Wolves of the Sea

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Latvia "Wolves of the Sea"
Pirates of the Sea-Wolves of the Sea.jpg
Eurovision Song Contest 2008 entry
Country
Artist(s)
As
Language
English
Composer(s)
  • Jonas Liberg
  • Johan Sahlen
  • Claes Andreasson
  • Torbjörn Wassenius
Lyricist(s)
  • Jonas Liberg
  • Johan Sahlen
  • Claes Andreasson
  • Torbjörn Wassenius
Finals performance
Semi-final result
6th
Semi-final points
86
Final result
12th
Final points
83
Entry chronology
◄ "Questa notte" (2007)
"Probka" (2009) ►
Pirates of the Sea at Eurovision

"Wolves of the Sea" is a novelty song mostly known by performances by the Latvian musical project Pirates of the Sea and the studio recordings of the Scottish heavy metal band Alestorm. According to the Swedish company Sunday Music[1] the song was created by four Swedish composers: Claes Andreasson, Jonas Liberg, Johan Sahlen and Torbjörn Wassenius.

The song was originally intended for Swedish Melodifestivalen where, entitled "Här mellan himmel och jord" ("Here, between Heaven and Earth"), it was meant to be performed by Drängarna. However, Sweden rejected the song and instead it was chosen to represent Latvia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in Belgrade, Serbia. When sent to Latvia, the song was given lyrics in English, and piracy-themed lyrics.[2][3]

It was very popular with the audience in the United Kingdom, receiving 10 points from them and with the Irish audience from whom they received 12 points. Eventually the song became 12th of 25th in the final. The song uses part of the melody from an American folk song called "Turkey in the Straw" for its intro and chorus melody.[citation needed]

The song has been covered by the Scottish folk metal band Alestorm and was released in 2009 on a split album titled Black Sails Over Europe, published by Napalm Records.

The song also became popular in South Africa, where it has become an anthem for the South African rugby team, the Springboks. In Afrikaans the song is known as "Hi Hi Ho", and it is regularly sung by fans during matches.[4]

Chart positions[]

Chart (2008) Peak position
Danish Singles Chart[5] 40

References[]

  1. ^ http://www.sundaymusic.se/
  2. ^ Marianne Hedenryd (3 March 2008). "Boråsares låt vann lettiska Melodifestivalen". Borås Tidning (in Swedish). Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  3. ^ Maria Niklasson (14 May 2008). "Glada pirater på plats i Belgrad" (in Swedish). Melodifestivalklubben. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Big in South Africa!", eurovision.tv (Eurovision Song Contest official website), 14 May 2009. Access date 13 May 2010.
  5. ^ Denmark Singles Chart
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