TIX wins MGP

The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 39 competing songs in Eurovision 2021. Next up, we listen to Norway’s TIX and his song “Fallen Angel”. Were we enchanted by this angelic entry? Read on to find out!

TIX – “Fallen Angel”

“Fallen Angel” reviews

Kristín: Norway trolled us all this year, didn’t they? And thus are giving us the most beautiful ballad of 2021. “Fallen Angel” and TIX might seem like a novelty act at first but underneath there are raw emotions and a haunting melody, delivered by a strong singer. Many have expressed that the song should have been kept in Norwegian. And yes, the original version was just as brilliant, but TIX gives more power in the English version and completely captures the audience. The thing about TIX is that he immediately makes you care about him and his song. You simply want to embrace him. “Fallen Angel” could very well turn out to be one of those dark horses that quietly sneaks into the top ten — something of a trademark for Norway in recent years.  This is by far the most captivating entry of 2021 and that’s the hill I’m ready to die on.

Score: 10

Oliver: At first glance, the Norwegian entry seems like the cheesiest of all cheese. But TIX transforms this song into something special. He oozes personality and charisma, and he’s got the performance chops to back it up. Moreover, the smooth timbre of his vocal lends itself perfectly to the song’s lilting and enchanting melody. Lyrically, “Fallen Angel” is a tad cliché — but the words are honest, sincere, and show a vulnerable side to this otherwise flamboyant character. Although the angel versus devil battle has been done on the Eurovision stage countless times before, TIX’s unique interpretation of the concept stands out as one of the best.

Score: 8

Antranig: When I first heard “Ut av mørket”, I thought it was a perfectly acceptable song. When I heard the English version and saw the performance, I jumped ship. The English lyrics are so full of utterly lazy cliches and the national final staging was so full of completely unoriginal Eurovision stereotypes. I simply don’t understand what Norway saw in this song but I hope TIX can do them proud. If he were to decide to sing in Norwegian, I’ll jump on board and support him too.

Score: 2

Robyn: Behind the dark glasses, the headband, the fur coat and angel wings, there’s a really decent song. “Fallen Angel” brings pop and alternative R&B together, with TIX singing about his feeling of anxiety and inadequacy. While TIX might be hiding behind his blingtastic costume, he is still opening up and showing vulnerability with the song lyrics. While the angels and demons staging of the national final directly ties to the lyrics, I’m hoping that Norway will bring something a bit different to the Rotterdam stage.

Score: 8

William: This is not a song about unrequited love. It’s about a man battling the dark voices in his own head that tell him he isn’t worthy of love. As he makes clear in the verses: “Here in the dark, inside the hole in my heart, I’m fighting all of my demons trying to tear me apart, and I’m still not sure what you ever saw in me.” TIX conveys that tortured subject matter with ease, wearing his heart on his sleeve (and his furry coat). The song itself has a real earworm quality and glides effortlessly from pained verses to soaring chorus. The literal treatment of heaven and hell with all those winged angels adds a level of drama worthy of the big screen.

Score: 7

TIX – “Fallen Angel” rankings

In the Wiwi Jury we have 24 jurors but only have room for five reviews. The remaining scores are below:

Calvin: 5

Deban: 3

Diego: 4

Erdi: 7

Esma: 9

Jonathan: 6

Jordi: 6.5

Josh: 7

Julian: 6

Lauren: 3

Lucy: 2

Luis: 5

Natalie: 5.5

Pablo: 6

Renske: 8

Ron: 7

Sebastian: 5

Tobias: 4

Tom: 7.5

We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 2 and a high of 10.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 5.89/10

What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!

See all our Eurovision 2021 reviews and rankings

120 Comments
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CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
2 years ago

17 days later, in the middle of my 3rd and final review of the songs and their music videos, Tix just made himself a serious contender with his video. As I said before, music videos more or less (usually more) give us an idea of what the artists and their teams will put on stage. For Tix, his MGP stage setup didn’t exactly impress me that much, even though the song grew on me to bump him up from #31 in my first evaluation to #21 in my 2nd evaluation. I’m not finished with my 3rd and final review, but… Read more »

Emkay
Emkay
2 years ago

I find this song to be pretty mid, but I love the over the top performance. I’ve missed the ridiculousness from Eurovision stage shows, and a guy with big angel wings shackled to a bunch of dancing demons is just so entertaining.

Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago

Norway 2/10

Naomi
Naomi
2 years ago

The guy is sexy and speaks to my inner hoe. My husband and I always have this song playing when beef injection is on the table. Get rid of the minion juror btw.

Daly
Daly
2 years ago

I give it a 7!! When I First heard this song after it won MGP, I didn’t like it at all, because it is generic, but I was not understanding all the hate against Tix, because the song is not that bad & he seems like such a great genuine artist, with a nice voice. Yes, there were better songs in MGP, but that doesn’t justify the hate! Anyway, this is such a grower to me. I prefer the Norwegian version because the lyrics in English are so cliche, but they work, are so catchy and transmit the message well.… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Daly
Anita
Anita
2 years ago

I hope it won’t qualify. Please satisfy my curiousity, what’s the old pop classic (since I am from Germany…)

Anita
Anita
2 years ago
Reply to  Anita

WOW, you are really good to have found this out.
Do you mean especially the “zu den Sternen zu sehen” bit?
I am a huge Neue Deutsche Welle fan 🙂

Last edited 2 years ago by Anita
Anita
Anita
2 years ago
Reply to  Anita

By the way I am still listening to “Playing with Fire” once in a while.

Héctor
Héctor
2 years ago

It’s a nice song, current, smooth, easy to listen but bit cheesy. I’m not into it at all, though I do think it is enjoyable as a filler. The performance is a bit over the top but helps to elevate the song. I don’t know why it has so many fans tbh.

6.75/10

Norway stands currently in my 19th place.

8. Sweden (7.25)
17. Belgium (6.75)
19. NORWAY (6.75)
26. Latvia (6)
34. Serbia (5)

Micky
Micky
2 years ago

8 of 10 comments are hateful. Interesting world.

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Micky

If disliking a song is being “hateful” I’m really worried for the state of society.

Being hateful would be to personally attack Tix, threaten him, bully him etc. Not liking his song (in an article where we are encouraged to critique the song) is not hateful.

Mahi Mahi
Mahi Mahi
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

The far left in action.
criticism = hate in the sad world we’re living in.
In the future, this “hate” will be criminalized, and we can say goodby to free speech.
This is how the far left is slowly normalizing facshism – by coating it with good intentions and nice feelings.
They will not throw you to jail for challenging the far left narrative, they will do because you committed a “hate crime”.

I agree, Interesting world.
LGBT Europeans: be very careful for the party you vote for. It’s not all rainbows and puppies.

Last edited 2 years ago by Mahi Mahi
tomtomtom
tomtomtom
2 years ago

Personally I don’t mind this song. If it was on the radio I would be fine listening to it. It’s catchy in its own way and pleasant, even if a little cheesy. I personally like it better than songs I think will qualify over it such as Azerbaijan or Cyprus. However those two songs are Eurovision point friendly and Tix is not. I don’t think it will qualify because it’s just not fit for Eurovision. It won’t capture the casual watcher and won’t capture the jury unless the staging is dramatically improved. I get that a lot of Tix fans… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by tomtomtom
Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago

lol reading all those raving reviews i was shocked to see the average was just 5.89 in the end… you guys should’ve included some negative ones as well ! i personally think the song is cute, his act/delivery just really lacks energy.

Euro2018
Euro2018
2 years ago

The people who love this song took some time to learn about tix or the song’s meaning and let it grow on them. Which is why many Norwegians are very defensive about it. The problem is that’s not how Eurovision works. 99% of people listen for the first time and think about it for 10 seconds after and move to the next song. For that reason this is a NQ. Where will the points come from? It’s not a jury or popular hit after a first impression 3 minute listen.

ESCFanGA
ESCFanGA
2 years ago

Fallen Angel for me is a very average song that won Melodi Grand Prix purely because of Tix’s fanbase and popularity. I doubt an unknown singer would have won with that song. I have a feeling Norway could be a surprise non-qualifier this year.

tomtomtom
tomtomtom
2 years ago
Reply to  ESCFanGA

Why would it be a surprise? A lot of reviewers believe this will not qualify.

Roald Didriksen
Roald Didriksen
2 years ago
Reply to  ESCFanGA

So wrong you took

Leo M
Leo M
2 years ago

This has been the biggest grower for me. It’s in my top 5 now & would love to see it make the final but have a feeling it will miss out

Roald Didriksen
Roald Didriksen
2 years ago
Reply to  Leo M

How wrong you or anyone else can take

Trina
Trina
2 years ago

I think this is the entry I am most interested in seeing how it does in May. It walks such a tight line – even after hearing it a few times, when that falsetto backing comes in during the chorus, my brain bolts up and thinks, “wait, is this a joke entry???” But there is a lot of genuine unironic love for this song, and melodically it is quite pleasing. I honestly, honestly cannot predict which way this one will go in May.

Trina
Trina
2 years ago
Reply to  Trina

PS: I felt the same way about Switzerland in 2019 and Norway in 2018, and they both ended up doing alright…

Kristian
Kristian
2 years ago

The music is not bad at all. My first impression of the Norwegian version was hugely positive. Then the staging appeared which made me dislike it a bit and then the English translation with the basic lyrics didn’t help the song come across as meaningful. It’s not in my qualifiers list and I don’t think it will.

5.5/10

MALTESER
MALTESER
2 years ago

I don’t want to be mean, but TiX comes off as an attention seeker who knows his song is average and is trying to get the sympathy votes by clocking in his oversung backstory everytime the camera switches on. I honestly cannot stand him.

yoloo
yoloo
2 years ago
Reply to  MALTESER

Gosh, he literally is the opposite of attention seeker omg. He looks like a boy next door.

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  yoloo

Maybe Andreas does, but TIX does not.

MALTESER
MALTESER
2 years ago
Reply to  yoloo

Tell me you are not an attention seeker without telling me you are not an attention seeker.

TiX: *angel wings*

Roald Didriksen
Roald Didriksen
2 years ago
Reply to  MALTESER

What kind of rubish I’v never heard before

Safiya
Safiya
2 years ago

I am obsessed with this song. I don’t know what it is about this entry, but it has captured my attention from the start. When I first heard it and saw the staging, I was a bit confused, wondering why he is dressed like this etc. I agree that it can seem a bit cheesy and old-fashioned, and I usually don’t really like this type of songs, but somehow I was intrigued and kept coming back for more, I just couldn’t stop listening.

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago

Bronze star.

Kas
Kas
2 years ago

TIX or Oasis ?

Kosey
Kosey
2 years ago
Reply to  Kas

Liam in bling, now that is something I would like to see!

Anhel
Anhel
2 years ago

I think it’s kinda basic and cheesy, but I actually enjoy listening to it in the same way I’d enjoy listening to an NSYNC song. So it’s in my 14th place.

blahh
blahh
2 years ago

At first I was so damn angry about this winning instead of KEiiNO. Now, although I still think that KEiiNO should have won, I’ve calmed down and this grew on me a lot. It’s well produced, the melody is quite catchy and the ridiculous staging actually worked. Would have been better off with Norwegian though.
I would give 7/10, it counts as a guilty pleasure for me.

pooky1001
pooky1001
2 years ago

When i first saw this i thought the staging was absolutely ridiculous. The outfit, wings, gold chains, headband and the backing dancers. Everything was just to over the top and by the time it had finished i realised i hadnt even paid attention to the song because i was trying to figure out what an earth i was looking out. Finally when i tried to just focus on the song i thought it was alot better than i expected. Sure its a bit cheesy but whats Eurovision with a bit of cheese!!!. Im not sure if it will qualify or… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
2 years ago

The music of this song is to-the-point and it is simply gorgeous. I actually nearly cried when I tried this one on piano. It feels like a film theme written in the 1980s/90s; I really miss that kind of writing. It has refrains galore, that D-flat major key, and a full tone modulation to E-flat towards the end. Oh, and that long note in the reprise (“Just let me goooooo”); it’s perfectly judged. However, I am not a fan of the literal choreography for the song – the literal “angels and demons” theme ruins it for me. I feel this… Read more »

Colin
Colin
2 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Great review, Purple. 🙂 I also used the term ”cinematic” to describe it.

Kosey
Kosey
2 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Great review Purple, it’s always great to read the musical reasons why I like certain songs so much! It’s a shame you don’t enjoy the staging. I’ve thought a lot about whether and how he could do it differently. The song is so specific to the character of TIX, you would have to have him central and dressed as he is, that is the character he is playing. And then, I don’t know how you would get across that this is about a mental struggle, wanting to be better than he is but at the same time accepting that it… Read more »

Diamond
Diamond
2 years ago

I dont understand why people always say “the concept of angel and demons has been done to death.”
When? The only one I remember was Azerbaijan 2008, and then without demons in Croatia 2019. And then maybe 2 entries that no one remembers, cause they were that boring.
There are so many things that have been done to death, yet we see them every. single. year.
Like…..solo singer singing with piano. That’s also lowkey a cliché but no one minds

Giolo
Giolo
2 years ago

Agree 100% when you don’t play the muddy guy

Sot
Sot
2 years ago

Sorry, absolutely not my cup of tea, Norway.

I’m not that kind of person that sees that KEiiNO or Emmy or Imerika or Rein Alexander lost (I love all 4 of them though) and starts spreading toxicity but, literally, you, Norwegians chose the worst song in your national final…

My 39th… A massive “no”. Sorry.

Giolo
Giolo
2 years ago
Reply to  Sot

The worst one was Circus imho

Sot
Sot
2 years ago
Reply to  Giolo

Agreed, but I’m talking about the final…

Giolo
Giolo
2 years ago
Reply to  Sot

That was World on Fire for me, a decent song, but still very basic and without a real Connection to the performer. TIX was my 10th and Fallen Angel is still a very good song, this says a lot about that NF quality

Last edited 2 years ago by Giolo
Giolo
Giolo
2 years ago

I just can’t underatand the hate against TIX. KEiiNO would have been in my top 3 this year, I get that fandom was mad back then, but live goes on and Fallen Angel is not bad in any ways. It’s a catchy and pleasant tune with cheesy lyrics and a dated feeling, but old fashioned doesn’t always mean terribile. I find the whole angel staging a bit distracting, but if you know TIX’s backstory and his mental issues, it’s actually great and (unlike Roko’s one) it’s actually connected to the song; he created an armour with his weakness points and… Read more »

Steven
Steven
2 years ago

5.89 ! Way too high

Kosey
Kosey
2 years ago
Reply to  Steven

5.89 is going to look a bit silly in about a month’s time, imo.

Giolo
Giolo
2 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

Wiwibloggs do this just for fun, everybody knows what they did to Common Linnets back in 2014

Helene
Helene
2 years ago

Are you norwegian? The song will probably do well. This us a typical Eurovision product that people love. But it is really cheesy. That’s why some People like it. Similar to Keino and the Danish viking song that were well received by the public.

Jessie
Jessie
2 years ago

5.89 too low

Grft
Grft
2 years ago

I started to like it after a while because of learning who TIX is. But at first glance I hated it. The tacky staging ruins it all. So I’m quite afraid this will flop in May cause most of people will just discover it for the first time.

Gurl
Gurl
2 years ago

I think the song is way better than the staging. Sure, it’s campy and fun, but not for everybody. The song is super cute, though, and he’s a goid singer.

Darren
Darren
2 years ago

Definition of fan wank. Don’t see how there is so much love for this only the fact that it’s from Norway. Tix seems like a nice guy and his story is certainly inspiring, so I will give credit where it due, and commend him for that. But this is a song contest after all, not a personality one, and I will say this song leaves me empty, it’s dated and I just can’t connect. The staging is the thing making it memorable and not fit the right reasons. cringey and I can’t help but get chills down my spine when… Read more »

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

It’s a fanwank because the odds are pushing it to qualify and I’ve been downvoted everytime for saying it was bad, but everyone is in love it with on here, despite the song being bad, but people seem to love it for lots of other reasons (good song ain’t one of them) – fanwank.

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

That’s up to you Vanilla my man, if you like it go for it.
For me though I just can’t, and the staging honestly makes my balls ascend.
You did make me laugh though with your “me and a couple of people wank” remark though lol

Giolo
Giolo
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

You know you have not to put KEiiNO in the mud to support TIX, right?

Giolo
Giolo
2 years ago
Reply to  Giolo

Nice to know XD

Aeria
Aeria
2 years ago

Not my favorite from the Norwegian NF, but it’s still a decent song. I’d give this a solid 7/10

Viggz
Viggz
2 years ago

I think I would give it a 7 or 8. I hope it will qualify.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

I’m curious to find out how 1st time viewers will digest “Fallen Angel”, because there’s a lot to unpack: a guy dressed in a bling-bling style, with angel wings and dancing demons, singing about not being good enough for a girl. Those who dare to go past all this cheese may be surprised by a nice one. There’s a good and comforting melody line down there, the production of the track is great and its so-called 90’s boy band nature makes it very pleasant to sing along. 7/10

Paul
Paul
2 years ago

I think it’s such a grower and actually really like it now. I’ve also always wanted wings like his! And the coat if I’m honest

Last edited 2 years ago by Paul
Skiwalko
Skiwalko
2 years ago

“Fallen Angel” is what I would describe as haut couture kitsch. It takes every cheesy and tacky element and polishes it into pop perfection. TIX’s world of golden chain-bearing angels and prancing demons is both arrestingly metaphorical and painfully literal, yet overall tastefully nostalgic (welcome back, the ‘90s!), lovably candid and crushingly heart-tugging, with a hint of healing acceptance. This heavenly parallel is in no way a novel concept, but even so it’s still powerful, surprisingly evocative and tailor-made for an intensely visual spectacle. My only concern would be the reception it might receive from everyday viewers shall they keep… Read more »

Hannie
Hannie
2 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

I mean… Conchita and Netta both won, so

Alo
Alo
2 years ago

I think that with the Norwegian version and better performance I would have like it more.
But even though I don’t see it as an high quality entry, I do find it very catchy.
I don’t see it yet as a sure NQ because it’s quite memorable and it might have an audience that will vote for it.

oscar
oscar
2 years ago

It’s ok but it’s just so overproduced. It’s pretty messy too and the lyrics are cheesy. It’s still decent

Kosey
Kosey
2 years ago

Oh my, just realized how much of a Norway-stan I am! In the last 7 years Norway has been in my top 3 five times!

It must be the Viking blood!

Colin
Colin
2 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

For me, Norway’s place in my top is:

  • 2014 – Second
  • 2015 – The Winner
  • 2016 – Top 10
  • 2017 – Top 10
  • 2018 – 20s
  • 2019 – 6th
  • 2020 – Mid teens

Also, Norway has never been in my bottom 5 since the start of the semis in 2004.
Overall, a really good track record. 🙂

Last edited 2 years ago by Colin
Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
2 years ago
Reply to  Colin

this is a very tasteful list

Colin
Colin
2 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

Thank you. 😉

acp
acp
2 years ago

If North Macedonia or Latvia sent this entry it would not even be in contention for qualifiying, but it’s Norway so it can even finish in the top 10. I hope it doesn’t qualify, not because I don’t like Tix, but because there are better songs from underdogs countries, like Ireland, who deserve to qualify

IPA
IPA
2 years ago
Reply to  acp

Totally agree (and I’m half Norwegian!)

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  acp

Absolutely.
Look at the treatment Vrostia got when they had angel wings.

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Damn phone makes up countries lol
CROATIA lol

Giolo
Giolo
2 years ago
Reply to  acp

This story is getting old, it’s not like a country is being pushed by the televoting constantly, look at the history of Eurovision and you’ll see many countries got both good and bad scores from televoting, even Norway, even Sweden, even Italy and Azerbaijan. People vote for what they like. Period.

acp
acp
2 years ago
Reply to  Giolo

I mean eurofans and bookies are sometimes harsher to some countries than others… Do you honestly think that if Latvia sent this song it would be in the 10th position on the odds?

Last edited 2 years ago by acp
Alex
Alex
2 years ago
Reply to  acp

Better songs argument is subjective.
And it’s not like Norway always do amazing no matter what.
They did struggle in 2016. Other years they needed it juries to get top 10. Anyway If people don’t like their entry, ain’t gonna vote.

Hannie
Hannie
2 years ago
Reply to  acp

It’s so funny that the country with the most wins is considered the underdog country and the country with the second most last places the one that’s getting overrated.

That being said… both the Irish and the Norwegian song are decent imho and they both deserve to qualify. It’s just unfortunate that they’re in such a strong semi final and that there’s a good chance at least one, maybe both, will get robbed of that chance because of that. There’s no need to pit them against each other though, as I’ve said, they both “deserve” it.

Emily
Emily
2 years ago

9) Norway –

I think I lump myself with the folks who were amazed that this won, but have now changed their tune. While yeah, it wasn’t the best song of the night of the MGP final, I now find Fallen Angel one of my favourites. I think that knowing of TIX’s background and listening to recent interviews may have swayed this thought, but it is a solid song and I think the staging actually lifts the song, although it could be toned down just a tiny bit. Good luck, TIX! 8/10

Doris
Doris
2 years ago

7.93/10

Milla
Milla
2 years ago

Fans are delusional to think that Monument could win in May. Old fashioned eurovision song..

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Milla

Fallen Angel could be from ESC 2008. To call monument old fashioned, then Stan Fallen Angel is a bit hypocritical imo

NickC
NickC
2 years ago
Reply to  Milla

It should have been Imerika…

Erasmus
Erasmus
2 years ago
Reply to  NickC

yes, literally the only worthy winner of mgp

impressiveinstants
impressiveinstants
2 years ago

Hopefully they’ll re-think the stageact. The song itself is very nice but it feels like a 10 minute-long loop.

Dascha
Dascha
2 years ago

I have to say that on my first listen, which was accompanied with the live MGP performance, I was very much thrown off by the staging, which was horrendous if you ask me, the whole angel-demons things was just not doing it for me and it seemed like something very obvious to put on stage with a song that has the word “angel” in its title, borderline childish. However, when knowing about TIX’s personal story and life struggles and actually listening to the lyrics of the song, it really started to grow on me. You can truly hear how TIX… Read more »

Milla
Milla
2 years ago

Basic.. yes this is BASIC. Bashing Sweden about being basic and loving this? I mean: Seriously?? Take away their costumes then the song is very mediocre. Even the outfits is like a parody of.. something. Norway is like your Sweden but as a swede I’m happy we won’t send this to Rotterdam. It would do great as an interval act though.

Last edited 2 years ago by Milla
yoloo
yoloo
2 years ago

I love this song from the very first hearing. Yes, I prefer the Norwegian version, but the English one is good and just straight forward. It’s so sincere and heartfelt that makes my heart melt. I can feel the raw emotions trough the ‘basic’ lyrics and singer’s voice, it makes me just wanna hug him immediately. It’s not really hard to like this song, when TIX is giving us all of him emotions on a plate. Probably my winner. Good luck in Rotterdam! 10/10

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

There is actually a comparison to be made between Sweden and Norway this year, as both sent pop songs whose messages are very tied to the performer’s personal backstory. Still, Fallen Angel feels unapologetically authentic to TIX, while Voices feels like it’s been handed to Tusse, and then bent around what he can draw from it. I much prefer Norway this time around. Actually, thinking about it, 2012 is the last time I preferred Sweden to Norway. Even in years when Sweden was very high on my list (2014, 2015), Norway was higher.