SPAIN

The Spanish Final was  held on February 22nd at the TVE TV Studios in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, hosted by Anne Irgatiburu. The winner was chosen by televoting (50%) and an "expert" jury (50%). Due to a tie in the voting after all the votes, the televoting percentage took precedence. Therefore the winner was Ruth Lorenzo with "Dancing in the rain".

 

Due to having RTVE on satellite I was able to watch the final in full. Although it was a very small and relatively short final it seemed to be full of enthusiasm and passion. Each contestant was given a gift which made most of them cry or make the audience start clapping an chanting like a bullfight. The ending was slightly farcical as Ruth and Brequette ended up with the same point score. Brequette seemed to understand she had lost but Ruth had not cottoned on she had won. Once Anne Irgatiburu had explained the outcome, with eyes wide open, Ruth exclaimed questioningly "SOY YO?! SOY YO!?!" (It's me?!?! Is it me?!?)

 

Ruth Lorenzo 's performance was very simple. She was atop a small platform with 3 white clad backing singers and a pianist behind her. She was wearing a beautifully sculptured silver dress that creates a movement that isn't actually there. Although she gets quite passionate towards the end there is no body movement. All the movement is done my the camera. Ruth has a very powerful voice, which is shown off to its best in this song so I feel the less movement the better.

 

This a very much a modern style of ballad. A powerful tune with a slow but strong beat in the background. This beat keeps you in touch with the song and not let you just nod off. Although the title is in English, this is most definitely a dual language song. The verses are in Spanish whist the chorus is in English. This balance seems to work well but most of all you can see the ease in which Ruth has in singing in English - something not always second nature to Spanish speakers. Although a modern song it feels strangely Spanish. There is a lot of scope for passion and emoting, very much like Pastora Soler 2 years ago.

Although we are talking early days here, Ruth has to be one of the strongest singers put up to the job this year and I think no matter what happens she will do a good job in Copenhagen. The song is full of hooks and will appeal to a wide range of voters. There is quite a lot of repetition which will stick in people's heads and I think the quality of her voice will stand out. Her experience on the X-Factor in the UK has stood her in good stead for singing under pressure.

Thankfully it looks as though "Super Saturday" was one diverse weekend!

This song is a big, strong power ballad and any other country who decides to do something similar will have a fight on their hands. As Spain is in the big 5, they go straight into the final. I think this will do well. The juries will probably place this high, she will get points form a lot of countries (including quite a few from the UK!) and I think the euro fans will adore this and it will go big in the hall.

 

Artist - Ruth Lorenzo
Song - Dancing in the rain
Music - Ruth Lorenzo, Jim Irvin, Julian Emery
Lyrics - Ruth Lorenzo, Jim Irvin, Julian Emery