My Rankings

So, there are only 2 weeks until the big final in Duesselforf!!!

I thought it was time for me to put my faves in order...
This list is not how I think they will finish on the night but more of a personal list of my faves and hates. It would be A-MAY-ZING if ther final list actually looked like thes but I very much doubt it... I never get it right !!!

1) HUNGARY
What can I say? This is a class act. A very pretty girl with a huge voice and a song with a chorus like we haven’t heard in years on the ESC stage. If the girl can pull it off - this is in the bag. Shame it isn’t the full Hungarian version :o(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbKNKfePCrs&feature=relmfu


2) FRANCE
This guy is eye candy for the ladies and a voice that will please Radio 2 and a song that will appeal to Radio 3 listeners. Very much an old school type song and performance which will also please the juries. Loving the use of Corsican.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEb7hRo-Qyk&feature=relmfu


3) UNITED KINGDOM
I never thought I would say thins but I actually like a Blue song. I was so sceptical when I heard the guys were doing it but after just one listen of the song I was hooked – and so (hopefully) will the rest of Europe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2JYc_jWIDQ&p=813301637D2B481A


4) LATVIA
This is my guilty pleasure of this year. A very modern contemporary tune with lost of change of tempo and changes or style. The guy who sings has an amazing voice but with the stage performance be good enough?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7nehTefok4&p=813301637D2B481A


5) BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
Dino Merlin is back. A fabulous catchy track which makes you clap along from the start. I actually quite like the staged way the song is performed but many might find it a bit contrived and twee. You will be singing it though !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aN83DUSChM


6) SWITZERLAND
I have a real soft spot for this song. It has a nice folksy quality and Anna has a very nice clear voice and I have not yet heard her sing this song badly or out of tune. However will it stand out? This is my fear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtlhYGVtZlk


7) RUSSIA
Having a RedOne song as your entry is pretty much a sure fire way of getting success in the contest. The song is bound to be a hit all over Europe and Alex will get the girl votes but I don’t think it is a winner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J4-T22p0y4


8) AZERBAIJAN
This is actually a very nice, touching modern ballad sung by the only duo of the contest. Although I have no worries about Eldar’s ability, Nigar’s performance during the Azeri final was absolutely shocking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vk4HYUatv8


9) NETHERLANDS
Now this song is very likely to be a non-qualifier but I do think the song is a very radio friendly song and could easily be on the playlist of Radio 2. Imagine the Jonas brothers in 20 years time… that’s about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PP3ViOSOXg&p=813301637D2B481A


10) NORWAY
Unfortunately this song has recently slipped down my list. It is a fabulous song with an infectious chorus and a really good fun stage show. Shame that the song has been de-Africanised and made really bland.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x27iK7v35_o


11) GERMANY
Lena is back for Germany with a song that could not be more different to the happy-go-lucky ”Satellite” The song is a kind of minimalist gothic electro number all about kidnapping. Not a winner but it will be a song to remember.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFciOb0diQE&feature=related


12) SLOVENIA
The Slovenians have chosen a very contemporary song this year with a very good singer. Does not sound like a typical Eurovision song and is radio friendly. I have some reservations about Maja’s accent though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t0eIkKZVB0


13) ICELAND
The song has quite a twee old fashioned feel to it which in a way males it feel very familiar. A lovely bouncy song with such a sad, yet inspiring, back story. I hope the boys make the final for Sigurjón.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJNt0_6P9h0


14) ESTONIA
A big favourite with the fans but I am yet to be fully convinced. The verses and choruses are to predictable yet the bridges are very ear catching. I do really like the Bjork style macrobeat backing track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YOcbjWgEpg&p=813301637D2B481A


15) IRELAND
Jedward at Eurovision – who would have thought it !!! The boys may well be the most annoying thing to come from Ireland since Dustin the Turkey but the song is not that bad and should qualify with an energetic performance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wRCe_4QUrM


16) ITALY
Italy have finally come back to Eurovision and have returned with a very classy jazzy number. Will go down well with the international juries and the ‘older audience’ Could very easily be on the Radio 2 playlist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6Hz3MxthYI&p=813301637D2B481A


17) AUSTRIA
The Austrians also return after a short hiatus. The song is a very big brassy gospel type ballad which could have won the contest – 10 years ago. However Nadine is a very good confident singer and could stand out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc13B1ofQS4


18) SWEDEN
Personally this song should be way down the list but the fact that this is leading the fan votes means it will do well. The song is lazy and has no substance. The performance is too gimmicky and Eric can’t sing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YF3-Ep7zzI&p=813301637D2B481A


19) MALTA
This song does not seem to have many fans, which I don’t understand. There are not really very many high octane numbers this year and it is a bit of an ‘anthem’. Maybe it is just on the brink of ‘cheesiness’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIa_QV-LM8g&p=813301637D2B481A


20) FINLAND
Just so you know, this is *nothing* like Tom Dice from last year. Nothing at all. The song is a nice pleasant acoustic ballad but I doubt the message of the song will get through in its allocated time. Shame.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoDsA9PutU4&p=813301637D2B481A


21) MOLDOVA
So Zdob Si Zdub are back again- but without the Grandma. The song is pretty basic and the middle is confused musically however you will not be able to stop yourself from shouting the “So Lucky!” bits!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wUMGupcSiQ&p=813301637D2B481A


22) POLAND
All I can say is thank god she is performing this in Polish and didn’t get sucked in by the Anglo-fascists!!! The song is quite good, and suits the Polish language. She is a pretty girl and will get dirty old men votes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQjKGCXScUI&feature=relmfu


23) BULGARIA
At least Poly has decided to keep it in Bulgarian! However this may also be its downfall. Her performance seems quite basic too. The song sounds like a Pink song, and she does not look dissimilar either.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNU9_3kUouc&p=813301637D2B481A


24) SERBIA
This song looks like it should be a piss poor parody but is actually serious. It is a fun song, sung in Serbian, with a nice enough chorus but I feel the verses are to garbled and slow to warm up and get going.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLPCMrkPDGg&p=813301637D2B481A


25) SPAIN
This is really a bit of a damp squib to be honest. Lucia sings the song really well and has a great personality, but choruses with long oh-oh-oh bits and the start are just downright lazy. In Spanish (as always!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FteXzZszYso&p=813301637D2B481A


26) ALBANIA
When this won the Albanian preselection (with an orchestra AND in native Albanian) the song was epic and amazing. Now it just sounds like a freaked out menopausal woman with bad period pains. What a turnaround.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bpOngv520I&feature=relmfu


27) BELGIUM
Witloof Bay are the second only acappella band to feature in the contest. Although one could say that they are very talented and very good at what they do, this kind of thing never translates will at ESC. The song is a bit weak too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqnFq8QDciQ&p=813301637D2B481A


28) ROMANIA
Now , to me this song is your bog standard cheesy pop Eurovision fayre, and unfortunately this no longer cuts the mustard anymore. ESC has actually moved on a bit since Arvingarna’s entry in 1993….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96be3a5Wl8U&feature=relmfu


29) CROATIA
Now part of me is pleased to note that Croatia took a lot of trouble selecting the song and entrant this year. However the song has been rewritten and is now is sooooo corny. I demand she sings the original “Break a Leg” instead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghWCySADZ_4&feature=relmfu


30) DENMARK
Strangely this song seems to be doing quite wellin the fan polls and I just do not get it. Imagine Busted singing “Our House” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. That is about it. Very unexciting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-EiRQvbItM&p=813301637D2B481A


31) TURKEY
Turkey have sent another rock number to the contest but methinks this will not have a top 10 finish as they have done the past umpteen years. I remember the days Turkey were always shit and this is a return to them…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beVb1UCLUHA&p=813301637D2B481A


32) BELARUS
This entry is a very eastern European stomper of a song with a very repetitive chorus. However no-one who is not Belarusian is going to openly vote for a song called “I Love Belarus” #epicfail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T2d_woxdLQ&p=813301637D2B481A


33) SLOVAKIA
Like Ireland we have a pair of twins, this time female. The song itself is very modern and contemporary and American sounding but the girls have not performed this live ONCE yet. I smell a rat… and probably hear one too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7UmV6FYvmA&p=813301637D2B481A


34) SAN MARINO
Plucky little San Marino are back for only their second bite of the Eurovision cherry. Is not a bad old song really, with a slight ‘60s soul feel to it. Shame it will bomb in the contest – just be back next year!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4EPYt6Mj9o&p=813301637D2B481A


35) ISRAEL
Dana International is back for a second bite at the cherry (no pun intended) In fact she really should have stayed at home. The tune is weak, she can barely get the high notes and her song writing skills here are poor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN6eEqrgEgI&p=813301637D2B481A


36) ARMENIA
Oh dear. How cheesy. “Boom Boom Chaka Chaka” Did a three year old white these lyrics ? The song has a slight Mediterranean feel to it but has no redeeming qualities. Emmy will get dirty old men votes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7ZNKO7rYDU&p=813301637D2B481A


37) UKRAINE
Another boring ballad. I must have listed to this song at least 5 times and I still cannot sing it back to you no matter how much I try. Completely forgettable but will probably qualify though neighbourly voting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XrNvUiGVhg&p=813301637D2B481A


38) GEORGIA
This time a bit of indie rock. After a change of lead singer (which really was unnecessary) Still doesn’t change the fact that the song is weak and just sounds like a big guitary mess
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFV0Tcy9OXc&p=813301637D2B481A


39) LITHUANIA
Boring ballad time. The Lithuanian final must have been awful if this was the best they could offer. I also hope she has chucked that dress too. Not even the smattering of French in the chorus can save it or get it more votes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aazruGl2jY&p=813301637D2B481A


40) GREECE
Well, don’t make it *too* obvious that you really don’t want to win. This literally does sound like two perfectly good songs spliced together indiscriminately. Saying that he can’t rap and the other can’t really sing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v27gtuLhiac&p=813301637D2B481A


41) FYR MACEDONIA
We should be grateful. One song in the FYROM preselection was a man dressed in a chicken suit. The poor boy is trying is hardest but this just doesn’t cut the mustard. Will get the odd vote from Russian sympathetic countries.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKz3zzUpFGM&p=813301637D2B481A


42) CYPRUS
Poor Christos won the Cypriot version of Pop Idol and the prize included going to Eurovision. What a shit prize. You win a singing competition and your prize is to be sent to *another* singing competition. Shame the song is a whiny piece of shit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqPEsx1Disk&p=813301637D2B481A


43) PORTUGAL
Well, there is nothing like a protest song against your own government – and this is at least the 13th governmental protest song Portugal have sent to the contest. Maybe they should save the government some money by NOT BLOODY TURNING UP!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bDN53Rqh54&p=813301637D2B481A

UPDATE 9

UK
So another video from the boys.
Obviously they thought the one on London's rooftops wasnotenough. This one features some obligatory Union Jacks as well as some indoor rain. I thought the old one was better.






SWEDEN
Eric Saade released his video for "Popular". The video concentrates very heavily on his dancing skills in the form of a kind of' seedy club dance-off'. Eric doesn't needs to dance off, he needs to f-off.






NORWAY
Stella mwangi's song has had a bit of a facelift. Unfortunately it is not good. Apart from the obvious lyrical content, the song has been moved in key. Also the backing track seems to have lost almost of its African flavour and at times sounds like a very bad 90s eurodance b-side. Here is the new track accompanied by her music video.

UPDATE 8

SLOVENIA – Maja Keuc has released a video to go with her song “No One” The video has a very strange narrative and at times I really don’t understand what is going on…. Maybe she doesn’t either…





BULGARIA
Poli Genova (now seemingly going under the name Polly) has releases her offical video for "Na Inat". Although the main focus of the video is on her and the band it is intersperced by footage of natural disasters and the human cost.





LATVIA
Musiqq has released the video of "Angel in Disguise" The video sees the duo sitting down singing their song, seemingly in the same outfits they used in their preselection victory. Although a very simple (ie cheap) video, it does bring out the strength of Marats's modern vocals.





ARMENIA
Emmy has released the video for "Boom Boom" The video has a boxing theme and some of the action makes place in a boxing ring. I am not really to sure about the dancing and will be very surprised to see anything like this on the night.





AZERBAIJAN
After (another) name change Eldar and Nigar haverealsed the offical video to their song "Running Scared". The video was directed by the Estonian producer of the 2002 Eurovision contest and looks extremely professional. But will they be able to tranlate this onto the stage?

UPDATE 7

ISRAEL – Dana International has released a revamped version of her song “Ding Dong” The song is now a bit more modern sounding than previously and now includes many more electronic influences. I still don’t think this cuts it though.





RUSSIA – Alex Sparrow has revealed the promotional video for his song “Get you”. The video sees Alex taking on lots of different characters and shows him in lots of different situations – however he seems to be miming to a different song. Weird.





NORWAY – a revamped version of “Haba Haba” has surfaced. The backing track is different and the song sems to be sing in a slightly higher key than before. This still does not disguise the fact that singing is not this girl’s finest talent. If the rumours are to be believed, this is the track that will be sung to at Eurovision. In my opinion, it is not as good as the original.

UPDATE 6

MOLDOVA - Zdob şi Zdub have released the video of their entry "So Lucky". It was filmed at a theatre in Tirana and so has that concert type feel. The video has a lot of atmosphere in it and the tone is very much different to their live performance during the Moldovan final.




PORTUGAL – Homens de Luta have finally produced their official video. Most if the video was filmed during the recent unrest and demonstrations regarding the current political situation in the country. Not exactly the view of a country that want the contest next year!




SLOVENIA – Maja Keuc presented the new version of her winning Eurovision song this weekend. The song, now entirely in English, is called “No One” The song, although mimed shows that her accent is not bad, but could be better. The presntation on the night will be alot different.

;;

UPDATE 5

More news and videos !

MALTA -The official video came out this week. The vocal and background of the song has changed very little but I think that the video is very clever. Shame that such enthusiasm and message cannot be relayed onto the ESC stage.




SAN MARINO – As partially previewed in the TV presentation, Senit has released a video for “Stand By” It was filmed in a very snowy San Marino, which is a bit strange for a summer song contest!




ICELAND – Firstly, the boys have decided to sing their entry in English – which I am a little disappointed at. The song is now “Coming Home” and a video for this new version was realised this week.




NETHERLANDS – Like Iceland, 3JS will be singing in English. The video for “Never Alone” can be found below.




POLAND – Magdalena has released an English version of “Jestem” called “First class ticket to heaven”. However, due to a poor reception of the song, it has been confirmed that she will be singing in Polish in Germany.




UKRAINE – The controversial winner of the pre-selection, Mika Newton, has released an official video of her song, to be sung in English, “Angel”




FYROM – Vlatko has been very busy in the studio. As well a the Macedonian version, he has been working on an English, Russian and Serbo-Croat version on his song “Rusinska”, however it looks like he will be signing the original Macedonian version during Eurovision. His new video clip of the song is below.




TURKEY – The internally selected Yüksek Sadakat have finally released their video clip of “Live it up” I think the video clip re-affirms that their show at Eurovision will not be much of a ‘show’

THE DRAW

The Eurovision semis and final draw took place on the 15th March at the Düsseldorf Arena hosted by Judith Rackers and Sabine Heinrich. Earlier in the year during the a draw was made to select the semi finals that countries would be split into and as to whether they would be drawn the first or second half of their respective draw.

There were wildcards available for 5 lucky countries. The first two countries drawn out of the hat for each of the semis, and the first from the final, would be able to select their own starting position. Then the remaining countries would then be drawn in order.

Semi-Final 1
Poland and Greece are the wildcards and choose 1 and 19 respectively. The whole draw is as follows




Semi Final 2
Slovakia and Latvia are the wildcards and choose 5 and 17, respectively. The rest of the draw is as follows.

For both semis, there will be breaks after song 5 and song 14.


Final
Spain is the wildcard and selects place 22.
France draws 11, followed by Italy at 12. UK is at 14 and Germany picks 16.
The other slots in the final will be selected straight after each semi-final by the qualifying artists.

During the final there will be one break, situated after song 12, which is from Italy.


As you can see, this list has some potential for elevating certain entries and deflating the chances of others.

S-F 1
- Norway has drawn the dreaded number 2 slot, however as this is such a fan favourite I don’t think the draw will have much effect on its qualification chances.
- Finland’s entry is stuck between the rock of Georgia and the high energy of Malta. This could swamp the song, or this difference could make it stand out more.
- Hungary’s well fancied entry comes straight after the break, which is never a good place, as potential voters tend to miss the act straight after a run in proceedings.
- The Greek entry gained last place but I am unsure if this preferential placing will gain them many more votes with their slightly strange song.
- Azerbaijan are second last and this placing has almost guaranteed them a place in the final


SF 2
- Ireland has bagged the coveted final place. Beforehand I would have said this was a borderline case for qualification, but now their chances have increased greatly.
- Israel on the other hand is squashed between FYROM and Slovenia, two very dramatic songs and Dana may well be forgotten about (quite easily)
- We also then have a run of songs (14,15,16, 17) which are all Eastern European pop songs. Will they all run into each other and merge as one?
- Following this run is Denmark’s entry. Again not a favourite to qualify but this draw might give them the few extra votes to gain entry to the final.

This draw has really opened the field up and everthing is to play for!!!

Let's await more news, views and performances to come in the next 8 weeks !

BELARUS

A few weeks ago the dong “Born in Belorussia” was presented on TV. Soon after, the song was re-written to be more modern. It was then revealed that the son had been performed as early as April last year, and so the song was officially disqualified. In the meantime a new song has been recorded and a new film clip made. On March 14th, the last official day for entries, Anastasia Vinnikova’s new song “I Love Belarus” was previewed.

The song has a rock mix of traditional and modern instruments, and does sound very Eastern European. The song is quite formulaic and the chorus is quite simple. Anastasia’s voice does not co across very well and at times her voice seems garbled. This type of song is also not the type of song people vote for, especially if the title is “I love (insert country name here that is not your own!)”
I am still not 100% convince this girl will be able to put this off live, especially the middle parts which are quite strained, even with help from several backing singers. I thin she will be able to perform and emote to the audience and camera, but if the voice us bad, she will have no chance.

As far as the presentation in the video, I found that the mix between modern and folk in the music was not matched in the video. I also found the backing singers punching the air very predictable. I think the whole thing would have been much better if it was all one or the other. I think the more folk way of dressing up the song would be softer, as the more modern take, sounds and looks a bit too threatening. I will be very intersted how they decide to style this on the stage.

This is a shame as I don't think this is anywhere as immediate a song as "Iam Belarussian" and not as catchy. I think the song title may well put people off voting for it.


SINGER – Anastasia Vinnikova
SONG – I Love Belarus
MUSIC – Evgeny Oleynik
WORDS – Evgeny Oleynik, Svetlana Geraskova

UPDATE 4

Lots of official videos have been released this week.

GEORGIA – As revealed in and earlier update, Eldrine have a new lead singer, Sopho Toroshelidze. They have finally finished the new version of “One More Day” and the new song can beard in their brand new video clip below.




ITALY – the official video clip for the Italian Eurovision entry has been released. As well as showing Raphael and his trumpeter, it also shows inserts of a film. The song is slightly different to the one Raphael sang at San Remo it has been re-written with a few more lines in English, but is also still a bit too long.




FINLAND –We have not heard much from the Finnish entry since it was chosen back in January, however Paradise Oskar has released his official video clip. The video tries to focus on the environmental message of “Da Da Dam” as well as focusing on the artist.




UK – Just 2 days after the song “I can” was premiered on the BBC, Blue have released their pop video. The song is centred around the skyline of London, possibly with some very subconscious references to the upcoming Olympics. 2012 could be a very British year !




ROMANIA – It was way back on New Year Eve when Hotel FM was announced as the Romanian entry. They group has been doing a lot of promotion (as well as being involved in a minor sex scandal!) but they have finally released their promotional clip for the song “Change”. Like last years video, a lot of video trickery is used as well as being a ‘Visit Romania’ showcase!




ALBANIA – It was further back in December when Aurela Gace was voted as the Albanian winner for the ticket to Germany. However it was announced that an English version would be presented at the contest. The preview clip of the new song “Feel the Passion” has been released. The video shows lots of views of Albania whilst Aurelia, in a very strange dress flies about. Note also that the clip is still way over 3mins.




CROATIA – As suggested on the previous update, Daria’s song has had a total overhaul. “Lahor” was changed to “Break a leg” and that English version has been re-written to make the finalised entry “Celebrate” The track has been available for a while but the promo video has just been released. The clip has a party atmosphere as well as lots of costume changes.

AZERBAIJAN

After a long delay the song for Azerbaijan was revealed on the 13th March. Ironically, ITV had had a mammoth selection process to select the participants to represent Azerbaijan, to which the professional jury surpusingly chose 2 winners - Nigar Camal & Eldar Qasimov , mow known as Ell & Nikki (Ell being the male and Nikki the female.) The song internally chosen for them to sing is called “Running Scared”.

The song is a very contemporary sounding ballad with so rock influences. The verses are quite short and lines are shared between the couple whilst the choruses are sung together. The chorus is very well structured. Usually these kinds of octave moving change can bee very jerky, but this one makes it really stand out. As the song progresses the beat in the background gets stronger but the finish is very weak as the song just kind of stops. Ironically the song is about 12 seconds under so a more memorable finish could be made. As the song progresses you realise that most of the song is sung by Ell. His voice is much more reliable and stronger than hers.

The video is very simple and I suspect that the setting of the ESC performance will be simple too. There will need to be at least 2 backing singers and possibly some dancers to ‘act out’ the story of the song. In addition to this the video tries to make them work together as a couple (considering she is about 10 years his senior… or thereabouts :oP ) There are no other duets in the contest to I feel it will definitely stand out visually.

A much better song than last year. A definite finalist.

SINGER – Ell and Nikki
SONG – Running Scared
MUSIC –
WORDS –