I watched the presentation via the BVN satellite
channel. As well as singing their song they also had a long interview regarding Eurovision and the
success of last year's entrant, Anouk. The performance was billed as an
'acoustic version' of their Eurovision entry. the next day the recorded version
on the song was aired for the first time and in fact the acoustic version was
not a million miles away from their 'full blast entry'.
The presentation of the song took place in on a very small
stage with no special lighting or effects, only a video screen above the showing
sky and clouds. The duo both played guitars but also had a band behind the
which was playing live. They were both dressed quite conservatively in black
with Waylon also wearing a hat which a) didn't suit him and b) shadowed his
face badly.
The song is a quiet, country style ballad with a slightly
sinister edge. Both singers sing the whole song but they sing in harmony with
each other which sounds really nice and shows how good they are as a duo. There
is no doubt that both Ilse and Waylon are seasoned performers and were able to
cope with singing with a live band - something they won't have to deal with on
the Eurovision stage. On further listens it sounds quite similar to "Every
step you take".
This is a very different kind of entry in a style not really
seen before, which I think is the least of their problems. First of all the
song has no rise and fall no peaks and troughs - it literally goes nowhere.
From that perspective some may see it as a bit of a tuneless dirge or a song
that goes on and on and on. Secondly the title of the song is not prominent at
all, coming at the end of a phrase that is really low in both of their
registers. It also won't led itself to a very active performance.
Initially I though the song was awful, however after a few
listens if really gets into your system, however most Eurovision viewers won't have
this luxury. Unfortunately this is a really big disappointment. In a year where
they are lot of songs that have a country twang or leaning, this is one of the
worst. And after the Netherlands FINALLY qualified last year I think many euro
fans had hopes raised, only to have them dashed with this song. This is an
almost certain non-qualifier.
Artist - The Common Linnets
Song - Calm after the storm
Music - Ilse DeLange, Waylon
Lyrics - Ilse DeLange, Waylon
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