It was one of the biggest events on the 2020 national selection calendar. And Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix is coming back just as big for 2021.
The first semi-final takes place on Saturday 16 January. Following a nearly identical format to last year, four acts will compete for one highly coveted spot in the grand final. But which of the four entries is your favourite? Who should advance to the next stage of MGP 2021? In a new twist, the three eliminated acts will remain in contention for a wildcard slot.
You can listen to all four entries below and then vote for your favourite. You can pick as many acts as you like, but you can only vote once. So choose wisely!
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Melodi Grand Prix 2021 — Semi-Final One Songs
Stina Talling – “Elevate”
Songwriters: Bård Mathias Bonsaksen, Hilda Stenmalm, Stina Talling, Eirik Hella and Monika Engeseth
The 17-year-old from Bergen started out on YouTube in 2013. Eight years later, Stina’s videos have amassed almost 17 million views. She signed a record deal with Sony in 2019. Her previous releases include “Fortid til fremtid”, “Jada Jada”, “En gang til” and “Livet Nå”. Her music also featured on the soundtrack for the Norwegian version of the Netflix movie Over the Moon.
Jorn – “Faith Bloody Faith”
Songwriters: Åge Sten Nilsen, Jørn Lande, Eirik Renton and Kjell Åge Karlsen
Jorn — the artist born Jørn Lande — hails from Rjukan and now lives in Fredrikstad. The 52-year-old has released almost 50 albums and it is claimed that he’s the largest Norwegian musical export since A-ha. He’s worked with several iconic rock bands, including ARK, Masterplan, Avantasia, Dracula “Swing Of Death”, Beyond Twilight, Vagabond, The Snakes, Millennium, Mundanus Imperium, Ayreon and Brazen Abbot.
Blåsemafian – “Let Loose”
Songwriters: Jørgen Lund Karlsen, Sigurd Evensen, Stig Espen Hundsnes, Benjamin Sefring and Caroline Teigen
Blåsemafian — which translates as Wind Mafia — are credited as being one of the most recognised wind bands in Norway and Europe. The trio consists of Sigurd Evensen (27) on trombone, Stig Espen Hundsnes (32) on trumpet and Jørgen Lund Karlsen (27) on saxophone. They’ve collaborated with artists such as Marcus & Martinus, Madcon, Cezinando and Angelina Jordan. Caroline (Hazel) Teigen provides guest vocals for MGP.
Beady Belle – “Playing With Fire”
Songwriter: Beady Belle
Beate Lech (46), known as Beady Belle, is a vocalist, artist, songwriter and producer. She has toured internationally, working with names like Jamie Cullum, India, Arie, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Joshua Redman and Jarle Bernhoft. She has performed at major, international festivals and concert stages such as the Royal Albert Hall. Beady Belle made a name for herself in Stjernekamp in the autumn of 2019.
Poll: Who should win semi-final one of Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix 2021?
[crowdsignal poll=10711288]What is your favourite song? Is there a winner in the mix? Let us know in the comments.
JORN !!!!, Trenger ikke flere Brittany Spears . De (andre)
I guess I’m not on the Elevate hype train, because I enjoyed the other 3 songs much more. I think Playing With Fire would make for a good live performance ^_^’
Playing with fiyyyyahh….
Oh wait, I’m the only one who voted for that… never mind. ?
Elevate with a good perfo could do very well on Esc. It’s fresh she sings well and melody it’s catchy.
This is one of my favs to win MGP for sure!
Stina has the best song for me. And Jorn in a 2nd position easily it’s a great rock song! 🙂
“and it is claimed that [Jorn’s] the largest Norwegian musical export since A-ha”
Royksopp begs to differ
i’m not surprised that such a mediocre song is leading
Since my point of view, Faith Bloody Faith and Let loose are the ones that were made to be different from your average ESC song.
So according to this poll, the worst song of the show will win. GJ Eurofans!
Stina’s song gave me chills! Best of luck to the artists
Same top >3
none of these 4 will be a threat to the gods of KeiiNo anyway
Yep, Keiino’s song is amazing
I listened to the songs for the second time and I think that they are all okay, but none of them grabbed me just yet. Elevate is a nice song, done in the comfy safe zone of Scandi-pop. It’s a ”mellow pop ballad”, which on itself certainly isn’t a bad thing, if the performer is capable of elevating it (pun intended) with emotion (one might argue that’s exactly what Iceland did in 2009, but that song might have had a bigger oomph to begin with). Faith Bloody Faith (which interestingly comes without a comma after the first word 🙂 )… Read more »
To be completely honest, this semi-final is weak. None of the songs really stand out. But if I have to guess who the qualifier is going to be, it would be Jorn. “Faith Bloody Faith” is the song which stands out the most, not a winner though. If Jorn goes against Beady Belle or Blåsemafian in a duel, Jorn would win by a landslide. It will be more difficult if Jorn goes against Stina but in the end, Jorn will go to the final-12. Stina’s song is okay. It’s not uplifting. She needs a memorable and emotional performance to go… Read more »
My favorite is Faith Bloody Faith, I think this one really stands out, while the others are maybe a bit more forgettable. I’m really looking forward to hearing KEiiNO’s song! And also Rein Alexander’s, but we still have to wait a few more weeks for that one.
4 Elevate: Too perfect in the progression – pretty much a generic pop song with slightly awkward lyrics. Good vocals, or at least good production, but a bit of a snooze for me. 3 Faith Bloody Faith: Every now and then a song in this genre makes the semis, or even the final, of a Scandinavian selection contest and that’s a good thing. Not my thing and not going to Rotterdam but nice to have in the mix. The ending is a bit of a fizzer. 2 Let Loose: Fun and very danceable. Will be interesting to see how they… Read more »
This is so much fun! From MelFest junior to Proud Rock to Electro House (OMG, House!) to just pop grooving. That’s a cracker of a Heat. I don’t care who wins TBH, but I voted for Blåsemafian (“Let Loose”) – that could be even more awesome if they did it with real instruments, but I know at ESC that’s not possible any more.
A word on Stina Talling’s song – It’s okay, but it’s a bit “MelFest light” overall perhaps?
I love Elevate and Let Loose a lot!
Not really any of them. Think SF1 is going to be remembered for KEiiNO and not much else.
Ah yes, SF1 it is. Just saw that.
Jorn! Different and nostalgic.
hmmm. I would say Elevate BUT its to fragile to go far anyway. No winner material here.
If Beady can pull off these vocals live, it can be a dark horse.
My top:
1. Faith Bloody Faith, it had a lot of power, I can see potencial on it, absolutely is not my type of music but stills good
2. Elevate, it’s a good pop song, but something is missing in the verses in my opinion
3. Let loose, good electronic song, but that type of song doesn’t work on eurovision
4. Playing with fire, not my favorite, the production it’s good but it’s boring for me
Don’t want to sound rude or anything, but, it’s so clear that stina has the best song. Otherwise Norway would be tone deaf which given what they have sent to Eurovision previously, doesn’t seem to be the case.
BLÅSEMAFIAN – “LET LOOSE”
There are no duffers here in my opinion. On first listen: Elevate – a nice modern pop song – a little too generic from a lyrical perspective, the sound and emotion is something I feel like I have heard too many times. Faith Bloody Faith – yes, give me some 80s stadium rock. The instrumentation is done very well, the song projects energy as it should. I was only left wanting a slightly more memorable chorus Let loose – a very pleasing modern-feeling tune – definitely creates a chilled-out mood – not much in terms of lyrical content – will… Read more »
the other two are bad.
Blåsemafian or Jorn
All four songs are amazing! This is quality! I voted for Stina, but now my fav is “Let Loose”.
Stina please <3
I voted for Jorn with “Faith Bloody Faith” since it is my personal favourite but I wouldn’t be upset with Stina going to the finals if she puts on a good performance. Blasemafian as well could be good.