On Saturday TIX literally spread his wings in the grand final of Melodi Grand Prix 2021, winning one of the toughest finals in recent memory. And on Monday — with TIX’s gold chains freshly polished and his dark angels still limber from the weekend — NRK got to work filming the back-up performance for Eurovision 2021.

As you’ll remember, the EBU has taken the wise and practical decision to have all contestants film a back-up recording ahead of Eurovision. This is to safeguard the contest amid the ongoing and ever-changing pandemic. The pre-recorded performances can be used if a delegation can’t make it to Eurovision, or if an artist has to quarantine on-site at ESC.

NRK shared a snap of the recording on Instagram and Twitter.

Stig Karlsen, head of MGP and Norway’s Head of Delegation, says it went very well.

“Today we have recorded what could be TIX and Norway’s performance during the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. We all dream of traveling to Rotterdam to contribute to and be part of a music festival for 200 million people, but if that is impossible the ‘live on tape’ recordings luckily mean that Eurovision will take place this year, even if we are not allowed to travel to the Netherlands.”

Norway is the very first of the 41 participating countries to deliver their taped performance. Stig adds that his crew followed all the rules and instructions, as delivered by the EBU and the Dutch host broadcasters.

“TIX and the production team were on fire during today’s recording, and were cheered on by a very satisfied committee from the EBU and the Dutch broadcaster.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs)

And what about TIX himself?

“The dream is of course to travel to Rotterdam, so I hope it will take place. It was amazing to tape the recording today. We have actually only had one day to prepare and adjust what may be our contribution to the Eurovision Song Contest, but it seems that the entire NRK team feels they have a worthy contribution.”

“I have hardly slept since before the final, so now I am really ready to get home, check missed calls and take a shower.”

Tix will sing in English at Eurovision 2021

And that’s not the only news coming out of Oslo. NRK confirms that he will sing “Fallen Angel” — the English version of his song — rather than the Norwegian-language “Ut Av Mørket” from the semi-finals.

As the English-language lyrics make evident, the song is about a man’s battle with his personal demons. There’s a sense that he doesn’t feel deserving of love. As he sings: “I’m fighting all of my demons tryna tear me apart, and I’m still not sure what you ever saw in me…”

TIX to Norway: Ugly ducklings become swans

On stage he exudes the confidence of a performer with countless hits and the ease of an influencer who commands around 229,000 Instagram followers.

But, in an interview with Norwegian newspaper VG, TIX has said he wasn’t confident that he’d win the final. In fact, he tells the paper he was convinced Eurovision alums KEiiNO would win the night and book their place in Rotterdam.

His emotion was evident on stage in the moments after the announcement.

“Norway… I have felt like the ugly duckling for a very long time, both in the music industry and growing up,” he said. “It turns out that one day the duckling does become a swan.”

“I hope that all you ugly ducklings at home understand that one day everyone will see you as swans.”

In a text message to the newspaper, the bookies’ favourites KEiiNO said they were “incredibly disappointed.”

“We really felt we had the song and the show that would take home the victory at Eurovision. At the same time, we congratulate TIX on the win.”

Are you happy that TIX will keep the song in English? Are you as touched by his message as we are? Let us know down below!

Photo credit at top: NRK / Camilla Sand

101 Comments
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Symeon R.
Symeon R.
3 years ago

Background and context for “Fallen Angel”: This video tells much about TIX’s music style and his standing among the people in Norway, especially the young. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbRQFhOJKDI

Last edited 3 years ago by Symeon R.
Alex
Alex
3 years ago

the song is not even good, i don’t get why some fans here are trying to hype it up.

Gavin
Gavin
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

I guess some people like what they like… I mean if we all loved, liked and did the same thing life would have no vibrancy and the Eurovision would be a one song show.

Matthias
Matthias
3 years ago

Roko Blazevic wants his wings backkk

oscillate
oscillate
3 years ago

The song is not that bad, though I am not saying it is a winner material. But the staging…hmm why so literal?

Philou
Philou
3 years ago

We shall start a petition to NRK that TIX should sing in Norwegian…?
On my side it is already clear…I won’t give any votes to ‘Fallen Angel’. On the other hand the Norwegian version ‘Ut Av Mørket’ would have scored very high in my ranking. So from 12 points to nul point… sorry Norway…? unless he starts with English and ends with Norwegian…

Last edited 3 years ago by Philou
Philou
Philou
3 years ago

Honestly…who cares about the lyrics? The important is how the song sounds and how the artist is performing the song and transmits his emotions. The Norwegian version was more pleasant and sounds nicer.

Alx
Alx
3 years ago

I really think that you should all stop believing in all the polls you see around. You really thought Keiino were going to win among 26 song in MGP and then Eurovision even them three also believed it. And we all know what happened to them two years ago… Deserved televote but very bad with juries 🙁

Some Guy
Some Guy
3 years ago

People have gotta realise that it’s not just the nerdy Eurovision fandom who watch the show. Plenty of casual viewers who only care about the show during May tune in, and will be voting for their favourites, which in some cases will include TIX. Lots of viewers will only hear the English version, and have no clue that a Norwegian version even exists.

Ffs
Ffs
3 years ago

with the same hideous outfit ? Ok …

Gavin
Gavin
3 years ago
Reply to  Ffs

Yup … go research. Xxx

Ethan1994
Ethan1994
3 years ago

Indeed. I feel like a lot of the KEiiNO fans were getting ahead of themselves. Like, yeah, KEiiNO won the televote in 2019, but that itself was kind of a surprise really.

Honesty
Honesty
3 years ago

William, i think we need more posts about TIX this season. The hype is unbelievable. 😀

Tom Ripley
Tom Ripley
3 years ago
Reply to  Honesty

I dont see any problem that Norway get more attention right now as it is new entry. Still, that doesnt change my opinion aboyt the song.
Its too early to talk about odds but Norway in top 10 to me sound as a joke.

Honesty
Honesty
3 years ago
Reply to  Tom Ripley

Me either. I was pretty serious. I’m excited!

Myoozik
Myoozik
3 years ago

I gotta be honest, I really didn’t like this when it won, but this really changed since Saturday. Though it’s probably not gonna be my personal winner this year, but I really do like it now. I do feel sad that he’s not using the Norwegian version though. Also, KEiiNO fans gotta get over themselves. I know how much it sucks when your fave doesn’t win, but at least have the decency to not give the artist who won fair and square the hate.

Safiyaa
Safiyaa
3 years ago

First of all, I have to say, this song is a big grower for me. I can’t get it out of my head and it has quickly became one of my favorites. I don’t know where is all the hate coming from. I understand that you do not have to like a song but calling it horrible or the worst song ever is an exaggeration. The first version of the song I’ve heard was in English but I also like Norwegian. However, I do not think that any version is significantly better than the other. I can understand why he… Read more »

Esc addict
Esc addict
3 years ago

“We really felt we had the song and the show that would take home the victory at Eurovision”. Guys calm down, I like you but it’s presomptuous to say that and not really true sorry, firstly your song, it’s a good song, a Keiino ‘s style song but nothing really incredible, phenomenal, breathtaking or special sorry. Imo thunder and gloria it’s really too much, it remains a good song but if this song was sung by an “unknown group” it would have less success and nobody would say it can be an esc winning song, people are biased because Keiino… Read more »

Safiyaa
Safiyaa
3 years ago
Reply to  Esc addict

I also didn’t like this comment… It never seems fair to me to speak like that about someone’s own song. Everyone believes in their entry and it is okay, but everyone should know that it is a competition and no one can be sure that they will win, so I don’t think anyone should feel disappointed in this way…

Esc addict
Esc addict
3 years ago
Reply to  Safiyaa

Yes true, of course you have to believe in your song, but to say you have the absolute formula to win the whole thing, it’s too much, you can think it even if it’s not the reality, but don’t say it, it’s so pretentious.

Candy
Candy
3 years ago
Reply to  Esc addict

Being entirely confident in one’s song is a positive thing, I wouldn’t consider it presumptuous. At least KEiiNO are 100% convinced about what they do, I honestly wish more artists had that attitude towards their songs. Monument truly is a song they can be proud of and it’s without doubt that they have grown a lot over the past two years. On the other hand, I think it was a bit naive of them to think that they had good chances to win Eurovision when the winner often cannot be predicted so easily, especially not when the other entries they’d… Read more »

Safiyaa
Safiyaa
3 years ago
Reply to  Candy

Being sure that your song is good and believing in it is one thing and claiming that you have 100% of everything to win is another thing. It just sounds arrogant. Eurovision is full of good songs, anyone could win and you can never be really sure who will be the winner. Either way, you have to accept the results. It seems that some fans trear KEiiNO like some kind of Eurovision gods, who are a perfect recipe to win, just because they won televote once… 

Ermin
Ermin
3 years ago

Why would anybody love the lyrics? Imagine being in love and be told “you are too good for me “. So cynical.

Pancake
Pancake
3 years ago

I don’t wanna comment on his song but I do want to point out that if his currently filming his performance or if he’s already finish with it, then we can totally see what scenario is going to happen in Eurovision, even if all 3 remaining scenarios allows pre-filmed performances. I mean, if it’s scenario B, he can still perform in Rotterdam and NRK or TIX himself can just release his pre-filmed performance later on or just use the pre-filmed and not go. If it’s scenario C or D, NRK has no choice but to use the pre-filmed performance. Either… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by Pancake
Myoozik
Myoozik
3 years ago
Reply to  Pancake

They’re recording it as a precaution, everyone does it. And even if Scenario D is going to happen, that doesn’t mean Eurovision will “never be as it was before”. Stop being so dramatic.

Rumpelstiltskin
Rumpelstiltskin
3 years ago

So there goes the song down in my ranking. I had it at number 4 assuming it was the Norwegian version. Now it’s going to second last (only Spain’s song is worse) after it’s been confirmed it will be in English.

Philou
Philou
3 years ago

The same for me. Very disappointed that the English version has been chosen.

Davo
Davo
3 years ago

Did he fire a dark angel to fit into the six person rule?

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Davo

Back to the pits of hell(ish staging).

Myoozik
Myoozik
3 years ago
Reply to  Davo

They probably had to draw straws lmao

Nate
Nate
3 years ago

This means they are not going to change much about the performance and I just gonna say I really wanna give a chance to Tix after Keiino’s and Jorn’s loss, but the song is just really forgettable

Honesty
Honesty
3 years ago

Oh no. This’s gonna be epic fail. As much as i love the song, i hate the staging. I’m gonna listen to the song with my eyes wide shut in May.

Tom Ripley
Tom Ripley
3 years ago
Reply to  Honesty

I would easily cope with bad staging if the song is good. Unfortunately this is the worst possible scenario- bad song is bad song.

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
3 years ago

I think it’s hilarious how everyone is assuming that TIX is going to do poorly and that only teenage Norwegians who can’t vote will care about him when back in 2016 Frans who ALSO appeals mostly to teenage girls competed with a mediocre song with mediocre staging and still managed 5th even though Swedes couldn’t vote for him.

Like hmmmm maybe teenage girls are more powerful than you think they are

Chessguy99
3 years ago

Sweden gets votes just for being Sweden.

Leo
Leo
3 years ago

If I were sorry was actually a decent song.
But this one….

Azaad
Azaad
3 years ago

If I Were Sorry sounded very much like a chart friendly song from 2016 though. Fallen Angel is a fine enough song but this is not the comparison I would cite.

Myoozik
Myoozik
3 years ago

I’ve always said it, the power of boners is stronger than the power of being a past televote winner hahah. Also don’t forget Dina Bilan’s win in 2008, he also had a huge teenage girl audience.

mawnck
mawnck
3 years ago

Not assuming anything. It is the result of a dispassionate analysis of the entry, which has determined that the song and the staging objectively suck and people who don’t know who he is won’t vote for them. Including teenage girls.

GrantK
GrantK
3 years ago

Another post looking for sympathy to deflect from an absolute trash entry.

ABC
ABC
3 years ago

The entire TIX package (song, staging, promotion) is a total embarrassment! Ashamed to be Norwegian!

kyler
kyler
3 years ago
Reply to  ABC

I think he’ll be like Norway 2012

ABC
ABC
3 years ago
Reply to  kyler

Probably!

gilpgilpgilp
gilpgilpgilp
3 years ago

This reminds of 2005 when Sweden could have sent Alcazar who would have won Eurovision. Instead they sent something that came in almost last. Somehow the swedes got caught up in the hype and ignored Alcazar because they weren’t new. This is what happened to Keiino.

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  gilpgilpgilp

Nanne won the televote that year…and rightfully so.

gilpgilpgilp
gilpgilpgilp
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Nanne was better than Stenmarck. But Alcazar would have won Eurovision.

Azaad
Azaad
3 years ago
Reply to  gilpgilpgilp

Against Helena Paparizou? Nothing was beating her that year. There’s a reason she’s the most successful 2000s winner in terms of post career success…

Colono
Colono
3 years ago

It’s a trash beyond languages. He can sing it in Swedish if he wants to. Doesn’t really matter at all.

Kel
Kel
3 years ago

Shame. Sounded better in Norwegian.

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
3 years ago

Good decision, it will make the performance more accessable 🙂 Btw I am a Keiino stan, but people really need to calm down and give other acts a spot at Eurovision, too ^^

gilpgilpgilp
gilpgilpgilp
3 years ago

Every year there are a few selections of singers/groups who generate a ton of hype and buzz in their country, and so many people in that country get lost in the hype, they think the singer/group must be the best selection for eurovison.

But then at eurovision, nobody else outside the country shared in the hype/hysteria, and when the singer performs everyone outside the country reacts with “huh?? we don’t get it.”

That explains Norway 2021.

Andi
Andi
3 years ago

Not okay that he ignores his fans and sings it English, despite all the demands to sing it in Norwegian. I’m a bit disappointed to be honest 🙁

Philou
Philou
3 years ago
Reply to  Andi

I am so disappointed to. I will not pick up my phone and vote for Tix and ‘fallen angel’. The Norwegian version would have scored very well by me. So nul point instead of 12 points. Sorry Norway.

zach
zach
3 years ago

i thought it could be good if it was back to norwegian and they changed up the staging a bit, but…. ig RIP Norway

Kieran Edmunds
Kieran Edmunds
3 years ago

I heard English and went “oh??” Not going to rule out a non qualification especially with the powerhouses in Semi 1 he’s up against.

Kalla
Kalla
3 years ago

I’m in a minority and quite liked the staging, would love to support Norway and wear angel wings myself to eurovision! It would of been nice if there was a new concept to elevate the performance. Will be a little stale by May if it’s exactly the same as on MGP.

MariAkki
MariAkki
3 years ago

So they’re keeping the staging for sure? I really hoped they would rethink that…

Gavin
Gavin
3 years ago
Reply to  MariAkki

I wonder if their is a rule that the staging has to be same as what your prerecorded track is.

Kris
Kris
3 years ago
Reply to  Gavin

No , the rule is quite the opposite to that !
They are free to change the stage-show

Azaad
Azaad
3 years ago

It’s a bit early IMO…he has a couple of months to refine staging and ensure he has the best vocal performance to showcase

Kalla
Kalla
3 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

I assume they want to utilise the nice and big stage they had for MGP, before it gets dismantled.

Dave
Dave
3 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

Well he’s using auto tune anyway so don’t see what you mean about ensuring he has the best vocals . I wish they didn’t use these special effects this year and you’d all see how bad he is at singing. Then Keiino would’ve won

Max
Max
3 years ago
Reply to  Dave

In the semi, he used less autotune and his singing sounded totally fine to me. Much better than Raylee, for example.

Leif
Leif
3 years ago
Reply to  Max

If Raylee sets the bar for singing, then everyone is a singer! She’s a good performer/entertainer… but singing is not exactly her strongest game. That being said I think Tix is just as weak vocally and in my opinion primarily won due to his local fame. He’s lucky this is the year of pre-recorded backing vocals. For trasparency’s sake I thought Keiino were a perfectly fine choice but they didn’t excite me with this song. I was team Imerika all the way. Frankly she has the only song that did excite me this year so far. Not just in Norway.… Read more »

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

But does it mean that the staging will be different to the one in Rotterdam? I don’t get it. They taped it so quickly so my guess is that they used the national final staging.

mawnck
mawnck
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

… Which they can’t do because there are too many guys onstage.

Sabrina
Sabrina
3 years ago

One thing I don’t remember reading anywhere: can the staging concept in Rotterdam be different than the one on live-on-tape performance?

Sabrina
Sabrina
3 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

I guess most countries with national finals will take the opportunity to tape these performances right away. But I’m curious to find out if it’s possible to make a change (besides the obvious adaptations to a bigger and different stage) and if any country will completely shake things up if everything works well and they can travel to Rotterdam.

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago

That might be true for somebody who doesn’t speak Norwegian. They rely on the emotion instead of the actual words. A Norwegian who hears Norwegian every day and doesn’t speak English could have the reverse experience.

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

I just mean that ignorance of language makes us immune to bad lyrics.

Ryan
Ryan
3 years ago

You could see how disappointed KEiiNO were on stage when the results were coming in…I hope they continue to stay together and make more music.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  Ryan

I don’t think they were disappointed, more like they saw it coming with the first votes, plus they knew Tix was more popular. Keiino will continue doing music.

Gavin
Gavin
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

They have released epic material outside Eurovision and I am sure they will continue to do so.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  Gavin

I love their latest singles and debut album. Seriously, great work!

Dave
Dave
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

They were clearly disappointed and have publicly expressed this disappointment since the show ended. Have you not read the article where it explicitly states that they are disappointed? Lol

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  Dave

No, that’s not true They uploaded new posts but they are clearly not disappointed and they congratulated the winner. Ofc there is disappointment when you’re close to winning but it’s not something that leaves them bitter.

Candy
Candy
3 years ago
Reply to  Ryan

I love them so much, it broke my heart to see them so sad. Especially Tom. The poor guy had a rough time last year according to an interview. I really hope they can move on from this unfortunate result. Monument is a brilliant song and apart from a slightly underwhelming/too minimalistic staging, they did everything right. Sometimes things just don’t work out, no matter what you do – and it’s not the end of the world but I can understand how disappointed they were, most likely because they put so much into this song – and because they don’t… Read more »

ORE92
ORE92
3 years ago

From the comments I saw on Saturday night I was apprehensive to listen. People made this out to be complete trash. I’m pleasantly surprised! It’s not really my taste, but it’s a fine song, I wouldn’t choose to listen to it, but if it was on I’d have no issues. “Fans” really need to calm down when their favourite doesn’t win.

Dave
Dave
3 years ago
Reply to  ORE92

The fact that they chose a song most people ‘wouldn’t chose to listen to’ over a potential esc top 5 says it all. Why are we defending the fact that Tix is not the right person for esc? You really think people are going to vote for it if it’s “not their thing” or “they wouldn’t choose to listen”? Apart from Robin from wiwibloggs I don’t know anyone who had hyped this song up

Lin
Lin
3 years ago
Reply to  Dave

Why don’t you just calm down 😀

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
3 years ago

imo he should keep it in norwegian. he doesn’t really have international appeal so singing in english takes away the charm from the song

Lorenzo Celli
Lorenzo Celli
3 years ago

They recorded the live on tape already!?

mawnck
mawnck
3 years ago
Reply to  Lorenzo Celli

They want to make sure they get that studio vocal perfectly in sync before showtime …

DonutLover
DonutLover
3 years ago

Damn I was really hoping for at least version in Norwegian since the last time we heard it was in 2006 and that song was brilliant!

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

I’m very mixed. I prefer the Norwegian version (I was used to as well and it’s so pleasant) but at the same time I can understand why going in English might be a better choice to compete with this kind of songs in Eurovision.. which sucks but It’s what we’ve been proven sadly. There’s also the message factor and staging in this case.

Sim
Sim
3 years ago

I love both versions. My ears just had to get used to the english one (it took one and a half listen only).

Jacob S
Jacob S
3 years ago

well KEIINO’s not wrong…

ESC8
ESC8
3 years ago

With the english title it is undestood why the performance is staged this way. However imo the english lyrics do not fit the melody of the song.
So I am not sure that this is the right choice.

Erasmus
Erasmus
3 years ago
Reply to  ESC8

well it doesn’t matter the meaning, the staging should be tasteful, it does not have to be literal.

DDRaven
DDRaven
3 years ago

Still would do better than this. They weren’t my favourites, but they certainly wouldn’t fare worse than this dated song. It’s staging was done before and ridiculed but sonehow it’s ok here and the Norwegian version is far better. They set themselves up for a bad score. Just like with Bilal, his fanbase can’t support him at ESC.

Ethan1994
Ethan1994
3 years ago

Awww, I wish he would sing in Norwegian. It sounds so much better, and I think he sings with more passion in Norwegian.

Last edited 3 years ago by Ethan1994
Az*rbaijan
Az*rbaijan
3 years ago

It’s my fav so far… and it should tell you a lot about the quality of that song as i’m not a typical [outdated] Eurofan but a superior here

zach
zach
3 years ago

TIX noooo pls don’t sing in english