The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 39 competing songs in Eurovision 2021. Next we journey to Iceland where Daði og Gagnamagnið have “10 Years”. Did the song make us want to celebrate their anniversary? Read on to find out!
Daði og Gagnamagnið – “10 Years”
“10 Years” reviews
Kristín: After the success of “Think About Things” last year, the pressure Daði was under to bring something similar or better to the table, would have broken us “normal” people within weeks. But the guy is almost unnaturally serene and practically nothing seems to faze him. “10 Years” might not reach the same heights as “Think About Things” but that does not make it a worse song. It has that genuine quality and realness that is Daði’s trademark. The guy really loves his wife and is not afraid to show it! “10 Years” is the end of a trilogy, which started with “Is This Love?” back in 2017, followed by his heartfelt ode to their daughter. And now it has been a decade of love for the couple and what better way to celebrate their loving relationship than to introduce this banger to Europe? It’s Daði og Gagnamagnið endgame as well. A hilarious and entertaining goodbye to brilliant times and to a phenomenon that no one saw coming —not even the group itself. “10 Years” is a slamdunk end of an era, and will definitely do well, because it’s both fun and catchy with the right amount of lovable dorkiness and of course, a huge heart.
Score: 8
Erdi: When I first listened to the song, all I remembered was the good energy it gave me, Daði knows very well how to deliver it. But the song itself has some problems. “10 Years” is fine but it is not memorable as it should be. I enjoy listening to it but I’m not sure if I would ever be inspired to vote for it at Eurovision.
Score: 3.5
Antranig: Simply put, “10 Years” is exactly what I expected it to be. Eurovision 2021 is a unique contest because of the number of returning artists whose songs will undoubtedly be compared to their 2020 entries. As someone who enjoyed “Think About Things” but was never raving about it, I think this song is on par with it and that’s probably the biggest compliment I can give it. The lyrics are clever, the musical composition is on brand and I have no doubt that the performance will follow suit. Iceland, you have every right to be proud.
Score: 7.5
Tobias: I’ve got to be honest. The first couple of times I listened to “10 years” I didn’t get it all, what was this? I was not very impressed. But after a few more listenings I kind of started to appreciate “10 years” more and more. There is something addictive about the funky beat and the lyrics that just makes it so enjoyable to listen to. Even though I am pretty sure there won’t be an Icelandic victory this year I appreciate that Daði Freyr stays true to himself and his artistry.
Score: 5
Diego: As well as being one of the most sophisticated contemporary songwriters of his generation, Daði is a showman. He knows how to sing, how to dance and most of all, he knows how to make good music. “10 Years” opens with a string quartet, but later on, we arrive at a party. Funky, groovy, disco —there is so much to enjoy here! And, there is something even greater, “10 Years” is a declaration of love to Daði’s wife Árný, who’s there with him on stage, dancing and performing. This is an intimate love story playing out in front of 200 million viewers.
Score: 8
Daði og Gagnamagnið – “10 Years” rankings
In the Wiwi Jury we have 24 jurors but only have room for five reviews. The remaining scores are below:
| Calvin: 8
Deban: 7 Esma: 8 Jonathan: 7 Jordi: 8.5 Josh: 7.5 Julian: 7 Lauren: 5 Lucy: 7 Luis: 8.5 |
Natalie: 5.5
Oliver: 9.5 Pablo: 8.5 Renske: 8.5 Robyn: 7.5 Ron: 7 Sebastian: 8.5 Tom: 8 William: 6 |
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 3.5 and a high of 9.5.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 7.39/10
What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!
I’m happy for Iceland, as they are well represented here. I quite like this one; it’s a really sweet song and it will hopefully reach some people. 🙂
Iceland 5/10
Disco-synth-pop, if you wonder how the genre is called.
The problem with this song is “Think About Things” came before. “10 years” is no match for it. But if you avoid the comparison it is a fairly enjoyable song. By the way, is it me or “10 years” suffers from the same problem as “Amnesia? It is forgettable. Nonetheless, their style charisma and quirkiness will favour Iceland chances of getting a top 10. I don’t really think they are getting higher than that. 7/10 Iceland is placed 13th in my top. 2. Ireland (8.25) 3. France (8) 4. Lithuania (7.75) 6. Spain (7.5) 7. Finland (7.5) 8. Sweden (7.25)… Read more »
I am glad Tobias didn’t get to vote this time. I am not really a fan of Iceland this year, but unlike other entries, Iceland got a fair rating.
He voted, but he didn’t bury it all the way like he did so many others. He gave a 5/10, alongside a review which even sounds somewhat positive.
Oof. Didn’t know that. I thought that only the people mentioned in the article were the ones to vote. My bad for misunderstanding. Tobias is as biased as ever with his score.
I take my comment about fair rating back now.
Didn’t liked their song last year, don’t like this one either. So, I give it a 5/10 for the effort.
Theres no doubt that team wiwi wants Malta to win. Switzerland will get a surprisingly low score.
In a sea of banality, Daði for sure stands out like a good giant. His voice is probably the best of the whole competition and makes me wanting to listen to a lame song until its end. 6/10
True
Oh no, Erdi became the new Tobias :O
Wiwi Juries’ current TOP 36 France (8.73) ~ My 6th San Marino (8.2) ~ My 1st Lithuania (7.89) ~ My 5th Italy (7.7) ~ My 2nd (=) Ireland (7.7) ~ My 20th Cyprus (7.45) ~ My 17th Iceland (7.39) ~ My 8th Finland (7.34) ~ My 11th Ukraine (7.32) ~ My 7th Russia (7.18) ~ My 13th Sweden (7.14) ~ My 31st Romania (6.95) ~ My 23rd Moldova (6.93) ~ My 9th The Netherlands (6.86) ~ My 33rd Australia (6.84) ~ My 19th Greece (6.82) ~ My 4th (=) United Kingdom (6.82) ~ My 15th Croatia (6.75) ~ My 29th… Read more »
26. Iceland – Dadi and Gagnamagrid – 10 Years – 6/10 – This is a song driven by a funky synth-bass line, pounding drums and an iconic vocal. Similarly to Think about Things, this style is not really my vibe but there is nothing in it which I find especially irritating. It has a genuine personality and a gentle toe-tapping quality. And I admire Dadi and Gagnamagrid’s endearing quirkiness and infectious underdog optimism.
ICELAND – I love Dadi, his friends, and their quirky sense of humor. They are so adorable and always make me feel better. 10 Years perhaps wasn’t as immediate for me as Think About Things, but the more I listen to it, the more I like it. The energetic atmosphere in the official video helped in bringing it to life. That is the level of vibrancy I am hoping to see on stage in Rotterdam. The message of this song is very sweet, and it is easy to root for this relationship. No matter how much exposition they receive, this… Read more »
We’ve witnessed the embarrassment of love at first sight, the anxious joy of parenthood, and now it’s time for the personal fulfilment that comes with living in a happy marriage. But there’s a problem. “10 Years” is cute, it’s adorable, it’s goofy, but its topic doesn’t allow for any high stakes or great surprises. The protagonist’s status quo doesn’t evolve throughout the song, and as a result it doesn’t reach the same level of excitement as “Is This Love?” and “Think About Things” have. Obviously, I’m judging from a perspective of someone who’s already familiar with Daði’s style. The turquoise… Read more »
I’m glad that I’m not the only one using a fancy word like “juxtaposition” in a casual review. Ironically, it happened with the same song and I used it as a compliment and you as a criticism. But yeah, I also felt Dadi could had left at least one or two ideas behind. Though he’s so crafty, that the track still sounds great. I love the one-man effort of his music.
The fandom may had developed a fatigue for Dadi’s shtick, but we shouldn’t forget how adorable it can be to 1st time viewers. And the same way his last effort was relatable to anyone who had a newborn on their arms, people in happy enduring relationships will see themselves in this one. I don’t think the strings intro adds much to the track, but the choir gives it a nice breath and the disco hints in the chorus are delicious. The juxtaposition of his deep velvety voice and the sunny backing vocals is delightful as always. 8/10
Tobias finally didn’t give the lowest score? that’s a first LOL
And I bet Malta will not be the last country called on the 18th. So mean what they did to Michela.
Belgium will, as usual 🙂
I have a feeling if she does make it then her name will be one of the first five called out. The more it goes on then the more worrying.
I hope not. To call the big favorite last would be kinda cruel to whomever would be there with her among the final seven. They would know that they are out, and yet they would still have that shred of hope. Not cool!
I think that the last country called will be an odds mid-level favorite, like Russia, Ukraine or Azerbaijan. Someone who will likely make it, but might miss out, so the tension is still there.
And it’s supposed to be “random”! A little like 2010 when there was one place left and (favourites) Croatia, Denmark and Sweden still waiting. I was sure it was going to be Croatia. Oddly enough I bumped into Femminem in Oslo on the Saturday they were beautiful and charming.
Off topic: Spanish channel TEN has announced an agreement to broadcast Eesti Laul in Spain in 2022, and are apparently interested in adding more national finals to their lineup, including Melodifestivalen, which they already unsuccessfully negotiated for earlier this year. (source: https://www.formulatv.com/videos/ten-tv-preseleccion-estonia-eurovision-television-23345/)
Would love to hear what you guys think of this.
Broadcasting Eesti Laul i Spain is so random, LOL.
San Remo has been broadcast in the USSR and in Russia a few times.
RTSH (Albania) broadcasts Sanremo every year
i didn’t like his act at all last year but this song is really nice, doesn’t annoy me at all. we shouldn’t rule out an icelandic win, he’ll surely serve a memorable performance.
I give it 1 point for every year.
It reminds me of the very early Calvin Harris tracks from his “I created Disco” album wayyy back when. Yes that’s how old I am lol.
But in saying that, I love a bit of synth and Dadi delivers for sure. While I preferred last years attempt, there’s no denying that this is a little something special. Should easily qualify from Semi 2, and no doubt deliver some memes in the process. Quirky, but not overly weird or cringe. I like it.
7/10 – best of luck Iceland
Like when Lithuania 2018 had Ieva’s husband walk on at the end… people liked that.
Unfortunately, it’s true. But this doesn’t mean her song was fake like other love songs were in the past.
Which makes me feel this performance needs at least a moment where Dadi and Árný take center stage. The one with the choir would be perfect for that.
For sure I want to see this song in the final.
And I really hope for the best and I wish to have an Icelandic victory in the near future.
But I don’t feel this is happening this year. Sorry 🙁
the number 5: exists
Tobias: I slowly started to be seducted by him, like he started to seduce me
Weird it’s 5 and not 3.5. He’s improving. How does he keep getting better?
Iceland is for me the biggest downgrade from last year… it’s in my 26th place, sorry Iceland 🙁 I don’t like the vibe (I almost want to call it dated but I’ll refrain), the instrumental, it’s not that catchy and memorable. The lyrics and the emotion behind it are maybe the strongest points.
Gold star.
What if Bulgaria is published last? You have positives there 🙂
They are the three left. 36 reviews done
Iceland and Finland will for sure. Denmark is in shaky waters.
Of course your friend Serhat was an example of this (!)
That’s fine! When the first few bars struck up in Tel Aviv I had a feeling (of dread) it would qualify. And performing last definitely helped. I felt exhausted after the previous 17 songs so fun and uplifting as you say! So over to Denmark!
The thing is those entries didn’t qualify cause they weren’t good enough. I know Latvia 2017 placed last. So a running order will not make a song qualify.
But yes it can get it to become 10th if it were 11th. Denmark is borderline at best. Anyone who argues that it’s a certain qualifier isn’t looking at multiple things.
I for some reason am able to enjoy this song more than last year’s. The dance moves are full-on nerd mode like last year and the essence of his performances from both 2017 and 2020 are still there. This will make everyone smile and he sings well no doubt. The music video would have helped it have a more positive initial reaction. The good elements are there and it’s definitely a contender for the Top positions. The only thing Is it makes me want to smile and not dance along. I would probably not listen to “memetastic ” songs outside… Read more »
11. Iceland: It’s just a quirky, pleasant and feel-good entry, celebrating the relationship of Dadi and his wife. I like it a lot as it gives me nice vibes. It will not win but a top 10 finish is highly possible.
Deserves top3…at least !!!
10/10 Very original, well performed and true to itself. When I hear it and watch the videos, it’s easy to see the song is from Daði og Gagnamagnið. In my personal top 3 alongside Finland and Italy.
Objectively speaking, not bad but tbh I can barely get through it.
Think about things was much better. 10 years 7/10 for me.
10) Iceland –
Ahh, I just love the absolute dorkiness of this lot. Although Think About Things had slightly more appeal than 10 Years, this one is a worthy successor nonetheless. I don’t think it’ll win, but I’m sure we in the UK are bound to give it some points. I’ve learned the dance moves and everything! 8/10
Higher then Romania? Yeah no. Last year was SO MUCH better!
I must admit I was not the biggest fan of “Think about things” – I really enjoyed the song, I still listen to it from time to time but I did not like THAT MUCH and I didn’t really understand why it was so popular. I might even like “Ten years” because I relate to it more. I’ve been in a relationship for almost 10 years now, so I really know what Dadi is talking about here. I find the lyrics really sweet. To be honest at first I didn’t really pay attention to this song and didn’t listen to… Read more »
Off topic, but the voting rehearsal videos that leaked on twitter show the scoreboard how it looks, and it looks really dated like 2004 dated, so I just wanted to know is that a prototype version or the final version?
https://twitter.com/MohawkMarkus/status/1390237744274845706?s=19 here is the link
In 2017, the scoreboard used in the rehearsals was different to the one used in the final. I agree with you – the current one looks juvenile and too bright. I hope it will be different eventually.