On Saturday 6 March, eight acts will compete to represent Denmark at Eurovision 2021. This edition of DMGP 2021 has not been short of controversy, with 2020 winners Ben & Tan excluded from the lineup. However, eight songs did make the cut and the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has listened to them. We now reveal our favourites in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2021.
Deban
1. Emma Nicoline – “Står lige her”
“Står lige her” is a song about being there for a loved one, and helping them to appreciate the value they bring to the world. Underscored with progressive electronic beats, Emma’s voice glides through the verses before hitting an affirmed chorus. In this field of 8 middle of the road offerings, it stands out. Furthermore, the Eurovision landscape is devoid of Danish language songs. This entry works well in Danish and has the potential to touch more hearts with an English translation.
2. Mike Tramp – “Everything Is Alright”
3. The Cosmic Twins – “Silver Bullet”
4. Fyr & Flamme – “Øve os på hinanden”
5. Jean Michel – “Beautiful”
Luis
1. Emma Nicoline – “Står lige her”
There are many things to like about “Står lige her” — heavy 80s inspired beats, Danish lyrics, a clear chorus with a hook and strong vocals from Emma. The song could do much more though, the production sounds a bit empty at some moments. It can easily be fixed by bulking up the musical base and adding some more dynamism.
2. The Cosmic Twins – “Silver Bullet”
3. Fyr & Flamme – “Øve os på hinanden”
4. Mike Tramp – “Everything Is Alright”
5. Nanna Olivia – “Hvileløse hjerter”
Antranig
1. The Cosmic Twins – “Silver Bullet”
This is a two-horse race as far as I’m concerned. The Cosmic Twins and Emma Nicoline would both be decent choices for Denmark but I’ve given the edge to The Cosmic Twins. The best part of “Silver Bullet” are the lyrics which are quite a creative take on a pretty stock standard theme. The song does drag towards the end, becoming a bit too repetitive for my liking but there is enough quality to stand out of the pack in Denmark. It does need some minor touch ups to shine at Eurovision but it’s the best offering on the table, seeing as “Iron Heart” was excluded.
2. Emma Nicoline – “Står lige her”
3. Chief 1 & Thomas Buttenschøn – “Højt over skyerne”
4. Nanna Olivia – “Hvileløse hjerter”
5. Fyr & Flamme – “Øve os på hinanden”
Oliver
1. The Cosmic Twins – “Silver Bullet”
In an underwhelming selection of songs from Denmark this year, “Silver Bullet” is the only track that’s vaguely memorable. And even then, that’s because it milks every classic pop trope under the sun. The main saxophone riff and chorus melody are copy-pasted directly from MGMT’s “Kids”, which was a massive hit in 2008. That doesn’t do well for helping this song sound any less dated. As it stands, “Silver Bullet” is average enough to be pleasant, but it lacks uniqueness and energy. The Cosmic Twins would do well to create a dazzling stage show to give this vanilla track the extra spice it needs. Otherwise, DMGP 2021 will be a total snooze-fest.
2. Mike Tramp – “Everything Is Alright”
3. Chief 1 & Thomas Buttenschøn – “Højt over skyerne”
4. Jean Michel – “Beautiful”
5. Claudia Campagnol – “Abracadabra”
Kristín
1. Fyr & Flamme – “Øve os på hinanden”
The ’80s is strong in this one! And I like it. The retro element vs. the modern sound work together perfectly and for me, who is so deep into the music from that era. I’m millimetres away from blowdrying my hair like Cindy Lauper — this song is a complete goldmine. I’m not so sure the Danes will see things the same way as I do when DMGP airs, but for me, Fyr & Flamme are a national Danish treasure who should not be considered as a footnote. So, if y’all would excuse me, I have to find my shoulder pads and watch The Breakfast Club on VHS.
2. Emma Nicoline – “Står lige her”
3. The Cosmic Twins – “Silver Bullet”
4. Chief 1 & Thomas Buttenschøn – “Højt over skyerne”
5. Jean Michel – “Beautiful”
Robyn
1. Fyr & Flamme – “Øve os på hinanden”
Music like this was popular in the 1980s because it gave us something positive and uplifting to listen to amid all the stress of the Cold War. Now we have the pandemic, so let’s party! But really, this is a bop. Aside from the 80s throwback sound, “Fyr & Flamme” is a feelgood song, with super romantic lyrics and a call to the dance floor that is hard to resist. The song pretty much demands that you put on your bedroom disco lights and let the night take you away. I don’t even know how this would do at Eurovision, but I can’t wait to see it live at DMGP.
2. Claudia Campagnol – “Abracadabra”
3. Chief 1 & Thomas Buttenschøn – “Højt over skyerne”
4. The Cosmic Twins – “Silver Bullet”
5. Emma Nicoline – “Står lige her”
Suzanne
1. Claudia Campagnol – “Abracadabra”
Claudia is a Hungarian beauty with bone structure to die for, and an angelic voice. “Abracadabra” spoke to my heart. As it opened, I felt nostalgia, transported to a scene with Robert Redford and Barbara Streisand in The Way We Were (one of my all-time favorite movies)! This song belongs in a Broadway musical. The lyrics of “Abracadabra” had me longing for one of my greatest loves, my precious AJee – the feline love of my life. If I were granted magic, I would have “my baby, my baby” sitting next to me again, enjoying the special soulmate bond that “only we know.” AJee visits, but never stays for long. These moments truly feel like “borrowed time.” Daily, I “wish upon a star” that my boy could “come back to me.” I simply love the melody of this song and how moved I am by the lyrics. It is as if it were written just for my AJee.
2. Jean Michel – “Beautiful”
3. Chief 1 & Thomas Buttenschøn – “Højt over skyerne”
4. Emma Nicoline – “Står lige her”
5. Nanna Olivia – “Hvileløse hjerter”
Lauren
1. Emma Nicoline – “Står lige her”
In my book, this is the most one-sided national selection in… well, history. If Denmark choose “Står lige her”, they will fly immediately to my first place, while I find literally nothing else even worthwhile (which feels harsh to say but I’ve also heard people saying none of the songs are worthwhile at all, so…). I feel like Dave Gahan would dig this song. It’s just what ’80s retro should be like – the synths are dreamy and mix modernity with tradition, Emma’s voice is powerful and everything flows well… It sounds like it could fit on a Lydmor album, and coming from me, that’s a huge compliment.
2. Nanna Olivia – “Hvileløse hjerter”
3. The Cosmic Twins – “Silver Bullet”
4. Jean Michel – “Beautiful”
5. Claudia Campagnol – “Abracadabra”
Tom
1. Mike Tramp – “Everything Is Alright”
First of all, everything is not alright. It is wrong (if it is true) that Ben & Tan were not asked to participate in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix this year. Whatever they wanted to perform with, it should have had a chance. My argument is only enhanced by this year’s Danish offering. I would be surprised if the Danes make it out of their semi-final without some pretty impressive staging, or an edit. However, saddle my horse, I am riding with the Tramp — Mike Tramp. Copenhagen meets Texas in the chilled out country tune “Everything is Alright”. I am all for an eclectic contest and though this isn’t original by any means, everything will be alright if it’s Tramp that makes it to Rotterdam.
2. Claudia Campagnol – “Abracadabra”
3. The Cosmic Twins – “Silver Bullet”
4. Emma Nicoline – “Står lige her”
5. Fyr & Flamme – “Øve os på hinanden”
Natalie
1. Emma Nicoline – “Står lige her”
So much disco and Danish language goodness from Denmark this year! I’m so into it! It was a tough call, but I’m going for Emma for my favourite this year. Breezy synths, heavy percussion and Scandinavian lyrics is a perfect mix for me. It just feels so raw, silky and pure. I’m hooked from the first to the last word.
2. The Cosmic Twins – “Silver Bullet”
3. Jean Michel – “Beautiful”
4. Mike Tramp – “Everything Is Alright”
5. Nanna Olivia – “Hvileløse hjerter”
What do you think of the songs competing in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2021? Who should win the ticket to Rotterdam? Let us know in the comments below.
Tom is correct.
Not really invested in this year’s DMGP but try and tell me Står lige her isn’t going to win.
“Står lige her”. Definitely “Står lige her” for me. It’s been a long time since we’ve heard Danish in Eurovision since 1997. I know, that song will have a small chance of even qualifying if it wins DMGP, but if Emma decides not to sing it in English, it will have a bigger chance of qualifying – maybe even winning. Denmark is my winner this year.
It’s good we live in a world of different tastes, regardless of how bizarre they may be it stimulates debate. For me the only two appealing are “Højt over skyerne” and “Silver Bullet”.
Star Lige Her and Silver Bullet are the only 2 songs that aren’t overly forgettable. No matter what Denmark sends this year, it’ll be borderline at best
Ben & Tan – Iron Heart.
Står lige her has to win. Judging by her interview and the message of her song she seems really lovely and sweet and the song is a stand-out from this weak buch tbh. Yes, Står lige her won’t win Eurovision and maybe won’t qualify but I truly think this is the most credible song that Denmark has this year and I hope that Emma Nicoline can win if she performs well.
Mark my words: Jean Michel will be this year’s Lighthouse X.
For tho who intend to dislike this comment (what didn’t happen so far tho): Yes, Star Lige Her and Silver Bullet are better songs, but Jean Michel gives me Lighthouse X vibes and Beautiful is the type of song I see as what Danish people would like. Lighthouse X wasn’t liked by eurofans either so.
Unpopular opinion tho: Beautiful is my favorite of the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix.
Maybe it gives you Lighthouse X vibes because it is written by one of the guys from Lighthouse X (Johannes Nymark) 😉
Emma Nicoline or Fyr og Flamme, kinda in love with both of the songs.
Is it always the lady for the wiwibloggs? Am I reading too much into this?
As much as I would like to hear Danish on ESC, The Cosmic Twins are my favorites here. I really enjoy this song – the beat, the lyrics, the sax. Still, if my 2nd and 3rd spot wouldn’t be translated, they’d bring some diversity, and there’s always a silver lining there. Both have really nice songs as well. My number 4 is nothing but sincere – it really is alright.
I have really enjoyed Denmark’s selection with lots of good variety, so I am majorly looking forward to tomorrow’s final. My top has changed several times and there are 4 entries which I absolutely love and so hopefully I have a good chance of being very happy tomorrow night! 1. Cosmic Twins – Silver Bullet – almost trancy, my hands are drawn to build castles in the sky. 2. Fyr Og Flamme – Ove Og Pa Hunanden – wow, what a party tune – massive throwback to 80s disco days and Hollywood movies starring Eddie Murphy 3. Emma Nicoline –… Read more »
Fyr & Flamme – Øve Os På Hinanden all the way to victory!!!
står lige her is the only option here. pls pls pls don’t translate if it wins omg
står lige her better win and they better keep it in danish!