Maltese songwriter makes it to Icelandic Eurovision finals

Songwriter Gerard James Borg has secured a place in the Icelandic Eurovision finals with a song that shares the title of Westlife’s 1999 hit Flying Without Wings.

Mr Borg is best known in Malta for having penned Ira Losco’s 7th Wonder, which placed second in the contest in 2002. Besides submitting several songs each year for the local contest he has been prolific abroad, submitting a number of songs and collaborating with foreign composers and singers who have often featured in the finals of other European countries.

This time he has partnered with one of Iceland’s renowned composers, Hallgrimur Oskarsson, and leading pop rock artist Magni Asgeirsson, who was once an opening act for Aerosmith with his band A Moti Sol. Asgeirsson also gained fame during a three-month stint on the US-produced television show Rock Star Supernova where he earned the nickname of Ice-Man.

Mr Borg’s song has been shortlisted among 12 final entries for the Icelandic national selection and will be sung in Icelandic.

This is his second attempt at the Icelandic contest which this year will see the return of Yohanna Jonsdottir who placed second for Iceland in 2009.

The Eurovision Song Contest will this year be held in Germany.