Number 32 on the Eurovision Top 100 list is a winner: “La det swinge” from Norway in 1985, featuring Gold Tier member Elisabeth Andreassen.
You have seen “Bettan,” as she is also known, on this list for “I evighet” and for “Duett.” This, however, was her only win, paired up with Hanne Krogh. The latter herself appeared at Eurovision several times, as a soloist, duet partner, and in a large group. Her duet was, of course, the most successful entry.
1985 was one of our top-rated Eurovision contests, for many reasons. It had a worthy winner in Norway, who took their first victory in ESC history after a long and disappointing track record.
Vital Information: “La det swinge”
| Song | La det swinge |
| English Translation | Let it swing |
| Performed By | Bobbysocks! |
| Written By | Rolf Løvland |
| Country | Norway |
| Year | 1985 |
| Language(s) Performed In | Norwegian |
| How It Fared | Won (123 Points) |
| Was It Fair? | Yes |
What I Liked
This song was fun from the nanosecond it started until it finished. The outfits, sparkly and fuchsia as they were, were on-point. The hairdos were very 80s, which is apropos of nothing, but it needed to be mentioned.
In 1985, swing was not somewhere Eurovision had yet been, at least not that anyone would remember (least of all me). Bettan and Krogh pulled it off with strong vocals and a good energy throughout the performance. This is an epic Eurovision song and one of the most memorable of the decade.
Other Facts
- As this was Norway’s first Eurovision win, it was also the first winning song to have been performed in Norwegian. As it turns out, it was also one of just two winning songs to have been performed in Norwegian, with the other being 1995’s “Nocturne,” which had a brief vocal portion. Rolf Løvland wrote that song as well.
- Andreassen is one of only a handful of performers to have sung at Eurovision four times. Krogh appeared at Eurovision three times, in three different decades. 1985 was not the last Eurovision appearance for either of them. Bettan represented Norway two more times and Krogh one more.
- The 1985 host, the legendary Lill Lindfors, pointed out that she was pleased Norway won after such a dismal stretch that included a record-breaking number of last-place finishes. Krogh replied, “if you’re happy, what do you think we are?” (European Broadcasting Union, 1985)
- Norway performed 13th out of 19 songs in the running order.
“La det swinge” and Rock and Roll
Watch this on YouTube and tell me this doesn’t bring a smile to your face.
References
European Broadcasting Union. (1985, May 4). Eurovision Song Contest 1985 (Full Show HD) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY650yyhLSo. Host broadcaster was SVT.
