A Swede who lives in Finland and who is lost in Euroland - the wonderful world of Eurovision
There is always some matter to discuss or just a song I want to share
Very welcome - I hope you'll like it here!
Most participating countries will have periods of time when they struggle to make an impact on the international final. Latvia flunked in six consecutive semi finals, something that would make most people lose their temper and throw in the towel.
In Latvia, what went wrong was mainly two things in cooperation: an obvious inability to choose the right song as well as the lack of someone who could step in and organise things.
This song sort of proves both points as it is clearly better - as a composition - than the song Latvia eventually sent to Düsseldorf. Catchy and with clear handles in the chorus. Perhaps not an obvious qualifier, but it would have had a chance at least.
However, someone with a good eye for details would have had to step in, execute some good choreography, tell the singer not to do so much wailing and perhaps to rewrite the odd line in the lyrics. Very easily this good song could have been improved further.
And what a good move to have a brass-based song as a contrast to the abundance of violins we had in recent times.
I surfed onto German site Queer.de the other day to read their review of Conchita's new album. I've been looking forward to Conchita making more music and was curious to see how it landed with the critics.
They liked it quite a lot and I had a listen to a few tracks and decided I have to listen in full some day.
Then I couldn't help but see that they also reviewed the new album by Lena Meyer-Landrut, so I decided to have a peek at that as well. Only it wasn't much of a review, more like a big plea for Lena to give up on music altogether and do something more useful with her time.
I haven't heard her new album, I must admit as much. Maybe it is disappointing. I've liked Lena's later output in general but that's really beside the point.
I doubt the reviewer would have taken that kind of attitude towards a singer that hadn't won the ESC. I know nothing of this reviewer - this is not aimed against him or that particular review - but often winning the ESC means the press will be nice with you for a while and then tear you down.
I suppose many winners would agree that at some point in their career, people seem to have held their victories against them. Like their victories would diminish their work, somehow. Conchita is everyone's darling now, but what will it be like in a few years?
Björn Ulvaeus of Abba has said in many interviews that the Eurovision victory was a door opener at first but soon made people assume they would fade away, since that was what ESC winners were supposed to do.
Personally I love Lena. Both her entries are among my favourites of recent years - especially "Taken By A Stranger" is a masterpiece - and I hope she'll stay in the business for as long as she pleases. Regardless of what reviewers and others might say.
It is most likely we will never ever find out why exactly did RAI throw in the towel after Millstreet 1993. Maybe they had a boss that didn't like the ESC? Maybe they forgot to fill out the forms the people in Geneva requested? Maybe they just woke up one morning and had had it.
Your guess is as good as mine.
With the exception of a quick but sublime guest appearance in 1997 - where the magnificent Fiumi di parole impressed the pants off most people and mysteriously failed to end higher than 4th - there would be no Italian entry for 18 years.
Suddenly they were back and sent an entry to Düsseldorf. A most unusual entry too. A pretty demanding jazz entry, performed by the coolest cat in the contest who sat on stage, caressing his piano, trying his best to complete avoid eye contact with the camera. A few times during his entry, he also screams along with the trumpet in a way that is ugly and brilliant at the same time.
Now would anyone vote for this?
Yes. They would. To most people's big surprise, Italy pushed past Swedish Eric Saade at a late stage of the voting and made it into second place. Only twice before had Italy done better at Eurovision. I bet the general air of surprise had been even greater hadn't people been fully occupied dropping their jaws over Azerbaijan's victory.
A deserved 2nd place?
I like this one and I think Raphael Gualazzi is wonderful, but in a pop contest I would prefer songs with a certain hit factor to do well. I'm glad for Italy but would have chosen someone else myself. So it's a no from me.
You know what? I love Latvia. Riga is one of my favourite cities and I never fully came to terms with the fact I missed out the year Eurovision was held there. I'd love for Eurovision to come back there but the Latvians have given me pretty little nourishment for my hopes lately.
This year, I haven't really checked out the Latvian national final at all. I watched the odd clip but have no idea about their line-up or their chances.
I sort of gave up on Latvian finals in 2011, when they had a quirky and catchy little pearl like Daylight but decides to send something as forgettable as Musiqq to Düsseldorf.
So Latvia, you are on your own tonight. Select wisely. I'd love for you to surprise me in a positive direction but I won't believe it until I see it.
It all started out so nicely, with the best possible draw for a song like this. In the semi final, Paradise Oskar came in as a breath of fresh air with a relaxed and scaled-down little number. Easy on the ear as well as the eye, with a chorus everyone could sing along with.
The song stormed into the final, ending third in its semi, with top marks from no less than three countries.
That is where the good luck ended, as getting drawn to perform first in the final ruined the whole act. The appeal of "Da Da Dam" is that it is simple and uncomplicated, standing out from many of the other entries. For that to work, you need other songs to compare it to.
Coming first, the Finnish entry was reduced to just a pleasant song by a pleasant performer. Nice, in short. And nobody votes for nice.
Had it been #24 instead, anything could have happened. Probably.
She did it again, didn't she? For the second year running, I have Lena as my number one. But she's not quite the same, is she?
Lena - Taken By A Stranger (Germany 2011)
When Germany announced that Lena would have another go at the title, I thought it was a really bad idea. So many things could go wrong there. So easy to ruin the good impression she created when winning in Oslo.
But instead Team Lena did everything just right.
Selecting such a different and daring entry was complete genius. Such a minimalistic and suggestive piece of music had never been heard in Eurovision before. Who cares if the masses don't understand?
The elegant dance routine in the background, the acting skills of Lena (watch out for those crazy eyes!) and the play with mirrors in the background create an almost Hitchcook-esque feeling to this entry.
Just like Bosnia, this is more a piece of art than a eurovision entry.
Lena holds the whole thing together fabulously and it is easy to forget how young she is, and that she was discovered only a year ago.
Also, with more than a hint of something dark and disturbing, this song brings something fresh and modern into the competition. Congratulations Germany on being the best for the second year running.
The televoters and juries may not have understood, but that's just a detail.
Since they shaped up big time half a decade ago, Bosnia-Herzegovina is never bad at Eurovision. It is just a question of HOW good they are.
Dino Merlin - Love In Rewind (Bosnia-Herzegovina 2011)
Dino Merlin is very, very good. It is not some cosmic co-incidence that made him a superstar on home ground.
He brought along the happiest bunch of people seen on a Eurovision stage for many a good day and puts on an ethnic singalong anthem complete with some yodeling. With those ingredients, they decorate a real birthday cake of a song.
Just as the case with Laka three years ago, this is more like a conceptual installation of art rather than a eurosong, only more easily accessible.
The whole song is such a brilliant little piece, crowned by the elegant and unexpected hook: "Sito!"
There are so many rights in this song that I could make a list and go on for a long time. (And on a shallow note - in my book, the bass player is possibly the most attractive male gracing the ESC stage this year. But that's shallow, please disregard.)
A musical happy pill. If you don't like it, you're dull. End of story.
So maybe I am a bit partial. Who isn't? But I don't know when was the last time I was this moved by Finland's entry.
Paradise Oskar - Da Da Dam (Finland 2011)
I first met Axel Ehnström a couple of weeks before he sang in the national final in Finland. He had just been selected to take part and was therefore invited to a tv show I was the editor of. He had never sung on tv before, but did a very good job on our show.
He made a big impression on everyone involved and I told him I hoped he'd win, just so I would get to see how he would be able to handle Düsseldorf.
And boy, did he handle Düsseldorf!
The way he handled the press, the fans, the cameras and the director. Like a true professional he steered clear of all those things that are normally the big problems for Finland: how to behave yourself on a stage when the entire world is looking.
I know the song is very divisive - some love it, some hate it - but I'm deeply fond of it. I find it touching and sincere, without becoming too sugary or ingratiating.
The final placing was a big disappointment, but what really matters is that we got ourselves a true talent onto the musical map of Finland.
Finland's best entry in ages and ages. And the same goes for the singer/songwriter.
What better way to attempt a comeback than to send in a bright and shiny piece of pop perfection?
Kati Wolf - What About My Dreams (Hungary 2011)
If we only discuss this entry from the perspective of sheer songwriting, this is a completely flawless creation. Catchy, loaded with lovely hooks, full of cute little references to other pop music (mainly Whitney Houston when she wanted to dance with somebody) performed by a blond Lara Fabian.
What is there not to love? A perfect radio hit and a perfect eurosong all rolled into one.
Unfortunately, the live performance doesn't quite live up to expectation. Kati's voice isn't always in place, there is something awkward about the stage show, something about that dress.
When the pieces don't fall into place like they should, it doesn't help how beautiful the picture on your jigsaw puzzle was intended to be.
That said, a 22nd place was a slap on the face. Wonderful Kati deserved so much more, and I'm left wanting more more more.
I want to see and hear more of her, preferrably backed by the same production team.
The Serbians go spanking mad and believe Belgrade is Motown. And I love it!
Nina - Čaroban (Serbia 2011)
Many entries in the past have gone all wrong when they try to produce a Motown vibe, but in my ears the Serbians get it quite right. There is so much bubble, sparkle and energy packed into this song that I can't stand still as it starts.
I want to dance along like the wild and beautiful backing group and pretend like I was part of the Swinging Sixties as well.
Unfortunately, nerves got the better of Nina who didn't sing quite as brilliantly live as during rehearsals. But she is still such a remarkable performer. Again - who would believe this girl is only 21?
From a technical point of view, I think the background projections get a bit too busy and exhausting, and in some shots you almost lose the performers thanks to this.
But the song is ace. And, if truth be told, even better in its English version.
That Irish song, that really is a bouncy number. Yet that is absolutely nothing compared to the performers.
Jedward - Lipstick (Ireland 2011)
First of all - who would have thought that Ireland would ever come up with something like this? All those endless years of bagpapes and violins and flutes and pretty harmonies and love ballads, when they had a couple of Jedwards stashed away somewhere.
From this moment on, no country will ever have an excuse again. If Ireland can produce something as wild and crazy and funny as this, then everyone can.
Jedward themselves are beyond description, really. Or let me put you like this: I love them on a stage, but would rather be eaten by eels than get stuck in a lift with them.
They leave most of the singing to the backing singers and hop around like two spring mad calves unleashed for the first time.
They also have a catchy little song which proves the perfect vehicle for them. If they can use their ESC stardom in the long run remains to be seen, but I wish them all the best. As long as they don't move in next door.
Their song is good, but five songs are better in my mind. So the twins narrowly miss out on a top five in my ranking, but I very much doubt that will get them down. I have no idea what in the world would.
At first I thought this was a runaway cast member of the Aristocats, but this jazzy number kept growing and growing and growing...
Raphael Gualazzi - Madness Of Love (Italy 2011)
In many ways, this is typical Italian behaviour at Eurovision and the reason we wanted them back in the first place. Their complete ignorance of what we want and expect of them.
Most people were hoping for a very italian pop song, instead we got a most atypical jazz entry.
Raphaele Gualazzi is a rare pearl of a performer who doesn't give the camera a single straight look throughout his entire three minutes and yet it feels like he is watching you the whole time.
And he sings like a god. I love the part where he does the big, ugly note that falls into the trumpet solo. Fantastic.
I always thought this would be one of the songs you remember fondly, but never fall madly in love with. I had to think again. I love the song, the singer, the performance and the whole deal.
Welcome back, Italy. If you keep going like this, we would like you to stay forever.
How much madness can you stuff into a mere three minutes? Well, the Moldovans are about to find out...
Zdob si Zdub - So Lucky (Moldova 2011)
This song is perhaps the musical equivalent of being trapped in a fun house together with Moldova's own Red Hot Chili Peppers.
You just have no idea what they're about to do next and I love it. I love the crazy hats. I love the broken lyrics. (Does anyone have a clue what their song is really about?) I love the girl on the unicycle and the fact that she doesn't once play her silly flute.
Above all I love the background projections, where the Tim Burton-esque witches go wild all over the place, flying in all possible directions.
And I love the fact that this song is moonstruck delirium version of Petula Clark's Don't Sleep In The Subway considering the way it is constructed, turning the dynamics upside down.
In a year where a few entries too many just aim to please, something looney is bound to end up among my faourites.
Sweet and sentimental in a tasteful setting but I never in a million years thought this would be the winner in the end.
Ell/Nikki - Running Scared (Azerbaijan 2011)
This is the kind of song that is tailormade for studio production. It contains some parts that are hard to sing but will sound excellent with several takes and quite a bit of overdubbing.
I was doubtful from the beginning how it would sound live, but I must admit that the couple manages to hit the notes far better than expected. Both of them, especially Ell, possess an undeniable charm that works well with the song.
The difficulty affects their vocal delivery anyhow, you can sense a hesitation in their voices and the singing is weaker than in the recorded version.
The stage performance, designed by a Swede, is elegant but also a bit anonymous, where the waterfall of fire leaves a more lasting impression than the singers themselves.
The song, also designed by Swedes, is also elegant but has precious little to do with what goes on in the world of Azeri music.
That is my big problem with this entry - anyone could theoretically hire Madonna to sing for them or have RedOne write their entry.
But when this contest is more about who has the biggest wallet rather than who can write the best song, then there isn't much point to a song contest anymore.
For a while it looked like the UK had everything lined up in order to put an end to the years of shame and score a sixth victory. But then the guys had to sing as well.
Blue - I Can (UK 2011)
It really seemed like a promising package when presented to the audience. There was a powerful, contemporary pop song with a bit of an edge. Blue had rather a large fan base around the continent and were a very impressive name for being a UK eurovision entrant.
There were some reports that they had been singing badly at various tv shows when promoting the song, but I was dead sure they would give their absolute best on the final in order to show who was wearing the pants.
So much for dead sure.
Ten years of career, collaborations with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Elton John, loads of concerts under their belt. All this counted for nothing when they stumble out on stage, giving a most insecure impression, skidding across some of the more important notes of the song.
They recover some of their former glory before the song is over, but then it is too late. Many of the young, rather inexperienced, singers from countries like Austria, Slovenia, Finland and Estonia have all given better performances.
Europe is left pretty unimpressed and, even though an eleventh place is not to be frowned upon by the UK these days, what could have been a triumph turned into something that is OK. Pretty good, but not smashing.
My first impression was that a talented girl like Senit would do so well had she had a more powerful song to sing. Never trust a first impression, in other words.
Senit - Stand By (San Marino 2011)
This soft little cotton ball of a ballad is so tender and gentle that you hardly notice it the first time you hear it. I think my first impression was shared by quite a few people in Düsseldorf, to be frank.
But it has eaten its way into my conscience and made itself a special little place close to my heart.
Senit is a wonderful performer - warm, radiant, elegant, present - and manages to squeeze every tiny drop of sentiment out of this song without hugging it to death with her vocal chords.
Far too laid back to hit home with the masses voting by phone, but a personal favourite that I will carry with me for many years to come. And - for me - the best out of all non-qualifyers of the 2011 ESC.
So please stand by, San Marino. I don't mind at all.
This is in many ways the same old song as Sweden. And yet I like it just that teeny tiny bit better.
Getter Jaani - Rockefeller Street (Estonia 2011)
If Sweden went for the youthful approach, then Estonia took the idea even further. Young Getter Jaani is born the same year that Estonia selected its first Eurovision entry (which would go on to get rejected at the Ljubljana pre-selection).
She is, despite her age, a confident young lass, but during the week in Düsseldorf, I started fearing that she would do rather badly. I felt something about the song was too calculated to really hit home with viewers and voters.
Maybe I was right. Rockefeller Street made it to the final, but ended second last there. And once the relative failure was complete, I changed my mind again.
There is something ever surprising and very quirky about this song. It bounces and goes in all directions before it somehow finds its way and everything comes together in the chorus.
Also, the performance is very sweet - the frame where the backing group looks out from behind the cardboard houses is ace.
It didn't work all the way this time, but Estonia is still a force to be counted with at Eurovision.
Now I will disagree with every school kid in all of Sweden but Eric Saade doesn't quite make it into my top ten.
Eric Saade - Popular (Sweden 2011)
I applaud Sweden's recent attempts to shake of the burden of the old schlager, to take a more youthful approach and send in something more contemporary and commercial.
I also hear that there is a contagious chorus here - perhaps more of an ever-repeating hook rather than a real chorus.
I also see the squirrel eyes of Eric Saade, how much he wants to impress everyone, how badly he wants to do well.
I also see why many people resign to the whole package and has this as their number one of the year. That's all fair and square, but I don't like it that much.
It leaves too much a taste of plastic in my mouth to be a real favourite for me. Also, it is aimed at a completely different target group where I don't belong, and it doesn't move me like that.
However, I am very pleased that it did well and that Eric Saade got a real merit to bring home and put on his shelf. I have a feeling Swedish media won't be easy on him once the Eurovision adventure is over, and even if he can be a bit over confident and arrogant in interviews, the lad would deserve better.
Hopefully it is enough to be popular with the people if not with the press.
I can't explain it. Maybe it's something in the water. But nobody can work their entries quite like the Ukrainians.
Mika Newton - Angel (Ukraine 2011)
I wasn't keen on this one when it was elected to represent Ukraine, but then it has kept growing and growing and growing. Mika Newton is another one of these highly talented performers that Ukraine keeps sending to the ESC, and she makes it look easy to lift this ballad even further up the scale.
As for the gimmick of using the sand painting artist, it could have resulted in an embarrassing attempt of stuffing something visual into a performance where it doesn't belong (hello, Cyprus!) but the art and the song embrace each other and make the whole thing even better.
Still quite some way from the magic and wonder of Verka Serduchka, Ani Lorak or even Tina Karol, I still regard Ukraine as the best and most reliable country in Eurovision at the moment.
Whatever they send in, they also make sure it works before the final. Very well done.
