With Sweden hosting the contest in 2013 there was a lot of interest surrounding Melodifestivalen this year. There was also a great deal of diasppointment amongst fans in the voting results and the standard of songs. It was almost as if the Swedes were trying not to win again! For the first time ever, the winning song, "You", came from the Andra Chansen (second chance) round! This entry is fairly standard Swedish schlager fodder. It's good but no cigar. I doubt Sweden will do the double but with a big hometown roar and strong performance, this could be in the final shake-up on the night.
Thursday, 2 May 2013
The Big Review (33) Romania
Last year I was convinced that Romania had a fighting chance of winning Eurovision with "Zaleilah". This year I am convinced that Romania are not only going to fail to qualify, they will fail badly. Cazar's vocals, whilst impressive, are also downright freaky. The song "It's My Life" doesn't do much for me either. I full expect people at my preview party tomorrow night to be falling around laughing when this comes on. Still, it's memorable, for all the wrong reasons. If Europe is having a bit of a laugh then this might just sneak through but I'm sticking to my guns. For now.
Qualifying: No
The Big Review (32) Switzerland
It's the Sally Army Band for Switzerland! Or Takasa as they are now calling themselves. Still, it's the Sally Army Band for Switzerland! When this was chosen it even made it to the BBC news website. It's certainly a quirky story. Some have mentioned that the Salvation Army have homophobic members, however, which religious organisation doesn't? As for the song, "You and Me", it's a catchy one and performed well. It's not my favourite but it comes at the right time in the contest and I think this will qualify relatively easily. Certainly no winner but an interesting backstory for the commentators to tell.
Qualifying: Yes
The Big Review (31) Georgia
Georgia knows how to put on a good Eurovision party. Indeed their 2010 effort was more impressive than the official Welcome Reception! Georgia is an EU-aspirant country, pro-actively tackling corruption and keen to make a mark on the world stage. Participation in Eurovision is very much part of this process of projecting a positive international image. The chance to win and stage Eurovision are serious opportunities for some countries and that's very true when it comes to Georgia. Last year the delegation spoke candidly about Eurovision and the platform it affords them. To put it crudely, they're out to win. This is perhaps their best ever chance. "Waterfall", written by the winning Swedish team behind Loreen's "Euphoria", is a dramatic and moody ballad which of course, features the obligatory key change. It's old-fashioned but it's performed incredibly well and I can see this going far. I'd be absolutely delighted for Georgia to win, not only do I stand to win a lot of money with the bookies, it will also provide the perfect opportunity to visit an interesting country with a rich cultural history. If they go for a ballad, this could well be it.
Qualifying: Yes
The Big Review (30) Albania
Albania were traditionally the first country to announce their Eurovision entry, using the long-standing Festivali i Këngës as a national final. I sat through the event in December 2009 - never again! Just when you think it's about to end, it continues and continues - to the point when even the contestants look bored! Albania have come up with some pretty decent entries in the past. Whilst their song this year is well-performed, it doesn't really do anything for me. I can't see this qualifying although saying that, many couldn't fathom how they did so well last year with "Suus".
Qualifying: No
The Big Review (29) Norway
After their landslide victory in 2009, Norway have had a tough few years in Eurovision. Their entry "My Heart Is Yours" flopped badly on home turf in 2010, they failed to qualify in 2011 and in 2012 they came last in the final. This year they have come out fighting. "I Feed Me Your Love" (that's an offer a boy can't refuse!) is a very modern piece of electro-pop which builds nicely. It's contemporary and fresh. Intially I wasn't sure of this and whilst I would prefer to venture out of Scandinavia next year, I think this is a possible winner. It has massive hit potential and would be good for the contest. Staged simply yet effectively, no gimmicks, just pure class. If the voters of Europe opt for an uptempo song then this could be it.
Qualifying: Yes
The Big Review (28) Hungary
Hungary are a strange country when it comes to Eurovision. At the start of the voting in 1994, the year of their debut, they looked like they were going to walk the contest. Since that time success has evaded them. They were the big fan favourite in 2011 with "What About My Dreams?" yet in the final it flopped. Still, they've qualified for the last two contests. Their entry this year is a rather strange yet melodic, plodding song. It'll be interesting to see how this one is staged. I don't hate it, I don't particularly love it either. It's a Marmite song if ever there was one. Fair play to them for trying something different. I can't see this qualifying although I said that last year...
Qualifying: No
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