Harnessing the island’s language, which is notoriously difficult to learn, Inspired By Iceland has released what it claims to be ‘The Hardest Karaoke Song in the World’ and are encouraging people to watch it and have a go themselves.
The song, performed by Icelandic comedian Steindi Jr shows him in a variety of beautiful spots in Iceland including on top of mountains and next to glacial waterfalls. The lyrics and performance of the comical film pokes fun at common Icelandic stereotypes including the Icelandic love for wool and their iconic ring road.
The humorous makes use of everyday Icelandic words along with some more obscure words and phrases. Since Iceland was first settled in 874, only about one million people have ever spoken the Icelandic language.
The video has been released as part of Iceland’s new marketing initiative the A-Ö of Iceland, the Icelandic equivalent of an A-Z guide, which uses the 32 letters of the Icelandic alphabet, ending in ‘Ö’. The aim of the initiative is to harness the uniqueness of the Icelandic language to highlight the diversity and breadth of Iceland and to encourage visitors to go further and learn more. See lyrics below.
Compare FLIGHTS to Reykjavik and HOTELS and CAR RENTAL in Iceland.
Song lyrics with translations:
This is the a-ö [a-z] of Iceland, so try to sing along.
This is the a-ö [a-z] of Iceland, what could possibly go wrong?
I start my day with coffee or kaffi [coffee] is what we say
I pour a little mjólk [milk] in and feed my horse some hey [hay]
I look out the window to see if there is sól [sun].
I eat my morgunmatur [breakfast] and sit down in my stól [chair].
This eyja [island] is kind of awesome no matter what you see,
There’s hverir [hot springs], list [art], and jöklar [glaciers]
And vinir [friends] you can meet.
Skál! [cheers!]
So pack your töskur [bags]
Iceland has it all.
From austur [East] to vestur [West]
Just don’t look for elves.
You don’t even exist!
This is the a-ö [a-z] of Iceland, so try to sing along.
This is the a-ö [a-z] of Iceland, what could possibly go wrong?
Our sundlaugar [swimming pools] are cosy.
Afklæðast [undress] all the way.
But don’t forget sundskýla [swimming shorts]
Before you go and play.
You might see a torfbær [turf house]
Or hike in the þjóðgarð [national park]
And you must say hi to Villi
Because that is my dad!
Pabbi! [Dad!]
And you can rent a bílaleigubíll [rental car]
Enjoy the drive on hringvegurinn [the ring road]
Be mindful of malarvegir [gravel roads]
And don’t traðka [tread] on the moss
– It grows back so slow!
Like seventy years!
This is the a-ö [a-z] of Iceland, so try to sing along.
This is the a-ö [a-z] of Iceland, what could possibly go wrong?
Since the upphaf alda [beginning of time]
The sheep has been around.
Vinaleg [friendly] and gracious,
Every man’s best friend.
We cuddle them and klappa [pat them]
And then take all their ull [wool].
We wear them like the kappar [champions]
And they’ve always kept us…
Full!
This is the a-ö [a-z] of Iceland, so try to sing along.
This is the a-ö [a-z] of Iceland, what could possibly go wrong?
This is the a-ö [a-z] of Ísland [Iceland]
So reyndu að syngja með [try to sing along]
This is the a-ö [a-z] of Ísland [Iceland]
Now memorise this lag [song]
You just sang the hardest karaoke song in the world, you speak Icelandic. You can even say Plokkfiskur [traditional Icelandic stew]
You’re almost an Icelander, almost, seriously it’s a lot of paperwork.
Just come and visit!
