ICELAND 2012 - Gréta Salóme & Jónsi - Never Forget

[MyHeartIsYours]

I'm not surprised the main English imperialist on the forum is happy with the English take-over in ESC

Actually, British imperialist

That's just it, I think it has lost its touch in English. Before it was all mystical and magical. While the song itself is still good, it's lost all the Icelandic charm and wonder.

You listen to it, it's no different . If you get past the fact it's now in English - it's still the same song, great song, and still has the magical touch as it always has!

But really, with regards to it being in English, I had no preference - if it had been up to me, I would have actually kept it in Icelandic because it sounded perfect as it did. But it has been translated, and it's still the same perfect song!

 

[A-lister]

I get your frustration! Look on the bright side. There are quite a few songs sang on countries' native languages this year.

But I can't really because this was the one that i wanted the most to stay in its original language

It would be the first time we'd hear Icelandic since 1997 and since it's suppose to an "Icelandic song", Icelandic should logically be a part of it. This is not your everyday Euro-pop or whatever.

I rooter hard for this one, most of the songs that were chosen in native languages were from internal selections, so there wasn't really something to choose from.

In this case however, I know would have rather rooted for another entry in their selection, because atleast in those cases English wouldn't feel so desperately attached.

 

[A-lister]

Actually, British imperialist

Whatever!

You listen to it, it's no different . If you get past the fact it's now in English - it's still the same song, great song, and still has the magical touch as it always has!

I think you underrate the meaning of languages. It's NOT the same song. We're not talking about an instrumental song here are we?

I still don't get it though, as a EUROvision fan, aren't you atleast a bit interested to hear something else than your own language for a change?

From now on, I think UK should be banned from singing in its own language!

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

I think you underrate the meaning of languages. It's NOT the same song. We're not talking about an instrumental song here are we?

I still don't get it though, as a EUROvision fan, aren't you atleast a bit interested to hear something else than your own language for a change?

From now on, I think UK should be banned from singing in its own language!

Well if you count it being in a non-national language as a disadvantage, then look at the advantages - we can now sing along to this, I've actually got it already!
Of course Im interested in their languages, I've always been very pro-Welsh and pro-Gaelic in my own country . But I dont think it is a defining factor - the song will be amazing regardless of whether it was in Icelandic or English.
And you forget that English was chosen by the singers and broadcaster themselves - it's not been imposed upon them by anyone .

 

[A-lister]

Well if you count it being in a non-national language as a disadvantage, then look at the advantages - we can now sing along to this, I've actually got it already!
Of course Im interested in their languages, I've always been very pro-Welsh and pro-Gaelic in my own country . But I dont think it is a defining factor - the song will be amazing regardless of whether it was in Icelandic or English.
And you forget that English was chosen by the singers and broadcaster themselves - it's not been imposed upon them by anyone .

I don't want to sing along?? I want good music and hearing what all Europe has to offer. I don't live in a little box. I don't need something to be literary presented to be able to appreciate it. If music is good, there's no need for the lyrics to be understandable even.

I've yet to see you show any interest in something not- English

Don't act as if this was chosen only based on their own will, the current rules and the people's obsession with English does make the songwriters and broadcasters think about these things. No one is "forcing" them, but sometimes occasions make us do choices that we maybe wouldn't have done otherwise.

 

[QwaarJet]

Actually, British imperialist


You listen to it, it's no different . If you get past the fact it's now in English - it's still the same song, great song, and still has the magical touch as it always has!

But really, with regards to it being in English, I had no preference - if it had been up to me, I would have actually kept it in Icelandic because it sounded perfect as it did. But it has been translated, and it's still the same perfect song!

It is COMPLETELY different, but not because of the language, because of how they have messed up the composition. It has lost a lot of raw energy in my estimation. I could live with English if they didn't mess with the backing track.

It's a total cop-out and makes me sour on Greta as a whole. I still love this song, but it isn't a patch on the original. My support will probably be mainly behind Sweden, Spain or Serbia now. Although of course Loreen may end up altering "Euphoria" as well

 

[cassio]

Iceland your song has just got an extra point in my account ...... lykke til

 

[Matt]

I understand your point of view, but I just don't feel as strongly about it. To be honest though I haven't listened to the English version yet. But I really liked the Icelandic version (what an awesome language) so I'm slightly bias towards it anyway.

My thing is that we're all trying to determine or interpret the idea of what Eurovision is/should be but that's such a a gray area so I wouldn't even know where to begin. I just think we're being too harsh on those who decide to change the lyrics into English because they have the desire to make the song more accessible to non native speakers. Yes, not everyone speaks English but the majority does and everything else about the contest such as hosting or scoreboards are in English as well.
The danger is that if translated poorly it can lose some of the magic so I'm not claiming that I will like it just as much but I will let you know soon enough how I feel about it.


EDIT: I meant to quote one of Alisters posts.

 

[IceGuy]

When people like a song and hear it multiple times it will always feel a little strange to listen to it after the change.

Thankfully 99,999% of Europe will hear it for the first time in English and won't care.

A-lister stop talking like your opinion is fact and there is no need to bash people just because you personally don't like the change. It's just one song and it's not even from your own country maybe you should care less and maybe get a life?

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

I don't want to sing along??

Well I do!

I want good music and hearing what all Europe has to offer. I don't live in a little box. I don't need something to be literary presented to be able to appreciate it. If music is good, there's no need for the lyrics to be understandable even.

Well everyone has different ideas dont they, what Im saying is that it makes no difference to me whether this is in English or Icelandic, it is perfect regardless, and both languages have advantages in my book.

I've yet to see you show any interest in something not- English

I showed interest in this from the night of the national final, didnt I? You're right I dont tend to like non-English songs on average, but that isnt to do with the language, it's to do with the style they tend to be. I hate songs like Molitva for isntance.

Don't act as if this was chosen only based on their own will, the current rules and the people's obsession with English does make the songwriters and broadcasters think about these things. No one is "forcing" them, but sometimes occasions make us do choices that we maybe wouldn't have done otherwise.

I wouldnt say so - the reaction from fans has been largely negative . You will probably say about Juries, but my feeling is the Juries will have preferred this if it was in Icelandic . The translation is to make it easier for the average viewer across Europe to relate to, and it has been translated exceptionally well, I must say.

It is COMPLETELY different, but not because of the language, because of how they have messed up the composition. It has lost a lot of raw energy in my estimation. I could live with English if they didn't mess with the backing track.

It's a total cop-out and makes me sour on Greta as a whole. I still love this song, but it isn't a patch on the original. My support will probably be mainly behind Sweden, Spain or Serbia now. Although of course Loreen may end up altering "Euphoria" as well

I prefer the new backing track, it's much better imo. I've been listening to it now for the last half hour and I love it more and more!

 

[A-lister]

A-lister stop talking like your opinion is fact and there is no need to bash people just because you personally don't like the change. It's just one song and it's not even from your own country maybe you should care less and maybe get a life?

Everyone here are saying what's on their mind, should I talk for someone else? Obviously I state my opinion and that's it. I'm not bashing anyone but you just did in your last sentence so congrats for personal attacking me!

 

[Stargazer]

Well if you count it being in a non-national language as a disadvantage, then look at the advantages - we can now sing along to this, I've actually got it already!
Of course Im interested in their languages, I've always been very pro-Welsh and pro-Gaelic in my own country . But I dont think it is a defining factor - the song will be amazing regardless of whether it was in Icelandic or English.
And you forget that English was chosen by the singers and broadcaster themselves - it's not been imposed upon them by anyone .

I sing along to ESC songs regardless of what language they're in. I know so many entries by heart (from past years) and most of them are in languages I don't speak.

When people like a song and hear it multiple times it will always feel a little strange to listen to it after the change.

Thankfully 99,999% of Europe will hear it for the first time in English and won't care.

A-lister stop talking like your opinion is fact and there is no need to bash people just because you personally don't like the change. It's just one song and it's not even from your own country maybe you should care less and maybe get a life?

I can't speak for A-lister, but personally I feel very passionate about Eurovision, having been a fan of it for 24 years now, and I care about all entries, not just the Swedish ones. I want all entries to be the best they can be and I feel very strongly about people using their own languages - it's what made Eurovision so special and so unique in the past.

 

[A-lister]

I can't speak for A-lister, but personally I feel very passionate about Eurovision, having been a fan of it for 24 years now, and I care about all entries, not just the Swedish ones. I want all entries to be the best they can be and I feel very strongly about people using their own languages - it's what made Eurovision so special and so unique in the past.

I feel the exact same way.

I'm more a fan of Eurovision than the Swedish selection. I don't just want Sweden to send a good song, that doesn't make sense to me. I'm not in this just for the competition, I'm in this for the music first and foremost and for the original and brilliant concept that it is.

 

[Trece]

I really liked the video and song. In my top 10 definitely!

 

[Isabella]

English version is great and the video too. I would give 12 points now

 

[Metafeller]

This band remembed me Euroband from 2008. This is my life was my best entry of 2008 songs.

I watch Eurovision since 2008, and Iceland ALWAYS joined with awesome songs. This is my life, Is it true, Hera Björk, (2011 wasnt good as before years) and this year, Iceland is in Eurovision with one awesome song again. Now, after I watched official video, in my top 10 again.

 

[dew21]

I liked the icelandic version more. This one is not bad, and lyrics fit the verses, but it has lost its epicness. In icelandic it sounded like the melody of a nordic epic poem, but now its just a nice nordic melody with the same language of always. Do you imagine this song in english?

. You don´t need to understand it to feel its epicness. So i felt the same with mundu eftir mér.. Some songs doesn´t need to be translated. I live in a country where most of the people who like american music doesn´t have idea of what the lyrics say. They attach importance to the melody and the language sound over the lyrics. That why i appreciate the sound of the icelandic language in this song.

 

[A-lister]

^
Agree 100%

And thanx for giving a lesson to all those who assume that English is "SOOOO universal"!

 

[suomalainen]

It's official now!

ICELAND IS MY NUMBER 1 FROM NOW!

 

[JustinCase]

I was fearing this translation, but I must admit: they did a great job! It kept its somewhat mysterious feel and I like it. It is still in my top 3 of this year.