Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 1977

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Norway in the
Eurovision Song Contest 1977
Eurovision Song Contest 1977
Participating broadcasterNorsk rikskringkasting (NRK)
Country Norway
Selection processMelodi Grand Prix 1977
Selection date19 February 1977
Competing entry
Song"Casanova"
ArtistAnita Skorgan
Songwriters
  • Svein Strugstad
  • Dag Nordtømme
Placement
Final result14th, 18 points
Participation chronology
◄1976 • 1977 • 1978►

Norway was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1977 with the song "Casanova", composed by Svein Strugstad, with lyrics by Dag Nordtømme, and performed by Anita Skorgan. The Norwegian participating broadcaster, Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK), selected its entry through Melodi Grand Prix 1977. This was the first of three Eurovision appearances (and a further uncredited fourth) for Skorgan.

Before Eurovision

Melodi Grand Prix 1977

Format

The format of Melodi Grand Prix 1977 was a lot less centralised than in previous editions. It consisted of each county being assigned to one of five districts with each district providing their own entries to a final. The final would then have six songs, one from each district but two from the district with the Eastern counties. Each district was able to dictate the format of their own semi-finals.[1] These semi-finals were broadcast on regional radio. The North, South, West, and Central Districts had semi-finals with four songs each, while the Eastern District had six songs in their semi-final.[2]

Melodi Grand Prix 1977 Districts[1]
District Region Counties District Office
1 North Tromsø
2 Central Trondheim
3 West Bergen
4 South Kristiansand
5 East Oslo

Competing entries

Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK) opened a submission period for entries which lasted from 16 November 1976 until 10 December 1976. Interested artists were required to send their entries not to NRK but to their respective District Offices.[1] A total of 348 entries were received by the districts and a 3-member jury in each district chose the entries for their district's semi-final.[3]

Entry selection jury members[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
District Region Jury Members Entries
1 North Ivar Antonsen, Bernt Johan Otten, Egil Pettersen 25
2 Central Asmund Bjørken, Ivar Gafseth, Henning Sommerro 40
3 West Ruth Bakke, Morten Kvelstad, Anders Skjold 48
4 South Finn Ralph Andersen, Alexander Gluck, Sigurd Undsæth Levland 36
5 East Lillemor Ekeland Bakke, Elisabeth Grannemann, Tor Hultin 199
Competing entries[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]
District Region Song Songwriter(s)
1 North "Ikke mitt bord" Axel Gran
"Luta lei" Jarle Okstad
"Ro i motvind" Axel Gran
"Tvilen er vårt liv"
  • Kjell Pettersen
  • Kjell Hugo Bjerkaas
2 Central "Casanova"
  • Svein Strugstad
  • Dag Nordtømme
"Salomo" Gunnar Berg
Unknown
Unknown
3 West "For seint?" Unknown
"Robåtrock"
  • Nils Abrahamsen
  • John Steffensen
  • Øyvind Pedersen
"Tidig" Ove Thue
"Vi trenger kjærlighet på vår jord" Unknown
4 South "Går her og håper" Unknown
"Jonathan"
  • Erik Jarlsby
  • Torkjel Rygnestad
"Mellomspill i regn" Unknown
"Storbyjungel" Unknown
5 East "Det er hans land"
  • Kristian Lindemann
  • Jan Eggum
"Mærra hass Ka'l" Helge Stenersen
"Make Love Not War"
"Poker"
  • Frode Thingnes
  • Phillip Kruse
"Sang" Mette Hurlen
"Springaren" Petter Hurlen

Regional semi-finals

North

The competing entries of the Northern District semi-final were broadcast on 14 January 1977, in a show hosted by Leif Erik Forberg, after which the public was able to send in postcard votes until 19 January 1977.[20][21] The four entries were recorded by either Turid Pedersen or Kristen Lyngedal and were accompanied by Kurt Samuelsen's quartet, who also arranged all four competing entries.[20][22] The winner of the semi-final was announced on 21 January 1977.[21]

North District - 14 January 1977[13][23][15]
R/O Artist Song Votes Place Result
1 Kristen Lyngedal "Luta lei" 172 3 —N/a
2 Kristen Lyngedal "Ro i motvind" 45 4 —N/a
3 Turid Pedersen "Tvilen er vårt liv" 212 2 —N/a
4 Turid Pedersen "Ikke mitt bord" 236 1 Qualified
Central

The competing entries of the Central District semi-final were broadcast on 14 January 1977, after which the public was able to send in postcard votes until 19 January 1977.[24] The winner of the semi-final was announced on 21 January 1977.[21]

Central District - 14 January 1977[14][24][16]
R/O Artist Song Votes Place Result
"Casanova" 601 1 Qualified
"Salomo" 489 2 —N/a
3 —N/a
4 —N/a
West

The competing entries of the Western District semi-final were broadcast twice, on 13 January and 17 January 1977, after which the public was able to send in postcard votes until 19 January 1977. All four entries were recorded by either Ellen Margrethe Johansen or Helge Nilsen and were arranged by Brødrene Thue.[8][9] The winner of the semi-final was announced on 21 January 1977.[21]

West District - 13/17 January 1977[8][9][14][25][17]
R/O Artist Song Votes Place Result
"For seint?" —N/a
"Tidig" 2 —N/a
3 Helge Nilsen "Robåtrock" 1 Qualified
4 "Vi trenger kjærlighet på vår jord" —N/a
South

The competing entries of the South District semi-final were broadcast on 10 January 1977, in a show hosted by Julius Hougen, after which the public was able to send in postcard votes until 19 January 1977.[18][21][26] All four entries were recorded by either Hans Petter Hansen or Magne Høyland and were arranged by Håkon Berge.[18] The winner of the semi-final was announced on 21 January 1977.[21]

South District - 10 January 1977[14][18]
R/O Artist Song Votes Place Result
1 Hans Petter Hansen "Går her og håper" —N/a
2 Hans Petter Hansen "Jonathan" 1 Qualified
3 Magne Høyland "Storbyjungel" —N/a
4 Magne Høyland "Mellomspill i regn" —N/a
East

The competing entries of the East District semi-final were broadcast on 13 January 1977, after which the public was able to send in postcard votes until 19 January 1977.[21][10] The entries were recorded by Benny Borg, Nora Brockstedt, and Kirsti Sparboe, with Roy Hellvin's quartet, who also arranged all six competing entries.[10] Around 1,300 votes were received and the winners of the semi-final were announced on 21 January 1977.[19][21]

East District - 13 January 1977[10][19]
R/O Artist Song Votes Place Result
1 Kirsti Sparboe and Benny Borg "Poker" 3 —N/a
2 Nora Brockstedt "Mærra hass Ka'l" 5 —N/a
3 Kirsti Sparboe "Det er hans land" 4 —N/a
4 Benny Borg "Make Love Not War" 24.6% 1 Qualified
5 Kirsti Sparboe and Benny Borg "Sang" 2 Qualified
6 Nora Brockstedt "Springaren" 6 —N/a

Final

Prior to the final, the entries were broadcast two at a time in the show Lørdagslag on 29 January, 5 February, and 12 February 1977. The final was held during a special edition of Lørdagslag on 19 February 1977. The competition took place the studios of NRK studios in Oslo and was hosted by Vidar Lønn-Arnesen. The orchestra was conducted by Carsten Klouman. Every song, with the exception of "Sang", was performed by a different singer than in the regional radio semi-finals. The results were decided by regional juries consisting of 8 to 10 members each.[12][27]

Final – 19 February 1977[12]
R/O Artist Song Points Place
1 Rune Larsen "Robåtrock" 59 2
2 Dag Spantell "Jonathan" 42 5
3 Odd Børre "Make Love Not War" 25 6
4 Anita Skorgan "Casanova" 91 1
5 Axel Gran "Ikke mitt bord" 55 4
6 Kirsti Sparboe and Benny Borg "Sang" 58 3
Detailed regional jury votes[12]
R/O Song Total
1 "Robåt rock"14151021859
2 "Jonathan"115316742
3 "Make Love Not War"3838325
4 "Casanova"13123032491
5 "Ikke mitt bord"632121455
6 "Sang"1421561258

At Eurovision

On the night of the final Skorgan performed 5th in the running order, following Austria and preceding Germany. At the close of voting "Casanova" had picked up 18 points, placing Norway joint 14th of the 18 entries.[28] The Norwegian jury awarded its 12 points to Ireland.[29]

Voting

Points awarded to Norway[29]
Score Country
12 points
10 points
8 points
7 points
6 points
5 points
4 points
3 points  Luxembourg
2 points
1 point  Sweden
Points awarded by Norway[29]
Score Country
12 points  Ireland
10 points   Switzerland
8 points  Finland
7 points  United Kingdom
6 points  Belgium
5 points  Israel
4 points  Greece
3 points  France
2 points  Austria
1 point  Monaco

References

  1. "'Melodi Grand Prix' kommer i ny vri" ['Melodi Grand Prix' comes with a new twist]. Sandefjords Blad. 8 November 1976. p. 9. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  2. "Melodi Grand Prix: Mange i Bergen vil prøve seg" [Melodi Grand Prix: Many in Bergen want to try their hand]. Bergens Arbeiderblad. 6 December 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  3. "Mange bidrag til Melodi Grand Prix" [Many contributions to Melodi Grand Prix]. Fredriksstad Blad. 17 December 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  4. Berg, Kare (14 December 1976). "36 Melodier Skal Konkurrere" [36 Melodies Shall Compete]. Rogalands Avis. p. 20. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  5. "40 Grand Prix melodier er nå sendt inn!" [40 Grand Prix tunes have now been submitted!]. Tidens Krav. 14 December 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  6. "25 innkomne bidrag til NRK i Tromsø" [25 contributions received for NRK in Tromsø]. Fremover. 15 December 1976. p. 6. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  7. "Ca. 350 bidrag til Melodi Grand Prix" [Approx. 350 entries for Melodi Grand Prix]. Telemark Arbeiderblad. 17 December 1976. p. 5. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  8. "Lokal Grand Prix 14. og 17 januar" [Local Grand Prix 14 and 17 January]. Bergens Arbeiderblad. 7 January 1977. p. 12. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  9. "Vestlandsk Grand Prix-finale i dag" [Vestland Grand Prix final today]. Bergens Arbeiderblad. 13 January 1977. p. 20. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  10. "Melodi Grand Prix i Lokalradioen" [Melodi Grand Prix on local radio]. Østlendingen. 10 January 1977. p. 13. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  11. "To av de seks..." [Two of the six...]. Rjukan Arbeiderblad. 21 January 1977. p. 4. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  12. Melodi Grand Prix 1977 (Television production) (in Norwegian). NRK. 19 February 1977.
  13. "Proff-seier til Gibostad" [Professional victory for Gibostad]. Harstad Tidende. 22 January 1977. p. 1. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  14. "Robåtrock vant i Bergen" [Robåtrock won in Bergen]. Bergens Arbeiderblad. 22 January 1977. p. 1. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  15. "'Ikke mitt bord' går til landsfinalen" ['Ikke mitt bord' goes to the national final]. Tromsø. 22 January 1977. p. 9. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  16. "I den lokale" [In the local]. Sør-Trøndelag. 25 January 1977. p. 3. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  17. "Bergens-vokalist i finalen?" [Bergen vocalist in the final?]. Bergens Arbeiderblad. 8 February 1977. p. 1. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  18. Berg, Kare (11 January 1977). "'Mellomspill i regn' best - men generelt skuffende" ['Mellomspill i regn' best - but generally disappointing]. 3. pp. Rogalands Avis. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  19. "'Make Love - Not War' og 'Sang' til Grand Prix-finalen" ['Make Love - Not War' and 'Sang' for the Grand Prix Final]. Arbeiderbladet. 21 January 1977. p. 2. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  20. "N-Norges Melodi Grand Prix klar" [N-Norge's Melodi Grand Prix ready]. Nordlys. 7 January 1977. p. 8. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  21. "Lovende opptakt til Melodi Grand Prix" [Promising prelude to Melodi Grand Prix]. Tidens Krav. 13 January 1977. p. 8. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  22. "Triste greier synes jeg" [Sad stuff I think]. Nordland's Future. 15 January 1977. p. 3. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  23. "Hverken verre eller bedre" [Neither worse nor better]. Harstad Tidende. 14 January 1977. p. 1. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  24. "Melodi Grand Prix-forslag i lokalradioen på fredag" [Melodi Grand Prix proposal on local radio on Friday]. Aura Avis. 13 January 1977. p. 8. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  25. "'Tidig' tidigst av Grand Prix-melodiene" ['Tidig' earliest of the Grand Prix tunes]. Bergens Arbeiderblad. 14 January 1977. p. 16. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  26. "Lokalen" [The Local]. Rogalands Avis. p. 15. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  27. "Seks finalemelodier i lørdags-lag i TV" [Six final tunes in Lørdags-lag on TV]. Bergens Arbeiderblad. 6 January 1977. p. 17. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  28. "Final of London 1977". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  29. "Results of the Final of London 1977". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.