Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014


Norway participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Norwegian entry was selected through the national competition Melodi Grand Prix 2014, organised by the Norwegian broadcaster Norsk rikskringkasting. Norway was represented by the song "Silent Storm" performed by Carl Espen and written by Josefin Winther. The entry qualified from the second semi-final and placed 8th in the final, scoring 88 points.

Before Eurovision

Melodi Grand Prix 2014

On 6 May 2013, NRK confirmed Norway's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. Melodi Grand Prix 2014 was the 52th edition of the Norwegian national final Melodi Grand Prix and selected Norway's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. The competition consisted of three semi-finals which took place on 7, 8 and 9 March 2014 at the Folketeatret in Oslo. The final took place on 15 March 2014 at the Oslo Spektrum in Oslo. All shows were hosted by Jenny Skavlan and Erik Solbakken.

Format

Unlike in recent editions, the competition took place as a week-long music festival with three semi-finals on 7, 8 and 9 March 2014. Five songs from each semi-final competed for three spots in the final on 15 March 2014. A four-member jury panel also provided commentary during the live shows regarding the songs. The panel consisted of:
A submission period was opened by NRK between 4 July 2013 and 15 September 2013. In addition to the public call for submissions, NRK reserved the right to directly invite certain artists and composers to compete. At the close of the deadline, 600 submissions were received. Fifteen songs were selected for the competition by a jury panel consisting of Vivi Stenberg, Marie Komissar, Kathrine Synnes Finnskog, Gisle Stokland and Tarjei Strøm. The competing acts and songs were revealed on 27 January 2014 and short previews of the competing entries were released, while the songs in their entirety were premiered on 19 February 2014.
ArtistSong 'Music / Lyrics
Carl Espen"Silent Storm"
"Hit Me Up"Melanie Fontana, Jon Asher, Lars Hustoft
Cir.Cuz"Hele verden" 'Joakim Harestad Haukaas, Andre Lindal
"Needs"Dina Misund, Frode Bjørgmo Strømvik
El Cuero"Ain't No Love "Brynjan Takle Ohr, B. L. Rolland, Øyvind Blomstrøm, Håvard Takle Ohr
Elisabeth Carew"Sole Survivor"Elisabeth Carew,, Simon Climie, Mats Lie Skåre
& "Best Friend's Boyfriend"Martin Kleveland, Lisa Desmond Linder, Jesper Jakobsen
Ilebek"Who Needs the Universe"Andreas Ihlebæk
Knut Kippersund Nesdal"Taste of You", Jenny Moe
Linnea Dale"High Hopes"Linnea Dale,
"Right Now"Martine Marbel, Goran Obad
Mo"Heal"
Moi"Bensin" Ingjerd Østrem Omland
& Wulff"Sing"Christer Wulff
Timbre & Frikk Heide-Steen feat. Ida Stein"Frozen By Your Love"Anders Bratterud

Semi-final 1

Five songs competed during the first semi-final on 7 March 2014. The top three entries were selected by public SMS voting to proceed to the final: "Heal" performed by Mo, "Needs" performed by and "High Hopes" performed by Linnea Dale.

Semi-final 2

Five songs competed during the second semi-final on 8 March 2014. The top three entries were selected by public SMS voting to proceed to the final: "Sing" performed by & Wulff, "Taste of You" performed by Knut Kippersund Nesdal and "Hit Me Up" performed by.

Semi-final 3

Five songs competed during the third semi-final on 9 March 2014. The top three entries were selected by public SMS voting to proceed to the final: "Ain't No Love " performed by El Cuero, "Sole Survivor" performed by Elisabeth Carew and "Silent Storm" performed by Elisabeth Carew.

Final

Nine songs consisting of the nine semi-final qualifiers competed during the final on 15 March 2014. The winner was selected over two rounds of public SMS voting. In the first round, the top four entries were selected to proceed to the second round, the Gold Final: "Taste of You" performed by Knut Kippersund Nesdal, "Heal" performed by Mo, "High Hopes" performed by Linnea Dale and "Silent Storm" performed by Carl Espen. In the Gold Final, the results of the public televote were revealed by Norway's five regions and led to the victory of "Silent Storm" performed by Carl Espen with 53,712 votes.

At Eurovision

To ensure fair ticket distribution in the Nordic region for the semi-finals, the Eurovision Reference Group, at the request by the host broadcaster for the 2014 contest DR, held a draw at the European Broadcasting Union headquarters in Geneva in November 2013 where Norway was drawn to compete in the second semi-final on 8 May 2014. During the semi-final allocation draw on 20 January 2014 at the Copenhagen City Hall, Norway was drawn to compete in the first half of the second semi-final. In the second semi-final, the producers of the show decided that Norway would perform 3rd, following Israel and preceding Georgia. Norway qualified from the second semi-final and competed in the final on 10 May 2014. During the winner's press conference for the second semi-final qualifiers, Norway was allocated to compete in the first half of the final. In the final, the producers of the show decided that Norway would perform 5th, following Iceland and preceding Romania. Norway placed 8th in the final, scoring 88 points.
On stage, Carl Espen was joined by four violinists and a pianist. The violinists performed on a sloped platform. The stage atmosphere transitioned from a dark setting at the beginning which became brighter as the song progressed.
In Norway, both the semi-final and final were broadcast on NRK1 with commentary by Olav Viksmo-Slettan. An alternative broadcast of the final aired on NRK3 with commentary by the hosts of the NRK P3 program P3morgen, Ronny Brede Aase, Silje Reiten Nordnes and Line Elvsåshagen. The Norwegian spokesperson revealing the result of the Norwegian vote in the final was Margrethe Røed.

Points awarded to Norway

12 points10 points8 points7 points6 points

    • 5 points4 points3 points2 points1 point

    • Points awarded by Norway

    Semi-final 2

    Points awarded in second semi-final:
    12 points
    10 points
    8 points
    7 points
    6 points
    5 points
    4 points
    3 points
    2 points
    1 point

    Final

    Points awarded in the final:
    12 points
    10 points
    8 points
    7 points
    6 points
    5 points
    4 points
    3 points
    2 points
    1 point

    Split voting results

    The following five members comprised the Norwegian jury:
    The Norwegian votes in the second semi-final were based on 50% jury voting and 50% televoting results.

    Final

    The Norwegian votes in the grand final were based on 50% jury voting and 50% televoting results.