JEdward Songwriter To Help Russia In Israel

This is Russia's Eurovision entry. Sergey Lazarev is good. He's an experienced singer and performer and can be relied upon to do a good job on the big night. Firstly, yes, Russia will be in the final until last year when they slipped up with the very poor Yulia Samoylova. Secondly, yes, this has a great team of writers and instrumentalists behind the scenes, (including the Irish Sharon Vaughn who composed Waterline for JEdward in 2012!). That was a superbly written song, just let down by the boys who didn't deliver on the night.

So this has a hell of a lot going for it and yet, no, I don't think it'll win. It's OK, it's a big number and has all the right heart-warming notes and chords but it never quite makes it. You don't really remember it afterwards. It could do well with the juries but will it win the televote (as he did last time)?

In the video there is a sort of double voice going on which Sergey will not be able to do on his own in a live performance and there's also a lot happening in the background which may be less easily reproduced live.

At the time of publishing this, the bookies give The Netherlands the edge and they're now favourites. It's a close run thing, though and, with Sweden and Armenia yet to declare, and we know they ought each to have a strong entry, it is still anyone's guess.

North Macedonia, incidentally are at 110-1.