Marit went into the studio recently to record a cover of Erik Bye's song Vår Beste Dag in Norwegian. You can find the original article on NKR.no's website along with their audio.
Here's a (poorly) translated article for the masses:
(original article at: http://www.nrk.no/kultur-og-underholdning/1.7469280)
Marit Larsen is pleased to be the voice of NRK's new brand campaign, where she interprets Erik Bye. - Dark as a winter night, but with streaks of light, says NRK's CEO.
Erik Bye's song "Our best day" is central to a new brand campaign from NRK. You may have seen it already on NRK1. It is a campaign to help people reflect on how NRK makes the day better for them.
The new NRK slogan is "Your day, better - Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation," and if you hear the ad may recognize Marit Larsen, who sang her interpretation of Erik Bye's song.
- I put great value on this excellent initiative from the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation - Erik Bye's original version hit me right in the heart, says Larsen, who has been with Morten Qvenild on piano and producer.
- It was a real pleasure to work with Morten Qvenild, as I have had great respect for him for a long time, she says.
Listen Marit Larsen's version of "Our best day":
It was easy choices to make, the team behind the branding campaign, said a unison "yes" when they heard Erik Bye's "Our Best Day."
- We hunted for a song for the campaign, and we listened to a number of Norwegian songs. When we heard this song the first time it rang a unison "yes" from everyone who was in the room.
"Our Best Day" is the opening song on the album that would become Bye's latest recording - "Dust and Stars" from 2003. Erik Bye's lyrics were written by Jon Kirkebøen Ross Lund, who had written the melody, while Sigbjørn Tveite was the producer.
The year after, the musician, writer, television personality, who was often characterized as a "chief" in Norwegian cultural life had passed away.
- Marit Larsen's interpretation of the song is beautiful. She has kept the soul that Erik Bye intended, and also made it her own by taking the song in a new direction, according to NRK P3's Music Director Matt Borch Bugge.
- The dynamics between the moss-soft backing and Mary crisp voice is gorgeous, the hinterland of pure Norwegian nature, he continued.
The campaign song is now a part of, is initiated at the request of Broadcasting. NRK wants to make greater attention to what the company does and stands for the public broadcaster.
- The slogan "Make the day more - NRK" chosen for the campaign, is both an assertion that NRK makes the day better for our audience, but also an invitation to the individual to make the day better for others, says marketing manager at NRK, Anne Britt Osland.
- A better day may be very much different for different people in different life situations. It can be a smile in passing or it could be something big which means a big difference. NRK has a role in society that is more than certain content on TV, radio and online. Through to inform, challenge, entertain and engage NRK part of people's lives and common frames of reference, she says.
