Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007

Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2007 was the national final format developed by RÚV in order to select Iceland's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2007. The four shows in the competition were hosted by Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir and all took place at the BaseCamp Studio in Reykjavík.[3][4] The semi-finals and final were broadcast on RÚV and online at the broadcaster's official website ruv.is.[5]

Twenty-four songs in total competed in Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2007 where the winner was determined after three semi-finals and a final. Eight songs competed in each semi-final on 20 January, 27 January and 3 February 2007. The top three songs from each semi-final qualified to the final which took place on 3 February 2007. The results of the semi-finals and final were determined by 100% public televoting. All songs were required to be performed in Icelandic during all portions of the competition, however, it will be up to the winning composers to decide the language that will be performed at the Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki.[2]

On 21 October 2006, RÚV opened the submission period for interested songwriters to submit their entries until the deadline on 16 November 2006. Songwriters were required to be Icelandic, possess Icelandic citizenship or have permanent residency in Iceland by 1 October 2006, and had the right to submit up to three entries.[6] At the close of the submission deadline, 188 entries were received. A selection committee was formed in order to select the top twenty-four entries.[7] The twenty-four competing artists and songs were revealed by the broadcaster on 15 January 2007. Among the competing artists were previous Icelandic Eurovision entrants Eiríkur Hauksson, who represented Iceland and Norway in 1986 and 1991 as part of ICY and Just 4 Fun, respectively, and Jónsi, who represented Iceland in 2004.[8] Matthías Matthíasson was initially announced as the performer of the song "Eldur", however, RÚV announced on the same day that his song would be performed by Friðrik Ómar Hjörleifsson instead.[7]

The three semi-finals took place on 20 January, 27 January and 3 February 2007. In each semi-final eight acts presented their entries, and the top two entries voted upon solely by public televoting proceeded to the final.[9]

The final took place on 17 February 2007 where the nine entries that qualified from the preceding three semi-finals competed. The winner, "Ég les í lófa þínum" performed Eiríkur Hauksson, was determined solely by televoting. In addition to the performances of the competing artists, the interval act featured guest performances by Mihai Trăistariu, who represented Romania at the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Tornerò".[5]

On 12 March 2007, it was announced that "Ég les í lófa þínum" would be performed in English at the Eurovision Song Contest and would be titled "Valentine Lost" with lyrics by Peter Fenner.[10] The official music video for the song was released on 15 March 2007.[11]

Eiríkur Hauksson took part in technical rehearsals on 5 and 6 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 9 and 10 May. The Icelandic performance featured Eiríkur Hauksson dressed in a black outfit and performing in a band set-up. The LED screens transitioned from white spots pointing downwards to interwoven Celtic chain symbol in blue and white colours.[13][14] The musicians that joined Eiríkur Hauksson were members of the Svenster Bling Band: Axel Þórir Þórissson, Benedikt Brynleifsson, Gunnar Þór Jónsson, Sigurbjörn Þór Þórsson and Stefán Steindórsson.[15]

At the end of the show, Iceland was not announced among the top 10 entries in the semi-final and therefore failed to qualify to compete in the final. It was later revealed that Iceland placed thirteenth in the semi-final, receiving a total of 77 points.[16]

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Iceland and awarded by Iceland in the semi-final and grand final of the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Hungary in the semi-final and to Finland in the final of the contest.