We know a lot about Eurovision and we want to share this knowledge with you! Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today, we go back to 1972, when Grethe Kausland and Benny Borg represented Yugoslavia with their song “Småting”.
Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest
Norway debuted in Eurovision in 1960 and has claimed victory three times: Bobbysocks with “La det swinge” in 1985, Secret Garden’s “Nocturne” in 1995, and Alexander Rybak’s “Fairytale” in 2009—a record‑breaking win with 387 points. Despite these highs, Norway also holds the record for most last‑place finishes (12 times, including four “nul points”). In Eurovision 2025, Norway was represented by 19‑year‑old Kyle Alessandro with the song “Lighter”, selected via Melodi Grand Prix 2025. He qualified from semi‑final 1 in 8th place and finished 18th in the final with 89 points.
Norsk Melodi Grand Prix 1972
Melodi Grand Prix is always the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1972, 5 songs competed. They were sung by one artist with a grand orchestra, another version with a small combo. Those were the songs:
- Happy Hippie, sung by Anita Hegerland (combo) and Gro Anita Schønn (orchestra), 38 pts, 3rd
- Lillebror, sung by Inger Lise Rypdal (combo) and Kirsti Sparboe (orchestra), 40 pts, 2nd
- Småting, sung by Hanne Krogh (combo) and Grethe Kausland & Benny Borg (orchestra), 43 pts, 1st
- Håp, sung by Ellen Nikolaysen (combo) and Anne-Karine Strøm (orchestra), 33 pts, 1st
- Et hus på landet, sung by Eli Tanja (combo) and Jan Erik Berntsen (orchestra), 30 pts, 5th
7 jury pairs from 7 regions chose the winner. One of the jurors was older than 25 years, the other one younger.
Grethe Kausland and Benny Borg
Grethe Kausland (born Grethe Nilsen on 3 July 1947 in Horten, Norway) was a beloved Norwegian singer, performer, and actress. Rising to fame as a child star, she made her first record at age 8—“Teddyen min”—which sold over 100,000 copies. By 12, she had recorded numerous singles and appeared in multiple Norwegian films.
Benny Borg (born Artie Benny Borg on 13 November 1945 in Gothenburg, Sweden) established his musical roots in pop bands during the 1960s. He moved to Norway in the late 1960s and became known for his versatility as a singer, composer, and entertainer.
In 1972, Kausland and Borg joined forces to represent Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest in Edinburgh, performing the Norwegian-language duet “Småting,” penned by Kåre Grøttum and Ivar Børsum. They were selected via Melodi Grand Prix 1972 and ultimately placed 14th with 73 points.
After Eurovision, Kausland joined the famed revue group Dizzie Tunes in 1973, performing with them until around 2001. She earned the prestigious Spellemannprisen in 1978 for her album A Taste of Grethe Kausland, and the Leonardstatuetten in 1991 for her contributions to Norwegian revue. Her television roles included the sitcom Karl & Co and children’s series like Jul i Blåfjell.
Borg also collaborated with Dizzie Tunes, becoming celebrated for his stage impersonations of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. He earned a Spellemannprisen in 1973 and later the Herman Wildenvey Poetry Award in 2004 for his musical settings of Norwegian poetry.
Grethe Kausland passed away in November 2007 from lung cancer at age 60, while Benny Borg continues to perform and create music, maintaining his legacy in Norwegian entertainment.
Småting
“Småting” was written by Ivar Børsum, with music composed by Kåre Grøttum. The song is a gentle duet, performed by Grethe Kausland and Benny Borg, focusing on life’s small, everyday joys. With its soft melody and warm harmonies, “Småting” offered a calm contrast to more dramatic entries in the 1972 Eurovision Song Contest.
The performance was simple and intimate, reflecting the song’s message of appreciating little things in life. Although it did not score highly—placing 14th with 73 points—it remains a fondly remembered entry in Norway’s Eurovision history, valued for its sincerity, charm, and the chemistry between the two performers.
