Spirit in the Sky was Norway’s 2019 Eurovision Song Contest entry, performed by trio KEiiNO. The song is a euphoric blend of electro-pop, Nordic folk, and traditional Sámi joik, a vocal tradition rarely seen on the Eurovision stage. With its driving beat, powerful chorus, and unexpected cultural twist, “Spirit in the Sky” was so awesome to view live in Tel Aviv.
The song placed 6th overall in the Grand Final but memorably won the public televote with a staggering 291 points, proving its mass appeal despite being overlooked by the juries. Lyrically, it’s a song about empowerment and standing strong in the face of discrimination, inspired by both LGBTQ+ rights and the Sámi struggle for recognition. The fusion of modern synth-pop with indigenous joiking created something entirely unique—joyfully cheesy yet undeniably powerful.
Eurovision should be: dramatic, daring, catchy, and a little bit ridiculous. There’s an unapologetic kitsch to it that makes me want to dance with abandon, shout the chorus, and pretend I know how to joik. It’s got wind machines, key changes, sparkles, and a message—and somehow it all works. It shouldn’t, but it does.
“Spirit in the Sky” is my glitter-coated escape. It’s the song I secretly blast when I need a mood boost, the one I know every word to (even if I mumble the joik), and the performance I rewatch when I need to remember that music can be both fun and meaningful. It’s Eurovision magic at its finest—and that’s why it’s my ultimate guilty pleasure.