You thought everybody in Norway are blonde and blue eyed? Oh guess again, there are some of those imported hot numbers in cold Norway too. Stella Mwangi has been called the Norwegian Shakira, and Haba Haba is supposed to be the Waka Waka of the ESC. It’s the first time ever that a West-African language will be heard on the ESC stage (in case you care), and although the whole looks as un-Norwegian as it could be, last year’s host nation has really embraced this song and Stella is as Norwegian as anybody else. I feel like I should be somewhat patriotic and biased now and just praise this song regardless, but I just can’t bring myself to do that. The bookmakers place it in the top 10, but unfortunately I don’t see that happening – I think Norway should be satisfied if they manage to qualify for the finale.
Sure, it’s faster and livelier than most of the other songs in this year’s competition, she looks 
great and she really seems to be enjoying herself on stage, and those are all factors that can make or break an ESC performance. But still, the song doesn’t really feel all that special or interesting, and her voice is not particularly good. The whole thing seems a little too politically correct for my taste, a typical choice from Norway as they’re always trying to show off as a multi-cultured society when in fact they’re far from it.
No way Norway – you’re not winning this year, but I guess nobody was dying to go back to freezing cold Oslo next year anyways. I mean - Norway won just two years ago, and the local ESC committee over there probably feels no need to put on such a big show anytime in the nearest future. But if anyone could afford it, it’s Norway – so don’t give us that excuse. I think Norway ought to stick to what they do best – sad songs, fiddlers and hard rock. This number has “whatever” written all over it.
Hi there! You should of course feel comletely free to mean whatever you want about Stella and "Haba Haba". But I am a bit amused about how little you know about Norway :-) Maybe you should come here sometime to learn a little bit? I am going to England this summer, and looks foreward to learn a bit more about your country.
ReplyDeleteHey you! I'm born and raised in Norway, lived there for 22 years :) Never lived in England, moved to Israel 4 years ago. Så hvis du noen gang kommer hit så kan jeg vise deg rundt - og kanskje få en liten oppdatering på hvordan ståa er i Norge. Peace!
ReplyDeleteJa, jeg tror du trenger det gitt :-) Selvsagt er det helt greit å mene at "Haba Haba" er et dårlig valg. Men å si at vi ikke er et multikulturelt samfunn er litt rart. Jeg tror ikke folk stemte på låten på grunn av noe annet enn at de likte låta veldig godt. Det viser også det faktum at den ligger så høyt på salgslistene. Så skriver du at det er så dyrt og kaldt her. Det er heller ikke helt sant. Så jeg har altså ingen problemer med at du mener hva du vil om låta vår, men at du bygger det på merkelige forutinntatte holdninger om landet vårt og vår kultur blir litt merkelig og kunnskapsløst. Pussig etter så mange år i Norge! Haba Haba
ReplyDeleteoch så knäpper vi upp bältet och tar ett djupt andetag och slappnar av lite va. du måste ju ändå inse att hon skriver med humor.
ReplyDeleteI don't really think it's that bad, it's catchy .. anyway really her voice is a bit plain, but the song itself is happy! I think it will be in the final for sure.
ReplyDeleteregards, Ana