Single cover

Elvira Nikolaisen’s duet with Morten Harket, “I Look to You This Time of Year”, finally got a proper release back in August, as part of Nikolaisen’s latest album (Every day I’m) Born Again.

After getting some airplay on Norwegian radio over the last few weeks, the song has now also been released as a single on digital platforms (December 1st) in time for Christmas, including on Spotify, Tidal and Apple Music.

In a recent interview on the NRK P1 radio show Kveldsåpent, Elvira called it an “existential Christmas song” and that it represented a new beginning for her when she wrote it in 2017. The song was recorded in 2018, and briefly available for listening on her website during Christmas 2019.

“Elvira: I wanted that song to be a duet. Then I happened to talk to a friend who is a journalist, who had done an interview with Morten, and he mentioned that name, Morten Harket. Suddenly it seemed clear to me that it had to be him. Eventually I got hold of Morten on the phone, and it all worked out.

Elvira: Yes, it does. And that may have been part of the reason why I felt Morten was the right duet partner in a song like this, as I think he understands my reference of singing to something or someone that you may not have a name for. Hitting rock bottom and singing out to something or someone, hoping for an answer, in a way that’s what the song is about. But it’s also two people singing to each other, standing shoulder to shoulder.”

Album cover

Norwegian singer-songwriter Elvira Nikolaisen released her new album (Every day I’m) Born Again digitally on Friday, August 15th.

It includes a previously recorded duet with Morten Harket called “I Look to You This Time of Year”. The song was briefly available for download on Elvira’s website back in December 2019, but has now re-appeared on this album.

(Every day I’m) Born Again can be found on all major streaming services. It can also be purchased in hi-res audio from HD Tracks and Pro Studio Masters.

In connection with the album project, a book of sheet music was published earlier this year. There are also plans for a vinyl release at a later stage.

Besides Elvira Nikolaisen on piano, musicians on the track are Kjetil Steensnæs (guitar), Even Ormestad (bass), Thomas Gallatin (timpani), Ole-Henrik Moe (violin) and Kari Rønnekleiv (violin), with backing vocals by Hanne Sørli.
Engineered by Even Ormestad and Bjarne Stensli, mixed by Christian Engfelt and mastered by George Tanderø.

Norwegian singer-songwriter Elvira Nikolaisen posted a new Christmas song on her website on 25 December, a duet with Morten Harket called “I Look To You This Time Of Year”. She has also posted a picture of them together at a piano on her Instagram.

Elvira Nikolaisen has released four albums since her debut Quiet Exit in 2006.

Back in 2007, Morten and Elvira appeared together in Oslo to promote the launch of Amnesty International’s “Make Some Noise” campaign, for which both a-ha and Elvira contributed cover versions of John Lennon songs.

Update: The song has since been removed, but can still be heard on YouTube.