Showing posts with label United Kingdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label United Kingdom. Show all posts
Thursday, February 08, 2018
SuRie wins over the audience as UK's Eurovision entry
Many commentators were surprised by the selection of SuRie as the UK's entry for Eurovision 2018. The bookies' favourite, by some considerable margin had been Asanda. That's the difference between recorded and live performances, though. Asanda was dreadful. She was out of breath and missed more notes than she hit and on occasions seemed to lose the plot completely in a very poor live effort.
Jaz Ellington came across well but still didn't manage to capture the audience or panel's attention as much as many had expected.
My own favourites, Goldstone, were extremely confident and professional, delivering a faultless performance of a catchy number but it was a catchy number from any time between 1973 and 1993 and really not 2018 material. I quickly covered what I could see would be losses on that bet and sank the required amount in to SuRie who was rapidly taking over the favourite spot.
SuRie has to thank the audience for much of her victory. They were remarkably supportive and anyone would have thought that she had arranged for the venue to be filled with only her fans. They started clapping enthusiastically from just a few beats in which didn't happen with any one else at all. A few tried with Asanda but soon gave up. SuRie really did appeal to everyone. I can only guess that she had done well during rehearsals and somehow managed to get through to people earlier as all this could not have come about purely during the live show we saw.
She has good experience of the Eurovision scene and even stage too, having worked with the Belgian entries over a couple of previous years. That is useful as we have seen many otherwise competent acts fail when they try to do the real thing in front of millions.
The song itself is OK, anthemic in places but certainly the beat will get people going along and the lyrics seem to have an appeal too. She has a slightly android look which suits Eurovision but I am not sure I like the robotic dance moves. By that I don't mean she is doing a 1970s Kelly Marie but seems to have a rigid and well-rehearsed set of moves which she will stick to come what may. This makes her slightly less likeable in my view but when she does appear to relax and acknowledge that there are others around then the ice breaks and you get what it is that the crowd are cheering for.
If she can weave the same magic on the big stage then maybe she will do better than I had previously expected at my first review. To a large extent now, Eurovision voters go for personality and some relationship that can develop between them and the artist. It appears that SuRie has that quality and I wish her well.
Friday, January 26, 2018
If Little Mix could do the Goldstone song then we'd stand a chance.
After listening again to all six entries for the United Kingdom's Eurovision effort this year, I am a bit disappointed that there isn't a stand-out track that just says we can win with this.
I can see that a lot of effort has gone into the writing and attempts made to tick the Eurovision boxes but each just leaves me feeling that I may well not remember much about it a few minutes later.
Second time around it is Goldstone who seem to have the best Euro tune, despite my being harsh after the first play. I guess I had expected a lot better from thenext five as they went first.
Close by is Asanda. The song isn't great but it is pretty 2018 as Eurovision 2018 goes at any rate. She looks like she could have bags of personality which voters will like and she could appeal more than the tune which need be no bad thing.
Reya don't do anything for me and of the two blokes I'd give Jaz the edge, despite Liam looking so good and being able to pull a pile of votes in just be looking into the camera. SuRie has the experience and reliability so may be in with a chance, although I am not sure she will come across to the UK voters as well as she needs to, being maybe a bit bland.
So, I said before I heard any of the tracks that it would be Asanda and, strangely, that may well still be the case. If Little Mix could do the Goldstone song then we'd be in with a chance. So if Goldstone can really impress on the night when we vote for our entry they could steal it.
I can see that a lot of effort has gone into the writing and attempts made to tick the Eurovision boxes but each just leaves me feeling that I may well not remember much about it a few minutes later.
Second time around it is Goldstone who seem to have the best Euro tune, despite my being harsh after the first play. I guess I had expected a lot better from thenext five as they went first.
Close by is Asanda. The song isn't great but it is pretty 2018 as Eurovision 2018 goes at any rate. She looks like she could have bags of personality which voters will like and she could appeal more than the tune which need be no bad thing.
Reya don't do anything for me and of the two blokes I'd give Jaz the edge, despite Liam looking so good and being able to pull a pile of votes in just be looking into the camera. SuRie has the experience and reliability so may be in with a chance, although I am not sure she will come across to the UK voters as well as she needs to, being maybe a bit bland.
So, I said before I heard any of the tracks that it would be Asanda and, strangely, that may well still be the case. If Little Mix could do the Goldstone song then we'd be in with a chance. So if Goldstone can really impress on the night when we vote for our entry they could steal it.
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Goldstone probably won't feel the Eurovision love
As soon as this starts I get the vision of three aggressive-sounding girls brandishing hair straighteners and wearing shiny black leather and not exactly encouraging lads to snuggle up to them on a Sunday morning in pink candlewick.
This is Goldstone's entry in the UK You Decide competition
Moderately catchy 'I feel the love' bit against a manic electronic background but then we get a 'Clap your hands' bit which is plain tedious and from the 80s.
They may be talented and lovely girls but this has no chance of winning Eurovision and I can't see it getting that many votes amongst Brits either.
Strangely, the song played a little earlier on Ken Bruce's Radio 2 programme when this was first released this morning had lyrics which could have been associated with another entry by a good-looking bloke - Astronaut - and I had been recording that. I'd even started to review it and reckoned it would do pretty well!
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Eurovision: still waiting for Armenia but here's the Top 10 anyway.
There are still over 50 days to go but already some clear groups of contenders for this year's Eurovision victory are forming. I was waiting for Armenia to release their song but, other than a singer and a title, there's nothing to help yet so I'll carry on with what we can learn from what has been issued now.
Young boys with carefully brushed eyebrows are the in-thing this year. Australia started it with their chap but his singing leaves a bit to be desired and the song is a bit tedious too. They'll be disappointed after Dani did so well last year but I expect they might still make the Top 10 as they're one of those countries people can vote for without worrying about the politics.
Another new kid on the Euro block is the Bulgarian lad who looks set to repeat last year's excellent result for the country. He's very young and no doubt many followers will find him cute and adorable. He can also sing very well and the song suits him and the competition well. In the Battle of The Baby Boys he's the likely winner.
The other boy is the lead singer from Homeland, a successful Irish band, much supported by Louis Walsh who usually knows what he's doing. A very good song and another extremely good singer should get Ireland back into the main show after their embarrassingly poor performance last year which failed even to get them in the Top 10 of their Semi Final group.
Then we have slightly older lads from Sweden, Portugal, Austria and Hungary. Last year, Austria were virtually written off by everyone except me before the competition but actually finished quite high in the table. I wonder whether the same could happen again. They're currently languishing at around 300-1 and, whilst I don't expect them to win, they have a chance of reaching the Top Ten if the singer performs well. It's a pretty good track although it's not going to inspire many.
Hungary have one of the few vaguely traditional tracks with a combination of the new and old that could appeal to quite a few in the juries at voting time.
Sweden have a very smart chap and four similarly smart lads singing and dancing around him. They win the Best Suit Award and the song could easily be a hit in our Top 40 but doesn't exactly come across as an all-out winner as many of their recent efforts have done. It's all competent stuff and is currently predicted to come 2nd so it would seem likely that Sweden will secure another Top 10 place this year.
Portugal is my own prediction for a challenger for the title this year. Much will depend on how the chap comes across on the day and I guess we won't really know until we get a preview at the Semi Finals. That will probably be when most people decide whether he's got a chance or not. I remember how France led the favourites list all the way through the lead up to the competition with a stunning video performance by their young male ballad singer one year - only to get virtually no votes at all on the night after a totally lacklustre live performance.
So it's still the older Italian for the Top Spot amongst the boys as things stand.
There seem to be no groups this year worthy of mention other than an early favourite from the Netherlands. OG3NE had the pzzazz of Little Mix - and the talent - but a poor song has left them way out of the running this year. Indeed, I am not even sure they'll reach the Final which is quite sad but that's the way things go if you get a lousy track.
Romania have a couple with a classic Euro-weird entry that will get votes just for the hell of it. A rapper and average girl singer do yodelling. At times she's quite good but there are other times when she's dreadful. It is crazy enough to win - Eurovision is like that, you know. I expect it'll scrape into the Top Ten and hope that's as far as it gets - even though it does make me smile.
So that leaves us with the girls. There are, of course, plenty of them and this year's main pretender to the Euro Throne is a girl from Belgium with a low voice that could almost be one of the boys we talked about before. Danger Zone is simply a good pop song and, once again, if it is performed well then it will certainly get votes from juries and public across the board. It reminds me of the Common Linnets track from the Netherlands a couple of years ago which quietly surprised everyone and consistently good scoring helped it to come 2nd. I see the same thing happening this year. It is, in fact, a potential winner should either Francesco let Italy down on the night or juries and voters simply not getting Occidentali Karma after all.
Another girl who could make the Top Ten is the young lady from FYR Macedonia. They haven't had much luck over the years and if their success was to rely upon the video then they could forget even qualifying this year. The video is not pleasant viewing. However, the song is good and deserves votes which a good live performance could attract.
A more watchable but nevertheless most confusing video accompanies the Azerbaijan entry. The punk-looking girl is one of the more modern-sounding girls this year, if not the only one now I think about that. There's a tone to her voice that people will either love or hate and we know that Azerbaijan always gets a bundle of votes so a Top Ten position is pretty likely for this unusual but quite effective track.
By my reckoning there's just one place left in the Top Ten if that lot all do well. The girl contenders are UK's Lucie Jones, Greece's Demy, France's Alma and Finland's Norma John. These are all really good singers and experienced performers so any one has the potential to knock out one of the people I've mentioned with better songs on the night. Their own songs, however, are just a bit lacking so if they do make it, it would be more by a combination of luck and their own personality than good songwriting. They should all do well but I think it will be another girl who makes that tenth spot.
There is also, of course, Russia. We've come to expect Russia to come 2nd or 3rd now as they do put a lot of effort into their challenges and, regardless of how good some have been, they have a legion of nations who seem inclined or obliged to give them good voting figures. This year the big nation is playing the Diversity card big time and Yulia Samoylova will be singing from her wheelchair. In the video she seems frail and her singing isn't as good as we've heard from previous entries. There is something very appealing, though, about this attractive young lady's performance and I am sure she'll pull in plenty of votes across the board.
Young boys with carefully brushed eyebrows are the in-thing this year. Australia started it with their chap but his singing leaves a bit to be desired and the song is a bit tedious too. They'll be disappointed after Dani did so well last year but I expect they might still make the Top 10 as they're one of those countries people can vote for without worrying about the politics.
Another new kid on the Euro block is the Bulgarian lad who looks set to repeat last year's excellent result for the country. He's very young and no doubt many followers will find him cute and adorable. He can also sing very well and the song suits him and the competition well. In the Battle of The Baby Boys he's the likely winner.
The other boy is the lead singer from Homeland, a successful Irish band, much supported by Louis Walsh who usually knows what he's doing. A very good song and another extremely good singer should get Ireland back into the main show after their embarrassingly poor performance last year which failed even to get them in the Top 10 of their Semi Final group.
Then we have slightly older lads from Sweden, Portugal, Austria and Hungary. Last year, Austria were virtually written off by everyone except me before the competition but actually finished quite high in the table. I wonder whether the same could happen again. They're currently languishing at around 300-1 and, whilst I don't expect them to win, they have a chance of reaching the Top Ten if the singer performs well. It's a pretty good track although it's not going to inspire many.
Hungary have one of the few vaguely traditional tracks with a combination of the new and old that could appeal to quite a few in the juries at voting time.
Sweden have a very smart chap and four similarly smart lads singing and dancing around him. They win the Best Suit Award and the song could easily be a hit in our Top 40 but doesn't exactly come across as an all-out winner as many of their recent efforts have done. It's all competent stuff and is currently predicted to come 2nd so it would seem likely that Sweden will secure another Top 10 place this year.
Portugal is my own prediction for a challenger for the title this year. Much will depend on how the chap comes across on the day and I guess we won't really know until we get a preview at the Semi Finals. That will probably be when most people decide whether he's got a chance or not. I remember how France led the favourites list all the way through the lead up to the competition with a stunning video performance by their young male ballad singer one year - only to get virtually no votes at all on the night after a totally lacklustre live performance.
So it's still the older Italian for the Top Spot amongst the boys as things stand.
There seem to be no groups this year worthy of mention other than an early favourite from the Netherlands. OG3NE had the pzzazz of Little Mix - and the talent - but a poor song has left them way out of the running this year. Indeed, I am not even sure they'll reach the Final which is quite sad but that's the way things go if you get a lousy track.
Romania have a couple with a classic Euro-weird entry that will get votes just for the hell of it. A rapper and average girl singer do yodelling. At times she's quite good but there are other times when she's dreadful. It is crazy enough to win - Eurovision is like that, you know. I expect it'll scrape into the Top Ten and hope that's as far as it gets - even though it does make me smile.
So that leaves us with the girls. There are, of course, plenty of them and this year's main pretender to the Euro Throne is a girl from Belgium with a low voice that could almost be one of the boys we talked about before. Danger Zone is simply a good pop song and, once again, if it is performed well then it will certainly get votes from juries and public across the board. It reminds me of the Common Linnets track from the Netherlands a couple of years ago which quietly surprised everyone and consistently good scoring helped it to come 2nd. I see the same thing happening this year. It is, in fact, a potential winner should either Francesco let Italy down on the night or juries and voters simply not getting Occidentali Karma after all.
Another girl who could make the Top Ten is the young lady from FYR Macedonia. They haven't had much luck over the years and if their success was to rely upon the video then they could forget even qualifying this year. The video is not pleasant viewing. However, the song is good and deserves votes which a good live performance could attract.
A more watchable but nevertheless most confusing video accompanies the Azerbaijan entry. The punk-looking girl is one of the more modern-sounding girls this year, if not the only one now I think about that. There's a tone to her voice that people will either love or hate and we know that Azerbaijan always gets a bundle of votes so a Top Ten position is pretty likely for this unusual but quite effective track.
By my reckoning there's just one place left in the Top Ten if that lot all do well. The girl contenders are UK's Lucie Jones, Greece's Demy, France's Alma and Finland's Norma John. These are all really good singers and experienced performers so any one has the potential to knock out one of the people I've mentioned with better songs on the night. Their own songs, however, are just a bit lacking so if they do make it, it would be more by a combination of luck and their own personality than good songwriting. They should all do well but I think it will be another girl who makes that tenth spot.
There is also, of course, Russia. We've come to expect Russia to come 2nd or 3rd now as they do put a lot of effort into their challenges and, regardless of how good some have been, they have a legion of nations who seem inclined or obliged to give them good voting figures. This year the big nation is playing the Diversity card big time and Yulia Samoylova will be singing from her wheelchair. In the video she seems frail and her singing isn't as good as we've heard from previous entries. There is something very appealing, though, about this attractive young lady's performance and I am sure she'll pull in plenty of votes across the board.
Top 3
Italy | Belgium | PortugalTop 6
Bulgaria | Sweden | IrelandTop 10
Romania | FYR Macedonia | Azerbaijan | RussiaOutside chances
UK | France | Greece | Hungary | Finland | AustraliaSaturday, May 14, 2016
Eurovision 2016. The Top 10.
Tonight we'll find out whether Moscow has won the battle for Eurovision. Big Red has certainly thrown a huge amount of effort and one of its best stars into this thing. They really do mean business, and probably feel pretty hard done by after last year when they would have won had some juries not changed the numbers at the last moment.
Russia and Australia start the favourites bu quite a margin by I shall be brave and say that neither will win. I just have a feeling that the efforts and obvious attempts to appeal to everyone by Russia could backfire and make way for a simpler and more West-friendly nation. Australians may be super supporters of the whole Eurovision thing but, really, there should be a rule that says Australia can join in but we're not letting someone from a totally different part of the planet win. Dami Im is lovely, a super singer and demonstrates the power of make-up superbly but we already give South Korea a massive load of money with all the products we buy that they make without adding support for their recent emigrant to the pot. I am also a bit bothered by her odd sequencing of the lyrics. Paul Simon would definitely not approve, either, and I am a big fan of the guy.
So who will win?
This really is quite an odd year with no particularly good songs so I believe it will be a close-run affair. Here are my predictions, which, as always I have backed with cash at Betfair.
My personal favourites this year have been Austria and Croatia but, despite them both being well-produced numbers, the performers have been a little unreliable in rehearsals and the tracks are probably a bit old-fashioned for a 2016 contest.
Apart from Lithuanian's young fellow, the other two to look out for, each of whom could make the Top if they get things right and some others don't, are Malta's Ira and Armenia's Iveta. Both excellent singers with decent numbers who ought to be in the Top 10, if not the Top 5. One of them may, indeed, replace Italy and come fairly high but there may be some splitting of votes for dark-haired ballad singers this year and I shalls tick with Italy winning that particular battle.
Russia and Australia start the favourites bu quite a margin by I shall be brave and say that neither will win. I just have a feeling that the efforts and obvious attempts to appeal to everyone by Russia could backfire and make way for a simpler and more West-friendly nation. Australians may be super supporters of the whole Eurovision thing but, really, there should be a rule that says Australia can join in but we're not letting someone from a totally different part of the planet win. Dami Im is lovely, a super singer and demonstrates the power of make-up superbly but we already give South Korea a massive load of money with all the products we buy that they make without adding support for their recent emigrant to the pot. I am also a bit bothered by her odd sequencing of the lyrics. Paul Simon would definitely not approve, either, and I am a big fan of the guy.
So who will win?
This really is quite an odd year with no particularly good songs so I believe it will be a close-run affair. Here are my predictions, which, as always I have backed with cash at Betfair.
10 United Kingdom
Yes, I reckon the boys will make it this year. There's no-one vaguely like them and they have quite an appeal that our previous years' entries have not had. The singles selling well abroad too. But not that well.9 Israel
If he gets things right, this guy could put on one of the better performances although I accept that Israel is not everyone's favourite nation, which is why I'm leaving him at 9. A worthy track, well-produced and the guy makes up each performance as he goes so it is very natural.8 The Netherlands
Last year they nearly made it with their gentle strum-along song. This is pretty similar and is just a pleasant number with a nice guy singing with his band backing him. It doesn't do a great deal or make you want to go and buy it tomorrow but there is a certain charm about the track and the lead singer is a super performer who shouldn't put a step wrong. he;s been great i rehearsals all the way so far.7 Cyprus
This is a bit of a long shot but this is a group that is unlike the rest of the crowd. Looking at how well The Disturbed have done recently then there may be some who vote for this band who rock along nicely with what is quite a catchy number. Their performances have been complicated and not that brilliant i some rehearsals but if they get it right there's a chance they'll be up there.6 Australia
Dami Im will endear herself to lots and lots of fans I am sure and her dress and make-up and singing will be flawless. It's just a poor song in my view and, as I said before, Australia is a lovely country but it isn't in Europe. She will get enough votes to make the Top 10, though, easily.5 France
This has been a huge hit across Europe and deservedly so as it is a good little pop song. It'll do well and many have predicted that it will win. I just have a feeling that it is almost too obvious with its ooo-ooo-ooo bits. The guy has also been missing quite a lot of notes in practice and relying on backing singers. he may do better than this but not a great deal worse.4 Russia
After all their effort they will have to come close to the top. Sergei is a great singer, hardly ever puts a note wrong and also has a very difficult set of moves to do, with a tremendously impressive backscreen to work with as well. It's just, well, all a bit much. Russia will, though, get support and bags of votes from all their friends - and there are plenty, but not quite as many as before.3 Italy
I think this is the best song of the evening and the singer is superb in terms of reaching the right notes and her delivery generally. She lacks a bit of personality which is a shame and she will need to smile and appeal a bit more than she has done so far to make this position but I feel there is much love for Italy and hope they do reach this position, or maybe even take the crown.2 Ukraine
Controversial, this one. I may be completely wrong. The singer has written this herself and it breaks almost all the normal Eurovision 'How To Win' Book rules but that may even be in its favour. I don't understand all the lyrics or the history but suffice it to say she is unlikely to get any votes from Russia. If the singer manages to reach all the notes she has done in most rehearsals then this could be amazing. if she wails instead then I'll be very wrong and regret asking you to listen to it. Because it is so political, I fear that many voters will shy away from giving Ukraine the douze points and prevent her wining but I do expect to see her in the Top Ten.1 Sweden
I am going for the double for Sweden. The song is not brilliant and the singer a bit bland but he is about the only modern thing on the menu apart from Justin Timerberlake and the Lithuanian guy. Hmm, maybe I should have backed the Lithuanian guy. No, Sweden are the only Scandinavian nation left in this thing this year which is remarkable but also likely to produce quite a few heavy points from their neighbours of whom there are plenty who have no-one else to vote for.My personal favourites this year have been Austria and Croatia but, despite them both being well-produced numbers, the performers have been a little unreliable in rehearsals and the tracks are probably a bit old-fashioned for a 2016 contest.
Apart from Lithuanian's young fellow, the other two to look out for, each of whom could make the Top if they get things right and some others don't, are Malta's Ira and Armenia's Iveta. Both excellent singers with decent numbers who ought to be in the Top 10, if not the Top 5. One of them may, indeed, replace Italy and come fairly high but there may be some splitting of votes for dark-haired ballad singers this year and I shalls tick with Italy winning that particular battle.
Monday, March 21, 2016
United Kingdom get an improved version of their entry
The United Kingdom entry has been improved a bit. It has a slightly stronger start and stronger, less complicated, beat. It also seems to get to the catchy bit quicker as well but I fear that, unless the boys can do exceptionally well with the solo notes on the night - the register just seems totally wrong for Joe - this isn't going to do terribly well. Having said that, if they do manage, somehow, to get everything right then it is as catchy as the French number, currently predicted to be Top 5, and they could then match that.
It will be a messy competition at the top with changes all through the evening, I suspect, and the winner will depend upon the audience votes added on at the end. I reckon Russia will be leading but will not get the audience votes which will help Sweden, Australia, Croatia, France and even UK. In that mêlée, anything can happen!
Saturday, March 12, 2016
The UK Eurovision entry needs a lot of work.
By my calculations there are just five more songs to be released for Eurovision 2016. We're waiting for Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Serbia and the host, Sweden.
I haven't published the UK number as I was waiting for them to tweak it a bit and make it a bit more solid, especially at the start. However, you'll need to get familiar with it so here it is as it currently stands. Those first few lines really do need work. Once they reach the I, I, I bit it's pretty good but one of them is so wobbly on the lower register vocals.
Amongst these there are three nations that have won before and regularly do pretty well so no-one should really be placing any bets until we hear what they have to say, or, rather sing.
There is a lot to be said for coming out late. Assuming the Powers That Be in each nation can tweak the results of any voting or assist in the decision-making for the final number then they can take a good hard look at what is already out there and looking good and ensure that they either beat someone at their own game or distance themselves accordingly and go for a different vote.
This year there are a lot of quite good female singers with well-written songs who, in my view, lead the field. I would include amongst these the dynamic Australia, who will certainly get a lot of support, Croatia, possibly the top Balkan with a very good entry that'll pick up support across the region and a few more elsewhere too, FYR Macedonia and Italy, each with a very good singer and impressive, albeit more serious, songs and, with a slightly younger feel, Germany with a song that could do well if she performs it well and Spain who, whilst a bit old-fashioned with its la la las is actually much more current than most others. Austria has a delightful number and singer with a distinctly French sound and she ought to appeal. There very serious Ukraine deserves a mention too but I don't see her with a chance of winning.
Although there are many attempts to cash in on the Swedish bloke's style from 2015, none really seem to work that well, Russia probably being the best of that bunch and more or less guaranteed a Top 10 place again. The best bloke so far, though, seems to be the one singing for France with a very catchy number and he will do well in a field where he has little competition so far. The Netherlands have a nice number again and should do well as that, also has little real competition so will garner all the votes from people who like that sort of thing.
There are very few duos or groups of interest. In fact the UK stand quite alone with Joe and Jake's effort and really may benefit quite substantially from that and also having one of the catchiest songs this year. The only other groups I expect to see get votes are the Cyprus and Georgia Oasis bands.Neither band look like the sort of group that would give Eurovision a second glance. Cyprus have the more commercial number but Georgia the mor interesting and original. I guess neither will win but those voteres who like their styles will not have many other people to back so they will do comparatively better as a result.
I haven't published the UK number as I was waiting for them to tweak it a bit and make it a bit more solid, especially at the start. However, you'll need to get familiar with it so here it is as it currently stands. Those first few lines really do need work. Once they reach the I, I, I bit it's pretty good but one of them is so wobbly on the lower register vocals.
Amongst these there are three nations that have won before and regularly do pretty well so no-one should really be placing any bets until we hear what they have to say, or, rather sing.
There is a lot to be said for coming out late. Assuming the Powers That Be in each nation can tweak the results of any voting or assist in the decision-making for the final number then they can take a good hard look at what is already out there and looking good and ensure that they either beat someone at their own game or distance themselves accordingly and go for a different vote.
This year there are a lot of quite good female singers with well-written songs who, in my view, lead the field. I would include amongst these the dynamic Australia, who will certainly get a lot of support, Croatia, possibly the top Balkan with a very good entry that'll pick up support across the region and a few more elsewhere too, FYR Macedonia and Italy, each with a very good singer and impressive, albeit more serious, songs and, with a slightly younger feel, Germany with a song that could do well if she performs it well and Spain who, whilst a bit old-fashioned with its la la las is actually much more current than most others. Austria has a delightful number and singer with a distinctly French sound and she ought to appeal. There very serious Ukraine deserves a mention too but I don't see her with a chance of winning.
Although there are many attempts to cash in on the Swedish bloke's style from 2015, none really seem to work that well, Russia probably being the best of that bunch and more or less guaranteed a Top 10 place again. The best bloke so far, though, seems to be the one singing for France with a very catchy number and he will do well in a field where he has little competition so far. The Netherlands have a nice number again and should do well as that, also has little real competition so will garner all the votes from people who like that sort of thing.
There are very few duos or groups of interest. In fact the UK stand quite alone with Joe and Jake's effort and really may benefit quite substantially from that and also having one of the catchiest songs this year. The only other groups I expect to see get votes are the Cyprus and Georgia Oasis bands.Neither band look like the sort of group that would give Eurovision a second glance. Cyprus have the more commercial number but Georgia the mor interesting and original. I guess neither will win but those voteres who like their styles will not have many other people to back so they will do comparatively better as a result.
Thursday, March 07, 2013
Bonnie Tyler to represent UK for Eurovision 2013.
Pleasant enough track but I fear she'll be Lost in, er, Malmo. What is it with whoever decides these things? One look at the charts across Europe is enough to show what people are most likely to vote for internationally and, whilst this won't do as badly as our recent efforts, it's not a winner.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Eurovision 2010: United Kingdom
I'm beginning to see how effective the Stock Aitken & Waterman team can be even if I genuinely don't think I have ever wanted to play any of their previous hits. Their stuff will work, though, for many people and that might be good for young Josh who happens to be a cousin of a good friend of mine.
He can sing well in a 50s kinda way but it's all so 80s and plastic. If Europe's voters are heading back there in 2010, and we've had 60s, 70s and 90s so maybe it is that time, then we'll be up there on the left hand side of the board. My own feeling, though, is we'll be on the right, somewhere around 23rd.
I really, really don't understand how we seem to have completely failed to get a grip on our entries recently. Scooch were fun but that's all, Gemini a disaster. We've had Andy, the X-factor runner up with a lousy song, Alexander who came 4th in a precursor to Pop Idol who writes good songs but was totally outclassed. Andrew Lloyd Webber tried to help us out and an unknown Jade tried damned hard with an all-too formulaic song that a committee had written instead of the Lord on his own. There was a group with some odd schoolchildren whose name escapes me and several others since we last won with the excellent Katrina and The Waves marking our last win and the end of the Irish run of hits in 1997. Hmm. Maybe the Conservatives will bring us better fortune in more ways than one, but not this year I'm afraid.
He can sing well in a 50s kinda way but it's all so 80s and plastic. If Europe's voters are heading back there in 2010, and we've had 60s, 70s and 90s so maybe it is that time, then we'll be up there on the left hand side of the board. My own feeling, though, is we'll be on the right, somewhere around 23rd.
I really, really don't understand how we seem to have completely failed to get a grip on our entries recently. Scooch were fun but that's all, Gemini a disaster. We've had Andy, the X-factor runner up with a lousy song, Alexander who came 4th in a precursor to Pop Idol who writes good songs but was totally outclassed. Andrew Lloyd Webber tried to help us out and an unknown Jade tried damned hard with an all-too formulaic song that a committee had written instead of the Lord on his own. There was a group with some odd schoolchildren whose name escapes me and several others since we last won with the excellent Katrina and The Waves marking our last win and the end of the Irish run of hits in 1997. Hmm. Maybe the Conservatives will bring us better fortune in more ways than one, but not this year I'm afraid.
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