Eurovision 2004 - Norway - May 3rd 2025

Good day to everyone. Welcome to Eurovision Histories where today , we are going back 21 years to 2004. I was 9 during this contest and in fact this was the first year I was allowed to listen to all the songs ! 2004 was a time of frosted eyeshadow, the invention of Facebook and devastating natural disasters. 

The 49th Eurovision Song Contest was held in Istanbul, Turkey. It's also the first Eurovision with a Semi Final which was held on May 12th, with the Final taking place on May 15th. The slogan for the contest this year was Under the Same Sky with a record 36 countries taking part, 22 in the semi battling it out for 10 spots and 24 in the grand final.

If you've read my post about Slovenia 2008, there I mentioned about the old system for qualification between 2004-2007 where the top 10 countries from the previous year were prequalified. Norway in 2004 was one of those countries as they had placed 4th in 2003 so they got to skip the Semi Final although they still voted.

Now before I give some thoughts and we delve a little deeper, let's give the facts and a link to the performance in case you've never heard this or it's been wiped from your memory. 

Song : High
Artist: Knut Anders Sørum 
Place: 24th (Last) 
Points : 3 


Norway held their traditional pre-selection Melodi Grand Prix on March 6th 2004. 12 songs competed for the chance to represent Norway in Turkey.  The 4 highest scoring entries moved onto the gold final where their scores were revealed and High was the clear winner over the others by over 26000 votes,  securing the song to go to Istanbul. 

Norway got to bypass the semi final due to the Top 10 rule and were drawn to perform 3rd in the final between the songs from Austria and France. Sung in English, the song is a mid tempo piece where Knut is singing to his lover that he will help them believe in themselves and their love. He wants to bring them high. 

The song itself has a unique feature ( which I'd never noticed until I watched a video online ( from ESC Gabe who you need to subscribe to if you haven't on YouTube) that the song shifts up a semi tone in the chorus before moving back down for the verse. The reason for this is unknown, maybe to give the song a bit of interest ? There is also another full key change at the final chorus, which was a staple of most Eurovision songs in this era (and still kind of is). Kunt performed with 5 backing singers off to the right, some sparkly LED's and dressed in a grey jacket, blue shirt, white undershirt and grey trousers.

So what's my opinion on this song. It's just a bit bland really. There's nothing offensive or crazy about this, just a radio friendly song with not a lot of personality. Maybe that's why it floundered in a contest with a fair amount of diverse musical entries? 

Norway received only 3 points, all of which came from their neighbour Sweden putting them in last place for the 10th time in their history at the contest. They gave their 12 in the semi final to Bosnia & Herzegovnia and their 12 in the final to Sweden. Guess that's fair as they saved them from the dreaded nul points ! 

So to sum this one up in 3 words, I'd say safe, inoffensive and basic. By no means is it a bad song but sometimes bad songs are even more fun to talk about. 

Until the next time, remember history is important especially if it's Eurovision History !!! 

Ellie x 

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