Now we know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that we can’t possibly top yesterday’s Eurovision profile.
And you’re right. We can’t. Yesterday we profiled the worst Eurovision song in history, and nothing can come close to even equalling its magnificent awfulness. But here’s the next best thing – the favourite to win Eurovision. Relax, though – it’s performed by a child who’ll you’ll probably want to injure.
Here, then, is the Eurovision 2009 profile for Alexander Rybak from Norway…
Norway · Alexander Rybak, Fairytale
Believe what you read and you’d think that Norway had this year’s Eurovision Song Contest all sewn up. After all, it’s a little bit Irish-sounding, it’s written and performed by an impossibly young handsome international star and musical polymath and it got more selection votes than any other song in Norwegian history. But look a little closer at Alexander Rybak. Look at all the precocious confidence in his cocky little voice. Look at the carefree way he throws back his shoulders. Look at the unnaturally thick flop of his hair. Alexander Rybak, friends, is nothing more than the Norwegian Ray Quinn. And as such he must be stopped. Stopped, you hear? STOPPED!
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
The only thing I am unhappy about the Eurovision Song Contest is that the use of English, in the Contest increases year by year.
As a native English speaker I think this is unfair!
It’s certainly time to break the habit of “language imperialism”, in the Eurovision Song Contest, and use a song, sung in Esperanto instead!
This is a serious suggestion, as you can see from the Esperanto music which is already available at http://www.vinilkosmo.com/?prs=listen or at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8837438938991452670
There’s even cheesy Esperanto music available! See http://www.ipernity.com/home/56084
First of all; it is not Irish sounding at all. Know your music before you start throwing out accusations. This is Norwegian folk music, and dance, and it’s roots go back much further than the Irish jiggles. Though, I shall admit that Irish and Norwegian folk music have some similarites…
Alexander is a professionally trained violinist, and has played it since he was a small kid. He is not a child, he is 23 years old. Sandra Kim, winner of Eurovision 1986; now that was a child! He isn’t cocky, he is just full of life and energy. I’ve seen interviews, and he seems a bit hyperactive if you ask me. Plus very down to earth and humble actually! And what is wrong with being confident? Do you think anyone who wants to “make it” anywhere can have no confidence? NO!! I think the song is catchy, cute, and nice, and his voice is very good, at times. I don’t know what it is about Brits, but you’ve always had it in for any Norwegian who opens their mouths and sing. Don’t ask me why.
That said, I am not a Eurovison lover at all, so I don’t give a toss as to who wins this.
as much as you make yourself out to be knowledgeable, you dont know anything abot music. the vocals, granted, arent irish at all, but the repeated motif that he plays on the violin is a perfect example of an irish reel. he uses cuts and grace notes, that are examples of the irish fiddle tradition, which was spread worldwide.
and to be perfectly honest, i think your attack on this article was stupid, as the author was only poking a bit of fun and actually admitted that norway was the favourite.
ktikio t keneis?na se rwthsw kt:exeis dei thn mouri sou stn mirror,m 8es k gkomena k eurovision!!eh auta dn ginontai!ap tis malakies pou petas 8a karafliaseis k esu alla k kt allo!!!sou euxomai na pareis tn teleutaia 8esh gt einai h monh pou s axizei!!!!!!!!!!
thank you for ur time……..
So you think he must be stopped because he looks too confident? It is by far the best performance of all the songs participating in the Contest this year. I have watched them all and it`s damn right that he takes up so much attention. I am Dutch – do you think our contribution (“Shine”) by three rats calling theirselves The Toppers have my admiration? No way. Only Alexander got it.
idd! gordon en die andere 2 ouwe zakken verzieken alles voor nederland. ik schaam me dood! 3 lelijke ouwe ratten die met zn drieeen shine! schreeuwen. belachelijk gewoon.
hi!im nelly…have you ever been to mykonos??its a pitty!go there and im sure that you will have a great time there!!!or you can go to thlos!!!!!!!!
HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!
I am new to the Eurovision competition but as a US visitor I say this young man has a very fresh style that would be an instant hit and the rage here in America. I am “rooting” for him and wish him the ultimate success. I will make it a point to see him whenever he makes his way to the US and he will be embraced without all the digs and negative commentary.
This song is great!
I am sad to hear this..
I bet this is the winner..
Good Luck!
Mr Rybak may lament the re-introduction of jury voting, because I have little doubt that this Irish/gypsy/Slavic-influenced fiddle/violin-dominated piece would have won easily if left to the vagaries of televoting.
Plus, people still have a soft spot for Norway because of the country’s successive failures to garner even a single point in the 1970s – notwithstanding the fact that the country has since won the contest twice (1995, 2005).
It is a simple, feel-good song well-performed and certainly put a smile on my face.
I will be puting my money where my mouth is (or where my typing fingers are), and voting for “Fairytale” on May 16!
is your real aim to undermine the norway singer in favor of
another country?
all your “negative” arguments do not stand to the reality
Really sorry to say this ’cause you’re probably all nice people and being a fellow Scandinavian (Danish), there is usually a lot of good will between our countries, but I have to ask this:
Have everyone collectively lost their minds?
Granted, Alexander is a confident performer and his skills with a violin are obvious, he’s all young and cute, I get it.
But this song is sooo horrible, even slightly more horrible than our own contrbution this year (Brinck is a mumbler of the worst sort, a disgrace to English-speakers everywhere).
The folksy style is different, good different, but the rises and falls in tone makes Alex sound like a prepubescent joddler, and there is absolutely nothing which might be called ‘melody’ to this song. It’s not so much ‘catching’ as ‘tripping you up and falling down the stairs’.
How this song got the cudos everyone seems to be lavishing on it, I cannot fathom.
Awful, just awful.
There. Now it’s free to win (again; if people are utterly insane) and my spleen is vented. Just had to get it out.
fairytale is a perfect song I have listened at least 6 times this night…….
congraltions alexander…
How come “the worst song” ? My opinion is that you are just jealous.
This song is brilliant !!!!!!!!!!!!! i’m in love with alexander……..he is soooooooooo cute……and song,too……..love you alex !!!!!!!!!
i fell in love with you
I looooooove youu alex
Anyone who sings his heart out with “I’m in love…” will win people’s hearts! Europe has never been more united! Alexander has brought all boundaries down by winning votes of so many different countries! Spactacular!!!
This is how it sounded in Australia: a song that for a change is fresh, has energy, lilt, very European – one of the few such in EV Contest in recent years.
Despite Lukashenko and Chernobyl, Byelorussia invites a closer look (and integration with Europe).
Also,listen to the lyrics closely – this song is a litle bit sad also, about love hoped for but that may not be found. It is hard to credit it was written by one so young.
“Make a new start”. To all those hard bitten cynics earlier, what is wrong with a bit of fairy tale, anyway? Some of best come from Europe; all are effective myth. Stop carping and celebrate the great richness in your continental culture. Regain confidence. The world needs it and it needs you.
Mr R deserves much success.
Tony Burton
I was impressed to see someone playing something so individual and using the rich tradition of Norwegian folk. I’ve been aware of Scandinavian fiddle music since I started listening to Shetland music (yes, in Scotland). I’m glad people voted for something different and not the cheap disco antics and bare flesh of some other countries (Ukraine, Turkey etc)and things which would have been thrown out of a gay disco in the 1980′s for being crap (Greece). Greece, please realise that tight jeans and bare chests don’t turn us on any more!
Nice to see a return to traditional eurovision days, when it was the Scandinavian federation giving each other points, not the east european bloc.
Stuart Heritage must be stopped,because he has a bad smell from his mouth.
Hater!
I 100% agree with Brian Barker on the dominance of English lyrics of the songs. Everybody seems to believe lyrics should be English other than their native language to win the contest. Even Turkey (us) use it and I find it improper. If nations want to be understood in their songs there are other ways, such as under-scripture on the stage digitizing, etc. I personally want to listen to every song in their mother-tongue. Take France for instance. Even their voting is French. I think everbody should do the same. Otherwise the ESC will seem as some large-scale LSC (London Song Contest).
And the neighbor-favoring system must be changed ASAP, too. I perfectly admire and am happy to see that neighboring countries don’t fight as in ancient past, but on the contrary getting along quite well, but to carry this “good feelings for neighbors” to ESC is another thing. Please change the system so as to favour just Music, Art and Show.
Peace in the World Peace in the Contry. M.K.ATATÜRK
nice a sing tnx alexander
I completely disagree with you. You think he should be stopped because he is confident? Well then you might as well throw out all the other competitors too. If no one was confident then no one would have the guts to go and perform on that stage.
God,people,can’t u just enjoy the song,if u like it,or just stop talking about it if u hate it??? And,yes,I said SONG,not Mr.Rybak…
why does every one think he is cocky and smug??? he is just confident and so he should be. he is incredibly talented at playing violin AND piano and he also happens to be gorgeous.<3
I realize that your comments are meant to be taken lightly. When I heard Rybak for the first time, I said he would make no impression at all in America. It’s now one year later, and I see I was right. Eurovision (at least since ABBA) has had no impact at all in America. Why? The songs are just “too European”. The acts are old-fashioned in a way. I’m not saying there’s no talent there, just that it has no resonance with current American tastes. (No, I don’t want hip-hop, which is just bad poetry set to bad music, sung by people who can’t sing.)