From almost 1200 submissions, only ten songs have made the cut. Norway‘s broadcaster NRK has now revealed the ten acts who will be competing in its national final Melodi Grand Prix 2018.
The ten acts represent a range of modern styles, but there are more than a few acts who have recent Eurovision experience.
The biggest name is Eurovision 2009 winner Alexander Rybak. He will perform the song “That’s How You Write a Song”. And as his publicity photo suggests, the song involves some violin.
Also returning to MGP is Norway’s 2011 act, Stella Mwangi. While her song “Haba Haba” crashed out in 17 place in the semi-final, it still remains a fan favourite and many supporters are rejoicing her return. Stella will perform as part of the duo Stella & Alexandra, performing “You Got Me”.
Another Eurovision returnee is Aleksander Walmann, who recently did duty as the vocalist on Jowst’s “Grab the Moment” in Kyiv. Jowst (Joakim With Steen) is also represented as one of the co-writers of Aleksander’s song “Talk to the Hand”.
The ten acts will compete at the grand final on Saturday 10 March, to see who will follow in Jowst’s footsteps to represent Norway at Eurovision 2018. The show will be hosted by Kåre Magnus Bergh and Silya Nymoen.
Melodi Grand Prix 2018 – competing acts
Alejandro Fuentes – “Tengo Otra”
Written by: Alejandro Fuentes, Angel Arce Pututi, Alejandro Pututi
Alejandro Fuentes brings some Latino flavour with “Tengo Otra”. And this isn’t just another “Despacito” copy. Alejandro is originally from Chile and wanted the chance to perform in Spanish.
Aleksander Walmann – “Talk to the Hand”
Written by: JOWST/Joakim With Steen, Jonas McDonnell, Magnus Klausen
After representing Norway at Eurovision 2017 as part of JOWST, Aleksander Walmann returns as a solo artist. His song “Talk to the Hand” is co-written by JOWST mastermind Joakim With Steen.
Alexander Rybak – “That’s How You Write a Song”
Written by: Alexander Rybak
Rybak is back, y’all! The Eurovision 2009 winner is back with his self-written song about songwriting, “That’s How You Write a Song”. Can he capture the magic that made “Fairytale” such a hit? We don’t know — we’re just happy that he’s back!
Charla K – “Stop the Music”
Written by: Charla K, Per Gessle, Alex Shield
Upcoming singe Charla K has “Stop the Music”. It’s written by Per Gessle, the Swedish pop maestro who is one half of the internationally successful duo Roxette.
Ida Maria — “Scandilove”
Written by: Ida Maria
Idea Maria is an award-winning singer and songwriter. She was one of the writers behind Ella’s MGP 2017 song “Mama’s Boy”.
Nicoline – “Light Me Up”
Written by: Nicoline Berg Kaasin, Johan Larsson, Emilie Adams
Nicoline came to fame as a finalist on The Voice of Norway in 2015. She has previous Eurovision experience as a backing singer for both Margaret and Agnete.
Rebecca – “Who We Are”
Written by: Kjetil Mørland
Rebecca Thorsen is an upcoming singer from Oslo. Her song “Who We Are” is written by Kjetil Mørland, who represented Norway at Eurovision 2015.
Stella & Alexandra – “You Got Me”
Written by: Gustav Eurén, Niclas Arn, Stella Mwangi, Andreas Alfredsson
Stella Mwangi represented Norway at Eurovision 2011, where she performed “Haba Haba”. Stella is singing with Alexandra Rotan on the song “You Got Me”.
Tom Hugo – “I Like I Like I Like”
Written by: Tom Hugo Hermansen
Tom Hugo previously participated at MGP 2013 with “Det er du”, which did not make it into the grand final. This time Tom is performing his self-written song “I Like I Like I Like”.
Vidar Villa – “Moren din”
Written by: Vidar André Mohaugen, Jonas Thomassen, Martin Thomassen.
Vidar Villa is one of Norway’s most streamed artists, with his songs streamed 27 million times in 2017. He will perform “Moren din”.
What do you think of the MGP 2018 line-up? Who would you like to see represent Norway in Lisbon? Share your thoughts below!
I am self a Norwegian and for me the winner is Vidar Villa and «Moren din». It is a catchy song and is what i as youth listen to. It is much like what we call a russesong. It is about a guy who has faller in love with is bestfriends mother and who have GOT together. The song tops at the end by anouncing that he is gonne become a big brother. It is at all a humoristisk song.
Uh. Next year, go back to snippets instead of all these big names singing trashy songs.
I feel like none of these are good. Stella and Alexandra is passable though.
Scandilove FTW! I feel like it was intended as an interval act song but then decided to enter in the competition at the very last minute. “I ran out of metaphors… like a Scandinavian.” Brilliant XD
I haven’t listened to any of the songs (yet); but I sense that MGP might be THE finals to watch, yes?
Rebecca is definetely my favourite. I think is a bit unfair both Aleksander and Alexander are back, they already went to Eurovision and one of them even won. I truly believe this year belongs to someone else, hopefully Rebecca. I really hope people vote for her!! Greetings from Chile <3
All I have to say about MGP is – Rebecca.
Loving Alexander Rybak’s song, so catchy! I woke up singing it! To me I feel it’s like a timeless dance classic with a modern twist and a fizz! The Official Video is full of fun and joy.I can’t wait to see how it will be staged at Spectrum! My second favourite is Alexander Walmann’s song. Very danceable! In fact, as soon as I started playing it in the staff room yesterday, my colleague and I jumped to our feet , and started inventing some “moves”. Unfortunately my boss walked in right at the moment i was singing ” Talk to… Read more »
I listened to ‘Scandilove’ on repeat all last night. It would be great to see it get to Lisbon but Im aware opinion is split about it . If it doesn’t make it then ‘Who we are’ should get the ticket.
Someone did, Gianluca in JESC! That was a cute song.
Adult ESC is indeed mostly dreary. It’s either world problem drama, or a broken heart, and even when it’s uptempo, it’s usually run-the-mill empowerment dance number.
Sometimes they suceed in making a heartwarming song, sometimes they are just boring. This year, however, most of them are just misguided thinking they are deep.
Ugh. No reggaeton at Eurovision please.
Didn’t Alexander say that he will probably never return to Eurovision ever again? Besides that I love that he’s back, he’s so charming! Gotta say the same thing about Walmann aswell 🙂
AleKSander deserves a second chance.
Hes gonna Winn in Norway. But not in ESC
Great national final! Lots of good songs.
I personally, would like to see Rybak win. The song is fun and you know that it is going to be a fantastic performance.
I am Stella and I approve this message.
Interesting. This is very unusual of Norway’s MGP to invite this returness in one year. I’ve followed their selection for the last 5 years and they’re always new names every year! is there some sort of occasion happening this year? an anniversary perhaps? either way I’m happy to see them all back. Looking forward 🙂
I Don’t know if Rybak will be able to represent Norway again, its very unlikely, his 2009 song even though I hate to admit it was a song where we all hated to love it, and will he be able to recreate that charm, who knows, I hope Stella will get an opportunity to qualify because her song was so good to not qualify. But who knows
For me, there are only THREE artists cometing this year for Norway:
– Alejandro Fuentes
– Aleksander Walmann
– Tom Hugo
The other seven were announced by then were abducted by aliens or something.
Rybak, honey, that’s the way you don’t write a song… it’s sooooo awful. I needed some vodka and prozac after hearing that crappy song. The whole bunch of song is kind o mediocre. Just one or two songs are kind of decent, at least to be heard while drinking some sassy cocktails and painting my nails
Alexander Waldmann is bae. I hope he wins.
Well after listening to those snippets a questions pop’s up … why Eurovision legends try to comeback and not let new face’s to shine. In 2009 ALEXANDER RYBAK was the-best entry and it remains as one of the-best , same to Loreen , but we saw how badly she did last year and kinda deminished her look as Eurovision legend. I dont think Alex has the-best entry this year and even the name of the song is trying to reference to the “love love peace peace” segment from 2016. I love novelty songs when they are done right , but… Read more »
No weird nature ladies with antlers this year?
Aww…
So glad Stella Mwangi is back! I haven’t heard any of the 10 songs yet, but I’m rooting for her already… She was so wronged in 2011!
Also excited to see Ida Maria on this list… Some of her songs have been played on radio here in South Africa… I adored her song “bad karma” back in the day.
Charla K – “Stop the Music” is so great! My winner here. I also like Rebecca – “Who We Are” and Aleksander Walmann – “Talk to the Hand”. Rybak’s song is nothing special.
I really hope a comeback from a Eurovision winner like Rybak won’t crash and burn like Looren did last year looool
Its “Scandilove” or “Who We Are” for me.. A lot of average songs, “Who We Are” is the only quality song in the selection. I also like “Scandilove since it has a hook and is fun unlike the other songs. I pray that Rybak, Vidar or Stella wont win, they all have awful songs
I forgot Aleksander Walmann, his song is also really poor. Such a shame since I really liked Jowst last year and they were in my top 5.
I should point out that Rybak has released his extended music video of the song, and it contains a short introduction to the song in which a child writes to him asking how to write a song.
Video on YouTube here:
https://youtu.be/SixPA1jhynE
Norway will not qualify with any of these songs in my opinion apart from maybe Scandilove but even that is an 8th-12th semifinal finisher. Just like most of these songs which are 10th-last place
I seriously don’t see any competition for Rybak in this selection. His song is so positive and fun. That one would definitely stand out in the contest. I already see a lot of people voting for his song and his cutie smiley face :p
I liked Rebecca the best out of these but sounds like it needs a little more of a kick, a lot of these sound too juvenile particularly Rybak and Stella’s songs. Alejandro’s song is pretty decent but the Latin trend is already sounding tired but I’d imagine it might still do well at Eurovision. On the topic of Rybak, he should really stay away from Eurovision, he can’t score any higher than he did last time he’s definitely the worst winner in the last 10 years and I have no idea how he won since 2009 was a strong year… Read more »
The production of all songs are really good but I none sreams winner potential.
I love how many singers are entering songs in Spanish all around Europe, even if they are cheap or they aren’t big favourites
Norway brings quality material, maybe I don’t like some of the songs, but they are all well-produced. Unfortunately, that isn’t enough to win Eurovision and there isn’t an Alert Winner here. No alert winner anywhere for now. My thoughts on these songs: ALEJANDRO FUENTES – “TENGO OTRA”. I would say “Tengo Otra” is another “Despacito” wannabe, but this has much more quality than those songs. I’ve never liked the lyrics of these songs, he’s singing about how he has a new girl who is prettier, love him more and she’s not going to lie to him or leave him. Maybe… Read more »
OMG, Alejandro’s song is proper reggaetón and not some “Dónde Está La Biblioteca” stuff!
My favorites are Charla, Alejandro, Alexander and Aleksander. I don’t know if they will win, but they do have a chance, or at least Can end up high on the scoreboard. Good job, Norway!
There are some really good songs in this selection. I like Rybak’s and Walmann’s songs the most. Good job, Norway!!
i listened to all the songs and my favs are talk to the hand, scandilove (GUILTY PLEASURE), who we are, tengo otra and light me up
my winner is defiantly who we are
now i like that alex rybak returned but his song is childish i still will love him and his song fairytale forever
my biggest cristcism comes from the monsters of men wannabe he stole the same music beat from there song and i am really angry with him
other then that norway is back babe.
@Robyn Gallagher what do you think of Rybaks song?I think its a fun song very happy that makes you want to dance and with a funny presentation and choreography,plus his smile and violin it can bring him in top 5,not to win but top 5.Its a song that sounds better in a stadium.
Love this selection.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXEgEg0r58s
My top 10 of MGP 2018!!!
Rybak’s is the only one I don’t like. Congrats Norway, you really stepped up your game this year. “Scandipop” is also hilarious.
Tbh, if Alexander Rybak’s song was on “Lazy Town” it would have been one of my favorite songs there, but for Eurovision it’s a no.
Well my favourite song is Rebecca’s song . Its unbelievable to do such a quality song like this. Top 3 material at Eurovision
Can I review like a Scandinavian? 😉 Actually I’m gonna wait for the Wiwi Jury stage, just to be annoying. But let’s be honest, Rybak’s fan base should easily see him through to the victory. Rebecca/Mørland’s song would be a serious contender, but it needs re-vamping for the reasons Polegend says. Walmann’s song is good. Some of the others are good too. The most memorable is Ida’s comedy song, where the ocean’s f-ing freezing cos you’re in Scandinavia. (Bee-atch!) Not to mention the y’all. These songwriters, Ida and Stefan, are obviously fans of Wiwibloggs YouTube videos. 😀 (Please William &… Read more »
Rybak’s kinda a has-been. He hasn’t had a hit song in awhile, I don’t think these “fans” are as eagerly supporting him as you’d think. (from a Scandinavian)
I don’t think Rybak’s fan base will see him through to victory because he wrote “I’m with you” by Annsofi in Melodi Grand Prix 2013 and that came dead last in the superfinal.
You’re comparing two different things. He will be on stage this time, singing and performing his song.
”But let’s be honest, Rybak’s fan base should easily see him through to the victory.”
One would say, but remember what happened to Loreen, who is even more recent winner of ESC. She didn’t even pass to the finals on televote.
Because little girls voted for the cute boy. Rybak is a cute boy.
all those little girls would be in their late teens – early 20s now…
I was not talking about rybak, but the guy who won against Loreen.
There is currently a Norway MGP poll, on another website. Rybak leads that with 34.6% of the vote. So far. I will keep watching it.
Rebecca overtook Rybak in the poll today. Wallman catching up too. So perhaps y’all have a point.
4 returning acts (3 performers and 1 songwriter), one of whom was a winner?! Call this Melodi Grand Prix All Stars cause 4/10 of the people behind a song this year have done the Eurovision experience before (with varying levels of success). I wish good luck to Norway!
Expected much more, I think that Wallmanns’ song is the best, modern. I like all the songs, but all of them are nothing special, I mean Stella could easily send any of her new tracks, which sound amazing, but she send this…
Norway are the only country to win in the 80s, 90s, and 00s – so they have only two chances left to win this decade too.
Funny how when Charlotte Perrelli came back nine years after her Eurovision win with Hero, 1999 seemed like an eternity ago – yet Moscow 2009 seems like yesterday. Time really messes with your head. Nine years ago? I can not believe it.
I like Aleksander Walmann’s song the most atm.
Rybacks Song its not. Winner in ESC. Top 10 maybe. Its asilly Song, But WHO moms. The last year have a silly Song Winn ESC.
Otra cosa – he tried to combine a basic Scandinavian production with an Ozuna chorus. The result couldn’t be any more impersonal and uninteresting. Light Me Up – too many smoking references. Noisy production. Not as remarkable as people hyped it out to be. Moren din – cute song, would sound much better without the brass which makes it very dated. Would work better at a county fair than at an international contest. You Got Me – typical radio poison sound… wouldn’t do well commercially. Stella serving Missy Elliot. Sounds too much like a song from the late 90s, and… Read more »