Russia Are Used to Shining

Russia have been one of the more successful countries of Eurovision in recent years. They have enjoyed victory in 2008 thanks to Dima Bilan’s ‘Believe’ as well as quite a few 2nd and 3rd positions (Dima Bilan again, Tatu, Russian Grannies etc). Last year, Dina Garipova brought Russia home in 5th place with her message of helping those who need it most. I have chosen however to mention the 2011 entrant Alexey Vorobyov (aka Alex Sparrow) and his pop number ‘Get You’. Alex was actually signed by world famous producer Red One who wrote the song for Eurovision. I really took a liking to Alex, and thought it would be nice for Russia to have their first international superstar! In the contest itself, ‘Get You’ only came 16th in the final. I think ultimately what let it down was very poor staging. It looked like something out of the 80s, far too corny and just not current enough. Still, a good pop number.

This year, Russia are represented by the Tolmachevy Sisters (twins!) with their song ‘Shine’. These girls are already Eurovision winners, at Junior level back in 2006. At just 17, they are the youngest entrants this year in Copenhagen and will try to do the double of junior and senior victories. I was not a fan of their song at first but it has grown on me. It is sweet and the girls have good harmonies, but it is forgettable and for success at Eurovision it is necessary to make an impact after just one performance. I don’t think ‘Shine’ will shine so brightly on the night.

 

 

Romanian Miracle?

Romania have entered some pretty decent songs over the years, and have as a result enjoyed some well deserved high finishes. Most notably, a 3rd place in 2010 for Paula Seling and Ovi with ‘Playing With Fire’. This performance had great staging, with a transparent piano taking centre stage. It was a funky performance with edge, and one of the fan favourites of recent years.

I also have two other Romanian entries in my top 50 Eurovision playlist! ‘Zaleilah’ from 2012 and ‘Tornero’ from 2006. The former was a Latin infused catchy happy number, and the latter a perfect clubbing anthem. Both did well in the contest and have helped forge a name for Romania!

This year, Paula Seling and Ovi are back! Will their song ‘Miracle’ finally grab that long sought after victory? At first, when I just heard a snippet of the song, I was not keen as it just sounded like they were yelling ‘Miracle’! But when you listen to the complete song, and hear how it builds to that point, it really grows on you. These two seem to be quite popular in Eurovision circles so I feel this will do well. The piano is back again also, so watch out for the staging this year.

Here is the video below, which has been released amidst some controversy as comparisons have been drawn to Ruth Lorenzo’s ‘Dancing In The Rain’. Both videos are lovely, but I would agree perhaps too artistically similar. Water seems to be the theme this year though, as the Copenhagen stage is due to be surrounded by water in the arena – interesting!

 

Portugal Are Back (but not with a bang!)

Portugal are another country making a return to Eurovision this year in Copenhagen (they only missed the 2013 contest). Bem vindo de volta! This is also a nation that tends to present its songs in the native language, and I am glad for this as I think Portuguese has a really nice sound to it (the shhh sound – love it!). My favourite Portuguese entry of recent years would be from 2009, with Flor-De-Lis and ‘Todas As Ruas Do Amor’ (All the Streets of Love). This was a colourful and jolly performance, and whilst it was never going to win, it did put a smile on one’s face!

This year, I do not reckon Portugal’s chances are any higher. Suzy is giving us ‘Quero Ser Tua’, a typically Latin dance tune. It is a good number for dancing along to, but it really is quite third rate compared to other entrants. It is just too predictable and I feel it will be forgotten amongst more sophisticated numbers. But still, good for a party!

 

 

 

 

Poland Like To Party

Poland are back in Eurovision after a 2 year hiatus! Witamy z powrotem! Looking back over their recent entries, none of them particularly stick out in my memory. I have opted for The Jet Set from 2007, who thought it was ‘Time To Party’ in Helsinki. Whilst the performance was substandard and  unnecessarily raunchy, I generally quite liked the song. Not quite sure what those checked pyjama bottoms were all about? Very poor staging.

Alas, I am not a fan of Poland’s return entry in 2014. Donatan and Cleo will represent their nation with ‘My Slowianie’ which has been a big hit already in Poland. I find the song pretty bad and tuneless, and the video is vulgar and too sexualised for a Eurovision which in my view, is mostly family friendly. I am interested to see how ‘My Slowianie’ will be presented on stage in Copenhagen, but I certainly hope it does not make the final. Not a fan!

 

Norwegian Fairytales and Storms

Norway won the 2009 Eurovision song contest by a country mile, with Alexander Rybak and his ‘Fairytale’. I was not so in love with that song. It was alright, but after a while the violin just got on my nerves! He wasn’t the best singer and it was perhaps a bit too folksy for my liking. Not sure how he won by so much of a distance, but I guess it’s just personal taste. Actually, my favourite entry from Norway since 2006 was in 2011 when Stella Mwangi gave us an African vibe with ‘Haba Haba’. This was catchy and colourful, and I liked how Europe’s ever increasing multiculturalism was reflected in Eurovision. Sadly, Stella did not make it past the semi finals but have a listen and dance along!

As for 2014, Norway have gone for something a little more traditionally European, with the slow ballad ‘Silent Storm’. It has a beautiful chorus but I think given the restrictive 3 minute window, it may not make as much of an impact in Copenhagen. Unless Carl gets to perform in the latter segment of the show, I fear this will get somewhat forgotten. I just cannot see Oslo 2015, sorry!

Netherlands in Renaissance

The Netherlands, one of the original seven countries to participate in Eurovision back in 1956. Of late, progression to the final has been nigh on impossible, not helped by them putting in below par songs. Last year may have just been the start of a resurgence in the competition. Anouk, a very successful Dutch singer, was the representative with ‘Birds’. It was just so refreshingly different to any other song. A moody and atmospheric performance, kept simple but very effective, it came a deserved 9th in the final. This was my dark horse last year, and in hindsight I think it would have been a fabulous winner. I just loved the concept of it all!

Following on from last year’s relative success, The Netherlands have gone for another original song. The Common Linnets will represent their nation with the song ‘Calm After The Storm’. Country has not typically gone down well in Eurovision, but often it has been presented as a bit of a novelty. This is serious, subtle and sophisticated, and deserves to do well. Eurovision needs to constantly evolve and go for something different for once!

A Final for Montenegro?

Montenegro have perhaps been the most unsuccessful Eurovision nation in recent years (as an independent nation that is, and not joined with Serbia). They have never managed to progress beyond the semi final stage, the closest they came being back in 2009 with Andrea Demirovic and the song ‘Just Get Out Of My Life’. It was an average upbeat number, nothing special and lacking a lot of punch. Performing first, it fulfilled more of a warm up act for the rest of the semi and was ultimately a bit forgettable.

This year, I fancy Montenegro’s chances of qualifying are a lot higher. They are sending the experienced performer Sergej Ćetković with the song ‘Moj Svijet’.  Sergej’s voice is very pleasing to the ear. He presents a harmless and relaxing song, with a nice Gaelic influence. Again it is nothing to get pumped up about but I feel it will do well with the jury vote. Indeed, Europe seems to go for the more traditional ballads so I would not be surprised if Montenegro manage to make the final in 2014.

 

Moldova: Merciful Trumpets

My ultimate favourite Moldovan Eurovision entry has got to be from 2012. Baku gave us Pasha Parfeny and his jolly tune ‘Lautar’. I remember this entry purely for the lyric ‘How looks that trumpet?’ (makes no sense to me!). With a plethora of backing dancers and the enviable position of performing last, Pasha came a solid 11th on the night, equalled in fact by Aliona Moon last year.

Will Moldova go further this year perhaps?

MERCY! I HAVE NO FEELINGS OF MERCY!

Those two lines alone grab you and compel you to listen to ‘Wild Soul’ further. Christina Scarlat presents a deep, dark and atmospheric composition. I am really intrigued to see how this will be staged in Copenhagen, as if the mood of the song is evoked through a good setting, I feel this could be a dark horse and do pretty well.

 

Malta Bringing It Home?

Here we are with Malta! A tiny Eurovision nation that is always hanging around but never hitting the bigtime. Since 2006, the highest finish for a Maltese participant has been 8th (last year – Jeremy from I.T anyone?!) and their best results a long time before that! It’s a shame as Malta have actually brought some pretty decent songs into the contest. I was certainly a fan of Kurt Calleja in 2012 with his funky dancing feet. As for 2006, well that gets my pick. Fabrizio Faniello with his Europop extraordinaire ‘I do’. (I do, I do, I doooo, I do, I do, I love you like a fool). So corny but so catchy!

Malta may be ‘Coming Home’ with the Eurovision trophy in 2014 if Firelight get their way. This year’s entry is a rather nice Mumford & Sons esque song. It’s lying pretty low on the fan radar so could be a potential dark horse, and certainly a very different Eurovision winner. Check it out.

 

 

Awesome Lithuanian Shoes

So, apparently Lithuanian shoes are pretty incredible. Last year, Andrius Pojavis informed us that his shoes had the power to tell him that he was in love! “One is called LOVE, the other one PAIN”. Epic lyrics, and one of the most memorable entrants from 2013. This gets my vote for best Lithuanian entry since 2006, just for the shoe reference alone!

Special mention must also go to the 2006 song entitled ‘We Are The Winners’, which had a really subtle message for viewers (“You gotta vote,
Vote, vote for the winners, Vote, vote, vote for the winners”) and as a result actually came 6th!

Maybe one day Lithuania really WILL be the winners! We are, we are! We are, we are! (God, that song was catchy). I highly doubt 2014 will be their year however, although it seems they are trying to get our ‘Attention’. Vilija Matačiūnaitė (definitely had to copy and paste that name) will be representing Lithuania with a very average song. I’m not even sure how to describe it, it is just a bit of a mess! I am sorry but it has to be nil points from me to Lithuania.