ry4n
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Post by ry4n on Jun 19, 2020 10:03:46 GMT -5
Istanbul 2004: The Grand Final Host: Turkey Slogan: “Under The Same Sky” Participants: 36 Voting method: 12-point system (100% televotes) Format: 1 Semi-Final / Grand Final = the top 10 of the semi + the top 10 of '03 + the Big 4 Winner: Ruslana - Wild Dances ![](https://cdn.countryflags.com/thumbs/ukraine/flag-800.png) Country: Ukraine Points: 280 (66.7% of highest score possible) Language: English & Ukrainian YouTube | Spotify | LyricsGeneral Overview:With the addition of a semi-final round in 2004, the EBU needed to curtail the vote reveal. All 36 participating countries voted in the Grand Final this year, which was definitely a record at the time. Consequently, the presenters only echoed the points in one language instead of both English and French, as was the tradition. Another issue was the order in which the countries were called. The previous 45+ contests simply followed the running order. However, this year the EBU switched it to alphabetical order (by ISO initials). Also of note, 2004 is the final contest in standard definition and in 4:3 aspect ratio. Eurovision definitely underwent some major changes in the mid 2000's. The staging in Istanbul incorporates LED screens on the floor and backdrop. The postcards feature the standard local scenery shots, and conclude with an array of hearts being blown across the screen. Sertab Erener opens the show with 2 songs, showing off her vocals in the second. She later gets her shoe stuck in the speaker grate while presenting the award to Ukraine. This year's presenters are Korhan Abay (who is quite annoying) and Meltem Cumbul. And, finally, the interval act encompasses a hectic selection of traditional music and dance, with various styles and costumes. The 2004 vote was an initially close race, with Serbia leading through the halfway mark, and Turkey in contention at one point as well. However, Ukraine ultimately pulled ahead and maintained a healthy lead in the second half. With 36 countries voting, the old points record was easily obliterated. And, interestingly, the top 2 countries had both debuted in the past 2 years. Stylistically, this seems to be the year of male ballads. There's about 11 of them. I won't be reviewing the semi qualifiers again, but I'll note anything significant in the Grand Final performance. The Entries Spain: Ramón - Para llenarme de ti Spain's 2004 entry is explicitly derived from Latin American dance music. I believe salsa is the correct genre classification for this. The bouncy groove in “Para” is energetic and easily dance-able, with the punching percussion being a highlight. It's charming in a way. And the melody is catchy enough. The lyrics, meanwhile, describe how Ramón is ready to transition from his ex to a new partner. “Para” became Spain's fourth consecutive top 10 in the contest, but their last until 2012. Austria: Tie Break - Du bist YAWN. “Du bist” channels the dull boy band ballad formula that was exploited by 98 Degrees and the Backstreet Boys around the turn of the century. The pacing and the melody are sluggish. The overall arrangement is just too bland for the sentiment to resonate with me. Although the spinning camera bit at the beginning is notable. Norway: Knut Anders Sørum - High A last place finish for Norway here, but I think it deserved better. Yes, the song is dated, and yes the chorus is a letdown (specifically the “bringing you high” part). But at least there's effort put into this. Knut thrusts the vocal melody at the audience. He endearingly encourages his significant other to open up. While the chorus attempts to be a unifying, uplifting anthem. The backing singers elevate that. But the chorus is still awkward. France: Jonatan Cerrada - À chaque pas “À chaque pas” is a predictable French ballad. But it's well-sung, the chorus leaps out in a powerful way, and Jonatan's vocal is passionate. The staging is bewildering though, between Jonatan's messy hair, the swaying woman on stilts, the toilet paper outfits on the backing vocalists, and the globe beach balls. The lyrics, meanwhile, are introspective, where the singer fights to repair a damaged relationship and to let go of the baggage. Serbia & Montenegro: Željko Joksimović & Ad-Hoc Orchestra - Lane mojeNothing new to add. Malta: Julie and Ludwig - On Again... Off Again Nothing new to add. Netherlands: Re-Union - Without You Nothing new to add. Germany: Max - Can't Wait Until Tonight The German entry is reminiscent of James Taylor, and of those MTV Unplugged performances from the time. Max even sits on a stool. “Can't Wait Until Tonight” is minimalist, acoustic, coffeehouse music. It's a soft, seductive embrace that's mostly downbeat until the energy shifts in the bridge. Max then projects his scratchy vocal as a lead into the final chorus. There's also a brief section of Turkish lyrics. Overall, the instrumental and the performance are both tasteful, and the bridge transition is the highlight of the song. But this genre doesn't appeal to me much, and I don't like the voice crack. “Can't Wait” ultimately finished in 8th place and topped the official German singles chart. Albania: Anjeza Shahini - The Image of You She changed her hair and outfit for the Grand Final. Ukraine: Ruslana - Wild Dances (winner review below) Croatia: Ivan Mikulić - You Are the Only One Nothing new to add. Bosnia & Herzegovina: Deen - In the Disco He doesn't expose his chest in the Final. :( Belgium: Xandee - 1 Life “1 Life” is the fan-favourite under-performance of 2004. The Belgian entry is a thumping, high-energy club banger with tribal drums. In other words, it's right up my alley. The backing track is euphoric, intense and busy. And the dancing is lively. The chorus, however, would work better with a more dynamic vocalist. Xandee is a little submerged. Russia: Julia Savicheva - Believe Me Not to be confused with Julia Samoylova. So Russia selects an Avril Lavigne lookalike and a song that sounds like a European chart hit from the mid 2000's. The dance/club production is the best aspect of this entry. It's gentle, bittersweet and melancholic, and a genre that's right up my alley. But Julia drowns in the performance due to the vocals, and the arrangement is too bland. The chorus doesn't go anywhere. There's a decent song lurking beneath but it doesn’t quite surface. Lyrically, Julia is putting on the image that she doesn't care. She's either fooling her ex or herself. While the staging includes colourful body paint on the backing dancers. F.Y.R. Macedonia: Toše Proeski - Life Nothing new to add. Greece: Sakis Rouvas - Shake It The vocal is more bearable this time. Iceland: Jónsi - Heaven This is one intense, dramatic, power ballad. Jónsi sure sings the hell out of it. He performs alone on stage, so all focus is on his emotive bellowing. While the bombastic orchestral instrumentation amplifies this intense mood. It builds to a huge climax. It's not the catchiest ballad - Croatia's entry does a better job in that department - but the dramatics are more compelling. Ireland: Chris Doran - If My World Stopped Turning The Irish entry is written by Westlife member Bryan McFadden. So unsurprisingly, the song sounds just like a Westlife ballad. Which is one of the worst things to exist in popular music. Ireland were so stale around this point. The chorus melody attempts to leap out (“then I would still stand tall”) and there's a message about not taking things for granted. But, the arrangement is such tedious nothingness. It received 7 whole points... all from the UK. Poland: Blue Café - Love Song This is such a wonky song. The beginning reminds me of the Lion King. Following this, “Love Song” becomes brassy and breezy. The main portion employs a light, hypnotic rhythm that moves in a swaying motion. The pace is later disrupted by a lively Latin-y breakdown that doesn't quite fit. There's also quirky vocals from Tatiana. It's a curious entry, and I do like the chill vibe in the verses. But the “SWEET SONG, LOVE SONG” hook is annoying and repetitive. United Kingdom: James Fox - Hold On to Our Love The UK selects a 5th placer from the TV show Fame Academy. This seems like one of the more forgettable UK entries. “Hold On” is a gradually paced, swaying, uplifting, acoustic singalong. The “HOLD ON” yelps are about the only thing that saves this from fading into the background, though. I get the sense that not enough thought was put into this entry. It's basic. Cyprus: Lisa Andreas - Stronger Every Minute Nothing new to add. Turkey: Athena - For Real The host entry lands in 4th! “For Real” instantly stands out due to its genre and staging. It's an indie/punk rock song that appears authentic. The arrangement is dynamic, between the opening guitar riff, the trumpets, and the jumpy chorus. The lead singer has charisma. The outfits are eye catching. The groove energizes the audience. And there's nonsense anti-conformity lyrics. I kinda love this lol. Romania: Sanda - I Admit The Romanian entry contains a banging “ethnic pop” percussion beat, and engaging choreo. But Sanda's vocal is inconsistent and it ruins the flow. The song is basic too, although the guitar rhythm is enjoyable and there's an aura of sexiness. In the song, Sandra is not ashamed of what love does to her. Sweden: Lena Philipsson - It Hurts This is basically “The Winner Takes It All” by ABBA; the piano chords especially. Which means Sweden channels ABBA four times in six years. Indeed, the melody is predictable. That said, “It Hurts” did land in the top 5. I wish they kept the Swedish version from Melodifestivalen, though. The succession of syllables in the chorus flows nicely in Swedish, as opposed to the English ones (“Hurts, oh it hurts, really hurts”), which does not. Anyway, the performance opens with a blast. The “nobody but me...” hook is effective. The song has a natural bounce. And Lena is fierce and confident on stage. Her interactions with the microphone stand are amusing. Fun fact: she entered Melodifestivalen three times in the 80's, but finally won it in 2004. The Winner:So, in 2002 Latvia managed to win Eurovision on just their third participation. Two years later and Ukraine does it on their second. Which was a record at the time, excluding the 1950's. This quick victory asserted Ukraine as a legitimate contender in the contest. Indeed, the next 15 years will witness several more strong finishes from them (ie. Verka, “Shady Lady”, “Gravity”, “1944”). “Everyway That I Can” kick started the “ethnic pop” era of Eurovision, while “Wild Dances” advanced it. The arrangement in Ruslana's song is simply phenomenal – the alphorn opening, the catchy “hey”'s, the moment when the bass line hits in the intro, the “DUN.... DUN... DUN-DUN-DUN-DUN” percussion stamps... even the yodelling in the bridge. The usage of Ukrainian and gibberish is effective too. This song slaps hard. The pounding beat gets in your brain and the melody is extremely is catchy. Meanwhile, the staging is executed flawlessly. The dance sequence is so chaotic and fluid. The jungle warrior outfits are iconic. The flames on the LED screens are a nice touch too. Visually speaking, “Wild Dances” is a top tier winner. Although, vocally, the studio version is smoother than the live performance. Verdict: YASSSSS. Spoiler alert, but 03/04/05 might be my favourite run of winners ever. My Ranking:Grand Final01. Serbia & Montenegro: Željko Joksimović & Ad-Hoc Orchestra - Lane moje 02. Ukraine: Ruslana - Wild Dances 03. Turkey: Athena - For Real 04. Cyprus: Lisa Andreas - Stronger Every Minute 05. Spain: Ramón - Para llenarme de ti 06. Albania: Anjeza Shahini - The Image of You 07. F.Y.R. Macedonia: Toše Proeski - Life 08. Greece: Sakis Rouvas - Shake It 09. Belgium: Xandee - 1 Life 10. Sweden: Lena Philipsson - It Hurts 11. Iceland: Jónsi - Heaven 12. Malta: Julie and Ludwig - On Again... Off Again 13. France: Jonatan Cerrada - À chaque pas 14. Croatia: Ivan Mikulić - You Are the Only One 15. Bosnia & Herzegovina: Deen - In the Disco 16. Norway: Knut Anders Sørum - High 17. Russia: Julia Savicheva - Believe Me 18. Germany: Max - Can't Wait Until Tonight 19. Poland: Blue Café - Love Song 20. Romania: Sanda - I Admit 21. Netherlands: Re-Union - Without You 22. United Kingdom: James Fox - Hold On to Our Love 23. Ireland: Chris Doran - If My World Stopped Turning 24. Austria: Tie Break - Du bist Full Ranking: 01. Serbia & Montenegro: Željko Joksimović & Ad-Hoc Orchestra - Lane moje 02. Ukraine: Ruslana - Wild Dances 03. Turkey: Athena - For Real 04. Cyprus: Lisa Andreas - Stronger Every Minute 05. Spain: Ramón - Para llenarme de ti 06. Albania: Anjeza Shahini - The Image of You 07. F.Y.R. Macedonia: Toše Proeski - Life 08. Greece: Sakis Rouvas - Shake It 09. Belgium: Xandee - 1 Life 10. Sweden: Lena Philipsson - It Hurts 11. Iceland: Jónsi - Heaven 12. Malta: Julie and Ludwig - On Again... Off Again 13. France: Jonatan Cerrada - À chaque pas 14. Croatia: Ivan Mikulić - You Are the Only One 15. Belarus: Aleksandra and Konstantin - My Galileo 16. Bosnia & Herzegovina: Deen - In the Disco 17. Estonia: Neiokõsõ - Tii 18. Norway: Knut Anders Sørum - High 19. Russia: Julia Savicheva - Believe Me 20. Germany: Max - Can't Wait Until Tonight 21. Poland: Blue Café - Love Song 22. Lithuania: Linas and Simona - What's Happened to Your Love? 23. Finland: Jari Sillanpää - Takes 2 to Tango 24. Romania: Sanda - I Admit 25. Portugal: Sofia Vitória - Foi magia 26. Latvia: Fomins and Kleins - Dziesma par laimi 27. Denmark: Tomas Thordarson - Shame on You 28. Netherlands: Re-Union - Without You 29. United Kingdom: James Fox - Hold On to Our Love 30. Israel: David D'Or - Leha'amin 31. Ireland: Chris Doran - If My World Stopped Turning 32. Austria: Tie Break - Du bist 33. Andorra: Marta Roure - Jugarem a estimar-nos 34. Monaco: Maryon - Notre planète 35. Slovenia: Platin - Stay Forever 36. Switzerland: Piero Esteriore & The MusicStars - Celebrate Leo ✔ Soundcl🕤ck born fearlessarrow kimberly Mylo13 💜 Future Captain
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Soundcl🕤ck
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Post by Soundcl🕤ck on Jun 19, 2020 10:43:29 GMT -5
Agree that Serbia had the best song that year, but Ukraine won deservedly!!! I remember I was really happy when Ukraine and Serbia finished in the top 2.
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Future Captain
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hi, i'm the visual representation of untreated mental illnesses
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Post by Future Captain on Jun 19, 2020 10:51:58 GMT -5
The run of winners from 2003 to 2007 is one of the best in Eurovision history, imo.
Also I just realized that you put My Star as #1 for 2000 and honestly, I still think that it should have won that year. One of the most simply joyful song ever.
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mrmike855
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Post by mrmike855 on Jun 19, 2020 12:25:41 GMT -5
People were already nostalgic for the 90s it seems. With so many countries sending Latin songs, and even more having Latin influences, and with Turkey's performance looking and sounding like it was straight out of 1998, people were really missing the 90s, but with the state of the world in 2004, I can't blame them.
Ruslana is my favorite winner of the 2000s, the music, the energy, the performance, everything about this was awesome, Serbia and Montenegro might've been better as a song, but Ukraine deserved to win more.
Is it just me, or was 2004 a bad year for singers? So many of the entries, even ones that did well, were sang mediocre to badly and even Ruslana's singing performance would be considered disappointing by today's standards. Funny that two of the best singing performances were by teenagers.
Between the ethno-pop, the dance-pop (represented by songs like Sweden and Bosnia) and the brief Latin music, 2004 was a strange transitional year.
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ry4n
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Post by ry4n on Jul 25, 2020 20:15:59 GMT -5
Kyiv 2005: The Semi-Final Host: Ukraine Slogan: “Awakening” Participants: 39 Voting method: 12-point system (36 televotes / 3 juries) Format: 1 Semi-Final / Grand Final = the top 10 of the semi + the top 10 of '04 + the Big 4 General Overview:As of 2005, Eurovision is officially broadcast in high definition and 16:9 aspect ratio! Incidentally, there's also plenty of eye-catching staging this year. Although I'm sure the three most recent winners ("I Wanna", "Everyway That I Can" and "Wild Dances") are responsible for shifting emphasis in that direction as well. Furthermore, I've noticed a shift, stylistically speaking, in the songs submitted. The genres are more varied. So 2005 is another significant stepping stone towards the modern era of the contest. The 2005 contest repeats the same semi-final format from 2004. However, with a new record of 39 overall participants, this semi-final contains a whopping 25 entries. Which is longer than the Grand Final. (Although the 2007 semi-final will have 28 entries lmao). Notably, Hungary returns after an extended absence, while Bulgaria and Moldova debut. The opening section to this semi-final is so extra. The two co-hosts try to “one-up” each other with “weird” local dances and singing. The music on the second one was terrifying. While the rock/yodel one is very Eurovision. On the technical side of the things, the computer graphics look very clean this year. While the repeated camera tilts in some of the performances are nauseating. The interval showcases sped-up footage of the stage in Kyiv being built, which is neat. While the main interval act is visually appealing with the various styles of dance and costumes. Once again, the co-hosts open envelopes (green this time) in random order to reveal the 10 qualifiers and their running order slots in the Grand Final. And, like 2004, there's a montage of the 14 auto-qualifiers before the results. The Entries: × Austria: Global.Kryner - Y así Austria delivers a dosage of lighthearted cuteness. The staging is a highlight here. The brass instruments are bold and invigorating, while lead singer Sabine Stieger playfully interacts with the yodelling trombonist. She's also dressed in traditional attire. The song, meanwhile, channels traditional Austrian Alpine folk music. The cutesy lyrics recount a Cuban girl and an Austrian boy smitten by each other's differing music cultures. “Y así” a cheerful entry, but the vocal melody is mismatched with the rhythm. And the yodelling is annoying. × Lithuania: Laura & The Lovers - Little by Little Last place belongs to Lithuania. “Little by Little” is a warm outlook on a new relationship blossoming. It's on the verge of being a dreamy pop/rock song, but instead it deflates due to the weak vocal performance and bland chorus melody. The song is mostly carried by the driving guitar line, which is reminiscent of “It Must Have Been Love”. The choreography, however, has some neat moments, like the sideways strut thing. Although the camera work is dizzying on this one. × Portugal: 2B - Amar Portugal's 2005 entry was marred by a microphone malfunction. As a result, the vocals sound extremely messy. And the duet's vocal styles clash with each other. It ruins any chance of “Amar” being powerful and inspirational, which is what the chorus aims for. The lyrics are also unimaginative. The backing track and the energy on stage are the only things holding this together. ✓ Moldova: Zdob și Zdub - Boonika bate doba Moldova are known for bringing novelty to Eurovision, and their debut entry does exactly that! “Boonika” finishes in 6th place on Grand Final stage, so they clearly made a lasting first impression. Between the frantic stage energy, and the rapid fire chorus, this a chaotic performance. It's also the closest thing to a punk rock song this year. The lyrics are insanely silly too. But the most notable aspect is the granny sitting in a rocking chair holding a giant drum. Adorable. “Boonika” is the epitome of 2000's Eurovision weirdness. It is a crazy, lighthearted and charismatic entry, and less cringe than I expected. I'm pleased this qualified. ✓ Latvia: Walters & Kazha - The War Is Not Over The Latvian entry involves a male duet performing an acoustic guitar ballad on stools while delivering a serious message. Ordinarily, that would be something I groan about. However, their delivery is heartfelt and genuine. In the song, Walters & Kazha encourage standing against society's leaders wanting the populace feel powerless and hopeless. I appreciate that message. This entry is also notable for the sign language bit. × Monaco: Lise Darly - Tout de moi It must have felt defeating to return from a 25-year hiatus, only to be met with such lacklustre results. The orchestral instrumentation is the clear highlight on Monaco's entry. The atmosphere is “larger than life”, fairy tale-esque, and cinematic. I love the texture and complexity of it, and the way it swells and climaxes. It conveys the moment when the story's hero completes her journey. Otherwise, “Tout de moi” employs a fairly standard French ballad melody. It's well-sung, but Lise's delivery/tone doesn't quite resonate enough. ✓ Israel: Shiri Maimon - Hasheket Shenish'ar This is a power ballad executed well. Shiri's vocal performance is beautiful and explosive, while her tone is sufficiently devastated and dramatic. She is tearful about saying goodbye, but she's also in control of the situation. The escalating pre-chorus melody is strong too. And the loud chorus hits hard. It gets stuck in my head. I can understand how Israel reached 4th place with this. × Belarus: Angelica Agurbash - Love Me Tonight Belarus delivers a quirky dance/pop bop! “Love Me Tonight” was written by Nikos Terzis, the person responsible for “Die For You” and “Shake It”. This composition is indeed dynamic, featuring a lively disco beat mixed with classical strings. The fusion of two styles works well. The backing singers are a highlight too (“I...dream of you... by my side”). Meanwhile, the 1700's attire and Angelica's stage presence convey a regal vibe. She is covered in gold plating, including a tiara. She also undergoes two surprise costume reveals. The song emits an entrancing aura, but the wobbly vocal style is probably why it failed to qualify. Still, this is a favourite of mine. × Netherlands: Glennis Grace - My Impossible Dream 2005 is the beginning of a long run of DNQ's for the Netherlands. They won't qualify again until “Birds” in 2013. “My Dream Impossible” is basically every X Factor / Idol winners single ever. Understandably, ~2005 is when those shows were at their peak in Europe. It's also reminiscent of the Whitney Houston ballad template. In other words, the arrangement is extremely predictable and tedious. Especially the key change. That said, Glennis throws everything into this vocally. And she effectively projects the inner strength and independence she feels after ending a relationship. × Iceland: Selma - If I Had Your Love The runner-up of 1999 fails to qualify six years later. The wonky structure, which encompasses constant tempo changes, rendered this entry too polarizing. But that's precisely what I love about it. The tempo changes flow smoothly, while keeping the song unpredictable. It's darkly inviting in the verses, wistful in the pre-chorus, vigorously euphoric in the chorus, and sinister in the post-chorus. The arrangement is reminiscent of a spy movie soundtrack and it's wild ride. Selma also exudes natural stage presence, although the live performance is average. Still, this was “robbed”! × Belgium: Nuno Resende - Le grand soir Belgium also plunges into DNQ territory for a while starting in 2005. Nuno delivers a passionate performance here, and the song is triumphant with intense fortitude. “Le grand soir” doesn't contain a chorus, instead it steadily builds, while several lines begin with the same phrase (“ce soir...”). Also, the song begins as an ordinary piano ballad, with a rich orchestral backing. But later on, the electric guitars and drums kick in, to add more vitality. That all said, I find this Belgian entry too forgettable. × Estonia: Suntribe - Let's Get Loud The bouncy chorus melody on “Let's Get Loud” is serviceable. The song's groove is a buoyant retro beach party that focuses on positives thoughts only. I can appreciate that, but the overall execution is childish and awkward. The staging in particular is a huge misfire. It involves an adult girl group dressed as preteens while spinning records on stage. It's a bizarre visual, and not in a good way. Furthermore, the verses are weak. ✓ Norway: Wig Wam - In My Dreams Hahaha, this is amazing. The Norwegian entry is straight-up late-80's glam rock. Lordi who?! Every element is true to the era - the heavy metal instrumentation, the lead singer's Steve Perry-esque vocals, and the gaudy outfits. This could legitimately be a Def Leppard or a Van Halen song. Meanwhile, the lead singer oozes charisma. The “c'mon c'mon c'mon” hook is irresistibly catchy. And the heavy guitar rhythm provides so much energy. Wig Wam is just so committed and brazen in creating this illusion of a bygone era, and I love it. And it doesn't take itself too seriously. ✓ Romania: Luminița Anghel & Sistem - Let Me Try Next up is the winner of the semi-final, and 3rd placer overall (losing to two auto-qualifiers in Greece and Malta). Rightly so, as “Let Me Try” is arguably the most inventive Eurovision entry of 2005. The most noteworthy aspect is the collection of yellow oil barrels used as drums on stage. The ensuing pounding tribal percussion groove is so infectious. Furthermore, the euphoric dance/club beat is both refreshing and it complements the rhythm well. And Luminita's soaring vocal delivery of desperate longing is on point, especially the escalation into the chorus. Plus the staging is excellent. From the cloud of fog and lights to Luminita joining the drum section to the grinding sparks!! It keeps topping itself. This is without a doubt, one of my favourite Eurovision entries of all time. ✓ Hungary: NOX - Forogj, világ! And my top 3 of this semi-final are all in a row! This is Hungary's first appearance since 1998, and they return with a bop! The percussion is built off of a rapid succession of tap dances and hand claps. It's a creative concept and the rhythm is infectious. The “Haynana nanana” hooks are seriously catchy too. While the instrumentation fuses traditional Celtic elements with a modern beat. And the five tap dancers are skilled in their choreography. Overall, the Hungarian entry flows seamlessly, it's energetic, and it conveys the power of nature. × Finland: Geir Rönning - Why? Jeez, this entry is depressing. “Why?” is about a real world massacre, though (the Beslan school siege, where 333 people were killed). Geir is understandably outraged and despondent at the needless violence. The song captures the immediate gut-wrenching reaction to the news. But the dreary nature is such a chore to sit through. ✓ F.Y.R. Macedonia: Martin Vučić - Make My Day I wouldn't have expected this generic Europop song to qualify. The thumping dance beat, while energetic, is nothing special. It must be the bizarre dance routine (ie. the finger pointing). The choreo is annoying and cringey, though. Otherwise, the song mostly relies on that repetitive “ley lala” hook. Martin's vocal also projects a lackadaisical charm, but it's not endearing. × Andorra: Marian van de Wal - La mirada interior The Andorran entry is quite fierce, intense, and haunting. There's bellowing percussion and foreboding backing singers. The lyrics advise working on yourself before searching for happiness elsewhere. It's a good message. And the staging is visually engaging; with the body movements, the colour choices, and the giant peacock feathers. ✓ Switzerland: Vanilla Ninja - Cool Vibes This is mid-2000's angsty pop/rock in a nutshell. “Cool Vibes” is packed with attitude and messy emotions. Indeed, the lead singer performs with watery eyes the entire time. The lyrics describe how she's addicted to someone that is toxic for her. While the electric guitars maintain a constant sense of hostility. I especially like when the guitars kick in after the subdued intro, as if she's turning her sadness into anger. I also like how the chorus melody escalates. And how the lead singer's vocal tone conveys so many underlying emotions. However, the chorus could be a smidgen more impactful. ✓ Croatia: Boris Novković feat. Lado Members - Vukovi umiru sami “Vukovi umiru sami” (“Wolves Die Alone”) is a Balkan ballad with traditional elements and a melodramatic tone. The triumphant chorus, the flutes, and the thunderous drum breakdown are captivating. Boris gives an emphatic performance - there's eager energy on stage. And the backing vocalists elevate the intensity and reinforce the chorus melody effectively. It's catchy! The song captures the resilient sentiment of Boris leaving a relationship. The drummer is also a delight - he even performs a handstand at one point. However, I can't 100% get into this for some reason. × Bulgaria: Kaffe - Lorraine Bulgaria's debut entry clearly predates their current level of quality. This jazzy coffeehouse ballad contains smooth and chilled out verses, and a pleasant pre-chorus, but the lazy rhyming and the bland chorus are a letdown. The lead singer is also charming on stage, but moreso in an annoying way. And his falsetto at the end is not needed. × Ireland: Donna and Joe - Love? Okay, maybe the endless Irish ballads weren't so bad if this mess is the alternative. The performance is overly joyful and the production is excessive. The lyrics are also quite empty. And the Riverdance breakdown comes out of nowhere? Like, it serves no purpose. My other main observation is that “Love?” is one hyper song (and not in a good way), between the “DUN DUN DUN” instrumental and the rapid chorus melody. × Slovenia: Omar Naber - Stop “Stop” is similar to Iceland's 2004 ballad, where the atmosphere is excellent, but the song lacks an accessible hook. Still, “Stop” escalates so dramatically as it progresses from quiet reflection, to the heavy electric guitar, to the haunting howling backing singer. The song builds in intensity nicely, and it ventures into a direction I wasn't expecting. The instrumentation becomes so effectively overpowering, and Omar remains at the centre of it throughout. The lyrics are quite biting in tone too. Although, does Omar really need to have the word “stop” written on his shirt? ✓ Denmark: Jakob Sveistrup - Talking to You The final qualifier is a slice of feelgood reggae from Denmark. The vibe is relaxed and the lyrics are cute. In the song, Jakob desires a relationship but he's unsure how to initiate it. It's delivered in an endearing and charismatic way (arguably excessively so). Meanwhile, the backing vocalists strengthen the chorus melody with their harmonies, as they joyously bounce back and forth. And Jakob vocally projects with gusto. That said, the arrangement is too plain and the piano ballad intro is tiresome. The simplicity fits the message, but the song is irritating. × Poland Ivan & Delfin - Czarna dziewczyna The Polish entry is this year's 11th placer in the semi-final (it missed out by 5 points). There's no other way to describe “Czarna” than utter chaos. The BPM couldn't be any higher if it tried. The instrumentation (that hyper accordion) and the dance moves are exhaustively fast. It's a good thing the song takes a breather during the bridge. The skirt swaying from the backing is a neat visual. And Ivan is a charmer (he even exposes his bare chest by the end of the performance). But this entry doesn't offer much beyond it's central gimmick. My Ranking:01. Romania: Luminița Anghel & Sistem - Let Me Try ✓02. Israel: Shiri Maimon - Hasheket Shenish'ar ✓03. Hungary: NOX - Forogj, világ! ✓04. Switzerland: Vanilla Ninja - Cool Vibes ✓05. Norway: Wig Wam - In My Dreams ✓06. Moldova: Zdob și Zdub - Boonika bate doba ✓07. Iceland: Selma - If I Had Your Love 08. Slovenia: Omar Naber - Stop 09. Latvia: Walters & Kazha - The War Is Not Over ✓10. Andorra: Marian van de Wal - La mirada interior 11. Croatia: Boris Novković feat. Lado Members - Vukovi umiru sami ✓12. Belarus: Angelica Agurbash - Love Me Tonight 13. Monaco: Lise Darly - Tout de moi 14. Belgium: Nuno Resende - Le grand soir 15. Austria: Global.Kryner - Y así 16. Netherlands: Glennis Grace - My Impossible Dream 17. Lithuania: Laura & The Lovers - Little by Little 18. Poland: Ivan & Delfin - Czarna dziewczyna 19. Denmark: Jakob Sveistrup - Talking to You ✓20. Estonia: Suntribe - Let's Get Loud 21. Bulgaria: Kaffe - Lorraine 22. F.Y.R. Macedonia: Martin Vučić - Make My Day ✓23. Portugal: 2B - Amar 24. Finland: Geir Rönning - Why? 25. Ireland: Donna and Joe - Love? This semi-final is much stronger than 2004's. There's 12 songs here that I wanted to qualify! Leo ✔ Soundcl🕤ck born fearlessarrow kimberly Mylo13 💜 Future Captain mrmike855
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Post by ry4n on Jul 25, 2020 20:17:13 GMT -5
I'M BACK!!!
Sorry, Pulse Survivor derailed my thoughts for a while, and then I couldn't get back into the groove of things for the past month.
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Post by Soundcl🕤ck on Jul 25, 2020 20:22:38 GMT -5
Yeees, glad you're back! Really missed this.
"Let Me Try"!!! What a bop.
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born
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Post by born on Jul 26, 2020 3:01:52 GMT -5
I’m so relieved you like Norway ![:dead:](http://ruadventures.com/forum/Smileys/animated/smiley_resurrect_grave.gif) It was a clear highlight for me and I still like the song! Also Iceland 2005 is one of the most surprising non qualifiers tbh. Can’t wait for the grand final :)
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Post by ry4n on Jul 30, 2020 16:06:54 GMT -5
Kyiv 2005 - Grand Final Host: Ukraine Slogan: “Awakening” Participants: 39 Voting method: 12-point system (36 televotes / 3 juries) Format: 1 Semi-Final / Grand Final = the top 10 of the semi + the top 10 of '04 + the Big 4 Winner: Helena Paparizou - My Number One ![](https://cdn.countryflags.com/thumbs/greece/flag-400.png) Country: Greece Points: 230 (50.4% of highest score possible) Language: English YouTube | Spotify | LyricsGeneral Overview:2005 is the 50th edition (not anniversary) of the Eurovision Song Contest. But the indulgence into nostalgia was reserved for the Congratulations special in October, where 14 Eurovision classics were replayed and then voted upon. The winner was “Waterloo”. The Grand Final contains its share of extravagance, however. Two famous Ukrainian boxing brothers opened and closed the voting by striking wind chimes (following the gimmick from last year where the hosts hit a gong). It's so extra, and the dialogue is awkward. And later on, the current president of Ukraine came on stage to congratulate the winner. Ruslana is heavily featured in this Grand Final as well. She opens the show with a reprisal of “Wild Dances”, but quickly jumps into the electrifying “Heart on Fire”, where whips out a flame thrower! That moment is so badass. It's one of my favourite opening acts. She reappears later in the interval segment to perform a third song (the breezy “The Same Star” - which contains some catchy “na na na”'s), alongside a percussion ensemble and a body contortionist. Ruslana also conducted the Green Room interviews. She was originally slated to co-host the event but those plans fell through. Organizationally, Ukraine's hosting is serviceable. The presenters (Maria Efrosinina and Pavlo Shylko) aren't too annoying. The post cards feature the usual cultural clips.. I was barely paying attention to them. And the stage design is optimal for the HD era and the era of crazy performances. There were a few audio mishaps, however. Musically, 2005 is the peak of the “Ethnic pop” era. A significant number of countries opt for that direction. There's also multiple female-lead rock bands. And very few ballads, which is a stark contrast to where this contest was a decade prior. 2005 seems like a forgettable year to Eurofans?, but I think it's one of my favourites. I was incorrect about 2004 being the final time that the correspondents read out the entire top 10, because they still do it in 2005. Which is tedious with 39 countries. This time, the EBU returned to calling the countries in running order (starting with the 15 semi-final DNQ's). This year's screw-up comes from the Ukrainian correspondent, who incorrectly gave three points to two different countries. The scrutineer told her to start over, which got messy. The voting itself was all over the place initially, with Switzerland and Latvia leading in the early stages. Greece wasn't even in contention until the Grand Final countries started being called. Percentage-wise, the top 10 threshold was higher than usual, while Greece had one of the lowest winning percentages in the 12-point era. Also, the “Big 4” occupied the bottom 4 slots in the final results... with the hosting Ukraine finishing in 5th last. Iconic. The Entries: Hungary: NOX - Forogj, világ! Nothing new to add. United Kingdom: Javine - Touch My Fire Following their recent under performances, the UK jumped on the “Ethnic pop” bandwagon in 2005 to align with current Eurovision trends. But perhaps “Touch My Fire” blended into the landscape too much – because this did not perform well at all. Or it seemed disingenuous coming from the UK. It also drew the worst running order slot. Also of note, Javine was the final person cut on the reality TV show that formed Girls Aloud. Anyway, the beat on “Touch My Fire” clearly channels Eastern Europe elements. The strings/percussion combo in the instrumental breakdowns are highly enjoyable. The songs flow like dancing on fire. While the red and yellow aesthetic (in the outfits and the LED screens) adds to the allure. The choreography has sensual moments too. I wish Javine's delivery packed more punch, but “Touch My Fire” is still one of the better UK entries of the 21st century. Malta: Chiara - Angel Chiara previously reached third place in 1998, where she was 8 points away from winning the contest. In 2005, the points difference is wider, but she improves her position by becoming the runner-up! I prefer “Angel” to “The One That I Love”, although I find both overrated. This one also employs a standard ballad formula, but the melody is more powerful. Meanwhile, the minimalist, gimmick-free staging and arrangement emphasizes the humble, intimate, and honest nature of the song. Chiara's delivery is sweet. She promises support to someone who can't reach her, like an angel protecting their loved one from beyond the grave. Although she oversells the performance at times; the grunt and the wink in particular. It's not the most “interesting” entry ever, but it's harmless. Romania: Luminița Anghel & Sistem - Let Me Try It sounds like someone dropped their drum stick towards the end lol. Norway: Wig Wam - In My Dreams Nothing new to add. Turkey: Gülseren - Rimi Rimi Ley Turkey's performance is so innocently joyful – how can I dislike it? The group has so much fun on stage with this cheerfully inviting song. And Gülseren is so enthusiastic with the constant smiling, the cheers, and how she casually joins the drumming section. Stylistically, “Rimi Rimi Ley” is one of 2005's many “Ethnic pop” entries. The banging percussion beat is a bop, and it sounds exotic. The traditional outfits add to that allure. The song has a continuous rhythm. And, although the chorus melody becomes static, the catchy "rimi rimi ley" ejections and the lively percussion keep it afloat. Unfortunately, there was a technical issue during the second verse, where Moldova's backing track played simultaneously. Moldova: Zdob și Zdub - Boonika bate doba Nothing new to add. Albania: Ledina Çelo - Tomorrow I Go Albania also employs an “Ethnic pop” beat, accompanied by visually slick staging. The four violinists and the drummer are a delight to watch. They emit bouncy energy. The violin playing is so fake lol. And the part at the end where the drummer bounds all six members together with a red ribbon is neat. The instrumental is dynamic, with how the guitars and the Çifteli continually stop and start. The lyrics, meanwhile, describe Ledina's heart-to-heart with her mother on her wedding day. Although the arrangement on “Tomorrow I Go” is more of a celebratory dance. Cyprus: Constantinos Christoforou - Ela Ela This is Constantinos's third time representing Cyprus, following a ballad in 1996 and a boyband bop in 2002. In 2005, he opts for an “Ethnic pop” entry! Featuring plenty of sexual charisma. This entry... is a mess. The chorus is certainly catchy (ie. the “come baby come baby” and the “Ela, ela, ela, la” hooks). But the vocals are sloppy and the bridge transition is so abrupt. Not to mention the song sounds noticeably similar to “Shake It” (Greece 2004). Overall, the execution is too forced/mechanical. Spain: Son de Sol - Brujería The Spanish entry encompasses a bouncy, rapid singing style that's reminiscent of “The Ketchup Song”. It's a lighthearted arrangement. And the lyrics are enticing, where the narrator is entranced by this person like “witchcraft”. I also like the skirt movements. But 2005 is a strong year, and “Brujería” doesn’t leave enough of an impression. The girl group whips through the lyrics too quickly for it take hold. Also, the raspy voiced guy who interjects is grating. Still, this is kind of a bop. Israel: Shiri Maimon - Hasheket Shenish'ar Nothing new to add. Serbia & Montenegro: No Name - Zauvijek moja This is the second and final appearance of Serbia & Montenegro in Eurovision, since they withdraw in 2006 over national final controversy... and then the country splits into two. So, following in the footsteps of “Lane moje”, “Zauvijek moja” is another entry that's creatively and expertly composed. The overall structure is unconventional – there are no verses, just a singular chorus melody repeated several times, with instrumental breaks interspersed. The song remains focused on singular moment in time - it's essentially three minutes of sustained tension. The instrumentation and melody are so overpowering and dramatic. Meanwhile, the group excitedly prances around like utter goofballs on stage, which I find amusing. Denmark: Jakob Sveistrup - Talking to You Nothing new to add. Sweden: Martin Stenmarck - Las Vegas “Las Vegas” breaks Sweden's run of consistent high placings since their 1999 win. It's also their worst result in 13 years. The chorus is a busy rush of Vegas madness, featuring some catchy “oh oh oh”'s. While the showy, brassy instrumental is reminiscent of the soundtracks given to Las Vegas montages in TV and film. But this entry seems sonically and thematically out of touch with Eurovision in 2005. The Melfest runner-up that year was miles better (Nanne Grönvall - Håll om mig). F.Y.R. Macedonia: Martin Vučić - Make My Day Nothing new to add. Ukraine: GreenJolly - Razom nas bahato Ukraine selects an outraged political protest song... to be performed on home turf. Wow. Although the artists had to remove all references to the Ukrainian president from the original version (the same president who appears at this Grand Final). “Razom” uses the aggressive side of rock and rap to establish a weighty tone. The rap sections are delivered with so much vitriol. While the chorus encourages standing against oppression. The emotions are expressed perfectly here, and the performance successfully grabs the audience's attention. I also love the crazy dancing from the two guys in handcuffs. Germany: Gracia - Run and Hide Gracia's scratch vocals are literally nails on a chalkboard. She screeches “iii-iii-iii” so often that it makes this song unbearable to listen to. And I usually enjoy female-lead rock bands. No wonder Germany sank into last place, with their only points coming from the jury countries. Croatia: Boris Novković feat. Lado Members - Vukovi umiru sami Nothing new to add. Greece: Helena Paparizou - My Number One (winner review below) Russia: Natalia Podolskaya - Nobody Hurt No One Russia selects a female-lead rock band, with a song about school shootings. The lyrics call out America in the opening line. The band then chastises those who don't sympathize with the frightened children. “Nobody Hurt No One” is a less dreary approach than Finland's attempt at the same heavy subject matter. There's some dark angst in the instrumentation and in the verse melody. But the chorus is soooo anticlimactic and stagnant. And I just can't take Russia seriously sending a song like this. Bosnia & Herzegovina: Feminnem - Call Me “Feminnem” is one cringe-worthy pun. Ignoring that, “Call Me” is a buoyant, lighthearted girl group bop that channels the 1960's. Lyrically, it's a celebration of Eurovision's 50th anniversary. So the retro sound makes sense. The performance is packed with joyful energy and the chorus melody flows along effortlessly. But the song's arrangement and concept are too simple to hold my attention for three whole minutes. Switzerland: Vanilla Ninja - Cool Vibes No watery eyes this time. Latvia: Walters & Kazha - The War Is Not Over Nothing new to add. France: Ortal - Chacun pense à soi The French entry has so much promise. The production is slick, modern and intricate – it encompasses a looped drum beat, tense strings, acoustic guitar, and a synth bridge. And it changes gears smoothly. The choreo routine conveys attitude too. Lyrically, it's a snarky song criticizing how self-interested behaviour can be destructive. “Chacun” is a cool song, but it's let down by the live performance. Ortal sounds vocally messy, and her mannerisms are awkward at times. The Winner:“YOU'RE MY LOVER... UNDERCOVER” Greece achieves an overdue victory, 31 years after their debut. From their first participation in 1974, their entries were reliably unique (most of the time). So I view their 2005 win as a celebration of their presence in Eurovision, much like Turkey in 2003. Interestingly, Greece performed exceptionally well during this time period. Nearly all of their entries from “Shake It” in 2004 through “Alcohol Is Free” in 2013 land in the top 10. Both the arrangement and the staging on “My Number One” are relatively simplistic. The production's foundation is comprised of a repetitive, circling clacking beat. But the monotony is broken up by the two violin solos; which adds a layer of quirkiness. As well as the rapid tapping bit that frequently appears, and the pause at the beginning of the second verse. But it's the vocal melody that elevates the production into a banger. Helena delivers these short, choppy phrases in an assertive manner, which escalates the tension throughout the verses. It's appropriate on the “never leave me” part. The chorus melody, meanwhile, flows freely in an effortlessly catchy way. Furthermore, the “you're my lover... undercover” section is yet another infectious hook. The staging is adorable. For example, the ensemble points their index fingers during the “my number one” line. Helena plays that string tool during the second violin solo. And the backing dancers form the number “1” with their bodies laid flat on stage. It's so silly, but it's so much fun. Helena exudes so much confidence on stage too – like an experienced performer. In her dance moves especially. “My Number One” is pure pop perfection. It's not the most creatively composed winner, but the song's arrangement and the staging are so meticulously executed. My only negative is that I don't like the backing vocalist that much. Verdict: “S” Tier My Ranking:Grand Final01. Romania: Luminița Anghel & Sistem - Let Me Try 02. Greece: Helena Paparizou - My Number One 03. Israel: Shiri Maimon - Hasheket Shenish'ar 04. Hungary: NOX - Forogj, világ! 05. Switzerland: Vanilla Ninja - Cool Vibes 06. Norway: Wig Wam - In My Dreams 07. Albania: Ledina Çelo - Tomorrow I Go 08. Serbia & Montenegro: No Name - Zauvijek moja 09. Moldova: Zdob și Zdub - Boonika bate doba 10. United Kingdom: Javine - Touch My Fire 11. Latvia: Walters & Kazha - The War Is Not Over 12. Ukraine: GreenJolly - Razom nas bahato 13. Malta: Chiara - Angel 14. Turkey: Gülseren - Rimi Rimi Ley 15. Croatia: Boris Novković feat. Lado Members - Vukovi umiru sami 16. Bosnia & Herzegovina: Feminnem - Call Me 17. France: Ortal - Chacun pense à soi 18. Sweden: Martin Stenmarck - Las Vegas 19. Spain: Son de Sol - Brujería 20. Cyprus: Constantinos Christoforou - Ela Ela 21. Denmark: Jakob Sveistrup - Talking to You 22. Russia: Natalia Podolskaya - Nobody Hurt No One 23. F.Y.R. Macedonia: Martin Vučić - Make My Day 24. Germany: Gracia - Run and Hide Full Ranking: 01. Romania: Luminița Anghel & Sistem - Let Me Try 02. Greece: Helena Paparizou - My Number One 03. Israel: Shiri Maimon - Hasheket Shenish'ar 04. Hungary: NOX - Forogj, világ! 05. Switzerland: Vanilla Ninja - Cool Vibes 06. Norway: Wig Wam - In My Dreams 07. Albania: Ledina Çelo - Tomorrow I Go 08. Serbia & Montenegro: No Name - Zauvijek moja 09. Moldova: Zdob și Zdub - Boonika bate doba 10. Iceland: Selma - If I Had Your Love 11. Slovenia: Omar Naber - Stop 12. United Kingdom: Javine - Touch My Fire 13. Latvia: Walters & Kazha - The War Is Not Over 14. Andorra: Marian van de Wal - La mirada interior 15. Ukraine: GreenJolly - Razom nas bahato 16. Malta: Chiara - Angel 17. Turkey: Gülseren - Rimi Rimi Ley 18. Croatia: Boris Novković feat. Lado Members - Vukovi umiru sami 19. Belarus: Angelica Agurbash - Love Me Tonight 20. Monaco: Lise Darly - Tout de moi 21. Bosnia & Herzegovina: Feminnem - Call Me 22. France: Ortal - Chacun pense à soi 23. Sweden: Martin Stenmarck - Las Vegas 24. Spain: Son de Sol - Brujería 25. Belgium: Nuno Resende - Le grand soir 26. Austria: Global.Kryner - Y así 27. Netherlands: Glennis Grace - My Impossible Dream 28. Lithuania: Laura & The Lovers - Little by Little 29. Poland: Ivan & Delfin - Czarna dziewczyna 30. Cyprus: Constantinos Christoforou - Ela Ela 31. Denmark: Jakob Sveistrup - Talking to You 32. Estonia: Suntribe - Let's Get Loud 33. Bulgaria: Kaffe - Lorraine 34. Russia: Natalia Podolskaya - Nobody Hurt No One 35. F.Y.R. Macedonia: Martin Vučić - Make My Day 36. Portugal: 2B - Amar 37. Finland: Geir Rönning - Why? 38. Ireland: Donna and Joe - Love? 39. Germany: Gracia - Run and Hide Leo ✔ Soundcl🕤ck born fearlessarrow kimberly Mylo13 💜 Future Captain mrmike855
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born
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Post by born on Jul 30, 2020 16:13:48 GMT -5
YES! Legendary ![:love:](http://i.imgur.com/2smy76v.gif) I wish you liked France more cause it's a total earworm. ![:jamming:](https://media.giphy.com/media/g0aAMgrvrPGzx8tZyH/giphy.gif) But hey! You have both Norway and Ukraine in your top 10. PS: The review for "Run and Hide" had me ![:dead:](http://ruadventures.com/forum/Smileys/animated/smiley_resurrect_grave.gif)
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Soundcl🕤ck
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Post by Soundcl🕤ck on Jul 30, 2020 16:31:31 GMT -5
Norway and Switzerland paved the way for Lordi!
Helena really did that, definitely one of the most famous ESC songs.
Once again, Romaniaaaa, what a song.
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Leo ✔
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Post by Leo ✔ on Jul 30, 2020 17:15:35 GMT -5
Spain sent a copy of Las Ketchup and the original Ketchup a year later 💀💀
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Post by ry4n on Aug 7, 2020 11:26:48 GMT -5
Athens 2006 - Semi-Final Host: Greece Slogan: âFeel The Rhythmâ Participants: 37 Voting method: 12-point system (36 televotes / 2 juries) Format: 1 Semi-Final / Grand Final = the top 10 of the semi + the top 10 of '05 + the Big 4 General Overview:So, the 2006 contest must be the beginning of Eurovision's "WTF" era of the late 2000s. Because some of this year's semi-final entries are so extra. Lithuania and Iceland decided to outright troll the contest, while several other countries opted for bizarre staging choices. Including the eventual winners. The televoting era is all about making a big splash! This year sees Armenia debut, expanding Eurovision's scope into the Caucasus. Azerbaijan and Georgia will join in the next couple of years. Meanwhile, Serbia & Montenegro withdrew in the midst of national final controversy. The country still retained their voting rights, however, which was unprecedented. I believe this is the only instance where the EBU made that exception. Incidentally, Serbia's withdrawal allowed Croatia to advance to the Grand Final. Furthermore, Austria and Hungary skipped this year, reducing the number of participants to 37. The semi-final opens with a medley of Eurovision classics, performed by a ensemble dressed in classical and mythological Greek outfits. The medley concludes with a group singalong of "Love Shine A Light", lead by the co-hosts. Said co-hosts are future WWE superstar Maria Menounos and "Shake It" singer Sakis Rouvas. Maria notably misses several cues throughout the night. While Sakis sings the tepid ballad "I'm In Love With You" during the interval. Which is followed by the usual traditional dance and music. Also, similar to 2005, two Greek gold medallists came on stage to commence the voting. This time by flipping a sand timer. I'll take it over a gong and wind chimes. The results segment is presented the same way as the 2004 and 2005 semi-finals. A montage of the 14 auto-qualifiers is once again show before the reveal. And there are ten envelopes opened in random order to determine the running order slots for the qualifiers in the Grand Final. However, this year sees the envelopes transferred from the scrutineers bay to the stage via a chain of human volunteers. Also, there was a mixed reaction to Lithuania qualifying. The Entries: ✓ Armenia: André - Without Your Love Armenia's debut makes a strong first impression by landing in 8th place at the Grand Final. Their entries usually attention-grabbing, and "Without Your Love" is no exception. The staging is clever on this one. It involves André tugging and being tugged by tethers, which symbolizes his state of confused limbo expressed in the lyrics. His mind goes back and forth over whether this relationship can be salvaged. It's also a smooth visual. Furthermore, André displays desperation quite well, especially when he gets down on his knees ontop of a 4-foot high box. The song's bouncy chorus melody is a bop as well. The biggest flaw is André's messy vocals, but that could be his lack of proficiency with English. × Bulgaria: Mariana Popova - Let Me Cry The bursting chorus on "Let Me Cry" is fantastic and powerful. Mariana's soaring vocals express emotional intensity, while the strings and percussion convey melancholy and distress. However, the arrangement outside the chorus lacks cohesion. The opening verse and the bridge are clumsy, as if the writer forgot to add more words. The screaming person with the bleached haired is a distraction as well. The backing dancers add a layer of elegance to the performance though. × Slovenia: Anžej Dežan - Mr Nobody The Slovenian entry is one overproduced song. It begins as a pensive vocal ballad, then jumps into breakneck dance/pop, where the production becomes noticeably busy and chaotic. It keeps throwing in new elements, such as the strings, the growling sound, and the piano notes. And the post-chorus further increases the intensity. Although the arrangement does convey a sense of panic, which is Anžej's reaction to being ignored. But it's excessive. × Andorra: Jenny - Sense tu This year's last place slot belongs to Andorra, proving that micronations are often semi-final cannon fodder. Indeed, all 8 of their points came from Spain. "Sense tu| is a sufficiently dramatic ballad. The constant assertiveness in both the production and Jenny's vocal delivery provides a sense of foreboding and angst. It's a reflective post break-up song where she is figuring out how to move on. I also like the "sense tu... sense tu" hook. But the provocative staging - which involves the backing dancers wearing lingerie and posing on steel chairs - is a huge misfire. And the melody doesn't stand out enough. × Belarus: Polina Smolova - Mum Polina serves so much bratty, youthful, in-your-face attitude for three minutes. The choreo routine features Polina and the backing dancers jumping around the stage nonstop. While the production is equally hectic. The electric guitar rhythm is aggressive and it's reminiscent of Tone-Loc's "Wild Thing". There's also a fake finish. The lyrical content, meanwhile, stays true to teenage mentalities, where Polina begs her mum to approve of her boyfriend. It's an overwhelming experience with excessive instrumentation, but I don't hate it. × Albania: Luiz Ejlli - Zjarr e ftohtë Albania supplies a smooth and catchy Balkan song, with a dosage of traditional instrumentation. The song flows naturally. The chorus melody ("da-da-DA; da-da-DA") is highly infectious. There's a positive, marching onwards and overcoming vibe to that chorus. And the bridge builds up anticipation nicely. The lyrics, meanwhile, portray the messy dwelling involved after a painful break-up. While Luiz exudes confidence and professionalism on stage - his smiles are charming. Otherwise the staging is oddly basic. Albania's first three entries have impressed me so far! × Belgium: Kate Ryan - Je t'adore Belgium goes the route of recruiting a recognizable name â Kate Ryan. She attained several chart hits on mainland Europe in the early 2000s. Indeed, her experienced stage presence is noticeable during this performance. There's also a wind machine to highlight her mystique. The staging in general is uniquely quirky, thanks to the neon microphone stands. While the backdrop uses calming colours. And there's a pyro bit during the song's climax. Unfortunately, the accompanying song is admittedly too... ordinary to qualify. Although it did come close. Still, "Je t'adore" is endearingly bubbly and upbeat (and that mood is expressed well). ✓ Ireland: Brian Kennedy - Every Song Is a Cry for Love Ireland returns to their trusted ballad formula after last year's mess. And it works! Not only did this qualify, but it was their best result in 6 years (10th). "Every Song" is a sweet and heartfelt song, where Brian advises embracing one's emotions instead of holding a defensive stoic exterior. He presents it as a personal message to the listener. While the orchestral backing and the choir offer a soothing texture. It's a decent offering from Ireland, but it's still quite mushy in its sentimentality. Also, the green colours on the LED screens are too obvious. × Cyprus: Annet Artani - Why Angels Cry In "Why Angels Cry", Annet's vocal performance is divine and pristine. She aims for those big notes and screams with conviction. The song is a tear-jerking ballad inspired by 9/11, where Annet is upset over the needless suffering in the world. But the arrangement is such a snooze. And when it isn't being a snooze, it's inserting messy tempo changes that don't transition well at all. Meh. × Monaco: Séverine Ferrer - La Coco-Dance This is Monaco's last appearance to date. "La Coco-Dance" is a tropical beach party song, starring Réunion native Séverine who partially sings this in Tahitian. The vibe is very sunshiny and carefree. The instrumentation mixes South Pacific Island music with a Euro-dance/club beat. While the backing dancers wear bikini tops and grass skirts. But yeah....this is one limp vocal performance. It causes the song to flatline. And that "coco dance" bit at the end is dumb. ✓ F.Y.R. Macedonia: Elena Risteska - Ninanajna BOP! The Raggaeton-inspired rhythm is straight fire. The stomping bass beats are potent, in the sense that it commands the audience to dance along. The pacing is perfect as the song remains in constant motion. And I love how, in the latter half of the song, the beat stops/starts and stutters to keep things fresh. Elena, meanwhile, rides the strutting, flirtatious rhythm well. The "nanani nananaina" hook is instantly catchy too. The staging doesn't involve anything extravagant, but the casual dance moves are intriguing. Fun fact: Elena namedrops Beyoncé and Shakira in the same line, one year before they collaborated on "Beautiful Liar". × Poland: Ich Troje feat. Real McCoy - Follow My Heart Poland delivers an outlandish performance this year, thanks to the return of Ich Troje, who also represented them in 2003. This time the song features Real McCoy of "Another Night" fame. The ensemble are dressed like 1700s aristocrats, accompanied by masquerade party props. There's cutaways to Real McCoy rapping in the audience as he pronounces "Gas-o-liii-na" in the same cadence as Daddy Yankee. There's a throaty singer with bright green hair. There's a wind machine to portray the overwhelming force of love. There's sparklers. Oh, and there's a surprise baby bump reveal at the end. ALSO, the song switches between 5 different languages. There is SO much going on here. It's wild. I could do without Real McCoy though. Musically, "Follow My Heart" has a journeying atmosphere, which expresses the surge felt when following one's heart. I'm kinda surprised this didn't qualify. But I'm not sure whether I like it either. ✓ Russia: Dima Bilan - Never Let You Go This staging is inventive without being too crazy. The statuesque, white-painted ballerina that emerges from the rose petals on the piano is such a striking visual. It exemplifies purity. Meanwhile, Dima is the embodiment of seductive charisma during this performance. His undershirt and mullet combo are memorable. And he injects plenty of passion and despair. The lyrics are tragic, where Dima can't let go of his lover despite the spark fizzling out. "Never Let You Go" is a catchy pop song too. The "Flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone" part leaps out effectively. While the lead into the chorus ("can't stand no more") escalates tension well. There's nothing I really dislike about this?! ✓ Turkey: Sibel Tüzün - Süper Star This song is somewhat messy, and the excessive star imagery is tacky, but I enjoy the contrast between the subdued verses and the frantic rush of the chorus. And how the final chorus doubles down on that. Sonically, "Süper Star" heavily channels the disco era. It evokes a nighttime club vibe of the 1970s. Although the belly dancing breakdown feels out of place (where the instrumentation briefly switches to an Eastern sound). The song also involves several voice cracks from Sibel, which act as a hook. Lyrically, she confidently declares herself a "superstar" in her ability to entice her love interest. Which might be self-indulgent, but the execution is fun. ✓ Ukraine: Tina Karol - Show Me Your Love "Show Me Your Love" is such a fun bop! I get Ukrainian Shakira vibes. The hopping accordion beat is unique to the contest, and it provides a summery, breezy aura. There's also enough divergences to keep it fresh. The bouncy rhythm is infectious and dance-able. While Tina displays enthusiasm and charisma, as she craves affection from her lover. She injects her quirky personality into this performance. There's also a jump rope spot, a huge note from Tina, and jingle bells at the end. ✓ Finland: Lordi - Hard Rock Hallelujah (winner review in the Grand Final post) × Netherlands: Treble - Amambanda This is such an annoying song â the melody and the lyrics just run in monotonous circles. So "Amambanda" channels African and flamenco styles. The staging showcases plenty of hand drumming and lively swaying. The girl group injects tons of enthusiasm, but the hand drumming is so forceful. This entry is notable for the majority of its lyrics being in a fake language, in order to emphasize the messaging of communicating beyond language barriers. "Amambanda" at least has life compared to Monaco and Portugal, but it's more irritating. ✓ Lithuania: LT United - We Are the Winners No... just no. In 2006, Lithuania straight-up trolled the contest with a self-congratulatory sports stadium chant. Their demeanour makes it clear that this is an intentional joke entry. The group proclaims "we are the winners of Eurovision" several times, which comprises most of the song. They also "dick around" by pulling out a megaphone, and later a serious CEO-type dances like a maniac. The televoters were amused, however, as this managed to land in 6th place, Lithuania's best result to date (rip "On Fire"). While I can recognize the humour aspect, I find this song's existence infuriating. The call-and-response chant is especially irritating. × Portugal: Nonstop - Coisas de nada This is utter nothingness... were Portugal even trying at this point? "Coisas" attempts to be relaxed and retro. But the girl group sounds bored and the brass interjections are so bland. The ugly mismatched outfits don't help matters either. ✓ Sweden: Carola - Invincible It's surreal seeing Sweden without an automatic spot in the Grand Final. And judging by this performance, they were determined to qualify! This is one overbearing and relentless entry. "Invincible" is yet another Schlager-pop offering from Sweden. But this time, the instrumentation and Carola's vocal projection are cranked to 11. The staging is also visually busy. But, the execution is SO forcibly uplifting that the grandiose nature succeeds. The invincibility is convincing. The song is a triumphant anthem, where the force of love is so strong it's a hurricane. The wind machine complements this illusion. As does the giant rippling bed sheet and the victorious flag marching. Meanwhile, Carola is an expert performer here. This is her third Eurovision appearance after all, following 1983 and her win in 1991. Also noteworthy is the Thomas G:son writing credit. × Estonia: Sandra Oxenryd - Through My Window The Estonian entry delivers a barrelling, triumphant chorus that's brimming with positivity. The bell chimes and the guitar responses in the chorus are decent hooks too. The song captures the catharsis felt by going on a long drive. The baby blue outfits are aesthetically pleasing as well. The lyrics, however, have some awkward grammar. And the song was probably too basic to qualify. ✓ Bosnia & Herzegovina: Hari Mata Hari - Lejla Unless Bosnia ever returns, this will remain their best result in the contest (3rd place). The song was written by Željko Joksimovič of "Lane moje" fame. And his influence on "Lejla" is obvious. It's another smooth, carefully constructed, majestic Balkan ballad with a Medieval feel. Each bit of the (traditional) instrumentation is meticulously placed. The opening verse is remarkably gentle, but the latter portion of the song climactically soars. Overall, "Lejla" is fairly melancholic and lyrically poetic. The night sky backdrop and the dark lighting are a highlight too. It's a captivating entry. Fun fact: Hari Mata Hari was supposed to represent Bosnia in 1999 but they were disqualified. × Iceland: Silvia Night - Congratulations Iceland defied the conservative standards of Eurovision with this eccentric/troll entry. And the audience responded by booing. In "Congratulations", Silvia plays a bratty, conceited, childlike character with an annoying high-pitched voice. She declares herself as the inevitable winner and the saviour of the contest. She also screams like a banshee every time she's "violated" by something unexpected (like the raining glitter or the wardrobe removal). The childhood motif is complemented by the shoe slide, the candy cane towers and the pink aesthetic. I can't decide if this entry is a genius risk or just terrible, but I lean towards the latter. The piano-lead strutting groove is enjoyable though. My Ranking:01. F.Y.R. Macedonia: Elena Risteska - Ninanajna ✓02. Bosnia & Herzegovina: Hari Mata Hari - Lejla ✓03. Russia: Dima Bilan - Never Let You Go ✓04. Ukraine: Tina Karol - Show Me Your Love ✓05. Sweden: Carola - Invincible ✓06. Albania: Luiz Ejlli - Zjarr e ftohtë 07. Finland: Lordi - Hard Rock Hallelujah ✓08. Armenia: André - Without Your Love ✓09. Belgium: Kate Ryan - Je t'adore 10. Bulgaria: Mariana Popova - Let Me Cry 11. Turkey: Sibel Tüzün - Süper Star ✓12. Ireland: Brian Kennedy - Every Song Is a Cry for Love ✓13. Estonia: Sandra Oxenryd - Through My Window 14. Poland: Ich Troje feat. Real McCoy - Follow My Heart 15. Andorra: Jenny - Sense tu 16. Cyprus: Annet Artani - Why Angels Cry 17. Iceland: Silvia Night - Congratulations 18. Belarus: Polina Smolova - Mum 19. Slovenia: Anžej Dežan - Mr Nobody 20. Monaco: Séverine Ferrer - La Coco-Dance 21. Netherlands: Treble - Amambanda 22. Portugal: Nonstop - Coisas de nada 23. Lithuania: LT United - We Are the Winners ✓Leo ✔ Soundcl🕤ck born fearlessarrow kimberly Mylo13 💜 Future Captain mrmike855
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ry4n
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Post by ry4n on Aug 15, 2020 18:17:36 GMT -5
Athens 2006 - Grand Final Host: Greece Slogan: “Feel The Rhythm” Participants: 37 Voting method: 12-point system (36 televotes / 2 juries) Format: 1 Semi-Final / Grand Final = the top 10 of the semi + the top 10 of '05 + the Big 4 Winner: Lordi - Hard Rock Hallelujah ![](https://cdn.countryflags.com/thumbs/finland/flag-400.png) Country: Finland Points: 292 (65.8% of highest score possible) Language: English YouTube | Spotify | LyricsGeneral Overview:Greece won the right to host both the summer Olympics games and the Eurovision Song Contest within a two-year period! Appropriately, the 2006 contest was held in the Olympic Indoor Hall. And this year was a celebration of Greek culture. The opening act of the Grand Final channels the country's history of theatre and mythology. It's quite extravagant. There's acrobats hanging from ceiling on bungee cords. There's a descending giant golden orb with bodies resembling angels on it. And there's people somersaulting in dolphin costumes. While the accompanying song is very Disney. The intro finishes with the two presenters entering the stage via wires from above. Following this, Helena performs a (condensed) winners reprisal. She returns for the interval to sing “Mambo”. It's a fun song. This is followed by the main interval act – 4000 years of Greek song. Like the opener, it's noticeably theatrical and encompasses historical costumes and imagery. It's not my favourite interval, but it's fine. The postcards commence with a (different) smiling woman opening a set of doors. They also include a black silhouette dancing on a blue background, reminiscent of those iPod ads from the time. Okay then. Otherwise, the postcards feature the usual cultural clips of the local area. Greece looks gorgeous in them! This year's stage encompasses six LED staircases in the background, as well as a grid network of platforms that can raise to any desired height. It's a pretty cool design. Many countries take advantage of it. Nana Mouskouri, who competed for Luxembourg in 1963, kicks off the voting countdown. She has sold a significant number of records worldwide, and has performed in a multitude of languages. But this segment lead to a moment of unintentional comedy when Nana helped flip the sand timer... only for it to instantly flip back to its original position. Stylistically, 2006 involves a notable usage of wind machine and pyrotechnics. Greece didn't skimp on the budget! Flashy staging continues to be of high importance. Quality wise, this year is a mixed bag. I do not have an obvious #1 favourite, and there's about six entries that are awful. The first third of the Grand Final is pretty underwhelming. But there's about 20 songs I would actively seek out. 2006 is the year where the correspondents stopped reading out the entire top 10 to shorten the run time. Instead, only the top 3 were announced, while the remaining scores appeared on screen. The voting order switched to random. And the audience booed a lot during the voting. Meanwhile, 2006 has its share of shenanigans from the correspondents. The Slovenian correspondent had “Maria marry me” written on his shirt. The Cyprus guy uttered a political remark. The Dutch correspondent seemed s**tfaced – he flirted with Sakis and gave out his mobile number on live TV. Poland pretended to give 12 points to themselves. And there was a technical glitch during Russia's voting, where you could hear someone talking in Russian in the background. Speaking of glitches, poor Maria was prematurely cut off during the green room segment. Results-wise, Finland held a sizable lead throughout the process. Their victory was never really in doubt. Meanwhile, all of the 10 semi-final qualifiers finished within the top 12. It's as if some of the auto-qualifiers decided to not bother, highlighting a flaw in the then-current semi-final system. The Entries: Switzerland: six4one - If We All Give a Little Switzerland kicks things off with an inspirational, unifying ballad that is both cheesy and dated. This type of singalong is so overdone – this could've been an entry in 1992. And the staging is too obvious, in how the group stands in a horizontal line. The lyrics, meanwhile, express the need for humanity to help each other out. The words aren't exactly profound, though. Still, the verses are salvageable. They contain a sense of despair and the rotation of solos is neat. And the song is delivered with enthusiasm. Moldova: Arsenium feat. Natalia Gordienko & Connect-R - Loca Oh, it's Natalia G! And 1/3 of O-Zone! So Moldova's 2006 entry is... a mess. It tries to portray a laid back, flirtatious, beach vibe. But the lyrics are too silly, the reggae beat sounds cheap, and the staging is haphazard with poorly coordinated choreography. In the performance, Natalie changes outfits twice. The first time, she strips to unveil a skimpy bikini, which provokes reactions from the guys on stage. She later switches to a wedding dress and tosses a bridal bouquet into the audience (which I did find amusing). Additionally, rapper Connect-R rides a scooter to add to the chaos. He later gives a shout-out to the year 2006, which dates the song. Otherwise, the “loca”/“boca” rhyming is catchy. Israel: Eddie Butler - Together We Are One Israel took a risk in 2006 by submitting a Gospel song. But that risk did not pay off, as they received just 4 points in total. I'm not surprised since “Together We Are One” is pretty bland and forgettable. The vocal texture is soulful, and there's an aura of pureness to the song. While the ensemble displays positive energy on stage. The backing singers do boost the impact (except for the screaming). But the song's arrangement is too calm. “Together We Are One” lacks dynamism... or a hook. It tries to soar at the end, but it's not enough. Latvia: Vocal Group Cosmos - I Hear Your Heart The Latvian entry is completely a cappella, and features some beating boxing. This bare bones music style fits the lyrical theme of “I Heart Your Heart”, where the narrator wishes to block out unnecessary noise. But, as someone who highly values instrumentation and production in music, this does not appeal to me (I hate Pentatonix for instance). This style is too empty-sounding. Furthermore, the first verse is a mess with the sudden, jarring vocal tics. The song becomes tolerable once the beat boxing starts, though. The band also notably unveils a dancing robot for some reason. Norway: Christine Guldbrandsen - Alvedansen “Alvedansen” channels traditional fiddle folk elements - the song is quite majestic and mythical. This atmosphere is created by the powerful chanting, the fiddles, the white dresses of purity, the wind machine and the absence of English lyrics. The song and performance captures the force of nature and the image of green meadows. The lyrics, meanwhile, are about enchanting an elf, which is the right type of quirky. The only negative about “Alvedansen” is that it's a little monotonous. Spain: Las Ketchup - Un Blodymary Spain recruits the novelty one-hit-wonder Las Ketchup for Eurovision. This is such a disappointment compared to the campy “Ketchup Song”. “Un Blodymary” is so lifeless. It's about repeatedly drunkenly hooking up with a flawed person, despite knowing better. But Las Ketchup's performance is so phoned in. The cocktail lounge instrumental is too innocuous. The “duty free, duty free, duty freeeeee” bit is annoying and it doesn't set up to the chorus well. And I don't like the spinning office chairs either. Malta: Fabrizio Faniello - I Do Malta sinks into last place by receiving just one single point (from a jury). Understandable, as “I Do” is one generic Euro-dance song that lacks any personality. The club beat, while energetic, is indistinguishable. The melody is unexciting and the choreo is lazy. This entry is the definition of forgettable. 7 entries in and I only like one of them. Germany: Texas Lightning - No No Never Germany also opts for a genre rarely seen in Eurovision – country. But unlike the Gospel and a cappella attempts from earlier in the night, “No No Never” flows smoothly and the melody is strong. The song employs various lead-off hooks that are all effective (ie. “my love...” in the verse, “keep tryin'...” in the pre-chorus and the bouncy “never ever...” in the chorus). The instrumentation is breezy. The vocal tone is reassuring, as the lead singer promises devotion amongst cliche metaphors. And the cowboy outfits and the cactus props are cute. It's an uplifting entry. Despite only reaching 14th at the Grand Final, “No No Never” became a massive hit in the German singles charts (#2 year-end). Denmark: Sidsel Ben Semmane - Twist of Love The Danish entry is a homage to the 1950s rock and roll era. It references the “twist” dance craze of that decade. There's also an electric guitar solo accompanied by a break dancer on stage. Musically, “Twist of Love” is a true copy of songs from that era. There's a clappy rhythm, a lively bounce, and straightforward lyrics. The latter details a love triangle between Johnny, Connie and “O'Smarty”, where Johnny loses out because “he didn't know how to twist”. It's nonsensical, but that's the charm. Also, the circling instrumental and the explosive chorus are enjoyable. Still, it's not the most interesting entry. Russia: Dima Bilan - Never Let You Go Nothing new to add. F.Y.R. Macedonia: Elena Risteska - Ninanajna They bring out the fog machine this time. Romania: Mihai Trăistariu - Tornerò Romania lands in the top 4 two years running with two highly rated entries. “Tornerò” is a slick fusion of classical Italian vocal and modern Euro-trance production. Additionally, Mihai exhibits formal stage presence while wearing a suit. There's also a smoothness to his Italian. This is juxtaposed by the flashing lights and the backing dancers wearing street clothes. The staging is underwhelming beyond that though. In regards to catchiness, the way Mihai shifts the emphasis on the “tor-NER-o... TOR-ner-o” hook is extremely effective. Another highlight is the dramatic escalation in the bridge. That said, I find this entry a tad overrated. It lacks something, but I'm not sure what it is. Bosnia & Herzegovina: Hari Mata Hari - Lejla Nothing new to add. Lithuania: LT United - We Are the Winners That was a mixed audience reaction. United Kingdom: Daz Sampson - Teenage Life The UK clearly don't know what to send anymore. A rap song in the vein of Jay-Z's “Hard Knock Life” seems like a random choice. Incidentally, “Teenage Life” performed significantly worse than “Love City Groove”, the UK's initial rap offering from 1995. In the song, Daz reminiscences over his teenage school days and remarks how the teachers were out of touch. And that he's found success in life despite their lack of impact. The chorus features heavy British accents from the backing. While the staging involves school desks and school uniforms. And the production is remarkably tense with the strings, brass, and police sirens. Overall, this song expresses a nostalgic mood, but similar to Poland and Iceland's risky entries from this year... I'm not sure if it's a good song. Greece: Anna Vissi - Everything Well, this is one passionate performance. Anna, who returns after 24 years(!!) to perform Greece's host entry, embodies the essence of desperation here. She becomes quite animated in her body movements and later falls to her knees during the song's climax. That climax is a powerful moment too, thanks to the pyro explosion. The song captures a singular moment in time, where Anna departs from the person she loves for (unspecified) valid reasons. The guitars, the wind machine, the explosive chorus, and Anna's raspy vocals all complement the mood. It's a compelling performance, even if the emoting is arguably histrionic. The televoters awarded the host entry a respectable 9th place. Finland: Lordi - Hard Rock Hallelujah (winner review below) Ukraine: Tina Karol - Show Me Your Love Nothing new to add. France: Virginie Pouchain - Il était temps At first glance, “Il était temps” seems like a snooze (and it kinda is). It's a gentle ballad that fades into the background. But that fits the lyrical theme, where Virginie has waited too long to break the silence and have her “moment” in life. The melancholic instrumentation and her soothing vocals captures the essence of a reflective, depressing, lonely walk in the rain. Croatia: Severina - Moja štikla This is a risky entry that DOES work, imo. “HOY DA DA HOY DA DAI!” “Moja štikla”, which is of the Balkan music genre Turbo-folk, is so brazenly jarring. It's essentially three minutes of Severina shouting commands; acting like an assertive drill sargent, as the backing dancers reply back. Meanwhile, the (traditional) instrumental follows a marching rhythm. I like the stop/start nature of it and the vigorous bowing of the stringed instrument. The song isn't exactly melodic, but Severina has so much fun with it. The lyrics, meanwhile, begin with her rejecting unwanted advances from creepy men (hence the assertive attitude), but the bridge segues into a non-sequitor list of food items. It's amusingly random. Ireland: Brian Kennedy - Every Song Is a Cry for Love Nothing new to add. Sweden: Carola - Invincible Nothing new to add. Turkey: Sibel Tüzün - Süper Star She switches to English for part of this song at the Grand Final (she sang entirely in Turkish at the semi-final). Armenia: André - Without Your Love He opened the semi-final and closed the Grand Final! The Winner:“Hard Rock Hallelujah” has to be the most unlikely winner in Eurovision history. Both for its genre and the country it represents. Finland had to wait 45 years for this! The country was notorious for having one of the worst trajectories in the contest, especially in the two decades preceding this victory. They had never escaped relegation territory during the relegation years, and they had yet to qualify in the semi-final years. Oddly though, Finland were not able to carry this momentum into future contests, like Turkey and Greece did after their long-awaited wins. Heavy metal is not exactly my music genre of choice, but I appreciate that this sounds like no previous winner. It seems authentic from a Nordic country as well. Plus “Hard Rock Hallelujah” is a catchy song. The “all we need is lightning...” pre-chorus is a strong hook and it leads into the chorus well. The “hard... rock... hallelujah” chants are a highlight. And the background “ahhhh”'s elevate the chorus. Furthermore, the heavy guitar rhythm supplies a ominous attitude and it naturally drives the song forward. While the lead singer (Mr Lordi) adds character with his growling vocals and high-pitched screeches. But the real charm with “Hard Rock Hallelujah” is how ridiculous the lyrics and staging are. Firstly, the song welcomes the dawning of a new spiritual order where hard rock reigns supreme. It more or less announces Lordi's arrival in general; how they'll permanently alter the status quo. Which, in Eurovision context, they did by winning it. “Hard Rock Hallelujah” is as far removed sonically from the previous 60+ winners as possible. The staging is obviously the most noteworthy aspect though – it's nothing short of iconic. There's SO. MUCH. PYRO. The band even has jets streaming from their instruments at one point. Also, the outfits. Lordi cosplay as ugly post-apocalyptic demons as if it's Comic Con. Mr Lordi also dons a Finnish flag hat, while yielding an axe-shaped microphone stand and later sprouts bat wings. The band pulls off the unique aesthetic flawlessly. They're essentially acting as characters in a Sci-Fi scene. But it's executed with the right tone and awareness. “Hard Rock Hallelujah” is just the right amount of ridiculous. Verdict: B tier. “Hard Rock Hallelujah” is a spectacle to behold. My Ranking:Grand Final01. F.Y.R. Macedonia: Elena Risteska - Ninanajna 02. Bosnia & Herzegovina: Hari Mata Hari - Lejla 03. Russia: Dima Bilan - Never Let You Go 04. Ukraine: Tina Karol - Show Me Your Love 05. Croatia: Severina - Moja štikla 06. Sweden: Carola - Invincible 07. Greece: Anna Vissi - Everything 08. Germany: Texas Lightning - No No Never 09. Norway: Christine Guldbrandsen - Alvedansen 10. Finland: Lordi - Hard Rock Hallelujah 11. Romania: Mihai Trăistariu - Tornerò 12. Armenia: André - Without Your Love 13. Turkey: Sibel Tüzün - Süper Star 14. Ireland: Brian Kennedy - Every Song Is a Cry for Love 15. Denmark: Sidsel Ben Semmane - Twist of Love 16. United Kingdom: Daz Sampson - Teenage Life 17. France: Virginie Pouchain - Il était temps 18. Moldova: Arsenium feat. Natalia Gordienko & Connect-R - Loca 19. Israel: Eddie Butler - Together We Are One 20. Malta: Fabrizio Faniello - I Do 21. Switzerland: six4one - If We All Give a Little 22. Latvia: Vocal Group Cosmos - I Hear Your Heart 23. Spain: Las Ketchup - Un Blodymary 24. Lithuania: LT United - We Are the Winners Full Ranking:01. F.Y.R. Macedonia: Elena Risteska - Ninanajna 02. Bosnia & Herzegovina: Hari Mata Hari - Lejla 03. Russia: Dima Bilan - Never Let You Go 04. Ukraine: Tina Karol - Show Me Your Love 05. Croatia: Severina - Moja štikla 06. Sweden: Carola - Invincible 07. Greece: Anna Vissi - Everything 08. Germany: Texas Lightning - No No Never 09. Albania: Luiz Ejlli - Zjarr e ftohtë 10. Norway: Christine Guldbrandsen - Alvedansen 11. Finland: Lordi - Hard Rock Hallelujah 12. Romania: Mihai Trăistariu - Tornerò 13. Armenia: André - Without Your Love 14. Belgium: Kate Ryan - Je t'adore 15. Bulgaria: Mariana Popova - Let Me Cry 16. Turkey: Sibel Tüzün - Süper Star 17. Ireland: Brian Kennedy - Every Song Is a Cry for Love 18. Denmark: Sidsel Ben Semmane - Twist of Love 19. Estonia: Sandra Oxenryd - Through My Window 20. Poland: Ich Troje feat. Real McCoy - Follow My Heart 21. Andorra: Jenny - Sense tu 22. United Kingdom: Daz Sampson - Teenage Life 23. France: Virginie Pouchain - Il était temps 24. Cyprus: Annet Artani - Why Angels Cry 25. Moldova: Arsenium feat. Natalia Gordienko & Connect-R - Loca 26. Iceland: Silvia Night - Congratulations 27. Israel: Eddie Butler - Together We Are One 28. Belarus: Polina Smolova - Mum 29. Slovenia: Anžej Dežan - Mr Nobody 30. Malta: Fabrizio Faniello - I Do 31. Switzerland: six4one - If We All Give a Little 32. Latvia: Vocal Group Cosmos - I Hear Your Heart 33. Monaco: Séverine Ferrer - La Coco-Dance 34. Spain: Las Ketchup - Un Blodymary 35. Netherlands: Treble - Amambanda 36. Portugal: Nonstop - Coisas de nada 37. Lithuania: LT United - We Are the Winners Leo ✔ Soundcl🕤ck born fearlessarrow kimberly Mylo13 💜 Future Captain mrmike855
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fearlessarrow
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Post by fearlessarrow on Aug 15, 2020 18:55:04 GMT -5
My Greek friend once told me about this stretch between 2004-2005 when Greece won Euro and the Eurovision Song Contest (and plus they hosted the summer Olympics in 2004 too!) and how that stretch might've been the best years for Greece in recent memory. Listening to "My Number One" always takes me back to that conversation.
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mrmike855
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Post by mrmike855 on Aug 15, 2020 21:23:28 GMT -5
2006 was definitely a downgrade from 2005 (seriously, that first 1/3 is just a wasteland of blandness and crap, except Norway and Germany), but it's still better than the early 2000s. At the same time, though, even though the songs are overall better, there are far more silly novelty songs than before. I've found plenty of articles from this time talking about how Eurovision was a complete circus and how the songs are crap and the singers can't sing, so there was more for the "haters" to focus on than before.
I find the top 10 this year to be kind of fascinating. Ireland finishing that high with a ballad in the televote era, Lithuania finishing that high with what is essentially a "5 stars, comment and subscribe" song, Sweden finishing in 5th with a song that sounds absolutely nothing like 2006, it is the strangest thing when most times I can understand how a song finished so high.
Finland is inherently a silly, Kiss-esque song. It's still a good song, but it's pretty hard to take seriously (though it doesn't seem like you're supposed to). On one hand, it's great to see a hard rock song win as rock music hardly did well before the 2000s, but on the other hand, it's the silliest and campiest song to win Eurovision (with the possible exception of Latvia 2002). Romania and especially Bosnia would've been much better winners. But Finland winning would lead to far more joke songs entering (and doing well) during the next couple of years.
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kimberly
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Post by kimberly on Aug 19, 2020 19:56:48 GMT -5
2006 is the year Dima Bilan should have won so that he never came back with "Believe" smh. I actually quite like Lordi's entry in hindsight, but I remember being very upset that they won back in the day. Don't recall who I was rooting for. Carola, Anna Vissi and Tina Karol would be my top picks, probably.
2005 had one of the most memorable winners imo. I really loved the stretch of grandiose pop song performances with elements of traditional musical styles winning, kicked off by Sertab in 2003 until... Dima Bilan won with "Believe" in 2008. He had an ice skater on stage I guess, so that represents Russia perhaps?
"My Number One" is such a gem. Just watched the live performance the other day actually (was watching all the winners I like hehe), and it truly stood the test of time. Still makes me wanna get up and dance, and the lyrics are still in my head in full.
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Post by ry4n on Aug 25, 2020 17:54:58 GMT -5
Helsinki 2007 - Semi-Final Host: Finland Slogan: “True Fantasy” Participants: 42 Voting method: 12-point system (40 televotes / 2 juries) Format: 1 Semi-Final / Grand Final = the top 10 of the semi + the top 10 of '06 + the Big 4 General Overview:The 2007 contest follows the same semi-final format as the previous three years. However, this one contains 28(!) entries. That is longer than any Grand Final in Eurovision history. And it definitely feels bloated. It doesn't help that there are multiple filler segments during the running order. Or that the quality is underwhelming this year. The EBU made the right decision to split the semi-final entrants into two rounds starting in 2008. With 28 countries vying for just 10 available slots at the Grand Final, it seems lopsided. 2007 sees Czechia and Georgia debut, as well as Serbia and Montenegro as separate countries. Austria and Hungary also return, bringing the total participants to a new record of 42. Monaco, meanwhile, withdrew indefinitely (and still haven't returned). The EBU also instated a new wild card rule for 2007, which allowed five countries to choose their running order slots in the semi-final (they were Austria, Andorra, Latvia, Turkey and Slovenia). And for three countries to choose their slots at the Grand Final (Armenia, Ukraine, Germany). Seems like a pointless twist if you ask me. The semi-final opens with an ice ballet, featuring a colourful background and showy costumes. The interval is a mix of disparate traditional and modern Finnish styles. The main highlight is the guitarist, who is a bit crazy. The presenters are Jaana Pelkonen and Mikko Leppilampi. The later is so extra at times. It is always fashionable to copy the previous year's winner, and 2007 is the best example of that. Many countries opted to submit rock bands of their own, although none of them qualified. There's also plenty of pyrotechnics and atmospheric tracks this year. Interestingly, all ten qualifiers were Eastern European countries. In fact the entire top 16 on finale night will be from the East (assuming Greece counts as “Eastern Europe”). There are no gongs or sandtimers to kick off the voting this year, but the hosts do encourage the audience to count down in Finnish. The official results are transported via skaters though, who amusingly cut the scrutineer off mid-sentence. Once again, there is a montage of the 14 auto-qualifiers before the results are revealed. And once again, the envelopes are opened in random order to determine the running orders of the qualifiers at the Grand Final. The Entries:✓ Bulgaria: Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankoulov - Water This is Bulgaria's only qualification out of their first 9 appearances (their next qualification isn't until Poli Genova in 2016!) In fact, it reached 5th place at the Grand Final. “Water” is noticeably eccentric and unconventional in structure. The flow isn't very melodic. The song is comprised of vigorous drumming, a stationary but euphoric trance beat, and off-key “tribal” chanting from Elitsa. She emphasizes peculiar phonetic sounds. But her voice is not that appealing to me. And the song just stays in one spot and doesn't go anywhere. Still, “Water” establishes a striking atmosphere, and the drumming is a highlight. × Israel: Teapacks - Push the Button Just... no. “Push the Button” falls into the eye-roll inducing side of weird Eurovision entries. The song expresses a political message about living in terror. The lyrics are blatant and the tone is bleak and disgusted. But the presentation is too goofy to match. The band exhibits so much drunk energy on stage. They also seem condescending. And the song suddenly switches genres several times. The verses are accordion-lead, the chorus channels in-your-face punk rock, and the bridge contains dubstep and rap. I'm confused as to what this entry is going for. × Cyprus: Evridiki - Comme ci, comme ça Evridiki makes her fourth appearance at Eurovision. This time she sings in French! The audience even chants her name during the postcard. So it's surprising that it didn't qualify, although the poor running order might be an explanation. It's the biggest DNQ “robbery” of 2007 for me anyway. The instrumentation is incredible on this. “Comme ci, comme ça” encompasses a synth-pop production that is ahead of its time (the breakdown is reminiscent of pop songs circa 2011). This main synth is accompanied by retro video game boops and a hint of electric guitar. Meanwhile, Evridiki delivers a killer chorus and displays intense stage energy, emphasizing the lyrical theme of being fed up of the stagnancy of her relationship. And visually, the blue colours and the smoke blast at the end are effective. ✓ Belarus: Dmitry Koldun - Work Your Magic “Work Your Magic” finished in 6th place at the Grand Final, which is Belarus's best result as of 2020. The staging is compelling on this one. The aesthetic is just so slick and polished. The backing dancers are dressed in black, like spies or secret agents, while periodically standing “suspended” on these two sliding vertical platforms. And they maintain a serious facial expression. As for the song itself, “Work Your Magic” contains an instrumental that is dramatically tense and foreboding. Which complements the staging and the lyrical theme of the irresistible entrancing allure of Dmitry's love interest. The chorus is catchy too. × Iceland: Eiríkur Hauksson - Valentine Lost The first of many rock bands in the 2007 semi-final. “Valentine Lost” is the best of the bunch though. It's the one I wanted to see qualify (maybe Andorra's as well). Iceland were close though! The overall arrangement is pretty tight, the vocals are pleasant, the chorus melody is strong, and the instrumentation sounds like mid-2000s rock. Although 4 guitarists seems unusual. The song is essentially a list of metaphors. The chorus delivery is noticeably theatrical, which separates it from the other rock entries. And the song exudes that raining down despair vibe. ✓ Georgia: Sopho Khalvashi - Visionary Dream Georgia's debut entry performs pretty respectably! (12th overall). “Visionary Dream” is a promising track that's let down by the uneven moments. I do love how the production elevates to progressive euphoric heights. And the sword dancing warriors on stage are enjoyable. But the vocal melody is too choppy and the switch to a traditional rhythm in the bridge doesn't flow smoothly enough. × Montenegro: Stevan Faddy - Ajde, kroči Of all the 2007 rock songs, Montenegro might be likely the most forgettable one. There's multiple moments of the band “rocking out” on the electric guitars and drums. They're enjoying their time on stage. The chorus is kinda catchy. And the song's bridge builds tension well. But the song is just kinda... there. It's the definition of "mid". × Switzerland: DJ BoBo - Vampires Are Alive Switzerland recruits a noteworthy '90s house DJ for Eurovision: DJ BoBo. He amassed several hits on the European continent during that decade, including “Somebody Dance with Me” and “Everybody”. Both are harmless party songs, but his Eurovision entry is downright embarrassing. “Vampires Are Alive” is like a cheesy Halloween musical. It completely disregards the frightening essence of vampires, beating the Twilight movies to the punch. The chorus is too fluffy, the lyrics are meaningless, and that dance break with the sound effects is beyond cringe. Although the mannequins are a neat loophole to skirt the 6-person rule. The song just sounds like it was made for children; and it plays into the stereotypes that Eurovision is comprised of super campy stuff like this. Same with the UK entry this year. ✓ Moldova: Natalia Barbu - Fight Moldova are known for attention-grabbing entries, and “Fight” is no different. It's quite dramatic, fierce and angsty. The vigorous violin creates intensity, while the guitars and Natalia's vocals supply the attitude. “Fight” involves her assertively maintaining fortitude, and she accomplishes that in her stage performance. Meanwhile, the cloth waving/twirling and the fire colour scheme are neat visuals. This a cool entry but... the melody isn’t quite strong enough to rank any higher. × Netherlands: Edsilia Rombley - On Top of the World Edsilia returns from 1998, where she placed 4th for the Netherlands. Both of her entries offer a feelgood vibe. Although this one is regretful with a hint of insecurity. “On Top” begins as an acoustic guitar-lead R&B ballad that's melodically similar to “Un-break My Heart”. But the tempo and production soon switch, but the main portion of the song is too plain. Indeed, I suspect this wasn't memorable enough to qualify. Still, Edsilia is a strong vocalist and her compassionate tone elevates the song. The chorus is a comforting exclamation of glowing positivity. Staging-wise, Edsilia stands atop of a glass staircase to exemplify the song title. I like the bridge too. × Albania: Frederik Ndoci - Hear My Plea Zzzz. Albania opts for an old fashioned operatic ballad. Frederik wears his heart on his sleeve here, even falling to his knees at one point. The violins and the backing singers boost the pained sorrow. I don't hate “Hear My Plea”, but it is tedious and dreary. It draaaaags on. Especially Frederik's elongated notes. × Denmark: DQ - Drama Queen DQ is one of the first drag queens to participate in Eurovision. While that distinction is groundbreaking, her song “Drama Queen” is generic, throwaway Euro-pop. The instrumentation is mundane and expressionless. DQ's vocal tone is also lacking the self-empowered angle that the lyrics suggest. Her approach just seems “off”. The staging is average too, with her headdress and the pink feathers being the only thing of note. Otherwise, the “everything's gonna be alright” hook is okay. But this song falls into my bland tier. × Croatia: Dragonfly feat. Dado Topić - Vjerujem u ljubav The Croatian entry is certainly moody, and it has a nice melody at times, but the two vocalists are slightly mismatched and the song isn't catchy enough, meaning it gets lost in the shuffle easily. Still, both of them express reflective longing effectively. The male singer's deep gruff vocals add character without becoming grating. And the relaxed bluesy rock band establishes a pensive vibe. Interestingly, the duet stands socially distanced for most of the performance to compensate for their height difference. The camera angles are strategic as well. × Poland: The Jet Set - Time to Party This song structure is SOOO sloppy. The chorus kills the momentum of the verses because of how the rhythm completely changes. And there's a guy yelling phrases as if he's Lil Jon, which gets annoying. That said, I actually dig the verses - they contain a saucy flow, accompanied by a pop production that sounds very 2007. There's layers of percussion and dramatic synths. On stage, the ladies are dressed in burlesque outfits, while dancing in an oval cage, and later sprawled on the men's laps. It's such a playful performance. The song feels too manufactured though. And the lyrics aren't great, but I don't expect deepness from party songs anyway. This entry is so messy and bad, but it's kind of a guilty pleasure of mine? ✓ Serbia: Marija Šerifović - Molitva (winner review in the Grand Final post) × Czech Republic: Kabát - Malá dáma Czechia must have the worst start in Eurovision history. Their first three entries all finish in the bottom 2 of their respective semi-finals, and then they withdraw for 5 years. In fact, their 2007 debut finished in dead last with 1 point. Kabát are a rock band featuring the deepest growling vocals imaginable. Almost like a motorcycle engine. It's comically ridiculous. There's also a heavy electric guitar rhythm and a riled-up demeanour from the lead singer. All these elements capture the essence of hard rock. It feels authentic. But there's not a lot going on with this entry. And this vocal style isn't really my thing. The lead singer later confessed that his band weren't a good fit for Eurovision lol. × Portugal: Sabrina - Dança comigo Portugal fails to qualify for the fourth consecutive year. Although, “Dança comigo” placed 11th in the semi-final. The song is influenced by Latin/Tango music. The lively instrumental carries the song well – it maintains a steady, breezy but energetic pace throughout. The brassy explosions are a definite highlight. There's also smooth dance moves on stage and giant hand fans! While Sabrina invites someone to dance with her (in 4 different languages). “Dança comigo” is a bright and pleasant song. That said, the verses (particularly when the backing vocalists come in) are better than the chorus tbh. ✓ F.Y.R. Macedonia: Karolina - Mojot svet Karolina also represented (North) Macedonia in 2002, with a song I brushed off as forgettable. I like this one better! The unconventional stuttering 7/8 time signature is a big reason why. It sounds refreshing. The rise-and-fall melody of the chorus packs a punch too. The verses, by contrast, are gentler. Vocally, Karolina delivers a gracefully smooth performance, as she explains how music is her saviour in life. The staging, meanwhile, involves some slow, agile dancing. It's a pretty cool entry. Although it's kind of a random qualifier. × Norway: Guri Schanke - Ven a bailar conmigo Guri was the runner-up on the Norwegian edition of Dancing With The Stars, a franchise that was expanding across Europe at the time. Appropriately, her Eurovision entry sounds like something heard on that show. Thomas G:son wrote it too. The instrumental channels traditional Latin dance music. There's plenty of brassy punches and hand claps to create an “overbearing” production that leaves an impression. The rushing chorus is solid too. Guri, meanwhile, displays a professional demeanour, but I wish she showcased more dance moves. The choreo is basic for the most part, even with costume changes. It's a fun and catchy entry though, albeit a bit soulless. × Malta: Olivia Lewis - Vertigo After finishing in second place at the 2004/05/06 Maltese national finals, Olivia finally earns her spot in Eurovision! Unfortunately, she gives Malta their first exclusion from the Grand Final since their 1991 return. Oof. “Vetigo” embraces East Asia influences – a style rarely seen in Eurovision. Namely in the outfits and the production. The song involves a constant swooshing gong sound. It adds a unique, albeit distracting, texture. Still, the chorus swells into a climax, becoming the main highlight of the song. Meanwhile, Olivia is battered by the wind machine, while giving an out-of-sync vocal performance. All these elements convey the illusion of dizzily sinking against the current, comparative to the feeling of vertigo. But it ends up sounding messy. × Andorra: Anonymous - Salvem el món Andorra achieves their best result ever (12th in the semi-final) by submitting a mid-2000s punk rock song akin to American Idiot-era Green Day. The band Anonymous delivers jumpy energy while expressing a social message. Said message being that the world can be fixed if we act less self-interested. Which is a fair point. Musically, the song is manically paced, but the countdowns add necessary pauses to breathe. The vocals aren't the best, but the band brings the energy. The symbols on screen are a smart visual too. ✓ Hungary: Magdi Rúzsa - Unsubstantial Blues “Unsubstantial Blues” is a striking and profound entry. Magdi delivers such a raw performance. Her throaty Janis Joplin-esque vocals convey so much vulnerability and pain. She projects and retreats at the right moments, capturing her roller coaster of emotions after her lover walks out. The lyrics are reflective, mature, and emotionally invested. The staging is simple – Magdi hangs by a bus stop while bearing a suitcase. It illustrates a specific scene relevant to the song. Musically, “Unsubstantial Blues” is of the blues genre – which is something unique for the contest. The backing band is pretty true to the genre. The instrumentation is sparse (like the staging) to let Magdi be the focus, while complementing her emotional journey appropriately. The pacing is perfect. Hungary ultimately placed 2nd in the semi but lost steam at the Grand Final. × Estonia: Gerli Padar - Partners in Crime Estonia selects Tanel Padar's sister for 2007, but her result is less impressive. “Partners in Crime” is an inoffensive but forgettable entry. It's a textbook mid-tier ranking. The chorus is the main highlight, thanks to the rush of guitars and the “clack clack clack” responses. The pop/rock production contains a dark foreboding vibe too. And the arrangement flows well. But, for a song that describes the passion of hooking up, it's quite generic. And there's too much wind machine on Gerli's hair lol. That close-up with the flashing lights is creepy too. × Belgium: The KMG's - Love Power Belgium opts for a Prince tribute that's both corny and dated as hell. “Love Power” is a cheery 1970s disco funk song, featuring some vocal distortions. But the delivery is too juvenile and kitsch. It feels like a children's TV show song. And the lyrics are so cheesy and repetitive. This is just lame. ✓ Slovenia: Alenka Gotar - Cvet z juga Slovenia accomplishes the impossible – they make opera bearable! Well... bearable enough. This still gives me headaches sometimes. “Cvet z juga” is such a haunting, bone-chilling song. The chorus elongates this one tense moment, where the backing singers progressively elevate the atmosphere to new frightening heights. The operatic vocals are so powerful. The lyrical themes of impatience and uncertainty are given new perspective. I also like how the song opens with a dramatic bang. The production, meanwhile, mixes the old fashioned elements with a modern dance beat surprisingly well. The dark blue lighting is an effective aesthetic. And the stationary movement on stage enhances the mood. ✓ Turkey: Kenan Doğulu - Shake It Up Şekerim 2007 witnesses another strong finish for Turkey. 4th place overall seems excessive, though. Yes, the “Shake It Up Şekerim” refrain is an instant hook that is undeniably catchy, but it is beyond repetitive. It becomes annoying after a while. And Turkey has submitted better “Ethnic pop” entries in the preceding years. This feels unoriginal and generic by comparison, especially the belly dancers and the traditional breakdown. Still, the percussion rhythm is easy to bop along to, and Kenan exudes charm on stage. × Austria: Eric Papilaya - Get a Life – Get Alive Austria delivers a satisfying pop/rock song accompanied by some confusing outfits. The backing dancers are dressed in red feather body suits, while Eric dons shiny silver chain-link armour. There's also a red, ribbon-shaped feather nest in support of AIDS foundation. I'm not sure how the outfits correlate, though. As for the song, Eric advises taking action to seize a better life. The arrangement is seamless and catchy enough, and the lyrics have a good message, but I can see how “Get a Life” was forgotten. Ultimately though, Austria placed 2nd last in the semi and subsequently withdrew for 3 years. The song isn't that bad though? ✓ Latvia: Bonaparti.lv - Questa notte The Latvian entry is similar to the old-fashioned style of Albania's song. “Questa notte” is unabashedly 50 years out of date. The choice of Italian was a smart move. The sextet are vocally talented and their harmonies are potent in the chorus. The verses involve the members entering the stage one at time (akin to Israel 1979), with them rotating solos. And the lyrics are sweet. I respect the performance, but ultimately, this music style just doesn't appeal to me much. I'm of the wrong generation for it. My Ranking:01. Hungary: Magdi Rúzsa - Unsubstantial Blues ✓02. Serbia: Marija Šerifović - Molitva ✓03. Cyprus: Evridiki - Comme ci, comme ça 04. Iceland: Eiríkur Hauksson - Valentine Lost 05. Slovenia: Alenka Gotar - Cvet z juga ✓06. Belarus: Dmitry Koldun - Work Your Magic ✓07. Moldova: Natalia Barbu - Fight ✓08. Georgia: Sopho Khalvashi - Visionary Dream ✓09. F.Y.R. Macedonia: Karolina - Mojot svet ✓10. Norway: Guri Schanke - Ven a bailar conmigo 11. Austria: Eric Papilaya - Get a Life – Get Alive 12. Portugal: Sabrina - Dança comigo 13. Turkey: Kenan Doğulu - Shake It Up Şekerim ✓14. Netherlands: Edsilia Rombley - On Top of the World 15. Andorra: Anonymous - Salvem el món 16. Montenegro: Stevan Faddy - Ajde, kroči 17. Malta: Olivia Lewis - Vertigo 18. Poland: The Jet Set - Time to Party 19. Estonia: Gerli Padar - Partners in Crime 20. Bulgaria: Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankoulov - Water ✓21. Croatia: Dragonfly feat. Dado Topić - Vjerujem u ljubav 22. Latvia: Bonaparti.lv - Questa notte ✓ 23. Albania: Frederik Ndoci - Hear My Plea 24. Denmark: DQ - Drama Queen 25. Czech Republic: Kabát - Malá dáma 26. Switzerland: DJ BoBo - Vampires Are Alive 27. Belgium: The KMG's - Love Power 28. Israel: Teapacks - Push the Button Leo ✔ Soundcl🕤ck born fearlessarrow kimberly Mylo13 💜 Future Captain mrmike855
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kimberly
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Post by kimberly on Aug 25, 2020 18:00:50 GMT -5
Cyprus was robbed! I think she's my favorite from 2007 and didn't even qualify ![:(](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/sad.png)
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mrmike855
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Post by mrmike855 on Aug 25, 2020 18:54:23 GMT -5
Didn't expect you to dislike Bulgaria that much. Elitsa's vocals can be hard to get in to, but they mesh with the beat so well imo.
Cyprus is certainly a good song, but it's kind of forgettable after the performance. Maybe it's because I've heard songs like it before.
Iceland is awesome, the singer's raspy vocals, the melancholic sound, the instrumental, it's the biggest robbery of the year for sure (and one of the biggest of the 2000s)
Despite making vampires wimpy, a fundamentalist Christian party called the Federal Democratic Union of Switzerland called for Vampires Are Alive to be withdrawn because it supposedly promoted Satanism (which is just about the most 2007 thing ever)
Norway and Malta are messes to me, but in different ways. Norway comes off as silly and campy (though catchy) and Malta perfectly embodies "vertigo" with how hard it is to follow.
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ry4n
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Post by ry4n on Aug 26, 2020 12:39:49 GMT -5
Norway and Malta are messes to me, but in different ways. Norway comes off as silly and campy (though catchy) and Malta perfectly embodies "vertigo" with how hard it is to follow. To be fair, I had a hard time choosing my #10. It kept switching between Malta/Turkey/Georgia/Netherlands. Norway is a bit of a guilty pleasure to me lol. Cyprus was robbed! I think she's my favorite from 2007 and didn't even qualify ![:(](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/sad.png) Yeah, that overly long semi-final was a mistake. I don't know who thought 28 songs competing for 10 slots was a good idea. If they had used the two semi-final system that year, I suspect some of these DNQ's would have made it over some of the auto-qualifiers...
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ry4n
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Post by ry4n on Sept 1, 2020 19:08:45 GMT -5
Helsinki 2007 - Grand Final Host: Finland Slogan: “True Fantasy” Participants: 42 Voting method: 12-point system (40 televotes / 2 juries) Format: 1 Semi-Final / Grand Final = the top 10 of the semi + the top 10 of '06 + the Big 4 Winner: Marija Šerifović - Molitva ![](https://cdn.countryflags.com/thumbs/serbia/flag-400.png) Country: Serbia Points: 268 (54.5% of highest score possible) Language: Serbian YouTube | Spotify | LyricsGeneral Overview:The 2007 Grand Final contains several novelty entries, several outdated entries, and some disappointing entries. It isn't the best year. Although I do love how the top 2 (Serbia and Ukraine) are so drastically opposite of each other. The show opens with a spectacular music video of “Hard Rock Hallelujah”, filmed in the Arctic regions of Finland. The camera work of the nature shots is stunning. There's also plenty of fire created via special effects. It's almost like a high budget action movie. This video transitions to Lordi live on stage, accompanied by more pyro. The interval act is headlined by local symphonic metal band Apocalyptica. They perform a medley of instrumental songs featuring the cello. Meanwhile, the stage is filled with an assortment of acrobatics. Including a guy birthing out of squishy translucent egg thing (gross). He also shoves a long light rod down his throat. Later several acrobats are shown swinging from the ceiling, which is pretty neat. During the first intermission, the official presenters recruit a “random fan” named Krisse from the audience to host a couple segments later in the show. She hypes up the outdoor crowd and conducts the green room segment. She is kind of funny but also quite obnoxious. And then there's Santa Claus. He comes on stage to kick off the voting (with a Christmas bell) and later presents the award to the winner. What the actual f**k. I did not enjoy this. The postcards involve lighthearted skits, encompassing a touch of humour. While the stage design appears smaller this year, but still serviceable. It's shaped like an oval with a curved apparatus that extends above. There's also a ramp that juts out into the audience that never really gets used. The venue itself is a large hockey arena. The voting time frame is 15 minutes, so the recap is shown twice. The vote reveal itself isn't super exciting. Serbia built a healthy lead by the halfway point, and no other country seemed like a legitimate threat to overtake afterwards. There aren't too many noteworthy moments with the correspondents, aside from that messy Netherlands guy from 2006 appearing again. The voting graphics and animations are aesthetically pleasing, though (ie. the pastel colours and the balloons carrying the numbers). Also, it sure took forever for the winning performers to walk from the Green Room to the main stage. The final scoreboard was dominated by the Eastern countries, while the “big 4” all yielded underwhelming finishes once again. The Nordics didn't have much success either. The Entries: Bosnia & Herzegovina: Marija Šestić - Rijeka bez imena Bosnia continues to rack up respectable results (11th this time), despite submitting a remarkably understated ballad that drew first in the running order. The first half of “Rijeka” is gentle and delicate. The vocal and the instrumentation in particular convey a sense of innocent beauty, while Marija uses a river metaphor to explain her heartbreak. The song shifts during the bridge, where the traditional instrumentation enters and Marija's vocals soar. It's my favourite part. The lighting also changes from warm blue to bold red. She then interacts with the instrumentalist, who is down on his knees, which is cute. The song is too understated though. To the extent that I struggle to remember how it goes once it finishes. Still, it's very pretty. Spain: D'NASH - I Love You Mi Vida Spain delivers an instantly catchy boyband bop!... which reached a disappointing 20th place. “I Love You Mi Vida” is the fourth Eurovision writing credit by Thomas G:son (along with his countless Nordic national final entries at this point). So, as expected, this is an expertly crafted pop song. The “EEE AYY OHH” part is the obvious hook, but the “siente mi pasión” response, and the elongation of “iiiii” and “oooo” in the verses are effective hooks as well. Furthermore, the chorus is explosive, while the song's energy is just frantic enough. The lyrics, with their scorpion metaphors, aren't as cheesy as typical boyband songs. The instrumentation contains a layer of Eastern elements. And the choreography routine is noticeably slick (in how they continually switch positions). That said, the two drummers in the background seem pointless. Belarus: Dmitry Koldun - Work Your Magic Nothing new to add. Ireland: Dervish - They Can't Stop the Spring This is such a let down. I was SO eager for Ireland to select a traditional Celtic entry, but frontwoman Cathy Jordan completely ruins the uplifting vibe with her flat vocals. She sounds halfhearted. Still, the Celtic instrumentation is the clear highlight here. It creates a triumphant vibe that welcomes the dawning of a new day, as she stands resilient against adversity. The flowers on screen are an appropriate visual for that. Ultimately, “They Can't Stop the Spring” earned just 5 points... all from Albania, a jury country. Which I think killed Ireland's spirit in the contest judging by their 2008 entry... Finland: Hanna Pakarinen - Leave Me Alone The host entries weren't slacking in the 2000s! (Latvia aside). “Leave Me Alone” encompasses a persistent heavy electric guitar rhythm that expresses this sense of dark self-loathing so well. I especially like the main leading riff. This is complemented by Hanna's troubled vocal tone, her body language, and her black outfit and hair. The song is lyrically introspective from the point of view of the “other woman”. Hanna, speaking in the aftermath of the affair, wants to be left alone due to shame, guilt and feeling used. She also has a vindictive side. It's a bad ass song. The performance also opens with a bang (the explosion of pyro, smoke and electric guitars). F.Y.R. Macedonia: Karolina - Mojot svet Watching the Grand Final in HQ better showcases the intricacies of the production. Slovenia: Alenka Gotar - Cvet z juga Nothing new to add. Hungary: Magdi Rúzsa - Unsubstantial Blues Nothing new to add. Lithuania: 4Fun - Love or Leave The Lithuanian entry involves a unique aesthetic – singer/songwriter Julija Ritčik sits in front of silhouettes of her backing band. It creates the illusion that this performance is happening someplace else. It's a cool idea! The song, however, is extreme bare bones minimalism. It's a nice song but I require catchy pop hooks, and there's not much to latch onto here. The melody never builds to anything. Still, this unassuming arrangement creates an honest tone. “Love or Leave” expresses a moment of quiet contemplation. The instrumental is gentle and restrained (side note: the intro reminds me of Dido's “Thank You”). Lyrically, it's an introspective song, where Julija feels emotionally attached to someone who only meets up for sex. Yet she continues to see him anyway. It's tragic. Greece: Sarbel - Yassou Maria The Greek and Turkish entries were fortunate to contain catchy choruses this year because... 7th place seems way too high for this. Sarbel is overconfident on stage. His vocals are horrid. The chorus lyrics are so forced, even if the run of “shake it up, shake it up” -> “oh oh” -> “Lord have mercy” is catchy. I'm also not sure if Sarbel is jealous or proud that everyone is attracted to his girlfriend Maria lol. Furthermore, the ribbon tethers have been done before. And the “Ethnic pop” production isn't the most original either. Interestingly, this is the first Eurovision entry written by Alex Papaconstantinou, who will later contribute to “Always”, “La La Love” and “Fuego”. Georgia: Sopho Khalvashi - Visionary Dream Nothing new to add. Sweden: The Ark - The Worrying Kind And I thought “Las Vegas” was a misfire. Yeesh. So the winning entrant at Melfest 2007 was a 1970s glam rock song which copies the melody of "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" by Edison Lighthouse. It beat out Måns Zelmerlöw's “Cara Mia” at the national final. The lead singer is so extra with his mannerisms that it comes off as conceited and cringe-worthy. The melody in the “Words i like to shake em” parts is irritating, and it sounds like he's impersonating Elvis. The lyrics, though, are self-deprecating, where the singer explains how his anxious tendencies are misread by others. But the presentation is too campy and it's cringe. Eugh, this is my least favourite Swedish entry of the 21st century. France: Les Fatals Picards - L'amour à la française Joke entries are often hit-or-miss, but I find this one amusing. The over-exaggeration of French stereotypes allows “L'amour” to land in satirical territory. Although the tone is somewhat resentful of being perceived this way. The lyrics list the most obvious French references ever. Like, the ones only outsiders would know. While the singers casually switch between English and French mid-sentence in the same accent. The hammy overacting and mannerisms takes this to another level though. They're poking fun at the desperate longing often seen in French music. There's also angel wings on the drummer, a fake cat resting on one guy's shoulder, and literal running on stage. Lol. The rush of the chorus is catchy too. Latvia: Bonaparti.lv - Questa notte Nothing new to add. Russia: Serebro - Song #1 The Russian Girls Aloud! So Russia avoids the usual pitfall of girl groups flopping at Eurovision by finishing in 3rd. Indeed, Serebo are well-coordinated and deliver cohesive harmonies. They serve in-your-face attitude, while taking charge of the power dynamics in their relationships. And the sputtering electro-pop production is on-trend for the late-2000s. It's the most mainstream song of the night, and the beat complements the attitude. The chorus is a bop too, thanks to the “OWWW” exclamations and the stop/start parts. The lyrics seem like a poor translation, however. For example the lines “don't call me funny bunny” and “I'll take your money, yummy” are awkwardly phrased. Germany: Roger Cicero - Frauen regier'n die Welt The German Michael Buble! Germany opts for a big band song. The instrumentation (and outfits) are transported directly out of the early 20th century. Which doesn't align with my music tastes at all. The televoters weren't super crazy about it either. The breezy rhythm and the bursting brassy explosions are a highlight. But this performance seems too... Las Vegas casino. The lyrics are also borderline sexist, where Roger calls attention to how women subtly manipulate men, without men noticing. I think it's meant to be empowering, but it doesn't read that way to me. Random side note: I noticed a moment where the drummer dropped his drumstick lol. Serbia: Marija Šerifović - Molitva (winner review below) Ukraine: Verka Serduchka - Dancing Lasha Tumbai This is, unequivocally, one of the most iconic and memorable performances in ESC history. The 2000s decade was littered with novelty entries, and “Dancing Lasha Tumbai” is the pinnacle of it. It will be a tough challenge to surpass the ridiculousness, the quirkiness, and the shock value of “Dancing Lasha Tumbai”. From the tinfoil outfits, to the authoritarian German counting, to the hyper accordion techno beat, to the meaningless lyrics, to the rubbery dance moves displayed by the two “18” guys, to the butt slapping. It is the definition of “WTF”. But Verka has the time of their life on stage, so it becomes an enjoyable experience. And that “ni ni ni ni” bit and the accordion riff are too catchy. United Kingdom: Scooch - Flying the Flag (For You) From fun novelty to embarrassing novelty. “Flying The Flag” is an example of the UK struggling to nail down what Eurovision audiences want, and getting it completely wrong. It exemplifies the worst stereotypes about the contest. The loud speaker announcements are annoying. The dance beat is beyond generic. The sexual innuendos are cringe-worthy and lack any subtly. The airplane arm motions are too obvious. And the overly chipper tone makes this sound childish. I don't like a single thing about this entry. Ultimately, the European mainland was not impressed, with the UK only receiving points from Malta and Ireland. Romania: Todomondo - Liubi, Liubi, I Love You Three novelty entries in a row! This is a creative one, though. “Liubi, Liubi” is essentially a mash-up of several songs – each one sung in a different language, performed by a different person, and emulating the stereotypical instrumentation associated with that respective country. 6 languages are utilized in all (English, Romanian, Spanish, Italian, French and Russian). It conveys a message that the phrase “I love you” is universal. The song also speeds up its tempo multiple times, while the group exhibits drunken stage energy. It's exhausting by the end though, and too wacky for me (although Ukraine is wacky as well). Bulgaria: Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankoulov - Water Nothing new to add. Turkey: Kenan Doğulu - Shake It Up Şekerim Nothing new to add. Armenia: Hayko - Anytime You Need Armenia matches the 8th place finish of their 2006 debut. But I find this devotion ballad pretty dull. The melody progresses at such a glacial pace. And, aside from the gentle hand drumming (which is a highlight), the instrumentation is fairly bland in texture. And the white rags blowing in the wind on the leafless tree just look like discarded tissues (gross). The bleeding heart at the end is a nice touch though. And Hayko's vocals reach a big climax, but it lacks something. At least there's some emotion to this, so I can't rank it too low. Moldova: Natalia Barbu - Fight Nothing new to add. The Winner:Serbia sets an unprecedented achievement by winning with their debut entry (aside from Switzerland in 1956). Although Serbia had competed several times previously as a jurisdiction of countries that no longer exist. Moreover, “Molitva” is the first (and so far only) Balkan ballad to win at Eurovision. It's a music style that is so consistently prevalent in the contest. So I'm pleased that the genre was validated with a win at least once, even if it's not my favourite one. “Molitva” is also the first ballad to win outright in at least a decade. And it's the first non-English victor since the language restriction rule was lifted after 1998. So the song certainly contradicts the trends of the previous several winners. “Molitva” encapsulates Marija's journey of escalating desperation, where she resorts to prayer as her last option. The song has moments that are stunning. The lyrics are well-written. And the staging is simplistic but effective. The concept essentially mimics a funeral procession. The backing singers maintain such sombre facial expressions and body movements. Everyone is dressed in black. The red lighting enhances the solemn ambience. And the instrumental break represents the moment when the casket is lowered. The backing also physically restrains Marija when her voice loses all control. As for the song itself, it can be broken down into three different sections. The beginning is insular, vulnerable and subdued. The middle contains a tearful flute(?) and percussion break, followed by haunting harmonies. While the ending involves electric guitars and unrestrained passion. The middle section is easily my favourite – it's so powerfully striking – it gives me the chills. The first section also builds up nicely. But the finale isn't perfect. The middle section (and the howling) is the climax, but it happens too abruptly which throws me off. Furthermore, the ensuing guitars seem misplaced. It results in a final chorus that isn't 100% satisfying. While I do think “Molitva” is a very powerful song, and probably the only song that deserved to win in such a weak year, I just prefer other Eurovision winners more. Verdict: I like it. My Ranking:Grand Final:01. Hungary: Magdi Rúzsa - Unsubstantial Blues 02. Serbia: Marija Šerifović - Molitva 03. Finland: Hanna Pakarinen - Leave Me Alone 04. Ukraine: Verka Serduchka - Dancing Lasha Tumbai 05. Spain: D'NASH - I Love You Mi Vida 06. Russia: Serebro - Song #1 07. Slovenia: Alenka Gotar - Cvet z juga 08. Belarus: Dmitry Koldun - Work Your Magic 09. Moldova: Natalia Barbu - Fight 10. France: Les Fatals Picards - L'amour à la française 11. Georgia: Sopho Khalvashi - Visionary Dream 12. F.Y.R. Macedonia: Karolina - Mojot svet 13. Bosnia & Herzegovina: Marija Šestić - Rijeka bez imena 14. Turkey: Kenan Doğulu - Shake It Up Şekerim 15. Lithuania: 4Fun - Love or Leave 16. Bulgaria: Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankoulov - Water 17. Armenia: Hayko - Anytime You Need 18. Romania: Todomondo - Liubi, Liubi, I Love You 19. Ireland: Dervish - They Can't Stop the Spring 20. Latvia: Bonaparti.lv - Questa notte 21. Germany: Roger Cicero - Frauen regier'n die Welt 22. Greece: Sarbel - Yassou Maria 23. Sweden: The Ark - The Worrying Kind 24. United Kingdom: Scooch - Flying the Flag (For You) Full Ranking: 01. Hungary: Magdi Rúzsa - Unsubstantial Blues 02. Serbia: Marija Šerifović - Molitva 03. Cyprus: Evridiki - Comme ci, comme ça 04. Finland: Hanna Pakarinen - Leave Me Alone 05. Ukraine: Verka Serduchka - Dancing Lasha Tumbai 06. Spain: D'NASH - I Love You Mi Vida 07. Russia: Serebro - Song #1 08. Iceland: Eiríkur Hauksson - Valentine Lost 09. Slovenia: Alenka Gotar - Cvet z juga 10. Belarus: Dmitry Koldun - Work Your Magic 11. Moldova: Natalia Barbu - Fight 12. France: Les Fatals Picards - L'amour à la française 13. Georgia: Sopho Khalvashi - Visionary Dream 14. F.Y.R. Macedonia: Karolina - Mojot svet 15. Norway: Guri Schanke - Ven a bailar conmigo 16. Austria: Eric Papilaya - Get a Life – Get Alive 17. Portugal: Sabrina - Dança comigo 18. Bosnia & Herzegovina: Marija Šestić - Rijeka bez imena 19. Turkey: Kenan Doğulu - Shake It Up Şekerim 20. Netherlands: Edsilia Rombley - On Top of the World 21. Andorra: Anonymous - Salvem el món 22. Montenegro: Stevan Faddy - Ajde, kroči 23. Lithuania: 4Fun - Love or Leave 24. Malta: Olivia Lewis - Vertigo 25. Poland: The Jet Set - Time to Party 26. Estonia: Gerli Padar - Partners in Crime 27. Bulgaria: Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankoulov - Water 28. Armenia: Hayko - Anytime You Need 29. Romania: Todomondo - Liubi, Liubi, I Love You 30. Croatia: Dragonfly feat. Dado Topić - Vjerujem u ljubav 31. Ireland: Dervish - They Can't Stop the Spring 32. Latvia: Bonaparti.lv - Questa notte 33. Germany: Roger Cicero - Frauen regier'n die Welt 34. Albania: Frederik Ndoci - Hear My Plea 35. Denmark: DQ - Drama Queen 36. Greece: Sarbel - Yassou Maria 37. Czech Republic: Kabát - Malá dáma 38. Sweden: The Ark - The Worrying Kind 39. Switzerland: DJ BoBo - Vampires Are Alive 40. Belgium: The KMG's - Love Power 41. Israel: Teapacks - Push the Button 42. United Kingdom: Scooch - Flying the Flag (For You) Leo ✔ Soundcl🕤ck born fearlessarrow kimberly Mylo13 💜 Future Captain mrmike855
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Leo ✔
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Post by Leo ✔ on Sept 1, 2020 19:21:51 GMT -5
Ukraine >>> Serbia I never liked Molitva and found it pretty overrated.
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Soundcl🕤ck
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Post by Soundcl🕤ck on Sept 1, 2020 19:40:09 GMT -5
My favorite songs usually end up at #2, and I remember I was really happy when Molitva won...plus, I'm really not a big fan of novelty songs.
Molitva is one of my favorite (ESC) 2000s songs, and I probably like it even more after this video (which premiered during this year's ESC):
I like Moldova, FYR Macedonia, Finland, Turkey I guess. Russia sounds dated now.
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mrmike855
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Post by mrmike855 on Sept 1, 2020 21:46:05 GMT -5
Serbia is the 2nd best winner of the 2000s. I like the way the song ends on a quiet note, she's suffering from depression and it shows that she's trapped in it, and not coming out. It's certainly one of the highlights of the year.
I'm conflicted about Ukraine. On one hand, it's catchy, memorable (obviously) and even unique in its instrumental. On the other hand, novelties do not deserve to be that high, no exceptions. It was one of the funniest things ever when I first saw it, but I have no idea why people are still so obsessed with it (and even sometimes argue it should've won), think about what that would've symbolized.
There aren't too many other songs in the top 10 that stand out. Russia and Moldova are good, Hungary and Bulgaria are really good, but Turkey sent the cheapest ethno-pop song ever and Armenia only got as high as it did because of the diaspora,
The unquestionable low point of Western Europe in the contest. For the songs in the final from Western Europe, only Finland and Germany deserved better. It's no surprise they finished behind almost every song from the East.
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ry4n
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Post by ry4n on Sept 15, 2020 10:18:53 GMT -5
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kimberly
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Post by kimberly on Sept 15, 2020 10:22:44 GMT -5
Qele Qele is a whole BOP
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ry4n
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Post by ry4n on Sept 15, 2020 10:29:43 GMT -5
Belgrade 2008 – Semi-Final 1 Host: Serbia Slogan: “Confluence of Sound” Participants: 43 Voting method: 12-point system (42 televotes / 1 jury) Format: 2 Semi-Finals / Grand Final = the top 10 of semi 1 & 2 + the Big 4 + host General Overview:Disclaimer: I could not find a full-length stream of SF1 anywhere on the Internet. However, certain segments are uploaded separately (the opening, the interval, and the results). And, of course, all 19 performances are available individually in acceptable quality. The 2008 contest introduces the double semi-final format that is still in place today, whereby the top 10 of each heat advances to the Grand Final. Therefore, the only auto-qualifiers from this point onward are the “Big 4/5” and the host country (and Australia on their 2015 debut). It's the first time since 1996 that a country's standing in the previous contest does not determine their qualifying status. It was the best decision the EBU could have made. The viewing experience is significantly less daunting and, in terms of fairness, it levels the playing field. Although this system isn't without its flaws either. Some semi-finals are more competitive than others, for instance. Indeed, SF1 contains most of the major contenders this year. The EBU also tweaked the voting permissions in the semi-finals. Previously, all 40-ish countries voted in the singular semi-final during 2004-2007. However, starting from 2008, countries would only vote in their respective semi-final. With the auto-qualifiers distrusted between the two rounds. For example, Germany and Spain voted on night 1 in 2008, while France, the UK and Serbia voted on night 2. Also, for whatever reason, only the top 9 in the televote earned a guaranteed spot in the Grand Final this year. The 10th slot was selected by the juries. Which is a precursor of the juries returning with an equal influence in 2009. It made no difference with Poland in SF1, but Sweden were extremely lucky to qualify in SF2. 2008 witnesses the debut of Azerbaijan and San Marino. Which means that Australia is the only country remaining that has yet to appear. Austria, meanwhile, decided to sit out for the next 3 contests. They weren't doing so hot before Conchita. Subsequently, this results in a new record of 43 participants. A record that will be matched in future contests but is yet to be surpassed. Semi-final 1 opens with a children's choir, the LED boards showing off, and a selection of traditional folk music that is essentially a marching band. The performers are covered in the three main Serbian flag colours. The interval act involves more classical Serbian music. This year continues to employ a gimmick to commence the televoting. This time a Serbian tennis player throws a tennis ball into the audience. And once again the qualifiers are revealed by opening 10 envelopes. The Entries:× Montenegro: Stefan Filipović - Zauvijek volim te This is too innocuous to ever qualify. “Zauvijek” channels 1970s light rock music. The flow is breezy, the chorus melody is buoyant, and Stefan provides gritty vocals. I like the “-udi” rhymes in particular. But the song and the staging are both characterless and leave little lasting impression. And the upbeat tone is mismatched with the lyrical theme of loneliness. This entry just feels unadventurous. ✓ Israel: Boaz Ma'uda - The Fire in Your Eyes A reflective ballad penned by Dana International propels Israel back into the top 10! The songwriting does seem professionally crafted, both in lyrics and arrangement. Boaz cherishes a false fantasy that his ex is still with him. It's thoughtful. Musically, the verses convey a sense of delicate solitude, while the chorus is an outpouring. But that chorus melody is too mundane and dull. It follows an established formula. That said, Boaz's sincere and heartfelt performance, and his refined vocals, salvages this entry. He adds raw emotion. And I do like the build-up into the second chorus. Also, the traditional bridge breaks up the monotony. × Estonia: Kreisiraadio - Leto svet ......I don't know what is happening. So “Leto svet” is a parody Eurovision joke entries. It involves an assortment of unconnected parts lacking any context. The lyrics are literally just that – a list of non sequiturs, mostly in Serbian (as a pandering tactic). While the staging is utter randomness. The props don't have any explained purpose. There's an accordion that turns into smoke and the singers dry hump a grand piano. The dance moves are silly too. As for the song, “Leto svet” consists of some off-putting grunting vocals and a cheap reggae beat. This whole performance is cringe-worthy. Joke entries require a certain tone to land, and this ain't it. × Moldova: Geta Burlacu - A Century of Love This is Moldova's only DNQ of their first 9 appearances. Their entries are usually outlandish, but “A Century of Love” is comparatively understated. It's a slice of melancholic jazz. Still, the staging is memorable, thanks to Geta cuddling a teddy bear and standing on a couch. She yearns for comfort and affection by relying on a childhood method. The instrumentation, meanwhile, projects a lonely, gloomy, reflective walk in the rain. The trumpet sets the mood well. But Geta's vocal inflections and scatting are irritating. And it's probably Moldova's most forgettable entry. × San Marino: Miodio - Complice San Marino's debut finishes in dead last (likely due to a lack of voting allies – Italy were still on hiatus). The country subsequently departed until 2011. A shame because this entry deserved better. “Complice” is a mid-tempo, atmospheric rock song – not too dissimilar from Coldplay's X&Y era. Mostly in how the production swells and progresses in slows motion. The soaring strings are largely responsible for the atmosphere. But the electric guitars lead the chorus to further heights as well. It portrays how love is an otherworldly force. That said, the vocal melody could use more “oomph”. × Belgium: Ishtar - O Julissi Belgium once again incorporates an imaginary language. Which was a massively successful gamble in 2003, but this time they don't even qualify. Possibly because “O Julissi” is one annoying and repetitive song. The structure just goes around in circles. The song mimics Slavic phonetics, while channeling traditional Alpine music. It's driven by this irritating hippity-hoppity rhythm of tiny bounces. It's like a poor rendition of something from The Sound of Music soundtrack. I don't like Ishtar's candy-striped dress either. The flutes and clarinets are okay. ✓ Azerbaijan: Elnur and Samir - Day After Day Azerbaijan's first several entries (2008-2013) all made a huge splash on the contest. “Day After Day” is theatrical, dramatic, loud, and over-the-top... but all this shrieking is ANNOYING AF. Even if there is creativity involved. The concept involves this tug-of-war between the Angel and Devil, as they compete for influence. This dichotomy is illustrated by the staging and the disparate music styles. The Angel is dressed in white, and sings in heavenly, operatic falsetto. While the Devil is dressed in black, and unleashes maniacal, heavy metal screaming. He also sits on a skull throne and pours “blood” from a chalice. The Devil later switches from black to white clothing for the final chorus (amongst a burst of pyro), signifying that he's actually a fallen Angel. This entry tells a story. Musically, the instrumentation is thunderous and intense, expressing the dramatics of the situation. × Slovenia: Rebeka Dremelj - Vrag naj vzame Slovenia are the unlucky country to place 11th in SF1. Perhaps the BDSM staging was too provocative. There's two bikers, whose faces are concealed by helmets, that Rebeka drags around with a pair of leashes. I don't find it uncomfortable personally, but it is weird staging. The song itself is a bop though! The chorus is undeniably catchy. The bounciness of the melody and the pauses are used effectively. While the production employs a modern dance/club beat, typical of the late-2000s. It's assertive and dynamic. It billows at the start, and escalates to “aggressive mode” in the bridge. Rebeka also adopts an unbothered attitude following a break-up. Her response is “to hell with it!” She refuses to dwell on the memories or wallow in misery. Based off the staging, she's going to the club and getting freaky! ✓ Norway: Maria Haukaas Storeng - Hold On Be Strong Strong hooks, classy presentation, heartwarming tone, uplifting vibe, and well-sung! “Hold On Be Strong” is a flawless performance. The melody flows naturally. The lead-offs are instantly catchy (ie. “you might be saying ooh...” and “there's always someone out there...”). The harmonies are smooth. The retro, cymbal-snapping percussion is calming. It taps into the 1960s nostalgia trend around 2008 (think Amy Winehouse or Duffy). And Maria expresses the song's message in an encouraging, compassionate and genuine way. She addresses anyone who feels defeated in their quest to find love. The uncluttered staging reinforces the sincerity. Incidentally, Norway are the only Western country to land in the top 10 at the Grand Final. ✓ Poland: Isis Gee - For Life Poland are the jury wildcard pick in SF1, but the song finished 10th in the televote anyway. “For Life” is a formulaic Mariah/Whitney/Idol/X-Factor ballad. In other words: zzzz. Isis provides the vocal climaxes and the vibrato. Her voice does sounds lovely at times, though. And the song's tone is endearingly triumphant. She celebrates a relationship that has stood the test of time. They have overcome the obstacles. The arrangement does capture this sentiment well. There's some cheesy Eurovision metaphors in there too. But “For Life” just... stays the same for the whole song. It's underwhelming. Incidentally, Poland fell into equal last place at the Grand Final. × Ireland: Dustin the Turkey - Irelande Douze Pointe Yeah, I don't really enjoy listening to Ireland wave a middle finger at Eurovision. “Irelande Douze Pointe” moans about Eastern bloc voting for three minutes, and it's communicated through the most obnoxious puppet in existence. This turkey has such a condescending tone too. I have little patience for this, despite it being iconic. It reflects how the Western countries were complaining about flopping in Eurovision at the time. It's like they don't have any respect for Eastern Europe, which is a problematic attitude. Well, the juries will return in 2009, so I guess their complaints were validated. Anyways, from a strictly musical standpoint, “Irelande Douze Pointe” is just unpleasant to listen to. The electro beat is generic and the turkey's voice is so crude. No thanks. × Andorra: Gisela - Casanova Well, this is a textbook NQ. Bland and "mid" at best. “Casanova” is so indistinct – Gisela adds little personality to it. The production, while hyper, employs yet another generic dance beat. And the melody lacks dynamism. The “cas-a-nov-a” stutters, and the accompanying boom-boom-booms, are enjoyable, and I do like the chorus rush though. The outfits, meanwhile, are peculiar – Gisela wears a gold-plated bodice and metal bunny ears. Interestingly, she performed part of an international medley of “Into the Unknown” at the 2020 Grammy Awards. ✓ Bosnia & Herzegovina: Laka - Pokušaj Lmao. This is almost as absurd and quirky as “Dancing Lasha Tumbai”. So, unlike Estonia (which was too try-hard) and Ireland (which was too condescending), Bosnia's joke entry does land for me. Their approach is more lighthearted and cheerful. The staging is definitely the most memorable aspect here. There's four brides knitting, a clothesline, and a girl in a clown outfit. The main duo also display such goofy mannerisms and facial expressions. My interpretation of this craziness: the clown girl is hiding and playing “hard-to-get”, while Laka runs around the stage trying to find her. It captures a youthful, cutesy charm. The song itself is chaotic. And it's characterized by this monotone, rapid-fire, sputtering “da-da-da-da” rhythm that drills into your head. The lyrics also contain some bizarre phrases. It's my favourite novelty entry of '08! ✓ Armenia: Sirusho - Qélé, Qélé Irresistibly catchy, an alluring charm, a breathtaking aura, a slick “Ethnic” production, and sexy stage confidence. Firstly, the production is refreshing. Particularly in how the instrumentation fades/decelerates or spits out at various points. That plucky bit is a good hook too! “Qélé, Qélé” opens with haunting chants that portray the force of nature. The climax then transitions into this strutting groove for the remainder of the song, where the percussion maintains a bouncy rhythm, with a sprinkle of traditional elements. This main portion rotates between three sections (“you wanna be with me..”, the “qele qele” repetition, and “time is here tonight...”). And all three may as well be the chorus, because each is quite catchy. Furthermore, Sirusho's stage presence is enticing. In particular, her struts and body shakes. And she delivers that “come qele, move qele” line in an inviting manner. It also sounds like "come killer, move killer" lol. Ultimately “Qélé, Qélé” became Armenia's (equal) best placing to date (4th place). × Netherlands: Hind - Your Heart Belongs to Me This year sees the Netherlands mimic the instrumentation seen in the Eastern entries to a degree, but it results in yet another DNQ for them. “Your Heart Belongs to Me” is an agreeable entry. The strings add character, the chorus melody is robust, and the pre-chorus leads into the chorus well. In the song, Hind acknowledges that it was the right decision to let go of this person. The upbeat delivery implies that she's in a happier place. Although the bridge adds a hint of despair. But, “Your Heart” never soars, and the end result isn't impactful enough. The staging is bland too. ✓ Finland: Teräsbetoni - Missä miehet ratsastaa Finland selects another heavy metal band, just two years after Lordi won the contest. It's easy to write off this decision as uninspired, and heavy metal is still not my thing, but I still enjoy the song. The “HOO!.. HAH!” chants and the title phrase are delivered in a catchy way. The lead singer unleashes plenty of (annoying) high-pitched screeches and he utilizes a quirky vocal style. The song is driven by a roaring electric guitar rhythm that is bursting with energy. The band just “rocks out” for three minutes. It's a spirited performance. And of course there's an abundance of pyro. The lyrics are meaningful too – the band describes a solider answering the call of duty. It can be interpreted as either praise or cynicism. The song's production illustrates the scene of that solider bravely marching onto the battlefield. ✓ Romania: Nico and Vlad - Pe-o margine de lume Romania submits an old-fashioned, romantic duet ballad, inspired by Andrea Bocelli's style. It's reminiscent of Eurovision entries of the early years. This genre just does not appeal to me. I find “Pe-o” rather dull and lacking. Nico's solo is the best part, thanks to the production switch and the injection of backing singers. But the transitions between Nico and Vlad's solos are so incohesive. Regardless, the duo seems to display chemistry on stage. Vlad's vocal style does elicit romantic appeal. And the overall sentiment is sweet. ✓ Russia: Dima Bilan - Believe (winner review in the Grand Final post) ✓ Greece: Kalomira - Secret Combination Timbaland's signature mid-2000s sound has finally made its way to Eurovision! “Secret Combination” is therefore a contemporary-sounding entry. The production is similar to “Give It To Me”, but with a splash of Greek bouzouki flair. It's cleverly crafted, especially the intricate percussion work. Timbaland's style was the #1 trend for a reason. It's potent on a live show. The verses let that production take prominence, while the chorus melody flows effortlessly. Kalomira, meanwhile, serves spunk, flirtatiousness and mysteriousness. She withholds the titular “secret combination”, and she never mentions what that combination is. She brings confidence to her dance moves too. Furthermore, the colour scheme on stage is so visually pleasing, between the city skyline and the purple heart structure. “Secret Combination” is basically the “complete package” (no wonder it won the semi-final), but there's a few other entries I value more. My Ranking:01. Armenia: Sirusho - Qélé, Qélé ✓02. Norway: Maria Haukaas Storeng - Hold On Be Strong ✓03. Greece: Kalomira - Secret Combination ✓04. Slovenia: Rebeka Dremelj - Vrag naj vzame 05. Bosnia & Herzegovina: Laka - Pokušaj ✓06. San Marino: Miodio - Complice 07. Finland: Teräsbetoni - Missä miehet ratsastaa ✓08. Israel: Boaz Ma'uda - The Fire in Your Eyes ✓09. Russia: Dima Bilan - Believe ✓10. Netherlands: Hind - Your Heart Belongs to Me 11. Andorra: Gisela - Casanova 12. Poland: Isis Gee - For Life ✓13. Moldova: Geta Burlacu - A Century of Love 14. Azerbaijan: Elnur and Samir - Day After Day ✓15. Montenegro: Stefan Filipović - Zauvijek volim te 16. Romania: Nico and Vlad - Pe-o margine de lume ✓17. Belgium: Ishtar - O Julissi 18. Ireland: Dustin the Turkey - Irelande Douze Pointe 19. Estonia: Kreisiraadio - Leto svet Leo ✔ Soundcl🕤ck born fearlessarrow kimberly Mylo13 💜 Future Captain mrmike855
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Soundcl🕤ck
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Post by Soundcl🕤ck on Sept 15, 2020 11:12:39 GMT -5
Qele Qele is still a bop!!!! My winner that year.
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Leo ✔
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Post by Leo ✔ on Sept 15, 2020 11:45:02 GMT -5
"Pokušaj" is so great!! Is over the top and ridiculous but catchy af, and is funny to see. Such a fun experience. "Secret Combination" is THAT bop, but the live performance felt flat for me. "Qele Qele" is solid too. "Day After Day" is so extra too, as a performance is good and really different, the storytelling is on point but the vocals ain't for me.
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