favourite for the whole esc. The english version looses it some points for now. BUT i feel it is just a case of getting used to the new lyrics over the old ones and ill be just as happy in a week or two. (If it wins tomorrow that is otherwise its icelandic all the way).
I had the same ” no not in English” moment last year with serbia and in the end i thought it was a good move.
Its a cute little song.
It’s also one of those I liked so much in Icelandic that I didn’t need to know what she was singing about.
Rarely I enjoy the translated versions of these type of songs but I’d be happy if she went either way.
Icelanduc was SO much better! The lyrics in the English version are very repetitive.
The song has definitely grown on me. I like both versions, even if I don’t understand Raddirnar.
AND
It’s not always about winning.
Jury will like this “style” even if quality is very weak.
Preferred it in Icelandic, but still a great song.
@eugene
As a Brit you probably can’t identify with this, but us non-native speakers grow up mostly listening to music in a language which we can only partly understand (or not at all) 🙂
Icelandic has an elfish/dreamlike quality to it that adds something to this song. Sometimes it’s better not to know exactly what the song is about. I love Sigur Rós, millions of people all over the world do, most of whom don’t understand a word they’re singing.
I don’t think translating it will increase their chances… quite the opposite, actually. It loses some of its mysticism. The chorus becomes annoying rather than catchy.
The Icelandic version is much better still
It’s the male background vocalist that I personally find so unflattering … either in English or in Icelandic.