Introduction

• Participant(s): Greta Salóme
• Song: Hear Them Calling
• Writer(s): Greta Salóme Stefánsdóttir
  
• Composer(s): Greta Salóme Stefánsdóttir
• Broadcaster: RÚV
• Social media: 
• Team review: 

Iceland is celebrating its 30th anniversary in the Eurovision Song Contest this year. Exactly 30 years ago Iceland took part for the very first time. The Icelandic broadcaster RÚV has put a lot of ardour into this national final. There has been a great medley of Icelandic entries, sung by the original singers in the beginning of the show. At the end Greta Salóme could convince with her song “Raddirnar” or the official English version “Hear Them Calling” in a tight super final, where all the votes from different Icelandic regions were taken into account.

Greta Salóme is no stranger in the ESC. In Baku 2012 she had the honour to represent Iceland together with Jonsi. Their entry “Never Forget” made a 20th place in the Grand Final. Greta was born 1986, the same year, when Iceland debuted in the ESC. She is a singer, violinist and composer and the first female Icelandic singer, who has composed her own ESC song. She is also member of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra. Greta is also touring on Disney Cruise Ships, giving her own concerts or playing with the Symphony Orchestra. Watch one of Greta’s songs “In The Silence”.

The Song “Hear Them Calling” is an extraordinary entry with an even more extraordinary stage presentation. A big video wall is shining in green colours, there are black birds and black ink in the installation. In some moments it looks like Greta is bleeding, a bit dark though. A really great production, which reminds a little bit of last year’s winning entry “Heroes”. The song is about the voices which are around us every day, like thoughts or things coming from outside like radio, TV, etc. and the invitation to listen to the positive voices, which will lead you home.
This is a real strong song from Iceland, which will definitely be seen in the Grand Final. Greta Salóme is a great singer and has a wonderful song. Congratulations!

History

• Debut: 1986
• Participations: 29
• Victories: 0
• Finals: 24
• Top 10: 5
• Chance for Top 10: 17 %

The Icelanders have always followed the ESC with great enthusiasm, it was broadcasted a long time ago in Iceland, but they had to wait until 1986 where the technical preconditions were ready that Iceland could have its debut with "Gleðibankinn" by Icy. This song has already a cult status and it's being sung on almost every Eurovision party. Interesting to know that the singer Pálmi Gunnarsson has participated in the Icelandic pre-decision, unfortunately he did not reach the final.

Iceland could reach the final 24 times and reached the Top10 five times! The chances to reach one of the Top10 places are 16%. Two times Iceland has made the fabulous second place in 1999 and 2009. In recent years Iceland was able to qualify for the Grand Finals since 2008. Unfortunately they did not last year in Vienna.

The most fascinating fact is that the creativity in this small country with only 320.000 inhabitants is so enormously high, that music from Iceland has become so popular. The most popular Icelandic singers in general are Björk, Sigur Rós, Mezzoforte and GusGus (Daníel Augúst Haraldsson, 1989 with “Það Sem Enginn Sér”).