Denmark was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 with the song "Stemmen i mit liv", composed by Lars Pedersen, with lyrics by Thomas Lægaard, and performed by Lægaard under the stage name Kølig Kaj. The Danish participating broadcaster, DR, organised the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 1997 in order to select its entry for the contest.
Before Eurovision
Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 1997
DR held the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 1997 on 1 March 1997 at its television studios in Copenhagen, hosted by Hans Otto Bisgård. Ten songs competed in the contest and the winner was selected solely by a public televote, which led to the victory of "Stemmen i mit liv" performed by Kølig Kaj.[citation needed]
The show was watched by 1.1 million viewers in Denmark, making it the most popular show of the evening and third most popular show of the week.[1] The national final was also broadcast in Greenland's KNR-TV on a delayed broadcast in 4 May.[2]
On the night of the final Kølig Kaj performed 21st in the running order, following Russia and preceding France. At the close of voting "Stemmen i mit liv " had received 25 points, placing Denmark 16th of the 25 entries.[3] The Danish jury awarded its 12 points to contest winners the United Kingdom.[4]
The contest was watched by a total of 1 million viewers in Denmark.[5]