Norway was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1980 with the song "", composed by Sverre Kjelsberg, with lyrics by Ragnar Olsen, and performed by Sverre Kjelsberg and Mattis Hætta. The Norwegian participating broadcaster, (NRK), selected its entry through the 1980.
The songâÂÂs chorus, consisting of traditional Sami yoik song, was first performed publicly by Mattis Hætta and was broadcast on NRK in October 1979, in connection with the hunger strike song by Sami activists in front of the Norwegian parliament building in connection with the Alta controversy. The verse of the song also refers to this with the line "" (in front of the parliament where they sat, the yoik was heard day and night). Only Kjelsberg was credited as composer of the entry, although Hætta wrote the chorus. The song remains one of the best-remembered Norwegian entries, particularly in Norway itself.
(NRK) held the 1980 at its studios in Oslo, hosted by ÃÂ se Kleveland who represented . The Orchestra was Conducted by Egil Monn-Inversen. Ten songs took part in the final, with the winner chosen by a 9-member jury who awarded 10 points to their favourite song down to 1 point to the least-liked. Voting was very close with only 4 points separating the top five songs. The first vote resulted in a tie for first place, so each jury member was asked to nominate their preferred song of the two, and "" won by 5 votes to 4.
On the night of the final Kjelsberg and Hætta performed 11th in the running order, following and preceding . At the close of voting "" had received 15 points, placing Norway 16th of the 19 entries. The Norwegian jury awarded its 12 points to contest winners .