Music Monday: Gréta Salóme & Jónsi do Eurovision

Every once in a while I become totally enamoured with a song, and have it on repeat for several days at a time. I came across one such song last week, and, on the day I first heard it, I listened to it a total of fifteen times.

And just what song is this?

It's Iceland's entry into the 2012 Eurovision song contest, "Never Forget" by Gréta Salóme & Jónsi. This more well-known version is actually an incredibly well done translation of their original track, "Mundu Eftir Mér."

If you're not quite sure what Eurovision is, don't fret. It's basically a song contest open to any European nation (plus a few others, as Israel usually participates along with former Soviet bloc countries, like Azerbaijan, that are technically in Asia), where the participating nations elect a single representative to perform and then vote on a winner. It's a bit of a popularity contest more-so than a talent contest, but whatever. It's a good time, and the acts get a tonne of exposure. Win win?

Anyway, Iceland came 20th this year. Somehow. I really don't understand how Sweden won, or how Russia came second, or how Jónsi didn't charm his way into the hearts of every European.

The videos of their performances are below. The first is the English version, performed in Baku for Eurovision 2012, and the second is the Icelandic version, performed for the Iceland Eurovision qualifiers. Or whatever they're called. Enjoy!