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On 30th March 1985 the Norwegian national final of Eurovision Song Contest, called Melodi Grand Prix, was arranged in Oslo.
Artists as Anita Skorgan, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Hilde Heltberg, Silje Nergård and Bobbysocks performed the 10 final songs.

Anne-Marie David

To judge the chosen songs they got a "people-jury" from five Norwegian cities; Tromsø, Steinkjer, Elverum, Porsgrunn and Stavanger.
Then they had a "pro-jury" consisting of 4 members; Tony Visconti (United Kingdom), Anne-Marie David (France), Stikkan Anderson (Sweden) and Ronnier Hazlehurst (UK).


Anita Skorgan`s self-composed song "Karma", with lyrics by Lars Kilevold and the Abba-conductor Anders Eljas’ arrangements, was by many chosen to be a favorite.
She had earlier won 3 Norwegian finales, 1977 with "Casanova", 1979 with "Oliver” and 1982 with "Adieu", in duet with Jahn Teigen.
Anita wrote the melody to Jahn`s winning song in 1983, "Do-Re-Mi".

Anita Skorgan

It became a very exciting and even voting where the "pro-jury" gave their top-points to "Karma", while the "people-jury" was charmed by "La det swinge" (Let it swing).

Hanne and Elisabeth are celebrateing their victory in Oslo

When all points were counted the result showed 80 points to Rolf Løvland`s melody and 74 to "Karma".
There by Bobbysocks could do theirselves ready for the international final in Gothenburg (Sweden).

While the Swedish harbour-city was getting ready to be the host for 19 competitive contries, there was a discussion in Norwegian press.
- What chances had Bobbysocks? And was "La det swinge" plagiarism?

Several of the Norwegian cultural personalities and artists talked about Norway`s possibilities to win.
Vidar Lonn Arnesen, pop and countrygeneral from the radio, bet that West Germany would win – with Norway among the top five.
Harald Tusberg, entertainment manager at NRK, was hoping Bobbysocks would win.
Anita Skorgan: - Italy wins. Norway is doing ok.
Harald Tusberg

Jahn Teigen believed Israel would win but wasn’t that possitive to "La det swinge".
His ironic remarks in the press made Bettan and Hanne do a counterattack in the papers.
It might not have been the perfect preparations for the duo, or did the girls get extra girlpower from Jahn´s criticism?

Accusations about plagiarism came from several directions.
They said that the melody was similar to an old Hermann Hermani-song, called "Lille stjerna", while others said it was a copy of Denmarks song from 1984.
Some also said they heard ”La det swinge” 1974, then with the title "Waterloo".

The traditional question if the winnersong is plagiarism, seems to go on forever.
They who remember the Norwegian final 1968 knows.
Kari Neegaard withdrew her winning song "Jeg har aldri hvert så glad i noen som deg", after suggestion about plagiarism of Cliff Richard’s hit "Summer Holiday".
It resulted in that the runner-up, Odd Børre, represented Norway at The Royal Albert Hall, London,
with "Stress", in competition with Cliff Richard`s "Congratulations", and were Wenche Myhre sang for West Germany.

There were completely different competitors Bobbysocks should meet at Scandinavium, Saturday 4th May 1985.

Bobbysocks and Rolf Løvland in front of Scandinavium

Previous year had the Herrey brothers collected the big victory to Sweden again – 10 years after Abba.
Dressed in golden shoes they won in Luxemburg with
"Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley".




Dollie de Luxe, who represented Norway, did not succeded to charm the jury the same way.
"Lenge leve livet" came 17th in line.
But The Dolliegirls, Benedicte Adrian and Ingrid Bjørnov, won the heart of France later with the album " Rock vs. Opera", and they stage their own musical "Which Witch" in London.



Host in Gothenburg was Lill Lindfors, beloved by the people as a swedish singer from the 60´s.
For Eurovision-fans is she maybe most known for her "dress-stunt".

Kikki Danielsson was representing Sweden.
Along with Elisabeth Andreassen in the duo Chips, she won the Swedish national final in 1982 with "Dag efter dag" (Day after day).
This time they should struggle against each other.
Before the competition took place, English bookmakers placed Kikki`s song as a favorite, after West Germany and the UK.

Norway participated in their 25th Eurovision Song Contest.
Their best result until then came in Luxemburg in 1966.
Åse Kleveland was rewarded a third place for "Intet er nytt under solen".
Arne Bendiksen was responsible for lyrics and music.
His signature can be found on many Norwegian Eurovision-songs from the period 1964-1973.
The most popular songs are:

"La meg være ung" - 1964 (Wenche Myhre)
"Oj, oj, oj, så glad jeg skal bli" - 1969 (Kirsti Sparboe)
"Lykken er" - 1971 (Hanne Krogh)
"It's just a game" - 1973 (Bendik Singers).

So, can Rolf Løvland`s song top the earlier results?
For now it’s Bobbysocks turn to enter the stage in Gothenburg.
The conductor Terje Fjærn lifts the baton, raise the tempo and
"La det swinge" fills Scandinavium.

Terje Fjærn

The girls bubbles with energy, they are in full control, it swings more and more.
The respons from the audience is very positive.
The merchandise is delivered in the best way.
Now it’s up to the jury in the competing countries if it will be "win or disappear".





Erik Heyerdahl and Jahn Teigen were the commentators of the broadcast from NRK Radio.

It has been some hectic couple of days in Sweden for Jahn, with among others, a own show on restaurant Generalen along with Anita Skorgan, and after his powerful offensive against Bobbysocks in media, he now seems more humble all since the points is reading up.

Cause' it begins amazingly good, Norway takes the first round with 12 points from Ireland.
Thereafter they receives a 4 from Finland, while Sweden receives 12 and takes the lead.
The point position switch, a while it seems like both Sweden, West Germany and UK can struggle for the victory.

But Norway makes a strong comeback.
Entire 8 of the 19 competitor countries gives "La det swinge" (Let it swing) maximum points.
Norway wins the Eurovision Song Contest 1985.

Through all his broadcast we heard Jahn say "oh, oh, oh" when the points was given out.
But it's not just him who gets the "Bobbychock", the entire nation get's it.

Erik Heyerdahl

Erik Heyerdahl can tell his listeners;
"Now it's for 110 percent sure that Norway for the first time have won the Eurovision Song Contest.
And according to the statistics should we have done that, Sweden have won two times, Denmark once.
Norway has won the Eurovision Song Contest.
"La det swinge" – lyrics/music: Rolf Løvland - presented by Bobbysocks: Elisabeth Andreasson/Hanne Krogh, with Terje Fjærn as the orchestra leder, has won the Eurovision Song Contest".

Results - Eurovision Song Contest 1985>>

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