Bobbysocks!

Last updated
Bobbysocks
Bobbysocks (11096943775).jpg
Bobbysocks (1985)
Background information
OriginNorway
Genres
Years active1983–1988, 2010–present
Labels
Members Hanne Krogh
Elisabeth Andreassen
Website hannekrogh.com/bobbysocks/

Bobbysocks is a Norwegian pop duo consisting of Norwegian Hanne Krogh and Swedish-Norwegian Elisabeth Andreassen. They won the Eurovision Song Contest 1985 with the song "La det swinge" ("Let it swing"). [1] Elisabeth went by the surname Andreasson until 1994.

Contents

History

1980s

The duo was formed in 1983. Both Krogh and Andreassen were frequent Eurovision contestants. Krogh has appeared three times, all for Norway: in 1971 as a soloist, with Bobbysocks in 1985 and as part of Just 4 Fun in 1991. Andreassen sang for Sweden as one half of Chips in 1982 and after winning with Bobbysocks, teamed up with Jan Werner Danielsen in 1994 and sang solo in 1996. According to John Kennedy O'Connor's The Eurovision Song Contest - The Official History Andreassen is one of only five lead artists to sing in the contest on four occasions and is also one of only four artists to finish both first and second in Eurovision (1985 & 1996). [2]

The duo's debut single was "I Don't Wanna Break My Heart" (1984), released in a pink colored vinyl. The concept behind Bobbysocks! was to bring up-to-date songs from the 1950s with a swing mood, adding them a "modern" 1980s sound. That idea was fully applied on their first LP Bobbysocks! , which was a mixture of covers and brand new songs.

The scheduled next single was going to be "Radio", but the plans were changed when the duo won the Eurovision Song Contest. "Let It Swing" topped the Norwegian singles chart, as well as it did in Belgium. It was a Top 10 in Sweden and Ireland, and a Top 20 in The Netherlands and Austria. It entered the UK Singles Chart on 25 May 1985, and rose to a high of No. 44; it remained in the charts for four weeks. [3] It was also pressed in countries such as Germany, Japan and Australia.

In 1985, due to their ESC victory, Bobbysocks! were awarded the Peer Gynt Prize, which is awarded by the Stortinget, Norway's parliament. [4]

Another ESC consequence was the re-release of the Bobbysocks! LP with "Let It Swing" on it, reaching the gold status. Their next album, Waiting for the Morning , was released in April 1986, preceded by the single of the same name, both becoming a success in Norway, peaking at number 1 on the Norwegian singles and album charts. Walkin' on Air , was recorded in Los Angeles in 1987 and produced by Bill Maxwell. It went gold in only four days, becoming their third and final LP. Just before the release of "If I Fall", the album's lead single in Norway, the duo wanted to do something "decently crazy" as they revealed at the time, so they did a cover of "Swing it, magister'n", a song from 1940 originally sung by the Swedish singer and actress Alice Babs, releasing it as single in the summer of 1987.[ citation needed ]

In 1988, Bobbysocks disbanded, after four successful years.

21st century

Krogh and Andreassen still appeared from time to time together on stage in Norway. They appeared at Congratulations , the 50th anniversary Eurovision concert in Copenhagen, Denmark, in October 2005, and Eurovision Song Contest's Greatest Hits , the 60th anniversary concert in London. [5] [6] In May 2010, Bobbysocks did a short comeback to celebrate their 25th anniversary since their ESC victory in 1985, launching a compilation album called Let It Swing - The Best Of Bobbysocks!, which included two newly recorded songs and peaking at number 13 on the Norwegian albums chart. On the 16th January, 2025 they were announced as one of 9 finalists in Melodi Grand Prix 2025 with the song "Joyful".

Discography

Albums

Compilation albums

Singles

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secret Garden (duo)</span> Irish-Norwegian musical group

Secret Garden is an Irish-Norwegian band specialised in new instrumental music, led by the duo consisting of Irish violinist and singer Fionnuala Sherry and Norwegian composer, arranger and pianist Rolf Løvland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In My Dreams (Wig Wam song)</span> 2004 song performed by Wig Wam

"In My Dreams" was the Norwegian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005, performed in English by Wig Wam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elisabeth Andreassen</span> Norwegian-Swedish singer (born 1958)

Elisabeth Gunilla Andreassen, also known simply as Bettan, is a Norwegian-Swedish singer who has finished both first and second in the Eurovision Song Contest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest</span>

Norway has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 62 times since making its debut in 1960 and has only been absent twice since then. In 1970, the country boycotted the contest over disagreements about the voting structure, and in 2002, they were relegated. The Norwegian participant broadcaster in the contest is Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK), which select its entrant with the national competition Melodi Grand Prix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolf Løvland</span> Musical artist

Rolf Undsæt Løvland is a Norwegian composer, lyricist, arranger, and pianist. Together with Fionnuala Sherry, he formed the Celtic-Nordic group Secret Garden, in which he was the composer, producer, and keyboardist. He began composing at an early age and grew up studying at the Kristiansand Music Conservatory, later receiving his master's degree from the Norwegian Institute of Music in Oslo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hanne Krogh</span> Musical artist

Hanne Krogh is a Norwegian singer and actress from Haugesund and Oslo. Krogh is among the most selling record artists in Norway ever. She represented Norway alone at the age of fifteen at the "Eurovision Song Contest 1971" with the song "Lykken er..." and is internationally well known for winning the Eurovision Song Contest 1985 with Elisabeth Andreassen in the group Bobbysocks!.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La det swinge</span> 1985 song by Bobbysocks!

"La det swinge" is a song recorded by the pop duo Bobbysocks! –Hanne Krogh and Elisabeth Andreassen– with music composed and Norwegian lyrics written by Rolf Løvland. It represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 1985 held in Gothenburg, resulting in the country's first ever win at the contest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley</span> 1984 song by Herreys

"Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley" is a song recorded by Swedish trio Herreys –brothers Per, Louis, and Richard Herrey–, with music composed by Torgny Söderberg and Swedish lyrics written by Britt Lindeborg. It was produced by Anders Engberg and Torgny Söderberg. It represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 1984, held in Luxembourg, winning the contest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nocturne (Secret Garden song)</span> 1995 song by Secret Garden

"Nocturne" is a song recorded by Irish-Norwegian duo Secret Garden –Fionnuala Sherry and Rolf Løvland– with music composed by Løvland and lyrics written by Petter Skavlan. It represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 1995 held in Dublin, resulting in the country's second win at the contest.

"Love Is…", written and composed by James Kaleth and Vikki Watson, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1985, performed by Watson, credited at Eurovision and on the single by just her given name.

Norway was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 with the song "I'm Not Afraid to Move On", written by Arve Furset and VJ Strøm, and performed by Jostein Hasselgård. The Norwegian participating broadcaster, Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK), organised the national final Melodi Grand Prix 2003 in order to select its entry for the contest. The broadcaster returned to the contest after a one-year absence following its relegation in 2002 as one of the bottom six entrants in 2001. Twelve entries competed in a show that took place on 1 March 2003 and the winner was determined over two rounds of public televoting. The top four entries in the first round of voting advanced to the competition's second round—the Gold Final. In the second round of public televoting, "I'm Not Afraid to Move On" performed by Jostein Hasselgård was selected as the winner with 78,460 votes.

Melodi Grand Prix, the Norwegian selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, began in 1960, the year of Norway's debut in the contest. It has been held almost every year since.

Norway was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2000 with the song "My Heart Goes Boom", composed by Morten Henriksen, with lyrics by Tore Madsen, and performed by the group Charmed. The Norwegian participating broadcaster, Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK), organised the national final Melodi Grand Prix 2000 in order to select its entry for the contest. Ten entries competed in a show that took place on 4 March 2000 and the winner was determined over two rounds of voting from a five-member jury panel and a regional televote. The top four entries in the first round of voting advanced to the competition's second round—the superfinal. In the second round of voting, "My Heart Goes Boom" performed by Charmed was selected as the winner.

Norway was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 with the song "San Francisco", written by Tor Endresen and Arne Myksvoll, and performed by Endresen himself. The Norwegian participating broadcaster, Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK), organised the national final Melodi Grand Prix 1997 in order to select its entry for the contest. Eight entries competed in a show that took place on 8 February 1997 and the winner, "San Francisco" performed by Tor Endresen, was determined by the votes from a six-member jury panel and a public televote. Endresen won Melodi Grand Prix on his eighth attempt.

Norway was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1998 with the song "Alltid sommer", composed by David Eriksen, with lyrics by Linda Andernach Johansen, and performed by Lars A. Fredriksen. The Norwegian participating broadcaster, Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK), organised the national final Melodi Grand Prix 1998 in order to select its entry for the contest. Eight entries competed in a show that took place on 27 February 1999 and the winner, "All I Ever Wanted " performed by Lars A. Fredriksen, was determined by the votes from a six-member jury panel and a regional televote. The song was later translated from English to Norwegian for Eurovision and was titled "Alltid sommer".

Norway was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1987 with the song "Mitt liv", written by Rolf Løvland and Hanne Krogh, and performed by Kate Gulbrandsen. The Norwegian participating broadcaster, Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK), selected its entry through the Melodi Grand Prix 1987.

Norway was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1985 with the song "La det swinge", written by Rolf Løvland, and performed by Bobbysocks!. The Norwegian participating broadcaster, Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK), organised the national final Melodi Grand Prix 1985 in order to select its entry for the contest. Both Bobbysocks! members –Elisabeth Andreassen and Hanne Krogh–, had previous Eurovision experience – Krogh as a 15-year-old for Norway at the 1971 contest and Andreassen for Sweden at the 1982 contest as part of Chips. Both would make further appearances for Norway, Krogh in 1991 and Andreassen in 1994 and 1996.

Norway participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "Icebreaker" written by Agnete Johnsen, Gabriel Alares and Ian Curnow. The song was performed by Agnete. The Norwegian broadcaster Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK) organised the national final Melodi Grand Prix 2016 in order to select the Norwegian entry for the 2016 contest in Stockholm, Sweden. Ten entries competed in a show that took place on 27 February 2016 and the winner was determined over two rounds of public televoting. The top four entries in the first round of voting advanced to the competition's second round—the Gold Final. In the second round of public televoting, "Icebreaker" performed by Agnete was selected as the winner with 166,728 votes.

Eivind Rølles was a Norwegian musician (guitar) best known for his time with pop duo The Monroes. prior to this, he was a member of the bands Broadway News and PVC.

Norway will be represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, which will be held in Basel, Switzerland. The Norwegian participating broadcaster Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK) will organise the national final Melodi Grand Prix2025 in order to select its entry for the contest.

References

  1. "Eurovision Song Contest 1985". Eurovision Song Contest. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  2. O'Connor, John Kennedy. The Eurovision Song Contest - The Official History. Carlton Books, UK. 2007 ISBN   978-1-84442-994-3
  3. Rice, Tim; Rice, Jonathan; Gambaccini, Paul (1990), Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums , Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness World Records and Guinness Publishing, ISBN   0-85112-398-8
  4. "Bobbysocks". BBC One. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  5. Bakker, Sietse (2005-10-05). "Exclusive: the line-up of 'Congratulations'". ESCToday. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  6. "Museum Monday Week Ten: Bobbysocks!". eurovision.tv. 2016-08-01. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Winner of the Eurovision Song Contest
1985
Succeeded by
Preceded by Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest
1985
Succeeded by