Eurobandið
Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2008 was the national final format developed by RÚV in order to select Iceland’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. The seventeen shows in the competition were hosted by Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir and Gísli Einarsson and all took place at the RÚV studios in Reykjavík. The shows were broadcast during the television programme Laugardagslögin on RÚV and online at the broadcaster’s official website ruv.is.
Format
Thirty-three songs in total competed in Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2008, where the winner was determined after eleven heats, a Second Chance round, four semi-finals and a final. Three songs competed in each heat between 6 October 2007 and 12 January 2008. The winning song from each heat, as determined by public televoting qualified to the semi-finals. Following each heat, a second round of televoting selected a wildcard act out of the remaining two non-qualifying acts. A jury selected three of the eleven wildcards for the Second Chance round on 12 January 2008, during which the top two songs, as determined by public televoting qualified to the semi-finals. Three songs competed in each semi-final on 19 January, 26 January, 2 February and 9 February 2008. The top two songs from each semi-final qualified to the final which took place on 23 February 2008. The results of the semi-finals and final were determined by 100% public televoting.
Competing entries
On 10 July 2007, RÚV opened the submission period for interested songwriters to submit their entries until the deadline on 3 September 2007. Songwriters were required to be Icelandic, possess Icelandic citizenship or have permanent residency in Iceland by 1 October 2007, and had the right to submit up to three entries. At the close of the submission deadline, 146 entries were received. A selection committee was formed in order to select the top six entries, while additional twenty-seven entries came from nine composers invited by RÚV to each create three entries for the competition. The invited composers were:
- Andrea Gylfadóttir
- Barði Jóhannsson
- Guðmundur Jónsson
- Dr. Gunni
- Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir
- Magnús Eiríksson
- Magnús Þór Sigmundsson
- Margret Kristin Sigurðardóttir
- Svala Björgvinsdóttir
Among the competing artists were previous Icelandic Eurovision entrants Pálmi Gunnarsson, who represented Iceland in 1986 as part of ICY, Einar Ágúst Víðisson, who represented Iceland in 2000 as part of August and Telma, and Birgitta Haukdal, who represented Iceland in 2003.
| Artist | Song | Songwriter(s) |
| Ali Mobli, Harold Burr, Hildur Guðný Þórhallsdóttir, Sigurður Þór Óskarsson and Soffía Karlsdóttir | „Friður á þessari jörð“ | Barði Jóhansson |
| Andrea Gylfadóttir | „Flower of Fire“ | Andrea Gylfadóttir |
| Andrea Gylfadóttir | „Vocalise“ | Andrea Gylfadóttir |
| Áslaug Helga Hálfdánardóttir | „Lífsins leið“ | Áslaug Helga Hálfdánardóttir |
| Baggalútur | „Hvað var það sem þú sást í honum?“ | Magnús Eiríksson |
| Birgitta Haukdal and Magni Ásgeirsson | „Núna veit ég“ | Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir |
| Bjartur Guðjónsson | „The Girl in the Golden Dress“ | Andrea Gylfadóttir |
| Böðvar Rafn Reynisson and Tinna Marína Jónsdóttir | „Á ballið á“ | Barði Jóhansson |
| Davíð Þorsteinn Olgeirsson | „In Your Dreams“ | Davíð Þorsteinn Olgeirsson |
| Dr. Spock | „Hvar ertu nú?“ | Dr. Gunni |
| Edgar Smári Atlason | „If I Fall In Love Again“ | Svala Björgvinsdóttir |
| Einar Ágúst Víðisson and Sigurjón Brink | „Straumurinn“ | Guðmundur Jónsson |
| Eurobandið | „Fullkomið líf“ | Örlygur Smári |
| Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir | „Á gleymdum stað“ | Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir |
| Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir | „Boys and Perfume“ | Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir |
| Haffi Haff | „The Wiggle Wiggle Song“ | Svala Björgvinsdóttir |
| Hara | „I Wanna Manicure“ | Hallgrímur Óskarsson, Gerard James Borg |
| Hrund Ósk Árnadóttir | „Í rússíbana“ | Magnús Eiríksson |
| Ína Valgerður Pétursdóttir, Seth Sharp and Berglind Ósk Guðgeirsdóttir | „Lullaby to Peace“ | Magnús Þór Sigmundsson |
| Margrét Kristín Sigurðardóttir | „Bigger Shoes“ | Margret Kristin Sigurðardóttir |
| Margrét Kristín Sigurðardóttir and Martin Høybye | „Game Over“ | Margret Kristin Sigurðardóttir |
| Menn ársins | „If You Were Here“ | Þorarinn Freysson |
| Merzedes Club | „Ho, Ho, Ho, We Say Hey, Hey, Hey“ | Barði Jóhansson |
| Páll Rósinkranz and Gospelkór Reykjavíkur | „Gef mér von“ | Guðmundur Jónsson |
| Pálmi Gunnarsson and Hrund Ósk Árnadóttir | „Leigubílar“ | Magnús Eiríksson |
| Ragnheiður Eiríksdóttir | „Ísinn“ | Dr. Gunni |
| Ragnheiður Gröndal | „Don’t Wake Me Up“ | Margret Kristin Sigurðardóttir |
| Ragnheiður Gröndal | „Skot í myrkri“ | Magnús Þór Sigmundsson |
| Seth Sharp | „I Won’t Be Home Tonight“ | Svala Björgvinsdóttir |
| Seth Sharp | „Johnny“ | Magnús Þór Sigmundsson |
| Sigríður Thorlacius and Karl Sigurðsson | „Drepum tímann“ | Dr. Gunni |
| Þóra Gísladóttir | „Að eilífu“ | Guðmundur Jónsson |
| Þóra Gísladóttir | „The Picture“ | Hjörleifur Ingason |
Shows
Heats
The eleven heats took place between 6 October 2007 and 12 January 2008. In each heat three acts presented their entries, and the winning entry voted upon solely by public televoting qualified directly to the semi-finals. An additional eleven entries, one per heat voted upon by an additional televote following each heat from the two remaining acts, were awarded wildcards for the Second Chance round.
Heat 1 – 6 October 2007
| Draw | Artist | Song | Result |
| 1 | Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir | „Boys and Perfume“ | Wildcard |
| 2 | Margrét Kristín Sigurðardóttir and Martin Høybye | „Game Over“ | Eliminated |
| 3 | Páll Rósinkranz and Gospelkór Reykjavíkur | „Gef mér von“ | Advanced |
Heat 2 – 13 October 2007
| Draw | Artist | Song | Result |
| 1 | Ragnheiður Eiríksdóttir | „Ísinn“ | Eliminated |
| 2 | Edgar Smári Atlason | „If I Fall In Love Again“ | Wildcard |
| 3 | Pálmi Gunnarsson and Hrund Ósk Árnadóttir | „Leigubílar“ | Advanced |
Heat 3 – 20 October 2007
| Draw | Artist | Song | Result |
| 1 | Ína Valgerður Pétursdóttir, Seth Sharp and Berglind Ósk Guðgeirsdóttir | „Lullaby to Peace“ | Advanced |
| 2 | Andrea Gylfadóttir | „Vocalise“ | Eliminated |
| 3 | Böðvar Rafn Reynisson and Tinna Marína Jónsdóttir | „Á ballið á“ | Wildcard |
Heat 4 – 27 October 2007
Draw | Artist | Song | Result |
| 1 | Davíð Þorsteinn Olgeirsson | „In Your Dreams“ | Advanced |
| 2 | Áslaug Helga Hálfdánardóttir | „Lífsins leið“ | Wildcard |
| 3 | Þóra Gísladóttir | „The Picture“ | Eliminated |
Heat 5 – 3 November 2007
| Draw | Artist | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sigríður Thorlacius and Karl Sigurðsson | „Drepum tímann“ | Eliminated |
| 2 | Seth Sharp | „Johnny“ | Wildcard |
| 3 | Merzedes Club | „Ho, Ho, Ho, We Say Hey, Hey, Hey“ | Advanced |
Heat 6 – 10 November 2007
| Draw | Artist | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Margrét Kristín Sigurðardóttir | „Bigger Shoes“ | Wildcard |
| 2 | Baggalútur | „Hvað var það sem þú sást í honum?“ | Advanced |
| 3 | Seth Sharp | „I Won’t Be Home Tonight“ | Eliminated |
Heat 7 – 17 November 2007
| Draw | Artist | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Einar Ágúst Víðisson and Sigurjón Brink | „Straumurinn“ | Wildcard |
| 2 | Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir | „Á gleymdum stað“ | Eliminated |
| 3 | Bjartur Guðjónsson | „The Girl in the Golden Dress“ | Advanced |
Heat 8 – 24 November 2007
| Draw | Artist | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Menn ársins | „If You Were Here“ | Eliminated |
| 2 | Eurobandið | „Fullkomið líf“ | Advanced |
| 3 | Hara | „I Wanna Manicure“ | Wildcard |
Heat 9 – 1 December 2007
| Draw | Artist | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Spock | „Hvar ertu nú?“ | Wildcard |
| 2 | Ragnheiður Gröndal | „Skot í myrkri“ | Eliminated |
| 3 | Birgitta Haukdal and Magni Ásgeirsson | „Núna veit ég“ | Advanced |
Heat 10 – 8 December 2007
| Draw | Artist | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrea Gylfadóttir | „Flower of Fire“ | Wildcard |
| 2 | Þóra Gísladóttir | „Að eilífu“ | Eliminated |
| 3 | Ragnheiður Gröndal | „Don’t Wake Me Up“ | Advanced |
Heat 11 – 15 December 2007
| Draw | Artist | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ali Mobli, Harold Burr, Hildur Guðný Þórhallsdóttir, Sigurður Þór Óskarsson and Soffía Karlsdóttir | „Friður á þessari jörð“ | Eliminated |
| 2 | Hrund Ósk Árnadóttir | „Í rússíbana“ | Wildcard |
| 3 | Haffi Haff | „The Wiggle Wiggle Song“ | Advanced |
Second Chance
The Second Chance round took place on 12 January 2008 where three of the eleven wildcards selected by the jury competed. „Hvar ertu nú?“ performed by Dr. Spock was voted upon solely by public televoting to proceed to the final.
Second Chance – 12 January 2008
| Draw | Artist | Song | Result |
| 1 | Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir | „Boys and Perfume“ | Eliminated |
| 2 | Margrét Kristín Sigurðardóttir | „Bigger Shoes“ | Eliminated |
| 3 | Dr. Spock | „Hvar ertu nú?“ | Advanced |
Semi-finals
The four semi-finals took place on 19 January, 26 January, 2 February and 9 February 2008. In each semi-final three acts presented their entries, and the top two entries voted upon solely by public televoting proceeded to the final.
Semi-Final 1 – 19 January 2008
| Draw | Artist | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magni Ásgeirsson | „Núna veit ég“ | Advanced |
| 2 | Ína Valgerður Pétursdóttir, Seth Sharp and Berglind Ósk Guðgeirsdóttir | „Lullaby to Peace“ | Eliminated |
| 3 | Páll Rósinkranz and Gospelkór Reykjavíkur | „Gef mér von“ | Advanced |
Semi-Final 2 – 26 January 2008
| Draw | Artist | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davíð Þorsteinn Olgeirsson | „In Your Dreams“ | Advanced |
| 2 | Bjartur Guðjónsson | „The Girl in the Golden Dress“ | Eliminated |
| 3 | Baggalútur | „Hvað var það sem þú sást í honum?“ | Advanced |
Semi-Final 3 – 2 February 2008
| Draw | Artist | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pálmi Gunnarsson and Hrund Ósk Árnadóttir | „Leigubílar“ | Eliminated |
| 2 | Eurobandið | „Fullkomið líf“ | Advanced |
| 3 | Dr. Spock | „Hvar ertu nú?“ | Advanced |
Semi-Final 4 – 9 February 2008
| Draw | Artist | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haffi Haff | „The Wiggle Wiggle Song“ | Eliminated |
| 2 | Ragnheiður Gröndal | „Don’t Wake Me Up“ | Advanced |
| 3 | Merzedes Club | „Ho, Ho, Ho, We Say Hey, Hey, Hey“ | Advanced |
Final
The final took place on 23 February 2008 where the eight entries that qualified from the preceding four semi-finals competed. Eurobandið performed their entry in Icelandic in the heats and semi-final, however, they presented their entry in English in the final. The winner, „This Is My Life“ performed Eurobandið, was determined solely by televoting. In addition to the performances of the competing artists, the show was opened by a medley featuring past Icelandic Eurovision entrants performing their songs.
Final – 23 February 2008
| Draw | Artist | Song | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davíð Þorsteinn Olgeirsson | „In Your Dreams“ | — |
| 2 | Páll Rósinkranz and Gospelkór Reykjavíkur | „Gef mér von“ | — |
| 3 | Eurobandið | „This Is My Life“ | 1 |
| 4 | Ragnheiður Gröndal | „Don’t Wake Me Up“ | — |
| 5 | Merzedes Club | „Ho, Ho, Ho, We Say Hey, Hey, Hey“ | 2 |
| 6 | Baggalútur | „Hvað var það sem þú sást í honum?“ | — |
| 7 | Birgitta Haukdal and Magni Ásgeirsson | „Núna veit ég“ | — |
| 8 | Dr. Spock | „Hvar ertu nú?“ | 3 |
Eurobandið consisted of Regína Ósk & Friðrik Ómar. Regína Ósk previously took part in the 2003 Icelandic Final & came 2nd in 2006. She was also a backing singer for Iceland in ESC 2001, 2003 & 2005. Friðrik Ómar came 3rd in the 2006 Icelandic Final & 2nd in 2007. At the ESC, where one of their backing singers was Grétar Örvarsson who represented Iceland in ESC 1990 & 1992, Eurobandið came 14th. Birgitta Haukdal represented Iceland in ESC 2003.
Pálmi Gunnarsson represented Iceland in ESC 1986 in the group ‚Icy‘. Einar Ágúst Víðisson represented Iceland in ESC 2000.