Regarding the recent change in the Icelandic line up, Paul Oscar, the lyricist of the English version of This is my life spoke to esctoday.com explaining why this was necessary to ensure a better outcome for the song.
The four backing dancers who were part of the original line up in the Icelandic final were replaced for four backing singers for Belgrade. This, according to Paul Oscar, was a necessary change because it serves the song better.
After Eurobandid won the Laugardagslögin Paul together with Örlygur Smári, the songwriter, decided to give the song a shot with the backing singers supporting Friedrik and Regina : "The very first rehearsal with the backing singers had a massive impact on both of us."
Paul says that if EBU rules permitted it they would have kept the dancers and added the singers for maximum effect but unfortunately the rules dictate a maximum of six people on Eurovision stage. Nonetheless, the dancers were compensated in full including the trip to Serbia.
As far as the quote attributed to him saying that Regina and Friedrik cannot handle the song, Paul says categorically: "The fact is, Regina and Fridrik rank up the with Iceland's finest singers. Iceland's entry, This is my life, is definitely in the right hands."
Both Paul Oscar and Euroband will be travelling to the UK Eurovision Preview Party in London to perform live at the event on April 25th. Visit the official event website at www.ukeurovision.com to see the full line-up and book tickets to see the show.
