By Neil Durham
WHEN?: 7pm UK time 11 February 2023
WHERE?: Næstved Arena in Næstved HOW DO I WATCH?: DR
Denmark hasn’t made a Eurovision final since 2019 and recent Dansk Melodi Grand Prixs have been slated for their blandness although this is a criticism that would be difficult to justify in 2023 given these fine and varied 8 songs.
- Read on for reasons including EYJAA, Maia Maia, Mariyah LeBerg and Frederik Leopold
12 points: EYJAA I Was Gonna Marry Him (Anders Hansson, Maria Broberg, Rasmus Olsen, Thomas Buttenschøn)
You read it here 1st because EYJAA (pictured) were a song of the week for us in October 2021 with the brilliant The Wrecking Crew. We said then: ‘It’s a song that might take a few listens to lodge in your brain but, once it does, it will be hard to forget.’ This Dansk Melodi Grand Prix entry has cowboy movie vibes, boasts Ennio Morricone-ish whistling and, if the Danish/Icelandic duo Sara and Brynja can perform it well live, it’s the 1 to beat here in this strong selection. Co-writer Hansson produced our favourite ever Melodifestivalen winner. Sample lyric: ‘They say I’ll get better with time, but I’m not a bottle of wine.’
10 points: Maia Maia Beautiful Bullshit (Joy Deb, Maja Barløse, Niclas Lundin)
We’ve never been big fans of swearing in Eurovision songs and, otherwise, this is a terrific entry that we suspect will gave EYJAA a run for their money. It’s radio friendly, extremely catchy and its deployment of the word ‘bullshit’ in its title may heighten its credibility in some eyes.
8 points: Mariyah LeBerg Human (Lars ‘Chef 1’ Pedersen, Mariyah LeBerg, Nermin Harambašić)
The best bit here is the false ending into a key change towards the end of the song and the name Chef 1 will be familiar to those who have watched Dansk Melodi Grand Prix for many years. He co-wrote last year’s winner The Show by Reddi.
7 points: Frederik Leopold Stuck On You (Frederik Jyll, Lasse Lindorff)
80s pop bop which sounds to these ears a little like a speeded-up version of Lionel Ritchie’s All Night Long. Loving the line: ‘What do you want me to do? Dance all night to Waterloo?’ which seems especially Eurovision friendly. The Footloose shout-out makes us think of Alphabeat’s Fascination which is an apt reference point for this infectiously upbeat and fun track.
6 points: Reiley Breaking My Heart (Bård Mathias Bonsaksen, Rani Petersen, Sivert Hjeltnes Hagtvet)
Youthful, Bieber-esque pop which is well produced and might be a struggle to sing live. Reiley was born on the Faroe Islands and has more than 10 million followers on Tik Tok.
5 points: Søren Torpegaard Lund Lige Her (Right here) (Lasse Storm, Martin Palme Skriver, Steven McClintock, Søren Torpegaard Lund, Tim Schou Nielsen)
Stylish, finger-clicking, guitar-plucking 60s-ish pop. Søren is a musical theatre performer who has appeared in Kinky Boots and West Side Story. We’re expecting the performance to elevate this rather sedate track.
4 points: Nicklas Sonne Freedom (Nicklas Sonne)
Eurovision loves a good rocker and this self-penned song is well reflective of its genre but not a style of which we are especially fond.
3 points: Micky Skeel Glansbillede (Gloss picture) (Martin Bjelke, Micky Skeel Hansen)
The least memorable of this strong selection. A songwriter whose work has been performed by Eurovision greats like Cliff Richard and Måns Zelmerlöw.
monstagigz 
One comment