Jan Eggum (born 8 December 1951) is a Norwegian singer-songwriter. He has been characterized as a "face for the melancholy", and the themes in his songs often revolve around broken hearts, loneliness, and sorrow. Sometimes, his lyrics include social criticism, but he also reveals trivial and funny sides of himself.

Career

Eggum was born in Bergen but started as a pub singer in London, making his living for two years writing songs in English. One of his most famous songs – "En natt forbi" ("A night is over") – was originally written in English under the title "Alone, Awake". He obtained a record contract in 1975 with the Norwegian record company CBS and recorded his debut album, "Trubadur" that autumn. His breakthrough came after his third release, the album "Heksedans" in 1977. This album earned him the Norwegian award Spellemannsprisen, and includes such classics as such classics as "Mor, jeg vil tilbake". Since this, Eggum has been one of Norway's most well known artists, both as a solo artist and with others. An example of the latter is his membership in Gitarkameratene with fellow guitarists Lillebjørn Nilsen, Øystein Sunde and Halvdan Sivertsen. Eggum has been a minor political candidate for the Norwegian Green Party. He has three children, Frida (born 1980), Bastian (born 2006) and Hennika (born 2009).

Albums

Singles

With other artists

Eurovision Song Contest