Iceland has crowned its winner in the grand final of Söngvakeppnin 2023 and it is Diljá and her song “Power” that will be Iceland’s representative in Eurovision in Liverpool.
Ten songs started the journey in January. After two semi-finals, one wild card and a grand final, this has finally been whittled down to one song.
Diljá Pétursdóttir was first seen on the stage at the young age of 12 when she competed in Iceland Got Talent back in 2015. Now eight years later she debuts in Söngvakeppnin.
“Power” is written by Diljá and Pálmi Ragnar Ásgeirsson. Pálmi was one of the writers of “Unbroken“, Iceland’s Eurovision act in 2015.
Söngvakeppnin 2023 grand final
Results
The winner was chosen over two rounds. In the first round, a 50/50 approach of public and jury votes was used to select two acts to move onto the superfinal.
These two songs continued in a duel battle, where the public had the sole choice as to who would fly the Icelandic flag in May.
Super final
- Diljá – “Power” (winner)
- Langi Seli og Skuggarnir – “OK”
Finalists
- Sigga Ózk – “Dancing Lonely”
- Bragi – “Sometimes the world´s against you”
- Celebs – “Doomsday Dancing”
- Diljá – “Power”
- Langi Seli og Skuggarnir – “OK”
Jury members
- Lovísa Elísabet Sigrúnardóttir (Lay Low) – musician (Iceland)
- Jón Ólafsson – musician (Iceland)
- Jóhann Kristófer Stefánsson (Joey Christ) – artist (Iceland)
- Gugusar (Guðlaug Sóley Höskuldsdóttir) – musician (Iceland)
- Gaute Ormåsen – Euroivsion 2022 contestant (Norway)
- Ersin Parlak – music agent and press representative of San Marino at Eurovision (Türkiye)
- Ramūnas Zilnys – Music Director at the Lithuanian National Radio (Lithuania)
- Helena Nilsson – social media manager (Sweden)
- Ihan Haydar – Eurovision 2022 contestant (Denmark)
- Emely Griggs – Program Director at Australian National Television (Australia)
Was Diljá your favourite to win? How do you think Iceland will do at Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below.
Diljá seems to have the p-p-p-power to make 3 minutes feel like a lifetime, and by the end I was so b-b-b-bored that I was p-p-p-polishing the silver. Bring back Hatari I say.
Wait, she’s sending the English version?! Then I have to put her much lower on my scoreboard. Pa-pa-pa-power sounds so annoying to me and I don’t like they lyrics in general…
*put the song, not her…
I like it, it was the only real choice. BUT at the same time Iceland has sent this type of songs a couple of times, like Paper or Hear them Calling and it never qualified. :-/
Staging needs some tweaking left and right but her vocals are really strong!
top 10
It’s a no from me. Also, it is better in Icelandic. It’s a shame she decided to change it to English.
Oof. Listening to the studio cuts, it was obvious to me who my favorite was: Sigga Ozk (cue triggered Dilja stans), but I still think that it can qualify out of SF2, given how weak SF2 is.
Congrats Iceland by selecting your ESC 23 entry. I watched her performance of last night 2day, I have to be sorry I turned it off after 1.55 as it left me cold and she didnt captivate me. Kinda of Estonia song only with another dress. All the best of good luck.
Loreen will have the easiest win this year in Liverpool! 98% of the songs are horrible
If she wins, but that is a very strong possibility, but as we’ve seen throughout this national final season, the fan favorite hasn’t always won it. Yes, we got lucky this past Saturday after disappointing outcomes, but you should still be prepared for anything to happen.
meh……
When I listened to the tracks a month ago, I thought this was the only decent song from Iceland, but wasn’t very excited about it, I felt it is a safe NQ even from semi-2. But now, when I watched the performance, I can only say YOU GO GIRL! This was amazing. I would compare it with Alika from Estonia, she also has a song which is not groundbreaking and we heard it all before, but the chills from her performing… I had that with Dilja as well. Such a nice vocal, eruption of charisma from the stage, she is… Read more »
Iceland 3,5/12
Loved this song since the beginning. So happy it won!
The song and the singer are good…but…the styling and visuals are horrendous! Maybe start with the message of the song as direction and dress it up modern.
Neither «Power» or «OK» is my cup of tea. I’m 100% sure Iceland would have qualified for the final with «OK», «Power» is not bad but I have problems seeing many picking up their phone to vote for this as it will get totally lost amongst other more impactful songs.
Sorry but OK would be fighting with San Marino for the bottom spot in the semifinal, this will easily qualify.
Thanks but no thanks…
Yes! She won, finally a song I actually like won. Currently my 1st ?.
OMG. PPPower over me. How many times in 3 minutes! Its like Spain entry several years ago that repeated do it for your lover! Another poor winner. Is it me does no one want to win to host next year!
Sweden clearly wants to.
After the acts like my beloved HATARI, Yohanna and Dadi this is dissapointing. It’s not bad, like I don’t hate it. It’s just there.
Good for Iceland, they are in 2nd semi though.
Whew, close call Iceland. I was afraid of OK winning but you made the right choice in the end.
Great performance, great voice and great energy. This is one of the better ones in semi 2
I like this pick a lot. It straddles the line between synth-pop and power ballad and her voice gets a little wild and growly at times (Bjork-ish?).
Top 10 finish for Iceland this year.
The song itself is good, but the p-p-power chorus ruins the song. This part sounded better in the Icelandic version, which isbthe reason why I am sad Dilja didn’t choose that version.
Not my cup of tea
I like it, but not enough to vote for it when the time comes
The song is good but her performance really elevated the song. It was the right choice for Iceland! Afram Island!
The song starts off well but the chorus is underwhelming and it gets too repetitive too quickly. Diljá seems to be a competent performer but it all leaves me quite cold and indifferent unfortunately. Good luck anyway!
Unfortunately, it doesn’t surpass Moa’s grace.
well, …the intrument part of the song I guess is okay? I…don’t think I like the vocal part very much though if i’m being honest
Congrats, Dilja! Obviously a stronger entry than OK. Yet, I’ll add it to the pile of songs I don’t feel strongly about either way. I don’t even have many entries I actually dislike, but I do have a plethora of preliminary middle ground, this being one of them. It might be a grower?
It would be tough for any of these acts to step on Hatari’s, Dadi’s and Systur’s (not as popular as the other 2, but I insist they were overlooked by the fandom) shoes, but Iceland rewarded the best performer of their selection and if the song isn’t exactly exciting, it’s a very respectable offering. I hope RÚV gives Diljá more staging though. She’s very charismatic, but the entry could benefit from a bit of storytelling.
Catchy beat, quirky sound and has a radio friendly, but like Denmark, it might get lost in the pack because it’s not really memorable- not sure it will grow on me the way Moldova has from tonight.
It was definitely the right winner. But still, not as strong to stand out, in my opinion.
Greath detition Very Talented and fresco song
I must say that Iceland’s final was exceptionally underwhelming. Personally I think they left the best songs in the semi-finals and the (not) OK song was probably their best option tonight. I can’t see the appeal in Dilja’s entry unfortunately and I have a strong suspicion it won’t make the final.I’m happy to be proved wrong.
that OK song would have been a catastrophe and prob would have finished bottom 3 in the semi, and to top it all off there are already so many bands this year. Dilja was the best choice by a mile.
They would’ve revamped it!
You are probably right but sorry to say that I think Diljá is heading for the bottom 3 as well, although I am happy to be proved wrong. At least “OK” felt different, “Power” feels very safe and predictable.
perhaps but its in semi final two and is nice to listen to, i think it has a real chance of making it through borderline
No chance. OK is completely dreadful, Power is nothing amazing on its own, but Dilja is an amazing performer, from all we saw, she is up there with Kaarija and Alessandra Mele and Alika from Estonia. Of course, her song is nowhere close to these favorites, but if you don’t have an amazing song, it is always better to have such a strong performer than can elevate it all on another level, and she can do it.
I have no doubt Dilja will pull out the maximum out of this song and give us a memorable performance.
I’m sure «OK» would have qualified. I think many seem to forget how many actually like music which is considered totally out of fashion! Just look at Ikke in the German NF on Friday for instance, he finished no.2 in the televoting.
You make a great point. I notice that a lot of people on here are often disparaging about certain genres of music that are actually enjoyed by the populace. “OK” has a very 50s/60s vibe which will be very popular with a certain demographic.
Yes, maybe in the national finals. Germany dodged the bullet by selecting Blood and Glitter, which is pretty safely a mid song in the final, maybe even left hand side, although I doubt it. But it certainly won’t be on the bottom.
If Ikke won, he would be in the bottom 3 easily.
Same as OK would fight with San Marino to avoid the last place in the Semifinal 2.
I mean, the song is pretty and the performance is solid, but it’s one of those songs to me that I cannot remember from listening to it only once. It’s going somewhere in the middle of my TOP nonetheless.
Iceland definitely chose the right winner, but I honestly think she should sing the Icelandic version in Liverpool!
Same, it’s catchier that way and Icelandic sound BEAUTIFUL!
nope. Not any more memorable on the third go round.
nice song, but kinda flat
Yeahhhh Diljà !! I think Iceland it’s a qualifier ! Good choice !
With Moldova, it’s good choices OMG !
Congrats to Dilja! While I have to admit that it’s not a favourite of mine, I can see it has its fans and she had a solid performance. 🙂 Good luck to her in Liverpool!
I like the Selma hair, I hope it brings her luck.
THEY CHOSE DILJA, GO ICELAND!!! The nordic power this year is real, well done. Except for Denmark tho :/
Great choice Iceland! In the 2nd semi this will be a qualifier.
Well she won. Happy for all the fans of the song. It was the smartest choice out of all that Iceland had this year.
I don’t care for it at all personally, I find it very bland but happy for yall.
I’m happy for Diljá, how could I not be, but I am not happy for myself.
dangerously close to coming last place at liverpool!!! congrats to dilja, idk how it will do but she performs really well so
Yes! Diljá won!
WAIT SUBWOOLFER HAVE JUST ARRIVED I DIDNT KNOW ABOUT THIS OMG
JimGaute, andKeithBen. One of them is on the jury.Ahhh and Gaute is a judge!