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Post by 1wxrld on May 11, 2015 11:08:44 GMT -5
Being non-European doesn't exclude artists from taking part and even winning the Eurovision Song Contest. Israel is a prime example of a non-European state. But it was allowed as a full member since 1973 and has won it actually 3 times in 1978, 1979 and 1998. Celine Dion a Canadian singer represented Switzerland in 1988 and won. Another Canadian Natasha St-Pier sang for France in 2001 and came 4th. As for Australia, it has been broadcasting the event since 1983. The show is extremely popular there. Johnny Logan, winner twice in 1980 and 1987 for Ireland is Australian-born. The American Katrina with her band Waves won the contest singing for the UK in 1997 Azerbaijan was represented by an Iranian (also Swedish) Arash (who sang with Aysel) in 2009 and came third. This year's Armenian entry by Genealogy has Armenian diaspora singers from Australia, France, Japan, USA and Ethiopia. Morocco is not a European state but it took part in 1980. Lebanon and Tunisia are other non-European countries who have applied. Lebanon was accepted and even nominated its singer and song but withdrew at last notice in 2004. Some Central Asian countries particularly from ex-USSR also apply to take part at times. I have listed all the songs as videos in alphabetical order of country on a special Eurovision page of my site
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Az Paynter
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Post by Az Paynter on May 11, 2015 11:08:55 GMT -5
I still just want top 5 for Australia if possible LOL. My faves from this year's batch remain Sweden, Albania and Georgia though, Albania in particular.
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Flip
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Post by Flip on May 11, 2015 13:12:14 GMT -5
Sweden will win.
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Post by 1wxrld on May 11, 2015 13:18:19 GMT -5
And here is the great Swedish entry "Heroes" from Måns Zelmerlöw
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Post by 1wxrld on May 11, 2015 13:49:08 GMT -5
The nominations for Swedish entries come from a very long series of songs in what is called Melodifestivalen. Here some other favourites that didn't make it:
Samir & Viktor - "Groupie"
Jon Henrik Fjällgren (of Colombian origin - now a Sami Joik singer) - "Jag är fri (Manne leam frijje)"
Linus Svenning - "Forever starts today"
Eric Saade - "Sting"
Hasse Andersson - "Guld och gröna skogar"
Mariette - "Don't Stop Believing"
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Post by 1wxrld on May 11, 2015 18:36:55 GMT -5
Australia will be represented by Guy Sebastian and the song "Tonight Again". Here it is:
But there is another song of his which is also being promoted as a "Eurovision version" and gaining favour with the public as even a better song than the actual song he will sing at Eurovision. Of course it is very natural that when an artist is in the highlight, that many of his other songs surface and get played alongside the main hit.
So here is an audio of the song "Alive"
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Flip
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Post by Flip on May 19, 2015 5:54:16 GMT -5
Today it's time for Semi Final 1! It starts around 9 PM local (Austrian) time. I believe there's no broadcast in the US, so I will post a stream to it later today. We're going to see perfomances by the singer(s) of Moldova, Armenia, Belgium, Netherlands, Finland, Greece, Estonia, Macedonia, Serbia, Hungary, Belarus, Russia, Denmark, Albania, and Georgia!
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Post by 1wxrld on May 19, 2015 7:36:04 GMT -5
Today it's time for Semi Final 1! It starts around 9 PM local (Austrian) time. I believe there's no broadcast in the US, so I will post a stream to it later today. We're going to see perfomances by the singer(s) of Moldova, Armenia, Belgium, Netherlands, Finland, Greece, Estonia, Macedonia, Serbia, Hungary, Belarus, Russia, Denmark, Albania, and Georgia! But you may follow it live through eurovision.tv website if you download the file provided by them. www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=watch_tonight_the_first_semi-final_from_viennaOr through YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyUCR-Sfenc
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Az Paynter
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Post by Az Paynter on May 19, 2015 7:56:07 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure we've got a live telecast at 5AM Wednesday morning of the first semi-final (in about 6 hours), then Friday morning same time for the second semi-final and Sunday for the final.
This would be the first time we've gotten it live, previously we've only had time-delayed recordings air here.
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Flip
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Post by Flip on May 19, 2015 9:26:25 GMT -5
I don't know what's better, a delayed recording or waking up at 5 AM to watch it.
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Flip
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Post by Flip on May 19, 2015 13:37:14 GMT -5
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Az Paynter
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Post by Az Paynter on May 19, 2015 14:08:32 GMT -5
I've got it on TV right now.
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Post by Az Paynter on May 19, 2015 14:23:51 GMT -5
This guy from Belgium (Loic?) is trying to sound like Sia isn't he? At least that's my impression from this performance.
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Flip
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Post by Flip on May 19, 2015 14:29:41 GMT -5
Trijntje (the woman who represents my country)... it was so bad :x so embarrassing. :(
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Post by 1wxrld on May 19, 2015 14:41:45 GMT -5
Lovely introduction pieces to each country. Just adorable and intimate.
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Az Paynter
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Post by Az Paynter on May 19, 2015 14:43:07 GMT -5
I didn't think she was that bad. Everyone so far has been pretty good (though I REALLY don't care for punk or that song). None of the ones I'm holding out for have been yet, but I doubt all three of them will make it through this semi. I am pulling for Albania at least. EDIT: Okay I take it back. Daniel from Macedonia is shaky and pitchy.
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Post by 1wxrld on May 19, 2015 14:57:00 GMT -5
The stage effects are gorgeous. Till now I loved Armenia's and Hungary's the best.
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Post by 1wxrld on May 19, 2015 15:01:32 GMT -5
When I see musical instruments used on stage in the act, I wonder if they are actually playing it live or is it make believe?
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Post by Az Paynter on May 19, 2015 15:01:34 GMT -5
Bojana didn't nail the top notes in her song like she did in the studio version. :( I think she is the least likely of my three favourites to make it. Boggie bores me to tears. Belarus was also ehh. EDIT: ELHAIDA. :'( I seriously hope she pulls through and does a much better job in the final 'cause that wasn't as good as I was hoping. :( Of course she nailed the run with the top note, but then the rest of the chorus had to be wishy-washy.
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Post by 1wxrld on May 19, 2015 15:16:55 GMT -5
Albania's studio version was so good, it made it one of the favourites. But I felt in today's live version, she didn't do justice to the song.
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Post by 1wxrld on May 19, 2015 15:19:24 GMT -5
I'm all for the use of national languages in Eurovision to highlight the country's culture. Bravo for Romania's song that joined Romanian and English in an interesting mixing of both languages. Plus a solid performance live.
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Post by Rocky on May 19, 2015 15:36:30 GMT -5
Omg the three hosts were so awkward before that pet video, it was painful to watch. :x
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Az Paynter
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Post by Az Paynter on May 19, 2015 15:56:50 GMT -5
ALBANIA FIRST IN YASSSSS EDIT: Okay wow Serbia and Georgia both through one after the other. MY TOP 5 STILL INTACT. :'(
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¤ Matthea ¤
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Post by ¤ Matthea ¤ on May 19, 2015 18:10:12 GMT -5
My faves: Belgium, Greece, Estonia
Belgium's song is a Lorde rip-off and towards the end the singer does Maddie Ziegler from one of the Sia videos. Overall, great package. It was the last announced finalist.
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Flip
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Post by Flip on May 20, 2015 2:00:22 GMT -5
Netherlands didn't make it, but Estonia and Belgium did! When Belgium makes it through, we (Dutch people) are happy also. We're always rooting for them :)
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Post by 1wxrld on May 21, 2015 13:11:56 GMT -5
Semi Final 2 today. You can follow the event live on eurovision.tv provided you download the special programme for access through here www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=live_countdown_to_second_semi-finalor on YouTube Channel for Semi Final 2 (different from the one to Semi Final 1) at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGVo3Bdm6Ag17 contestants representing Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland for 10 spots in the final. Added: The show is just kicking in in a couple of minutes....
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Az Paynter
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Post by Az Paynter on May 21, 2015 14:27:59 GMT -5
San Marino's song is still embarrassing as ever. Also, Georgia's 'Warrior' curbstomps all over Malta's 'Warrior'.
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Post by 1wxrld on May 21, 2015 14:34:39 GMT -5
Eurovision Semi Final 2 show started with an adorable Lithuanian couple and a kiss, then Irish piano girl and then a rather shaky voiced San Marino couple who sounded nice in earlier recording but couldn't match up here.
Then a solid and gorgeously beautiful performance by Knez of Montenegro, in their montenegrin language, something always to be recommended as more and more run to English. And yes, they are a sure favourite of mine!!
And now Malta with an ok performance of "Warrior' second "Warrior" after Georgia's Warrior".
Sure, Eurovision is an "acquired taste". But me I adore it and follow it every year. And Conchita, another acquired taste, is doing beautifully with the Green Room.
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Post by 1wxrld on May 21, 2015 14:37:48 GMT -5
"A Monster Like Me"???? C'mon!!! These are a beautiful couple!!!
And again, the intros to the songs are just intriguing and very interesting. I think it was a great feature these mailing stuff at home then again in Austria ending in a street poster. Just fabulous and great highlights of home country and of Austria.
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Post by 1wxrld on May 21, 2015 14:52:17 GMT -5
A very warm welcome to Israel's cute golden boy with the golden shoes to match. A lovely lively live act so different from anything presented here. I loved it. It's Eurovision dare I say... gold LOL
And Latvia. So exotic and intriguing. Kind of reminds me of Sweden's winner Loreen's Euphoria.
And Azerbaijan's gorgeous song and singer... Need I say more... Amazing .. His second showing in Eurovision after being part of a duo in 2008 in Azerbaijan's first time in the contest. This one comes after winning The Voice of Turkey.
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