100 Days. 100 Songs. Countdown To Eurovision 2019 - 'All Out Of Luck'

The 7th of February marked exactly 100 hundred days until Eurovision, it seems fitting to celebrate this by counting down 100 days with 100 songs. The last sixty three years has brought us nearly eighteen hundred fantastic, and unique Eurovision entries that some will love, whist others might not like so much. Each day we will bring you a song, and give you details on how it performed at the contest, but also information on the artist, and find out what happened next? Join us on this journey as we countdown from day 100 to 1 where we will have another 43 songs to add to this list.

Day 91 - Selma - "All Out Of Luck" For Iceland 1999

The year was 1999, and the competition went back to Israel just after twenty years, which would be repeated twenty years later when Netta would bring a fourth victory for the country. It was the 44th edition of the contest that saw it hosted in the Ussishkin Auditorium at the International Convention Center, Jerusalem. For the very first time the show was hosted by three presenters, Dafna Dekel, Yigal Ravid, and Sigal Shachmon. This prompted Terry Wogan the British commentator to ask them live on air, "Why are there three of you"?. The show would see 23 countries compete, that saw Austria, Denmark, Bosnia, Iceland and Lithuania return. Whilst Finland, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia and Switzerland withdraw. It was the first year that national languages were abolished. This meant fourteen of the twenty three countries opt to sing part if not their full song in English. This was the first year that the live orchestra was not used. Iceland, Sweden and Cyprus were the favourites, that saw both Nordic nation fight it out to the very end. It was the year that Dana International fell with the trophy in her hand, leading to a number of security jumping on her. It was Sweden's, "Take Me To Your Heaven" that would win, with Spain coming last with one point. It would be a year of nil points this year.

This year Iceland would be represented by "Selma" with the song, "All Out Of Luck". It would turn out the singer would have plenty, as she nearly won the competition. At stages it looked like she would win it. However, a late surge in votes by Sweden meant that Charlotte Nilsson would take the crown with 163 points. Selma would score 146 points, that would see this as one of the evergreen songs of the competition. An impressive 18 countries awarded Iceland points this year. Denmark, Cyprus and Sweden all sent her their 12 points, whilst 7 others would award it 10 points. Check out the song below:

Who Is Selma?

Born Selma Björnsdóttir, she heralds from Iceland and was born on the 13th June 1974, and is 44 years old. She is more famous as an actress and a singer in her native land. The singer is partnered to Rúnar Freyr Gíslason. She is best known as Selma internationally as a result of her two Eurovision appearances in 1999, and 2005. Prior to the competition she played 'Solla Stirða' in the Icelandic stage play Áfram Latibær in 1996. It was then Eurovision that would get recognised.

What Happened After Eurovision?

The singer is still very much active in both the music, and film scene. After her 1999 Eurovision performance, she would go on to try again for Iceland, where her 2005 song, "If I Had Your Love" caused a massive upset for not qualifying for the final.. This would not put her off singing, as Selma has released three albums, "Life Won't Wait", "I Am", and "Respect Yourself". The talented actress has appeared on the television show, "Allir litir hafsins eru kaldir", whilst she got more notoriety in 2017 when she appeared in the comedy film, "Under The Tree".

Although she did not win Eurovision in 1999 or 2005 her entries have gained her many fans. Do you like her songs? Did you watch the contest in 1999? Please tell us your thoughts in the comments below.