1) AUSTRIA
Adele and James Bond's loss is Eurovision's gain. This song
has been a revelation. I was hoping for an up-tempo number but this
song has so much attitude and verve but also brings out the feistiness of
Conchita. She will sell this and sing this with passion - I just know it won't
get the votes it deserves.
2) MALTA
This is a grower. Although I didn't think that much of it
during preselection, it has slowly crept up the rankings. However I must admit
that the video is just STUNNING and
gives an extra dimension to the song's meaning. The singers in Firelight are so
harmonious and technically on point.
3) HUNGARY
A slow song with dubstep choruses really but importantly the
words reflect the tempo. A great song that also contains a serious message on
the subject of domestic violence - something portrayed in his performance, Kallay-Saunders has a great voice but will need to work on his camera presence to
sell it.
4) MONTENEGRO
Initially, you may be mistaken that this was the Irish entry.
This slow rhythmical ballad in the local tongue won't be easy to understand,
which will lose it votes, but the tune of the song is stunning - as is the
wonderful touristy video! Sergej will hopefully make this the country's first
final qualification!5)
Not a whiff of balalaika or souk to be heard! A fantastic retro dance song with the odd sample of Balkan-esque trumpets. Although rapping at Eurovision is not the best thing to do, it contrasts with the repetitive choruses. Freaky Fortune & Riskykidd need to make sure the country can afford to win first.
6) FRANCE
This is a great summery dance tune with a great sense of fun
and rhythm. Although it is mostly in French the song there is more emphasis on
the rhythm than the lyrics of the song. With a bit of thought this could be a
really visual number with TwinTwin's individual sense of styling.
7) LITHUANIA
This has the best intro this year and sets out the stall of
the song straight away. The verses are simplistic but the bridge is quite special
and choruses are really punchy and memorable. The dancing always works well.
Vilija has a great personality but needs to make sure the story of the song
comes through.
8) BELGIUM
This is a very sweet yet also dramatic ballad. The song
really grows and the live versions, although not perfect, have always been better
than the recorded version. But Axel needs to watch his French accent. Just a shame
the Axel's stylists has dressed him up as the "Go Compare" man.
This is the typical mixed tempo Eurovision fayre that we
would expect to find in the contest. The chorus is ear catching and has lots of
different beats to it. Paul and Ovi are returners to the contest and know how
this thing works. Paula's note near the end is quite literally a miracle!
10) NORWAY
This year's "Birds". This emotionally driven song
will speak to all even if they don't understand English. It is quiet and
unassuming which will make it stand out among all the busyness. Carl Epsen's
voice is even more surprising when you seen he is a rather butch, tattooed ginger.
11) ISRAEL
A really modern contemporary song that would not feel out of
place on the playlists of Heart (not so much a good thing) the chorus is really memorable and the song
have a very sinister dark feeling. Mei has a fantastically velvety rock-edged
voice and should put on a really good show.
12) UNITED
KINGDOM
For the first time in a while, the UK has taken
the contest and bit more seriously or at least treated it with some respect.
This thumping song has a great progression and a chanting quality to it. Molly
has also proved she can sing this live, which gives me great confidence in a
good finish.
What starts off a slow ballad turns into an angry, shouty
rant. This is a very individual song and will stand out a mile with its dark mood
and dubstep backing track. Still, the fact that Aram MP3 did not sing this live
during the presentation show bugs me and makes me doubt he can do this properly
live.
14) FYR MACEDONIA
A modern dance number with lots of instrumental
parts. This song has grown on me over the weeks and feel that choosing the song
in English was ultimately the best choice. Tijana has an interesting look and
an even more interesting voice - hopefully her deep tones will entice the voters!
15) SWITZERLAND
Singing, fiddling and whistling - all in one song! The
whistling motif is infectious, catchy and language beating! Sebalter is not the
best singer, doesn't have the best pronunciation but he knows how to work a
camera. Let's hope he stays in time with the music all the way through.
16) IRELAND
Another typical Irish uptempo song with fiddle and dancers
to boot. The chorus is anthemic and the start is also strong. The verses and bridge
don't sit quite as well. The backing track needs more oomph and
beat to keep it driving on. Kasey is a good singer but needs to put on a show.
The song sounds like a theme tune to a 1990's CBBC show. The
singers work well together and the main singer does well during all the stutter
parts. The outfits are really memorable and the dad dancing is quite funny. If only
Pollapönk had kept this in Icelandic it'd be in my top 5.
18) SAN
MARINO
This Siegel penned song is a whimsical, thoughtful ballad
which suits Valentina's jazzy voice. The title is very prominent
and memorable but it may have been better to have something in
Italian again. Hopefully she will having something visual to go with it. Will this be 3rd time lucky for Valentina?
19) POLAND
This song has been a huge hit in its homeland and the video
has been a viral hit on youtube. Although in Polish, the song has an
unmistakable rhythm, is really repetitive and gets you clapping along. Not sure
if Donatan and Cleo are a little too in your face and urban for Eurovision...
This is a song that is quite literally a mix of everything
so much that it almost sounds like nothing. Part oompah band, part folk, part
Slavic, part klezmer and should appeal to many people. It has a good beat, a memorable chorus, and the lead singer of Elaiza has a distinctive
tone and range.
21) PORTUGAL
This is a real party/carnival song with hints of Lambada,
Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez about it. With a energetic and colourful stage
show this could do much better. The chorus is very memorable and singalongable even in Portuguese. However, Suzy needs to be more energetic on stage.
22) SPAIN
This is a typical Spanish ballad which goes far too over the
top. The chorus is memorable but it takes to long to get there and too long to
get to the dramatic ending. Although Ruth Lorenzo is known to UK viewers this
may fall flat elsewhere as they run from their TVs due to the size of her
mouth.
23) FINLAND
I would say this was the only rock song in the contest
although more in the style of Brit Pop than Lordi. The song has weak verses although the chorus is very chanty. The mid section clap-along 'oh-oh-oh' bit
gets you clapping and singing along. Softengine may find themselves low on the scoreboard.
24) ESTONIA
Very much inspired by Loreen's "Euphoria" in
terms of musical style and from that view it is a little predictable. The tune
of the song is quite good but the lyrics don't quite make sense to me. However the performance is quite a sight to
behold as Tanja's dance routine out-Loreen's Loreen.25)
The title holders look to win again with this Motown
number. The song is radio friendly and
modern and his voice is very ear catching. However it's all a little bit
knowing, smug and self assured. The dancers are also really annoying and
over the top. Basim is less Bruno Mars, more Bruno Uranus.
26) LATVIA
The underdog of Eurovision. The song is a very simplistic
ditty obviously written about the lead singer's admiration of The Great British
Bake Off (is there a Latvian version..?) Intensely annoying/catchy/earwormy.
Aarzemnieki will, whatever the result, bring some fun to the proceedings.
27) MOLDOVA
A typical Moldovan song - a big belter of a ballad with a
dubstep breakdown. Goes a bit too high in the chorus. The staging was quite
something in the national finals with funny mirrors, scarves attached to drones
controlled by dancing Mongol soldiers. But Cristina has *THE* dress of the contest.
29)
After numerous remixes and rewrites we have a final version
which is akin to mid-tempo '70s guitar led disco. The intro is too long, the key is
too high and the ending too abrupt. It's a weak tune with even more unintelligible lyrics. Not quite sure if Mariya can actually pull this version off live.
30) AZERBAIJAN
At least there will be no annoying man in a box this year...
A slow dramatic ballad with ethnic tones. A song you can listen to but not sing
to. Sounds like a song from a movie that doesn't work outside the movie. If you
can understand a word Dilara says then you're obviously a fan of Norman Collier.
31) GEORGIA
The most individual song of the year and is quite the assault
on the senses. Not the most singalongable of songs but this is true to The Shin's musical style. Just when you've got
your head around the oddly chorded yodeling it goes into a proper song. Not
sure if this is SEN or gifted & talented...
32) SLOVENIA
An odd dual language song that doesn't really progress very from
start to finish. The stage act during the national final was a bit too staged
for my liking. This is not a bad song - just a boring one. Tinkara plays the
flute on stage however whacking someone on the head with it may give better entertainment
value.
33)
An anti climax from last year's 9th place. This quiet
country song is a bit too quiet and a bit too country for my taste. It starts
and keeps on going with no ebb or flow, peaks and troughs. Although the
Common Linnets are well known in their home country, this style won't be translating
into votes.
This *was* a nice song when sung in Albanian and with a in your face intro that made it almost 4 minutes long. Now it sounds unintelligible, forced, fake and odd. The tune if you can get past the weirdness is half decent. Plus, Herci has been turned into "Little Miss Emo" and it doesn't suit her.
Not quite sure what all the fuss is about this song. For the
most part is looks messy and sounds even messier. The verses are really
forgetful and the choruses sound like Emma is having a slanging match with the
other instruments. This is Eurovision, not a crowd surfing convention or fashion show.
36) SWEDEN
I really do not get this song. Not only is the tune similar
to a dog's whine but some of the lyrics are an abomination of the English
language. It is a very slow winy number which actually doesn't have that much
of a positive message. The mid-20s Sanna looks more like a desperate menopausal
cougar.
37) RUSSIA
It is not often I can hear a Eurovision song five times and
have NO recollection of it whatsoever. This is a very weak and half-hearted
entry from a country that normally finds itself in the top 10 on a regular
basis. The Tolmachevy Twins may have won Junior Eurovision, but they won't be
doing the double.
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