Bobbysocks
| Company type | Musical duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Headquarters | Norway |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Bobbysocks is a pop duo from Norway consisting of Norwegian singer Hanne Krogh and Swedish-Norwegian vocalist Elisabeth Andreassen. They achieved victory at the Eurovision Song Contest 1985 performing the song "La det swinge" ("Let it swing"). Until 1994, Elisabeth performed under the surname Andreasson.
1980s
Established in 1983, both Krogh and Andreassen were well-known figures in the Eurovision scene. Krogh took part for Norway on three occasions: as a solo artist in 1971, with Bobbysocks in 1985, and later with Just 4 Fun in 1991. Andreassen represented Sweden as a member of Chips in 1982, secured a Eurovision win with Bobbysocks in 1985, and subsequently performed alongside Jan Werner Danielsen in 1994 and as a solo artist in 1996. According to John Kennedy O'Connor's The Eurovision Song Contest - The Official History, Andreassen is one of only five lead performers to have competed four times and among four artists to have placed both first and second (in 1985 and 1996 respectively).
Their initial single, "I Don't Wanna Break My Heart" (1984), was issued on pink vinyl. The duo sought to refresh the style of 1950s music with an ’80s swing flair, which was evident on their debut album Bobbysocks!, combining reinterpretations of classics with original songs.
Although "Radio" was intended as their following single, plans shifted after their Eurovision triumph. "Let It Swing" reached number one in Norway and Belgium, entered the Top 10 charts in Sweden and Ireland, and secured Top 20 positions in the Netherlands and Austria. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at No. 44 on the UK Singles Chart and remained on the chart for four weeks. The single was also distributed in markets including Germany, Japan, and Australia.
After winning ESC, Bobbysocks! were honored with the Peer Gynt Prize, an award presented by the Norwegian parliament (Stortinget).
The Bobbysocks! album was reissued featuring "Let It Swing," achieving gold certification. Their subsequent release, Waiting for the Morning (April 1986), along with its title track, both climbed to No. 1 on Norwegian charts. Their third and final album, Walkin' on Air (1987), produced by Bill Maxwell in Los Angeles, attained gold status within just four days. Prior to launching "If I Fall," the lead single in Norway, they issued a cover of "Swing it, magister'n," a song from 1940 originally performed by Swedish artist Alice Babs, releasing it as a summer single in 1987.
After four prosperous years together, Bobbysocks disbanded in 1988.
21st century
Krogh and Andreassen have occasionally reunited for performances in Norway, including appearances at Congratulations, celebrating Eurovision's 50th anniversary in Copenhagen (2005), and at Eurovision Song Contest's Greatest Hits, marking its 60th anniversary concert held in London. In May 2010, commemorating the quarter-century since their Eurovision victory, Bobbysocks staged a comeback and launched a compilation album titled Let It Swing - The Best Of Bobbysocks!, which featured two new songs and reached number 13 on Norway’s album charts.
On 16 January 2025, they were announced as one of nine finalists competing in Melodi Grand Prix 2025 with their entry "Joyful". During the final held on 15 February, Bobbysocks secured third place overall with a total of 164 points and ranked second according to the public televote.
Albums
| Album Name | Album Information | Highest Chart Rankings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOR | SWE | ||
| Bobbysocks! |
|
3 | - |
| Waiting for the Morning |
|
1 | 50 |
| Walkin' on Air |
|
16 | - |
Compilation albums
- 2010: Let It Swing - The Best of Bobbysocks!
Singles
- 1984: "I Don't Wanna Break My Heart"
- 1984: "Radio" (issued again in 1985)
- 1985: "Let It Swing" / "La Det Swinge" NOR #1
- 1986: "Waiting for the Morning" NOR #1
- 1987: "Swing It, Magister'n"
- 1987: "If I Fall"
- 1987: "Don't Leave Me Here Without You"
- 2010: "Boogie Woogie Mama" (featuring Vidar Busk)
- 2025: "Joyful" (Melodi Grand Prix 2025)
See also
References
- Norwegian pop music groups
- Norwegian musical duos
- Norwegian girl groups
- Melodi Grand Prix winners
- English-language musical groups from Norway
- Eurovision Song Contest winners
- Musical groups established in 1983
- 1983 establishments in Norway
- Musical groups disbanded in 1988
- 1988 disestablishments in Norway
- Pop music duos
- Female musical duos
- Musical groups disestablished in 1988