Photo: RÚV

Diljá will represent Iceland at Eurovision 2023 with the song “Power”.

The Kópavogur native earned the right to compete Söngvakeppnin 2023 after going through a semi-final, a final, and a nail-biting top-two duel. Now, she’s ready to show us the full potency of her song.

Scroll down to read the “Power” lyrics. 

Iceland at Eurovision 2023: Diljá with “Power”

Diljá Pétursdóttir first rose to notoriety when she was 12 years old, by participating in the 2015 season of Ísland Got Talent.

In 2019, Diljá represented the Commercial College of Iceland (Verzlunarskóli Íslands) in the 29th edition of Söngkeppni framhaldsskólanna, a singing competition pitting against each other the representatives of all secondary schools in Iceland. She placed 3rd with a cover of Radiohead’s “Creep”.

She then moved to Denmark and alternated her music studies with her degree in physiotherapy. 

What do the “Power” lyrics mean?

This rousing pop anthem is all about getting away from a clearly noxious situation with another person. It can be easily interpreted as anyone who you ever felt held power over you in any sort of way. That you might feel they are a dependent part of you, but only after reaching that breaking point, you’ll realise they’ve only been a dark hole in you. With them gone, you can now easily fill it with things that shine a light on your life, positivity, independence, confidence, and of course, new-found power that’ll leave you feeling like a whole new person.

“Power” lyrics — Diljá (Iceland Eurovision 2023)

Songwriters: Pálmi Ragnar Ásgeirsson, Diljá Pétursdóttir

I’m ready to let you go
Won’t hold you back no more
And go on spread your wings and fly away
Been carrying you way too long
Like an obsession
I thought you were a living part of me

But I got my power in my hand
You hold no power over me
And I’ll take my flowers while I can
So let the love shower over me (Shower over)

Ho-oh, ah-ah-ah-ah
You hold no p-p-p-power over me
Ho-oh-oh, ah-ah-ah-oh-oh
You hold no p-p-p-power over me

I’m not doing this dance again
So goodbye old friend
And tired of finding meaning in the dark
I’m releasing all of you
In gratitude
Replacing you with light that fills my heart

I got my power in my hand
You hold no power over me
And I’ll take my flowers while I can
So let the love shower over me (Shower over)

Ho-oh-oh, ah-ah-ah
You hold no p-p-p-power over me

Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, oh-wow
No power over me
And I’ll take my flowers while I can
So let the love shower over me, oh-oh-oh

Ho-oh-oh, ah-ah-ah-oh-wow
You hold no p-p-p-power over me
Ho-oh-oh, ah-ah-ah-oh-oh
You hold no p-p-p-power over me

What do you think of Power? Do you think we’ll see Iceland in the grand final? Let us know in the comments below!

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Zhenia
Zhenia
11 months ago

The ahs and p-ps are a bit redundant, but I like how her accent makes her English sound incredibly mellow and her voice is superbly gentle. Wish Iceland good luck this year!

claudee
claudee
11 months ago

Her voice is lovely and the song is really relatable. I feel so empowered listening to this and the electro pop vibe is perfect!! Go Iceland!

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
11 months ago

This song is amazing! The lyrics have helped me through a difficult time in my life! It has crown from being at the bottom to being in my top 15!

Sam
Sam
11 months ago

Really underoverrated song. So far I have it in my top 5 and hope to see it in the final!

Sam
Sam
11 months ago
Reply to  Sam

Underrated lol

Young_At_Heart_In_Austin
Young_At_Heart_In_Austin
11 months ago
Reply to  Sam

Even though I know Loreen is likely going to win, I have this above Loreen as my number 2 favorite song. I hope she makes it to the Grande Final!

Lucy
Lucy
11 months ago

I wish she kept the song in Icelandic. Or at least sing a chorus or a verse in Icelandic, as I think the original version is even more powerful.

Efthymios
Efthymios
11 months ago

Dilja’s entry surely is enjoyable but I constantly TRY to like it even more in many musical aspects and I just can’t. Kinda feels there’s some kick missing from it, I can’t really explain it. :/
At least it’s cute and has some kind of “on the verge of exploding” muted power (pun intended) and I can definitely see why people like the song. Maybe not for me (she barely misses a Q spot in my ideal SF2 results, my #11) but also not bad at all it’s quite catchy. 🙂

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
11 months ago

I hope Iceland sends something stronger next year.

Jofty
Jofty
11 months ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Last year was not for me at all I’m afraid

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
11 months ago

How many people here remember the “p-p-pick up a Penguin” adverts? 🙂
Overlooking all the p-p, oh-oh and ah-ah bits, the lyrics are quite solid and to-the-point. Overall, it looks to me to be a strong half of a song, which has been extended to fill the three minutes.

Jonas
Jonas
11 months ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I don’t know those ads, but I know Luxembourg 1980. Pa-pa-pa pinguoin.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
11 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

Haha, yes! It was 10 years before my ESC time, but a friend introduced me to this song a couple of months ago. I think it was supposed to be “Papa Pingouin” (Daddy Penguin).

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
11 months ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

The only thing I remember p-p-pick up a Penguin from is the impossible quiz.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
11 months ago

It could be both. Self-empowerment can work both ways after a break-up.

Andy
Andy
11 months ago

My third place of this year ! Unfortunately i don’t think this is gonna qualify.
And i need to mention that i really like her live singing

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
11 months ago
Reply to  Andy

I think it’ll qualify quite comfortably TBH.

Vivian
Vivian
11 months ago

People underestimate this. If they fix the staging in Liverpool to be more fitted to the song, this should easily qualify

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
11 months ago
Reply to  Vivian

Qualifying from SF2 is not that big of an achievement. This would have been screwed in SF1.

Jofty
Jofty
11 months ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

True. But it’s a pretty and sincere song which is possibly a borderline qualifier. I expect to be voting for it (and Belgium). Wonder who will be the shock NQ or Q from SF1?