NETHERLANDS

The Dutch final was held in Hilversum on 30th January. 3JS (pronounced three-jays) were internally selected by the Dutch Broadcasters. The song was to be chosen using a 50% jury and 50% televote system. All 5 songs had been produced by the band themselves.

The 3JS, to be frank, look like the Jonas Brothers Dad’s band. They have been in the business a fair while now and seem quite tight. I guess TROS will be hoping that this experience will pay some dividends on the night. Another note to be made is that the stage seems quite small and sparse. Whatever the band does tonight will need to be highly magnified and thought out before getting it to the Eurovision stage. But I am getting ahead of myself- Lets get on with the show…

The show starts with a compilation of old Eurovision hits. Then the jury is introduced. The band is introduced with a short video including pictures of when they were young.

Ga Dan Neit (Don't go then) This is a slightly country based song with a very floaty quality. The chorus is not very strong for Eurovision. Might be a great record for the radio, but not Eurovision. I am also not quite sure if Dutch suits this style of song. Very strange ending too. The audience also does not look that impressed.

De Stroom (The stream) The guys are joined by male and female backing singer .This song starts much more upbeat. The audience starts clapping immediately. The bridge before the chorus rally builds up the tension and anticipation for the next part. The chorus is very catchy, especially with the oh-oh-oh bit at the end. Sounds like Stargirl by McFly. Quite a lot.

Toen ik jou vergat (When I forgot you) The band now revert back to the slow numbers. This is a very slow tempo number with a quite rocky guitar, a bit like “Days of our lives” by Queen. The tune of the chorus is actually clever but the tune seems to be too low for the singer although he seems to be gesticulating quite passionately throughout. The audience are motionless.

Weelderig Waardeloos (Luxuriously worthless) This is more a folk tune on acoustic guitar. They are all sat on stools and the whole performance is very gentle and quiet. The song is actually reminiscent of a children’s lullaby. I actually think that this song is stunningly beautiful however I am unsure if this would be too quiet for Eurovision or stand out because of it.

Je Vecht Nooit Allen (You will never fight alone) The backing singers once again appear on stage. The song starts off quite quiet however the audience are clapping. The bridge kicks in and the audience start really get into it The chorus grows even more in the music and the repetitive lyrics make it quite memorable. I think this may be the audience favourite!

After another compilations tape including some faves in the studio (Marscha and Marlayne to name just two) The jury reveal their rankings -

1st "Je vecht nooit alleen”
2nd "De stroom"
3rd "Ga dan niet"
4th "Toen ik jou vergat"
5th "Weelderig waardeloos"

Then the televote results are announced

"Ga dan niet" 5th (1%)
"De stroom" 2nd (25.5%)
"Toen ik jou vergat" 4th (3.9%)
"Weelderig waardeloos" 3rd (5.8%)
"Je vecht nooit alleen" 1st (63.8%)

This means that “Je Vecht Nooit Alleen” will be the song 3JS sing in Dusseldorf.


SINGER – 3JS
SONG – Je Vecht Nooit Alleen (You will never fight alone)
MUSIC - Jaap Schilder, Jan Keuken, Jaap Kwakman
WORDS – Jaap Schilder, Jan Keuken, Jaap Kwakman