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The Icelandic enthusiasm for Eurovision is well-known within the community. A glance at recent viewing figures for the Grand Finals highlights just how deep this passion runs. According to RÚV, Iceland’s national broadcaster, an astounding 98.7% of all TV viewers in the country tuned in for the Grand Final of Eurovision 2023, with the 2024 final capturing a similarly impressive market share of around 96%.

Given these numbers, it’s no surprise that Netflix chose to feature a fictional Icelandic duo in their 2020 Eurovision-themed movie, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, which showcases their journey to compete in the contest. If you haven’t seen the movie yet, it’s definitely worth a watch—it’s packed with beloved Eurovision alumni and offers plenty of laughs.

Play JaJa Ding DONG!!!!

Source: IMBD.com

Some might assume that Iceland’s deep love for Eurovision is linked to an impeccable track record in the competition. However, the reality is that Iceland’s results have been quite varied—from finishing last in the semi-finals twice to nearly winning three times. Remarkably, the viewing figures mentioned earlier come from editions where Iceland didn’t even qualify for the final. The conclusion is clear: Iceland’s love for Eurovision isn’t tied to how well the country performs, but to the contest itself.

The beginnings: All Out of Luck 🍀

Iceland made its Eurovision debut in 1986 and has participated every year since, except in 1998 when they were forced to withdraw. At that time, countries with the lowest average points over the previous five contests were required to step back to make room for the growing number of nations eager to join.

Iceland’s first taste of success came soon after their debut, in 1990, when the duo Grétar Örvarsson and Sigríður Beinteinsdóttir secured 4th place in Zagreb with their pop-rock hit “Eitt lag enn”. Two years later, the band Heart 2 Heart earned another top 10 finish with “Nei eða já.”

Following these early successes, Iceland’s Eurovision journey became relatively uneventful, with the country typically finishing in the top 15-20 range. That changed in 1999 when Selma delivered an astonishing performance, earning 2nd place with her euro-pop hit “All Out of Luck”. Ironically, she was the 13th act to take the stage in the final, narrowly missing victory by just 17 points to Sweden’s Charlotte Nilsson.

Selma made a return to Eurovision in 2005 with the song “If I Had Your Love,” but despite high expectations, she unfortunately did not qualify for the Grand Final.

The 2000’s: Congratulation, Is it true, another 2nd place for you 🤩

Entering the 2000s, Iceland faced some challenging years in Eurovision, finishing last in the 2001 edition and failing to qualify for the final three years in a row from 2005 to 2007. Despite these setbacks, this period also gave rise to one of the most controversial and well-known trolls in Eurovision history—THE MOTHER Silvía Night.

Portrayed by actress and comedian Ágústa Eva Erlendsdóttir, Silvía Night is a fictional character known for her flamboyant and exaggerated persona, which parodies the stereotypical self-absorbed celebrity. Her performance and behaviour during the contest were deliberately provocative; she famously swore at the audience and made arrogant comments, all while staying in character. This act sparked a mix of outrage, confusion, and amusement among viewers and the media, cementing her place in Eurovision history.

Iceland’s best result during the 2000s came in 2009 when Yohanna secured another 2nd place finish, exactly 10 years after Selma’s success. Her love-themed power ballad “Is It True?” earned 218 points, making her the runner-up to the iconic Alexander Rybak from Norway. Despite not taking the top spot, Yohanna’s performance remains one of Iceland’s most memorable Eurovision moments.

So congratulations, I have arrived 💅
I’m Silvia Night and I’m shining so bright 🌠

The 2010s: Never Forget… flopping 📉

During the 2010s, Eurovision underwent a significant transformation, with many countries beginning to take the contest more seriously. The introduction of new technologies in the show’s production elevated the quality of the competing acts considerably. However, Iceland struggled to keep pace with the increasingly fierce competition, often finishing on the lower half of the scoreboard. This period also saw Iceland endure another non-qualification streak, failing to reach the final for four consecutive years between 2015 and 2018.

It appears that Iceland experiences a significant shift every decade, as evidenced in 2019 when the nation once again captured attention with the controversial band Hatari and their song “Hatrið mun sigra“, Their performance was distinguished by dramatic, masked visuals and a heavy, aggressive sound, setting it apart from many other Eurovision entries. The band used their platform to make a bold statement on political discontent and human rights, notably displaying the Palestinian flag during the public voting segment of the show.

Hatari displaying the Palestinian flag during the public voting segment of the show.

2020s: Scared of Heights, Embrace the Lows 💅

Iceland successfully maintained its momentum with Daði og Gagnamagnið and their infectious pop song “Think About Things” for the COVID-19-canceled 2020 edition of Eurovision. The song and Daði’s distinctive aesthetic garnered significant public enthusiasm, positioning them as a strong contender for the win, with odds placing them 4th before the contest was canceled.Fortunately, Daði og Gagnamagnið returned for the next edition of Eurovision and secured a well-deserved top 5 finish with their song “10 Years“. However, the group’s Eurovision experience was somewhat marred when a member tested positive for COVID-19, leading them to withdraw from the live shows. Despite this, footage from their rehearsal was broadcast during both the semi-final and the final, allowing fans to see their performance.

Following two consecutive successes, Iceland’s trajectory has shifted once more, leading to another two-year non-qualification streak. This year, Hera Björk made a return to the contest after her last attempt in 2010. Despite a warm reception from the community and trending TikTok memes predicting her victory, she finished last in the semifinal, receiving only 3 points. We can say that Iceland is really Scared of Heights – Eurovision heights.

I feel it coming 😩😩😩😩😩😩
Been here before and never got it right 🙅‍♀🙅‍♀
Baby, I’m wondering 🙋‍♀🤨⁉
If falling in love has got me scared of heights 💕🗻

Where to?🤨⁉

In conclusion, Iceland’s Eurovision journey reflects a mix of passion and unpredictability. While the nation consistently shows high enthusiasm, as seen with impressive viewing figures and memorable entries like Grétar Örvarsson, Selma, Yohanna, Hatari, and Daði og Gagnamagnið, it has also faced periods of fluctuating success. Recent years have brought challenges, including non-qualification streaks and disappointing results, yet Iceland’s dedication to Eurovision remains strong.

Category: 📽 History

Adrian Ghita

Digital Content Creator

🇮🇸 Scared of Heights and Lows: Iceland’s Rollercoaster Ride Through Eurovision