Thursday, 24 May 2012
Love Eurovision has moved!
Saturday, 21 January 2012
Eurovision 2012: Denmark decided - Soluna Samay to Baku
Jesper Nohrstedt came 2nd and Christian Brøns and Patrik Isaksson came 3rd. My favourite of the night Ditte Marie failed to make the final 3.
Here are the performances from the night..
Song 1: Jesper Nohrstedt - Take Our Hearts (came 2nd)
Annoyingly all the videos of Jesper's performance have been removed from Youtube so we'll have to make do with the official video instead.
Song 2: Aya - Best Thing I got
This song was disqualified so was not performed on the night.
Song 3: Kenneth Potempa - Reach the sky
Song 4: Ditte Marie - Overflow
Song 5: Phillip Halloun & Emilia - Baby Love Me
Song 6: Suriya - Forever I Be Young
Song 7: Karen Viuff - Universe
Song 8: Soluna Samay - Should've Known Better - WINNER!
Song 9: Christian Brøns and Patrik Isaksson - Venter (came 3rd)
Again all the videos of this performance have been removed from Youtube and there isn't even an official video, so this video of their afterparty performance will have to do.
Sunday, 25 December 2011
Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 25th - Merry Christmas! Christmas songs by Eurovision artists
Merry Christmas! Here's some Eurovision stars singing Christmas songs.
Charlotte Perrelli - All I Want For Christmas - Live Stortorget, Örebro 2009
Johnny Logan - Happy X-mas
Alexander Rybak - The Christmas Song
Charlotte Perrelli - All I Want For Christmas - Live Stortorget, Örebro 2009
Johnny Logan - Happy X-mas
Alexander Rybak - The Christmas Song
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 24th - 1,2,7,4 down the Rockefeller Street
Now a LOT of people seemed to think this was a dead cert to win Eurovision this year. Estonia only qualified thanks to the votes of the juries (they came 13th in the second semi final televote). In a strange quirk of the mixed jury and televote system despite coming 23rd in the televote and 18th in the jury vote, once the points were added up they finished second to last in the combined vote - 24th place.
Estonia 2011: Getter Jaani - Rockefeller Street (24th in Düsseldorf with 44 points)
Estonia 2011: Getter Jaani - Rockefeller Street (24th in Düsseldorf with 44 points)
Friday, 23 December 2011
Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 23rd - It's for you Niamh Kavanagh
Now anyone who's met Niamh will tell you she's an absolutely lovely person. As one of Ireland's 7 winners she should be Eurovision royalty but her legacy was tainted when she received Ireland's second-worst ever result in Oslo with 'It's For You'. I rather liked the song myself but I admit the performance wasn't perfect.
Ireland 2010: Niamh Kavanagh - It's For You (23rd in Oslo with 25 points)
Ireland 2010: Niamh Kavanagh - It's For You (23rd in Oslo with 25 points)
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 22nd - What about Kati Wolf's dreams?!
Favourite of British politician Ed Balls and all my gay friends Kati Wolf had a lot of fans at Eurovision 2011. They obviously forgot to vote though as Hungary finished one place below Paradise Oskar 22nd place after a shaky vocal performance.
Hungary 2011: Kati Wolf - What About My Dreams (22nd in Düsseldorf with 53 points)
Hungary 2011: Kati Wolf - What About My Dreams (22nd in Düsseldorf with 53 points)
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 21st - Da Da Dam - it's Paradise Oskar!
Aww it's the lovely Paradise Oskar (real name Axel Ehnström). Perhaps trying to emulate Tom Dice's success in 2010 it was just him and his guitar against a backdrop of the Earth. The song was very popular in the arena. If you listen carefully you can hear everyone singing along to the 'da da dam' bit. It proved popular in the semi final too, where it finished 3rd with 103 points. Possibly due to his early slot (he performed first) it proved much less successful in the final, finishing in 21st place with just 57 points.
Finland 2011: Paradise Oskar - Da Da Dam (21st in Düsseldorf with 57 points)
Finland 2011: Paradise Oskar - Da Da Dam (21st in Düsseldorf with 57 points)
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 20th - Greece's worst result - Thalassa - Mia Krifi Evesthisia
Greece have very well at Eurovision recently, finishing in the top ten for the last 8 years in a row. However, performing in Eurovision's unlucky 2nd spot Thalassa received just 12 points in 1998, all of which came (surprise surprise) from Cyprus!
Greece 1998: Thalassa - Mia Krifi Evesthisia (20th in Birmingham with 12 points)
Greece 1998: Thalassa - Mia Krifi Evesthisia (20th in Birmingham with 12 points)
Monday, 19 December 2011
Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 19th - Hera Björk's Je Ne Sais Quoi
Hera Björk came a strong 3rd in the 1st semi final of the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest. Despite a great perfomance in the final Iceland finished 19th.
Iceland 2010: Hera Björk - Je Ne Sais Quoi (19th in Oslo with 41 points)
A cynic would say Iceland suffered for their volcano throwing Eurovision into doubt that year when it erupted shortly before the contest, bringing chaos to Europe's airspace.
Iceland 2010: Hera Björk - Je Ne Sais Quoi (19th in Oslo with 41 points)
A cynic would say Iceland suffered for their volcano throwing Eurovision into doubt that year when it erupted shortly before the contest, bringing chaos to Europe's airspace.
Sunday, 18 December 2011
Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 18th - Malta get off to a bad start
Malta have had some great results at Eurovision but it hasn't always been so. In 1971, their debut year, they came last in 18th place. They came 18th again the next year and after a slightly better 12th in 1975 withdrew from the contest.
Malta returned again in 1991 and had much better luck including a 2nd and 3rd place for Chiara. Since the introduction of the semi final Malta have only qualified once, when Chiara once again rode to the rescue. Her song 'What If We' bombed out in the final though, finishing in a disappointing 22nd place.
Malta 1971: Joe Grech - Marija l-Maltija (18th in Dublin with 52 points)
Malta 1972: Helen and Joseph - L-imħabba (18th in Edinburgh with 48 points)
Malta returned again in 1991 and had much better luck including a 2nd and 3rd place for Chiara. Since the introduction of the semi final Malta have only qualified once, when Chiara once again rode to the rescue. Her song 'What If We' bombed out in the final though, finishing in a disappointing 22nd place.
Malta 1971: Joe Grech - Marija l-Maltija (18th in Dublin with 52 points)
Malta 1972: Helen and Joseph - L-imħabba (18th in Edinburgh with 48 points)
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 17th - Marty Brem - Wenn du da bist
In the year that Bucks Fizz won with their memorable skirt-ripping performance Austria could only manage 17th place. The rather odd performance included a backing dancer who danced around in a gold American football helmet and a swimsuit with a number 7 on it.
Austria 1981: Marty Brem - Wenn du da bist (17th in Dublin with 20 points)
Austria 1981: Marty Brem - Wenn du da bist (17th in Dublin with 20 points)
Friday, 16 December 2011
Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 16th - Juliana Pasha - It's All About You
Sometimes a song you think will do well doesn't do that well and such was the case for Juliana Pasha in 2010 (for me anyway). Albania finished 6th in the first semi final but could only manage 16th in the final.
2010 Albania: Juliana Pasha - It's All About You (16th in Oslo with 62 points)
2010 Albania: Juliana Pasha - It's All About You (16th in Oslo with 62 points)
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 15th - Bookies favourite France come 15th in 2011!
The bookies are normally good at predicting Eurovision winners but they failed spectacularly this year. Favourites France only managed 15th place.
France 2011: Amaury Vassili - Sognus (15th in Düsseldorf with 82 points)
France 2011: Amaury Vassili - Sognus (15th in Düsseldorf with 82 points)
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Melodifestivalen - Deltävling (Heat) 1
The artists and songs for Sweden's massive national final show 'Melodifestivalen' were revealed recently. Deltävling 1 takes place on 11th February 2012 at Scandinavium in Gothenburg.
1. Loreen - Euphoria (Thomas G:son/Peter Boström)
2. The Moniker - I Want To Be Chris Isaak (This Is Just The Beginning) (The Moniker)
3. Thorsten Flinck och Revolutionsorkestern - Jag Reser Mig Igen (Thomas G:son/Ted Ström)
4. Dead by April - Mystery (Pontus Hjelm)
5. Abalone Dots - På Väg (Rebecka Hjukström/Sophia Hogman/Louise Holmer/Viktor Källgren)
6. Marie Serneholt - Salt & Pepper (Lina Eriksson/Mårten Eriksson/Figge Boström)
7. Sean Banan - Den Förste Banan (Sean Banan/Joakim Larsson/Hans Blomberg/Mårten Andersson)
8. Afrodite - The Boy Can Dance (Figge Boström/Catrine Loqvist/Johan Lindman)
We won't get to hear the final songs until the week of each heat (Deltävling) but here is a little info about each of the artists and their previous songs.
Loreen
Loreen's career started on Swedish Idol 2004 where she came 4th. You may remember Loreen from last year's MF where she competed with 'My Heart Is Refusing Me'. Despite becoming a big hit in the Swedish charts she only managed 4th in her heat and lost out to Sara Varga in their head-to-head in the second chance round 'Andra Chansen'.
The Moniker
The Moniker is another artist returning for a second year AND another artist from Swedish Idol. Competing under his real name Daniel Karlsson he came 4th in 2007. 'Oh My God' came 3rd in the same heat as Loreen, therefore also going through to Andra Chansen. Showing that the second chance round really does work The Moniker finished 3rd in the MF 2011 final.
Thorsten Flinck
Thorsten Flinck is a Swedish, actor and musician who released his first solo album in 2005. Here's the opening track from his new album with the Revolutionsorkestern to give you some idea what we're going to get at Melodifestivalen.
Dead by April
Dead by April are a Swedish metal band from Gothenburg. They released their debut album in 2009 and now in 2012 they are going to try for Eurovision.
Abalone Dots
From metal to country, Abalone Dots released this song in 2008.
Marie Serneholt
Back to a previous MF contestant. In 2009 Marie Serneholt came 6th in Deltävling 1 with this song, 'Disconnect Me'.
Sean Banan
Since it's nearly Christmas here's Sean Banan's Christmas song from 2010.
Afrodite
Not only have Afrodite competed in Melodifestivalen before - they won - and went on to represent Sweden at Eurovision 2002.
2002 Sweden: Afrodite - Never Let It Go (8th in Tallinn, Estonia with 72 points)
1. Loreen - Euphoria (Thomas G:son/Peter Boström)
2. The Moniker - I Want To Be Chris Isaak (This Is Just The Beginning) (The Moniker)
3. Thorsten Flinck och Revolutionsorkestern - Jag Reser Mig Igen (Thomas G:son/Ted Ström)
4. Dead by April - Mystery (Pontus Hjelm)
5. Abalone Dots - På Väg (Rebecka Hjukström/Sophia Hogman/Louise Holmer/Viktor Källgren)
6. Marie Serneholt - Salt & Pepper (Lina Eriksson/Mårten Eriksson/Figge Boström)
7. Sean Banan - Den Förste Banan (Sean Banan/Joakim Larsson/Hans Blomberg/Mårten Andersson)
8. Afrodite - The Boy Can Dance (Figge Boström/Catrine Loqvist/Johan Lindman)
We won't get to hear the final songs until the week of each heat (Deltävling) but here is a little info about each of the artists and their previous songs.
Loreen
Loreen's career started on Swedish Idol 2004 where she came 4th. You may remember Loreen from last year's MF where she competed with 'My Heart Is Refusing Me'. Despite becoming a big hit in the Swedish charts she only managed 4th in her heat and lost out to Sara Varga in their head-to-head in the second chance round 'Andra Chansen'.
The Moniker
The Moniker is another artist returning for a second year AND another artist from Swedish Idol. Competing under his real name Daniel Karlsson he came 4th in 2007. 'Oh My God' came 3rd in the same heat as Loreen, therefore also going through to Andra Chansen. Showing that the second chance round really does work The Moniker finished 3rd in the MF 2011 final.
Thorsten Flinck
Thorsten Flinck is a Swedish, actor and musician who released his first solo album in 2005. Here's the opening track from his new album with the Revolutionsorkestern to give you some idea what we're going to get at Melodifestivalen.
Dead by April
Dead by April are a Swedish metal band from Gothenburg. They released their debut album in 2009 and now in 2012 they are going to try for Eurovision.
Abalone Dots
From metal to country, Abalone Dots released this song in 2008.
Marie Serneholt
Back to a previous MF contestant. In 2009 Marie Serneholt came 6th in Deltävling 1 with this song, 'Disconnect Me'.
Sean Banan
Since it's nearly Christmas here's Sean Banan's Christmas song from 2010.
Afrodite
Not only have Afrodite competed in Melodifestivalen before - they won - and went on to represent Sweden at Eurovision 2002.
2002 Sweden: Afrodite - Never Let It Go (8th in Tallinn, Estonia with 72 points)
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 14th - Ell & Nikki won 7 months ago today
It's hard to believe but it's been a whole 7 months since Ell and Nikki took the Eurovison crown for Azerbaijan in Düsseldorf.
That means it's only 5 months, 8 days until the 1st semi final and 5 months, 12 days until the final of Eurovision 2012 in Baku!!
For now, let's relive their winning performance.
2011 Azerbaijan: Ell and Nikki - Running Scared (Winner in Düsseldorf with 221 points)
That means it's only 5 months, 8 days until the 1st semi final and 5 months, 12 days until the final of Eurovision 2012 in Baku!!
For now, let's relive their winning performance.
2011 Azerbaijan: Ell and Nikki - Running Scared (Winner in Düsseldorf with 221 points)
Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 13th - Unlucky for some but not Sandra Kim and Bobbysocks!
The number 13 may be regarded as unlucky for some but Sandra Kim won Eurovision in 1986 after performing 13th and at just 13 years of age. She was the youngest ever winner. That record will probably never be broken as the rules were subsequently changed so that the minimum age for a performer is now 16 (however there is now a separate Junior Eurovision Song Contest for younger artists).
1986 Belgium: Sandra Kim - J'aime la vie (Winner in Bergen, Norway with 176 points)
This was the second year in a row that a song won from the 13th spot. In 1985 Norway's Bobbysocks! won with 'La det swinge' (Let it Swing).
1985 Norway: Bobbysocks! - La det Swinge (Winner in Gothenburg with 123 points)
It wasn't until 1999 that another country came close to winning after performing 13th. Selma was pipped to the post by Sweden's Charlotte Nilsson with 'Take Me To Your Heaven'.
1999 Iceland: Selma - All Out Of Luck (2nd in Jerusalem with 146 points)
1986 Belgium: Sandra Kim - J'aime la vie (Winner in Bergen, Norway with 176 points)
This was the second year in a row that a song won from the 13th spot. In 1985 Norway's Bobbysocks! won with 'La det swinge' (Let it Swing).
1985 Norway: Bobbysocks! - La det Swinge (Winner in Gothenburg with 123 points)
It wasn't until 1999 that another country came close to winning after performing 13th. Selma was pipped to the post by Sweden's Charlotte Nilsson with 'Take Me To Your Heaven'.
1999 Iceland: Selma - All Out Of Luck (2nd in Jerusalem with 146 points)
Monday, 12 December 2011
Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 12th - Douze Points!
From 1956 until 1974 various scoring systems were used for Eurovision. It was only 1975 that the scoring system in use today was introduced - scores from 1 to 8, then 10 and finally douze points! However, the points were not given in numerical order but in order the songs were performed, as you can see from this video.
1976 was of course the year the UK's Brotherhood Of Man won with 'Save Your Kisses For Me'.
This changed in 1980 and we finally had the voting system we're used to. This was also the year of Jonny Logan's first win with 'What's Another Year'.
In 2009 Norway's Alexander Rybak received a record 16 douze points (from Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine) out of a possible 42.
Norway 2009: Alexander Rybak - Fairytale - Winner in Moscow with a record 387 points!
Sixteen douze points out of 42 may not sound like much but compare this to 2011 when Azerbaijan won with just 3 douze points (from Malta, Russia, Turkey), the same number as Denmark, Georgia, Ireland and Ukraine - one less than Italy and two less than Bosnia who got 5 douze points from Austria, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia and Switzerland. In total 20 countries received at least one douze points in the 2011 final.
1976 was of course the year the UK's Brotherhood Of Man won with 'Save Your Kisses For Me'.
This changed in 1980 and we finally had the voting system we're used to. This was also the year of Jonny Logan's first win with 'What's Another Year'.
In 2009 Norway's Alexander Rybak received a record 16 douze points (from Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine) out of a possible 42.
Norway 2009: Alexander Rybak - Fairytale - Winner in Moscow with a record 387 points!
Sixteen douze points out of 42 may not sound like much but compare this to 2011 when Azerbaijan won with just 3 douze points (from Malta, Russia, Turkey), the same number as Denmark, Georgia, Ireland and Ukraine - one less than Italy and two less than Bosnia who got 5 douze points from Austria, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia and Switzerland. In total 20 countries received at least one douze points in the 2011 final.
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 11th - Low jury score push Blue into 11th place in Düsseldorf
Blue were a big hit with the public this year, coming 5th in the televote. However a low score from the juries (22nd out of 25 countries) pushed the UK down into 11th place. The disparity between the televote and the jury vote for the UK was only slightly better than Russia who came 7th in the televote and last in the jury vote, finishing 16th overall.
Of course the juries cast their votes the night before at the final dress rehearsal (Jury Final). Judge for yourself whether they were any better or worse the night before.
Of course the juries cast their votes the night before at the final dress rehearsal (Jury Final). Judge for yourself whether they were any better or worse the night before.
Eurovision 2012: Switzerland Decides - Sinplus to Baku
The Swiss public last night chose Sinplus to represent them in Baku, winning 17.87% of the vote.
Pre-contest favourite Lyss Assia came 8th with just 5.46% of the televote.
Full results:
Pre-contest favourite Lyss Assia came 8th with just 5.46% of the televote.
Full results:
- Sinplus - Unbreakable - 17.87%
- IVO - Peace & freedom - 16.02%
- Chiara Dubey - Anima nuova - 13.82%
- I Quattro - Fragile - 10.56%
- Katherine St-Laurent - Wrong to let you go - 9.91%
- Patric Scott feat. Fabienne Louves - Real love - 9.81%
- Raphael Jeger - The song in my head - 5.96%
- Lys Assia - C’était ma vie - 5.46%
- Macy - Shining - 3.49%
- Atomic-Angels - Black symphony - 2.36%
- Emel - She - 1.30%
- Guillermo Sorya - Baby baby baby - 1.19%
- Ze Flying Zezettes Orchestra - L’autre - 1.17%
- Sosofluo - Quand je ferme les yeux - 1.08%
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 10th - Switzerland decides tonight
Tonight the first entry for Eurovision 2012 will be chosen as Switzerland's Die Grosse Entscheidungsshow takes place. Unfortunately the UK's X Factor duo Same Difference and American act Ultra Nate didn't make the final but 14 other acts did:
Patric Scott feat. Fabienne Louves - Real love
Emel - She
Chiara Dubey - Anima nuova
Guillermo Sorya - Baby baby baby
Macy - Shining
Sosofluo - Quand je ferme les yeux
Atomic Angels - Black Symphony
Ivo - Peace & freedom
Ze Flying Zézettes Orchestra - L'autre
Raphael Jeger - The song in my head
I Quattro - Fragile
Sinplus - Unbreakable
Lys Assia - C'était ma vie
Katherine St-Laurent - Wrong to let you go
The hot favourite to win is Lys Assia, who won the first ever Eurovision Song Contest in 1956.
If she wins tonight she will go on to represent Switzerland for the 4th time in Baku next year. It's a rather old-fashioned song but the message behind the tile 'C'etait Ma Vie' (It Was My Life) combined with her Eurovision royalty status should ensure Switzerland have their best chance of qualifying in years. That said, returning winners haven't fared too well in recent years - just look at Dana International and Niamh Kavanagh.
Patric Scott feat. Fabienne Louves - Real love
Emel - She
Chiara Dubey - Anima nuova
Guillermo Sorya - Baby baby baby
Macy - Shining
Sosofluo - Quand je ferme les yeux
Atomic Angels - Black Symphony
Ivo - Peace & freedom
Ze Flying Zézettes Orchestra - L'autre
Raphael Jeger - The song in my head
I Quattro - Fragile
Sinplus - Unbreakable
Lys Assia - C'était ma vie
Katherine St-Laurent - Wrong to let you go
The hot favourite to win is Lys Assia, who won the first ever Eurovision Song Contest in 1956.
If she wins tonight she will go on to represent Switzerland for the 4th time in Baku next year. It's a rather old-fashioned song but the message behind the tile 'C'etait Ma Vie' (It Was My Life) combined with her Eurovision royalty status should ensure Switzerland have their best chance of qualifying in years. That said, returning winners haven't fared too well in recent years - just look at Dana International and Niamh Kavanagh.
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