FRANCE

The French song was surprisingly unveiled on January 23rd via an announcement on the France 2 website. However before the day was done, other snippets of the song had leaked onto the internet and the broadcaster was forced to release a full length clip. The song, called "N'oubliez pas" (Do not forget) will be sung by Lisa Angell.

The only firm announcement regarding France's participation in this year's Eurovision was made way back in August as it was revealed that the contest would move from France 3,  where the contest has been shown since 1999, back to France 2. But no information was made or garnished from this fact regarding song or artist selection. However, it seems like the host broadcaster was busy making plans with very little fuss at all.

The song is very much a French ballad and in some ways feels quite old fashioned in style. The motif of the song seems to be that of World War One, although many parallels have been drawn to the recent situation regarding the shootings in Paris.The first minute is very slow to get going and it is not until the second minute does the song starts to get into its stride. The verses are a little pedestrian - the first verse seems to go on forever. The chorus is much more memorable but is not repeated enough in the structure of the song to make a mark in your mind. The third minute feels like an over extended bridge. You feel that at any minute it will go back to the chorus but never does and you find your self at the end of the song feeling like you've missed something.

Lisa Angell is little known outside her homeland. According to Spotify, she is France's version of Susan Boyle - due to her becoming famous in her forties by appearing on a French talent show. Her most successful album was released last year and was a covers album of songs from the 30s, 40s and 50s. As this is a recorded clip it is tricky to judge how well she can perform the song live or how it will come across. It seems as though she has experience on singing in TV shows and in bars and clubs but will she be able to fill a Eurovision stage?

I am hoping that this is just a rough copy of the song we will hear in Vienna. There is so much that needs to be done to this song to fulfil its potential. The last minute needs to have an extra chorus and the starting verse needs to be shaved down a tad. The odd big note or key change would not go amiss either. Judging by the sentiment of the song, this is going will have come across in the backdrop and performance. It may needs backing singers but I don't feel that dancers would be at all suitable for the song. Lisa will also have to have a great connection with the camera. I hope she does a live version of this soon.

France have had a very haphazard history in Eurovision over the past couple of decades and maybe they are thinking that going back to what they do best will stand them in good stead. However I fear that it will come across as too old fashioned, even for the juries, and will end up doing little better than last year. Maybe if they get the tone of the song and ambiance right it might strike a chord but there is very little change of seeing this even on the left hand side of the scoreboard.

ARTIST - Lisa Angell

SONG - N'oubliez pas (Do not forget)

MUSIC - Robert Goldman

LYRICS - Robert Goldman