Blogovision: Get on up and Dance with Iceland’s 2020 Eurovision Entry!

Music encompasses a weird and wonderful world of expression and performance. A universal language that all cultures and nationalities use to celebrate evidenced by the annual celebration of European lifestyle and music at the Eurovision song contest. It is an exciting time of the year when countries introduce us to their entries. This is their opportunity to make a statement and start their bid for glory and fame. No one demonstrates this better than Abba with their upbeat classic ‘Waterloo’. This would launch the most successful act from Eurovision into stardom and get people across the world dancing. Who hasn’t danced to Dancing Queen in their living room every weekend for the past 10 years? Just me? Great. Moving on. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQn1gJdVKi4 

 Now we are in 2020 and looking for the new Eurovision star to emerge. Eurovision 2020 did not fail with the contrast in entries. Russia made a strong bid to win entering the well established Little Big with their Spanish-influenced comedic song ‘Uno’ (no, not the classic card game).   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_dWvTCdDQ4&list=PLmWYEDTNOGUL69D2wj9m2onBKV2s3uT5Y&index=5 

There is also the “classic” Eurovision ballad where countries aim for an emotional connection. Denmark’s entry (‘YES’ my reaction to their song) is an uplifting pop ballad which captures modern musical taste. Sweden introduce us to their modern Dreamgirls/ ‘The Mamas’ who mix Gospel and Pop in their epic song ‘Move’. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ5tMhQIp1E&list=PLmWYEDTNOGUL69D2wj9m2onBKV2s3uT5Y&index=6 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EpSBDPlZn4&list=PLmWYEDTNOGUL69D2wj9m2onBKV2s3uT5Y&index=21 

At Hot House Music, our vote and all 12 points go to the Icelandic entry ‘Think About Things’ by Daði og Gagnamagnið (yes I used copy and paste).  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HU7ocv3S2o&list=PLmWYEDTNOGUL69D2wj9m2onBKV2s3uT5Y&index=19 

We have had a blast dancing along to this in our rehearsals, entertaining all from our Hot Shots to the Gospel Choir. The techno pop vibes made it a firm favourite musically, but the real energy comes in the performance. The group are sarcastic and over the top, not to mention the green boiler suit with the group’s cartoon faces (I’ll take 20 please) which feels like they should be chasing ghosts with Ghostbusters (Who you gonna Call? The Icelandic voting number).  

What has captured the imagination however is the dance break in the chorus. The deadpan expression along with the ease of dance moves are perfect for Eurovision and we want the song to get the exposure that it will miss from the cancellation of Eurovision 2020; (in the words of the Bee Gees, “TRAGEDY”).  

https://www.popsugar.co.uk/entertainment/iceland-eurovision-2020-think-about-things-video-47268173 

The dedication, by the lead singer (Daði Freyr), to his daughter makes this song even more special! It gives the cartoon elements that added love knowing he is entertaining his child and an audience of millions! It is a touching backstory to what is otherwise a hilarious dance tune. 

We are in the process of transcribing this fantastic song for our Saxophonix and we believe all bands around the country should do the same. Don’t Think About Things and GET DANCING!!