La det swinge

"La det swinge" ("Let it swing") is a song in Norwegian, sung by the pop duo Bobbysocks!. It was the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 1985 – Norway's first victory in the contest.

"Let It Swing/La det swinge"
Single by Bobbysocks!
from the album Bobbysocks!
Released1985
Recorded1985
Genre
Length2:50
LabelBahama Records
Songwriter(s)Rolf Løvland[1]
Alixzandra (English version)[2]
Producer(s)Torgny Söderberg
Eurovision Song Contest 1985 entry
Country
Artist(s)
As
Language
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
Conductor
Terje Fjærn
Finals performance
Final result
1st
Final points
123
Entry chronology
◄ "Lenge leve livet" (1984)   
"Romeo" (1986) ►

Composition and production

The song is a tribute to dancing to old rock 'n' roll heard on the radio. Befitting the subject matter, the song itself is written in an old-fashioned style, with a memorable saxophone melody starting the song. The melody arrangement is in retro style, containing elements of contemporary 1980s music and throwbacks to the 1950s.

Background

The song entered, and won Melodi Grand Prix 1985, and was therefore selected to represent Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 1985. For the performances, the two members – Hanne Krogh and Elisabeth Andreassen – appeared in sparkling, bright purple jackets, worn over black and white outfits; Krogh sported a black-and-white striped floor-length gown.

At the Eurovision Song Contest, the song was performed thirteenth on the night, following Italy's Al Bano and Romina Power with "Magic Oh Magic" and preceding the United Kingdom's Vikki Watson with "Love Is". At the close of voting, it received 123 points, placing 1st in a field of 19.

This was the second appearance for both Andreasson and Krogh in the Eurovision Song Contest; in 1982 Andreassen had represented Sweden in the duo Chips with Kikki Danielsson singing "Dag efter dag", and in 1971 Krogh had finished 17th (second from last) in the contest, with the song "Lykken er".

Andreasson went on to appear in the contest on two more occasions – she finished sixth in 1994, performing a duet with Jan Werner Danielsen, entitled simply, "Duett" and in 1996, she appeared as a solo artist, finishing second to Ireland's Eimear Quinn. Krogh also returned to the Contest in 1991 as part of the group Just 4 Fun, finishing 17th with "Mrs. Thompson".

"La Det Swinge" was succeeded as Norwegian representative at the 1986 Contest by Ketil Stokkan with "Romeo".

Following their win, the single "La det swinge" peaked at #1 in the Norwegian and Belgian singles chart, and entered the charts in Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, United Kingdom to name a few.

Track listing
  1. "Let it Swing" – 2:50
  2. "La det swinge" – 2:50

Charts
Chart (1985) Peak
position
Austria 14
Belgium 1
Denmark 2
Germany 47
Ireland 8
Netherlands 13
Norway 1
Sweden 4
Switzerland 30
United Kingdom 44

References
  1. Vem e de´du vill ha entry at Svensk mediadatabas, retrieved 11 July 2010
  2. Let it swing entry at Svensk mediadatabas, retrieved 11 July 2010
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