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Subject: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 01/24/09 at 1:53 pm
I've decided to start a new thread on the ESC (Euopean Song Contest) and maybe lock the other existing threads...
Reason for doing this: the other threads are really old, and parts of the earliest posts there have gone lost with time.
First post here is dedicated to all Dutch entries from 1956 onwards. So here they are, in reverse order: all Dutch entries for the ESC so far. As you can see, we’ve had only two entries making Top 5 in the past 25 years…But we’re not giving in!
2008: Hind – Your heart belongs to me
(2nd semi-final, 19 countries entering, DNQ for final) Not a bad song, but nothing special either.
2007: Edsilia Rombley – On top of the world
(semi-final, 28 countries entering, DNQ for final) Many say she should’ve sung the Dutch version. I’m not sure that would’ve made any difference.
2006: Treble – Amambanda
(semi-final, 23 countries entering, DNQ for final) We’d already lost the battle before it began, with those hard rock giants from Finland vs these three girls.
2005: Glennis Grace – My impossible dream
(semi-final, 25 countries entering, DNQ for final) Good song, good performance, but then we’ve seen this all before.
2004: Re-union – Without you
(final, 20th place of 24) …and those guys were disappointed! ::)
2003: Esther Hart – One more night
(14th place of 26) Maybe this deserved a little bit more, although it’s nothing special really.
2002: No Dutch entry (due to our performance in 2001)
2001: Michelle – Out on my own
(19th place of 23) This was the opening act in 2001, and maybe that’s why it got kinda overlooked in the televoting. In spite of its poor performance in ESC, this song made Top 10 in our country – a lot more than can be said about many of our entries in the past 30 years!
2000: Linda – No goodbyes
(13th place of 24) This could’ve worked out SO much better…if only.
1999: Marlayne – One good reason
(8th place out of 23) Perhaps our best entry in the past 10 years.
1998: Edsilia Rombley – Hemel en aarde
(4th place out of 25) It was very close that year, with Israel winning. We could’ve won, perhaps, but in the end we came 22 points short.
1997: Mrs Einstein – Niemand heeft nog tijd
(joint 22nd place, out of 25) A stellar performance by the girls, really. But those dresses…
1996: Maxine & Franklin Brown – De eerste keer
(7th place out of 23) Nice – and that’s just about it.
1995: No Dutch entry (due to our performance in 1994)
1994: Willeke Alberti – Waar is de zon
(23rd place out of 25) Big, big mistake. Willeke Alberti is a great singer, just not for the ESC. One of our poorest entries ever.
1993: Ruth Jacott – Vrede
(6th place out of 25) Excellent stuff, and great lyrics too.
1992: Humphrey Campbell – Wijs me de weg
(9th place out of 23) I don’t quite understand how this made 9th place…it’s such a weird song.
1991: No Dutch entry (date of contest coincided with our national remembrance day)
1990: Maywood – Ik wil alles met je delen
(15th place out of 22) Not one of my favorites.
1989: Justine Pelmelay – Blijf zoals je bent
(15th place out of 22) Oh, those last notes…Costed us dearly.
1988: Gerard Joling – Shangri-la
(9th place out of 21) Oh, that last note…Why not go for the falsetto?
1987: Marcha – Rechtop in de wind
(joint 5th place out of 22) Now this is how it’s supposed to be done. Makes me proud to be Dutch.
1986: Frizzle Sizzle – Alles heeft ritme
(13th place out of 20) They could’ve (should’ve) done more on the choreography. It’s boring, really.
1985: No Dutch entry (date of contest coincided with our national remembrance day)
1984: Maribelle – Ik hou van jou
(joint 13th place out of 19) Not quite the success we hoped for. Still, this remains one of the most popular entries.
1983: Bernadette – Sing me a song
(7th place out of 20) Hmm. Not as good as I remembered.
1982: Bill van Dijk – Jij en ik
(16th place out of 18) Truly one of the poorest songs we ever entered.
1981: Linda Williams – Het is een wonder
(9th place out of 20) This is, IMHO, the worst song we ever entered. And to think it still got to #9…It’s a miracle, indeed.
1980: Maggie MacNeal – Amsterdam
(5th place out of 19) A great song… Too bad it had to compete against Johnny Logan.
1979: Xandra – Colorado
(12th place out of 19) Third time’s the charm..? Not for Xandra (Sandra Reemer), who also entered in 1976 and 1972.
1978: Harmony – ‘t Is oké
(13th place out of 20) An OK ditty, nothing special. Nothing to brag about.
1977: Heddy Lester – De mallemolen
(12th place out of 18) Underrated, many say. Maybe so.
1976: Sandra Reemer - The party is over
(9th place out of 18) Average – just like its placing.
1975: Teach In – Ding-a-dong
(WINNING SONG) The last time we ever won the ESC, 34 years ago already… :(
1974: Mouth & MacNeal – I see a star
(3rd place out of 17) Ah, those were the days… Sadly Mouth (Willem Duin) passed away a couple of years ago.
1973: Ben Cramer – De oude muzikant
(14th place out of 17) We’ve a unlucky hand when it comes to picking male vocalists… Not that this is such a bad song, mind you.
1972: Sandra & Andres – Als het om de liefde gaat
(4th place out of 18) Maybe a tad overrated, but I’m not complaining. ;)
1971: Saskia & Serge – De tijd
(joint 6th place out of 18) Quite forgettable, this one.
1970: Patricia & Hearts of Soul – Waterman
(7th place out of 12) Opening act of the 1970 ESC. I’m not impressed.
1969: Lenny Kuhr – De troubadour
(JOINT WINNING SONG) One of the four (!) songs winning that year (although many claim Lulu was the true winner). I’m not sure what televoters would think about this song if it were to enter this year.
1968: Ronnie Tober – Morgen
(joint 16th place, joint last) Actually, not a bad song at all. Just too heavily orchestrated.
1967: Thérèse Steinmetz – Ring-dinge-ding
(joint 14th place out of 17) Well, at least it’s cheerful. :-\\
1966: Milly Scott – Fernando en Filippo
(15th place out of 18) The first black artist to enter, and the first to have a handheld microphone. The world wasn’t ready for that many novelties…
1965: Conny Vandenbos – ‘t Is genoeg
(11th place out of 18) Again, not a bad song, and a great performance. It must’ve been all the hard “g’s” that put people off.
1964: Anneke Grönloh – Jij bent mijn leven
(joint 10th place out of 16) (Sorry - no video, just audio) Young and talented singer, but she couldn’t help the song was rubbish.
1963: Annie Palmen – Een speeldoos
(joint 13th place, joint last) Talk about rubbish… The second (and hopefully last) time we ended up with zero points - and rightfully so!
1962: De Spelbrekers – Katinka
(joint 13th place, joint last) The first time we ended up with the dreaded Zero Points. Many blame the faulty lighting (the video shows the actual footage, as viewers throughout Europe saw it that day).
1961: Greetje Kauffeld – Wat een dag
(joint 10th place, out of 16) I’m not too fond of this one. Quite forgettable.
1960: Rudy Carrell – Wat een geluk
(12th place out of 13) Only 12th place seems a bit harsh for “Der Rudy”. Well, he didn’t mind much and became a familiar face on German television.
1959: Teddy Scholten – Een beetje
(WINNING SONG) The second time we won the contest, and this was only the fourth contest ever! We thought we ruled the world (or something).
1958: Corry Brokken – Heel de wereld
(joint 9th place, joint last) Corry Brokken’s third entry, and the poorest performance of them all. She’s still the only artist to have come both first and last in ESC. She went on to become a judge, no less.
1957: Corry Brokken – Net als toen
(WINNING SONG) Yay! We’ve won! But why, exactly?
1956: Jetty Paerl – De vogels van Holland / Corry Brokken – Voorgoed voorbij
(rankings unknown) (No video, as the tapes were wiped) Another two songs that are better best forgotten. Only the winner of this contest was revealed, so there’s no telling how the other entries faired
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 01/25/09 at 10:36 am
1991: No Dutch entry (date of contest coincided with our national remembrance day)
1985: No Dutch entry (date of contest coincided with our national remembrance day)
Quite honestly, you'd have thought whoever organises this whole affair would take this into account... :-\\
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 01/25/09 at 10:44 am
Quite honestly, you'd have thought whoever organises this whole affair would take this into account... :-\\
Well, you can't please them all...After all, there were some 25 countries involved (in those days).
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 01/25/09 at 10:51 am
Well, you can't please them all...After all, there were some 25 countries involved (in those days).
But would it have broken the organisers' hearts (and minds!) to shove the contest back or forward a week? ???
Certainly an exhaustive list, Henk...I'm currently ploughing my way through the 'golden period'! Thanks for posting! :)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 01/25/09 at 11:10 am
But would it have broken the organisers' hearts (and minds!) to shove the contest back or forward a week? ???
I don't think the hosting countries would've been the ones complaining, but maybe one or two other participating countries (like maybe Germany or Spain).
Not that it matters much, in retrospect - it only saved us the embarrassment. ;)
Certainly an exhaustive list, Henk...I'm currently ploughing my way through the 'golden period'! Thanks for posting! :)
The 'golden period'...? Now when was that? :-\\
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 01/25/09 at 11:13 am
The 'golden period'...? Now when was that? :-\\
It's only a matter of personal opinion, but I perceive it to be 1970-83/4...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 01/25/09 at 11:26 am
It's only a matter of personal opinion, but I perceive it to be 1970-83/4...
Ah! I thought you meant our golden age.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 01/25/09 at 11:30 am
Ah! I thought you meant our golden age.
Heh! Can't speak for you, but that is my golden age! ;)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 01/25/09 at 11:42 am
Heh! Can't speak for you, but that is my golden age! ;)
Sorry, I meant to say: the Dutch golden period in ESC. Which we haven't had... ;)
2000: Linda – No goodbyes
(13th place of 24) This could’ve worked out SO much better…if only.
Not a lot of people have seen this performance live in The Netherlands.
Reason being that the transmission of the ESC on Dutch television was interrupted because on that very evening (May 13, 2000) an entire residential area in Enschede got blown to smithereens when a fireworks depot exploded, killing 22.
I remember we switched to German television that evening. Talk about priorities...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 01/25/09 at 12:11 pm
Not a lot of people have seen this performance live in The Netherlands.
Reason being that the transmission of the ESC on Dutch television was interrupted because on that very evening (May 13, 2000) an entire residential area in Enschede got blown to smithereens when a fireworks depot exploded, killing 22.
I remember that! I believe the event also disrupted The Netherlands points results...
Sad to hear that 22 people perished... :\'(
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 02/02/09 at 9:06 am
And now it’s time to reveal the Dutch 2009 entry…It’s gonna be these three guys, known as De Toppers:
http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/2/17/785141/toppersOud.jpg
(L – R: Gerard Joling, René Froger, Gordon)
Hey wait, Gerard Joling… isn’t that the guy..?
Yes it is. He already entered for The Netherlands in 1988 (with “Shangri La”) and he decided to give it another go.
Gordon also had a previous go at the Contest (twice), but he didn't make it through the Dutch selections of 1990 and 1999.
But shortly after the three announced their participation, Gerard Joling and Gordon got into an argument which ultimately lead to Joling leaving the trio.
So now there was a big problem. The Dutch broadcasting corporation, responsible for the entry, didn’t want to change plans and in great haste the search for a replacement was started.
Long story short: this is going to be Topper #3:
http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/2/17/785141/jeroen__van_der_boom.jpg
His name is Jeroen van der Boom, another rather popular Dutch singer, with a couple of Top 10 hits to his name. He’s not as charismatic as Gerard Joling, which is a minus point, and I consider him to be the weakest link.
Yesterday, the Dutch final took place and the song for the ESC was chosen. The winning song Shine was not the jury's favorite (second choice), but it still won because of the Dutch televotes. It's already available on the Eurovison site, so I think I can safely post a link.
I don't think we stand much chance. We * might * just reach the final, but that's about it. The song is not bad, but we've heard it all before (and better: think 1997).
There's a little interesting tidbit: after the show, Gordon revealed that he was one of the composers of the song, but he had used an alias when entering to give the song a fair chance. Having "his" song win the Dutch final brought the singer to tears. (Awwwwwww.... ::))
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 02/02/09 at 11:59 am
Catchy enough tune, but I'll have to agree that it's not a winner... :-\\
I suppose you now know what our dirge is!
And hey, she looks a bit like Leona...perhaps we can fool Eastern Europe into thinking that's who it is! ;)
Mind you, she'll have to polish up that performance a bit! :D
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 02/02/09 at 4:55 pm
Catchy enough tune, but I'll have to agree that it's not a winner... :-\\
You know what the really sad thing is...? It was revealed today that the singers were lip syncing. So we have no idea what the song will sound like at all when performed live.
I suppose you now know what our dirge is!
And hey, she looks a bit like Leona...perhaps we can fool Eastern Europe into thinking that's who it is! ;)
Mind you, she'll have to polish up that performance a bit! :D
Told you it was gonna be her. ::) I wish her the best of luck, but I don't see a winner there too. Well, at least she was singing live. ;)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 02/02/09 at 5:17 pm
You know what the really sad thing is...? It was revealed today that the singers were lip syncing. So we have no idea what the song will sound like at all when performed live.
Hoboy! Just pray that it isn't as bad as Jemini's 'live' effort! :P
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 02/03/09 at 8:39 am
Hoboy! Just pray that it isn't as bad as Jemini's 'live' effort! :P
Or how about these girls... ::) :D Oh yes, we've tried the whole twin thing once too, you know. Unfortunately, these girl weren't as talented. :-[
I don't know why they got applauded... :-\\
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/19/09 at 5:16 pm
There's some interesting news on the draw for the semi finals...
The Dutch entry was given a wild card, which meant we could pick any spot in the lineup. And which spot did the "Toppers" pick? ...Dead last! :D (Which means we're gonna be the last entry in the second semi final)
So, if it doesn't work out, we can't blame it on the draw...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 03/19/09 at 9:40 pm
I sometimes think being towards the end is good because your entry is more in the minds of the voting public.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/20/09 at 3:20 pm
I sometimes think being towards the end is good because your entry is more in the minds of the voting public.
I don't think so - I know so.
I've done some research on the matter in the past, and being one of the last artists to perform (final five) definitely gives you an advantage over artists that sing somewhere in the middle. Not saying that every song towards the end always scores better, but it helps - big time!
I'm afraid I've thrown away the paper work to prove it, though. :-\\
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 03/20/09 at 4:46 pm
I haven't analysed it but that was always my 'gut' feeling on it
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/20/09 at 4:55 pm
I have still yet to hear the Biritsh entry for this year...
...if it is worth it?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/20/09 at 5:16 pm
I have still yet to hear the Biritsh entry for this year...
...if it is worth it?
I dare you... ::)
I don't see it winning, but it would also surprise me if it would end up with zero points.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/20/09 at 5:19 pm
I dare you... ::)
I don't see it winning, but it would also surprise me if it would end up with zero points.
Andrew Lloyd Webber had his hand in composing it, so if it does do well our lesson has been learnt, but we still have to overcome the Eastern Block.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/09/09 at 9:42 am
Bumping this one, 'cause we're getting closer to the semi-finals (next Tuesday and Thursday).
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/09/09 at 9:44 am
Bumping this one, 'cause we're getting closer to the semi-finals (next Tuesday and Thursday).
Thanks, so that means next week (Saturday) will the (final) main contest.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/09/09 at 9:49 am
Thanks, so that means next week (Saturday) will the (final) main contest.
Indeed, and I'll be watching.
I'll be missing most of the first semi-final, though. Tuesday evening is choir practice.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/09/09 at 9:51 am
Indeed, and I'll be watching.
I'll be missing most of the first semi-final, though. Tuesday evening is choir practice.
The semis may be on BBC tv, but the final (for the UK) will not be the same for this year there will be no Sir Terry Wogan.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/12/09 at 4:26 pm
Tonight was the night of the first semi-final. Like I already announced, I missed most of it (only got to hear the last two songs live).
But when the voting started and short clippings of the songs were shown, it became quite obvious that I didn't miss an awful lot. Most of the songs were pretty mediocre, and some were even worse.
In the end, 10 countries/songs made it to the final (because those are the rules). They are (in no particular order): Sweden, Armenia, Turkey, Israel, Iceland, Rumania, Finland, Portugal, Malta en Bosnia-Herzegovina.
So no Belgium... but I didn't like their entry anyway.
Next semi-final (with the Netherlands) next Thursday. Fingers crossed...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/14/09 at 4:19 pm
Today was the day of the second semi-final. Long story short: we didn't make the cut. :\'(
So for the fifth year in a row, no final with Holland.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/14/09 at 4:23 pm
Today was the day of the second semi-final. Long story short: we didn't make the cut. :\'(
So for the fifth year in a row, no final with Holland.
Comiserations, Henk...
(To be fair, if not for the fact that we (as a nation) keep throwing shedloads of cash at this Eastern-European vote-fest, we wouldn't get anywhere near the finals either! :P)
I might watch a bit of it, but the magic went out of it years ago!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/14/09 at 4:39 pm
Comiserations, Henk...
Thanks, Paul. I find some consolation in the fact that Ireland (for instance) didn't make it either.
(To be fair, if not for the fact that we (as a nation) keep throwing shedloads of cash at this Eastern-European vote-fest, we wouldn't get anywhere near the finals either! :P)
True dat!
I might watch a bit of it, but the magic went out of it years ago!
Oh, yes: the good old days of nuclear warfare and secret rendez-vous' are long gone... ;)
You know...the latter isn't actually a bad composition. They were just a bit ahead of their time.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/14/09 at 4:52 pm
So who DID make the final (from the second semi-final)? The following countries: Croatia, Norway, Denmark, Azarbaijan, Greece, Lithunia, Moldova, Albania, Ukraine en Estonia.
Along with the winners from the first semi-final and the five largest financial contributors (Spain, UK, Germany and France, who are automatically qualified), as well as last years' winner Russia, they'll be making up the field for the final on Saturday.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/14/09 at 4:59 pm
Back in the day, you could always rely on Luxembourg to give us all a good laugh! :D
(Mind you, we had Prima Donna that year, which was almost as bad!)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/16/09 at 12:02 pm
Back in the day, you could always rely on Luxembourg to give us all a good laugh! :D
Still, they ended up in 9th place...
(Mind you, we had Prima Donna that year, which was almost as bad!)
Not that bad, considering you came in 3rd place. ;)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/16/09 at 12:53 pm
So I've had a (short) listen to all the songs competing tonight...
Keeping in mind that we have a 50/50 public and jury vote this year, these are my suggestions for the top 10 spots (in alphabetic order):
Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Estonia, France, Greece, Malta, Norway, Sweden, Ukraine and...United Kingdom. :o
Yes, UK too, because a) you're #23 in starting order, and b) you'll get high jury votes no doubt.
Now if it was up to me, I'd like to see Bosnia & Herzegovina and Norway compete for first place, with Estonia in third place.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/16/09 at 2:04 pm
Just discovered I can watch the Eurovison Song Contest online.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/16/09 at 2:38 pm
After seven songs my money is on Iceland's Is It True? by Johanna
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/16/09 at 6:02 pm
Now if it was up to me, I'd like to see Bosnia & Herzegovina and Norway compete for first place, with Estonia in third place.
Not exactly much 'competing' going on, was there? ;)
Still, at least it wasn't an 'eastern' country walking off with the honours...not really heard the winning song in full, but it has to be better than 'La det swinge'!
Top marks to Holland once again for letting a lovely young thing announce their votes!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/17/09 at 1:27 am
After seven songs my money is on Iceland's Is It True? by Johanna
Iceland finished second, so you were in good company. I didn't expect it to do so well, to be honest.
Not exactly much 'competing' going on, was there? ;)
I must say I was surprised by the overwhelming supremacy of Norway. Certainly didn't see that one coming.
Still, at least it wasn't an 'eastern' country walking off with the honours...not really heard the winning song in full, but it has to be better than 'La det swinge'!
Fixed! ;) Alexander Rybak may not be the world's greatest singer, but the composition as a whole is excellent.
Top marks to Holland once again for letting a lovely young thing announce their votes!
That was the lovely Yolanthe Cabau van Kasbergen, and though she may have told Europe she fell in love with Alexander Rybak, her heart belongs to one of Holland's most popular singers, Jan Smit.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/17/09 at 1:43 am
Keeping in mind that we have a 50/50 public and jury vote this year, these are my suggestions for the top 10 spots (in alphabetic order):
Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Estonia, France, Greece, Malta, Norway, Sweden, Ukraine and...United Kingdom. :o
And this is the Top 10 as it should have been:
01. Norway
02. Iceland
03. Azerbaijan
04. Turkey
05. United Kingdom
06. Estonia
07. Greece
08. France
09. Bosnia & Herzegovina
10. Armenia
So I got six out of ten. Not that bad, but I totally missed nrs 2, 3 and 4. :-[ I honestly expected the (low) jury marks to outweigh the (high) public marks for Azerbaijan and Turkey. Those two songs were hardly original.
Iceland on the other hand comes as a nice surprise. I expected it to drown in the crowd.
Future of ESC looks to be saved, with the reintroduction of jury votes. Norway winning, Iceland second, UK and France both in Top 10...and of course, the Turkish singer hails from Belgium. No reason to complain for western Europe anymore.
Spain (23rd) and Germany (20th) need to do their homework again.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/17/09 at 1:57 am
Two songs last night sounded like other songs, the Swedish entry sound like Nessum Dorma and the German entry was very similar to "Minnie The Moocher".
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/17/09 at 7:49 am
Alexander Rybak may not be the world's greatest singer, but the composition as a whole is excellent.
Does nothing for me, I'm afraid...a very 'average' tune, but I see its cross-nation appeal! :-\\
That was the lovely Yolanthe Cabau van Kasbergen, and though she may have told Europe she fell in love with Alexander Rybak, her heart belongs to one of Holland's most popular singers, Jan Smit.
Lucky sod! >:(
For the benefit of our non-European red-blooded males...http://i00.bdbphotos.com/8L/74/0000307874-45884L.jpg
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Bobo on 05/17/09 at 8:09 am
I knew there was a reason I was concentrating on this thread!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/17/09 at 10:06 am
Two songs last night sounded like other songs, the Swedish entry sound like Nessum Dorma and the German entry was very similar to "Minnie The Moocher".
That's probably why both entries ended up in bottom-six (Sweden: 21st, Germany: 20th).
Some trivia:
- The Netherlands ended up 17th(!) in their semi-final. Umm...better luck next year? :-\\
- Finland ended dead last in the final. History repeating... ::)
- Malta's 22nd place is their worst result ever (although they ended last in 1971 and 1972 competitions).
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Criz on 05/17/09 at 10:16 am
I really didn't like the Norwegian entry.
Some terrible songs, some good ones again this year. I think the voting was much fairer with this new system.
I liked Estonia's and Portugal's songs the most I gotta say. I much prefer it when the artists don't sing in English - that's how it used to be and that was the show's appeal.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/17/09 at 10:17 am
Future of ESC looks to be saved, with the reintroduction of jury votes. Norway winning, Iceland second, UK and France both in Top 10...and of course, the Turkish singer hails from Belgium. No reason to complain for western Europe anymore.
Also note that there is only one former Yugoslav republic in the Top 10.
Croatia ended in 18th place, while Serbia, Slovenia and Montenegro didn't even make the final.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/18/09 at 1:39 am
Also note that there is only one former Yugoslav republic in the Top 10.
Croatia ended in 18th place, while Serbia, Slovenia and Montenegro didn't even make the final.
Cyprus who did not qualify for the finall still gave 12 points to Greece.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Criz on 05/18/09 at 11:05 am
Cyprus who did not qualify for the finall still gave 12 points to Greece.
As they always do. And if Cyprus were in the final, Greece would have given them 12 points also.
It's the same every year, but to be fair, Sakis is a massive star in both countries. My cousin who lives there is 14 and she's in love with him - she has him on her duvet!! I think it's a little bit creepy... :S 8-P
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/18/09 at 11:10 am
As they always do. And if Cyprus were in the final, Greece would have given them 12 points also.
It's the same every year, but to be fair, Sakis is a massive star in both countries. My cousin who lives there is 14 and she's in love with him - she has him on her duvet!! I think it's a little bit creepy... :S 8-P
This year it was different and the system worked.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/18/09 at 1:57 pm
Cyprus who did not qualify for the finall still gave 12 points to Greece.
As they always do. And if Cyprus were in the final, Greece would have given them 12 points also.
Sad, but true - even if the songs suck big time and they don't get points from anyone else...
I must admit though, that I liked this song better than Sakis Rouvas' 2004 entry "Shake It" (that earned him a 3rd place).
It's the same every year, but to be fair, Sakis is a massive star in both countries. My cousin who lives there is 14 and she's in love with him - she has him on her duvet!! I think it's a little bit creepy... :S 8-P
She does know he's old enough to be her father, right? :-\\
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Criz on 05/18/09 at 2:00 pm
This year it was different and the system worked.
I'm glad it worked beacuse it was getting ridiculous.
I find it kinda funny that they do it every year - and totally ignore Turkey. But then that's just Cypriot politics. I actually think Greece gave Turkey something like 3 points this year which was surprising.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Criz on 05/18/09 at 2:02 pm
Sad, but true - even if the songs suck big time and they don't get points from anyone else...
I must admit though, that I liked this song better than Sakis Rouvas' 2004 entry "Shake It" (that earned him a 3rd place).
She does know he's old enough to be her father, right? :-\\
I thought 'Shake it' was awful also but I prefered it to this year's entry. I think Sakis needs to quit Eurovision now - he's entered 3 times now and needs to give it a rest. Same with Malta's Chiara - she didn't fair too well on Saturday either.
As I said - he's just this massive star over there. I'm sure she'll regret her teenage crush in the years to come!!! :)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/18/09 at 2:13 pm
I'm glad it worked beacuse it was getting ridiculous.
I find it kinda funny that they do it every year - and totally ignore Turkey. But then that's just Cypriot politics. I actually think Greece gave Turkey something like 3 points this year which was surprising.
Greece and Turkey have been ignoring each other for decades. But that has changed ever since the massive earthquake in Turkey in 1999 (when even Greece came to the rescue). Both countries have been exchanging points ever since (on and off).
Cyprus and Turkey on the other hand...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Criz on 05/18/09 at 2:28 pm
Greece and Turkey have been ignoring each other for decades. But that has changed ever since the massive earthquake in Turkey in 1999 (when even Greece came to the rescue). Both countries have been exchanging points ever since (on and off).
Cyprus and Turkey on the other hand...
The Cypriot/Turkish saga will be ongoing until something huge changes in Cyprus. It's embedded into the lives of many Cypriots to hate the Turkish people, which of course isn't right - but it's very difficult to contend with when you are from a Cypriot background. I don't think there will be an reconciliation from both parties until the Turks leave Cyprus - and that is not going to happen any time soon. Seeing that divide in Nicosia really does hit it home to you. My dad fought in the war in 1974 and he just can't bear to talk about it - he obviously saw too much.
Whoa...this is getting all deep for a discussion on the Eurovision Song Contest...soooo...who wants to buy Svetlana's flat in the Ukraine? ;)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/18/09 at 2:47 pm
Greece and Turkey have been ignoring each other for decades. But that has changed ever since the massive earthquake in Turkey in 1999 (when even Greece came to the rescue). Both countries have been exchanging points ever since (on and off).
I've done some quick research. Luckily I have the votes from 2000 onward at hand. ::)
In 2000, Greece didn't participate, so no points exchanged there. But in the following years (2001 - 2008), Greece has awarded Turkey with 27 points, while Turkey gave 49 points to Greece (including 12 in 2005). :o So there's not much left of the old controversy, or so it seems.
The Cypriot/Turkish saga will be ongoing until something huge changes in Cyprus. It's embedded into the lives of many Cypriots to hate the Turkish people, which of course isn't right - but it's very difficult to contend with when you are from a Cypriot background. I don't think there will be an reconciliation from both parties until the Turks leave Cyprus - and that is not going to happen any time soon. Seeing that divide in Nicosia really does hit it home to you. My dad fought in the war in 1974 and he just can't bear to talk about it - he obviously saw too much.
Whoa...this is getting all deep for a discussion on the Eurovision Song Contest...soooo...who wants to buy Svetlana's flat in the Ukraine? ;)
I have nothing against deep discussions on the subject, but maybe you're right - we have other sections to discuss those matters.
One final comment, though: I'd hate to be living on the Turkish part of Cyprus, getting totally ignored by the entire world minus Turkey.
As far as Svetlana's flat is concerned: she can keep it, if she promises never to return to the ESC.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Criz on 05/19/09 at 10:14 am
I've done some quick research. Luckily I have the votes from 2000 onward at hand. ::)
In 2000, Greece didn't participate, so no points exchanged there. But in the following years (2001 - 2008), Greece has awarded Turkey with 27 points, while Turkey gave 49 points to Greece (including 12 in 2005). :o So there's not much left of the old controversy, or so it seems.
I have nothing against deep discussions on the subject, but maybe you're right - we have other sections to discuss those matters.
One final comment, though: I'd hate to be living on the Turkish part of Cyprus, getting totally ignored by the entire world minus Turkey.
As far as Svetlana's flat is concerned: she can keep it, if she promises never to return to the ESC.
Wow research at hand! So Greece and Turkey are exchanging votes but it's not going to happen with Cyprus any tme soon!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/20/09 at 1:29 pm
That was the lovely Yolanthe Cabau van Kasbergen, and though she may have told Europe she fell in love with Alexander Rybak, her heart belongs to one of Holland's most popular singers, Jan Smit.
Latest news, made official yesterday: the couple broke up.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/20/09 at 1:31 pm
Latest news, made official yesterday: the couple broke up.
Right! If everyone would like to form an orderly queue...behind me! ;)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/20/09 at 1:35 pm
Latest news, made official yesterday: the couple broke up.
...but rumour has it she's now dating soccer player Wesley Sneijder... ::) :P
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/13/11 at 5:28 am
...but rumour has it she's now dating soccer player Wesley Sneijder... ::) :P
Two years have passed, and the two have since married.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/13/11 at 5:30 am
And FTR: No, the Netherlands didn't qualify for the final of ESC in 2010 AND 2011. That's SEVEN years in a row!! (A record, but not one to be proud of)
Oh, don't get me wrong: we hardly deserved a place in the final. Not this year, or any of the previous 6 years for that matter. Songs were mediocre at best. Maybe we should skip a year (or two...)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/13/11 at 9:18 am
Ye Gods...not only have the awful Jedward snuck into the competition, but they've been placed as 2nd favourites! :o
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/13/11 at 1:38 pm
Ye Gods...not only have the awful Jedward snuck into the competition, but they've been placed as 2nd favourites! :o
You know... the moment they "opened" the "envelope" revealing Ireland made it to the final, I was like "OK, that seals it. If they're through, we're definitely out!" (and I was right) ;D
And for those not familiar with the Irish twins John and Edward (a.k.a. Jedward)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHRs-LWnpVo
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/13/11 at 1:48 pm
For the sake of comparison, here's the Dutch entry of 2011:
3Js - Never Alone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlneiG2bGuE
...And to fill in the gaps, here's the Dutch entry of 2010 too:
Ik Ben Verliefd (Sha-La-Lie) - Sieneke
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aARooQAfy8
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/13/11 at 1:52 pm
Regarding this year ESC, I have not heard Jedwood or Blue entries yet and I wish to keep it that way.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/13/11 at 2:05 pm
Regarding this year ESC, I have not heard Jedwood or Blue entries yet and I wish to keep it that way.
So I guess you won't be watching tomorrow evening then...? ???
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/13/11 at 2:12 pm
So I guess you won't be watching tomorrow evening then...? ???
I am tempted to, I have been a fan of the show in the past, and probably will end up watching it.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/13/11 at 3:13 pm
You know... the moment they "opened" the "envelope" revealing Ireland made it to the final, I was like "OK, that seals it. If they're through, we're definitely out!" (and I was right) ;D
Some folk couldn't have thought Ireland would sink much lower than that turkey puppet from a couple of years back...
No wonder the country's gone broke...
The Dutch entry was infinitely much better...very Del Amitri-ish...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/13/11 at 3:19 pm
I've decided to start a new thread on the ESC (Euopean Song Contest) and maybe lock the other existing threads...
Reason for doing this: the other threads are really old, and parts of the earliest posts there have gone lost with time.
First post here is dedicated to all Dutch entries from 1956 onwards. So here they are, in reverse order: all Dutch entries for the ESC so far. As you can see, we’ve had only two entries making Top 5 in the past 25 years…But we’re not giving in!
1974: Mouth & MacNeal – I see a star
(3rd place out of 17) Ah, those were the days… Sadly Mouth (Willem Duin) passed away a couple of years ago.
I remember this song!
...and liked it!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Bobo on 05/13/11 at 3:50 pm
I haven't watched either semi final yet. But I still have time! Muahahaha. Tomorrow is going to be fun!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/13/11 at 4:04 pm
I remember this song!
...and liked it!
A very strong field of songs that year...wonder what became of the group who won it? ??? ;)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/13/11 at 4:14 pm
A very strong field of songs that year...wonder what became of the group who won it? ??? ;)
They did not last long, split up in under ten years.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/14/11 at 2:28 am
They did not last long, split up in under ten years.
Tru dat. Last I heard, they're planning a reunion. For real, this time!
Wonder if they still have the suits... :-\\
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/14/11 at 1:03 pm
I have just heard the French entry, Sognu sung by Amaury Vassili, the song is opera based and is the best I have yet, I do want it to win.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/14/11 at 3:59 pm
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52726000/jpg/_52726636_011978924-1.jpg
Jedward, the horror of Eurovision?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/14/11 at 5:27 pm
Azerbaijan wins the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany with the entry "Running Scared"
More tomorrow
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/15/11 at 1:05 am
Azerbaijan wins the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany with the entry "Running Scared"
More tomorrow
Rather surprisingly to me, I must admit, even though it was doing extremely well with the bookies.
It's good to see Italy taking second place, although I didn't like the song at all. This'll encourage them to come back next year.
Denmark, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain... not quite the results they were hoping for.
After hearing all the songs, I was expecting it to be close to the very end, and it was - until Azerbaijan broke away from the pack.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/11 at 1:07 am
Rather surprisingly to me, I must admit, even though it was doing extremely well with the bookies.
It's good to see Italy taking second place, although I didn't like the song at all. This'll encourage them to come back next year.
Denmark, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain... not quite the results they were hoping for.
After hearing all the songs, I was expecting it to be close to the very end, and it was - until Azerbaijan broke away from the pack.
I was expecting better results for Jedward, being Irish, being from The X Factor, and the votes from their fans in the UK.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/15/11 at 1:21 am
The winning song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq2yLykdjvA
And yes, they sing out of tune. Several times.
The number two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Z-UlUSZWw
And the number three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R12mO_z8VxY
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/15/11 at 1:23 am
Oh, and the results of the two semi finals have also been revealed. Turns out we (the Netherlands) ended last in our semi final... :\'(
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/11 at 1:28 am
The winning song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq2yLykdjvA
And yes, they sing out of tune. Several times.
The number two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Z-UlUSZWw
And the number three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R12mO_z8VxY
Sweden did seem popular with the other Scandinavian countries.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/15/11 at 1:34 am
Sweden did seem popular with the other Scandinavian countries.
Well... isn't that a given? ::)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/11 at 1:36 am
Well... isn't that a given? ::)
Also, in other quarters of Europe.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/11 at 1:37 am
One song last night, I cannot remember which, had a piano introduction of which sounded like "Sunrise Sunset" from the musical Fiddler On The Roof.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/11 at 1:41 am
Let us not forget Moldova
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF21pTGtKTw
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/16/11 at 1:06 pm
Let us not forget Moldova
I say: let's, please. ;D
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/16/11 at 1:15 pm
Surprise, surprise...
Dutch broadcasting company TROS, responsible for the 2011 and 2010 Dutch entries, has announced to "take a different approach to things" next year. ::) It is not yet clear what will be changed, but I figure any change is a change for the better. ;D
FTR: the entire budget for the Dutch entry is a measly EUR 200,000 / GBP 175,000 / USD 280,000 (that includes artist's fees, publicity and transport - and we'll be going to Azerbaijan next year! :o).
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/28/11 at 3:09 am
Surprise, surprise...
Dutch broadcasting company TROS, responsible for the 2011 and 2010 Dutch entries, has announced to "take a different approach to things" next year. ::) It is not yet clear what will be changed, but I figure any change is a change for the better. ;D
Bearing that in mind, I'm not sure why singer Gordon (who was one of the Toppers, the Dutch 2009 entry) has stepped forward as a possible candidate to represent the Netherlands in 2012 ESC... :-\\
He'll join forces with his latest protégés, Los Angeles The Voices. Should sound something like this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siBJk9PX-L4
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/29/11 at 7:29 am
Can Luxembourg please explain this song from 1980, Papa Pingouin by Sophie and Magaly?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu9RictLX3I
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/31/11 at 8:55 am
Can Luxembourg please explain this song from 1980, Papa Pingouin by Sophie and Magaly?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu9RictLX3I
There's no excuse for a crappy song like that - not even the fact that it's Eurovision Song Contest, and thus crappy by default.
BTW: the song was written by one Ralph Siegel... ::)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 03/01/12 at 4:43 pm
Remember what I said about Jedward?
It's almost that time of year again and I'm not sure whether this is out of desperation, or whether someone's really taking the p***...
...either way, it's almost genius! :)
(I've just checked and it's not April 1st yet!)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/9116370/Eurovision-surprise-Engelbert-Humperdinck-is-UK-entry.html
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/02/12 at 5:32 am
Remember what I said about Jedward?
It's almost that time of year again and I'm not sure whether this is out of desperation, or whether someone's really taking the p***...
...either way, it's almost genius! :)
(I've just checked and it's not April 1st yet!)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/9116370/Eurovision-surprise-Engelbert-Humperdinck-is-UK-entry.html
Still some three months away...
Jedward and Humperdinck...? The gods must be with us this year! ;D :D ;)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 03/02/12 at 12:30 pm
This is your entry, I take it?
I thought it was a giant shuttlecock at first! :D
All well and good, with schlager influences...not sure if it will set the contest alight...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/02/12 at 12:36 pm
Still some three months away...
Jedward and Humperdinck...? The gods must be with us this year! ;D :D ;)
In the UK we will not be able too vote for Humperdinck, but can for Jedward.
How many Jedward fans are there?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/02/12 at 1:01 pm
This is your entry, I take it?
I thought it was a giant shuttlecock at first! :D
All well and good, with schlager influences...not sure if it will set the contest alight...
Yes it is, and I'm proud of it. I think it's a clever mix of Alexander Rybak, Lena and Amy MacDonald. Maybe it needs some additional mixing, and the stage act needs some more oomph, but I think we'll make it to the final this year. Because if it doesn't, well...then what next?
Not surprisingly, Indiana Joan's (as she was swiftly nicknamed) outfit sparked controversy. She may have to tone down on that (a little).
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/23/12 at 5:41 am
Yes it is, and I'm proud of it. I think it's a clever mix of Alexander Rybak, Lena and Amy MacDonald. Maybe it needs some additional mixing, and the stage act needs some more oomph, but I think we'll make it to the final this year. Because if it doesn't, well...then what next?
Not surprisingly, Indiana Joan's (as she was swiftly nicknamed) outfit sparked controversy. She may have to tone down on that (a little).
But instead of toning things down, Joan decided to wear an even bigger set of feathers. ::) We'll have to wait and see how that works out (tomorrow's the second semi final, with Joan Franka for The Netherlands).
With the first semi final done, we now know some of our competition: Russian grannies, an Albanian siren, and of course the Jedwards, to name but a few... I've not seen one act that struck me as a winner, though.
According to many, the second semi final has more potential. We're doing reasonably well in polls, but polls don't count in the end.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/23/12 at 6:10 am
Latest odds (according to paddypower.com)...
Sweden - 13/8
Russia - 9/2
Italy - 7/1
Ireland - 10/1
Serbia - 14/1
Romania - 14/1
UK - 18/1
...bit of a tall order for 'The Hump' as I gather he's on first! Oh well, nice try...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/23/12 at 7:47 am
Latest odds (according to paddypower.com)...
Sweden - 13/8
Russia - 9/2
Italy - 7/1
Ireland - 10/1
Serbia - 14/1
Romania - 14/1
UK - 18/1
...bit of a tall order for 'The Hump' as I gather he's on first! Oh well, nice try...
I see we're 100/1 for the overall win. Still better than Malta or Portugal.
MTA: the odds of us making the final are dim, according to the bookies (2/1, which puts us in joint 15th place).
Oh well, we've beaten the odds before. ...although I can't remember the last time. :-\\
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/24/12 at 2:54 am
I see we're 100/1 for the overall win. Still better than Malta or Portugal.
MTA: the odds of us making the final are dim, according to the bookies (2/1, which puts us in joint 15th place).
Oh well, we've beaten the odds before. ...although I can't remember the last time. :-\\
And then there's a poll on the Eurovison website that puts us in 6th place... ::)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/24/12 at 6:05 am
I've never payed much attention to polls, but this year's different. Dunno why.
Some polls suggest we'll make it (even with flying colors), others are less optimistic. One thing's for sure: we're definitely not a favorite for the overall win.
I'd say it's touch and go. We could end 7th in our semi, but we might just as well end 12th. The numbers 7 to 12 are probably gonna be very close (no more than 5 to 10 points apart).
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 05/24/12 at 10:40 am
when will you know the result for the semi?
Obviously since we've already qualified, and Jedward have as well, the Eurovision news has gone a bit quiet until Saturday.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/24/12 at 4:02 pm
when will you know the result for the semi?
Obviously since we've already qualified, and Jedward have as well, the Eurovision news has gone a bit quiet until Saturday.
Just about now. And once again, we didn't make it.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/24/12 at 11:24 pm
Just about now. And once again, we didn't make it.
Yes, we came, we saw, we conquered... err, conceded.
That's 8 years in a row now. Last time we qualified for the final was in 2004 - and we didn't exactly shine that time as well.
So what went wrong this time?
A lack of quality? I don't think it's (just) that. I wasn't impressed much by Lithuania or Ukraine, but that didn't stop them from qualifying. The Turkish singer sounded like a goat being strangled, but still, he made the final...
Poor stage performance? That may have played a role, I think. We could've done more on that part. I don't think the feathers helped us much on that front, either.
Bad luck? There's no telling what would/could have happened had we been in the first semi final, that's for sure. Now we had to compete against almost every Balkan state - a battle not likely to be won. (On the other hand: neither Slovenia nor Croatia made the final) I have a feeling the points we gathered in our semi would've been sufficient for a place in the final had we been in the other semi, but we'll know more when the scores are revealed.
Well, whatever the reason, a fact's a fact: we didn't make it. And so the discussion continues: was this the right approach? (I think it was) Should we continue to enter the competition? (I think we should) What to do next year? (Drawing a blank there. At times like these I wish I was a songwriter)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/24/12 at 11:27 pm
I see we're 100/1 for the overall win. Still better than Malta or Portugal.
And just FTR: Malta DID qualify for the final, unlike The Netherlands or Portugal.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/25/12 at 1:37 am
Latest odds (according to paddypower.com)...
Sweden - 13/8
Russia - 9/2
Italy - 7/1
Ireland - 10/1
Serbia - 14/1
Romania - 14/1
UK - 18/1
...bit of a tall order for 'The Hump' as I gather he's on first! Oh well, nice try...
Sweden, a la Kate Bush ?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/25/12 at 1:37 am
Latest odds (according to paddypower.com)...
Sweden - 13/8
Russia - 9/2
Italy - 7/1
Ireland - 10/1
Serbia - 14/1
Romania - 14/1
UK - 18/1
...bit of a tall order for 'The Hump' as I gather he's on first! Oh well, nice try...
How many people in the UK will be voting for Jedward?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/25/12 at 2:15 am
Sweden, a la Kate Bush ?
Indeed. Sweden's the top favorite, no matter what poll you check.
I'm rooting for Estonia, though. Not a top favorite, but I think they might surprise everyone.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/25/12 at 2:18 am
Yes, we came, we saw, we conquered... err, conceded.
That's 8 years in a row now. Last time we qualified for the final was in 2004 - and we didn't exactly shine that time as well.
So what went wrong this time?
A lack of quality? I don't think it's (just) that. I wasn't impressed much by Lithuania or Ukraine, but that didn't stop them from qualifying. The Turkish singer sounded like a goat being strangled, but still, he made the final...
Poor stage performance? That may have played a role, I think. We could've done more on that part. I don't think the feathers helped us much on that front, either.
Bad luck? There's no telling what would/could have happened had we been in the first semi final, that's for sure. Now we had to compete against almost every Balkan state - a battle not likely to be won. (On the other hand: neither Slovenia nor Croatia made the final) I have a feeling the points we gathered in our semi would've been sufficient for a place in the final had we been in the other semi, but we'll know more when the scores are revealed.
Well, whatever the reason, a fact's a fact: we didn't make it. And so the discussion continues: was this the right approach? (I think it was) Should we continue to enter the competition? (I think we should) What to do next year? (Drawing a blank there. At times like these I wish I was a songwriter)
We might be complaining, but let's put things in perspective:
We haven't won the competition in 37 years, but for Spain it's been even longer (43 years). And Portugal haven't won even ONCE, in spite of entering the competition 45 times since 1964.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/25/12 at 4:01 am
We haven't won the competition in 37 years, but for Spain it's been even longer (43 years).
And even that was a 'fix' ::) (allegedly)...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/25/12 at 4:14 am
And even that was a 'fix' ::) (allegedly)...
All I have to say to that is...
La La La La La La La La La La.... (repeat ad nauseam) :P ;)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/25/12 at 4:24 am
And even that was a 'fix' ::) (allegedly)...
Oh, and that was 1968. Last time Spain won was 1969. ;)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/25/12 at 5:26 am
Oh, and that was 1968. Last time Spain won was 1969. ;)
So it was! :-[
1969 was the first and only time there was more than one winner in the contest - four countries ended up top of the pile!
And you thought 'La La La' was banal? 'Boom Bang-A-Bang' ain't much better! :P
As for Portugal, they may never have won, but their 1974 entry signalled a revolution! Now that's what I call style!
'...Portugal's entry "E depois do adeus" was used as one of the two signals to launch the Carnation Revolution against the Estado Novo regime. The song alerted the rebel captains and soldiers to begin the coup and the tanks of the left-wing military coup to move in. John Kennedy O'Connor describes it as "the only Eurovision entry to have actually started a revolution"...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/25/12 at 5:34 am
Found a wiki page on the Dutch entries up till now, with some interesting facts and statistics.
It's not really any wonder we haven't made the final on our last 8 attempts. (Can you name more than one of our last 8 entries? ??? Well, even * I * couldn't remember all 8 songs! ;D) Those songs were mediocre, at best.
Last time we made Top 5 was in 1998. Does anyone remember that (outside The Netherlands)..? :-\\
Statistics show that we get most of our points (in the final) from Belgium (surprise, surprise), France, Norway, Finland, Israel and Portugal. So I suggest our next entry be sung in French. That would be a first for us. And maybe we should send a duo (one male, one female) - another thing we haven't tried in a long time.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/25/12 at 5:38 am
So it was! :-
And you thought 'La La La' was banal? 'Boom Bang-A-Bang' ain't much better! :P
Still better than 317x 'La' ... Plus, I'd say Lulu is/was the better looking. ;)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/25/12 at 5:50 am
Last time we made Top 5 was in 1998. Does anyone remember that (outside The Netherlands)..? :-\\
I can't even remember much of any of our entries since Katrina & The Waves, barring the unfortunate Jemini (for obvious reasons!)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/25/12 at 6:04 am
I can't even remember much of any of our entries since Katrina & The Waves, barring the unfortunate Jemini (for obvious reasons!)
Jemini..yes, well, how can anyone forget that? Cry baby indeed.
Katrina & the Waves won in 1997, if memory serves.
Your 1998 entry was Imaani - one of my favorite songs that year.
After that it gets a bit blurry. Must be because of our own poor performance (blocking things out and stuff...)
I seem to recall a rather catastrophic aircrash not too long ago... ::) And then there was Blue, of course. Odd, isn't it, how you easily remember those and forget the highlights?
And FTR: our 1998 entry was Edsilia Rombley's Hemel en Aarde.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/25/12 at 6:37 am
Katrina & the Waves won in 1997, if memory serves.
They did...and by quite a margin - even though to my ears, it's not much of a song...
One of the benefits of performing near the end, I suppose...so bad luck, Enge!
Your 1998 entry was Imaani - one of my favorite songs that year.
Couldn't hum it if you paid me!
After that it gets a bit blurry. Must be because of our own poor performance (blocking things out and stuff...)
No, I think the overall quality has gone downhill (I blame the Irish for numbing our minds with those dull, tedious winners of theirs! And the Eastern European bloc for making it less of a contest...)
And of course, the voting's become even more farcical (if not the actual reason most of us watch the thing!)
I seem to recall a rather catastrophic aircrash not too long ago... ::) And then there was Blue, of course.
Once again, style over nothing... :P
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/25/12 at 6:43 am
Couldn't hum it if you paid me!
Shame on you! She came in 2nd.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nusBQ7Lacg
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/25/12 at 7:01 am
Shame on you! She came in 2nd.
To be fair, the late '90s is not really my timeframe music-wise...
Saying that, 1989 was more my time and this also was a runner-up, but I don't remember much of this one either...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Dgl8rAdk6M
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/25/12 at 1:26 pm
Indeed. Sweden's the top favorite, no matter what poll you check.
I'm rooting for Estonia, though. Not a top favorite, but I think they might surprise everyone.
The Austrian entry was giving me the giggles, just look at the title!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/27/12 at 12:54 am
To be fair, the late '90s is not really my timeframe music-wise...
Saying that, 1989 was more my time and this also was a runner-up, but I don't remember much of this one either...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Dgl8rAdk6M
I don't remember much of the 1989 contest either. :-\\ I know Riva won, with a little ditty that hasn't stood the test of time, and I still feel that was some sort of pity voting. Yugoslavia was on the brink of a civil war, and we all know how that ended.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/27/12 at 1:18 am
My commiserations to the United Kingdom. It seems like people have lost respect for the elderly. Oh wait, that's not right. Russia finished 2nd. ::)
But seriously...25th place, I didn't see that one coming. Ireland and France didn't do too well, either.
Here's a quick run-up of the Top 10:
01. Sweden - 372 pts.
02. Russia - 259 pts. (I'm ever so glad they didn't win)
03. Serbia - 214 pts.
04. Azerbaijan - 150 pts. (Totally overrated, if you ask me)
05. Albania - 146 pts. (Really?!!)
06. Estonia - 120 pts.
07. Turkey - 112 pts.
08. Germany - 110 pts.
09. Italy - 101 pts.
10. Spain - 97 pts.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/27/12 at 1:26 am
Speaking of votes, BTW... Sweden got their points from all countries, with the exception of Italy. (Why not, I wonder)
Russia got their point from all countries, with the exception of Switzerland. (Thumbs up for the Swiss)
Not even Ireland too a liking for The Hump... They only gave him 4 points.
Oh, and did I mention we came in 15th place in our semi-final? Pretty poor result. We were 10 points behind the #10 in our semi (Norway - and he ended in 26th place in the final). Even Georgia got more points than we did!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/27/12 at 3:42 am
My commiserations to the United Kingdom. It seems like people have lost respect for the elderly. Oh wait, that's not right. Russia finished 2nd. ::)
But seriously...25th place, I didn't see that one coming. Ireland and France didn't do too well, either.
Here's a quick run-up of the Top 10:
01. Sweden - 372 pts.
02. Russia - 259 pts. (I'm ever so glad they didn't win)
03. Serbia - 214 pts.
04. Azerbaijan - 150 pts. (Totally overrated, if you ask me)
05. Albania - 146 pts. (Really?!!)
06. Estonia - 120 pts.
07. Turkey - 112 pts.
08. Germany - 110 pts.
09. Italy - 101 pts.
10. Spain - 97 pts.
I wish for The Zimmers to represent the UK next year, I will find the YouTube video later.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/27/12 at 9:07 am
My commiserations to the United Kingdom. It seems like people have lost respect for the elderly. Oh wait, that's not right. Russia finished 2nd. ::)
Cooking food seems to be the gimmick du jour...perhaps we should get a burger flipper next year!
But seriously...25th place, I didn't see that one coming.
I tried listening for a melody...I didn't hear that one coming either! :P
(Fireworks were good though...I think they made Enge jump at one point!)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/27/12 at 12:33 pm
And you thought 'La La La' was banal? 'Boom Bang-A-Bang' ain't much better! :P
"La La La" was the song that sounded like Dave Davies' "Death Of A Clown".
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/27/12 at 12:35 pm
I wish for The Zimmers to represent the UK next year, I will find the YouTube video later.
The Zimmers are a British band, thought to have the oldest members of any band in the world. The oldest member (Buster Martin) claimed to have been born in 1906, although some sources indicate he was born in 1913 - he died in 2011. The former lead singer Alf Carretta died on 29 June 2010, aged 93. The group takes its name from the Zimmer frame (walker).
The band was created as a feature in a BBC Television documentary, which was first broadcast on 28 May 2007. The feature of forming the band and recording a single was intended to give a voice to the feelings of isolation and imprisonment suffered by the elderly.
The Zimmers' logo is a parody of The Beatles' logo, as is the image of them walking across Abbey Road.
On 7 April 2012, on Britain's Got Talent, the band performed The Beastie Boys' "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m0EZO5O2dM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqfFrCUrEbY
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 05/28/12 at 10:32 am
I think I timed it right on Saturday. I turned on halfway through the voting!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 07/12/12 at 5:44 am
Oh, and did I mention we came in 15th place in our semi-final? Pretty poor result. We were 10 points behind the #10 in our semi (Norway - and he ended in 26th place in the final). Even Georgia got more points than we did!
And just when you thought things couldn't get any worse... ::)
Singer Anouk has announced she's willing to represent The Netherlands in ESC 2013. In her own words, she has a 'killer song' ready.
Anouk is by far the most popular and successful Dutch singer (of the female sex) of the last 20 years.
You'd THINK this would get a round of applause from TROS (the broadcasting company responsible for 'our' candidate), but no... They've announced Anouk still has to participate in the Dutch preliminaries. And just today it was announced that there'll be no less than SIX preliminaries to decide what truckload of shyte we'll be sending next year.
I don't blame Anouk for not wanting to go through that process. She's already earned her place in (Dutch) music scene and deserves to be treated with respect.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 07/14/12 at 4:12 am
And just when you thought things couldn't get any worse... ::)
Singer Anouk has announced she's willing to represent The Netherlands in ESC 2013. In her own words, she has a 'killer song' ready.
Anouk is by far the most popular and successful Dutch singer (of the female sex) of the last 20 years.
You'd THINK this would get a round of applause from TROS (the broadcasting company responsible for 'our' candidate), but no... They've announced Anouk still has to participate in the Dutch preliminaries. And just today it was announced that there'll be no less than SIX preliminaries to decide what truckload of shyte we'll be sending next year.
I don't blame Anouk for not wanting to go through that process. She's already earned her place in (Dutch) music scene and deserves to be treated with respect.
The attitude of TROS has lead to a storm of protest from just about everybody that matters in music industry. It has also lead to Anouk withdrawing her offer.
Production company Talpa (responsible for this year's preliminary) has also announced its withdrawal. A spokesman stated that "TROS refusing to accept Anouk's offer is like Ajax Amsterdam turning down Lionel Messi".
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 10/17/12 at 5:37 am
And just when you thought things couldn't get any worse... ::)
Singer Anouk has announced she's willing to represent The Netherlands in ESC 2013. In her own words, she has a 'killer song' ready.
Anouk is by far the most popular and successful Dutch singer (of the female sex) of the last 20 years.
You'd THINK this would get a round of applause from TROS (the broadcasting company responsible for 'our' candidate), but no... They've announced Anouk still has to participate in the Dutch preliminaries. And just today it was announced that there'll be no less than SIX preliminaries to decide what truckload of shyte we'll be sending next year.
I don't blame Anouk for not wanting to go through that process. She's already earned her place in (Dutch) music scene and deserves to be treated with respect.
The attitude of TROS has lead to a storm of protest from just about everybody that matters in music industry. It has also lead to Anouk withdrawing her offer.
Production company Talpa (responsible for this year's preliminary) has also announced its withdrawal. A spokesman stated that "TROS refusing to accept Anouk's offer is like Ajax Amsterdam turning down Lionel Messi".
An odd twist to this story... Clearly I must've missed something, because today I read that Anouk WILL be representing The Netherlands next year after all. No mention of any preliminaries in said announcement. Apparently TROS have totally changed their minds...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/20/13 at 3:18 am
And now we all know how it ended: a 9th place in the final of ESC for Anouk with her song 'Birds'.
Here's something to feast your ears on:
All Dutch entries for ESC from 2000 to present.
I wonder how many you can sing along to... (not one, I suppose!)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/20/13 at 6:50 am
I occured to me during the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night that next year will be the 40th anniversary of Abba winning with "Waterloo"
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/22/13 at 3:20 pm
I'm just gonna post some of my all time favorite ESC songs here, until it's time for next year's event.
All songs are non winners, but were hits nontheless, or they're songs I feel should've won.
Starting off with a classic that's blue painted in the blue...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-DVi0ugelc
This song would not qualify if it was to enter the competition today (because of its length), but this was 1958... different times!
It only came 3rd in ESC, but it reached #1 in US, #10 in UK and #4 in The Netherlands.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/22/13 at 3:36 pm
And the next year, he was there again...and ended in joined 6th place with this song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adn55GQvdE4
Maybe not very well known in Northern America (it only reached #97 in US) or UK (#29), but it was a #1 hit in The Netherlands and Belgium.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/23/13 at 5:22 am
Here's the Hungarian entry for 1994. I don't think any of you remember it, but it finished 4th!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEYt1kd1K1g
Nearly two decades ago, and it's good to see (and hear) a quality song was appreciated back then. It wasn't all doom and gloom...
(FTR: I have no idea what the song is about)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/24/13 at 4:27 am
It was on May 24th in 1956 the first Eurovision Song Contest is held in Lugano, Switzerland.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/25/13 at 9:25 am
This is definitely one of my most favorite ESC entries ever:
Kaelakee Hääl - Maarja-Liis Ilus & Ivo Linna (Estonia, 1996)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBDn4WTCeSg
It ended in 5th place, behind Ireland ("The Voice"), Norway, Sweden and Croatia.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/25/13 at 11:22 am
One to forget,
Papa Penguin by Sophie & Magaly (Luxembourg, 1980)
Somehow this song finish 4th to the Austrian entry "Du bist Musik" by Blue Danube.
I'm confused. :-\\ I know Le Papa Pingouin finished 9th, just behind the Austrian entry (see above). Neither of them finished 4th. Luxembourg started 4th, though.
But indeed: two songs to forget ASAP. ;)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/28/13 at 5:46 am
One to forget,
Papa Penguin by Sophie & Magaly (Luxembourg, 1980)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdrW1vr9kwM
This song finish 9th with 56 points to the winning (143 points) Irish entry "What's Another Year" by Johnny Logan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vccwzuttIQY
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 05/30/13 at 6:07 am
Was 99 Red Balloons a Eurovision winner?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/30/13 at 2:45 pm
Was 99 Red Balloons a Eurovision winner?
Nope. In fact, it has never even entered the competition.
Instead, Germany decided to enter this song in 1983...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWxDJqoe-gc
to defend the title they won in 1982 (after having finished second in 1980 and 1981). Well, they still finished 5th.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/30/13 at 2:47 pm
Nope. In fact, it has never even entered the competition.
Instead, Germany decided to enter this song in 1983...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWxDJqoe-gc
to defend the title they won in 1982 (after having finished second in 1980 and 1981). Well, they still finished 5th.
..and the winner in 1982 was Nicole with "A Little Peace".
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 06/20/13 at 2:24 am
Latest news on the ESC front: apparently, Armin van Buuren is interested in participating on behalf of The Netherlands (provided he has the right song at that time, and there will have to be no Dutch preliminaries for him to enter first).
Still a long time to go, but I'm thinking that's a "no".
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 06/21/13 at 1:04 pm
After the back-to-back debacle of The Humpster and The Welsh Witch, I wonder who we'll drag kicking and screaming from the bottom of the barrel for next year?
Hm...Sandie Shaw has been appearing on British TV quite a bit lately (and looking rather the worse for wear) - is there something afoot we don't know about? ???
...or want to know about? :P
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 06/21/13 at 1:11 pm
Speaking of favourite Eurovision entries that didn't win, here's one of mine - the 1964 entry from Austria...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1HMz2AdfPo
No idea what he's singing about, but that's irrelevant - it's a powerful melody...so powerful that a fellow entrant in that year's contest, Matt Monro, took it home with him, had some English words written for it and bingo! A huge hit called 'Walk Away'...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 06/21/13 at 2:06 pm
Nope. In fact, it has never even entered the competition.
Hmmm no idea why I thought Nena had entered then :-\\
..and the winner in 1982 was Nicole with "A Little Peace".
I liked that one
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 06/22/13 at 2:34 am
Speaking of favourite Eurovision entries that didn't win, here's one of mine - the 1964 entry from Austria...
No idea what he's singing about, but that's irrelevant - it's a powerful melody...so powerful that a fellow entrant in that year's contest, Matt Monro, took it home with him, had some English words written for it and bingo! A huge hit called 'Walk Away'...
Ah, good old Udo Jürgens... Three time's the charm for him. He entered the 1964, 1965 and 1966 ESC for Austria. After finishing 6th and 4th in 1964 and 1965 respectively, he finally won in 1966. Some say that was only because the juries were getting sick and tired of him... ::) That said, he's sold millions of records in the German speaking part of the world.
"Warum Nur, Warum" is a song about a break-up. Why oh why did you leave me? Why am I all alone? Why am I feeling so blue? Why don't you just turn around once and tell me why, oh why? - well, you get the drift. Tearjerker to the max.
"Walk Away" never was a hit in The Netherlands. In fact, Matt Monro never had a Top 40 hit over here at all. I've had a listen, and quite like the way he had the persepective change in the lyrics. Makes the song soooo much more enjoyable! :)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 06/30/13 at 4:53 pm
"Walk Away" never was a hit in The Netherlands. In fact, Matt Monro never had a Top 40 hit over here at all. I've had a listen, and quite like the way he had the persepective change in the lyrics. Makes the song soooo much more enjoyable! :)
You can thank a guy called Don Black for that...
Who he? A premier league lyricist, that's who...this was one of his early efforts, but since then he's scribbled words for literally hundreds of songs. Among them...'Born Free', 'To Sir With Love', and Jacko's ode to a rat, 'Ben'...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 11/27/13 at 5:50 am
Latest news on the ESC front: apparently, Armin van Buuren is interested in participating on behalf of The Netherlands (provided he has the right song at that time, and there will have to be no Dutch preliminaries for him to enter first).
Still a long time to go, but I'm thinking that's a "no".
Well, it's not gonna be Armin van Buuren.
Last Monday it was made public that Ilse DeLange and Waylon (under the moniker of The Common Linnets) will be representing The Netherlands in the 2014 ESC. Not a particularly bad choice, although I personally feel we would be better of without Waylon.
Ilse DeLange (b. 1977) is one of our most popular female singers of the past 15 years, only rivalled by Anouk (this year's entry).
Waylon (b. 1980) has been trying for the past 15 years as well, but he's not had a lot of success.
Here's two of their best known songs, to give you an idea of what you might expect.
Ilse DeLange - Miracle (2008 - NL #1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOjFQCGKDZA
Waylon - Wicked Way (2009 - NL #10)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4qorYcbIvI
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 11/27/13 at 3:11 pm
The gentleman on my avatar represented Sweden in the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest. I even dreamed about him that night!
I've had a massive crush on him for 33 years!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 12/02/13 at 5:12 pm
Malta has won this year's Junior Eurovision Song contest held in Kiev, Ukraine.
Eleven-year-old Gaia Cauchi scored 130 points with her ballad, The Start, which she also helped compose and write.
She beat 11 other countries to win the trophy, with Ukraine and Belarus finishing second and third.
It is the first time Malta has won the contest, after returning to compete following a three-year break.
Cauchi, who lives in the small rural village of Mgarr, is no stranger to winning talent shows.
She finished first in the international selection of the San Remo Junior song contest and was honoured with an achievement award at the 2013 Malta Music Awards.
She has also had success on a number of Italian television talent shows.
The Junior version of the Eurovision Song contest has been running since 2003.
The UK has not participated in the competition since 2005.
Other countries that participated this year included Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, The Netherlands, Sweden, San Marino, Moldova and FYR Macedonia.
This year's Eurovision winner, Denmark's Emmelie de Forest, also performed during the show.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 12/02/13 at 5:56 pm
The UK has not participated in the competition since 2005.
Shouldn't this be a wake-up call for our participation in the main event? ::)
No wonder my licence fee keeps going up!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/17/14 at 6:46 am
It's about that time of year when all countries participating in ESC should have their entries revealed. So far, I've only heard two (although there are more):
Belgium had their big Eurosong 2014 final yesterday evening. This year's entry will be Axel Hirsoux, with a song called Mother
What's remarkable about this entry is that Hirsoux is a Wallonian, while this year's entry was selected by Flemish tv network Een. Normally the two don't mix very well.
I have high expectations of this song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkxNASmwljI
The Netherlands wil be sending The Common Linnets (Ilse DeLange & Waylon) with a song called Calm After The Storm.
I'm not really impressed. They should be able to make it to the final, but I'm not expecting any miracles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDMcWNOutUY
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/17/14 at 8:57 am
Molly Smitten-Downes is an up and coming Singer/Songwriter from the United Kingdom. On the 10th of May Molly will fly the flag for the UK in the Grand Final of The Eurovision Song Contest 2014.
At the 59th Eurovision Song Contest Molly will perform her song Children Of The Universe, co-written with Swedish Producer Anders Hansson. Children Of The Universe blends strings and harmonies over a pounding drum beat while the lyrics promote the universal message of love and unity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wFUPCkmlOo
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 03/17/14 at 9:11 am
Children Of The Universe blends strings and harmonies over a pounding drum beat while the lyrics promote the universal message of love and unity.
Cynical old me reckons strings, harmonies, pounding drum beats and love and unity lyrics mean just one thing...
...better luck next time, suckers! :D ;)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/17/14 at 9:18 am
Cynical old me reckons strings, harmonies, pounding drum beats and love and unity lyrics mean just one thing...
...better luck next time, suckers! :D ;)
It will not stand a chance with the Eastern Block Countries
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/17/14 at 9:22 am
It may surprise you to know that UK is actually in the Top 10 with the bookies as of yet (even ahead of Belgium).
The Netherlands on the other hand... :(
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 03/17/14 at 9:24 am
It will not stand a chance with the Eastern Block Countries
I wonder if the Russkies (assuming they're in) will receive a bit of a voting backlash from some of the western countries this year?
Putin could always send the tanks in if they do...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/17/14 at 9:25 am
I wonder if the Russkies (assuming they're in) will receive a bit of a voting backlash from some of the western countries this year?
Putin could always send the tanks in if they do...
...good thing that the UK is an island
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 03/17/14 at 9:26 am
It may surprise you to know that UK is actually in the Top 10 with the bookies as of yet (even ahead of Belgium).
Pssh! I never pay attention to any of those! Since when has a bookmaker been an expert on songs?
The Netherlands on the other hand... :(
Oh dear...are things that bad? :-\\
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/17/14 at 9:31 am
Oh dear...are things that bad? :-\\
Currently 26th in a field of 38 - which also means we'll missing out on the final.
And seriously: have you listened to it? ::)
I wonder if the Russkies (assuming they're in) will receive a bit of a voting backlash from some of the western countries this year?
Putin could always send the tanks in if they do...
Maybe not so much backlash on the Russians, but I expect the Ukranian entry may be getting some sympathy votes.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 03/17/14 at 10:18 am
Currently 26th in a field of 38 - which also means we'll missing out on the final.
And seriously: have you listened to it? ::)
A shame...but to be honest, I've heard worse things than this win the contest!
Trouble is, it's probably a bit out of step as mainly Europop stuff seems to do the business these days...
Maybe not so much backlash on the Russians, but I expect the Ukranian entry may be getting some sympathy votes.
Oh, let's not bother with the contest and just give it to them! That'll make ol' Vlad peeved! :D
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/17/14 at 10:30 am
It may surprise you to know that UK is actually in the Top 10 with the bookies as of yet (even ahead of Belgium).
The odds have now shifted in favor of Belgium, though. Top favorites (with the bookies) are Armenia, Sweden and Norway -but hey, it's still two months to the final!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/17/14 at 3:01 pm
So these are the favorites with the bookies:
Armenia: Aram MP3 - Not Alone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChkJpnOgIwQ
Sweden: Sanna Nielsen - Undo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZiLWCNakPc
Norway: Carl Espen - Silent Storm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYAfB1P28ec
To be honest, I'm not hearing a winner there... :-\\
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 03/18/14 at 5:00 am
To be honest, I'm not hearing a winner there... :-\\
Highly forgettable aren't they? Also blows a hole in my Europop theory!
Sod the songs, I just wanna see how the voting pans out! Sir Terence would have had a field day this year with the Russia/Ukraine situation!
I just hope both get through...sparks will fly!
Speaking of bookmakers, I wonder if you can get odds for hearing that rarely-heard phrase...'Royaume-Uni - douze points!'
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 03/19/14 at 5:52 pm
Molly Smitten-Downes is an up and coming Singer/Songwriter from the United Kingdom. On the 10th of May Molly will fly the flag for the UK in the Grand Final of The Eurovision Song Contest 2014.
At the 59th Eurovision Song Contest Molly will perform her song Children Of The Universe, co-written with Swedish Producer Anders Hansson. Children Of The Universe blends strings and harmonies over a pounding drum beat while the lyrics promote the universal message of love and unity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wFUPCkmlOo
She is from my town I believe. She certainly went to school here
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/20/14 at 4:24 am
She is from my town I believe. She certainly went to school here
...but in all the glory of Eurovision, we cannot phone vote for her!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/06/14 at 4:04 pm
It's about that time of year when all countries participating in ESC should have their entries revealed. So far, I've only heard two (although there are more):
Belgium had their big Eurosong 2014 final yesterday evening. This year's entry will be Axel Hirsoux, with a song called Mother
What's remarkable about this entry is that Hirsoux is a Wallonian, while this year's entry was selected by Flemish tv network Een. Normally the two don't mix very well.
I have high expectations of this song.
The Netherlands wil be sending The Common Linnets (Ilse DeLange & Waylon) with a song called Calm After The Storm.
I'm not really impressed. They should be able to make it to the final, but I'm not expecting any miracles.
Tonight was the first of two semi-finals, with both Belgium and the Netherlands making their appearances. Much to my surprise, Belgium did not qualify for the final. The Netherlands did, though, but I'm not expecting much in Saturday's final. I'm guessing a 20th place or something like that.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/07/14 at 6:11 am
Russia's Tolmachevy Sisters were booed in Copenhagen as they qualified for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The 17-year-old twins initially received a warm reception for their song, Shine, at Tuesday's semi-final.
But when they progressed to the final, some sections of the 10,000-strong audience expressed apparent disapproval of the Russian artists.
Experts have said Russia could suffer at Eurovision over the crisis in Ukraine and its stance on gay rights.
Nine other countries qualified for the final on Tuesday, including Ukraine's Mariya Yaremchuk, whose performance was enhanced by a dancer running in a giant hamster wheel.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/07/14 at 6:14 am
Eurovision semi-final qualifiers
Montenegro
Hungary
Russia
Armenia
Azerbaijan
San Marino
Ukraine
Sweden
Netherlands
Iceland
The next 10 qualifiers will be selected on Thursday
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/07/14 at 3:50 pm
The bearded female Austrian singer looks like Russell Brand
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01735/Austrian_singer_Co_1735313a.jpg
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/07/14 at 4:14 pm
Tonight was the first of two semi-finals, with both Belgium and the Netherlands making their appearances. Much to my surprise, Belgium did not qualify for the final. The Netherlands did, though, but I'm not expecting much in Saturday's final. I'm guessing a 20th place or something like that.
The Dutch entry sounds too much like "Every Breath You Take", but I still like it.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/07/14 at 4:29 pm
Russia's Tolmachevy Sisters were booed in Copenhagen as they qualified for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The 17-year-old twins initially received a warm reception for their song, Shine, at Tuesday's semi-final.
But when they progressed to the final, some sections of the 10,000-strong audience expressed apparent disapproval of the Russian artists.
Experts have said Russia could suffer at Eurovision over the crisis in Ukraine and its stance on gay rights.
Nine other countries qualified for the final on Tuesday, including Ukraine's Mariya Yaremchuk, whose performance was enhanced by a dancer running in a giant hamster wheel.
The twins also participated in the Junior version of ESC in 2006 - and won! I'm not convinced they'll repeat that feat (and not just because of the current political situation).
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/07/14 at 4:34 pm
The Dutch entry sounds too much like "Every Breath You Take", but I still like it.
After qualifying for the final, our entry soared in the polls. We are now 3rd favorite with the bookies for a win...
Apparently, the song is very popular in the Balkan states, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Ireland, Belgium, Austria and Hungary. Didn't see that one coming!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/09/14 at 1:06 am
After qualifying for the final, our entry soared in the polls. We are now 3rd favorite with the bookies for a win...
Apparently, the song is very popular in the Balkan states, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Ireland, Belgium, Austria and Hungary. Didn't see that one coming!
The is good to hear.
I was not impressed with any of the songs for the second semifinal last night, I see that Austria (Russell Brand lookalike) qualified for the final on Saturday.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/09/14 at 3:38 am
Eurovision second semi-final qualifiers
Austria
Belarus
Finland
Greece
Malta
Norway
Poland
Romania
Slovenia
Switzerland
Order of Participants for the Grand Final on Saturday May 10th 2014:
Ukraine
Belarus
Azerbaijan
Iceland
Norway
Romania
Armenia
Montenegro
Poland
Greece
Austria
Germany
Sweden
France
Russia
Italy
Slovenia
Finland
Spain
Switzerland
Hungary
Malta
Denmark
The Netherlands
San Marino
United Kingdom
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 05/09/14 at 1:44 pm
Hmm I think going at the end might be a good thing for us
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/09/14 at 1:52 pm
Hmm I think going at the end might be a good thing for us
The last song sung will always be in the memory of the phone caller, with previous songs forgotten.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/10/14 at 2:39 pm
If devolution occurs in Scotland will they have to produce they own song for Eurovision?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/10/14 at 3:21 pm
Hmm I think going at the end might be a good thing for us
it will The Netherlands to win for me.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/10/14 at 5:18 pm
it will The Netherlands to win for me.
Close, but I think the ladyboy's won it...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/10/14 at 5:19 pm
Hmm I think going at the end might be a good thing for us
Nnnnnope! ;)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/10/14 at 5:21 pm
Close, but I think the ladyboy's won it...
It is looking that way!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/10/14 at 5:22 pm
Nnnnnope! ;)
At least not nil points, currently on 37
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/10/14 at 5:34 pm
Close, but I think the ladyboy's won it...
Austria won by a close shave!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/10/14 at 5:43 pm
Or they won by a whisker...
Is ze Wurst yet to come?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/11/14 at 1:11 am
Yes, it was drag queen Conchita Wurst who won the competition last night. It is the second win only for Austria. Maybe not the best song (or singer) but the best overall performance.
Dutch duo The Common Linnets took a second place - the best result we've scored since last winning the competition in 1975! :o One wonders what would've happened if Miss Wurst had been a straight guy in a suit-and-tie...
None of the Big 5 countries left a lasting impression, I fear. Of those five, Spain did best (much to my surprise) with a 10th place. United Kingdom finished 17th, just one spot ahead of Germany. Italy ended up in 21st position, while France found themselves struggling to get any points at all (26th and last).
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/11/14 at 2:51 am
As every year, the BBC are basking in the glory of the winner of Eurovision, with news reports
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/11/14 at 4:41 am
As every year, the BBC are basking in the glory of the winner of Eurovision, with news reports
They (or rather, the licence payer) coughs up enough for the privilege, so they gotta milk it somehow!
It is the second win only for Austria.
...who last won it in...1966! And we all know what happened the following year! ;)
(Don't laugh! Some people with more than enough time on their hands are already calling this 'an omen'...er, sure!)
Dutch duo The Common Linnets took a second place - the best result we've scored since last winning the competition in 1975! :o One wonders what would've happened if Miss Wurst had been a straight guy in a suit-and-tie...
What's the betting someone's gonna enter a genetically-created half human/dog hybrid one year? ::)
]None of the Big 5 countries left a lasting impression, I fear. Of those five, Spain did best (much to my surprise) with a 10th place. United Kingdom finished 17th, just one spot ahead of Germany. Italy ended up in 21st position, while France found themselves struggling to get any points at all (26th and last).
About as much as can be expected - apart from the odd blip (Germany winning a recent contest), that's the pattern that's forming...
Mind you, good to see some of the long-standing entrants sweep the top three!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/11/14 at 4:54 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRUIava4WRM
The winning song of Eurovision 2104, "Rise Like a Phoenix" sung by Conchita Wurst
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 05/11/14 at 7:25 am
I watched most of the show, though I did fall asleep at one point (busy day).
Elizabeth liked the Danish song Cliché Love Song and I thought the Dutch song was good. well done on taking second place
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/11/14 at 9:13 am
...who last won it in...1966! And we all know what happened the following year! ;)
(Don't laugh! Some people with more than enough time on their hands are already calling this 'an omen'...er, sure!)
Clutching at straws, eh? ::) Well, if history repeats...The previous time Austria won, UK ended in 9th place (in a field of 18). This year, UK finished 17th in a field of 26. By my calculations, this means UK will end 9th place in 2015. Not quite a win, but a huge improvement over the last years nontheless.
What's the betting someone's gonna enter a genetically-created half human/dog hybrid one year? ::)
Ooh! There's an idea. :D :D
About as much as can be expected - apart from the odd blip (Germany winning a recent contest), that's the pattern that's forming...
Mind you, good to see some of the long-standing entrants sweep the top three!
It sure feels good for us to be back. :) It's a bit weird though to think we could have (should have?) won with a song that wasn't well received at all over here!
This also brings up the question: what are we to do next year?!? I'm sure just about everybody that is somebody in Dutch music industry now suddenly feels inclined to partake in the Dutch preliminaries for ESC, but 2nd place...I mean, that's gonna be one hell of a job to beat!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/11/14 at 12:00 pm
Conchita Wurst with and without a beard
http://www.strangeorwhat.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Austrias-Controversial-Eurovision-Song-Contestant-Conchita-Wurst-03.jpg
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/11/14 at 12:59 pm
...and Beethoven was murdered during intermission for vote casting!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 05/11/14 at 1:58 pm
...and Beethoven was murdered during intermission for vote casting!
I went to bed just after the UK song was on.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/11/14 at 2:04 pm
I went to bed just after the UK song was on.
Best thing to do, the scoring takes.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/11/14 at 2:12 pm
I went to bed just after the UK song was on.
Would you had still gone to bed even after the UK song was the first song sung?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/12/14 at 5:19 am
I do the opposite...miss the (ahem!) 'songs' and tune in just as the voting starts - best bit!
I couldn't hum (or possibly even name) a Eurovision winner from the last 20 or so years!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/12/14 at 5:25 am
I do the opposite...miss the (ahem!) 'songs' and tune in just as the voting starts - best bit!
I couldn't hum (or possibly even name) a Eurovision winner from the last 20 or so years!
YOu must know the 1997 winner "Love Shine a Light" performed by Katrina and the Waves?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 05/12/14 at 11:31 am
I do the opposite...miss the (ahem!) 'songs' and tune in just as the voting starts - best bit!
I couldn't hum (or possibly even name) a Eurovision winner from the last 20 or so years!
That's what I usually do, but this year my daughter decided she wanted to watch the show.
Would you had still gone to bed even after the UK song was the first song sung?
I might not have stayed up. I got up early to get to Cambridge to spend the day Morris dancing so I was knackered. I definitely "rested my eyes" at some point!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/12/14 at 11:34 am
I do the opposite...miss the (ahem!) 'songs' and tune in just as the voting starts - best bit!
I couldn't hum (or possibly even name) a Eurovision winner from the last 20 or so years!
Who was the UK announcer during the results, I think his name was Scott something?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/12/14 at 11:35 am
I might not have stayed up. I got up early to get to Cambridge to spend the day Morris dancing so I was knackered. I definitely "rested my eyes" at some point!
I understand, life is more important than ESC.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/12/14 at 3:04 pm
Who was the UK announcer during the results, I think his name was Scott something?
Scott Mills, who I gather is one of these hip and trendy young Radio 1 presenters...
...then what the bloody hell is he doing getting involved with Eurovision for? Radio 2 beckons, my lad!
YOu must know the 1997 winner "Love Shine a Light" performed by Katrina and the Waves?
I do, but I was just picking out 20 years as a rough timespan...
Oddly, even though it won by quite a margin, I didn't think much of it at all! Had some Jonathan King involvement, I believe, before his rapid fall from grace.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/12/14 at 3:08 pm
Scott Mills, who I gather is one of these hip and trendy young Radio 1 presenters...
Him, never known what he looks like.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/12/14 at 3:30 pm
I understand, life is more important than ESC.
Tell that to the Russkies - you think WWIII had just broken out with that result...
(...which, if Bad Vlad gets his way, may well prove true!)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/20/15 at 12:51 pm
With the ESC 2015 already underway, it's time to revive this thread.
This also brings up the question: what are we to do next year?!? I'm sure just about everybody that is somebody in Dutch music industry now suddenly feels inclined to partake in the Dutch preliminaries for ESC, but 2nd place...I mean, that's gonna be one hell of a job to beat!
Next year from last year is this year today. Get it? :D
Anyway, this year's entry for the Netherlands was Trijntje Oosterhuis with a song co-written by Anouk (who ended up in 9th place in 2013, if anyone remembers that). It failed to impress the international juries and televoters and thus did not secure us a place in the final next Saturday.
It really shouldn't have come as a surprise, given that the song is mediocre, and yesterday's performance in the semi-final did not help at all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_fs4SPGyF0
Trijntje is a really good singer, and she * might * have pulled it off with this particular song, but really...she wasn't helped by the styling and choreography! Whoever thought it was a good idea to wear a black winged jumpsuit with a veil?!? Makes her look like MC Hammer on steroids! And those shoes? And what in the name of sanity are the backing vocalists wearing? Why does the video start out of focus? What's with the blue and red lights? Why does everything have to be so dreadfully static? It's just...boring and dull to watch. Lots to talk about and yet quite forgettable.
Maybe she should've gone for the dress she wore for the first rehearsal after all... ::)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/21/15 at 2:07 pm
Can anyone please explain how that Australia has an entry in Eurovision 2015?
Last time I looked Australia is many miles away.
Can it be a ploy for more phone votes for UK?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/21/15 at 4:33 pm
Can anyone please explain how that Australia has an entry in Eurovision 2015?
Last time I looked Australia is many miles away.
Can it be a ploy for more phone votes for UK?
First and foremost: any country can participate in ESC, as long as they are a member of EBU and comply with the rules of ESC. It is a misunderstanding to think that only European countries can compete (for example: Morocco competed in the 1980 ESC, and Israel isn't situated in Europe either, but it has won twice in the past!)
I'm not sure if Australia is an active member of the EBU, but they were cordially invited to compete because of the 60th anniversary of ESC and the long-time interest Australia has shown for ESC.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/22/15 at 3:56 am
Ireland, the most successful country in Eurovision history, has crashed out of this year's competition after failing to make it through the semi-final.
The seven-time winners couldn't muster enough votes for their youngest ever entrant, 17-year-old Molly Sterling.
Iceland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Malta, Portugal and San Marino also failed to make the cut.
Sweden, the bookmakers' favourite, sailed through to Saturday's grand final in Vienna.
Its act, Mans Zelmerlow, joins automatic qualifiers Austria, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and special guests Australia.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32842220
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/22/15 at 3:59 am
The running order for the Grand Final 2015
Slovenia
France
Israel
Estonia
United Kingdom
Armenia
Lithuania
Serbia
Norway
Sweden
Cyprus
Australia
Belgium
Austria
Greece
Montenegro
Germany
Poland
Latvia
Romania
Spain
Hungary
Georgia
Azerbaijan
Russia
Albania
Italy
http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=running_order_for_grand_final_revealed
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/23/15 at 1:11 pm
As on Google today, celebrating ESC
https://www.google.co.uk/logos/doodles/2015/eurovision-song-contest-2015-final-5679009119600640-hp.gif
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/23/15 at 1:28 pm
...Israel isn't situated in Europe either, but it has won twice in the past!)
Three times, IIRC - two back-to-back wins in the late 70s and then with Dana International, of course!
Not properly heard our effort, which is some ho-hum retro-throwback effort - no chance of us getting anywhere near a result, as our name has the words 'United' and 'Kingdom' in the title - always an off-putter!
Incidentally, the recent election here may have ramifications for our future participation. The new culture secretary (the bod responsible for overseeing what the BBC spends its money on, amongst other things) is a guy called John Whittingdale - himself not a out-and-out lover of BBC frivolity and so he may choose to wield his axe on the sheer heft of cash we throw at this thing year after year - probably not before time, I say!
In the end, I can see the entire contest going the way of Miss World - only the Eastern European countries will keep it afloat...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/24/15 at 1:05 am
Three times, IIRC - two back-to-back wins in the late 70s and then with Dana International, of course!
Of course you're right. I'd somehow forgotten about Dana International.
Not properly heard our effort, which is some ho-hum retro-throwback effort - no chance of us getting anywhere near a result, as our name has the words 'United' and 'Kingdom' in the title - always an off-putter!
I wasn't expecting any miracles either, and lo and behold: Electro Velvet did not let us down! :D
Five points and 24th place, that's really something to be proud of. Even Poland did better than that, and that song was rubbish!
On the other hand: it's still better than France (4 points), Germany (nil points) and Austria (also nil points).
Of the Big Five, only Italy did well: third place, with 292 points. Spain also ended in the bottom-10: 15 points, and a 21st place for Edurne.
Incidentally, the recent election here may have ramifications for our future participation. The new culture secretary (the bod responsible for overseeing what the BBC spends its money on, amongst other things) is a guy called John Whittingdale - himself not a out-and-out lover of BBC frivolity and so he may choose to wield his axe on the sheer heft of cash we throw at this thing year after year - probably not before time, I say!
I can't say I really blame the guy, seeing the results of the recent past for UK, coincidentally with a track record much like ours: only two Top 10 places in the last 15 years.
In the end, I can see the entire contest going the way of Miss World - only the Eastern European countries will keep it afloat...
I don't see this happening anytime soon. Of the last seven editions of ESC, no less than six were won by Western European countries. I do admit though that the Big Five (with the possible exception of Italy) seem to have lost "the touch". This may be due to the fact thay they don't have to compete to qualify for the final, but I'm not sure.
I think it would help to also have the pre-qualified entries (Big Five and host country) perform their act in the semis, just to familiarize the audience with the songs.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/24/15 at 2:51 am
Due to not feeling well, last night was the first time I failed to watch ESC, and at this precise moment I still do now who won.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 05/24/15 at 6:36 am
Sweden won, Philip.
I haven't watched it in years and don't even have a television these days. I don't have the inclination to listen to modern music.
No national interest in it for me anyway this year.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/24/15 at 7:43 am
Sweden won, Philip.
I haven't watched it in years and don't even have a television these days. I don't have the inclination to listen to modern music.
No national interest in it for me anyway this year.
Many thanks, but my did tell me, she watch it all.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/24/15 at 4:10 pm
With the ESC 2015 already underway, it's time to revive this thread.
Next year from last year is this year today. Get it? :D
Anyway, this year's entry for the Netherlands was Trijntje Oosterhuis with a song co-written by Anouk (who ended up in 9th place in 2013, if anyone remembers that). It failed to impress the international juries and televoters and thus did not secure us a place in the final next Saturday.
With all the scores now published, it has become clear that the Netherlands finished 14th in a field of 16. Rather sad.
Maybe she should've gone for the dress she wore for the first rehearsal after all... ::)
I'm not sure if anyone noticed, but that very dress was being worn by Edsilia Rombley yesterday evening, while she handed out the points on behalf of the Dutch people. I must say: she wore it so much better!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/26/15 at 8:33 am
Pop star Will Young has said he would not enter the Eurovision Song Contest because it is "a poisoned chalice".
The British singer was speaking after the UK came 24th in this year's contest - the latest in a long run of poor Eurovision results for the country.
Young found fame when he won the UK's first Pop Idol competition in 2002.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32884045
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/27/15 at 1:42 pm
Pop star Will Young has said he would not enter the Eurovision Song Contest because it is "a poisoned chalice".
The British singer was speaking after the UK came 24th in this year's contest - the latest in a long run of poor Eurovision results for the country.
Young found fame when he won the UK's first Pop Idol competition in 2002.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32884045
Ah well, he may be doing the right thing there. Not much point in ending up like Josh Dubovie, is there? ::)
In the Netherlands on the other hand, popular singer Dries Roelvink (of all people!) has stepped forward to carry the torch in the 2016 ESC. Most of his songs are in Dutch, but he's also recorded some English Dunglish stuff.. He likes to think he's Tom Jones, when clearly he isn't. Lord help us if he turns out to be the only candidate... :-\\
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 06/09/15 at 10:53 am
The Aussies really got on board with Eurovision this year, when they fielded a contestant for the first time and came a very respectable fifth.
And now they're really taking it seriously.
The University of Melbourne is offering a new first year subject, titled Eurovisions, from the Faculty of Arts in this year's second semester.
It will study Europe "through the powerful prism of the Eurovision Song Contest".
The module will also explore "the rise of the European Union, European integration and expansion, nation branding, as well as the rise of English, and the expression of cultural and social diversity in all its forms. Oh yeah, and then there is also the music..."
Students will have to do a 15-minute class presentation plus two 1500 word essays as part of the course.
Thankfully, no singing is required.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 01/31/16 at 11:23 am
Today has been a sad day for Eurovision Song Contest followers, for Sir Terry Wogan who was the voice of Eurovision in the UK for many years has died at the age of 77.
:\'( :\'( :\'(
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 02/01/16 at 12:35 pm
What I can't understand about the 1980 contest is how that abomination from Luxembourg featuring 2 bimbos and an eejit dressed as a flippin' penguin finished 9th whilst the best entry performed by a sexy Swedish dude with awesome hair, amazing eyes and a sweet smile finished 10th.
Ironically the winning entry that year was from my own country!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: aja675 on 02/02/16 at 2:13 am
I'm personally a fan of this song contest.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 02/08/16 at 4:37 am
Spain's 2016 Eurovision Song Contest entry has been criticised by a member of the country's top language authority because it is entirely in English.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-35493990
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 02/18/16 at 5:55 am
New rules have been announced for the Eurovision Song Contest in the biggest change to voting since 1975.
In previous years each country's jury and public votes were combined and announced in one go.
Now the votes will be split with each country's jury vote cast first, and votes from viewers in all countries combined and announced at the end.
Organisers say this will create a "dramatic finish" as the winner will be only be revealed at the very end.
In previous years the winner has been known for up to 20 minutes before the end of voting.
"This format change will inject a new level of excitement into the finish of the Eurovision Song Contest," said Martin Österdahl, Executive Producer for this year's show.
The new voting format means that the song which is most popular among the public will receive 12 points regardless of how the juries voted.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35602473
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 02/18/16 at 12:53 pm
The Swedish entrant of 1980! <3 <3 <3
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 02/27/16 at 3:05 pm
Pop duo Joe and Jake have been selected to represent the UK at May's Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden. The singers, both former contestants on The Voice UK, won a public vote with You're Not Alone, an uptempo, piano-driven song "about unity and love".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35670087
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/03/16 at 5:37 am
They said it was a one-off when Guy Sebastian represented Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna last year.
But the EBU reference group - the contest's governing body - voted unanimously for Australia to take part again and now it's been revealed that its singer will be Dami Im.
The South Korea-born singer won the X Factor down under in 2013 and has hit the top of the charts in Australia.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/12/16 at 2:10 am
Joe And Jake, the duo representing the UK at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, have signed a record deal. Sony Music Entertainment UK will now put out future releases from the pair - whose full names are Joe Woolford and Jake Shakeshaft. The duo's single You're Not Alone won the public vote on the BBC's Eurovision: You Decide show last month. They will now perform the single at the grand final of the contest in Sweden in May.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/12/16 at 3:08 am
Earlier this week the Dutch entry was revealed:
Douwe Bob - Slow Down
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vytgHD2pqyk
It's OK, but I don't see it making the final.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/12/16 at 3:16 am
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cd/Eurovision_2016_Official_Logo.jpg
The Eurovision Song Contest 2016 will be the 61st edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It will take place in the Stockholm, Sweden.
Semi-final 2 date: 12 May 2016
Semi-final 1 date: 10 May 2016
Final date: 14 May 2016
Withdrawing countries: Portugal
Have Portugal done the right thing?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 03/12/16 at 5:56 am
Very likely, Philip. It's no longer all about the music, it's about politics and partisan voting. It's no fun anymore.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/12/16 at 5:58 am
Very likely, Philip. It's no longer all about the music, it's about politics and partisan voting. It's no fun anymore.
New rules for Scoring has been announced last month.
New rules have been announced for the Eurovision Song Contest in the biggest change to voting since 1975.
In previous years each country's jury and public votes were combined and announced in one go.
Now the votes will be split with each country's jury vote cast first, and votes from viewers in all countries combined and announced at the end.
Organisers say this will create a "dramatic finish" as the winner will be only be revealed at the very end.
In previous years the winner has been known for up to 20 minutes before the end of voting.
"This format change will inject a new level of excitement into the finish of the Eurovision Song Contest," said Martin Österdahl, Executive Producer for this year's show.
The new voting format means that the song which is most popular among the public will receive 12 points regardless of how the juries voted.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35602473
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 03/12/16 at 10:53 am
If only they'd done that in 1980!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/12/16 at 11:13 am
If only they'd done that in 1980!
...and every other year since, bearing in mind, all went fine for Katrina and the Waves in 1997 for the British entry.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: whistledog on 03/13/16 at 2:45 pm
One of the runners for the Switzerland entry was 'Have A Little Faith in Me' by Evelyn Zangger. As I am a BIG fan of hers, I had hoped she would end up being the Swiss entry, but she was eliminated :(
The only other name I recognize so far when viewing entries for the contest is Ireland's Nicky Byrne of Westlife
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/21/16 at 12:48 pm
Eurovision fans, rejoice. Because there could be a version of the song contest for Asia-Pacific nations, according to Australian broadcaster SBS. They said they had secured an exclusive option to bring the show to the region - and that the first one could be next year. Eurovision Asia would see songwriters and performers from 20 countries compete in the contest, the first of which would be held in Australia.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: aja675 on 03/28/16 at 9:38 am
2HpIRDk0AwY
I've had this song memorized ever since I was 12. I remember that my classmates told me, "Stop singing this Japanese song, for all we know it might have swearing in it."
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 03/28/16 at 12:45 pm
...and every other year since, bearing in mind, all went fine for Katrina and the Waves in 1985 for the British entry.
1997 actually, Philip. Even I know that!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/28/16 at 2:08 pm
1997 actually, Philip. Even I know that!
Sorry, typo here, I typed the year of Katrina and the Waves other big hit "Watching On Sunshine" not 1997.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 03/28/16 at 3:43 pm
Still in love with a certain 1980 entrant!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 04/11/16 at 1:15 pm
Eurovision has somehow out-Eurovisioned itself with the latest plan from Belarus act Ivan – who aims to perform his song naked with live wolves on stage. The 21 year-old singer can be seen rehearsing his act in footage from LifeNews, totally in the buff with a wolf who occasionally seems to bite at him.
http://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/eurovision-2016-belarus-act-ivan-aims-to-perform-naked-with-live-wolves-on-stage-a3223006.html
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 04/22/16 at 6:38 am
Romania has been expelled from the Eurovision Song Contest after its national broadcaster failed to pay outstanding debts dating back to 2007. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) claimed the Romanian public service broadcaster Televiziunea Romana (TVR) owes 16 million Swiss francs. The EBU described the action to exclude Romania from next month's contest in Sweden as "regrettable". Romania has never won the contest, with its best result being third in 2010.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36111208
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 04/22/16 at 6:39 am
Romania has been expelled from the Eurovision Song Contest after its national broadcaster failed to pay outstanding debts dating back to 2007. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) claimed the Romanian public service broadcaster Televiziunea Romana (TVR) owes 16 million Swiss francs. The EBU described the action to exclude Romania from next month's contest in Sweden as "regrettable". Romania has never won the contest, with its best result being third in 2010.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36111208
That's one less country to give us a better chance of winning?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 05/01/16 at 4:03 am
I like this year's British entry by Joe and Jake (or is it Jake and Joe?). I remember Joe from when he was on The Voice - we thought he stood a chance of winning.
I also heard the Slovenian entry yesterday on Graham Norton's radio show and thought it was ok.
Henk what is the Dutch song like this year?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 05/01/16 at 2:35 pm
I no longer keep up with it but naturally I want Nicky Byrne to win and I don't even like Westlife!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/06/16 at 4:40 am
I like this year's British entry by Joe and Jake (or is it Jake and Joe?). I remember Joe from when he was on The Voice - we thought he stood a chance of winning.
I also heard the Slovenian entry yesterday on Graham Norton's radio show and thought it was ok.
Henk what is the Dutch song like this year?
As posted earlier:
Earlier this week the Dutch entry was revealed:
Douwe Bob - Slow Down
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vytgHD2pqyk
It's OK, but I don't see it making the final.
According to the bookies it should be able to make the final. But then, what do bookies know?
Singer Douwe Bob has placed a bet on him winning the contest. I don't see that happening. Like, ever.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 05/06/16 at 12:54 pm
I quite liked that song, but I'm not sure it's winning material.
Though these days I'm not sure what is!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/10/16 at 10:00 am
Tonight is the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest from Stockholm in Sweden. Eighteen acts take to the stage, but only ten will make it through to the grand final on Saturday.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 05/10/16 at 3:32 pm
The contest was better before that semi final nonsense. Just like the football league was before the playoffs began.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/10/16 at 5:10 pm
The contest was better before that semi final nonsense. Just like the football league was before the playoffs began.
I gave up watching the first semi-final, I am keeping the glory of the show for Saturday.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/11/16 at 3:56 am
Russia and the Netherlands have made it through to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest following the first semi-final on Tuesday night. Russian star Sergey Lazarev is widely tipped to win on Saturday with his techno ballad, You Are The Only One. The country traditionally places highly in the competition, but was beaten to second place by Sweden's Mans Zelmerlow last year. However, the semi saw Iceland fail to qualify for the second year in a row. A total of 18 countries took part in Tuesday's competition, but only 10 made it through to the Grand Final. They were Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands and Russia.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36264768
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/12/16 at 1:07 pm
Russia and the Netherlands have made it through to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest following the first semi-final on Tuesday night. Russian star Sergey Lazarev is widely tipped to win on Saturday with his techno ballad, You Are The Only One. The country traditionally places highly in the competition, but was beaten to second place by Sweden's Mans Zelmerlow last year. However, the semi saw Iceland fail to qualify for the second year in a row. A total of 18 countries took part in Tuesday's competition, but only 10 made it through to the Grand Final. They were Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands and Russia.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36264768
I must say I was quite surprised to find out "we" made it to the final. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm not expecting much. Then again, I wasn't expecting much of the Common Linnets in 2014, and they ended up being runners up...
Someone pointed out that this is the first time since the introduction of the semi-finals in 2009 that Greece failed to qualify for the final.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/12/16 at 1:22 pm
I must say I was quite surprised to find out "we" made it to the final. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm not expecting much. Then again, I wasn't expecting much of the Common Linnets in 2014, and they ended up being runners up...
Someone pointed out that this is the first time since the introduction of the semi-finals in 2009 that Greece failed to qualify for the final.
As with the other night, I will not be watching tonight's semi-final, the extra programs all seem too much for me, I am keeping my viewing for the final on Saturday.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/12/16 at 2:51 pm
As with the other night, I will not be watching tonight's semi-final, the extra programs all seem too much for me, I am keeping my viewing for the final on Saturday.
You haven't been missing much, so far. ;)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/12/16 at 2:52 pm
You haven't been missing much, so far. ;)
Many thanks for the update.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/12/16 at 3:59 pm
And through to the final are: Latvia...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/12/16 at 3:59 pm
Georgia...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/12/16 at 3:59 pm
Bulgaria...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/12/16 at 4:00 pm
Australia...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/12/16 at 4:00 pm
Ukraine...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/12/16 at 4:00 pm
Serbia...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/12/16 at 4:01 pm
Poland...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/12/16 at 4:01 pm
Israel...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/12/16 at 4:02 pm
Lithuania...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/12/16 at 4:02 pm
...and Belgium.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/12/16 at 4:03 pm
So no Ireland.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/12/16 at 4:04 pm
I no longer keep up with it but naturally I want Nicky Byrne to win and I don't even like Westlife!
Well, I'm sorry to say that he didn't make the final.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/12/16 at 4:05 pm
Australia...
...AUSTRALIA!!!!!!!!!
Yes, I know they were competing, but European?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/12/16 at 4:05 pm
So no Ireland.
No Johnny Logan involvement this year?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/12/16 at 4:07 pm
I like this year's British entry by Joe and Jake (or is it Jake and Joe?). I remember Joe from when he was on The Voice - we thought he stood a chance of winning.
I also heard the Slovenian entry yesterday on Graham Norton's radio show and thought it was ok.
Henk what is the Dutch song like this year?
No Slovenia in the final either. That was one of my favorites from the second semi final. Bummer.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/12/16 at 4:09 pm
No Slovenia in the final either. That was one of my favorites from the second semi final. Bummer.
Saves me listening to before the final
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/14/16 at 6:49 am
Let it be noted that I expect us (i.e. the Netherlands) to end up somewhere between 10th and 15th place. At this point, I'm thinking 14th place. Slightly disappointing to most Douwe Bob-fans, but good enough to continue participating. (After all, a lot of countries did worse than us).
And for the record: I'm also expecting the UK to end up somewhere in bottom-five (again).
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/15/16 at 12:46 am
Phew! This was way more exciting than I expected it to be! Kudos to whoever it was that decided to split the jury votes and televoting this way. Now indeed even that last vote mattered. It didn't help Russia, though, because Ukraine have won the contest.
Let it be noted that I expect us (i.e. the Netherlands) to end up somewhere between 10th and 15th place. At this point, I'm thinking 14th place. Slightly disappointing to most Douwe Bob-fans, but good enough to continue participating. (After all, a lot of countries did worse than us).
And "somewhere between 10th and 15th place" is where we ended up: 11th place, to be precise. Singer Douwe Bob was very disappointed (well, I think every non-winner should be), and he didn't want to talk to the press afterwards. Now that I don't understand.
And for the record: I'm also expecting the UK to end up somewhere in bottom-five (again).
Oh deary me... 24th place it was. So yes, that IS bottom-five. :-[
Also in bottom-five: Spain and Germany. So three of the Big Five countries ending up in the rear again. Germany I can sorta understand, but Spain... didn't see that one coming.
The other Big Five countries did better: Italy took 16th place (I found the tune was too complicated) and France took 6th place.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/16 at 3:44 am
The scoring made a real difference, for me for the better.
I saw the whole broadcast last night and was rooting for Australia (and the rest of the family for Russia).
UK finished as expected, 5th from bottom, the BBC have to rethink on it's stake in ESC. Also, I like the reference to the 'ESCAPE' key on the keyboard standing for Eurovision Song Contest (ESC).
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Paul on 05/15/16 at 3:47 am
UK finished as expected, 5th from bottom, the BBC have to rethink on it's stake in ESC.
Considering the pricey contribution we make to it every year wasn't even mentioned in Whittingdale's recent white paper, I'm not so sure they are...
(And how much is Norton getting for the commentary alone?)
But really, spending an absolute crapload for the ignominy of sinking straight to the bottom every year - it's gotta stop!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/16 at 3:49 am
Considering the pricey contribution we make to it every year wasn't even mentioned in Whittingdale's recent white paper, I'm not so sure they are...
But really, spending an absolute crapload for the ignominy of sinking straight to the bottom every year - it's gotta stop!
Thanks, that is the report I was thinking of when I mentioned the BBC. May be Sky could take it over?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 05/15/16 at 5:01 am
I watched most of the show - missed two or three songs early on.
I thought it was interesting how different the phone voting and jury voting was. Poland only got 7 points from the juries but finished in the top ten or so.
The UK televotes rated the Lithuanian entry the highest.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/16 at 5:06 am
I watched most of the show - missed two or three songs early on.
I thought it was interesting how different the phone voting and jury voting was. Poland only got 7 points from the juries but finished in the top ten or so.
The UK televotes rated the Lithuanian entry the highest.
Of there was Graham Norton's tribute to Sir Terry Wogan.
He said: "Eight years ago, when I was lucky enough to get this job of commentating, Sir Terry very kindly and graciously phoned me, and the only bit of advice he had for me was 'Don't have a drink before song nine'."
"So while the crowd here in the Globe Arena cheer on their home boy, I would urge you back in the UK at home to raise a cup, a mug, a glass, whatever you have in front of you, and give thanks for the man who was, and always will be, the voice of Eurovision, Sir Terry Wogan. Sir Terry, this is song nine," he added.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 05/15/16 at 5:51 am
I had a glass of wine ready
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/16 at 5:55 am
I had a glass of wine ready
The strongest I could have is coffee.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 05/15/16 at 6:58 am
Where did Ireland finish?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/16 at 7:08 am
Where did Ireland finish?
Ireland (Nicky Byrne) did not qualify for the final.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/15/16 at 12:01 pm
The scoring made a real difference, for me for the better.
I totally agree. This was way more exciting.
UK finished as expected, 5th from bottom, the BBC have to rethink on it's stake in ESC. Also, I like the reference to the 'ESCAPE' key on the keyboard standing for Eurovision Song Contest (ESC).
I'm afraid it's even worse than that: UK finished 24th, or 3rd from bottom, whichever you prefer.
I thought it was interesting how different the phone voting and jury voting was. Poland only got 7 points from the juries but finished in the top ten or so.
Poland finished 8th, with 229 points. This is probably due to the fact that Polish migrants are scattered all over Europe, looking for work, which also means they can vote from almost any European country. This has a huge influence on the public vote. Something similar, I think, might explain why Bulgaria finished 4th.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 05/15/16 at 12:10 pm
Thank you, Philip.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 06/02/16 at 12:54 pm
Corry Brokken, the winner of the 1957 Eurovision Song Contest, has died today at the age of 83. :(
After her singing career she focused on a career in law, and eventually was appointed judge in 1990.
She suffered a stroke in 2008, but recovered well from that.
Here she is with the winning song of 1957 "Net Als Toen" (Just Like Then)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5gLyP977ew
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 06/02/16 at 1:48 pm
RIP, Corry.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 06/03/16 at 5:34 am
Corry Brokken, the winner of the 1957 Eurovision Song Contest, has died today at the age of 83. :(
After her singing career she focused on a career in law, and eventually was appointed judge in 1990.
She suffered a stroke in 2008, but recovered well from that.
Here she is with the winning song of 1957 "Net Als Toen" (Just Like Then)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5gLyP977ew
:\'( :\'( :\'(
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: aja675 on 08/23/16 at 4:22 am
As they always do. And if Cyprus were in the final, Greece would have given them 12 points also.
It's the same every year, but to be fair, Sakis is a massive star in both countries. My cousin who lives there is 14 and she's in love with him - she has him on her duvet!! I think it's a little bit creepy... :S 8-P
I was obsessed with him when I was even younger than her.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 08/26/16 at 6:09 am
I get where you are coming from on Eurovision obsessions! I've been besotted with Swedish entrant Tomas Ledin since 1980. It is he on my avatar. I have loads of pictures of him on my hard drive including childhood ones.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 09/09/16 at 8:55 am
2017 Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Kiev.
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-37319139
The Ukrainian city of Kiev will host the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, it has been announced, after a fortnight of delays.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 04/14/17 at 2:51 am
Russian broadcaster Channel One will not broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest next month because the country's singer has been barred from host country Ukraine. Russia's decision removes any chance of it competing this year, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said. Ukraine is refusing to allow Julia Samoilova to perform at Eurovision because she has visited Crimea, the peninsula seized by Russia in 2014. The EBU has condemned the ban. It says Ukraine is undermining the non-political nature of the contest.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39596927
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/08/17 at 2:14 pm
Less than a week to the final... Tomorrow there's the first semi final, and on Thursday there's the second (which will also include The Netherlands). Our entry has had a slow start, but is now slowly but steadily rising in polls. By all accounts it should make the final, and possibly even end up in Top 10. Here it is: O'G3NE (pronounced O-GENE) with "Lights and Shadows", a tribute to their mother who is suffering from bone cancer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8nj5ZD5Fy8
There's also footage of the rehearsals on YouTube, with amazing vocals by the sisters, but the audio doesn't do them right because of the lack of audience.
It is worth noting that sisters Lisa, Amy and Shelley Vol do not use any backing vocalists. It is just the three of them on stage.
And they already have Eurovision experience, since they also participated in the Junior edition in 2007.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/08/17 at 4:19 pm
Here's the UK entry: Never Give Up On You by Lucie Jones.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac5xNUfzCY4
I think this song has a big chance of making Top 5, having watched Lucies performance in the dress rehearsal. Not particularly fond of her dress for the evening, though.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/08/17 at 4:24 pm
One of the favorites to win this year's ESC is Italy. Not quite your classic ballad...
Occidentali's Karma by Francesco Gabbani
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj6tVGKzfhU
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/08/17 at 4:34 pm
And then there's this: City Lights by Blanche.
The song has massive potential, and so has the 17-year old Belgian singer... But alas: it seems like nerves are getting the better of her in Kyiv, and as a result she's not doing well in polls.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbomdE81_mA
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/10/17 at 12:27 am
After seeing last evening's Semi Final, there is one song that particularly stood out from me - and it's not from the usual suspects.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0td62XxnjBk
Portugal has entered ESC 49 times, and has yet to win. I'm thinking 2017 may be their year. 8)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/13/17 at 4:55 am
Latest polls suggest that Portugal has overtaken Italy as a favorite for the win. But that's just polls, right?
As for The Netherlands, we could end up anywhere between 7th and 12th place.
With the running order in mind (The Netherlands is 6th to perform) I expect we'll end up just outside Top 10.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/13/17 at 5:00 am
Latest polls suggest that Portugal has overtaken Italy as a favorite for the win. But that's just polls, right?
As for The Netherlands, we could end up anywhere between 7th and 12th place.
With the running order in mind (The Netherlands is 6th to perform) I expect we'll end up just outside Top 10.
Yes, it all happens tonight, and I will not be able to watch it.
I have heard the British entry, and let's say it will not win.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/13/17 at 5:22 am
Latest polls suggest that Portugal has overtaken Italy as a favorite for the win. But that's just polls, right?
It is interesting that Portugal are favourites when today is the 100th anniversary of first apparition of Our Lady of Fátima in Fátima, Portugal.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/13/17 at 5:25 am
Yes, it all happens tonight, and I will not be able to watch it.
I have heard the British entry, and let's say it will not win.
No, not a favorite to win, but I'm expecting Lucie to end up in bottom half of Top 10.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/13/17 at 5:29 am
No, not a favorite to win, but I'm expecting Lucie to end up in bottom half of Top 10.
O0
Has the very European country of Australia qualified again?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/13/17 at 6:13 am
O0
Has the very European country of Australia qualified again?
Yes, they have. Their entry is sung by 17-year old Isaiah. He's one of three 17-year olds in this competition, the other two being Blanche (representing Belgium) and Kristian Kostov (representing Bulgaria). The latter two will most likely end up in Top 10, but I'm not so sure about Isaiah.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 05/13/17 at 3:03 pm
My country is not in it so no interest.
Take care, guys, been great interacting.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/13/17 at 7:41 pm
Latest polls suggest that Portugal has overtaken Italy as a favorite for the win. But that's just polls, right?
Hurrah for Portugal the winners!
The song harkens back to 50s/60s, it made a welcome change to hear.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/14/17 at 1:08 am
Latest polls suggest that Portugal has overtaken Italy as a favorite for the win. But that's just polls, right?
As for The Netherlands, we could end up anywhere between 7th and 12th place.
With the running order in mind (The Netherlands is 6th to perform) I expect we'll end up just outside Top 10.
Polls were right: Portugal has won - and by quite a margin! Italy didn't even make Top 5...
I was right about The Netherlands: 11th place, only 8 points behind 10th place. Almost identical to our 2016 result. Maybe we'd hoped for a little more, but in all it's not a bad result.
No, not a favorite to win, but I'm expecting Lucie to end up in bottom half of Top 10.
Seems I got that one wrong. Lucie ended up in 15th place. (Not my fault: I voted for her)
Yes, they have. Their entry is sung by 17-year old Isaiah. He's one of three 17-year olds in this competition, the other two being Blanche (representing Belgium) and Kristian Kostov (representing Bulgaria). The latter two will most likely end up in Top 10, but I'm not so sure about Isaiah.
Nearly spot-on. All three acts made Top 10, but for Australia it was all thanks to the juries. Televoters only gave Australia 2 (yes, TWO) points - by which they would've ended up in bottom-five, but juries gave them 171 points. That's quite the difference.
Bulgaria took 2nd place, and Belgium took 4th place.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/14/17 at 1:11 am
In related news: Israel announced it will no longer be able to participate in ESC, as tv-station IBA will no longer broadcast the event (one of the conditions for participating). That was a sad moment. :(
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/14/17 at 9:04 am
Austria was the only country to get the dreaded "zero points" from the televoters. Lucky for them, the juries showed more mercy, so they didn't end up dead last.
Bottom two places were reserved for Spain (5 points from televotes, 0 from juries) and Germany (3 points from televotes, 3 points from juries). Especially Spain's entry was very weak and repetitive. Makes you wonder why they even bothered...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/17 at 12:28 am
Austria was the only country to get the dreaded "zero points" from the televoters. Lucky for them, the juries showed more mercy, so they didn't end up dead last.
Bottom two places were reserved for Spain (5 points from televotes, 0 from juries) and Germany (3 points from televotes, 3 points from juries). Especially Spain's entry was very weak and repetitive. Makes you wonder why they even bothered...
I noticed on the scoreboard results on the ESC website that Spain gave Portugal the maximum 12 points, where as Portugal only gave Spain 5 points, so much for neighbourhood love?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/16/17 at 12:21 am
I noticed on the scoreboard results on the ESC website that Spain gave Portugal the maximum 12 points, where as Portugal only gave Spain 5 points, so much for neighbourhood love?
Well, if it hadn't been for Portugal, Spain would've ended up with zero points... The Spanish entry just was a total miss!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/16/17 at 1:00 am
Well, if it hadn't been for Portugal, Spain would've ended up with zero points... The Spanish entry just was a total miss!
O0
I had not properly realised that.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 06/07/17 at 2:14 am
Dutch Former ESC Contestant Sandra Reemer Dies
Dutch singer Sandra Reemer has died on Tuesday, June 6, at the age of 66. She had been battling breast cancer for a couple of months.
She entered the ESC three times as a singer and once as a backup vocalist. Her best result was a fourth place in 1972, as one half of the duo Sandra & Andres (Andres = Dries Holten) with "Als Het Om De Liefde Gaat".
She returned to the ESC stage in 1976, as a solo performer with "The Party Is Over" (9th place) and in 1979 as Xandra with "Colorado" (12th place). The latter became a Top-5 hit in seven countries, but only reached #37 in The Netherlands.
In 1983, she sang backing vocals on "Sing Me A Song", the ESC entry for The Netherlands that year, as performed by Bernadette.
From 1975 to 1991, she shared her life with producer Ferdi Bolland. The couple had no children.
Sandra & Andres - Als Het Om De Liefde Gaat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1M6DbTwj98
Sandra - The Party Is Over
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGTEkQn-Xy4
Xandra - Colorado
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BzPaQM3Z3w
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 12/11/17 at 8:49 am
After finishing ninth at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, Australia is upping its game for 2018. Pop star Jessica Mauboy will represent her country in Lisbon next May, broadcaster SBS announced on Monday. The 28-year-old instantly becomes one of the most current, established artists to take part in recent years. Mauboy, who is the first indigenous artist to reach number one on the Australian album charts, said she would "sing my heart out for Australia". She added: "I'm so proud to be officially representing my country and a little bit nervous - mainly about the dress!" The star previously appeared at the 2014 Eurovision semi-final in Denmark, playing the song Sea of Flags during the interval.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42310081
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 01/24/18 at 7:13 am
UK unveils 2018 Eurovision Song Contest hopefuls
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42800985
The six acts and songs that will battle for the honour of representing the UK at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Portugal have been unveiled. They include two former contestants on The Voice UK, a 16-year-old Britain's Got Talent finalist and a two-time Eurovision backing singer. All will perform live on 7 February in Eurovision: You Decide, where one will be chosen to compete in Lisbon in May.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/03/18 at 9:14 am
UK unveils 2018 Eurovision Song Contest hopefuls
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42800985
The six acts and songs that will battle for the honour of representing the UK at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Portugal have been unveiled. They include two former contestants on The Voice UK, a 16-year-old Britain's Got Talent finalist and a two-time Eurovision backing singer. All will perform live on 7 February in Eurovision: You Decide, where one will be chosen to compete in Lisbon in May.
And the backing singer won. Good luck to SuRie! (She'll be needing it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLGEx2x8xoo
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/03/18 at 9:24 am
And while we're at it... here's the Dutch entry for 2018.
Waylon - Outlaw In 'Em
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TowcElmyek
I'll admit it: I was pleasantly surprised when I first heard it.
Waylon isn't new to the ESC stage: he was part of The Common Linnets back in 2014, when we were robbed of a first place by an Austrian guy in a dress. ::)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/21/18 at 7:55 am
Former Eurovision Song Contest host Katie Boyle has died at her home aged 91, her agent has said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43472264
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 03/27/18 at 5:47 pm
Sad, Philip. I read her autobiography some years ago. A great read and an interesting woman.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/28/18 at 12:21 am
Eurovision: First winner Lys Assia dies aged 94
The first person to win the Eurovision Song Contest, Lys Assia, has died at the age of 94, competition organisers have announced.
She took the prize for Switzerland in 1956, with the song Refrain, and went on to perform in two more contests.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyqIPvOkiRk
Lys Assia died on Saturday at the Zollikerberg Hospital in Zurich.
Eurovision described her as the "first lady" of the competition, and said it planned further tributes to her in the coming days.
Assia's triumph in the first-ever Eurovision came in Lugano, Switzerland. She finished eighth in the 1957 contest but achieved more success a year later, coming second with her song, Giorgio.
(more to this story: bbc news)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/11/18 at 1:52 am
And The Netherlands are through to the final! :D
Sadly, two of my personal favorites have already been eliminated:
Sennek - A Matter Of Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DGf9TMehi0
Laura Rizzotto - Funny Girl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBlZsGxeXk4
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/12/18 at 5:26 am
I do not know if I will be in a position to watch Eurovision tonight, and my money is on Israel for the winner.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/12/18 at 3:02 pm
Who was that running onto the stage, interrupting the UK song?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/13/18 at 7:58 am
I do not know if I will be in a position to watch Eurovision tonight, and my money is on Israel for the winner.
got it in one!
Israel's Netta has won the Eurovision Song Contest for her quirky dance song Toy - complete with its trademark chicken dance.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44096900
A man stormed the stage, grabbing SuRie's microphone at the competition in Lisbon. The singer was left visibly shaken, but managed to complete her performance. The European Broadcasting Union said: "The person responsible is currently in police custody." SuRie declined to perform again, saying there was "absolutely no reason to" because she and her team were "extremely proud of her performance". It is thought the same man invaded the stage at the National
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/entertainment-arts-44096520/eurovision-uk-s-surie-carries-on-after-stage-invasion
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/13/18 at 8:32 am
got it in one!
Israel's Netta has won the Eurovision Song Contest for her quirky dance song Toy - complete with its trademark chicken dance.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44096900
A man stormed the stage, grabbing SuRie's microphone at the competition in Lisbon. The singer was left visibly shaken, but managed to complete her performance. The European Broadcasting Union said: "The person responsible is currently in police custody." SuRie declined to perform again, saying there was "absolutely no reason to" because she and her team were "extremely proud of her performance". It is thought the same man invaded the stage at the National
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/entertainment-arts-44096520/eurovision-uk-s-surie-carries-on-after-stage-invasion
I don't think it would have made much difference for SuRie, had she chosen to perform again. She would never have made Top 10, IMHO.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/13/18 at 8:39 am
I don't think it would have made much difference for SuRie, had she chosen to perform again. She would never have made Top 10, IMHO.
We think so too, it would made no difference. SuRie song seemed better that previous UK entries, but usual result?
It will be interesting after Brexit next year?
Officially, it is (and should) down to the song alone, not the performance, I feel that now the contest should be held on radio only, so vocals and music is only heard, and the song is judged that way. Like the Voice on television.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/13/18 at 8:54 am
For what it's worth: I don't get the appeal of "Fuego" (Cyprus). As far as I'm concerned, it's a pretty generic tune. :-\\
Same goes for "Dance You Off" (Sweden). After hearing it two times or more it just gets boring and bland.
If I had my way, the results would have been as follows:
1. BONES - Equinox (What? Only 14th? :o)
2. NON MI AVETE FATTO NIENTE - Ermal Meta & Fabrizio Moro
3. TOY - Netta
4. YOU LET ME WALK ALONE - Michael Schulte
5. LA FORZA - Elena Nechayeva
6. UNDER THE LADDER - Mélovin (Really deserved more than just 17th place)
7. MALL - Eugent Bushpepa
8. OUTLAW IN 'EM - Waylon
9. NOBODY BUT YOU - Cesár Sampson
10. MERCY - Madame Monsieur
11. O JARDIM - Cláudia Pascoal (Definitely did NOT deserve to end last)
12. MONSTERS - Saara Aalto (Second-to-last seems a bit harsh on Saara)
13. LIE TO ME - Mikolas Josef
14. VISZLAT NYAR - AWS
15. MY LUCKY DAY - DoReDoS
16. TU CANCION - Amaya i Alfred
17. WE GOT LOVE - Jessica Mauboy (Not the best performance we've seen from Australia)
18. DANCE YOU OFF - Benjamin Ingrosso (Boring!)
19. FUEGO - Eleni Foureira
20. HIGHER GROUND - Rasmussen (Was it just me, or WAS he singing out of tune? ???)
21. THAT'S HOW YOU WRITE A SONG - Alexander Rybak
22. NOVA DECA - Sanja Ilic & Balkanika
23. TOGETHER - Ryan O'Shaughnessy (Think away the dancers, and there's nothing left)
24. STORM - SuRie
25. WHEN WE'RE OLD - Ieva Zasimauskaite (Sorry, but I find her voice very annoying)
26. HVALA, NE! - Lea Sirk (No. Just no)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/13/18 at 8:57 am
I was falling during the points giving session, and woke up to the result for the winner in the morning.
Some songs last night sounded like Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith, I cannot remember which ones.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/13/18 at 9:02 am
We think so too, it would made no difference. SuRie song seemed better that previous UK entries, but usual result?
I disagree. I actually preferred Lucie Jones (2017). Although in all honesty: I don't really remember the other UK entries. :-
It will be interesting after Brexit next year?
Nothing will change, I predict.
Officially, it is (and should) down to the song alone, not the performance, I feel that now the contest should be held on radio only, so vocals and music is only heard, and the song is judged that way. Like the Voice on television.
Yeah, but that wouldn't be very interesting to WATCH, would it? It is called EuroVISION for a reason! ;)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/13/18 at 9:05 am
I was falling during the points giving session, and woke up to the result for the winner in the morning.
Some songs last night sounded like Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith, I cannot remember which ones.
I think you're thinking of Michael Schulte "You Let Me Walk Alone" and/or Cesár Sampson "Nobody But You" , who finished 4th and 3rd respectively.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp27Ggo_edo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8MyztgOTv8
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/13/18 at 9:08 am
I disagree. I actually preferred Lucie Jones (2017). Although in all honesty: I don't really remember the other UK entries. :-
Nothing will change, I predict.Come to think of... But still how come Australia?
Yeah, but that wouldn't be very interesting to WATCH, would it? It is called EuroVISION for a reason! ;)
Euroaudial...? Yes the program has to be a show to attach the viewers, etc?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: aja675 on 05/13/18 at 10:19 am
I do not know if I will be in a position to watch Eurovision tonight, and my money is on Israel for the winner.
Did you watch? (Personally, I did. I thought that I might not get enough sleep, but that wasn't the case. :D)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/13/18 at 10:23 am
Did you watch? (Personally, I did. I thought that I might not get enough sleep, but that wasn't the case. :D)
Yes, I did did to watch the whole of it, except from around halfway though the points awarding, I was sleepy. I did learn the result in the morning.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/13/18 at 10:33 am
In a way, nothing much has changed over the years, with Portugal and Finland battling for last position. :D
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/13/18 at 10:36 am
In a way, nothing much has changed over the years, with Portugal and Finland battling for last position. :D
...embarrassing yes, as Portugal as the host country?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: aja675 on 10/28/18 at 9:49 am
http://www.diggiloo.net/?1994is
DujvIZLcZZQ
Some Icelandic entry I've been obsessed with.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 10/31/18 at 5:21 am
DujvIZLcZZQ
Some Icelandic entry I've been obsessed with.
The song finished at 12th place with 49 points in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest.
Subject: Re: The Eurovison Song Contest Ukraine's woes deepen as more singers pull out
Written By: Philip Eno on 02/27/19 at 11:03 am
Ukraine's Eurovision woes deepen as more singers pull out
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-47375571
Ukraine may have to pull out of the Eurovision Song Contest after several acts refused to represent the country at this year's event. Things started to go awry at the weekend, when the public chose 27-year-old pop star Maruv as their entry. But she refused to sign a contract with the state broadcaster following a row about her performing in Russia.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/18/19 at 5:23 pm
And then there's this:
Duncan Laurence - Arcade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eztx7Wr8PtE
It's the bookmakers' hot favourite to win this year's ESC. And the most amazing thing: it's the Dutch entry! :o :o It seems like, for the first time in 44 years, we actually stand a chance of winning...
Subject: Madonna 'to play two songs' at Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv
Written By: Philip Eno on 04/09/19 at 5:33 am
Madonna 'to play two songs' at Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-47864171
Madonna is set to play two songs during the interval of the Eurovision Song Contest in Israel next month. The pop icon will reach more than 180 million viewers when she takes to the stage in Tel Aviv on 18 May. Her appearance was first announced by local promoters Live Nation Israel, who said the performance would be "both historical and hysterical".
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 04/09/19 at 11:40 am
I lost interest years ago.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 04/09/19 at 11:45 am
I lost interest years ago.
In truth, I lost the viewing interest when Australia were allowed into this European Song Contest.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/12/19 at 10:14 am
So this time next week, the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest should be known. I am still in two minds to watch it or not, for on that weekend London potentially be having a Tube Strike so travelling around on public transport will be chaos.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/19 at 1:05 am
Australia will take part in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest for the fifth year running after making it through this year's first semi-final.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/19 at 6:33 am
Sophie Ellis-Bextor leaves UK's Eurovision Song Contest jury
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-48279682
Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor has left the UK's jury for the Eurovision Song Contest. She had been due to chair the five-strong panel, which helps decide the UK's scores.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/17/19 at 12:28 am
Meanwhile, Duncan Laurence's "Arcade" is still the favorite to win the competition.
The Dutch singer will be the 12th act on stage this Saturday evening. Fingers crossed!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/17/19 at 12:30 am
Meanwhile, Duncan Laurence's "Arcade" is still the favorite to win the competition.
The Dutch singer will be the 12th act on stage this Saturday evening. Fingers crossed!
Good luck with that.
As always, the UK stands no chance.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/17/19 at 1:09 am
Madonna 'to play two songs' at Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-47864171
Madonna is set to play two songs during the interval of the Eurovision Song Contest in Israel next month. The pop icon will reach more than 180 million viewers when she takes to the stage in Tel Aviv on 18 May. Her appearance was first announced by local promoters Live Nation Israel, who said the performance would be "both historical and hysterical".
She has brought in many props for the two songs, and there is talk of an elephant on the stage...
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/18/19 at 1:58 am
Good luck with that.
As always, the UK stands no chance.
The UK entry is co-written by John Lundvik, who also happens to sing the Swedish entry this year... I know which one of the two * I * prefer. ::)
Michael Rice may be a nice guy, but he's not that much of a singer TBH. That, plus a song that's hardly groundbreaking, will probably mean the UK will find itself competing for last place (once again).
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/18/19 at 2:03 am
And just because I can: here is Duncan Laurence performing "Arcade" in the second semi-final, last Thursday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F_FrLDpt30
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/18/19 at 2:14 am
The UK entry is co-written by John Lundvik, who also happens to sing the Swedish entry this year... I know which one of the two * I * prefer. ::)
Very curious, it almost takes us back to the Johnny Logan days?
I may end up watching it, I will not preview any of the songs (even though I have heard the UK entry), and react to the songs on my initial hearing.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/18/19 at 10:09 am
So I've had a listen to all 26 songs that qualified for the final tonight (yeah, too much time on my hands), and here's my opinion (in running order):
1. Michela – Chameleon (Malta)
Quite alright, and she doesn’t look too bad either. Probably somewhere around 13th place.
2. Jonida Maliqi – Ktheju Tokës (Albania)
One of the few artists performing in their native language. The singer was struggling to keep her voice in tune in the semi-final, so I’m not very hopeful (bottom 5). Too bad, else it might have ended up in Top 10.
3. Lake Malawi – Friend Of A Friend (Czech Republic)
I’m liking this, and I also love the visuals. Not much to dislike, but maybe it will prove too bleak in comparison to other performances. Hopefully bottom half of Top 10.
4. S!sters – Sister (Germany)
Great voices, but not much else going on. I think they could’ve done a lot better with the visuals. I think this deserves a spot in top 15 (between 10 and 16th place).
5. Sergey Lazarev – Scream (Russia)
Too much drama for me, which makes it slightly over-the-top and less credible. On the other hand: it’s Russia. This is bound to end up in Top 10, if not Top 5.
6. Leonora – Love Is Forever (Denmark)
Time for a short sanitary break, I’m afraid. Easily forgettable tune, and too much sugar coating for me. Thanks, but I’ll pass. This will end up somewhere around 20th place, I expect.
7. Serhat – Say Na Na Na (San Marino)
What?!? San Marino made the final?!? Yep, they did – and they’re doing everything in their power as not to win the darn competition as well. By sending an incompetent singer, for instance. If Serhat’s performance in the semi-final is anything to go by, this will end dead last.
8. Tamara Todevska – Proud (North Macedonia)
The country formerly known as Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has sent a more than competent singer – that’s not the problem here. The problem is the song: it’s nothing special, really. That is why I foresee this ending somewhere around 17th place.
9. John Lundvik – Too Late For Love (Sweden)
Now we’re getting somewhere! The singer kinda reminds me of Lionel Richie (not vocally, but in the way he looks). Sweden have done their homework once again. Top 5, for sure.
10. Zala Kralj & Gašper Šanti – Sebi (Slovenia)
This cute young couple are also singing in heir native language. That doesn’t help here: there’s no distinguishable chorus to speak of, not even a hook to sing or hum along. Add the poor staging, and this wil easily end up in bottom half (somewhere between 15 and 20, I assume).
11. Tamta- Replay (Cyprus)
Taking off your clothes always helps, apparently. In spite of the inevitable 12 points from Greece, this will not win. Maybe just scraping the Top 10, if she can keep it in tune.
12. Duncan Laurence – Arcade (The Netherlands)
Has been consistently #1 in all polls. I don’t really see what could go wrong tonight (even the unfortunate position in running order can’t hinder us, I think).
13. Katerine Duska – Better Love (Greece)
There’s a lot happening on stage, and most of it doesn’t make any sense. The visuals remind me of Tears for Fears’ “Sowing The Seeds of Love”. However, distraction is needed because the vocals are not up to par. Maybe Top 10 (just!), or maybe this ends up another Greek drama.
14. Kobi Marimi – Home (Israel)
Kobi is a great singer, no doubt about that – but the song is not so great. This power ballad will probably end up where it started: around 14th place.
15. KEiiNO – Spirit In The Sky (Norway)
An upbeat song, cleverly combined with some ethnic chanting. This wil probably guarantee them a place in (bottom half of) Top 10.
16. Michael Rice – Bigger Than Us (United Kingdom)
Where to start? Just about everything about this song is wrong: the staging, the visuals, the singer and the outfit. There’s nothing to see here, except for a poorly dressed, slightly overweight singer, with shoes too small to carry the song. Bound to end up in bottom-3.
17. Hatari – Hatrið Mon Sigra (Iceland)
Yet another song “sung” in a native language, with a singer that looks like Jedward on acid. Love it or hate it, but it’s definitely different. Not much love from the jurys, I suppose. That’s why I don’t see this ending up any higher than 15th place.
18. Victor Crone – Storm (Estonia)
I’m not really sure how this made it to the final. Not much wrong with the song, in this case, although it’s quite generic. The vocals, however – that’s a different story altogether. They’re feeble, to put it mildly. If he doesn’t shape up, this will end in bottom-5.
19. Zena – Like It (Belarus)
Like it? No, not really. Very repetitive, this one. Visuals are distracting and make no sense whatsoever. The only positive thing about the performance is the singing: Zena is only 16 years old, and brings the song with conviction. This will end up around 16th place, I guess.
20. Chingiz – Truth (Azerbaijan)
I was distracted by the laser guns, I admit. Setting those aside, this is actually a pretty decent song, and Chingiz is one of the best vocalists on stage tonight. Should make Top 10.
21. Bilal Hassani – Roi (France)
“Quand je rêve je suis un roi”- When I dream I am a king. That’s what Bilal sings. No need to dream anymore, as far as I’m concerned. This is going to be big. In fact, this might just take everyone by suprise tonight. Definitely Top 5, maybe even competing for #1 spot.
22. Mahmood – Soldi (Italy)
Not sure what to make of this. There’s bits that I like, and bits that I don’t. Mahmood is a good vocalist, so I’m thinking this will make Top 10 – probably not Top 5, though.
23. Nevena Božović – Kruna (Serbia)
Another dramatic ballad from the Balkan states – leave it to them to write a decent song. But we’ve heard it all before, and that’s why I think this will not make top 10. Probably 15th place or thereabouts.
24. Luca Hänni – She Got Me (Switzerland)
I’m not particularly a fan of this song, but I can see this make Top 5.
25. Kate Miller-Heidke – Zero Gravity (Australia)
Australia’s done everything right (again). Great performance all around, and great staging. Definitely Top 5.
26. Miki – La Venda (Spain)
Well, it’s been a long night. Let’s end with a little party. An upbeat and up tempo song, but it’s simply too generic for my liking. I’ve heard too many songs similar to this one (and better ones, with that). This might struggle to stay clear of bottom-5.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/18/19 at 10:24 am
So I've had a listen to all 26 songs that qualified for the final tonight (yeah, too much time on my hands), and here's my opinion (in running order):
1. Michela – Chameleon (Malta)
Quite alright, and she doesn’t look too bad either. Probably somewhere around 13th place.
2. Jonida Maliqi – Ktheju Tokës (Albania)
One of the few artists performing in their native language. The singer was struggling to keep her voice in tune in the semi-final, so I’m not very hopeful (bottom 5). Too bad, else it might have ended up in Top 10.
3. Lake Malawi – Friend Of A Friend (Czech Republic)
I’m liking this, and I also love the visuals. Not much to dislike, but maybe it will prove too bleak in comparison to other performances. Hopefully bottom half of Top 10.
4. S!sters – Sister (Germany)
Great voices, but not much else going on. I think they could’ve done a lot better with the visuals. I think this deserves a spot in top 15 (between 10 and 16th place).
5. Sergey Lazarev – Scream (Russia)
Too much drama for me, which makes it slightly over-the-top and less credible. On the other hand: it’s Russia. This is bound to end up in Top 10, if not Top 5.
6. Leonora – Love Is Forever (Denmark)
Time for a short sanitary break, I’m afraid. Easily forgettable tune, and too much sugar coating for me. Thanks, but I’ll pass. This will end up somewhere around 20th place, I expect.
7. Serhat – Say Na Na Na (San Marino)
What?!? San Marino made the final?!? Yep, they did – and they’re doing everything in their power as not to win the darn competition as well. By sending an incompetent singer, for instance. If Serhat’s performance in the semi-final is anything to go by, this will end dead last.
8. Tamara Todevska – Proud (North Macedonia)
The country formerly known as Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has sent a more than competent singer – that’s not the problem here. The problem is the song: it’s nothing special, really. That is why I foresee this ending somewhere around 17th place.
9. John Lundvik – Too Late For Love (Sweden)
Now we’re getting somewhere! The singer kinda reminds me of Lionel Richie (not vocally, but in the way he looks). Sweden have done their homework once again. Top 5, for sure.
10. Zala Kralj & Gašper Šanti – Sebi (Slovenia)
This cute young couple are also singing in heir native language. That doesn’t help here: there’s no distinguishable chorus to speak of, not even a hook to sing or hum along. Add the poor staging, and this wil easily end up in bottom half (somewhere between 15 and 20, I assume).
11. Tamta- Replay (Cyprus)
Taking off your clothes always helps, apparently. In spite of the inevitable 12 points from Greece, this will not win. Maybe just scraping the Top 10, if she can keep it in tune.
12. Duncan Laurence – Arcade (The Netherlands)
Has been consistently #1 in all polls. I don’t really see what could go wrong tonight (even the unfortunate position in running order can’t hinder us, I think).
13. Katerine Duska – Better Love (Greece)
There’s a lot happening on stage, and most of it doesn’t make any sense. The visuals remind me of Tears for Fears’ “Sowing The Seeds of Love”. However, distraction is needed because the vocals are not up to par. Maybe Top 10 (just!), or maybe this ends up another Greek drama.
14. Kobi Marimi – Home (Israel)
Kobi is a great singer, no doubt about that – but the song is not so great. This power ballad will probably end up where it started: around 14th place.
15. KEiiNO – Spirit In The Sky (Norway)
An upbeat song, cleverly combined with some ethnic chanting. This wil probably guarantee them a place in (bottom half of) Top 10.
16. Michael Rice – Bigger Than Us (United Kingdom)
Where to start? Just about everything about this song is wrong: the staging, the visuals, the singer and the outfit. There’s nothing to see here, except for a poorly dressed, slightly overweight singer, with shoes too small to carry the song. Bound to end up in bottom-3.
17. Hatari – Hatrið Mon Sigra (Iceland)
Yet another song “sung” in a native language, with a singer that looks like Jedward on acid. Love it or hate it, but it’s definitely different. Not much love from the jurys, I suppose. That’s why I don’t see this ending up any higher than 15th place.
18. Victor Crone – Storm (Estonia)
I’m not really sure how this made it to the final. Not much wrong with the song, in this case, although it’s quite generic. The vocals, however – that’s a different story altogether. They’re feeble, to put it mildly. If he doesn’t shape up, this will end in bottom-5.
19. Zena – Like It (Belarus)
Like it? No, not really. Very repetitive, this one. Visuals are distracting and make no sense whatsoever. The only positive thing about the performance is the singing: Zena is only 16 years old, and brings the song with conviction. This will end up around 16th place, I guess.
20. Chingiz – Truth (Azerbaijan)
I was distracted by the laser guns, I admit. Setting those aside, this is actually a pretty decent song, and Chingiz is one of the best vocalists on stage tonight. Should make Top 10.
21. Bilal Hassani – Roi (France)
“Quand je rêve je suis un roi”- When I dream I am a king. That’s what Bilal sings. No need to dream anymore, as far as I’m concerned. This is going to be big. In fact, this might just take everyone by suprise tonight. Definitely Top 5, maybe even competing for #1 spot.
22. Mahmood – Soldi (Italy)
Not sure what to make of this. There’s bits that I like, and bits that I don’t. Mahmood is a good vocalist, so I’m thinking this will make Top 10 – probably not Top 5, though.
23. Nevena Božović – Kruna (Serbia)
Another dramatic ballad from the Balkan states – leave it to them to write a decent song. But we’ve heard it all before, and that’s why I think this will not make top 10. Probably 15th place or thereabouts.
24. Luca Hänni – She Got Me (Switzerland)
I’m not particularly a fan of this song, but I can see this make Top 5.
25. Kate Miller-Heidke – Zero Gravity (Australia)
Australia’s done everything right (again). Great performance all around, and great staging. Definitely Top 5.
26. Miki – La Venda (Spain)
Well, it’s been a long night. Let’s end with a little party. An upbeat and up tempo song, but it’s simply too generic for my liking. I’ve heard too many songs similar to this one (and better ones, with that). This might struggle to stay clear of bottom-5.
Thank you.
I will compare your ratings with mine later tonight when ESC is on.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 05/18/19 at 10:31 am
No national interest in it for me anyway.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/18/19 at 10:34 am
I wonder tonight will the 12 points from the UK go to Australia or Israel, both technically non-European?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/18/19 at 12:49 pm
Very curious, it almost takes us back to the Johnny Logan days?
I may end up watching it, I will not preview any of the songs (even though I have heard the UK entry), and react to the songs on my initial hearing.
I have it worked out now, have the radio coverage on the computer and have the television still on in the other room, so I can get the visual image of the singers/groups, even though, the voting is technically for the song alone.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/18/19 at 2:01 pm
I have it worked out now, have the radio coverage on the computer and have the television still on in the other room, so I can get the visual image of the singers/groups, even though, the voting is technically for the song alone.
It's on till midnight!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/18/19 at 4:34 pm
Firstly my Wi-Fi let me down, it went off just before the UK entry.
There is Madonna to look forward too...
Many of the songs tonight sounded like other previous released songs. The Israeli song sound like "Shallow" (Oscar winner song) in chords of the song.
My choice for the winner:
Sweden
The Netherlands
Germany
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/18/19 at 4:57 pm
Madonna is on stage now!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/18/19 at 6:06 pm
So I've had a listen to all 26 songs that qualified for the final tonight (yeah, too much time on my hands), and here's my opinion (in running order):
1. Michela – Chameleon (Malta)
Quite alright, and she doesn’t look too bad either. Probably somewhere around 13th place.
2. Jonida Maliqi – Ktheju Tokës (Albania)
One of the few artists performing in their native language. The singer was struggling to keep her voice in tune in the semi-final, so I’m not very hopeful (bottom 5). Too bad, else it might have ended up in Top 10.
3. Lake Malawi – Friend Of A Friend (Czech Republic)
I’m liking this, and I also love the visuals. Not much to dislike, but maybe it will prove too bleak in comparison to other performances. Hopefully bottom half of Top 10.
4. S!sters – Sister (Germany)
Great voices, but not much else going on. I think they could’ve done a lot better with the visuals. I think this deserves a spot in top 15 (between 10 and 16th place).
5. Sergey Lazarev – Scream (Russia)
Too much drama for me, which makes it slightly over-the-top and less credible. On the other hand: it’s Russia. This is bound to end up in Top 10, if not Top 5.
6. Leonora – Love Is Forever (Denmark)
Time for a short sanitary break, I’m afraid. Easily forgettable tune, and too much sugar coating for me. Thanks, but I’ll pass. This will end up somewhere around 20th place, I expect.
7. Serhat – Say Na Na Na (San Marino)
What?!? San Marino made the final?!? Yep, they did – and they’re doing everything in their power as not to win the darn competition as well. By sending an incompetent singer, for instance. If Serhat’s performance in the semi-final is anything to go by, this will end dead last.
8. Tamara Todevska – Proud (North Macedonia)
The country formerly known as Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has sent a more than competent singer – that’s not the problem here. The problem is the song: it’s nothing special, really. That is why I foresee this ending somewhere around 17th place.
9. John Lundvik – Too Late For Love (Sweden)
Now we’re getting somewhere! The singer kinda reminds me of Lionel Richie (not vocally, but in the way he looks). Sweden have done their homework once again. Top 5, for sure.
10. Zala Kralj & Gašper Šanti – Sebi (Slovenia)
This cute young couple are also singing in heir native language. That doesn’t help here: there’s no distinguishable chorus to speak of, not even a hook to sing or hum along. Add the poor staging, and this wil easily end up in bottom half (somewhere between 15 and 20, I assume).
11. Tamta- Replay (Cyprus)
Taking off your clothes always helps, apparently. In spite of the inevitable 12 points from Greece, this will not win. Maybe just scraping the Top 10, if she can keep it in tune.
12. Duncan Laurence – Arcade (The Netherlands)
Has been consistently #1 in all polls. I don’t really see what could go wrong tonight (even the unfortunate position in running order can’t hinder us, I think).
13. Katerine Duska – Better Love (Greece)
There’s a lot happening on stage, and most of it doesn’t make any sense. The visuals remind me of Tears for Fears’ “Sowing The Seeds of Love”. However, distraction is needed because the vocals are not up to par. Maybe Top 10 (just!), or maybe this ends up another Greek drama.
14. Kobi Marimi – Home (Israel)
Kobi is a great singer, no doubt about that – but the song is not so great. This power ballad will probably end up where it started: around 14th place.
15. KEiiNO – Spirit In The Sky (Norway)
An upbeat song, cleverly combined with some ethnic chanting. This wil probably guarantee them a place in (bottom half of) Top 10.
16. Michael Rice – Bigger Than Us (United Kingdom)
Where to start? Just about everything about this song is wrong: the staging, the visuals, the singer and the outfit. There’s nothing to see here, except for a poorly dressed, slightly overweight singer, with shoes too small to carry the song. Bound to end up in bottom-3.
17. Hatari – Hatrið Mon Sigra (Iceland)
Yet another song “sung” in a native language, with a singer that looks like Jedward on acid. Love it or hate it, but it’s definitely different. Not much love from the jurys, I suppose. That’s why I don’t see this ending up any higher than 15th place.
18. Victor Crone – Storm (Estonia)
I’m not really sure how this made it to the final. Not much wrong with the song, in this case, although it’s quite generic. The vocals, however – that’s a different story altogether. They’re feeble, to put it mildly. If he doesn’t shape up, this will end in bottom-5.
19. Zena – Like It (Belarus)
Like it? No, not really. Very repetitive, this one. Visuals are distracting and make no sense whatsoever. The only positive thing about the performance is the singing: Zena is only 16 years old, and brings the song with conviction. This will end up around 16th place, I guess.
20. Chingiz – Truth (Azerbaijan)
I was distracted by the laser guns, I admit. Setting those aside, this is actually a pretty decent song, and Chingiz is one of the best vocalists on stage tonight. Should make Top 10.
21. Bilal Hassani – Roi (France)
“Quand je rêve je suis un roi”- When I dream I am a king. That’s what Bilal sings. No need to dream anymore, as far as I’m concerned. This is going to be big. In fact, this might just take everyone by suprise tonight. Definitely Top 5, maybe even competing for #1 spot.
22. Mahmood – Soldi (Italy)
Not sure what to make of this. There’s bits that I like, and bits that I don’t. Mahmood is a good vocalist, so I’m thinking this will make Top 10 – probably not Top 5, though.
23. Nevena Božović – Kruna (Serbia)
Another dramatic ballad from the Balkan states – leave it to them to write a decent song. But we’ve heard it all before, and that’s why I think this will not make top 10. Probably 15th place or thereabouts.
24. Luca Hänni – She Got Me (Switzerland)
I’m not particularly a fan of this song, but I can see this make Top 5.
25. Kate Miller-Heidke – Zero Gravity (Australia)
Australia’s done everything right (again). Great performance all around, and great staging. Definitely Top 5.
26. Miki – La Venda (Spain)
Well, it’s been a long night. Let’s end with a little party. An upbeat and up tempo song, but it’s simply too generic for my liking. I’ve heard too many songs similar to this one (and better ones, with that). This might struggle to stay clear of bottom-5.
Well done on pick the winner correctly, are you getting tickets for next year's ESC?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/18/19 at 6:32 pm
OMG we did it!!!!1!1!!1
We finally broke a dry spell that lasted for 44 years! I can hardly believe this has really just happened. :D
And talk about a rollercoaster... First jury vote in, and it's 12 points to The Netherlands. Yes, that's what we like to see. But then things appear to go the wrong way. North Macedonia in the lead...? I'm confused and concerned.
Then the public vote. Russia takes a giant leap... Can we do better? That's a huge ask.... But yes, we can!
Points to North Macedonia... too bad for them, but they fall out of top 3.
Now only Sweden is left as a rival. Have they scored more than 253 points...? Have they? Have they?? The tension is almost too much to bear.
What? Only 93 points to Sweden?? That means...we've won! :D :D
Well done on pick the winner correctly, are you getting tickets for next year's ESC?
Thank you, and I'm not sure about tickets... May 2020 will be a special month, no doubt, with both the ESC and F1 coming back to The Netherlands.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: meesa on 05/18/19 at 9:39 pm
I was able to view behind a VPN. ;D ;D
I was amused by Iceland, taking themselves so seriously. Told my daughter it's like if Pee-Wee Herman went bad. Pee-Wee's House of Hell. ;D They made it interesting though! Didn't snooze through that performance.
My favorite was Australia's entry, it was juuuust different enough to be interesting, and there were way too many power ballads, after a while I felt like I was hearing the same long song.
Czech Republic really made me laugh, they looked like the Wiggles and the pretending to play instruments-that was cringy. ::) They should have sang Where's Jeff?
Serhat's back! Love me some Serhat. :)
Tamtra's Replay..hmm where have I heard this melody and beat before? Oh yeah, FUEGO! HAHAHA Sorry I loved Fuego and Eleni's Beyonce-Rhianna ish performance was my favorite last year. She slayed it, this one? Not so much.
I liked Greece's Katarine Duska, enjoyed her performance.
Portugal was hilarious. Laughed through the whole thing. Now THAT'S Eurovision to me.
My daughters fav was Norway's KEiiNO, and I gotta admit the song was catchy and the performance was lively.
In the end, Henk's country won, Duncan is a great singer- he deserved the win. Congrats Henk! It must be exciting. :)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/19/19 at 1:42 am
I was able to view behind a VPN. ;D ;D
It don't really matter HOW you watch it, as long as you watch it! ;)
I was amused by Iceland, taking themselves so seriously. Told my daughter it's like if Pee-Wee Herman went bad. Pee-Wee's House of Hell. ;D They made it interesting though! Didn't snooze through that performance.
Iceland was...different. ::) Not very popular with jurys, of course, but because of the public vote they still ended up in 10th place!
My favorite was Australia's entry, it was juuuust different enough to be interesting, and there were way too many power ballads, after a while I felt like I was hearing the same long song.
Australia only did slightly better than Iceland, with a 9th place in the final.
Czech Republic really made me laugh, they looked like the Wiggles and the pretending to play instruments-that was cringy. ::) They should have sang Where's Jeff?
I agree: the drummer looked rather ridiculous at times. Still, it was good enough for 11th place.
Serhat's back! Love me some Serhat. :)
Serhat was probably the least talented singer on stage yesterday evening. Unless you include Madonna...that was absolutely cringeworthy.
Surprisingly, San Marino took 20th place - their best result ever!
Tamtra's Replay..hmm where have I heard this melody and beat before? Oh yeah, FUEGO! HAHAHA Sorry I loved Fuego and Eleni's Beyonce-Rhianna ish performance was my favorite last year. She slayed it, this one? Not so much.
"Not so much" is exactly what the audience thought as well: she ended up 15th (out of 26).
I liked Greece's Katarine Duska, enjoyed her performance.
The audience did not agree: Greece ended up in 21st place. That's even behind San Marino! :o
Portugal was hilarious. Laughed through the whole thing. Now THAT'S Eurovision to me.
Portugal did not make it to the final.
My daughters fav was Norway's KEiiNO, and I gotta admit the song was catchy and the performance was lively.
That's exactly what the audience thought as well. In the end, Norway took 5th place. :)
In the end, Henk's country won, Duncan is a great singer- he deserved the win. Congrats Henk! It must be exciting. :)
Yes, we won!!! :D Still have trouble taking this in. It was very exciting when the points came in yesterday... Very tense!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/19/19 at 1:48 am
There is Madonna to look forward too...
Madonna is on stage now!
I'm afraid there wasn't much to enjoy about her performance.... :-\\ The first half was terrible, the second half was lip-sync (on autotune). Absolutely cringeworthy.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/19/19 at 2:23 am
I'm afraid there wasn't much to enjoy about her performance.... :-\\ The first half was terrible, the second half was lip-sync (on autotune). Absolutely cringeworthy.
On stage is what I meant, visually there... ;D
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/23/19 at 3:11 am
The UK's last-placed Eurovision Song Contest entry has had its score lowered by five points, organisers say. A revision of scores means Michael Rice's song Bigger Than Us picked up only 11 points from Saturday's final. The contest said an incorrect calculation had been used to create a "substitute" set of points after the Belarusian jury was dismissed. The contest top four is unchanged - and Duncan Laurence from the Netherlands stays the winner with his song Arcade. Rice originally secured 16 points at the event in Tel Aviv, Israel - including three from the public vote - ending up in 26th place. After the revision of scores, the 13 points he was awarded by the juries from the other participating countries dropped to eight points.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 09/16/19 at 11:52 am
The BBC is to drop the public vote to select the UK's next Eurovision Song Contest entrant, instead teaming up with a record label for the first time.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-49715308
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 09/16/19 at 2:12 pm
The BBC is to drop the public vote to select the UK's next Eurovision Song Contest entrant, instead teaming up with a record label for the first time.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-49715308
Does all this Brexit mullarky mean we still pull out of the Eurovision Song Contest?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Criz on 09/28/19 at 1:04 pm
Does all this Brexit mullarky mean we still pull out of the Eurovision Song Contest?
I hope not - although the UK hasn't had a good entry since 1996, IMHO! :)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 09/29/19 at 6:22 am
I hope not - although the UK hasn't had a good entry since 1996, IMHO! :)
The key of it all, is that the UK is one of the main money suppliers to the running of the ESC, so they will not let us go.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Criz on 09/29/19 at 1:54 pm
The key of it all, is that the UK is one of the main money suppliers to the running of the ESC, so they will not let us go.
Exactly - along with the other biggies, France, Germany etc... - I still love it, it's such a big tradition for us to watch every year, regardless of whether our entry is good or not! I have allegiance with Cyprus too (we were robbed in 2018!!) because of my parents, so I can at least root for them :D
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 10/02/19 at 3:02 am
Exactly - along with the other biggies, France, Germany etc... - I still love it, it's such a big tradition for us to watch every year, regardless of whether our entry is good or not! I have allegiance with Cyprus too (we were robbed in 2018!!) because of my parents, so I can at least root for them :D
I still love it, but one the nights of the recent years broadcasts, I have been busy with other matters, and when it come to the scoring, I do not have the energy to watch it.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/05/20 at 12:27 am
The Netherlands have revealed their entry for the 2020 ESC. It's this:
Grow - Jeangu Macrooy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMcxWB90TTY
A wayward choice, no doubt about it - but was this really the best choice? :-\\
Though this will probably get the thumbs up from the juries, I doubt the general public will warm to it.
It's definitely not going to win. I doubt it will even make Top 10. More likely ending up somewhere between 15th and 20th place.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/05/20 at 12:33 am
I have heard reports on the radio that the Icelandic entry is very weird, I have still yet to heard it.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/06/20 at 12:22 am
I have heard reports on the radio that the Icelandic entry is very weird, I have still yet to heard it.
Well, here's your chance:
Daði og Gagnamagnið – Think About Things
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-dMhpgj0PA
That's one catchy, funny and clever song, that is! I say: book your tickets for Reykjavik.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/06/20 at 12:29 am
FYI: Jeangu Macrooy is not the only Dutch singer present in Rotterdam this year. Greece are sending 17-year old Stefania, who lives in Utrecht.
Stefania - Supergirl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83ncXE_fOtI
Stefania isn't new to the world of ESC: in 2016, she entered the Junior ESC for the Netherlands as part of a trio named "Kisses".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTu0RbX2YOc
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Redhairkid on 03/06/20 at 11:30 am
Today is the 40th anniversary of the day I first fell for a certain Swedish entrant!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 03/06/20 at 11:56 am
Not sure about the Dutch entry Henk. It didn't seem to have any 'hook' to capture your imagination. And I think Eurovision songs need something memorable to get the votes.
The Icelandic song is pretty good - they even have a dance routine (well that worked for the Brits more than once!)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 03/07/20 at 2:11 am
Not sure about the Dutch entry Henk. It didn't seem to have any 'hook' to capture your imagination. And I think Eurovision songs need something memorable to get the votes.
I see your point, but with the right staging it could still do very well. Just remember Salvador Sobral!
The Icelandic song is pretty good - they even have a dance routine (well that worked for the Brits more than once!)
Yeah, it's pretty obvious they're taking the mickey there - but in a clever, non-offensive way.
The staging made me think of Belgium's entry of 1980: "Eurovision" by Telex. I'm not sure if you remember that (well, even Belgians don't like to be remembered of that).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6USa0zUMmqI
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Criz on 03/07/20 at 7:17 am
Not sure about the Dutch entry Henk. It didn't seem to have any 'hook' to capture your imagination. And I think Eurovision songs need something memorable to get the votes.
The Icelandic song is pretty good - they even have a dance routine (well that worked for the Brits more than once!)
Agreed! I really like the Icelandic entry!
Also, the UK entry isn't that bad - for once. Not my style of music but it could have done well - if it wasn't the UK who was entering with it ;D :-X
Subject: Re: The Eurovison Song Contest has been cancelled
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/18/20 at 10:16 am
The latest event to be cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak is the Eurovision Song Contest. The event was due to take place at Rotterdam's 16,000 capacity Ahoy Arena, with the final on 16 May. Announcing its decision on social media, organisers said they were "extremely saddened". But they added: "The health of artists, staff, fans and visitors, as well as the situation in the Netherlands, Europe and the world, is at the heart of this decision."
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/19/20 at 1:43 am
The Netherlands have revealed their entry for the 2020 ESC. It's this:
Grow - Jeangu Macrooy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMcxWB90TTY
A wayward choice, no doubt about it - but was this really the best choice? :-\\
Though this will probably get the thumbs up from the juries, I doubt the general public will warm to it.
It's definitely not going to win. I doubt it will even make Top 10. More likely ending up somewhere between 15th and 20th place.
With the cancellation of the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest, we could almost hold our own, the songs are available online to hear and we could do voting among the board members?
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Criz on 03/22/20 at 8:38 am
With the cancellation of the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest, we could almost hold our own, the songs are available online to hear and we could do voting among the board members?
I would be up for this :)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? -Cancelled Eurovision gets new look
Written By: Philip Eno on 04/01/20 at 7:52 am
It’s Eurovision, but not quite as you know iit. Following the cancellation of this year’s event, organisers will instead air a television show honouring all 41 songs in a non-competitive format. "Eurovision: Shine a Light" will take place on Saturday, 16 May – in place of what would have been the live final in the Netherlands. Sietse Bakker, executive producer, said: “We want to make a show that puts a spotlight not only on the 41 artists that were due to appear in Rotterdam but also inspire those at home and connect people from across Europe and beyond in these difficult times.It is the first time in the competition’s history that it has been cancelled.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? -Cancelled Eurovision gets new look
Written By: Criz on 04/01/20 at 1:32 pm
It’s Eurovision, but not quite as you know iit. Following the cancellation of this year’s event, organisers will instead air a television show honouring all 41 songs in a non-competitive format. "Eurovision: Shine a Light" will take place on Saturday, 16 May – in place of what would have been the live final in the Netherlands. Sietse Bakker, executive producer, said: “We want to make a show that puts a spotlight not only on the 41 artists that were due to appear in Rotterdam but also inspire those at home and connect people from across Europe and beyond in these difficult times.It is the first time in the competition’s history that it has been cancelled.
This makes me happy!
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? -Cancelled Eurovision gets new look
Written By: karen on 05/16/20 at 8:36 am
It’s Eurovision, but not quite as you know iit. Following the cancellation of this year’s event, organisers will instead air a television show honouring all 41 songs in a non-competitive format. "Eurovision: Shine a Light" will take place on Saturday, 16 May – in place of what would have been the live final in the Netherlands. Sietse Bakker, executive producer, said: “We want to make a show that puts a spotlight not only on the 41 artists that were due to appear in Rotterdam but also inspire those at home and connect people from across Europe and beyond in these difficult times.It is the first time in the competition’s history that it has been cancelled.
Don’t forget tonight at 8 o’clock on BBC 1
You will need a copy of the lyrics to Johnny Logan’s 1980 winning entry What’s Another Year for the mass singalong.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/16/20 at 8:54 am
Don’t forget tonight at 8 o’clock on BBC 1
You will need a copy of the lyrics to Johnny Logan’s 1980 winning entry What’s Another Year for the mass singalong.
I'll do my best, but I am expecting my granddaughter tonight, she will not sing-a-long.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 05/16/20 at 9:00 am
I'll do my best, but I am expecting my granddaughter tonight, she will not sing-a-long.
Visitors in your house? ::)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/16/20 at 9:05 am
Visitors in your house? ::)
Distancing shall be kept, like last week.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 05/16/20 at 3:34 pm
Distancing shall be kept, like last week.
I used the wrong smiley. I wasn’t rolling my eyes I meant to use this one ???
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 05/16/20 at 3:36 pm
Have been watching a little of the Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light programme but there’s too many little clips rather than each song in full.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? -Cancelled Eurovision gets new look
Written By: karen on 05/16/20 at 4:52 pm
Don’t forget tonight at 8 o’clock on BBC 1
You will need a copy of the lyrics to Johnny Logan’s 1980 winning entry What’s Another Year for the mass singalong.
Well, the newspaper definitely said it was a singalong to Johnny Logan, but it was actually to Love Shine a Light by Katrina and the Waves.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/17/20 at 12:55 am
I used the wrong smiley. I wasn’t rolling my eyes I meant to use this one ???
Visitors in your house? ::)
they did not say long, and I could not be bother to switch the computer back on and had an early night.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/23/21 at 2:08 am
Admittedly, I did not watch the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest last night, I did not physically up for it, especially for a 3 hour show in duration. This morning I did hear the result of the winner and how many points the UK were awarded, I feel I do not need to watch it now. But I am shortly to phone a friend who did watch it last night.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/24/21 at 5:41 am
Admittedly, I did not watch the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest last night, I did not physically up for it, especially for a 3 hour show in duration. This morning I did hear the result of the winner and how many points the UK were awarded, I feel I do not need to watch it now. But I am shortly to phone a friend who did watch it last night.
I heard on the radio one of the songs sounded like Boots Randolph's "Yakety Sax", we all know it better as The Benny Hill Theme. :D
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 05/13/22 at 12:50 pm
Anybody going to watch the finals this year?
As ever the British media seem convinced we are going to win despite the evidence of the last few years
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Voiceofthe70s on 05/13/22 at 12:57 pm
I have to say, I just don't get this Eurovison song thing. What's it all about? It seems to be like an "American Idol" type thing, except I notice that occasionally even famous people also participare. Why would they need to? Can anybody participate in this? Who picks the songs? It seems to be some sort of cross between a game show/talent contest and the Olympics. I just don't get it.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: whistledog on 05/13/22 at 8:31 pm
I have to say, I just don't get this Eurovison song thing. What's it all about? It seems to be like an "American Idol" type thing, except I notice that occasionally even famous people also participare. Why would they need to? Can anybody participate in this? Who picks the songs? It seems to be some sort of cross between a game show/talent contest and the Olympics. I just don't get it.
I don't much understand it myself but there was a Netflix movie a couple of years ago called 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga' starring Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams and Pierce Brosnan that sort of mocks the contest and it was probably my favourite movie that year. It was so good
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 05/14/22 at 6:39 am
I have to say, I just don't get this Eurovison song thing. What's it all about? It seems to be like an "American Idol" type thing, except I notice that occasionally even famous people also participare. Why would they need to? Can anybody participate in this? Who picks the songs? It seems to be some sort of cross between a game show/talent contest and the Olympics. I just don't get it.
Television wise, it's the European equivalent of the Super Bowl. It's one of the biggest events of the year, if not THE biggest.
Basically, anyone can participate, although every country can only have one entry each year (so some countries have sheer endless preliminaries to decide who they'll be sending this year, while others just appoint one). Songs are picked (and/or written) by the artists in most cases, but in some cases the artist is just handed one.
There are certain rules that participating countries have to follow in order to be allowed to participate in the event. One of them is they have to be a paying member of the EBU (European Broadcasting Union), which doesn't necessarily mean only European countries can participate - which is why also Australia, Israel and (in the past) Morocco have participated.
Other rules inlcude the full event (Grand Final and both Semi Finals) must be broadcasted live and uninterrupted on a public channel.
Apart from that, it's just entertainment. :)
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 05/15/22 at 1:53 am
Well done to Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra who won this year’s competition. The rap-folk band, who were given special permission to leave the war-torn country, soared to first place with 631 points, in a symbolic show of public support following the country's invasion by Russia.
Sam Ryder from the U.K. came second overall, having won the jury vote.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/16/22 at 3:00 am
I failed to see ESC this year, having other commitments, I am glad to hear that Ukraine won, and the UK came second.
I, truthfully speaking, lost interest in this when Australia was included.
Subject: Eurovision 2022: Russian vote hacking attempt foiled, police say
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/16/22 at 8:44 am
Pro-Russian hackers attempted to disrupt voting for the Eurovision Song Contest, Italian police have said.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-61463364
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: whistledog on 05/22/22 at 10:53 pm
You can always tell when Eurovision is over because many of the entries show up in the UK charts. I really like that Sam Ryder song
Subject: Eurovision: UK in talks to host 2023 contest instead of Ukraine
Written By: Philip Eno on 06/17/22 at 11:34 am
The BBC is in talks with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) "to potentially host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest" in the UK. Ukrainian broadcaster AU: PBC said it was "disappointed with this decision". But the show's organisers concluded, after a "full assessment and feasibility study", that next year's event cannot be held in the winning country, Ukraine. This is due to the ongoing war following Russia's invasion. Traditionally, the winning country is asked to host the following year's contest.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-61841068
Subject: Eurovision 2023: Seven UK cities make shortlist to host song contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 08/12/22 at 4:37 am
The shortlist of UK cities that could host next year's Eurovision Song Contest has been revealed, with seven locations in the running.
Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield will vie to stage the event in May.
Twenty cities expressed an interest, the BBC said, and those not making the shortlist include London and Belfast.
The UK was chosen to host the contest after organisers decided it could not be staged by Ukraine, the 2022 winners.
UK singer Sam Ryder finished second at this year's contest in Turin, Italy.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-62496803
Subject: Eurovision 2023: Glasgow or Liverpool will host song contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 09/27/22 at 8:45 am
Either Glasgow or Liverpool will host next year's Eurovision Song Contest, after the shortlist of cities in contention was cut from seven to two.
The announcement means Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield have missed out on the chance to stage the competition next May.
The BBC said the two remaining cities, which both have riverside arena venues, had "the strongest overall offer".
A final decision will be made "within weeks", the broadcaster said.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-63037204
Subject: Eurovision 2023: Liverpool beats Glasgow to be song contest host city
Written By: Philip Eno on 10/09/22 at 2:41 pm
Liverpool has been chosen to host the first Eurovision Song Contest to be held in the UK for 25 years.
The home of The Beatles, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and The Wombats will stage the spectacular event on 13 May after beating off competition from Glasgow.
The show is coming to the UK after this year's winner, Ukraine, was unable to take up hosting duties due to the war.
In a message to Ukraine, Liverpool's mayor said the event, at the M&S Bank Arena, would "do you proud".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-63174493
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 10/17/22 at 10:20 am
Montenegro and North Macedonia will not compete in next year's Eurovision Song Contest because of how much it will cost them to enter.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 10/20/22 at 9:43 am
Bulgaria has become the latest country to say it will not participate in next year's Eurovision Song Contest.
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Henk on 11/13/22 at 2:06 am
One of this years' surprises: Rosa Linn - Snap.
It was the Armenian entry for the ESC, and though it didn't win, it DID turn up in lots of charts all over Europe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIKIgjLGf98
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: whistledog on 11/22/22 at 4:00 pm
One of this years' surprises: Rosa Linn - Snap.
It was the Armenian entry for the ESC, and though it didn't win, it DID turn up in lots of charts all over Europe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIKIgjLGf98
I didn't even know that was a Eurovision entry. That song was a Top 40 hit here in Canada as well
Subject: Junior Eurovision: France wins song contest as UK comes fifth
Written By: Philip Eno on 12/11/22 at 4:30 pm
France has won this year's Junior Eurovision Song Contest, which was held in Yerevan, Armenia.
Thirteen year old Lissandro won with 203 points for his song Oh Maman! beating hosts Armenia in second place, Georgia third, and Ireland fourth.
The United Kingdom came fifth overall with 146 points - although it did win the public vote.
The UK's entrant, Freya Skye, performed live after suffering with vocal issues during rehearsals.
Accepting his award an excited Lissandro said: "I'm so happy, thank you everyone. Vive La France".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-63916729
BTW, there are videos on YouTube.
Subject: Eurovision 2023: John Lydon's Public Image Ltd could represent Ireland
Written By: Philip Eno on 01/10/23 at 5:20 am
Public Image Ltd - the band John Lydon formed after the Sex Pistols split in 1978 - is in the running to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest.
The song, called Hawaii, is described as "a love letter to Lydon's wife of nearly five decades who is living with Alzheimer's."
Irish broadcaster RTÉ has announced the band will compete with five other acts for the title in a TV show next month.
This year's Eurovision is taking place in Liverpool in May.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64210427
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 02/22/23 at 3:06 am
Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham will host this year's Eurovision Song Contest, alongside Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64717995
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/08/23 at 4:38 pm
The act representing the United Kingdom at this year's Eurovision Song Contest will be revealed on BBC Radio 2 on Thursday morning.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64888312
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 03/09/23 at 3:12 am
Mae Muller will represent the United Kingdom at this year's Eurovision Song Contest. The 25-year-old will perform her track I Wrote A Song at the competition in May, hoping to follow the success of Sam Ryder last year. "To compete in such a massive music competition is simply brilliant," she said, describing her involvement as "a dream". The UK is one of the last competing countries to reveal its song for 2023.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64888312
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: whistledog on 03/14/23 at 4:45 pm
Mae Muller will represent the United Kingdom at this year's Eurovision Song Contest. The 25-year-old will perform her track I Wrote A Song at the competition in May, hoping to follow the success of Sam Ryder last year. "To compete in such a massive music competition is simply brilliant," she said, describing her involvement as "a dream". The UK is one of the last competing countries to reveal its song for 2023.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64888312
I hope this will be a big boost to her career. She is to date, a one hit wonder with the song Better Days, which was a Top 40 hit on both sides of the Atlantic
Subject: Eurovision 2023: Beatles statue clad in Ukrainian clothing
Written By: Philip Eno on 04/15/23 at 4:27 pm
https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/A3E7/production/_129295914_beatles-ukraine-bbc.jpg.webp
The Beatles statue in Liverpool has been dressed in traditional Ukrainian clothing for BBC filming ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Subject: Eurovision 2023: Sweden qualifies but Ireland is out of the final
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/10/23 at 1:43 am
Sweden's Loreen has sailed through to the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest, cementing her position as this year's favourite.
The star, who previously won in 2012, clasped her hands to cover her eyes as it was announced she had qualified from the first semi-final in Liverpool.
Ireland were less fortunate, with the rock band Wild Youth on their way home after failing to attract enough votes.
The country has now failed to qualify on eight of their last 10 attempts.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65540160
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/10/23 at 5:19 am
Here is a talented man, Steve Rosenberg, he normally is a Foreign News Reporter for the BBC. Here playing a short excerpt from every Eurovision winning song.
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Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: karen on 05/13/23 at 9:00 am
One of this years' surprises: Rosa Linn - Snap.
It was the Armenian entry for the ESC, and though it didn't win, it DID turn up in lots of charts all over Europe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIKIgjLGf98
The other night the BBC did a countdown of the most streamed Eurovision songs and this one topped the chart
Subject: Re: May We Have Your Votes Please? - The Eurovison Song Contest
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/23 at 1:48 am
Sweden's Loreen has won the Eurovision Song Contest for the second time, with her soaring pop anthem Tattoo. The star, who last won the competition in 2012, saw off competition from Finland's Käärijä in a nail-biting vote. The UK's Mae Muller failed to replicate Sam Ryder's success last year, coming in 25th place - one above bottom.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65585413
Subject: ABBA tipped for comeback as Sweden brings home Eurovision after success in UK
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/23 at 1:54 am
The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 will be held in Sweden next year after Swedish singer Loreen won the competition for a second time after an incredible finale in Liverpool.
Swedish Eurovision winners ABBA could be set to reform next year as the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Sweden in 2024.
The European pop event will take place in Sweden after singer Loreen won it on Saturday night (13 May) after pipping Finland to take first place.
Viewers claim that organisers orchestrated Loreen's victory so that Sweden would host next year coinciding with the 50th anniversary of ABBA's win.
Subject: Abba rule out 2024 Eurovision reunion on 50th anniversary of win
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/25/23 at 1:20 am
Abba's Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson have ruled out a reunion at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in their native Sweden.
Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the band winning the competition with their song Waterloo.
Speaking to BBC Newsnight, the pair also dismissed the idea that they might compose the host nation's entry.
Since Abba won in 1974, Sweden has gone on to win Eurovision five more times, including this year in Liverpool.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65688927