Subwoolfer Give That Wolf A Banana Melodi Grand Prix Norway Eurovision 2022

The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 40 competing songs in Eurovision 2022. Next we review Norway, who have chosen Subwoolfer with “Give That Wolf A Banana”.

Are we howling to the moon? Read on to find out!

Subwoolfer – “Give That Wolf A Banana” (Norway Eurovision 2022)

Review: Subwoolfer – “Give That Wolf A Banana”

Sebastian: This. Is. Perfection. It takes something special to create a persona out of two average singers, establish a narrative that works as a giant metaphor for a coronavirus pandemic, and create a performance that is both eye-popping for the kids and hilarious for the adults. Whoever is behind the mask, and produced this Subwoofer masterpiece, deserves an out-of-this-world promotion. Catchy? Tick. Relatable? Tick. Mysterious? Tick. Winner vibes? Tick!

Score: 10

Tom: “Give That Wolf A Banana” had the potential of sounding cheap, looking cheap, and being a complete joke of a song. None of those things are true. This is a quality, well-produced and expensive track. Everything about this feels like it has been made by seasoned pros and not by an unknown artist trying to have a laugh on the big stage. It’s fun and yet oddly serious. The mystery element to the artists also gives a little extra spice to the Nordic sauce. Plus, the random, comic lyrics are perfect for every fair-weather and mega Eurovision fan. It’s genius.

Score: 8.5

Deban: A well-produced joke act. It’s catchy, social media savvy and latches on like a virus. Do I like it? Yes. Will it do well at Eurovision? Probably. However, with distasteful lyrics like “Is that saliva or blood dripping off your chin?”, and the masked identity of the singers, this year’s Norwegian entry is too gimmicky for me to take seriously. 

Score: 5.5

Angus: There’s a proverb about throwing a bowl of spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks. In the case of “Give That Wolf A Banana” it feels like the whole pan has been launched at the kitchen wall. Wolf outfits! Little Red Riding Hood! Bananas! And yet the whole thing is so slick it is difficult to pick holes in it: strong production, the swirling mystery of who’s behind the mask and at the end of the day a strong Eurovision entry. 

Score: 8

Jonathan: Yellow, banana-loving space wolves was not something I had on my Eurovision bingo card before the 2022 season started. But coming from left field with a completely new concept is certainly a good way to standout. Although the masks provide mystery, they do also limit the development of a personal connection with the performers and stop Subwoolfer from being able to create dynamism in the performance with any expressions. Thus, from the two-minute mark onwards it does begin to veer towards repetitive. However, it’s hard to deny that “Give That Wolf A Banana” is a catchy offering that demonstrates the strength of Scandi music producers.

Score: 7

Norway Eurovision 2022 ranking

In the Eurovision 2022 Wiwi Jury, we have 18 jurors but only have room for five reviews. The remaining scores are below:

Antranig: 9.5

Cinan: 8

Josh: 6

Lucy: 8

Luis: 7.5

Natalie: 7

Oliver: 7.5

Pablo: 9

Renske: 7

Robyn: 8.5

Ron: 7.5

Suzanne: 8

William: 8.5

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 5.5 and a high of 10.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 7.84/10

What do you think of Norway’s Eurovision 2022 entry? Share your own score and review for Subwoolfer’s “Give That Wolf A Banana” below!

132 Comments
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Yannee
Yannee
1 year ago

Let’s see this joke entry getting 1st place in televoting, only to thank the jury for existing…

ESC Stan
ESC Stan
1 year ago

This song is what eurovision is about (I can hear the downvote clicks before I posted this lol) pure fun and joy. People like Spain, not because of the lyrics but because of the fun you have listening to it. Same thing here. Not every song needs the most deepest lyrics. Eurovision is about diversity and I say can enjoy sweden, Poland, etc at the same time we like this.

Keisha
Keisha
1 year ago

I can’t believe people over the age of 16 listen to this song unironically lol

Syl
Syl
1 year ago

I can’t stand this song at all, it’s literally at the bottom of my list. Tries waaaay to hard to be funny, quirky and catchy and this is why it doesn’t succeed, not in my book. On the other hand, I love Konstrakta who is naturally quirky and original without having to force it with goofy costumes.

Doris
Doris
1 year ago

For God sakes make an Eurovision for kids and leave the real thing alone.

dorian
dorian
1 year ago
Reply to  Doris

i mean… there IS a eurovision for kids, lol

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago

Similar to Latvia this is a song that’s so dumb that it’s great. Whether you believe in the ‘banana = covid vaccine’ theory or not, the song is a lot of fun regardless, especially with the Roop-like choreography present all throughout the song. This is memorable, it’s eye-catching and not so easily forgotten. They perform the sh** out of this live, and nail doing so every time. It’s an 8/10 for me!

Ellie
Ellie
1 year ago

In what it’s trying to achieve it’s very well done, though not for me. But my biggest issue with it isn’t that it’s a sort of joke entry or the costuming. It’s that the song already sounds dated to my ears. Hard to imagine five years from now looking back and thinking this entry winning ages well. That said, I don’t begrudge those who love it. There’s nothing wrong with a song that is fun for fun’s sake.

HJee
HJee
1 year ago

This song comes last in my list. At Eurovision in Concert they were lip syncing for their lives. And we even couldn’t see their lips. How do we even know they were the orginal band members? This does nothing to me. 40th please. A non qualifier imo.

Vicky
Vicky
1 year ago

With this scoring you just got to the point where I will stop reading on your site.

Prinpoleon
Prinpoleon
1 year ago
Reply to  Vicky

It’s not like they are Barbara pravi or Maneskin, this is a joke entry. So it’s subjective for anyone finding the song funny or not. For me they are overrated.

Vicky
Vicky
1 year ago
Reply to  Prinpoleon

They have been ranked higher then Maneskin…..

tylos
tylos
1 year ago
Reply to  Vicky

I agree, it should have got straight 10s. But imma going to keep reading the blog

Kristian
Kristian
1 year ago

Really enjoy the beat and the song. The performance and dance routine are good too. I would just like some more connection to the eyes of the performers. I’m still left wondering how much of the performances of theirs is live singing.

This would go great in the televote and possibly contend to win the televote. A safe bet for qualification. A 8.5/10.

Vicky
Vicky
1 year ago

Imagine living in a nightmare, where this song is being rated higher than Maneskin. Guys, you need a break if not retirement.

Prinpoleon
Prinpoleon
1 year ago
Reply to  Vicky

Totally agree, the song is funny but not to be that high.

Anhel
Anhel
1 year ago

I’d like to see these adults that the song is so hilarious for according to Sebastian? Musically it’s good, but rating a song with obviously idiotic lyrics that high is so annoying to see.

Sabrina
Sabrina
1 year ago

I don’t have a problem with novelty acts, as long as they don’t neglect musical aspects, which is the case here. It’s a well produced track, powered by a couple of sweet voices hidden under cool costumes. But I can’t help but feel cold about this entry, when everything seems ultra calculated to work as the perfect meme. It doesn’t help that they’re using too many pre-recorded vocals and, without seeing their faces, I can’t feel their joy while performing it. I believe it’ll do well, but it’s not for me. 6.5/10

Timi
Timi
1 year ago

That Sebastian is getting in my nerves. I really love the song but I can’t stand Sebastian’s “owning the truth” vibe of his opinions.

Yeah, I will stop reading now. Bye, Wiwijury. Deban, thanks for always be the best Wiwi member.

MonsieurMüller
MonsieurMüller
1 year ago

Eye-popping for the kids… really? When there’s a Latvian entry talking about pus** and “sausages being bigger”?

Nicolas
Nicolas
1 year ago

Now I realize it has a better score than Maneskin last year (7.7) ?

ESCLOU
ESCLOU
1 year ago

8.5/10 I understand how some fans feel this is a joke entry, but I disagree. Yes the lyrics aren’t serious, but you can also say that for other pop songs. GTWAB is too well produced to be a joke entry, if you dislike this surely you can at least see that it’s catchy idk?

Liam
Liam
1 year ago

7.84? Well atleast Deban has taste

MonsieurMüller
MonsieurMüller
1 year ago

Actually these kind of entries are making JESC look more “adult-like” than adults’ ESC.

Boozyfloozy99
Boozyfloozy99
1 year ago

Highest score… really lol what a load of crap!

Efthymios
Efthymios
1 year ago

THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE TELEVOTE MAGNE! CHEERFUL, EVENTFUL, SILLY AND QUIRKY, JUST PERFECT!
And Keith and Jim’s creative and energetic personas are EVERYTHING WE NEEDED FOR THIS EUROVISION SEASON FUN! AND BOTH THEIR VOICES ARE INCREDIBLE WHEN LIVE!
My 6TH PLACE, with a 10/10 RATING! <3

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
1 year ago
Reply to  Efthymios

Televote magnet, indeed. I was thinking the same thing. They used the KEiiNO playbook, but added some comedy to the song and the video. Norway could very well finish in the top 10 with this formula.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

Silver star.

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago

That 2019 televote win really messed with the Norwegians’ heads, not qualifying this year would do them a world of good but that’s obviously not happening at this point… Sorry, but this Masked Singer / Ylvis rip-off hybrid looks just as cynical and calculated to me as the 2012 Russian entry, it will probably score much better than it has any right to, just like that one did. Only hoping for the jurors to actually do their job and bury this in their collective bottom 5 somewhere, both semi and final. Also, I’d find it a bit depressing if I… Read more »

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago
Reply to  Midnight Gold

I don’t hate the song itself, it’s obviously bottom 10 but not actually bottom 5 for me, I just dislike this annoying hype it’s getting and the idea that it will probably do much better than some genuine stuff like Lithuania, Iceland, Serbia and so on.

Richard
1 year ago

Delighted to have at least one song with a gimmick, which I personally love to see as much as possible, but I love the song too. There’s something rather touching about the way they sing to the wolf. I’m not so keen on the masks in a way, it does take away some connection and emotion as the song moves along, but easily one my favourites this year.

Andi
Andi
1 year ago

Wow, this is a bit overrated I guess? I Mean 7.84? Really? If De Diepte doesn’t get a 8.x score now, I’ll be mad.

James
James
1 year ago

I’m really sorry but I can’t accept Norway over Portugal. I like it but I don’t get the love for Give that wolf a banana

Mitch
Mitch
1 year ago

It’s a solid 5 for me. It will go well with the audience for sure though

Sonam
Sonam
1 year ago

I mean I like the song, but really 7.84 for this vs Portugal 7.66 or UK 7.25 ?

Vale
Vale
1 year ago
Reply to  Sonam

This pettiness is annoying.

Zisk
Zisk
1 year ago
Reply to  Sonam

The song that stands out to me as overrated in that list is Portugal, not Norway.

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago
Reply to  Zisk

You really hate ESC, don’t you?

Zisk
Zisk
1 year ago
Reply to  Midnight Gold

Your username is my favourite eurosong of the last 10 years ^^ I think eurofans take themselves too seriously. I’d like to see Netherlands win this year, but I don’t want an entire contest of slow songs like that. If hating Eurovsion means I want to see more of Subwoolfer than Marius Bear or of Vladana then yes I hate Eurovision.

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago
Reply to  Zisk

Glad we agree on something at least. I don’t want an entire contest full of the same kind of entry either, actually voted for both Lithuania and Iceland last year and I didn’t mind Little Big at all either, the banana song is just pushing it a bit too much tho, it has zero business finishing anywhere near a genuinely great song like Portugal’s.

Lil Krumpy
1 year ago

My Number One. – Norway – Bringing back fun in Eurovision. This is the year. What an enjoyable prospect. It obviously had to be them.

vogue
vogue
1 year ago

I don’t get. I just don’t get it.

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago
Reply to  vogue

Who knew that nostalgia for acts like the Irish turkey and the Latvian pirates was this strong within the fandom?

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago

I don’t like using the term “joke entry” to refer to songs that actually have some musical quality to them. Joke entry, to me, refers to the likes to UK 2007 or Estonia 2008, where there is clearly no attempt to forward a song that somebody would choose to listen to for musical enjoyment.
Subwoolfer and Citi Zeni aren’t in that category.

Ang
Ang
1 year ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

I agree. Although the Citi Zeni is not my cup of tea, I can clearly see it has a professional funky disco beat. I just don’t like it. I don’t think either of these are joke entries, as both are good musically, especially Norway’s imo which I find to be more accessible. I’d prefer to say they contain humour as opposed to them being joke entries as they are of far too high a calibre for the latter. Someone above mentioned Leto Svet. That, imo, was obviously a joke entry & is was repetitive, boring & poor quality. There was… Read more »

Ang
Ang
1 year ago
Reply to  Ang

Lol I’ve just realised you mentioned Leto Svet too. Sorry. ?

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago
Reply to  Ang

Don’t be. It’s so bad it deserves mentioning twice in this context. :3

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
1 year ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Exactly. Not every entry with a slightly comedic approach throws musical quality out the window. Citi Z?ni used a lot of real (that is, acoustic) instruments for their song; and I must say, their musical quality (not necessarily their lyrics) really shined.

Jo.
Jo.
1 year ago

Hella catchy. Norway seems to be stuck in a era of joke entries, but at least this is decent one.

Jo.
Jo.
1 year ago
Reply to  Jo.

the score is way too inflated tho

Stian F
Stian F
1 year ago
Reply to  Jo.

Stuck in an era??? Its litrrall the first time we have a gimmicky entry like this one… It is Latvia and probably Georgia that are the biggest og the Gimmicky nations…

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago

Been missing for a few days but back in time for a good one. I think this is fantastic. As a complete entry, it’s incredibly impressive. I love the bookending of the song with the simple guitar pick/singular vocal technique. I find that it gives you somewhere to go and coming back to where you started from is also a solid game plan. The song is produced to a strong standard for Eurovision and, cleverly, while keeping the core melody and structure simple, add little progressions throughout the song, to the point that the climax is pretty bombastic. Visually, nobody… Read more »

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Oh Aria. XD

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Rating: 9.0/10.0

Stephanie
Stephanie
1 year ago

7,84/10 Seriously? This is in my bottom 5!

Kolan Bränn
Kolan Bränn
1 year ago

I’m honestly suprised a lot of people are rooting for this to win. Joke acts aren’t supposed to win eurovision as it will make more countries send joke entries and i’d rather have a serious contest than a joke contest, thank you. Hopefully the public will agree and give us a decent winner. 5/10

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Kolan Bränn

In general, most joke acts aren’t supposed to win. Yet, many people would argue that Verka is just as iconic as Marija Serifovic, and that she deserved to win just as much. I’m not saying that GTWAB is the only song that deserves to win this year. Certainly not the only one. But I would be quite happy if it did win, among other few deserving ones.

Christina
Christina
1 year ago

WOLFS ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP! I LOVE SUBWOOLFER!

The truth
1 year ago

Don a weird costume, present a crazy act, bring in some lights, play on some strange lyrics, etc and hey presto your song becomes “original”, a “masterpiece”, “perfection”. All the ingredients needed to satisfying small minds. Just as children need a lot of sensory issues like colour and some mayhem to be able to catch their attention, many adults have remained in this childhood state. Agree with Deban here – this is a joke – a stale, nonsensical, childish one at that to please the small-minded section of ESC fans, who with their support have turned this song competition into… Read more »

Héctor
Héctor
1 year ago

This is all a joke/novelty act should be: actually funny, enjoyable and eye-catching. Also, it has potential to be viral: the dance, the looks, the mystery of who’s in the costumes,… It will make an impact, that’s for sure. All in all, I don’t have any doubt that Norway will qualify and will receive big love from the televote. I’d bet they are getting a top 10 finish. Norway occupies the 14th place in my top: 3. Denmark (7.75) 5. Portugal (7.75) 6. Australia (7.5) 8. United Kingdom (7.5) 10. San Marino (7.25) 12. Serbia (7.25) 13. France (7) 14.… Read more »

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago

Don’t underestimate them, Deban. They are taking it more seriously than ANY other contestant this year…

Chupacabra
Chupacabra
1 year ago

Definitely in my Top 10, refreshing, subtile.

Jessie
Jessie
1 year ago

7.84 for a joke entry really Deban taste

Prc
Prc
1 year ago

Is this riding on the huge success of the entertainment tv show “The Masked Singer”?

Keisha
Keisha
1 year ago

An entry for the kids

Preuss
Preuss
1 year ago

I’m proud of our entry this year, and I genuinely believe we’re the best out of all the quirky songs with a quirky dance routine. I can’t see us not placing in the top 10 tbh, just hope the juries won’t slaughter us too much this year.

That being said, I do want us to send something like Margaret Berger again. The last years we’ve sent some eurovision kitsch entries in KEiiNO, TIX and now this.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago
Reply to  Preuss

What I like about Norway is that they are completely flexible in what kind of entry they’re willing to send to Eurovision. They never force anything because it fits in with what a “Norwegian Eurovision entry” should look and sound like (whereas with the likes of Sweden and Finland, we tend to get a lot of similar-ish entries) but rather, do seem to go with what they believe to be the best song.

I think they’ve managed to get that right, certainly in terms of Eurovision result, in the past few years.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
1 year ago
Reply to  Preuss

But you’ve managed to qualify, anyway, with all of them. From 2017 onwards, you haven’t missed a single final. The playbook is working 🙂 ; you shouldn’t worry too much.

Nicolas
Nicolas
1 year ago

7,84 Really ? It’s the same level as Leto svet. So some people wants ESC to become some a contest with silly songs and now with mostly pre-recorded vocals effects that were just prohibated before 2020.If I was a juror it would directly go to my last place.

Fact Speaker
Fact Speaker
1 year ago
Reply to  Nicolas

Delusional take. Great vocal, great lyrics, great choreography, great personalities.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago
Reply to  Nicolas

And Leto Svet was an Underrated MASTERPIECE!

Kredential
Kredential
1 year ago

This leans too heavy into the wolf metaphor for me to find it amusing, and it comes off more creepy than funny or clever. This gives me furry vibes

Scott
Scott
1 year ago

This whole style reminds me of a minor radio hit from a few years back by Ylvis – ‘What Does the Fox Say’. It’s kind of clever and this is sure to be the novelty act ( and a good one) of Eurovision this year. ( although, somewhat of a worry, I have heard this train of thought on some social media platforms that the lyrics are very popular among the gay bear community- they( apparently) represent picking up a guy in a bar..???? not sure I adhere to this theory, but it’s a good one nonetheless if you read… Read more »

Stian F
Stian F
1 year ago
Reply to  Scott

They are not… They are about the danger of covid, especially for elderly people, and the need to get vaccinated, before infecting said elderly – in the song represented through the grandmother! Banana is the vaccine. The wolf is the potential covid threat. I am sure other people will use the song for their ways as well…

Trocatroc
Trocatroc
1 year ago

A bit over the top for this to be the #1 rated song on here in my opinion. To each their own though.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago

Eat Your Salad > Give That Wolf A Banana

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

If you like Norway’s entry based on pre-recorded vocals, computerized vocals, silly and childish costumes and representation more than Latvia’s song then you must have a bad taste.

Stian F
Stian F
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

Norways song is about getting vaccinated to be safe from covid… Latvias song is a vegan preaching entry – and most people hate the preachy vegan agenda! And singing about pussy and dicks disguised as sausages is just cringy…

Frau Loch
Frau Loch
1 year ago

This will be the winner after a thought race with Italy.

Frau Loch
Frau Loch
1 year ago
Reply to  Frau Loch

Tight

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Frau Loch

Subwoolfer could very well win the public vote, but they would have to place 4th with the jury at the bare minimum in order to win, which won’t happen.

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Sir Stevia

Unless it does actually happen and I’m an idiot for underestimating my winner. Ultimately, we shall see! This year is wide open and that is exciting!!!!!