The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 37 competing songs in Eurovision 2024. Next we review Iceland, who have chosen Hera Björk with “Scared of Heights”.
Are we soaring high on Hera’s melody? Read on to find out!
Hera Björk – “Scared of Heights” (Iceland Eurovision 2024)
Review: Hera Björk – “Scared of Heights”
Deban: Let’s start with the positives. Hera Björk is Eurovision royalty. She’s a much loved professional that is remembered for her 2010 hit “Je Ne Sais Quoi”, and a successful career that spans from Europe to Chile. However, her current career re-birth gives pause for concern. “Scared of Heights” never really takes off. It feels stuck in time, and despite multiple listens, it misses the opportunity of a satisfactory ending. Don’t expect this to advance beyond its semi.
Score: 4
William: The choral opening teases that folks “feel it coming.” Sadly, what they feel is coloured beige. We’ve heard this song a thousand times and over many decades. It’s flat, predictable, cliché and underwhelming. Not even Hera Björk — a talent of the first order and an icon for so many — can bring this fossil of a song into 2024. Ultimately, the singer gives the most telling and damning judgment of all: “Been here before and never got it right.”
Score: 2.5
Jonathan: Hera Björk is a bundle of joy. Every time “Scared of Heights” comes on, a big smile grows across my face as the Icelandic star spreads a sense of ease and cheerfulness. The song breezes past and instantly gets put on replay. Of course this isn’t Hera’s first rodeo, and you can tell the “Je Ne Sais Quoi” hitmaker has honed her craft and knows exactly who she is as a performer. Is “Scared of Heights” somewhat basic? Yes. Will Iceland struggle to qualify? Quite possibly. But regardless of result, you can rest assured that I will be enjoying the entire three minutes Hera Björk is on the Malmö stage.
Score: 7
Tomas: Hera Björk is back, however, it seems hard to think of anything that Hera could do to top “Je Ne Sais Quoi”. “Scared of Heights” just doesn’t live up to the height of Hera’s 2010 entry. It’s a great song, but it just doesn’t really bring many emotions out of me. I can see it being great as a background song for uplifting, family-friendly shopping or DIY TikTok videos.
Score: 3
Iceland Eurovision 2024 ranking
In the Eurovision 2024 Wiwi Jury, we have 17 jurors but only have room for four reviews. The remaining scores are below:
|
Antranig: 5.5 Cinan: 6.5 Georgia: 3 Lucy: 2 Pablo: 4 Ron: 4.5 Ruxandra: 5.5 |
Scarlett: 2.5 Sebastian: 8 Simon: 5 Suzanne: 7 Tom: 5 Youyou: 4.5 |
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 8.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 4.63/10
What do you think of Iceland’s Eurovision 2024 entry? Share your own score and review for Hera Björk’s “Scared of Heights” below!
Evil. And the song is terrible. Like, embarassingly bad.
Remember when Iceland were actually betting favourites to win Eurovision this year? It’s funny how things change, for as things stand now, they are now considered the least likely to even qualify from their semi final. That’s what happens when you go with something as limp as what Hera Björk is being asked to serve over “Wild, Wild West”. The situation was entirely of RÚV’s own making, as they over-politicised the much stronger musical entry and completely misread public opinion, ending up foregoing what would have been almost certainly a top ten placing, and becoming saddled with an entry that… Read more »
Only ‘Scared of Heights’ can defeat Putin and WIN EUROVISION!
34th place – Iceland
I don’t even know what to say about this. This song sounds so cliché it’s insane. I feel like some songwriters don’t know what writing new music is and just copy and paste stuff. If I were to participate in Eurovision with such song I’d die from embarrassment. No hate to the artist but this is just a pure no from me.
I also can’t see this qualifying in million years. I hope Iceland does better next year.
Of course Iceland didn’t have the guts to actually boycot the contest so here we are, and Iceland’s chances are not exactly high. I love Hera, she’s charismatic, her 2010 entry is still a banger, but this song sounds so hilariously dated that it would make more sense if this was a Eurovision entry in the late 00’s. The lyrics are cheesy beyond words, the staging is boring and as much as I like Hera as a person, this is THE most ‘dead on arrival’ entry we have this year. I’m giving this a 3/10, the 3 points wholly based… Read more »
I love her for je ne sais quoi, a song I still listen to sometimes. I wish she had a better song this year. This is just not it, it’s just so bland even she can’t do anything to salvage it.
ICELAND – Welcome back, Hera Bjork! I love her bubbly personality, her stage charisma, and her ability to always perform in a fun way that elevates the material. I am a fan of her 2010 entry, and I am happy that she got the opportunity to add to her legacy. That said, I am not thrilled with this entry. It’s a 90s-sounding disco song with not much variety. It’s happy, bouncy, and uses the talents of its charismatic singer a lot, but even so, I don’t find it particularly exciting. A lot of the people will use the argument of… Read more »
This is the definition of a guilty pleasure for me. I wanna hate it cause it’s so basic but I actually think it’s a bit of a bop and she’s a great vocalist. If they can improve the staging it could do better than people think, but looking at its place in the running order I think it’s really going to struggle to qualify.
“Scared of Heights” is the very definition of a song that is too “safe” for Eurovision. The song is in C major, and the structure is standard. It’s about coming out of one’s shell and embracing new heights. That’s all. The thing is, we know what Hera is capable of, vocally. Hera could sing the whole song by herself with zero backing track for the whole three minutes and still make it work – That’s how good she is live. Given that Iceland is 29th in the odds, the team may well be considering this as an actual option. I… Read more »
I adore Hera but let’s be honest this one is a real stinker.
I think she will be a surprise cauliflower…coldflyer?…qualiflyer?…
“I feel it bombing.”
Sorry Hera. This is dead on arrival. But I still love you.
I feel sorry for Hera. She deserves a way better song than this dreadful thing.
Hera is THE queen, but the song is not up to her incredible talent.
A certified NQ
I liked this at the national finals, now its a bit meh. Think I enjoyed the hype of Hera. Song is a bit basic and may even say formulaic. I don’t particularly remember how it goes, and haven’t rushed to go listen to it again. I want to love this for Hera.
Score 2/10
A very non-descript song performed by a star. Will Hera Björk miraculously qualify? 3/10
I think all agree great vocalist. However very poor song that does not do her justice based on her previous entry. NQ.
I don’t think Hera is being given enough credit for her singing and stagecraft. That’s why she wiped the stage at Songvakeppnin. Personally, the song gives me goose pimples and think it will qualify. It comes on after the appalling No Rules on my playlist and is always a pleasure. Some of us actually like the songs which get tiresomely dismissed as ‘beige’, ‘dated’ or ‘Melfest rejects’. We’re not guilty.
She won because of the «anyone but that one»-effect in Iceland.
It’s not true.
Suzanne queen
Suzanne, don’t write comments about yourself!
She IS the score queen, full stop and period.
It does not sound that old. It sounds like one of the songs that used to be popular back in 2017.
ESC fans are applauding the 90’s trowback from the dancy songs.
This is also very retro performed by a profesional and she shows.
I like it and i hope my limonade and crisps from 1993 are still fresh??
Hera dont be scared of the heights neither the lows.
Yaheee and I got already 2 downvotes!!!
Hooorraayy, the lovely United by Music community!!
My old crisps and limonade from 1993 i vomit with the biggest grace on you!.
2/10 – hera bjork did not need a return with such a weaker song that french bop she served us back in the day
This over Bashar will always be the most idiptic decision in the hostory of Eurovision. Even more than Turkey choosing “Dön Art?k” over “Unuttu?umu sand???m anda” in 1999.
This song is actually nice, nothing groundbreaking, but it doesn’t deserve any of the hate it gets. And Hera’s charisma makes it very charming. Plus, it’s much better than the song that lost to it at the Songvakeppnin, at least Hera has good enunciation and doesn’t lisp.
Looks like today is the saddest day in Wiwi Jury haha
Two 4,63s
This deserves to qualify more than Ülvenhäm.
My grandmother once said: “Some people will even live off of disgust”.
I’m sorry, zero stars.
Her sparkly outfit is nice though
Northern star.
lol at first hate on Bashar Murad then trash your chosen winner
He never hated on that guy. That was me.
love this song
such a easy listening guilty pleasure bop
9.5/10
I was the first of (hopefully) many people who downvoted this comment.
You’ve confirmed your basic bi*ch status 😉
That’s his opinion and, as you so often remind everyone, an opinion can never be wrong. Never. Because it’s an *absolutely valid* opinion. I hope that you apply this mantra to doctors and surgeons too. After all, all opinions are *absolutely valid*.
I never said anyone’s opinion is wrong or invalid.
Hand off Andrew, okay!?
MWAH
that was already known i think, after me supporting Emma Muscat i am what i am everyone is entitled to his/her/their own opinions though and if i’m basic, so be it am just happy we also have these easy listening entries to enjoy this year, this and Cyprus’s Liar (which also grows on me nicely and no i don’t think of Silia as sexy because she’s way too young for me but i am looking forward to her freestyle dance moves, am a huge fan of watching dance shows anyway) Scared of Heights is suited well to a Cha-cha-cha, can… Read more »
At least you own your basic status! For that I applaud you x
16. Iceland – Hera Bjork – Scared of Heights – 7/10 – maybe it’s an age thing, but this one really connects. It is a perfectly acceptable toe-tapper with a warm, gentle message for those who have some past love experience to deal with. We are given sparkling lights and an upbeat production and Hera is a strong and engaging performer. I do very much enjoy taking a swig from this song’s bottle of uncomplicated pleasantry.
23RD PLACE: ICELAND: Old-fashioned Eurovision Nordic schlager seems to be back in fashion this year for Iceland. This was never my thing yet the song is solid in what it wants to achieve and Hera’s voice and experience are the main selling points here. It seems a bit like a filler song but some parts of the song make it at least listenable and pleasant. Its lack of creativity though doesn’t let me place it higher. Since this year I don’t really find many certain non-qualifiers, I wouldn’t count out Hera impressing the older demographic and making through to the… Read more »
I know it’s wrong to trash Malta for doing it and then hope that Iceland would have done it but with all the drama surrounding the Icelandic NF, the broadcaster changing its own rules in the middle of the contest and the songwriter not wanting her terrible crap song to go to Eurovision anyway, this was the perfect occasion to quickly find the winning artist a competent song. Hera’s comeback could have been grand, even if only with a Melfest reject. Yes, her talent is squandered and I think it’s clear the broadcaster doesn’t give a damn about her and… Read more »
The song title speaks enough. Sadly it will stay in the depths.
Love Hera Bjork but this song so dated and cheesy. 15 years ago it might have done well but there’s no way Iceland are making it out of their semi
I’m sorry, and I know people have different opinions, but Wiwi Jury was so tasteless this year…
The one positive exception being Norway, something most of us can agree on which makes me hopeful. But other than, what were you expecting? Same as every year with the sad exception that we didn’t get to comment on Hurricane, one of the best.
I definitely agree about Norway!
One of the best songs this year 🙂 Too bad it’s kinda overlooked by the fans, but hopefully the juries will appreciate it!
Usually, Wiwibloggs do have a taste, but it seems like this year, they don’t really like the songs
If you like it.. but I think Norway is so loud. And she sings about being turned Wolf drinking the Blood of her half-brother. ?
But I agree with you on the strange Wiwi jury.
Warm and meaningful songs rank so low, and cold songs rank very high.
Also some countries get many articles compared to others.
Joost has a nice song, but he got already 9 articles (about his live show, staging, personal story…) and that will be at least 10 articles when the wiwi jury comes out.
Some countries/artists only have 3 articles.
In the heat of the night, in the thrill of the fight I don’t even care about the tasteless people’s s**te.
33) Iceland – Ahh, Hera… I love you to bits hence why I haven’t put the song last, but it is dated. It’s enjoyable, though and Hera’s charisma always puts a smile on my face. I don’t think that this song will qualify, but I can at least appreciate it for being fun and up-lifting. That’s about it. 4/10
Wiwi Jury Ranking
Norway 7.67/10
Sweden 7.53/10
Belgium 7.4/10
Greece 7.27/10
Spain 7.20/10
France 7.17/10
Czechia 7.00/10
United Kingdom 6.93/10
Denmark 6.80/10
Poland 6.6/10
Serbia 6.57/10
Cyprus 6.53/10
Slovenia 6.50/10
Georgia 6.43/10
Luxembourg 6.40/10
Australia 6.37/10
Portugal 6.30/10
Armenia 6.27/10
Ireland 5.97/10
Israel 5.90/10
Latvia 5.77/10
Albania 5.50/10
Estonia 5.4/10
Azerbaijan 5.33/10
Malta 5.17/10
Germany 5.17/10
Moldova 5.00/10
San Marino 4.97/10
Iceland 4.63/10
Finland 4.63/10
I wonder whether any professional musicians would place Czechia’s song above that of Azerbaijan or Portugal (or the UK for that matter). Denmark too, which is about as original as ‘Scared of Heights’, seems wildly inflated by wiwi. I like Sweden, Belgium, Spain and Greece but they have no business anywhere near France. The wiwi rankings this year are a mess.
It’s called mixed opinions
Yes, and some are worth listening to more than others.
Ye-ouch, Iceland and Finland occupying the last two places of this wiwi jury ranking. Remind me of the tie breaker rule.
Iceland performs first, that’s why Finland comes dead last.
Yes, the song, Embers 2.0, is terrible and doesn’t deserve any accolades. This is true no matter what. Hera sings for her life though, like no other, she’s like 20 James Newman’s at once. And, being the mother that she is, she single-handedly saved
Eurovision from an ugly propaganda war. Besides the three songs than I actually stan, I stan her the most for that and I hope she goes through.
If a terrible song like Belgium 2023, which I still find abysmal, deserved the final for whatever reason and even the top 10 which I found insane, then so does Hera. Twice as much.
Shhh. Gustav is a world class singer. The song was not the most original, but it was still nicely done.
It’s a song contest, and unfortunately her song is pretty bad. It won’t qualify. She seems nice though.
I wish it was a song contest because then I could be sure Italy or Norway will win instead of Croatia or The Netherlands. Also, Belgium 2023 had no business in the final either. It’s only partly a song contest. Live vocals and staging are part of the game.
With Israel participating you can‘t say that ESC was saved from an ugly propaganda war.