In 1968, a well-known Danish singer and producer, Johnny Reimar, “discovered” Birthe Kjær at the dance restaurant La Cabana in Århus.

He offered her a record deal, which quickly resulted in the song: “Arrivederci Franz”. Danish television and radio host, Jørgen Hjorting, presented the song on 1 December 1968 , and for the first time ever in the history of “Dansktoppen”, a song peaked at number 1 on the Danish charts. All of a sudden, Birthe Kjær was a highly sought-after soloist.

Apart from being first and foremost a pop artist, Birthe Kjær has flirted with the stage, enjoying huge successes in both revues and theatres. She made her revue debut at Sans Souci in Kolding in 1972, where she sang the now infamous song “Jeg går aldrig til bal uden trusser” – a song that has followed her ever since. She returned to Sans Souci in 1986. After her debut in 1972, Danish theatre manager, actor, songwriter etc., Volmer Sørensen, brought her to “Revykøbing” where she performed from 1973 to 1976. Those proved to be four very instructive years where she learned the work of revue from the bottom. Thanks to that she is today a very skilled revue artist. Birthe Kjær even went to Amagerscenen with Volmer Sørensen and did two winter revues with him there.

Birthe Kjær joined the Holstebrorevy twice. The first time was in 1978 and then later in 1994. In 1990, she appeared on stage at Cirkusrevyen where the audience could witness Birthe Kjær do a striking parody of that year’s Danish Eurovision contestant, Lonnie Devantier. The text included among others the following lines: “ ...being up to some tricks – that is what makes a winner popular. I am NOT as boring as Birthe Kjær.” This certainly leaves no doubt about the fact that Birthe Kjær is very much able to display a huge amount of self-irony.

In 1985, Birthe Kjær made her theatre debut at the Fame Theatre in Odense . She played the leading part as Heather in the musical production, “I morgen er jeg på vej”. The best-known song from this musical is probably “Miss America ”.

In 1990, she had a part in the musical comedy “Landmandsliv” and in 1995, she was cast in “Harry og kammertjeneren” at Nørrebros Teater.

Over the years, Birthe Kjær has also been a frequent visitor on television. She has tried to enter the Eurovision Song Contest no less than five times.

The first time was in 1980 where she sang a duet “Du og jeg” (You and I) with Henning Vilén. They came in second in the national final. In 1986, she sang “Vil du med?”. She came in second. In 1987, she tried again with the song “Hva’ du ude på?”. She once again came in second, and from then on she was referred to in the media as the “forever runner-up”.

Then in 1989, she finally got her ticket to the Eurovision Song Contest with her entry “Vi maler byen rød” (“I’m chasing butterflies”). The song was written and composed by Søren Bundgaard and Keld Heick and on 25 March, she finally owned the title of “Winner of the Danish national finals 1989”, i.e. the Danish Melody Grand Prix. On 6 May that same year, she represented Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest in Lausanne , Switzerland , taking third place.

But Birthe Kjær has continued to participate in the Danish Melody Grand Prix. In 1990, she and Danish singer Dario Campeotto hosted the show.

Then in 1991, she was back on stage and in the competition with the song “Din musik – Min musik” (Your Music, My Music) with violinist Kim Sjögren. 
They took third place.

In 2001, Birthe Kjær once again hosted the Danish Melody Grand Prix - yet not on her own. Each of the ten contestants had their own particular host for the night. Birthe Kjær both presented and was the host for song number 6 “Lidt efter lidt” sung by Johnny Hansen, better known as the lead singer in the Danish band KANDIS.

Moreover, she also joined in on the host song made especially for the occasion. The song was called: “En sang i mit hjerte” (A Song in My Heart”). It had been decided beforehand that the profit made from the song would go exclusively to the Danish Refugee Council.

The Danish Melody Grand Prix 2005

What a show – Birthe Kjær when she is at her best.

It was obvious from the moment she stepped on to the stage that she is the queen of Danish Melody Grand Prix.

Singing the lyrics to ”Vi maler byen rød”, she came on to the stage and the audience gave her a round of applause that went on and on and on. Even after she stopped singing.  

To the surprise of both viewers and the audience, she stayed on and assisted Jarl Friis Mikkelsen in hosting the rest of the live telecast. They made a good team, delivering an enjoyable and funny show to the people watching it.

Towards the end of the show, they sang a medley of Danish entries in the Eurovision Song Contest over the years.

To the great applause and excitement in the audience, Jarl Friis Mikkelsen – in a romantic mood – and Birthe Kjær sealed the end of the show with their version of the famous ”Skibet skal sejle i nat”-kiss.

In connection with the 50^th Anniversary Show of the Eurovision Song Contest – “Congratulations” -, the Eurovision Broadcasting Union launched an online voting website where fans across the world could vote for their two favourite songs from each decade. Three Danish songs were on that list: “Dansevisen” from 1964. “Fly on the Wings of Love” by the Olsen Brothers from 2000, and Birthe Kjær’s song from 1989, “Vi maler byen rød” (“I’m Chasing Butterflies”).

The Olsen Brothers went on to the celebration show

Hosting a television show was not new to Birthe Kjær, however. For Danish broadcaster DR, she hosted the television show “Med KJÆRlig hilsen” in 1990.

She has also hosted 22 broadcasts of the very successful television show ”Vildt forelsket” on TV3 where she was the mediator for couples wanting to get married.

The beloved singer has been no stranger to receiving awards. In 1991, she was awarded “Livsglædens pris” by the Simon Spies Foundation. The same year, the country’s local radio stations chose her as “Female singer of the year”.

In 1996, Birthe Kjær received her first gold record for her compilation CD “Gennem tiden” containing 41 of the most significant hits throughout her career.

The same year, she was nominated for a Grammy for her album “Vildt forelsket”. In 1997, she, Lars Hannibal and Kim Sjögren were nominated for the album “Dansk filmmusik – på vores måde”.

For her performance in Holstebro Revyen, she received a “Revy Maren” in 1994.

On 5 June 2002 , Birthe Kjær received the culture award from the municipality of Gentofte . The culture award is given to a citizen in Gentofte once a year. Past recipients of the award are: Actor Fritz Helmuth, ballet dancer Alexander Kølpin, actor and singer Poul Bundgaard, actor Preben Kristensen, singers Sanne Salomonsen and Anne Linnet, theatre manager Jes Kølpin, actor Thomas Eje, violinist Kim Sjøgren, director Erik Balling, composer and musician Bent Fabricius-Bjerre, and actor Ulf Pilgaard. And of course now Birthe Kjær’s name is added to the list.