They released the song in the same single with its English version titled "Let It Swing". Following its win, it peaked at number one in the Norwegian and Belgian singles chart, and entered the charts in various countries, including Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
Background
Conception
"La det swinge" was written –music and Norwegian lyrics– by Rolf Løvland.[1] It is a tribute to dancing to old rock 'n' roll heard on the radio. Befitting the subject matter, the song itself is written in an old-fashioned style, with a memorable saxophone melody starting the song. The melody arrangement is in retro style, containing elements of contemporary 1980s music and throwbacks to the 1950s.[2] A. Zandra wrote the lyrics for the English version of the song titled "Let It Swing".[3]
On 30 March 1985, "La det swinge" performed by Bobbysocks! competed in that year's edition of the Melodi Grand Prix, the national final organised by Norsk Rikskringkasting (NRK) to select its song and performer for the 30th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. For their performances, they both appeared in sparkling, bright purple jackets, worn over black and white outfits; Krogh sported a black-and-white striped floor-length gown. The song won the competition so it became the Norwegian entrant for Eurovision.[4]
This was the second appearance for both Andreasson and Krogh in Eurovision: in 1982 Andreassen had represented Sweden in the duo Chips with Kikki Danielsson, singing "Dag efter dag"; and in 1971 Krogh had finished 17th –second from last– in the contest, with the song "Lykken er".
At the close of voting, it received 123 points, placing first in a field of nineteen, winning the contest.[6] It became Norway's first ever win at the contest. It was succeeded as Norwegian entrant at the 1986 contest by "Romeo" by Ketil Stokkan.
