She won the first semi-final of Melodi Grand Prix 2020.

And now Norway’s Raylee has celebrated another milestone. That’s because her song “Wild” has been streamed over one million times on Spotify.

While “Wild” has been on Spotify for five weeks, it is an impressive achievement, particularly considering Norway’s population only numbers 5 million.

“Totally unreal”

Raylee said she feels “grateful” after reaching this milestone:

“I’m humble and incredibly grateful for how my song, “Wild,” has been received. The song means a lot to me, so it’s been nerve-wracking following the streaming numbers.

“Going into this, I would never have dreamed of 1 million streams before the MGP final. It’s totally unreal. I want to send a big thank you to everyone who supports me and likes the song. You are all amazing and you mean a lot to me.”

Frequent Spotify users will notice the song has been added to two popular international playlists “Girls Night” and “Young, Wild & Free.” Together they have over 4.5 million monthly listeners. Raylee is also popular in Sweden, with Stockholm and Gothenburg ranking as her second and fifth most streamed locations. This suggests not all of her streams are happening in Norway itself.

But it is still an incredible achievement and in Norway, Raylee’s averaging over 80,000 monthly listens in Oslo alone.

Norwegian Media: Tone Damli’s song has “enough quality to win”

From one finalist to another.

Tone Damli‘s MGP 2020 entry “Hurts Sometimes” has been eagerly anticipated since the acts were announced. And in the Norwegian press, the entry has drawn a mixed response from the media.

Dagbladet has touted “Hurts Sometimes” as a potential winner and says that Norway would be proud to have her represent the nation in Rotterdam.

VG credits it as the best pre-qualified song of the year, but is more scathing about overall quality. Indeed they label it Tone’s “second best” MGP song ever and describe “Hurts Sometimes” as “not particularly memorable”.

Tone has gained a lot of attention as she competed back in MGP 2009 where she placed second with “Butterflies” — beaten by Alexander Rybak’s iconic winning Eurovision song “Fairytale”. She also competed in Sweden’s Melodifestivalen 2013. She performed “Hello Goodbye” in duet with Erik Segerstedt. The track, written by Måns Zelmerlöw advanced the Andra Chansen round.

Where in the world have you streamed Wild? Do you think “Hurt Sometimes” will go all the way? Is there another song that will beat them both? Let us know in the comments.

GET MORE NORWAY NEWS HERE

Photo Credit: NRK

34 Comments
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hebbuzz
hebbuzz
4 years ago

I really like ‘hurts sometimes’ a lot. Hope the live performance will be as consoling warm and uplifting as the studio version. Next year i want Maria Mena to represent Norway please. ?

Mia
Mia
4 years ago

“Wild” is wrong on so many levels…

lasse braun
lasse braun
4 years ago
Reply to  Mia

why – too sexy like maruv?
norway 2020 is very weak and this is the little light.
the song is average but the voice has something special – first minute is really ok and it is more catchy than the rest of the field.

Mia
Mia
4 years ago
Reply to  lasse braun

Lol no, I’m not going into personal tastes, but she can only dream to be sexy as Maruv. I don’t know even where to start – her annoying voice, her forced fake smile, forced fake energy for that song, ridiculous childish lyrics with fake “rebellion” theme, manufactured feeling, tacky JESC performance , shameless ripp-offs! And no, I’m not one of those “this is another Fuego” ( I loved She got me, but hated Replay), if it’s done right, I’m not against it, this is just bad.

lasse braun
lasse braun
4 years ago

i love that pigtail!
sexy pigtail for the win!

Marcelo
Marcelo
4 years ago

Raylee has also reached the Spotify Norwegian Top 50 chart. “Wild” is currently at #49, it seems.

This is the first time I’ve seen a MGP 2020 act in said chart.

Kosey
Kosey
4 years ago

I must admit Rein is growing on me. I am falling for the Viking realness!

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago

Tone Damli is an excellent artist. However, “Hurts Sometimes” sounds like a by-the-numbers selection song that is intended to be good enough but have no chance of actually winning ESC. You know, like the UK often select. Norway has a few screaming winners this year otherwise, but “Hurts Sometimes” is just Eurovision on default setting.

Ben ESC
Ben ESC
4 years ago

Calling it now, attention won’t win, I will be quite sad but at least norway should be sending a great song this year!

Kris
Kris
4 years ago

I think the Norwegian broadcaster wouldn’t let Ulrikke win and risk hosting the contest !!!
I think this might go to Tone or Raylee instead

Joe
Joe
4 years ago
Reply to  Kris

What could they do? It’s all televote.

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  Kris

Nobody knows what 30+ other countries will send. We know it won’t be Spain, but it’s ridiculous to think about anyone winning at this stage. And why on earth would Norway fear hosting?

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
4 years ago

Well, the last time Norway hosted, they had to sell their broadcasting rights to the 2010 World Cup in order to fund the contest. This was during the worst of the late 2000/ early 2010s economic crisis. Several countries actually withdrew because of money problems.

Even though it has been 11years since Norway’s last win, I don’t blame them about being skittish about winning again.

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

The 2010 contest, as you said, took place in the aftermath of a global recession- circumstances which are unusual in their scale and severity. The Norwegian economy at present seems quite strong.

Héctor
Héctor
4 years ago

That doesn’t mean it is a good song.

Wayne
Wayne
4 years ago

Hopefully the public will vote for Ulrikke. 100% televote so may the most popular win. I hope it’s gonna be Ulrikke please please please. But I’ll be happy if Wild will win but Norway please don’t miss this rare opportunity!

halseyswhxre21
halseyswhxre21
4 years ago

Wow, this song is approaching international hit territory, wouldn’t be surprised even if this loses the nf it starts to become a big summer hit.

Marios
Marios
4 years ago

sorry to many for telling this but, imagine norway picking wild instead of attention

Reverb
Reverb
4 years ago
Reply to  Marios

attention is trash

Stian F
Stian F
4 years ago
Reply to  Reverb

Why is it trash exactly? Which do you prefer? And why does your taste matter more than others?

Nina
Nina
4 years ago
Reply to  Stian F

Urlikke is a nice singer, but her song is soooo boring, and she is definitely NOT an original artist (nor is her song), so seeing some people calling Raylee’s song unoriginal (in comparison to Urlikke’s song) is funny 😀 Urlikke’s song is a complete generic ballad, and crying over this and that is soooooo boring lol “Attention” has everything but a ESC winning potential, and unfortunately “Wild” also doesn’t have that quality, but at least we can have fun listening and watching Raylee’s performance

Mia
Mia
4 years ago
Reply to  Nina

Fun? Each to their own, but I just have cringe and annoying feeling while watching Wild. Wouldn’t mind listening it on radio tho

Stian F
Stian F
4 years ago

Wow… 1 million?!? That is crazy for a song that hasn’t even won the national selection yet…?

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

lol i can’t believe people are actually streaming wild, it must be payola’d as hell

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago

It’s a good track to wake up with in the morning though.

BREXIT CAREER WOMAN
BREXIT CAREER WOMAN
4 years ago

shameless take on Fuego

esc1234
esc1234
4 years ago

Am i the only one who still cheers for Rein Alexander?

Kobe
Kobe
4 years ago
Reply to  esc1234

Yes.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago
Reply to  Kobe

Don’t count Rein out. He has a strong stage presence and a powerful message behind his song.

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago

I see it as the appropriately lukewarm end to a dire selection. Who else can they choose besides ‘Attention’?

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago

Som du er, Pray for Me and Over the sea would be respectable choices, and Wild and One Last Time being potential fan favourites. But Attention is by far the best choice Norway can make and the only way they can seriously challenge for victory.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

Agreed. I can see “Wild” winning, and also “Over the sea” because of the Rybak connection. Also never underestimate “One Last Time”, especially in a televoting final.

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I didn’t mean to confuse. I wanted to convey that ‘Attention’ is the only half-decent choice for me. Of course, in theory, they COULD choose anyone competing in the final.

Lolek
Lolek
4 years ago

Damli’s song is indeed a very nice one and Wild is also incredibly catchy! However, I still think Ulrikke’s “Attention” is Norway’s best choice at eurovision. I think she currently stands a strong chance of winning (based on the current pool of all the potential songs out there so far).