#Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2007

[eurovision-revisited]

Eurovision 2007 - Number 3 - Aud Wilken - "Husker Du"

It's becoming painfully apparent to me that songs from Denmark rarely make it into my lists unless they've been written by one or both of Lisse Cabble and Mette Mathiesen. For 2007, they've teamed up with Aud Wilken again with the aim of reliving their 1995 Eurovision success.

Prior to her Eurovision involvement, Aud had actually been involved in various alt rock bands in Denmark after she moved there with her father from East Germany in the 1980s. For a time, she was the lead singer in the band The Poets, who were one of the more prominent post-punk alt bands in Denmark at the time.

Since 1995 Aud Wilken has released a studio album, Diamond in the Rough, recorded a song for the soundtrack of a Nicolas Winding Refn film and has also had another song written for her by Leonard Cohen. She may not have a huge recorded musical output, but when she does, there are big names involved.

That gets her to 2007 and Husker Du (Do You Remember?). It's as laid back as Fra Mols Til Skagen. Maybe it's even the same relationship from that song that's being sung about here. Back then it was slow train rides to silk sheets and who knows what else. Now Aud wants to be remembered by someone. Someone who left her some time ago and who she hasn't let go of in her heart quite yet.

It's a plea for the wind to whisper her name to them and even, maybe, haunt them a little wherever they might be. The song itself is haunting. It has a touch of the Wuthering Heights about it, albeit less melodramatic. A love that survives time and place, wafting its tendrils out to seek a home. The guitar lines are slow and have a sad country, pedal steel effect. It feels like music that might have escaped from a David Lynch film. Mysterious, supernatural, somehow eternal.

Slightly shockingly, the Danish public rejected this out of hand. It finished in the bottom half of its semi-final. Then in the last chance round, it didn't succeed. It's a result that makes me scratch my head and wonder what on Earth was going on in Denmark at the time. What made the televote not click with this? None of the other fifteen songs in this national final left any impression on me to the point that looking through the list, the only one I can actually recall is the winner which went to Eurovision.

Aud remains a little bit of a mystery after 2007. Every biography or article about her I've found, in the short time I have to research this, ends with Husker Du in 2007. I don't know exactly what happened next, apart from a couple of songs and performances. For Lisse Cabble and Mette Mathiesen though there is likely to be much more in the future.

I did find a couple of post 2007 songs by Aud one of which is this beautiful piece Knowing That It's There.

[angel-princess-anna]

Forever ‘til the end of time: An Anna x Bates + Eurovision Playlist

YouTube Playlist Here

Uniting my loves of Anna x Bates and the Eurovision Song Contest! I've got absolute bangers, cheesy bops, classic chansons, and heartfelt ballads. Every song is about your OTP if you try hard enough, but I tried to narrow it to the ones I feel fit the canon the most. They are in loose order of series; yes, there's a lot of weather related lyrics thanks to those S5-S6 press releases and interviews talking about storms, clouds, and finally the mist lifting. And of course, nods to the iconic dialogue.

The songs span the history of the contest. Also included are some songs from national finals and selections, as well as a few other songs by ESC artists (you might recognize some hitmakers!). I'm using YouTube over other services because it's the easiest way to make sure all songs will play for everyone and are available in general. (Some songs were included in older A/B mixes I had on 8tracks back in the day; this particular playlist has been one I've been building for years in various forms lol).

Below is a tracklist, plus links to translations for the songs not in English:

Birgitta – “Open Your Heart” (Eurovision 2003 - Iceland 🇮🇸 )

Tereza Kerndlová – “Have Some Fun” (Eurovision 2008 - Czech Republic 🇨🇿 )

ABBA – “Take A Chance On Me” (Eurovision Winning Artist [Sweden 1974 🇸🇪])

Darya Hmelnitskaya – “On Fire” (Natsionalniy Otbor 2020 - Belarus 🇧🇾 )

Emmelie de Forest – “What Are You Waiting For” (Eurovision Winning Artist [Denmark 2013 🇩🇰])

Kenny Duerlund – “Forget It All” (Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2020 - Denmark 🇩🇰 )

Kenneth McKellar – “A Man Without Love” (Eurovision 1966 - United Kingdom 🇬🇧 )

Lise Darly – “Tout de moi” (Eurovision 2005 - Monaco 🇲🇨 ) [Translation]

Elizabete Gaile – “For You” (Supernova 2020 - Latvia 🇱🇻 )

Didrik Solli-Tangen – “My Heart Is Yours” (Eurovision 2010 - Norway 🇳🇴 )

Inis Neziri – “Pendesë” (Festivali i Këngës 59 [2021] - Albania 🇦🇱 ) [Translation]

Uku Suviste – “What Love Is” (Eurovision 2020 - Estonia 🇪🇪 )

Il Volo – “Grande amore” (Eurovision 2015 - Italy 🇮🇹 ) [Translation]

Corry Brokken – “Heel de wereld” (Eurovision 1958 - Netherlands 🇳🇱 ) [Translation]

Ben & Tan – “YES” (Eurovision 2020 - Denmark 🇩🇰 )

Jean Paul Mauric – “Printemps, avril carillonne” (Eurovision 1961 - France 🇫🇷 ) [Translation]

Edsilia Rombley – “Hemel en aarde” (Eurovision 1998 - Netherlands 🇳🇱 ) [Translation]

Texas Lightning – “No No Never” (Eurovision 2006 - Germany 🇩🇪 )

Stina Talling – “Elevate” (Melodi Grand Prix 2021 - Norway 🇳🇴 )

Lucie Jones – “Never Give Up On You” (Eurovision 2017 - United Kingdom 🇬🇧 )

Agnete – “Icebreaker” (Eurovision 2016 - Norway 🇳🇴 )

Gary O'Shaughnessy – “Without Your Love” (Eurovision 2001 - Ireland 🇮🇪 )

Victor Crone – “Troubled Waters” (Melodifestivalen 2020 - Sweden 🇸🇪 )

Firelight – “Coming Home” (Eurovision 2014 - Malta 🇲🇹 )

Mohombi – “Winners” (Melodifestivalen 2020 - Sweden 🇸🇪 )

Nina – “Čaroban” (Eurovision 2011 - Serbia 🇷🇸 ) [Translation]

Cascada – “Glorious” (Eurovision Album Version) (Eurovision 2013 - Germany 🇩🇪 )

Lynn – “To Dream Again” (Eurovision 2003 - Malta 🇲🇹 )

Linda Martin – “Why Me?” (Eurovision 1992 Winning Song - Ireland 🇮🇪 )

Tom Leeb – “The Best in Me” (Original Mix)  (Eurovision 2020 - France 🇫🇷 ) [Translation]

Robin Stjernberg – “Pieces” (Eurovision Artist [Sweden 2013 🇸🇪])

Amaliya Margaryan – “Waiting For The Sun” (Depi Evratesil 2018 - Armenia 🇦🇲 )

Jan Johansen – “Se på mig” (Eurovision 1995 - Sweden 🇸🇪 ) [Translation]

Ellen Benediktson & Simon Peyron – “Surface” (Melodifestivalen 2020 - Sweden 🇸🇪 )

Gabrielius Vagelis – “Tave Čia Randu” (Pabandom iš naujo! 2020 - Lithuania 🇱🇹 ) [Translation]

Olsen Brothers – “Fly on the Wings of Love” (Eurovision 2000 Winning Song - Denmark 🇩🇰 )

Eugent Bushpepa – “Mall” (Eurovision 2018 - Albania 🇦🇱 ) [Translation]

Maria Olafs – “Unbroken” (Eurovision 2015 - Iceland 🇮🇸 )

Amber – “Warrior” (Eurovision 2015 - Malta 🇲🇹 )

Ruth Lorenzo – “Dancing In The Rain” (Eurovision 2014 - Spain 🇪🇸 ) [Translation]

Nina Kraljić – “Lighthouse” (Eurovision 2016 - Croatia 🇭🇷 )

Gabriela Gunčíková – “I Stand” (Eurovision 2016 - Czech Republic 🇨🇿 )

Kristian Kostov – “Beautiful Mess” (Eurovision 2017 - Bulgaria 🇧🇬 )

Hayko – “Anytime You Need” (Eurovision 2007 - Armenia 🇦🇲 ) [Translation]

Maraaya – “Here For You” (Eurovision 2015 - Slovenia 🇸🇮 )

Hovig – “Gravity” (Eurovision 2017 - Cyprus 🇨🇾 )

James Newman – “My Last Breath” (Eurovision 2020 - United Kingdom 🇬🇧 )

Eddie Butler – “Together We Are One” (Eurovision 2006 - Israel 🇮🇱 ) [Translation]

Camillo Felgen – “So laang we's du do bast” (Eurovision 1960 - Luxembourg 🇱🇺 ) [Translation]

Aminata – “Love Injected” (Long Mix) (Eurovision 2015 - Latvia 🇱🇻 )

Jurijus – “Run With The Lions” (Eurovision 2019 - Lithuania 🇱🇹 )

James Newman – “Embers” (Eurovision 2021 - United Kingdom 🇬🇧 )

Knut Anders Sørum – “High” (Eurovision 2004 - Norway 🇳🇴 )

Domenico Modugno – “Dio, come ti amo” (Eurovision 1966 - Italy 🇮🇹 ) [Translation]

Tie Break – “Du bist” (Eurovision 2004 - Austria 🇦🇹 ) [Translation]

3JS – “Never Alone” (Eurovision 2011- Netherlands 🇳🇱 )

Måns Zelmerlöw – “Fire In The Rain” (Eurovision Winning Artist [Sweden 2015 🇸🇪] & Eurovision 2016 Host / Interval Act)

The Mamas – “In The Middle” (Melodifestivalen 2021 - Sweden 🇸🇪 )

Inger Jacobsen – “Kom sol, kom regn“ (Eurovision 1962 - Norway 🇳🇴 ) [Translation]

Robin Stjernberg – “You” (Eurovision 2013 - Sweden 🇸🇪 )

Victor Crone – “Storm” (Eurovision 2019 - Estonia 🇪🇪 )

Loreen – “Euphoria” (Eurovision 2012 Winning Song - Sweden 🇸🇪 )

Téréza – “Bien plus fort” (Eurovision 1966 - Monaco 🇲🇨 ) [Translation]

Ira Losco – “Walk on Water” (Eurovision 2016 - Malta 🇲🇹 )

Destiny – “All of My Love” (Eurovision 2020 - Malta 🇲🇹 )

The Mamas – “Move” (Eurovision 2020 - Sweden 🇸🇪 )

SuRie – “Storm” (Eurovision 2018 - United Kingdom 🇬🇧 )

Conchita Bautista – “Estando contigo” (Eurovision 1961 - Spain 🇪🇸 ) [Translation]

Ira Losco – “Chameleon (Invincible)” (MESC 2016 - Malta 🇲🇹 )

Charlotte Perrelli – “Hero” (Eurovision 2008 - Sweden 🇸🇪 )

Nodi Tatishvili & Sophie Gelovani – “Waterfall” (Eurovision 2013 - Georgia 🇬🇪 )

Mocedades – “Eres Tú” (Eurovision 1973 - Spain 🇪🇸 ) [Translation]

Céline Dion – “A New Day Has Come (Radio Remix)” (Eurovision Winning Artist [Switzerland 1988 🇨🇭])

Bonus Track: Robin Stjernberg & Cascada – “You” (Eurovision 2013 Artists - Sweden 🇸🇪 & Germany 🇩🇪 )

[eurovision-revisited]

Eurovision 2004 - Number 22 - Kaare Thøgersen - "Lykkelig i nat"

This is Kaare Thøgersen's one and only entry into Dansk Melodi Grand Prix and pretty much his only lasting solo piece of music to find it's way on to the various streaming sites. Prior to this, he's a jobbing singer, with a few backing credits and playing Danny in a stage production of Grease. His biggest moment approaching the spotlight was as a singer in the band Momb with some school-friends who somehow managed to bag a deal with BMG in 1997.

The most notable person associated with this song is the writer. Mette Mathiesen has four DMGP credits - but what credits. She has been working with Lisa Cabble since they were in Miss B. Haven in the 1980s. They wrote Fra Mols Till Skagen, they wrote Uden Dig. Lykkelig i nat (Happy Tonight) represents the one and only time Mette entered a song without Lise at DMGP.

It's an earnest song about being into someone so much, that all you want to do is get tangled up in quilts with them and howl like wolves. Otherwise it's waiting alone, eating crispbreads and waiting for the phone to ring. And then it does! Cue another chorus.

It has those Cabble/Mathiesen compositional flourishes all over it. Strings. Joyous chorus. In fact just joy and love all round. Of all the regular Eurovision composers, this team are the ones who can most readily just express pure and sometimes not so innocent joy. Kaare's a fine singer, but you can also hear how the joy is infecting him as he sings. It's a song you can't help but sing with a huge grin. If this feels a touch like the joyous instrumentation of ELO, perhaps that's because Mette was once in a relationship with Jeff Lynne. There are shared musical sensibilities here.

Unfortunately it didn't finish in the top five of DMGP and failed to make the final. Denmark - we need to have some serious words.

Following this disappointment Kaare disappeared back into relative obscurity although there were still backing vocals and presumably musical theatre. Momb reformed and produced a new album in 2017. Mette Mathiesen did get back with Lise Cabble and they wrote at least one more DMGP song in 2007. Beyond that she continued as a song-writer and drummer.

[eurovision-revisited]

2001 Copenhagen - Number 22 - Anita Lerche & Simon Munk - "Mit hjerte det banker"

Two performers, one who sang at Parken Stadium, the other who has contributed to a Danish Eurovision entry. Not this song - it didn't make it through to the final five of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2001 unfortunately. But Anita Lerche sang the US national anthem at Parken when Brian Nielsen fought Mike Tyson while Simon Munk was the co-writer of Drama Queen for Denmark in 2007.

Singing Mit hjerte det banker (My Heart Beats) - a song that's all about that urgent, first full heart-pounding you get when you just catch a glimpse of the One - there's a distinct lack of chemistry. The distance between them is notable, and much of the song is sung to camera with the stolen glances few and far between. Are they even talking to each other?

Nevertheless the dreamy quality and haunting melody of the song push it up in my rankings. Their vocals are quality and harmonise well together. The arrangement is pared back and gives the entire song an air of mystery. The mood is... cool. Even as the lyrics speak of warmth and heat. Perhaps they're both playing it slow.

After this single DMGP experience, Simon continued song-writing. Apart from Drama Queen, he contributed to other DGMP entries.

Anita took a path far less travelled. On a holiday in India in 2005, she fell in love with traditional Punjabi music. Since then she has almost exclusive written and recorded music that reflects Indian culture, especially Punjabi culture. She's tried to break into Bollywood and has actually (like many national finalist) recorded Danish dubs of Disney films. For her work both musical and charitable in India, she's won huge numbers of awards

Here is her most recent released recording, from earlier this year. This is Anne Lerche singing the Sikh sacred hymn Mil Mere Pritma Jiyo for International Women's Day