Melodifestivalen 1997 was going to be the real start of something new, according to host SVT Göteborg. After a few lean years with few hits and fewer viewers, it was time to wipe out the old and bring in the new.
Songs were especially commissioned by the likes of Jonas Berggren of Ace of Base and the still rather fresh pop discovery Robyn (who was later set for international stardom and quite a lot of it too), backing tracks were allowed and the whole production should have a scent of fresh air.
What an anticlimax then, that the first song in the running was as stereotypical for 80's and 90's Melodifestivalen entries as could be.
Dance orchestra vocalist Monia Sjöström gave it a brave effort vocally, but "Nu idag" didn't stand a chance against the supposedly more modern competition and ended second last.
In retrospect, it would be more anticlimactic that a song just as dated and with just as distinct a taste of dust went on to win the whole thing, only to bomb a few weeks later in Dublin.
Unlike blond, at least Monia had some sparkle in her eyes and a fair share of charm and her song has stood the test of time better than most of the more modern ones.
Monia - Nu idag (Sweden 1997 national final)
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Song of the Day: Switzerland 1985
Back in the 80's, when Eurovision was still commercially successful in the Nordic countries (before the big comedown of the 90's), we had ESC cover versions released on tape.
For many years, these cover versions were my truth and my originals.
And in the 1985 cover cassette, I was always fond of the Swiss entry. I found it catchy and easy to sing along to. In short, a very fun song.
In 1992, I found a sampler album with all the songs in original versions and got to hear the real singers for the first time in seven years. A very happy event in my life, but the Swiss disappointed me.
Later that same year, I got a video copy of the 1985 contest and was even more disappointed with the Swiss. What I always thought would be a quick-paced, snappy entry turned out to be a slack little duet, lacking the forza and attack it had on my cover tape.
Given that it was composed and conducted by a real musical legend, in the shape of Anita Kerr, makes it even more disappointing.
But Pino and Mariella look cute together, and the chorus is still catchy. At least that is something. And good enough for a 12th place.
Pino Gasparini & Mariella Farré - Piano Piano (Switzerland 1985)
For many years, these cover versions were my truth and my originals.
And in the 1985 cover cassette, I was always fond of the Swiss entry. I found it catchy and easy to sing along to. In short, a very fun song.
In 1992, I found a sampler album with all the songs in original versions and got to hear the real singers for the first time in seven years. A very happy event in my life, but the Swiss disappointed me.
Later that same year, I got a video copy of the 1985 contest and was even more disappointed with the Swiss. What I always thought would be a quick-paced, snappy entry turned out to be a slack little duet, lacking the forza and attack it had on my cover tape.
Given that it was composed and conducted by a real musical legend, in the shape of Anita Kerr, makes it even more disappointing.
But Pino and Mariella look cute together, and the chorus is still catchy. At least that is something. And good enough for a 12th place.
Pino Gasparini & Mariella Farré - Piano Piano (Switzerland 1985)
Sunday, January 29, 2012
France 2012: Anggun adds a bit of temper
I have had a bubbly gut feeling ever since France revealed they had convinced Indonesian star Anggun to go to Eurovision to represent them.
Anggun is a dignified and worthy representative, having had her international break thanks to French producers and songwriters back in the late 90's.
Today, her entry for Baku was made official, and with such great expectations hanging over you it is hard not to disappoint.
Anggun - Echo (You and I) (France 2012)
On a first listening, I must admit to feeling a bit confused. It wasn't crystal clear where this song was heading, what tempo it would settle for and what part of it really constituted the chorus.
That slight criticism aside, I did hear the nifty production, the warm timbre of Anggun's lovely voice as well as the energetically persistent whistle hook that comes and goes all through the song.
Also, what must be remembered is that Anggun possesses an impressive stage persona with a strong presence and gravity. If the song needs an extra push at first, Anggun is the right performer to provide it.
Given an effective stage show (and a bit of luck in the draw), France could turn out to be the contender they were expected to be for the last few years but never quite lived up to.
Very well done!
Anggun is a dignified and worthy representative, having had her international break thanks to French producers and songwriters back in the late 90's.
Today, her entry for Baku was made official, and with such great expectations hanging over you it is hard not to disappoint.
Anggun - Echo (You and I) (France 2012)
On a first listening, I must admit to feeling a bit confused. It wasn't crystal clear where this song was heading, what tempo it would settle for and what part of it really constituted the chorus.
That slight criticism aside, I did hear the nifty production, the warm timbre of Anggun's lovely voice as well as the energetically persistent whistle hook that comes and goes all through the song.
Also, what must be remembered is that Anggun possesses an impressive stage persona with a strong presence and gravity. If the song needs an extra push at first, Anggun is the right performer to provide it.
Given an effective stage show (and a bit of luck in the draw), France could turn out to be the contender they were expected to be for the last few years but never quite lived up to.
Very well done!
Cyprus 2012: La La Love
Cypriot broadcaster RIK announced already early in the season that they would have themselves represented by X-Factor starlet Ivi Adamou in Baku, discontinuing the not too successful talent show set-up used for selecting their entrant in 2011.
Ivi found herself three songs for a national final, none of which written by local songwriters.
Repeating myself like an old vinyl record with a big scratch in it, I still find it disappointing when countries won't use local talent at Eurovision. Anyone could buy good songs from a publisher, but an ESC final where half the songs are written by Diane Warren and the other half by RedOne would not be a happy prospect in my book.
However, songwriting is turning more international, and the main focus at Eurovision since many years back are the singers anyway. End of rant.
On a first listening, I found all three songs pretty dull and disinteresting, but I must admit that the winner is growing on me.
Ivi Adamou - La La Love (Cyprus 2012)
Not entirely my cup of tea, but I'm beginning to see the potential of a simple but hooky piece of beach party disco that everyone can sing along to from the word go.
It reminds me quite a lot of Turkey's 2009 entry by Hadise with its slightly oriental-flavoured arrangement and steady rhythm.
And there has been worse hooks than a lot of la-la-la's in a row. Don't you agree, Massiel?
Massiel - La La La (Spain 1968)
Ivi found herself three songs for a national final, none of which written by local songwriters.
Repeating myself like an old vinyl record with a big scratch in it, I still find it disappointing when countries won't use local talent at Eurovision. Anyone could buy good songs from a publisher, but an ESC final where half the songs are written by Diane Warren and the other half by RedOne would not be a happy prospect in my book.
However, songwriting is turning more international, and the main focus at Eurovision since many years back are the singers anyway. End of rant.
On a first listening, I found all three songs pretty dull and disinteresting, but I must admit that the winner is growing on me.
Ivi Adamou - La La Love (Cyprus 2012)
Not entirely my cup of tea, but I'm beginning to see the potential of a simple but hooky piece of beach party disco that everyone can sing along to from the word go.
It reminds me quite a lot of Turkey's 2009 entry by Hadise with its slightly oriental-flavoured arrangement and steady rhythm.
And there has been worse hooks than a lot of la-la-la's in a row. Don't you agree, Massiel?
Massiel - La La La (Spain 1968)
Denmark 2012: Soluna Samay to Baku
In the 1980's, Denmark found a real formula for what their eurovision entries should sound like. Year after year, they sent in songs clearly baked in the same cake tin, easily recognisable as Danish eurosongs, and they did pretty well.
For the last couple of years, there has been a bit of a new Danish formula: solid singalongs in a pseudo-modern arrangement, yet with clear retro references to make them more appealing to as many people as possible.
It has worked very well again, with Denmark not missing a final since 2008 and top five placings in both 2010 and 2011. (Although I must admit I haven't quite shared the televoters' enthuasiam on every occasion.)
This year, the Danes have - surprisingly - taken a step away from the formula.
The winning entry is nowhere near as evident as Danish entries tend to be. More simplistic, less eager to be loved, performed by a Danish Anna Rossinelli in a big hat. Intriguing drums and a melody line that owes more than a little to Seal's "Crazy" makes for the most interesting Danish entry in many years.
On a first listening I wasn't convinced, but this entry is slowly unfolding in a very attractive way.
Possibly not a third consecutive placing in the top five, but I'm very pleased with Denmark thinking outside the box.
Soluna Samay - Should Have Known Better (Denmark 2012)
For the last couple of years, there has been a bit of a new Danish formula: solid singalongs in a pseudo-modern arrangement, yet with clear retro references to make them more appealing to as many people as possible.
It has worked very well again, with Denmark not missing a final since 2008 and top five placings in both 2010 and 2011. (Although I must admit I haven't quite shared the televoters' enthuasiam on every occasion.)
This year, the Danes have - surprisingly - taken a step away from the formula.
The winning entry is nowhere near as evident as Danish entries tend to be. More simplistic, less eager to be loved, performed by a Danish Anna Rossinelli in a big hat. Intriguing drums and a melody line that owes more than a little to Seal's "Crazy" makes for the most interesting Danish entry in many years.
On a first listening I wasn't convinced, but this entry is slowly unfolding in a very attractive way.
Possibly not a third consecutive placing in the top five, but I'm very pleased with Denmark thinking outside the box.
Soluna Samay - Should Have Known Better (Denmark 2012)
Monday, January 16, 2012
Song of the Day: Russia 1997
Under many years, the ESC attracted mainly young, fairly unknown performers who often got to shine for one night and then disappeared into obscurity again once the spotlight was turned off.
But then - now and again, a real superstar tread out into the light and the whole atmosphere changed.
Alla Pugacheva wasn't just any old star either - she was the biggest Diva of the Soviet Union, so loved by the audience that she could afford being more outspoken than most, who unlike many others had survived the transition into the new realities of the Russian Federation without losing her popularity.
Her good friend, the late Swedish tv presenter Jacob Dahlin, had always talked to her about Eurovision, how grand it was and how she should be there. She told the Swedish press that she finally went there as a gesture to him.
And quite possibly as a bit of an ego rub.
For a few years, during the mid 80's when perestroika was the new big thing, Alla travelled Europe and was a welcome guest on several high-profile tv shows and song festivals and had quite a nice little career going for her.
Eurovision was a new chance for her to mingle in the international limelight and show the world she could still perform. She squeezed every single drop of emotion out of her bombastic chanson-esque entry and had the audience eat from her hand.
For some reason, the juries remain unimpressed (apart from the jury in Slovenia awarding her top points) and The Queen landed on a bleak 15th place.
Not that it in any way affected her career, but that is no way to treat royalty.
Alla Pugacheva - Prima Donna (Russia 1997)
But then - now and again, a real superstar tread out into the light and the whole atmosphere changed.
Alla Pugacheva wasn't just any old star either - she was the biggest Diva of the Soviet Union, so loved by the audience that she could afford being more outspoken than most, who unlike many others had survived the transition into the new realities of the Russian Federation without losing her popularity.
Her good friend, the late Swedish tv presenter Jacob Dahlin, had always talked to her about Eurovision, how grand it was and how she should be there. She told the Swedish press that she finally went there as a gesture to him.
And quite possibly as a bit of an ego rub.
For a few years, during the mid 80's when perestroika was the new big thing, Alla travelled Europe and was a welcome guest on several high-profile tv shows and song festivals and had quite a nice little career going for her.
Eurovision was a new chance for her to mingle in the international limelight and show the world she could still perform. She squeezed every single drop of emotion out of her bombastic chanson-esque entry and had the audience eat from her hand.
For some reason, the juries remain unimpressed (apart from the jury in Slovenia awarding her top points) and The Queen landed on a bleak 15th place.
Not that it in any way affected her career, but that is no way to treat royalty.
Alla Pugacheva - Prima Donna (Russia 1997)
We won't be going to Riga in 2013...
Latvia has completed both of its semifinals and boiled the twenty hopefuls down to ten finalists, battling it out for the final ticket to Baku.
The Latvian performances have been a bit erratic for the last few years. First they sent three entries in a row that did reasonably well but all had a distinct taste of novelty acts (2006 - 2008), and the three entries since then have all failed to make it out of the semis.
After listening once to all the songs in the running, I wouldn't bet my last penny on an improved showing this year.
Most of the songs in the lineup are surprisingly dull and indistinct, which is surprising given how vital the music scene is in Latvia. At some point, most of the local professionals seem to have given up the whole idea of Eurovision.
Given the chance that I have missed some song that will grow strong and effective on a second listen, I dare say none of these entries will stand a chance internationally in its own right.
The Disco Superfly entry could come across as a bit fresh but starts annoying you well before its three minutes are over. Trianas Parks enter with a solid entry that sounds good but lacks that certain something to make you remember it.
And then there is the novelty act. Again. Packed with eurovision references as well as a whole bunch of fairly amusing things snooped from here and there in the universe of Pop, the Mad Show Boys are at least a bit of fun. At least for one listening.
It is with a heavy heart that I state that we most probably won't be going to Riga in 2013 either. What a shame on a beautiful city.
Mad Show Boys - Music Thief (Latvia national final 2012)
The Latvian performances have been a bit erratic for the last few years. First they sent three entries in a row that did reasonably well but all had a distinct taste of novelty acts (2006 - 2008), and the three entries since then have all failed to make it out of the semis.
After listening once to all the songs in the running, I wouldn't bet my last penny on an improved showing this year.
Most of the songs in the lineup are surprisingly dull and indistinct, which is surprising given how vital the music scene is in Latvia. At some point, most of the local professionals seem to have given up the whole idea of Eurovision.
Given the chance that I have missed some song that will grow strong and effective on a second listen, I dare say none of these entries will stand a chance internationally in its own right.
The Disco Superfly entry could come across as a bit fresh but starts annoying you well before its three minutes are over. Trianas Parks enter with a solid entry that sounds good but lacks that certain something to make you remember it.
And then there is the novelty act. Again. Packed with eurovision references as well as a whole bunch of fairly amusing things snooped from here and there in the universe of Pop, the Mad Show Boys are at least a bit of fun. At least for one listening.
It is with a heavy heart that I state that we most probably won't be going to Riga in 2013 either. What a shame on a beautiful city.
Mad Show Boys - Music Thief (Latvia national final 2012)
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