semi-final 1 - Germany

Normally I would not do semi reviews but as this situation is quite unique I feel it is important.
Last year’s winner Lena is once again singing the German entry, however each semi she will be singing the selected songs which will be narrowed down for the final. I feel it is important I listen and review all the songs and see if I feel the same about the entries.

1 Good news - written by Audra Mae and Ferras Alqaisi
The song starts of quietly and builds slowly. The song has a kind of old fashioned 20/30s feel to it. It almost feels like it could do with being a little faster. Lena seems to be struggling with some of the lower notes. The tune is not really catchy enough for Eurovision.

2 Maybe – written by Daniel Schaub and Pär Lammers
This song is a little more like Lena’s style but the verses seem quite quick and garbled. The bridge section is far too low. The chorus is actually quite catchy and with some additional hand claps could be a catchy one! Lena looks a little lost and confused on stage and the dress really doesn’t suit her.

3 I like you – written by Rosi Golan and Johnny McDaid
Lena starts singing along with just an acoustic guitar. The song is much clearer to listen to and the harmony with the backing singers is very nice. I am not so sure about the simplicity of the chorus, it feels weak compared to the verses. However the set up of the song looks good. Not memorable enough for ESC.

4 That again – written by Stefan Raab
Another mid-tempo jazzy number. Lots of trumpets, drums and bass. Lena is strutting about on stage and seems to be enjoying this number. Once again the backing seems to loud and Lena’s vocals don’t sound too good. The verses build up but this isn’t followed through into the chorus. A bit strange.

5 Taken by a Stanger - Gus Seyffert, Nicole Morier and Monica Birkenes
This is more of a mysterious minimalist electropop-jazz style. It certainly sounds very interesting and engaging. She is also joined by 4 dancers who actually help sell the song. Lena seems to be getting into this. There is quite a long instrumental part which is a bit too long. Certainly not a archetypal Eurovision song but very interesting.

6 What happened to me - written by Lena Meyer-Landrut and Stefan Raab
Back to the mid-tempo jazz. Sounds like the opening sequence from a brand new comedy series. Lena is enjoying herself and is getting into the ‘acting’ of the song. Although it’s a perfectly good song that would be heard on many a radio station it is just a little bit predictable and that is not good.

The 3 songs through (in no particular order) are… Maybe, Taken By A Stranger and What Happened To Me