Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 1979

Norway was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1979 with the song "Oliver", composed by Anita Skorgan, with lyrics by Philip Kruse, and performed by Skorgan herself. The Norwegian participating broadcaster, Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK), selected its entry through the Melodi Grand Prix 1979. This was the second of three Eurovision appearances (and a further uncredited fourth) for Skorgan.

Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 1979
Eurovision Song Contest 1979
Participating broadcaster	Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK)
Country	Norway
Selection process	Melodi Grand Prix 1979
Selection date	10 February 1979
Competing entry
Song	"Oliver"
Artist	Anita Skorgan
Songwriters	Anita Skorgan Philip Kruse
Placement
Final result	11th, 57 points
Participation chronology
◄1978 • 1979 • 1980►

Before Eurovision

Melodi Grand Prix 1979

Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK) held the Melodi Grand Prix 1979 final round at its studios in Oslo, hosted by Egil Teige. No live audience was present, nor was there a stage with scenery or props –only the orchestra and contestants, who were permitted to wear only simple clothing. The orchestra was conducted by Norwegian composer Egil Monn-Inversen.

A total of 331 entries were received, and of them eight entries were selected. The jury consisted of the musicians Kjell Karlsen, Fred Nøddelund and Øyvind Westby.

Eight songs were presented in the final round, with the winner chosen by an expert jury which included Kirsti Sparboe, who represented Norway in 1965, 1967, and 1969, and Norwegian Eurovision conductors Carsten Klouman and Sigurd Jansen. Future Eurovision winner Hanne Krogh also took part.

Final – 10 February 1979

Draw	Artist	Song	Songwriters(s)	Points	Place
1	Inger Lise Rypdal	"Så lenge du er hos meg"	Torbjørn Daleng, Gunnar Jørstad	24	3
2	Ingrid Elisabeth Johansen	"Boogie Bill"	Petter Hurlen	17	4
3	Gudny Aspaas	"Sang uten ord"	Inge Christofersen	6	7
4	Hanne Krogh	"Når vi er barn"	Svein Hundsnes	2	8
5	Tore Johansen	"Ved en grammofon"	Gunnar Hordvik, Svein Strugstad	7	6
6	Anne Lise Gjøstøl	"Hva er vitsen med en sang"	Petter Hurlen	30	2
7	Maj-Britt Andersen	"Jeg ringer deg i kveld"	Kristian Lindeman	12	5
8	Anita Skorgan	"Oliver"	Anita Skorgan, Philip Kruse	37	1

Detailed Jury Votes

Draw	Song	S. Jansen	J. Helseth	T. Thue	L. Mylius	E. Pedersen	C. Klouman	A. Johansen	S. Bergh	K. Sparboe	Total
1	"Så lenge du er hos meg"	3		3	4	3	2	3	1	5	24
2	"Boogie Bill"	2		4	2	4		2	3		17
3	"Sang uten ord"	1			1		1			3	6
4	"Når vi er barn"		1	1							2
5	"Ved en grammofon"		4		3						7
6	"Hva er vitsen med en sang"	5	2	2		2	5	5	5	4	30
7	"Jeg ringer deg i kveld"		3			1	4	1	2	1	12
8	"Oliver"	4	5	5	5	5	3	4	4	2	37

At Eurovision

On the night of the final Skorgan performed 16th in the running order, following Sweden and preceding the United Kingdom. At the close of voting "Oliver" had picked up 57 points, placing Norway 11th of the 19 entries.^[1] The Norwegian jury awarded its 12 points to contest winners Israel.^[2]

Voting

Points awarded to Norway[2] Score Country 12 points 10 points  Sweden 8 points  Belgium  Ireland 7 points  United Kingdom 6 points  Monaco  Netherlands 5 points 4 points 3 points  Italy  Portugal 2 points  Israel  Luxembourg 1 point  Austria  Spain

Points awarded by Norway[2] Score Country 12 points  Israel 10 points  United Kingdom 8 points   Switzerland 7 points  France 6 points  Portugal 5 points  Ireland 4 points  Netherlands 3 points  Italy 2 points  Luxembourg 1 point  Spain