If you ever want to make yourself APOPLEPTIC WITH RAGE, have a look at what other countries get up to in the run-up to Eurovision, how many great people want to represent their country when they know their country will take their efforts seriously, and how much great music comes out of it as a result.
Today's Song Of The Day is 'You And I' by Minnie-Oh. It's one of various songs 'battling it out' tomorrow night in the second of Norway's three Melodi Grand Prix semi finals, ahead of the final on February 11.
Minnie-Oh's 'people' sent over some blurb about who she is. It makes her sound quite exciting.
"She makes electro pop with intimacy and melancholy, and a flair for pop melodies that stick to memory. It creates a soundscape that is guaranteed to be danced to, and honest lyrics that are easy to recognize themselves in. The music may have references to artists such as Junior Boys, New Order, Yelle and Robyn, but Minnie-Oh is inspired by everything from Sufjan Stevens to Britney Spears.
With previous projects, Johansen toured in Norway, Germany and Canada and played festivals such as Norwegian Wood, Canadian Music Week, Pop Montreal and by:Larm. In 2009, she released her debut album "Champagne, Caviar and Me." as Miss Harmonica. She has shared the stage with artists like La Roux, Rye Rye & MIA, Familjen, Little Dragon, Oh No Ono, Of Montreal, Bunny Rabbit and The Whip to name a few, and constantly impresses with her presence and strong stage performances. These days, the song "Princess" from her debut album can be heard in the popular Canadian youth series "Debra".
Johansen is known to think holistically in everything from music, image and promotion, and she is working closely with different designers in everything from graphic design to fashion design.
She is a well-known fashionista in the Norwegian fashion industry and also runs her own vintage shop, Flashdance, where she collaborates and work as a stylist for other artists and actors. This whole can also be seen in the stage shows in terms of visuals, lasers and spectacular outfits."
So we're looking forward to seeing her performance tomorrow night.
But - and this is the bit where you'll get really angry, particularly when you take into account that there was another bunch of comparable songs last week and there'll be another load next week - some of the other songs in tomorrow night's semi are really good too.
Here's Minnie-Oh's competition.
Cocktail Slippers - 'Keeps On Dancing'
This sounds a bit like Frank-meets-Girls-Aloud-era-Xenomania but not as good but still worth a listen.
Isabel Ødegård
- 'I've Got You'
Hopefully we can all agree that this is the greatest song Emma Bunton never recorded.
Tommy Fredvang - 'Make It Better'
When extended metaphors go wrong: Tommy's love is a highly contagious infection, he can't make it better. If this was 7% better it would have been a great surprise upbeat number on the recent Westlife greatest hits.
Rikke Lie - 'Another Heartache'
Very pleasant indeed.
Plumbo - 'Ola Nordmann'
Imagine if Matt Cardle's first single had sounded like this. Imagine if his label had FORCED him to release this. In fact, even better, imagine if after all that bluster about 'writing my own stuff' and 'following my own path', THIS was what he wrote. Imagine that meeting at the label. "HEY EVERYONE YOU KNOW I'VE BEEN IN THE STUDIO FOR A MONTH WORKING ON MY ALBUM? WELL ACTUALLY I'VE ONLY DONE ONE SONG AND HERE IT IS." Amazing. "PS: I'M CHANGING MY NAME TO PLUMBO." Double amazing. (Well not amazing in any sense at all but you know what we mean.)
Malin - 'Crush'
"My heart beats 1-2-3, HELLO!!!!" Incredible. If Minnie-Oh comes second to anything, we'd be happy for it to be this. This might actually be better than Minnie-Oh. It's definitely extremely good, in a completely deranged 'this person would be quite hard work to live with' way.
Rikke Normann - 'Shapeshifter'
This sounds a bit like a Saturdays album track. We're not sure but we think that's a good thing. It changes week to week.
If you are in Norway, please use your vote very wisely indeed. (Is it a public vote? We're presuming it is. World class music journalism at its very best here readers.)
A video surfaced online yesterday of demure rapper Azealia Banks singing '212' for Karl Lagerfeld and friends. (YouTube) Most guests seem quite uncomfortable, except for one gentleman having the time of his life near the front.
In 'hold the home page' news, Rizzle Kicks have confirmed they will (that's: WILL) be joining Olly Murs on stage for a performance of 'Heart Skips A Beat' at the Brits next month. (Capital FM)
Rumours are spreading that Britney Spears and Shakira are recording a duet together (AMAZING), 'helmed' by will.i.am (HMMMM). (411mania)
Justin Bieber sang a brief, acapella version of 'Rockin' Robin' at the Michael Jackson handprint ceremony outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre yesterday. (Ace Showbiz) It's not very good, to be honest.
Jessie J has recorded a jingle for (and is therefore quite liderally 'down with the') crumpets, but doesn’t want to put it online in case someone 'teefs' it. (Twitlonger)
Taylor Swift has been nominated for three Country Music Awards, and is the only female up for Entertainer Of The Year. (The Wall Street Journal)
Custodian Of All Pop Music will.i.am has confirmed that apologetic party plonkers LMFAO will be joining Madonna at the Super Bowl next month. (Billboard) Well done everybody.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z have apparently chosen Oprah Winfrey to be Blue Ivy’s godmother. (Sydney Herald)
And finally, Kylie Minogue will be performing at Australia’s Mardi Gras festival on March 3, where she will be honoured with the largest float (trans: truck with some crepe paper on it) in the show’s history. (Australia Times)
One Direction have made a video of themselves 'getting into shape' so they’ll be able to lift their Brit awards with relative ease should they win Best British Single. (The Sun) 'Hilarious' stuff, lads.
Nicola Roberts and Rihanna are collaborating on a TV talent show to find an aspiring fashion designer. Executive producer Rihanna "hand-picked" Nicola to present the ten-part series, and the winner will get to design Rihanna’s outfit for her Wireless performance in July. (Sky Living)
Florence & The Machine have managed to avoid any potential racist overtones in their latest video by making it an authentic concert performance of 'Lover To Lover'. (YouTube)
The Wanted seem to be having a good time in America, but have played down expectations for their live shows. (MTV) "Don't go expecting the perfect, polished, most beautiful set of things ever," notes Jay. "We sing our heads off and it gets sweaty".
They're gonna marinate the night: Lady Gaga’s parents’ Italian eatery is now officially open for business. (Billboard)
Out of all the Madonna Super Bowl rumours that have been flying around, the possibility of Cee-Lo Green taking the stage with her does seem the most likely. (Ace Showbiz)
Ke$ha recently saw a used tampon on a beach in LA, which made her realise how much she’d missed the place. (Twitter) Thanks for that, Ke$ha.
Little Mix sang 'Don’t Let Go' at The National Television Awards last night. (Daily Mail) Scroll down to see Jade ruining a nice Little-Mix-Tulisa-reunion-photo with her grumpy face.
And finally, New Jersey’s Rutgers University is offering a course called Politicizing Beyoncé, where the performer’s "music and career are used as lenses to explore American race, gender, and sexual politics". (Pop Crush) The university has warned that if the students misplace their preliminary course guide there will be no replacement, but have suggested that if they like they can put it in a ring binder.
A video surfaced online yesterday of demure rapper Azealia Banks singing '212' for Karl Lagerfeld and friends.