SPAIN

The Spanish final took place on the 18th February and filmed at Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona. There have been 2 semi-finals previous to the final and three acts that have won places in the final are solo singers Melissa and Lucia Perez and boy band Auryn. They will sing 3 songs each will be whittled down to one each

Melissa begins by singing “Eos” a quite atmospheric ballad with lots of tribal drumming. The dong becomes more rock influenced at it progresses. Melissa sings the song well and it has a key change too.

Auryn sing “Evangeline” They are seated on stools, reminiscent of Westlife. The song has a very 80’s eurovision ballad feel to it. The boys cope very well with all the different melodies to the song. Themiddle bridge part is quite catchy.

Lucia Perez joins the stage with “Que me quiten me lo bailao” This is a little more Spanish that the songe before. She is joined by some backing singers/dancers. The songs shows of the very top of her range with is interesting to listen to.

A short break in the proceedings as Sole Ginenez (one of the jury) takes the stage.

Melissa sings “Sueños Rotos” a modern sounding ballad. The verses of this song are very RnB influences which she sings very well. The chorus is not as strong and the tune is a little weak and her voice cannot quite the high notes

Auryn sing “El sol Brillara” The boys take it in turn sings part of the song separately. Not sure how much of a good idea this is. They sound stronger together in the chorus. Sounds like a very cheesy song.

Lucia returns to sing “Abrazame” This is a low key ballad with Spanish tones. It sounds a little like “Non ho l'età” The chorus also have interesting arrangement in the backing track. Sounds like an audience favourite.

Melissa now sings her final song “Diamonds” Sounds a bit Swedish/ABBA to me. Nice to see some disco in the final. She is interacting more with the dancers on this one. Shame her English accent is not that good.

Auyin sing the last of their songs “Volver” a ballad. They seem to suit this style of song much better but not quite perfect. The backing track for this needs to be much richer and louder as it can barely be heard over the 5 boys. A good song though.

“C’est le vie! It’s all right!” is Lucia Perez’s last song. This is more of a jazzy cabaret type number with extensive choreography with chairs.. The song is quite catchy and sounds interesting however it needs a bit more excitement during the number.

The UK’s entry Blue take the stage and sing “Breathe Easy”. Thy also appear to be singing live and seem actually quite impressive (especially compared to Auryn) and get a very warm applause and appreciation fro the audience.

The jury then votes on each of Melissa’s songs to go through to the televote –
Eos - 14
Sueños rotos - 11
Diamonds - 5
So Melissa’s song “Eos” will be voted on by the public

The jury then votes on each of Auryn’s songs to go through to the televote –
Evangeline - 9
El Sol Brillara- 6
Volver - 15
So Auryna’s song “Volver” will be voted on by the public

The jury then votes on each of Lucia Perez’s songs to go through to the televote –
Que me quiten me lo bailao - 12
Abrazame - 12
C’est le vie! It’s all right! - 5
After some confusion because of the tied votes the jury deliberates again and chooses “Que me quiten me lo bailao” to be voted on by the public

The numbers are then shown and the vote begins !

Melissa returns to sing ”Eos” The song in certainly dramatic and the chorus is definitely memorable. She sings the song powerfully and the audience is responding well throughout the song. Sounds like something Greece or Cyprus would send.

Auryn return to sing “Volver” The song was certainly the right choice for the final for the group. Alough a good song, as it progresses you realise this is not a very Eurovision song and is missing something in the performance quality of the song.

Lucia Perez joins the stage with “Que me quiten me lo bailao” This has a very light-hearted summer vibe to it. Definitely the most ‘Spanish’ of the 3 finalists. Needs a bigger punch during the chorus though.

Daniel Diges, last years representative, sings “Angel” a Spanish version of the Robbie Williams hit.

Then, Albert Hammond (one of the jury) sings a song.

Lines are closed and votes are in

And the winner is … Lucia Perez !


SINGER – Lucia Perez
SONG – Que me quiten me lo bailao (Nobody can take away the good times I've had)
MUSIC – Rafael Artesero Herrero
WORDS - Rafael Artesero Herrero