The Nordic nations at Eurovision are a big source of focus at Eurovision. Usually because their songs are often seen as some of the heaviest contenders in the Contest. Interesting that in recent years, many have been going back to singing in their own languages. Last year, three of the five Nordic entries sang in their own language. This year, it’s two of the four. The national finals can definitely decide some unique winners.
DENMARK
Song: “Før vi går hjem”
Artist: Søren Torpegaard Lund
The Dansk Melodi Grand Prix was again the scene fir selecting Denmark’s entry for Eurovision. It was decided by public vote and a mix of a Danish jury and International jury. The final was narrowed down to eight songs to qualify for a superfinal of three. In the superfinal, the winner was decided to be Søren Torpegaard Lund with his song “For vi gar hjem.” The 27year-old Lund is more famous as an actor than a singer. He graduated from Denmark’s Musicalakademiet in 2019 and has acted in many stage productions of popular musicals. In 2024, he started his singing career by first participating in the 2023 Dansk Melodi Grand Prix and has released six singles since.
The title “Før vi går hjem” means ‘ before we go home.’ The song which Søren wrote with three other writers is about a boyfriend who’s terrible to him but he just can’t live without his love. The song starts slow and intense and appears to go soft in the bridge, but regains its intensity during the chorus. It’s when it goes to the second verse that it becomes a dance song. The song continues with its intensity and Søren shows his vocal range off in great style in the last verse and chorus. Definitely will grab you attention.
ESC Chances:
Three-time winner Denmark has had it quite difficult in the 2020’s. Their first qualification came last year with “Hallucination” and even that finished only 22nd. A lot of people have good expectations for this song. The glass box prop worked well for the song at the national final. Whatever changes the team do, I hope they make the right changes. Those changes and Soren’s vocals will be make or break for the song’s qualifying chances.
FINLAND
Song: “Liekinheitin”
Artist: Linda Lanpenius and Pete Parkonnen
Interesting that all the Nordic nations use a national final to decide their entries. Finland’s national final was Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu and like Denmark’s final, it was decided on televote and seven teams of juries from seven nations. It was a single final of eight entries but both the juries and the public decided “Liekinheitin” by Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkonnen. The multitalented Linda Lampenius has three decades of showbiz experience with music, acting and modeling. Her violin playing has been proficient throughout genres such as classical, chamber music, jazz and pop. She achieved her biggest fame under the name Linda Brava. 35 year-old Pete Parkonnen has 17 active years as a singer that started in 2009 after an appearance on Finnish Idol. He has released singles and albums since. Three of his singles have made Finland’s Top 10.
Their song “Liekinheitin” is Finnish for ‘flamethrower.’ The song which both performers co-wrote with two other writers is completely in Finnish and is about a lover who hurts. They love him but pretend he doesn’t exist in public. When you first hear Pete’s vocals and Linda’s violin playing at the beginning, you’ll first think this may be neo-classical. Within time, it becomes more pop dance. The transition from slow and dramatic to dance and full of energy is a great transition that helps with the song. The Finnish lyrics don’t hurt the song a bit. They add to the drama and the energy. Definitely a crowd pleaser.
ESC Chances:
Ever since televoting has been added to Eurovision, Finnish entries have fared a lot better. They had a winner with “Hard Rock Hallelujah” in 2006 and a runner up with “Cha Cha Cha” in 2023. Already the song is at the top of the odds at EurovisionWorld. It’s easy to see why with the mix of incredible vocals and possibly the most mind-blowing violin playing since 2009’s “Fairytale.” The question is can they go the distance with the buzz? Sweden was top of the odds last year and finished fourth. A lot of other songs with winner buzz have lost their buzz over time. Let’s hope Finland has what it takes to grab the win.
NORWAY
Song: “Ya Ya Ya”
Artist: Jonas Lovv
The Melodi Grand Prix was again the place to choose Norway’s entry for this year’s Eurovision. Winner was decided by a mix of popular vote and eight international teams of juries with five per team. It took a single final of nine to decide it and the winner was Jonas Lovv with “Ya Ya Ya” topping both the juries and the televote. Jonas Lovv Hellesøy first got his start in music as part of the synth pop trio Shuffle Baby. After they disbanded in 2020, Lovv quietly started his solo career. He’s released singles and an extended play album and competed in Norway’s The Voice last year.
His song “Ya Ya Ya,” which he co-wrote with Sondre Skaftun, is about a love that hurts but is irresistible. The song begins with a rock and roll vibe. Jonas’ vocals begin with full energy and appears to resemble Maneskin for a while he keeps the rock and roll energy throughout. The ‘ya ya ya’ lyrics don’t hurt the song. They blend well. However the energy does seem to cool down near the end of the song. It’ s likeable but I can’t help but sense something is missing.
ESC Chances:
Norway has its mix of successes and flops. They have three wins in total but they also have twelve last-places. This song is ranked well enough to qualify but it’s still low. What is it? Is it that they feel the singer is trying to do Maneskin? Is it because the singer doesn’t deliver a high energy ending? Whatever it is, some things will need to be fixed up before Vienna.
SWEDEN
Song: “My System”
Artist: Felicia
Some National Finals are simply national finals. Sweden’s Melodifestivalen is one of the most anticipated. Maybe because it has decided seven Eurovision winners. Again it received a lot of submissions and it took five heats to decide the twelve for the Final. In the final, the winner was Felicia with “My System.” 24 year-old Felicia Eriksson got her start in performing music as part of the act Froken Smusk. After she left to pursue her solo career in 2025, she released her first single “Black Widow.” She performs with a mask mostly because she has suffered from social anxiety ad a child.
Her song is titled “My System” which she co-wrote with five other writers. Her song is about trying to move on after breaking up with her boyfriend. I can tell by the lyrics it was a terrible relationship. The song starts slow and creates a dramatic mood. When it gets to the bridge, that’s when it starts becoming a dance song. It’s interesting how the chorus mixes the keyboard instrumentality with Felicia’s vocals. The song is loaded with energy and style and I’m sure it’s bound to win lots of people over, as Sweden’s entries often do.
ESC Chances:
Sweden is one of those countries Eurofans outside Sweden envy. Few nations can rival its Eurovision success. This year, Sweden has very good Top 10 chances. The staging at Melfest which included a spectacular light show and Felicia doing some of her own dancing was very winning. Even though there are good chances for this song, there are some who may complain the song is more about the lights show. Also Sweden has other contenders to deal with. It will all come down to the performances to seal its fate.
And there you have it. Those are my thoughts on this year’s entries from the Nordic nations. It’s a shame Iceland won’t be here for the first time since 2002, but let’s hope the EBU does the right thing so we can see them back.
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