After two semifinals, Iceland is ready to choose its Eurovision 2020 representative. And now RÚV has revealed both the language in which each song will be sung in and the running order for the final of Söngvakeppnin 2020. KEiiNO and Hatari have also been booked for interval performances.
Iceland’s Söngvakeppnin 2020 — Grand Final
Söngvakeppnin 2020 — Language choices
As with the last few years, the Söngvakeppnin 2020 rules insisted that all entries must be sung in Icelandic throughout the semi-finals. However, the acts are able to choose the language of their choice if they make it to the final.
Of this years finalists, four of the five acts have chosen to switch over to English. Only the rockers in Dimma have decided to stick with the Icelandic version.
The running order is set up by RÚV’s producers and they have decided to start the show with Ísold and Helga’s “Meet me Halfway” and close with Dimma’s “Almyrkvi”.
Söngvakeppnin 2020 — Final Running order
- “Meet me halfway” (ENG) – Ísold & Helga
- “Think About Things” (ENG) – Daði & Gagnamagnið
- “Echo” (ENG) – Nína
- “Oculis Videre” (ENG) – Iva
- “Almyrkvi” (ISL) – Dimma
Söngvakeppnin 2020 — Voting Rules
The final will be split into two rounds. In the first round, all five songs will be battle for a spot in the gold duel. Two song will advance based on a 50% international jury vote and a 50% televote.
The final two will perform once again. The ultimate winner of Söngvakeppnin 2020 will be chosen by 100% televote. Votes from the first round will be carried over into the second round.
KEiiNO and Hatari for Söngvakeppnin interval
It has become a tradition for RÚV to invite an international act to perform at the final. And this year it is the 2019 televote winners — Norway’s KEiiNO. The trio will perform their joik-infused schlager-banger “Spirit in the Sky”.
Reigning Söngvakeppnin champs Hatari will also showcase their 2019 entry “Hatrið mun sigra”.
Since 2016, a secret guest has performed at the show. It will be exciting to see if a third interval act will make an appearance.
The final of Söngvakeppnin 2020 will take place on Saturday 29 February, at Laugardalshöllin in Reykjavík.
What are your thoughts? Do you think the running order will have any effect? What song is your favourite? Tell us in the comments below.
DIMMA vs Íva for the trophy!
Well, anyone except that weirdo Daði. He really creeps me out
Da?i has some real chances to win, perhaps you don’t like it, but he sure is loved in Iceland so…
Is that girl at the lower left corner on the cover photo blind?
Yes, Íva is blind
Blindness makes me so sad
I would love to see Daði & Gagnamagið to win. Their song is funky, fun and positivity. We need that after all the hatrið. ?
Gosh, no, that would be a disaster. And the guy is creepy
I would also prefer Iva singing in Icelandic, even if I think the English lyrics for this one are pretty solid. The thing is that the more you make it a sensorial experience, the better.
I am disappointed IVA has gone for English. Icelandic sounds beautiful in the song and it gives it more power and atmosphere. English just makes it a bit more plane.
As in aero plane?
I tell you what though, I am getting pretty sick of all the anglais hating on here. What happened to tolerance? It is a national language for goodness sake, not some rubbish to throw around without care.
Don’t be so sensitive. 29 out of the 41 entries last year were in English. It’s not a personal attack against your country if people might like some variety. Iceland have only sent two songs in Icelandic in the last twenty years.
Yes, but the sentiment of most people is “oh no, not English!” There is nothing wrong with English, it is a beautiful language. I would rather people say, “sing in your own language“ when criticizing an act, not “don’t sing English” – it’s unfair to the language and the people whose national language it is to be singled out negatively like that.
Of course that English is a beautiful language. It’s only the issue of over-exposure. It any other language was the one which has about three quarters of all songs every single year, reactions would be the same.
I understand, but I just wish people were a little more respectful.
As in “plain”. “English just makes it a bit more plain”. It was a genuine mistake. You must be very proud of yourself! And I am pretty fed up with paranoid people around here. I was talking about the use of English on a specific song. There have been many songs in the past which I prefered to listen to in English rather than the original language… The use of the English language can add or take from a song… it depends on different factors .
Is that girl which located in the left down corner on the cover photo blind?
Yup
Iva and Dadi for the gold duel, id be happy with either one
I’m of two minds when it comes to favorites. Think About Things is a ton of fun, and I could see it qualifying, but the comparisons to the Roop are inevitable and he could be compared to them a lot, possibly to the song’s detriment. Oculis Videre is just absolutely gorgeous, beautifully-sung with good staging potential and I’m sure the juries would send it through handily. My caveat is that they probably ought to keep it in Icelandic. The English isn’t bad, per se, but like with Hatari last year, it being in another language adds to its intrigue. I… Read more »
I am excited for this final – 5 great artists and 5 great songs. My personal favorite is meet me halfway, it is such an emotional song and sung so nicely by isold and Helga. But I understand the global power of something like oculis videre, that has to be the sensible choice for Iceland’s success in the contest. But overall, well done Iceland, you have 5 great songs here!
I’ve got a gut feeling Iva is going to go back to Icelandic. She’d already been mulling it over and I think fan consensus should sway her.
Id love her to keep it in Icelandic , gives it more mystery. Love it in either language but Iceland is gorgeous to listen to,
My opinion is not popular but I’m glad Iva decided to go with English. For me half the reason I like the song is because of the meaning that the lyrics have, which I think are extremely important given the context of her performance.
She must’ve realized that no one would understand the words or the story if she sings in Icelandic at Eurovison. She wants her story to be told and I guess she wants people to understand her.
I respect the choice she made.
I’ve been obsessed with “Think about things” lately, I would love for it to win. Oculis videre would be a fine choice too, it’s just a shame she switched to English, the opening verse is specially cringy. Icelandic suits the mysterious atmosphere of the song much better.
Nooooooooo please switch back to Icelandic for Oculis Videre 🙁 PLEASE
Ukraine has a strong song in Ukrainian in their final (GO_A), same as Belarus in Belarusian (VAL). All the Serbian finalists are in Serbian, whilst Slovenia, Croatia and Portugal’s candidates are overwhelmingly in Slovene/Croatian/Portuguese.
Beovizija has a rule everything *must* be in Serbian for NF, but at least Thea and Andrija will translate to English if they win. Croatian Dora is about 50/50% in Croatian and English. Slovenia also seems to be mixed in languages. Portugal is likely to go Portuguese, unless they pick Blasted. And yes, Belarus technically has 2 songs in Belorussian, but I would never call them anything near strong. Ukraine has a good choice in Ukrainian, but as I see, they weren’t leading in the semi.
My favorites are the 2 interval acts Hatari and Keiino. They beat everything the ESC 2020 season has to offer.
She has
lol keiino so overrated
this is dissapointing, oculis videre is much more beautiful in icelandic
I would be so dissapointed if Oculis Videre would be sent in English, it’s way more haunting in Icelandic.
they don’t have their hands tied, if her team notices the clear general preference for the icelandic version they’ll send that one. hopefully!
Is there a chance Iva might opt on switching back to Icelandic afterwards? I love the song in English too, but there is a layer of mystery added with Icelandic verses. The chorus is in Latin anyway, so here’s another language. 🙂
As for the running order, I really don’t think it matters in a final this small. I have a hunch that Iva will win.
so oculis videre will be in english? i wanted it to stay in icelandic tbh ): she still HAS to win tho!
Dimma will win. This is the type of song we miss this year so much.
They are good band, but I don’t like this song so much. I love this genre, but wouldn’t want to choose someone just for the sake of representation.
Not into Iva’s song tbh.. English or Icelandic.. My pick is Dadi – Think about things.. Quirky and fun..
I don’t think the voting Icelandic people suddenly decide not to vote for Iva because it is in English. They’ve heard it already in Icelandic, plus it is a nice opportunity to hear both versions. However I do hope it will be kept in Icelandic in Rotterdam
gagnamagnid and oculis voider were both so much better in Icelandic. rly disappointed tbh
videre not voider
well it is a void now, in english anyway feels lacklustre, lame some silly church song
haha tru
Even in English , IVA should win , but the song was more mysterious in Icelandic for sure
in english oculus videre is dull, so Iva doomed herself with this bad choice
DIMMA to win pls, i get icelandic guns n roses vibes
Really disappointed they chose to sing Oculis Videre in English