You should really follow the footsteps of Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia. They were ready to enter Eurovision with english versions of the songs but they won't! Because of the fans.
All the arguments we posted all these weeks regarding the icelandic version were stronger than the ones posted about the english version. And I won't argue any more. Apparently you guys made up your minds a long time ago! It's a shame...
And here's a question from a friend on esctodayforum.com: Why did you only revamp the english version? Why don't we have the icelandic version with the new arrangement?
His guess (and I agree with him)? You wanted us to think "hey the english version sounds better!". Well it won't work on us at least.
And by the way, I've been waiting to see if the final version would be in icelandic or in english before I vote in the forum. I was going to give 12pts to the icelandic one but now you guys got a 7. I was also going to actually vote during the ESC but now I won't. And not as a punishment. I just don't feel like the english version deserves votes... That's all. Good luck Iceland!
4 comments:
True, they should have just focused on the arrangement instead of wasting time translating or creating a new lyrics. Now that i know what the song is about, it isn't that "eerie" like the Icelandic version.
I read this comment and I think it really applies to this situation:
"I will never understand the drama about new versions. Viewers of the competition are going to view whatever version chosen for the first time at ESC, and will have nothing to compare it too. I can't see how people honestly believe - unless two songs really come across as completely different songs - that one version or another will really make that much version that if a country had entered one version, they would have finished in a position so different to another version. In both Italy and Iceland's case it essentially the same song, just basically different lyrics, I don't see how it's going to impact first time viewers in any way. If we use Italy as an example, the question is whether viewers will find the melody catchy - like lyrics EVER played a part in Eurovision anyway, or them being in comprehensible English - we had winners with horrible accents and bilingual winners and bilingual songs that ended up very very high - and will they like it visually (not going to change because of the language) and if they like the singer and the voice and the entire thing as a package. The language changes so little, unless the new lyrics are very obviously horrible - i.e if you take lyrics in a language no one understands and write the most stupid joke lyrics possible and turn the song into a joke song, that might make a difference, but otherwise? not really."
Summarizing that point: it's all abt 1st impression. Agree, not going to argue.
But it's a shame that they aren't confident to use their mother tongue to reach wider audience or get more votes. If that's the case (which is alr is)why use Icelandic version in the first place anyway? Look at Randajad. They didn't even alter a single thing - not even the performance or styling. They didn't win, but they finished in a respectable position. Molitva, need i say more? Oh well, we'll just wait for the final. I'm tired of arguing abt this alr. Maybe by that time we'd get over it and actually love it.
David we're not talking about the lyrics here. Understanding the lyrics doesn't matter. Especially today when we all have access to google translator for example. And another proof that lyrics don't matter is Sweden 2011.
We're talking about the language. Yes those who are not eurofans, therefore they hear the songs for the first time in the semis, won't know about the other version. But the thing is that when you translate a song, it loses it's magic. I'd be fine if Mundu Eftir Mér was a pop song (it worked in 2008 for Euroband) but it's not! It's an ethnic song. It's an ICELANDIC song! Icelandic made the song sound different and original! It's the whole mystic atmosphere Greta and Jónsi created on stage and that's why they won.
And don't forget that Eurovision is all about sharing a country's culture, music and language! That's why it was created in first place, no? Playing it safe by sending the song in english is a wrong move. You said it yourself and I agree, people don't pay attention to the lyrics so why send it in english?
Please take a moment and read also this one:
http://alca-gr.blogspot.se/2012/02/esc-2012-iceland-mundu-eftir-mer-to-be.html
Mika about using icelandic in their national final... Well it's RUV's rule. All songs entering Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins must be performed in icelandic.
Thank you guys both for your comments. :)
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