Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins is an annual music competition organised by Icelandic

Iceland

Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...

 public broadcaster Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV). It determines the country's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest

Eurovision Song Contest

The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...

.

Format

The contest was first organised in 1986

Eurovision Song Contest 1986

The Eurovision Song Contest 1986 was the 31st Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 3 May 1986 in the Grieg Hall in Bergen, Norway. It was the first occasion on which Norway played host to the contest...

, when Iceland made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest. Since then, RÚV

RÚV

Ríkisútvarpið is Iceland's national public-service broadcasting organization.Operating from studios in the country's capital, Reykjavík, as well as regional centres around the country, the service broadcasts a variety of general programming to a wide audience across the whole country via radio...

 has used Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins to select the Icelandic entry, but has also used an internal selection at times, mainly between 1995 and 1999, 2004 and 2005.

Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins has consisted of a multi-artist competition, with between 5 and 10 songs competing. Most contests in the past have been a one-night event, however since 2006 the contest has consisted of a number of semi-finals aired before a grand final.

It was known for RÚV to change the performers for Eurovision. This can be seen in 1986, when winner Pálmi Gunnarsson was joined by Eiríkur Hauksson

Eiríkur Hauksson

Eiríkur Hauksson is an Icelandic heavy metal vocalist who is educated as a teacher.Eiríkur is considered to be a talented vocalist, able to adopt various styles...

 and Helga Möller to form ICY

ICY

ICY was a vocal trio consisting of Pálmi Gunnarson, Helga Möller and Eiríkur Hauksson. They were the first Icelandic entrants to the Eurovision Song Contest, appearing at the 1986 final in Bergen...

 for Eurovision. In 1994 RÚV were not happy with the winning song, and so enlisted Frank McNamara

Frank McNamara (musician)

Frank McNamara is an internationally known arranger, conductor, composer, and pianist from Ireland.-Biography:His career began at the age of 11, when he first appeared on Irish national television. Frank attended Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated with music honors...

 to rearrange the entry and select a new singer.

Songs in Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins were once only allowed to be performed in Icelandic

Icelandic language

Icelandic is a North Germanic language, the main language of Iceland. Its closest relative is Faroese.Icelandic is an Indo-European language belonging to the North Germanic or Nordic branch of the Germanic languages. Historically, it was the westernmost of the Indo-European languages prior to the...

. However winning songs were normally translated into English

English language

English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...

 for Eurovision. This rule was abolished in 2008, when English language songs were allowed to compete for the first time.

Winners

Year	Song	Translation	Artist	Songwriter(s)	Position in ESC
1986	"Gleðibankinn Gleðibankinn "Gleðibankinn" was the Icelandic entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1986, performed in Icelandic by ICY, where singers Eiríkur Hauksson, Helga Möller and Pálmi Gunnarsson joined their efforts... "	Bank of fun	Pálmi Gunnarsson Pálmi Gunnarsson Pálmi Gunnarsson is an Icelandic musician, who was involved in some of the country's most popular musical acts in the 1970s and into the 1980s, including Mannakorn and Brunaliðið...	Magnús Eiríksson Magnús Eiríksson Magnús Eiríksson was an Icelandic theologian and a contemporary critic of Søren Aabye Kierkegaard and Hans Lassen Martensen in Copenhagen....	16th (as ICY ICY ICY was a vocal trio consisting of Pálmi Gunnarson, Helga Möller and Eiríkur Hauksson. They were the first Icelandic entrants to the Eurovision Song Contest, appearing at the 1986 final in Bergen... )
1987	"Hægt og hljótt Hægt og hljótt "Hægt og hljótt" was the Icelandic entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1987, performed in Icelandic by Halla Margrét Árnadóttir.... "	Slowly and quietly	Halla Margrét Árnadóttir Halla Margrét Árnadóttir Halla Margrét Árnadóttir is an Icelandic singer who has representated her country in Eurovision Song Contest 1987, in Brussels. In that competition has sung the entry Hægt Og Hljótt Halla Margrét Árnadóttir (born April 23, 1964 in Reykjavik) is an Icelandic singer who has representated her...	Valgeir Guðjónsson	16th
1988	"Þú og þeir Þú og þeir (Sókrates) "Þú og þeir " was the Icelandic entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1988, performed in Icelandic by Beathoven.... "	You and they	Sverrir Stormsker & Stefán Hilmarsson	Sverrir Stormsker	16th (as Beathoven)
1989	"Það sem enginn sér Það sem enginn sér "Það sem enginn sér" was the Icelandic entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1989, performed in Icelandic by Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson.... "	What no one sees	Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson is an Icelandic solo artist, and a lead singer of the bands GusGus, Nýdönsk and Esja.Daníel Ágúst has been part of the local and international music scene since he started his career with Icelandic pop sensation Nýdönsk some 20 years ago.In 1989 he participated in the...	Valgeir Guðjónsson	22nd
1990	"Eitt lag enn Eitt Lag Enn "Eitt lag enn" was the Icelandic entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1990, performed in Icelandic by Stjórnin.The song is a love duet, with the singers describing their desire to dance to one more song with each other.... "	One more song	Sigríður Beinteinsdóttir & Grétar Örvarsson	Hörður G. Ólafsson, Aðalsteinn Ásberg Sigurðsson	4th (as Stjórnin Stjórnin Stjórnin comprised two singers, Grétar Örvarsson, born July 11th 1959 and Sigriður Beinteìnsdottir, born July 24th 1962. Together they represented Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest 1990 held in Zagreb. Their entry, "Eitt lag enn" was placed forth out of 22 songs... )
1991	"Draumur um Nínu Draumur Um Nínu "Draumur um Nínu" was the Icelandic entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1991, performed in Icelandic by Eyjólfur Kristjánsson and Stefán Hilmarsson under the name "Stefán & Eyfi"... "	The dream about Nina	Stefán Hilmarsson & Eyjólfur Kristjánsson	Eyjólfur Kristjánsson	15th (as Stefán & Eyfi)
1992	"Nei eða já Nei eða já Nei eða já was the Icelandic entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1992, performed in Icelandic by Heart 2 Heart.... "	No or yes?	Sigríður Beinteinsdóttir & Sigrún Eva Ármannsdottir	Friðrik Karlsson, Grétar Örvarsson, Stefán Hilmarsson	7th (as Heart 2 Heart Heart 2 Heart Heart 2 Heart is the 7th studio album by Filipino R&B singer Kyla, released in August 2008 by EMI Music Philippines and Poly East Records in CD and cassette format and digitally on June 11, 2009... )
1993	"Þá veistu svarið Þá veistu svarið Þá veistu svarið was the Icelandic entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1993, performed in Icelandic by Inga.... "	Then you'll know the answer	Ingibjörg Stefánsdóttir	Jon Kjell Seljeseth, Friðrik Sturluson	13th (as Inga)
1994	"Nætur Nætur "Nætur" was the Icelandic entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1994, performed in Icelandic by Sigga.The song is a ballad, with Sigga expressing her delight in the power of nights... "	Nights	Sigrún Eva Ármannsdóttir	Friðrik Karlsson, Stefán Hilmarsson	12th (performed by Sigríður Beinteinsdóttir as Sigga)
2000	"Hvert sem er"	Anywhere	Einar Ágúst Víðisson & Telma Ágústsdóttir	Örlygur Smári Örlygur Smári Örlygur Smári is an Icelandic producer/composer. He wrote Iceland's Eurovision Song Contest 2000 entry Tell Me!. He also wrote the song This Is My Life which was the Icelandic entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. In 2010 he teamed up with Hera Björk to write the song Je ne sais quoi which... , Sigurður Örn Jónsson	10th (August & Telma August & Telma August & Telma are a pop duo from Iceland. They comprise members Einar Ágúst Víðisson and Telma Ágústsdóttir and are best known for representing Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2000 with the song "Tell Me!". The song was an upbeat one, varying from pop to soft rock. The song placed 12th from...  with "Tell Me! Tell Me! "Tell Me!" was the Icelandic entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2000, performed in English by August & Telma.The song is an up-tempo duet, with the singers confessing their love for one another and planning to leave where they are in order to "be together all the time"... ")
2001	"Birta"	—	Kristján Gíslason & Gunnar Ólason	Einar Bárðarson, Magnús Þór Sigmundsson	23rd (Two Tricky Two Tricky Two Tricky is a boy band from Iceland, consisting of members Kristján Gíslason and Gunnar Ólason. They represented their country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2001 with the song "Angel", a favourite amongst the fans of the eurovision but which failed to place with the top 10...  with "Angel Angel (Two Tricky song) Angel was the Icelandic entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2001, performed in English by Two Tricky.The song is an up-tempo pop song, with the singer calling on the object of his affections to come to him and "fly me away"... ")
2003	"Segðu mér allt"	Tell me everything	Birgitta Haukdal Birgitta Haukdal Birgitta Haukdal Brynjarsdóttir , also known by her mononym Birgitta, is an Icelandic singer. She rose to domestic media prominence as the lead singer of pop band Írafár...	Hallgrímur Óskarsson, Birgitta Haukdal Brynjarsdóttir Birgitta Haukdal Birgitta Haukdal Brynjarsdóttir , also known by her mononym Birgitta, is an Icelandic singer. She rose to domestic media prominence as the lead singer of pop band Írafár...	8th (as "Open Your Heart")
2006	"Til hamingju Ísland"	Congratulations Iceland	Silvía Nótt Silvía Night Silvía Night is a fictional, satirical character on , an Icelandic comedy show of the television channel Skjár einn. The character was invented by Gaukur Úlfarsson and Ágústa Eva Erlendsdóttir; the latter plays Silvía Night...	Þorvaldur Bjarni Þorvaldsson, Silvía Nótt Silvía Night Silvía Night is a fictional, satirical character on , an Icelandic comedy show of the television channel Skjár einn. The character was invented by Gaukur Úlfarsson and Ágústa Eva Erlendsdóttir; the latter plays Silvía Night...	SF: 13th (as "Congratulations Congratulations (Silvía Night song) Congratulations was the Icelandic entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006, performed in English by Silvía Night.... ")
2007	"Ég les í lófa þínum"	I read from your palm	Eiríkur Hauksson Eiríkur Hauksson Eiríkur Hauksson is an Icelandic heavy metal vocalist who is educated as a teacher.Eiríkur is considered to be a talented vocalist, able to adopt various styles...	Sveinn Rúnar Sigurðsson Sveinn Rúnar Sigurðsson Sveinn Rúnar Sigurðsson studied the piano under Ferenc Utassy, Jon Sigurdsson and Pavel Manazek. Since the age of 16 he has composed music in styles ranging from modern classics to pop... , Kristján Hreinsson	SF: 13th
2008	"This Is My Life This Is My Life (Eurobandið song) "This Is My Life" is a eurodance song, sung by Icelandic pop duo Eurobandið, that represented Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008 placing 14th in a field of 25th.-Background:... "	—	Eurobandið Eurobandið Eurobandið is the name of Icelandic technopop and dance duo Friðrik Ómar and Regína Ósk, who together represented Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in Belgrade, Serbia. They performed the song "This Is My Life" in the second semi-final, on 22 May 2008 which won them a place in the final...	Örlygur Smári Örlygur Smári Örlygur Smári is an Icelandic producer/composer. He wrote Iceland's Eurovision Song Contest 2000 entry Tell Me!. He also wrote the song This Is My Life which was the Icelandic entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. In 2010 he teamed up with Hera Björk to write the song Je ne sais quoi which... , Paul Oscar Paul Oscar Páll Óskar Hjálmtýsson , known internationally as Páll Óskar and Paul Oscar, is an Icelandic pop singer, songwriter and disc jockey. He had a musical childhood, singing at private functions, with choirs and for media advertisements, but was affected by bullying in school and tension between his... , Peter Fenner	14th
2009	"Is It True? Is It True? "Is It True?" is a song by Icelandic singer Yohanna and was the Icelandic entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, Russia. The song was composed by Óskar Páll Sveinsson and won second place in the contest... "	—	Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir , widely known outside of Iceland as Yohanna, is an Icelandic singer who was chosen to represent her nation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, Russia, with the song "Is It True?", earning 2nd place.- Background and career:Jóhanna was raised in Hafnarfjörður,...	Óskar Páll Sveinsson, Tinatin Japaridze, Chris Neil Chris Neil Chris Neil is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Neil currently plays right wing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League .-Early years:Neil started out playing minor hockey in the town of Flesherton, Ontario...	2nd (as Yohanna)
2010	Je ne sais quoi Je ne sais quoi (song) "Je ne sais quoi" is an Icelandic dancepop song composed by Örlygur Smári and Hera Björk and performed by Hera Björk, and was the Icelandic entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010, to be held in Oslo, Norway on May 25, 27 and 29th 2010. It took place in the first semi-final, on May 25, and was...	I Don't Know What	Hera Björk Hera Björk Hera Björk Þórhallsdóttir is an Icelandic singer. She participated in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2009 with the song "Someday", placing second, and won the OGAE Second Chance Contest 2009. She represented Iceland at Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with the song "Je ne sais quoi"...	Örlygur Smári Örlygur Smári Örlygur Smári is an Icelandic producer/composer. He wrote Iceland's Eurovision Song Contest 2000 entry Tell Me!. He also wrote the song This Is My Life which was the Icelandic entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. In 2010 he teamed up with Hera Björk to write the song Je ne sais quoi which... , Hera Björk Hera Björk Hera Björk Þórhallsdóttir is an Icelandic singer. She participated in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2009 with the song "Someday", placing second, and won the OGAE Second Chance Contest 2009. She represented Iceland at Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with the song "Je ne sais quoi"...	19th
2011	Aftur heim	Back Home	Sigurjón’s friends Sigurjón Brink Sigurjón Brink also known as Sjonni, was an Icelandic musician and singer. He is one of the founders of the Icelandic theatre group Vesturport, which received the honorable European theatre award in St...	Sigurjón Brink Sigurjón Brink Sigurjón Brink also known as Sjonni, was an Icelandic musician and singer. He is one of the founders of the Icelandic theatre group Vesturport, which received the honorable European theatre award in St... , Þórunn Erna Clausen

External links

• Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins Official site (in Icelandic
  Icelandic language
  Icelandic is a North Germanic language, the main language of Iceland. Its closest relative is Faroese.Icelandic is an Indo-European language belonging to the North Germanic or Nordic branch of the Germanic languages. Historically, it was the westernmost of the Indo-European languages prior to the...
  
  )