Goodbye / The Humans / Romania | Review

The Humans for Romania: hello or goodbye to Eurovision?

Last year's Romanian yodeling promoted the country back into Eurovision Top 10 territory having been stuck in mid-table for the previous few years. It seems that Romania is a nation with reliable Eurovision credentials but one which doesn't climb onto the left-hand side of the scoreboard as regularly as one might assume. This year, the Romanians are counting on relative newcomers The Humans, with their song Goodbye, to maintain the nation's 100% qualification record and return them to the Top 10.

The Humans are a six-piece band which has been active since 2017, specialising in pop, rock and funk. They were virtually unknown when they came from nowhere to win the national pre-selection, since dividing opinion as to their song's potential in the competition. Although last year’s Yodel It felt like something that could only prevail within the framework of the Eurovision Song Contest, Goodbye seems like a radio hit first and an entry for Eurovision second.

The theme of the song – as shared by lyricist and lead singer Cristina Caramarcu – is "an urge to motivate one another not to give up our dreams" and "say[ing] 'goodbye' to all the emotions that keep us on the spot, say 'goodbye' to limitations, conventions and step confident towards the future".

Although not fully embraced by both the Eurovision community and some music critics, Goodbye is nevertheless a well produced and uplifting slice of anthemic pop that could make a legitimate impression outside of the confines of the contest. It feels as if its origins are in 1980s American arena rock, particularly songs from the back catalogues by female driven bands such as Heart or The Pretenders  However, it’s uncertain how much of an impression it’ll make in a sequence of typical Eurovision songs, but one would expect a decent series of votes in Lisbon - particularly if the song's message creates a strong emotional connection with the audience.

Romania’s vast diaspora will no doubt help ferry the country into the final again - although this year it feels less guaranteed - but once there it may well be overlooked for something more visually striking. One to watch, though.

Romania 

Artist: The Humans

Song: Goodbye 

Semi-Final 2 | First Half

Review: Romania: Eurovision 2015 | Voltaj

Pop-rock group Voltaj to represent Romania in Austria

It was possibly something of a surprise that Voltaj won Selecția Națională 2015, the Romanian national Eurovision final, with the song De la capăt. The band did so, in the end, with a comfortable six-point margin over its nearest rival.

All of the smart money appeared to be on the runner-up, Luminița Anghel, who went into the competition as a hot favourite - based primarily on her Eurovision experience, it seems, rather than on the quality of a somewhat boring song and static performance. As it turned out, the majority of the contenders suffered with vocal delivery car crashes, but Voltaj opened up the evening's events with a restrained and passionate rendering of their mid-tempo rock ballad, of which there is an English version: All Over Again.

The song contains an important message, close to the hearts of the band: the struggle experienced by Romanian children whose parents are working abroad to support them and the discrimination those parents suffer at the hands of their host nation. It talks of the importance of being able to get a second chance, built around trust, closeness and understanding.

Whether this idea will resonate across Europe is questionable, but nevertheless, it is wrapped up in a strong and memorable melody from the Romanians. There is a hint of the familiar about it, nagging at you as if you have heard it somewhere else before, but that can only really help its chances. It can also expect a slew of support from neighbouring countries - as well as the Romanian diaspora - as it's already enjoyed hit status in the region.

That success should translate to a very promising points display at Eurovision. The song's strong melody and stirring chorus should hold both the jurors' and the televoters' attention and help it through to the Saturday Final. Add to that, the speculation that the band may perform the song in English and Voltaj could be in the running for a very fruitful time in Vienna.

What do you think?

Eurovision 2014: Romania: Miracle

Romania: Paula Seling and Ovi

Has it really been almost two months since Paula Seling and Ovi won the 2014 crown at the Romanian national final with their song, Miracle? Apparently so.

I mention the time element because back on March 1st when the pair won, there was so much initial excitement about them returning to Eurovision. Now, there's virtually no mention of their song at all.

In some respects, it's not surprising. Over the last couple of months many more songs have been announced, and you have to say, that a lot of them are so much better than Miracle.

Capturing third place in 2010 with Playing With Fire, I think we were all expecting something on a par with that fan favourite - or possibly something even better. Unfortunately, for the most part, Paula and Ovi have not delivered.

This year, Romania walks the well-trodden path into Euro disco with a generic dance track that holds very little in the way of surprises. It starts off well enough with Ovi's solo vocal, but then descends into a sub par Avicii-style track with all the highly recognisable pre-recorded instrumentation one would expect.

As it progresses, Paula's vocal skills are predominant. One cannot deny that she has a fine set of lungs on her, but what she has to sing is banal and, quite frankly, makes little sense.

There is a little nod in this year's presentation to their past glory, though. If you saw their 2010 appearance, you'll remember the transparent double grand piano. The pair's performance in the national final used this gimmick once again to good effect. Although they were not seated at it, it was center stage and a neat reminder for those who have seen them perform together before.

The important question is whether viewers will vote for it? As it's the last song on stage in the second semi-final, it does appear to have something of a shoe-in to the Grand Final. It also has the benefit of some audience familiarity with the singers, and of course, it will have the advantage of a large Romanian diaspora in Europe.

Because of this, I see it qualifying. However, I predict an ultimate placing somewhere between 10th and 15th.

Romania: Cezar Releases New Single: Painful Love

Painful Love is the latest single release by the Romanian Eurovision singer, Cezar Ouatu. I guess the question is whether it is as painful to listen to as Romania's surprisingly successful 2013 entry, It's My Life?

The answer to that question is yes and no. For many, just accepting the singing style is difficult enough. If you can get past the fact that this is not Kiri Te Kanawa who is singing, then you may be pleasantly surprised.

The pseudo-Europop number that was It's My Life is replaced by a much slower and emotionally charged composition. It is probably as far away from the Eurovision song as one can get which, in my humble opinion, is not a bad thing.

Painful Love is unlikely to race up the music charts in 99% of Europe, but what do you think of it?

Here's Cezar performing the song live on the Pro TV show, Happy Hour.

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

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 2011: Romania: Hotel FM

Hotel FM by EurovisionRomania (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

Romania has selected its song for The Eurovision Song Contest 2011. It is called Change and will be performed by trio Hotel FM, led by British singer David Bryan.

The song has a very familiar feel to it, with Bryan singing of how he and others can change their worlds and the how dreams can be fulfilled. Sung in English, it takes the usual Eurovision route of repeating a catchy chorus throughout. Somehow, in its construction, it reminds me of the Danish entry from 2008: Simon Mathew with All Night Long.

All in all, it's not a bad song and it shouldn't have trouble getting to the Final. It will be performed in the second half of the second semi-final on May 12.

What are your thoughts about the Romanian entry?