Ulrikke has released her brand new song "Honestly" which she will perform in semi final one of Melodi Grand Prix 2023.
After three years, Ulrikke is back, and she is back with a bang! After winning Melodi Grand Prix in 2020 with “Attention”, her Eurovision dreams were soon dashed as the contest was cancelled. But now, after numerous singles, a Christmas album and an Oslo Pride performance behind her, Ulrikke is ready to return to Melodi Grand Prix, this time with her most personal song to date, as she explains:
“I knew after everything that happened in 2020 that I had to come back at some point. I got to have a smell at Eurovision, but not a taste – and I want a huge bite! However, I didn’t want to come back until I had a song I believed in as much as “Attention”. Also, I had to be mentally ready, ‘cause 2020 was a lot. First it was the whole chaos surrounding the voting system in MGP, then we got hit with Covid and quarantines, and then Eurovision got cancelled.
At this time I was living with Christoffer, my best friend and manager. My partner in crime in MGP. And what very few knew was that Christoffers dad had cancer throughout the entirety of MGP, and was going through chemo. And the day after Eurovision got cancelled, he sadly passed away. Me and Christoffer handle sorrow very differently, so at that time we really had no clue how to communicate and be there for each other. At one point I moved out to get some space, and realized we were drifting further and further away from each other. We were about to lose each other completely, both as friends, but also as coworkers.
So “Honestly” is a song written to Christoffer, about our friendship. And how once you realize how important one person is to you, you have to fight and do what you can to save that relationship. I really wanted to be there for him, but didn’t know how to best comfort and take care of him. I am sure lots of people are able to put themselves in the same situation, and I’m pretty sure most of us has felt the pain of losing someone close, or almost losing someone.”
Ulrikke describes “Honestly” as her most personal song to date, and as a result, the writing of the song has been a long and difficult process.
“Writing “Honestly” has been a long and difficult process. Both because it is such a personal and important song, but also because I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself. Its not an easy task coming back to MGP after winning it in 2020. But hey, I’m finally here, and I am so darn proud of our song. I can’t wait for people to finally hear it, and to see and read everyones reactions.
The fan community is truly one of the best things about Eurovision, and “Attention” received such great feedbacks in 2020, so I really hope we are doing everyone proud with “Honestly” as well. For me there is truly no bigger honor when it comes to music than to represent my country in Eurovision Song Contest. I mean, it is basically the Olympics for musicians, how cool is that?!
And I am very proud of being from Norway, so I wanted to include some Norwegian lyrics in the song, both because it makes so much sense in the lyrics and with the story, but also because it is something people all over easily can sing along to. I mean, I dream of a sold out arena in Liverpool where everyone is singing along to my song.”
Ulrikke will perform “Honestly” in the first semi final of Melodi Grand Prix 2023 on January 14th alongside six other acts, including fellow Eurovision alumni Kate Guldbrandsen (1987) and Jowst (2017).
The second and third semi finals will take place on January 21st and 28th respectively, with the final on February 4th.
Have you heard “Honestly” yet? What are your thoughts the song? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
