UK Chart Update: Emmelie de Forest Lands in Top 20

The victor at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, Emmelie de Forest, has secured a Top 20 hit in the UK. It was announced yesterday that her winning song, Only Teardrops, has entered the British chart at Number 15.

It's slightly disappointing, as the Midweek chart had indicated that Emmelie was set to storm the Top 10. However, it seems that other songs around her continued to shift more copies forcing her debut placing lower. But, how is Only Teardrops performing in selected music charts across Europe? Here's the current positions:

National Chart	Position
Austria	63
Belgium	13
Denmark	1
Netherlands	28
Finland	17
France	79
Ireland	5
Spain	14
Sweden	3

Emmelie has also crept into the Top 50 of the Australian chart at Number 47.

Other Eurovision-related songs to register on various European charts this weekend are:

Tomorrow (Malta)

You (Sweden)

Euphoria (Sweden)

L'essenziale (Italy)

I Feed You My Love (Norway)

Marry Me (Finland)

Glorious (Germany)

Believe in Me (UK)

Birds (The Netherlands)

What If (Russia)

You and Me (Switzerland)

Shine (Austria)

Aside from Denmark's winner, only the songs from Norway and The Netherlands are making any great impression - specifically on their own country's national charts: Number 11 and Number 8 respectively. Italy's Marco Mengoni still appears on the Italian chart at Number 13, having earlier completed a run of eight consecutive weeks at Number One.

Not only are these singles finding some success, but in the UK, the 2013 Eurovision Album has now entered the Official Compilations Album Chart Top 10 at Number 10.

Should we expect a better showing of Eurovision songs on national charts across Europe?

Header Image: By Albin Olsson (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Eurovision Songs Prevail in UK Midweek Chart

With a little over twenty four hours before the weekly update, Wednesday's UK midweek chart was witness to eighteen new entries that were featured at this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

Leading the way, as one might expect, is the winner, Only Teardrops from Denmark's Emmelie de Forest. It seems likely that she will have a Top 10 hit on her hands come Sunday, as her winning song currently registers at Number 10.

Oddly, the runner-up from Azerbaijan is nowhere to be seen within the Top 200, but here are how these 18  songs are currently charting. Placings in brackets:

• Denmark: Only Teardrops - Emmelie de Forest (10)
• Malta: Tomorrow - Gianluca Bezzina (37)
• Sweden: You - Robin Stjernberg (42)
• Norway: I Feed You My Love - Margaret Berger (46)
• Sweden: Euphoria - Loreen (48)
• Finland: Marry Me - Krista Siegfrids (59)
• Germany: Glorious - Cascada (77)
• Netherlands: Birds - Anouk (83)
• Russia: What If - Dina Garipova (84)
• UK: Believe in Me - Bonnie Tyler (86)
• Ukraine: Gravity - Zlata Ognevich (106)
• Greece: Alcohol is Free - Koza Mostra & Agathonas Iakovidis (107)
• Ireland: Only Love Survives - Ryan Dolan (116)
• Sweden: We Got the Power - Loreen (126)
• Belgium: Love Kills - Roberto Bellarosa (144)
• Hungary: Kedvesem - ByeAlex (147)
• Sweden: We Write the Story - Avicii / B and B / Choir (199)
• Iceland: Ég Á Líf - Eyþór Ingi (200)

If you are interested in downloading any of these tracks, or the full 2013 Eurovision album, click on the picture below for more information.

The full album is also available from Amazon.co.uk

Top graphic: By Jlechuga86 (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Eurovision 2013: Australian Votes Revealed

Following the broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest in Australia, viewers down under were able to cast votes for their favourites. It has been revealed that Australians agreed with the winner, but that there were surprises with some of the other rankings. Here's the full points tally:

1.  Denmark – 36,556 
2.  Greece – 30,908 
3.  Romania – 28,896 
4.  Norway – 26,880 
5.  Ireland – 19,738 
6.  Azerbaijan – 17,732 
7.  Malta – 14,856 
8.  Finland – 11,312 
9.  Iceland – 11,002 
10.  Italy – 9,768 
11.  Sweden – 9,674 
12.  Ukraine – 8,964 
13.  France – 7,922 
14.  Hungary – 6,410 
15.  Netherlands – 6,366 
16.  Russia – 6,366 
17.  Moldova – 5,866 
18.  Germany – 4,986 
19.  Belarus – 4,358 
20.  Belgium – 3,590 
21.  United Kingdom – 3,032 
22.  Georgia – 2,766 
23.  Lithuania – 2,592 
24.  Estonia – 2,414 
25.  Armenia – 2,226 
26.  Spain – 1,768

Emmelie de Forest performs Only Teardrops

Some of the voting is not unexpected due to the various diaspora present in Australia. Note the Greek vote, for instance. Possibly more surprising is the third place result for Romania, while Ireland bucked the European trend finishing fifth. 

However, once again, congratulations go to Denmark and Emmelie de Forest on her victory not only across Europe, but also with our Australian friends.

Image: By Albin Olsson (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Eurovision Song Contest 2013: The Final Result

1. Denmark	Emmelie de Forest	Only Teardrops	281 points
2. Azerbaijan	Farid Mammadov	Hold Me	234 points
3. Ukraine	Zlata Ognevich	Gravity	214 points
4. Norway	Margaret Berger	I Feed You My Love	191 points
5. Russia	Dina Garipova	What If	174 points
6. Greece	Koza Mostra ft. Agathon Iakovidis	Alcohol is Free	152 points
7. Italy	Marco Mengoni	L'essenziale	126 points
8. Malta	Gianluca	Tomorrow	120 points
9. The Netherlands	Anouk	Birds	114 points
10. Hungary	ByeAlex	Kedvesem	84 points
11. Moldova	Aliona Moon	O Mie	71 points
12. Belgium	Roberto Bellarosa	Love Kills	71 points
13. Romania	Cezar	It's My Life	65 points
14. Sweden	Robin Stjernberg	You	62 points
15. Georgia	Nodi and Sophie	Waterfall	50 points
16. Belarus	Alyona Lanskaya	Solayoh	48 points
17. Iceland	Eythor Ingi	Ég á líf	47 points
18. Armenia	Dorians	Lonely Planet	41 points
19. United Kingdom	Bonnie Tyler	Believe in Me	23 points
20. Estonia	Birgit	Et uus saaks alguse	19 points
21. Germany	Cascada	Glorious	18 points
22. Lithuania	Andrius Pojavis	Something	17 points
23. France	Amandine Bourgeois	L'enfer et moi	14 points
24. Finland	Krista Siegfrids	Marry Me	13 points
25. Spain	ESDM	Contigo Hasta El Final	8 points
26. Ireland	Ryan Dolan	Only Love Survives	5 points

Another Eurovision Song Contest comes to a close with the trophy remaining in Scandinavia, as Emmelie de Forest predictably wins the competition for Denmark with Only Teardrops.

As the voting began, it did not look as if the 2014 Contest would be heading to Copenhagen as many had thought. The voting pattern for Denmark got off to a sluggish and surprising start, as San Marino obviously didn't like the song and both Albania and Austria ranked it lower than expected.

This rate of points soon altered as the voting progressed, with Emmelie soon in a tussle for first place with Azerbaijan and the Ukraine. On the night, Denmark was awarded the coveted twelve points on eight occasions and managed to score points from 37 of the participating nations. Farid Mammadov did even better with the top score, receiving 12 points from 10 countries. Surprisingly, eight nations (including the UK) didn't score him at all.

Denmark's Emmelie de Forest

In the same way that predictions about Denmark's runaway success did not ring true - this was no Alexander Rybak in 2009 - what seemed to be foregone conclusions about other nations also withered on the vine.

The much publicized lesbian kiss from Finland turned into a slobbering mess at the bottom of the leader board, as did the copycat Glorious from Germany's high profile Cascada. Even Ryan Dolan from Ireland, who the BBC's Graham Norton thought had a chance of capturing the crown, was left dumped in the bargain basement with only five points. So much for performing last in the running order!

The nations included in the Final that have most to think about are the Big Five - those that contribute the most to Eurovision and which earn a free pass to the endgame. While Italy may be content with its seventh place, the UK, France, Germany and Spain will once again be asking what went wrong.

In most cases, it is easy to answer. It was either the song, the singer or both. France was the first to perform  with a song that should have picked up more points, but suffered from its position in the draw. Spain came next featuring a singer that could not sing an average song live. Germany was rejected because of an all too familiar track.

This leads us to the biggest name in the Contest this year: Bonnie Tyler. Anticipation was high that the United Kingdom would be able to pull itself out of the right hand side of the scoreboard with such a well-known personality. After all, Bonnie has droves of fans across Europe and many of them were predicting either a Top 10 or Top 5 placing. It was not to be. The beginning of her performance of the country ballad Believe in Me had viewers believing otherwise. Her voice croaked and cracked through the first few bars of the song, which in itself is so laid back it was likely to send people to sleep. Unfortunately, the clever staging at the end could not disguise the damp squib that was the climax of the song. 

To have any success in Eurovision, the BBC is going to have to rethink its selection policy. It seems neither the Corporation nor the public can be trusted to pick a decent entry. But you can't blame the public entirely, when the BBC was giving it second rate songs to choose from. What is needed is younger input so that relevant tracks that reflect today's music can be put forward.

It seems that it is not only the UK which now complains about tactical or political voting. Note the furor in the Balkans over the lack of a Slav representative and the continuing moans about neighbourly votes in the final. I've been watching Eurovision since the early 1970s and it was the same back then. Scandinavia voted for Scandinavia, Greece for Cyprus and vice-versa and with the Netherlands back in the Final this year, who could forget the Dutch/Belgian connection?

There have already been rumours that various countries will withdraw from the 2014 competition because of this. As yet, not the classic "old school" Western countries, but instead the very nations that grumbled about their complaints: the Balkans. Whether that happens remains to be seen.

2014 in Denmark appears as if may turn into an interesting season. Hopefully, the Danes will put on as good a show as their Swedish counterparts and, in some respects, the quality of the songs improve in twelve months time.

Well done Denmark!

Emmelie de Forest image by Albin Olsson (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons.

Eurovision 2013: Winners & Losers: SF2

More surprises were unveiled as the results from the second semi-final of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest were announced last night (see above). What some believed to be cast iron pre-show predictions, instead turned out to be as reliable as a chocolate teapot.

I include myself among those who believed that 2013 was the year for San Marino to finally qualify. How wrong were we? Very wrong, as it turned out. Valentina Monetta's second valiant attempt to be included in Saturday's Final failed. How badly, we don't know as yet...but, even so, there is now talk of San Marino withdrawing from next year's competition.

After withdrawing last year, Armenia unexpectedly bounced back to become one of the ten qualifiers. The Tony Iommi composed Lonely Planet was never considered to be a strong contender, but Dorians pulled off the second surprise of the evening amid some ugly booing.

No booing for Hungary though. ByeAlex was the first qualifier to be announced and they seemed as surprised as many pundits. I've made no secret of my liking for this simple toe tapper and was very pleased to see it progress. All of that online promotion by Alex Márta has really paid off.

 
By Albin Olsson (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Last to perform was the Romanian entry and, much to my despair, Europe decided to put this monstrosity through. Cezar and his performance has had much publicity during the lead up to the semi-finals and his novelty factor paid handsomely on the night. There were a couple of other more deserving songs, but obviously the public and the juries saw it differently.

All in all, this semi-final was a disappointment. Only three or four of the songs are credible successors to Loreen's title. In the frame are, I believe: Azerbaijan, Finland (coming up on the rails) and my winner from these ten, Norway. Greece will cheer up a lot of voters, but not enough to worry the front runners.

So to the final. Do any of the songs from Thursday's semi-final include your choice of winner?

Eurovision 2013: Winners & Losers: SF1

The first semi-final of the 2013 Eurovision season concluded with some unexpected results. A couple of the contestants even appeared surprised by the outcome.

If your name is Andrius Pojavis, you're probably thinking the same thing as the rest of us: "How the hell did that happen?" For some time, the song from Lithuania has been voted the one least likely to qualify. That prediction was blown out of the water. But how? While Eurovision pundits had written off Andrius and his dancing eyebrows, they were forgetting the composition of the semi-final. Lots of former Soviet republics were performing in this one - and dare I say it - giving them the opportunity to vote for their neighbours. Who'd have thought it?

While the "old school" countries have complained about tactical voting in the past, it was ironic to note the remarks seen on social media from those residing in the republics of the former Yugoslavia. All four of those taking part in this semi-final failed to qualify and now they cry foul. Really? Haven't we always been told that it's all about the quality of the song?

Slovenia failed because the live performance was simply bad. Croatia's group sang well, but bored too many people. Rap never does well at Eurovision, so Montenegro's spacemen were bound to fall to Earth. Finally, Serbia's presentation was just too amateur and trashy...and the song was not that great either.

The real casualty in all of this was, I feel, Austria. Natália had the burden of beginning the semi-final and, while there was nothing wrong with the song, the presentation did not really "shine". There has never been a hint that Austria would win the competition, but I would have preferred to listen to that track again over the offering from Lithuania.

What is pleasing to see is the reemergence of the low countries. The Netherlands has returned to the Final for the first time since 2004 and, surprisingly for many this year, Belgium also made the cut.

So, will there be more surprises to come in the second semi-final tomorrow?

Eurovision 2013: Romania: It's My Life

This year, Romania will be represented by the song It's My Life, sung by countertenor Cezar (Florin Ouatu).

Where do you start with this one? Every year, there is a song that polarizes Eurovision opinion and this is the one for 2013. Let me say, if I never hear this song again, it will be too soon. It's already scared the animals in my house and unlike on Bonfire Night, they'll be clamouring to hide OUTSIDE to avoid this. I might join them!

Opera has already proved to be less than popular at Eurovision and, in my opinion, this one has epic fail written all over it. Cezar seems harmless enough and no-one can deny his vocal ability. However, there is something overwhelmingly WEIRD about listening to a man sing so high that one might be forgiven for thinking that someone is trying to castrate him. Put that over a generic dance track backing and you have a recipe for hilarity.

I was wrong about Rylan Clark on The X-Factor, so I'll probably be wrong about this too. Both acts are memorable for the wrong reasons, but hopefully Europe will demonstrate more sense than the great British public.

Romania are the final act to take the stage in the second semi-final on May 16.

What are your thoughts on the Romanian song?

Eurovision 2013: Switzerland: You & Me

Takasa: You and Me

The Swiss entrants for Eurovision have been waiting since mid-December to go on stage and perform their entry, You and Me. During that time, the name of the group has had to be changed. They are now Takasa, rather than Heilsarmee (Salvation Army), due to an EBU ruling concerning religious and political content.

However, the content of the song is very much in keeping with the theme of this year's Contest: We Are One. It's nothing like what one would expect from a Salvation Army band, expect that the lyrics have a message of "unity in shared values":

Let it hear from near and far 

This is how it’s meant to be 

We’re together you and me

This rock ballad zips along nicely, with a memorable refrain and an anthemic chorus. I foresee lots of arm waving in the crowd along with a substantial amount of televotes. It should qualify easily for the final, but I don't see it worrying the current front runners for the trophy.

Switzerland also have the advantage of performing as the penultimate act (16th) in the second semi-final on May 16.

How well do you think the Swiss song will place?

 

Eurovision 2013: Norway: I Feed You My Love

Margaret Berger: I Feed You My Love

Former Idol participant and music director Margaret Berger will sing the 2013 Eurovision entry for Norway: I Feed You My Love.

It's been only four years since Alexander Rybak hammered the competition and walked away with the Eurovision trophy. Aside from my own country's entry, this is the one that I would most like to see win. Why? Because it is the most relevant song in the Contest. It is the type of music that many kids are listening to and the kind that can be heard in clubs up and down the country.

Some might say that this is true of Germany's Cascada, and why on Earth would you bet against Denmark's entry? Germany will score well, but we all know it is almost a ripoff of last year's winner. Denmark is memorable, but it's not really a song of 2013.

I Feed You My Love refreshes the parts that neither of those can do. It is electro-pop at its best and Margaret Berger's vocals soar over the epic backing music. The whole feel of the song and lyrics are darker than best film noir and the singer's stunning looks and beauty queen figure would not look out of place in a Hollywood movie.

All in all, this track has everything going for it: powerful and atmospheric with great commercial appeal.

Norway perform in lucky thirteenth place in the second semi-final on May 16.

Is this song as good for you as it is for me?

Eurovision 2013: Malta: Tomorrow

Gianluca: Tomorrow

Doctor Gianluca Bezzina won the Maltese national final back in early February and will sing the island's Eurovision entry: Tomorrow.

Gianluca follows a part time singing career, having had some success on Malta as part of the group Funk Initiative. No funk involved in this song, however. Tomorrow, much like Hungary's entry Kedvesem, is a very simple tune. In fact, it would not go amiss on a Jason Mraz album. Think ukulele and staccato vocals.

Gianluca sings it well, even if he does have to put up with some silly lyrics at the beginning. It's light, cheery, hummable and strangely catchy. The more I hear it, the more I like it. But that may be its problem: is it memorable enough first time around to qualify?

There is nothing like it in its semi-final, which in my opinion is the weaker of the two. That should help it, as will its singalong refrain, which hopefully the crowd will join along with. Hopefully, we'll hear this one again in the Final.

Malta will perform in sixth place in the second semi-final on May 16.

What do you feel about Tomorrow?

Eurovision 2013: North Macedonia: Pred da se razdeni

North Macedonia has made the decision to send a duet (of sorts) as its Eurovision entry this year. Esma and Lozano will sing Pred da se razdeni (Before the Sunrise : Пред да се раздени).

The North Macedonian entry has not been without controversy. Originally, the pair were to sing the superior Imperija (Empire), but the video upset their Greek neighbours and a substantial section of its own population. The song was dumped and replaced with this disjointed duet.

Apparently, Esma is of Gypsy descent and the track endeavours to blend her ethnic vocals with Lozano's pop sensibilities. Unfortunately, for me, it does not work. What could have been a likely qualifier has been substituted with this incoherent mess. It has the sound of two songs mashed together, but instead of blending, it has become a Frankenstein's monster of a track. Quite frankly, Esma adds nothing to it apart from much wailing and should have been dropped like Imperija.

I'd be surprised to see this in the Final. Should it make it through, it's likely to finish on the bottom right of the scoreboard.

Esma and Lozano take to the stage on May 16, performing third in the second semi-final.

Do you think the duo will qualify?

Eurovision 2013: San Marino: Crisalide (Vola)

Crisalide (Vola) / Chrysalis (You'll Be Flying)

Valentina Monetta returns to Eurovision this year, once again representing San Marino. This time she will be singing Crisalide (Vola) [Chrysalis (You'll Be Flying)].

Ralph Siegel is the composer once more, but the song is as far away as one can get from the ridiculous Social Network Song from last year. Instead, what is offered is a soaring ballad that switches rhythm in the last minute to become a storming uptempo number. Marry that with a powerful singer and performer and you have the makings of something special from San Marino.

Since its debut in 2008, the tiny republic has never qualified for the final (its best placing was last year when it managed fourteenth in the semis). 2013 looks set to change that form. There is a deserved buzz about Crisalide and its strength in this year's Contest is undeniable. It's definitely a qualifier and, who knows, we may all be watching the 2014 competition in San Marino.

Valentina Monetta will sing in second place in the second semi-final on May 16.

What are your thoughts about Crisalide?

Eurovision 2013: United Kingdom: Believe in Me

Bonnie Tyler: Rocks And Honey

As we all know, Bonnie Tyler has accepted the BBC's invitation to represent the UK at this year's Eurovision Song Contest with her latest single, Believe in Me.

Taken from her latest album, Rocks and Honey, Believe in Me is a mid-tempo country ballad that builds to a catchy crescendo, but lacks a memorable last few bars. As a Brit myself, I want this to work and in many ways it does. One cannot deny Bonnie's pedigree as a singer, performer and hitmaker, but in the back of my mind, I would have preferred this song to be more like Total Eclipse of the Heart than Lost in France. In fact, Bonnie herself has been quoted as saying that she would have chosen a different track from the album:

"I would have picked a power ballad myself, this is the most gentle track on the album...there is another Desmond Child song called Stubborn, which has got a bit more energy to it, but if they wanted a power ballad, All I Ever Wanted is fantastic, and that was written by Frank Myers."

Without question, the song lacks the energy of many of the other entries, so it will now depend on the vocals and the presentation on the night. Bonnie will be backed by a four-piece band, who will also contribute to the vocals. Footage from the rehearsal shows the legendary singer working the stage and, in the final moments, raised on a platform to command the arena.

All in all, everything looks and sounds good so far. I'd love to see her win, even if just to silence all the critics - particularly those in the UK.

However, we now hold our collective breaths and wait until Friday to discover where in the running order the UK will perform.

What are your thoughts about Bonnie Tyler's chances?

Eurovision 2013: Serbia: Ljubav je svuda

The 2013 Eurovision song for Serbia is Ljubav je svuda (Love is Everywhere : Љубав је свуда) sung by the female trio Moje 3.

This year's song is composed by the same guy who put together the winning entry for Serbia in 2007: Molitva. Whereas the presentation of that song had class stamped across it, this one has taken a different route. While one cannot deny that these girls are easy on the eye, it seems they have opted for the trashy alternative in the hope of securing more votes.

You can have a great voice and look as sexy as you want, but if you're singing just an OK composition, it's never going to work. Visually and vocally the trio have it in the bag, but there is a disconnect when one includes the most important thing: the song. It has the hallmark of "we've heard this all before" in its construction and thus comes across as an out-of-date piece of electronic Euro pop. It's only saving graces are that it is in a ballad laden semi-final where it will be performed in last place. My gut tells me that this will be the last time it will be heard in Malmö.

Moje 3 will perform in sixteenth place in the first semi-final on May 14.

What are your feelings about the Serbian song?

Eurovision 2013: Moldova: O Mie

Aliona Moon

Moldova has decided to send a backing singer who was part of last year's Moldovan entry to represent the nation's hopes at this year's Eurovision. Aliona Moon will sing O Mie (A Million), a song composed by the 2012 representative, Pasha Parfeny.

Since first competing in 2005, Moldova's results have been reasonably good. It's 2007 entry scraped into the Top 10 and the past two years have seen it finish fairly high on the left hand side of the scoreboard. So what will 2013 hold?

O Mie is yet another dramatic ballad in a year when ballads dominate. Having listened to her rehearsal footage, Aliona handles the vocals better than I would have anticipated. I'm just not a fan of her voice. And the song itself does not have the wow factor. Its slow pace at the beginning left me disinterested, while there was not enough of what made the track eventually pop. A case of too little, too late.

So, will this qualify for the final? For me, this is tough to call. There are several entries that I have already earmarked for missing the cut, but this was not among them. The spectacle of the volcanic dress may help, but shouldn't we be past the use of such gimmicks? We should be. Based on the song alone, I can see this finishing 11th or 12th in its semi-final. But there's also the onstage Pasha Parfeny factor to consider.

Aliona Moon will sing in position twelve of the first semi-final on May 14.

What are your thoughts about Moldova.

Eurovision 2013: Montenegro: Igranka

Who See will represent Montenegro at Eurovision 2013 with the song Igranka (Игранка : The Party).

This duo is a very popular hip-hop act in the Balkans and, quite frankly, I hope that is where they stay. I'm not a lover of rap; even less so when it's sung in Montenegrin. What possessed Montenegro to send this noise to Eurovision is beyond me. Perhaps they are trying to attract the cool vote, but even the cool kids will reject this.

They've even employed female singer Nina Žižić to break up the incomprehensible rapping, but unfortunately even her banshee wailing cannot save this. Hopefully, it will be consigned to the Eurovision rubbish bin and forgotten post haste.

The time to go and put the kettle on or take a bathroom break will be on May 14 around halfway through the first semi-final. Montenegro perform in ninth place.

Do you like this?

Eurovision 2013: Netherlands: Birds

Anouk: Birds

Birds is the Eurovision song entry from The Netherlands this year and it will be sung by one of Holland's most successful and current artists: Anouk.

Miss Teeuwe is hoping to reverse the country's recent bad results, evidenced by its inability to progress past the semi-final stages since their inception in 2004. Birds should do it for The Netherlands, even if it's not your regular pop song.

One would expect something rockier from Anouk, but this track is instead a hauntingly beautiful ballad. Non fans have referred to it as a "dirge", though on repeated listenings it's easy to appreciate its appeal. It's more complex than your usual Eurovision song, which does not bode well with the tele-voting, but will be a hit with the juries. If there's any justice, Birds should fly into the final and land a Top 5 placing.

The Netherlands will present their song in position eight of the first semi-final on May 14.

What do you think?

Eurovision 2013: Ukraine: Gravity

Zlata Ognevich

One of the earliest Eurovision songs to be chosen for the 2013 Contest was the entry from the Ukraine: Gravity sung by Zlata Ognevich.

Zlata was the overwhelming victor at her national final held in December, with both the public and the jurors giving her top marks. It seems the bookies agree, as Gravity is currently the second favourite to win the whole shebang (behind Denmark).

I'm not altogether convinced that the odds makers have got this one right. While the Ukraine have always done well, qualifying from the semis on every occasion, my belief is that Gravity is likely to fall to Earth with a crash. Yes, it will slide into the Final with ease, and no doubt pick up some neighbourly points once there, but this is not the 2013 winner. A Top 12 placing is guaranteed, I'm sure.

It has to be said, however, that Zlata is stunning, assuring votes from some quarters.

As for the song, my thoughts are that for the most part the content is just too Disney-esque. Not to my liking, but it's making waves elsewhere.

How about you?

Eurovision 2013: Russia: What If

Dina Garipova (pictured above) was selected internally to sing the Russian Eurovision entry What If, following her victory in Russia's version of The Voice in 2012.

Good choice by Russia because she certainly does have a voice, although the song she sings is something of a generic ballad. However, the Russians seem to know what works for Eurovision. Remember the grannies from last year?

In a sea of ballads this year, What If should find the Contest plain sailing. While generic, it does have a memorable chorus, the obligatory key change and a strong finish. And as I mentioned earlier, Dina is a powerhouse singer who carries the song without a problem.

This will find no difficulty in qualifying for the final when it is performed in sixth place in the first semi-final on May 14.

What do you think?

Eurovision 2013: Slovenia: Straight Into Love

Hannah Mancini

American singer Hannah Mancini has been chosen by Slovenia to represent the Balkan state at this year's Eurovision Song Contest with the song Straight Into Love.

This is not the first attempt by Ms Mancini to sing for Slovenia. In 2011, she took part in a national final performing the song Ti si tisti, but was unable too secure a place in the Super Final on that occasion.

In 2013, she is presenting something of a David Guetta ripoff Eurodance track, that has a hint of Eurphoria about it. In a year of ballads, it will certainly stand out and is one of the better uptempo numbers. Its problem may be its staging and, to a lesser extent, the vocals. Of course, one also has to consider the company it keeps in its semi-final. If the chatter is correct, one would expect this underrated entry to fall by the wayside, but it may surprise a few by scraping through to the final.

Straight Into Love will be performed in third place in the first semi-final on May 14.

What do you think of its chances?

Eurovision 2013: Lithuania: Something

Andrius Pojavis

Lithuania's hopes of qualifying for a third Eurovision final in a row lie with the song Something sung by Andrius Pojavis.

Andrius has described the song as indie-rock, but is better considered as indie-pop. There is something about Something that reminds me of another track, but I can't pinpoint it right now. He handles the song well, however, even if his vocals aren't the strongest in the contest. What might upset people more is that his eyebrows have a life of their own. Very distracting.

Something will be performed in tenth place of the first semi-final on May 14 and this will probably be the last time it is heard. Sorry Lithuania. 5/10.

Is Something your 2013 Eurovision winner?

Here's a short interview with Andrius Pojavis and he seems very hesitant about his chances of qualifying.

Eurovision 2013: Latvia: Here We Go

On the fourth attempt beatbox band PeR qualified to represent Latvia at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest with the track Here We Go.

In 2012, Latvia bombed with its Beautiful Song, unable to qualify from the semi-final. This year, with its not so beautiful song, it's highly possible that we won't see the Baltic state in the final once again.

Here We Go is a combination of pop and Latvian rap which, while more relevant to today's music, manages to bore the pants off this listener. The chorus comes across as a mid-tempo football chant, with instrumental breaks that sound as if they belong on a Dexy's Midnight Runners track from the 1980s.

It is the opener for semi-final two on May 16, and while it is one of the few upbeat songs included in this heat, I think this distinctly average effort will be quickly forgotten.

If the duo can generate the energy present in this video, I could be wrong. What do you think?

 

Eurovision 2013: Italy: L'essenziale

Marco Mengoni was the winner of the Sanremo Music Festival in February 2013 and was selected by a jury as the Eurovision representative for Italy with his winning song L'essenziale (The Essential One).

Marco has had a very successful career in Italy since winning that country's version of The X-Factor. Already with three Number One albums under his belt, along with an EP that hit the top of the Italian charts, Mr Mengoni looks set to take Sweden by storm. His Eurovision song has already gone double platinum at home, spending several weeks atop the singles chart there.

Mengoni has described L'essenziale as a typical Italian ballad. It's certainly that, but it's also a very classy ballad that is full of charisma. It incorporates a powerful vocal that caresses the Italian lyrics and this has already brought praise in Eurovision-ville. His "easy on the eyes" looks won't hurt his chances with certain sections of the voting public either. 9/10.

I'm looking for a Top 5 placing on the evening of May 18 when Italy competes in the final. What do you think?



L'essenziale is included on Marco Mengoni's latest album #prontoacorrere.

Eurovision 2013: Israel: Rak Bishvilo

Malmö will be welcoming Moran Mazor to the Eurovision stage where she will be singing the Eurovision entry for Israel, Rak Bishvilo (Only For Him : רק בשבילו).

Moran will be seeking Israel's first win since Dana International did the trick in 1998. However, my feeling is that this ballad will find little favour with the voting public.

It's moody, if not a little over dramatic. And while there is no problem with entering a song in Hebrew, there is very much a language disconnect for those who do not understand the lyrics. Moran has a strong voice, although at times it seems she's overdoing it somewhat. It becomes all too fraught and angst driven with no discernible hook to draw the listener in.

A good singer, but a so-so song that has no real hope of making it out of its semi-final. Once heard, easily forgotten. 5/10

Israel performs in tenth place in the second semi-final on May 16.

What do you think about this song's chances?

Eurovision 2013: Ireland: Only Love Survives

 

Ryan Dolan: Only Love Survives

In late February, the Irish public and regional juries chose Only Love Survives, co-written and sung by Ryan Dolan, as the song to represent Ireland at Eurovision.

Dolan is hoping to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the eighth time, but somehow I don't see this happening. While it ticks all the right Eurovision boxes - upbeat, catchy Eurodance number with a repetitive refrain - the song is not particularly original. It also very much depends on the live vocal and performance on the night.

Having said that, Ireland will be performing in a semi-final that is bereft of uptempo tracks, so the song does stand a very high chance of qualifying. The problem is that singing live is not a strong point for Dolan, so winning the competition is out of the question. There are just better singers with better songs. 6/10.

Only Love Survives will be performed in thirteenth place in the first semi-final on May 14.

What are your thoughts about Ireland's song?

Live at Eurovision In Concert

Eurovision 2013: Iceland: Ég Á Líf

Eyþór Ingi (or Eythor Ingi) will be travelling to Sweden to sing Ég Á Líf (I Have A Life), the Eurovision song entry for Iceland.

Ingi is 23-years-old and looks like a renegade from an Icelandic heavy metal band, not the singer of this ballad that deserves to be heard across Europe. In fact, his bio mentions that he was a member of a Deep Purple tribute, as well as playing in a Freddie Mercury Tribute Show. It therefore sounds like he has the chops to sing well live.

As is usual, one can expect a very good song from Iceland and this year is no exception. It's a big ballad that builds across its three minutes. With hints of Irish flavouring and a late chord change, listeners will be able to hum along to this one easily - even if they don't understand what the song is all about. My understanding is that it will be sung in the native language; the first time this has happened since 1997.

Just a warning about the video: It features Eyþór Ingi gutting fish. I know Iceland's economy depends on its fishing trade, but really? Sorry to disappoint anyone expecting a full blown romantic few minutes but Eyþór only loves his fish, it seems.

Iceland will hopefully qualify from the second semi-final on May 16 where it performs in eighth place. Not the winner this year, though.

What do you think?



Image: Albin Olsson / CC BY-SA

Eurovision 2013: Hungary: Kedvesem

In what seemed like a marathon national qualifier, Hungary finally chose the song Kedvesem sung by ByeAlex as its representative at Eurovision 2013.

About ByeAlex

ByeAlex is a relative newcomer in Hungary and by all accounts was not even expecting to qualify from the rounds of his national final. However, journalist Alex Márta fought through and won the televote in fine style to secure his place in Malmö.

Song Review: Kedvesem

This understated foot tapper has become one of my favourites in this year's competition. The general consensus is that because the song is sung in Hungarian, very few will be able to relate to it. This should not define whether a track is good or bad. My thoughts are that it's a simple, somewhat childlike melody that is as catchy as all get out. 

The problem is that if I like a Eurovision song, then generally the rest of Europe doesn't. I know it won't win, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will qualify. Looking at its semi-final, it may just squeak through.

Hungary perform in twelfth place (out of seventeen) in the second semi-final on May 16.

What do you think of Hungary's chances?

Image: Promotional photo