We continue advancing on the top spot on the Eurovision Top 100 list, and today, it’s number 15, “Fairytale” by Alexander Rybak.
Sure, I have encountered some out there in the Eurovision fanbase who are not fans of this song. Meanwhile, we have it ranked number 15 all-time, so yes, we consider it one of the best winners ever. This was new and exciting, even though maybe you wouldn’t think a song featuring a violin being played by a guy in a vest could be. Well, guess what? It was.
Alexander Rybak of Norway gave us a highly memorable performance – whether you loved it or did not – and his trusty violin was front and center in a winning effort. As you may also recall, this countdown nearly started with another song from 2009: “Düm Tek Tek” at number 99.
Vital Information: “Fairytale”
| Song | Fairytale |
| Performed By | Alexander Rybak |
| Written By | Alexander Rybak |
| Country | Norway |
| Year | 2009 |
| Language(s) Performed In | English |
| How It Fared | Won (387 Points) |
| Was It Fair? | Yes |
What I Liked
This song is so far different from everything that has ever worked at Eurovision that it is in a category of its own. In the way that someone like Udo Jürgens might have done in the 1960s, he played his own instrument and sang, showing off a multi-talented side. Add into that dancing and choreography to give it a modern feel, and you have a very polished, complex, and well-orchestrated performance.
While Alexander was up there doing his thing, and yes, there were levels of complexity to the performance, this song gets into your head and stays there. It may not be catchy in the same way that a song like “Better the Devil You Know” was, but it is nevertheless.
Other Facts
- As of the end of the 2024 contest, this was Norway’s third and most recent victory.
- Norway beat second-place Iceland in this contest by 169 points, a rout in any generation of this contest.
- Rybak represented Norway at Eurovision again in 2018 with “That’s How You Write a Song.” It won the second semifinal but managed just 15th place in the grand final.
- Both of Rybak’s appearances at Eurovision were in countries hosting for the first time (Russia and Portugal).
- Norway went 20th out of 25 songs in the 2009 grand final.
Be In Love with “Fairytale” on YouTube
That’s where you can catch Alexander’s winning performance from the 2009 contest.
