Eurovision Song Contest 2014 is 59th and my 44th. This contest is the oldest international still running song contest in the world. Annually between 35-43 european countries, whom are members of European Broadcasting Union EBU take part. Normally each nation´s broadcaster arranges the national selection for the contest, so this is huge event. I will later on get back to history and this plus that and so much more, but now focus on this years contest and the 37 countries,artists and songs that take part.
Directly in final are the big 5 UK;Spain,Germany,Italy and France plus the last years winner Denmark. All other countries are competing first in 2 semifinals. In which semifinal and on which startingnumber everyone participates is the do or die question and it´s been done by the lot (draw). For the final after the semifinal is the winners pressconference, where they receive their starting number. Exciting and confusing for first timers whom are reading this blog, but believe me you get the point and you can always ask either by commenting on the blog OR sending the message to me --- look on your right (there´s the box message us)
Semifinal 1 - 16 countries are competing for the 10 places in the final. In this blog we will also have our opinion and you may put the songs in order the best one gets 12 points 2nd best 10, third best 8, 7,6,5,4,3,2 and finally 1. The rest gets nothing. This voting system was created in Finland 1973.
Artistname has his/her/their website song has the video
Blog readers from all over the world have the chance to show what they think OR how it should have gone. Voting links will be in ESC2014 3/3 post, so make notes :)
1) Armenia Aram Sargsyan, born 1984 in Yerevan, is comedian,singer-songwriter,actor and showman and uses the Aram mp3 as his artistname. The entry "not alone" is his 4th single and he´s been also acting in one sitcom (2011).
2) Latvia Aarzemnieki = Foreigners is an german-latvian band. The leadsinger comes from Germany. He wrote the farewell song for latvian currency lati"paldies latinam", which became youtube sensation. This was the result for that Group has been active since 2013.
3) Estonia Tanja Mihhailova, born 1983 in Kaliningrad, Russia. She is russian-estonian singer & actress and lived most of her age in Estonia. She´s been taking part in various song contests internationally and even Eurolaul 2002 being part of Nightlight duo with the song " an another country song" which came 2nd and 2003 with " I can be the one" which came 3rd. After Nightlight duo ended their career Tanja moved to musicals and she has starred in Fame and Cabaret, if I mention some. She has released 6 albums.
4) Sweden Sanna Nielsen, born 1984, is one of the most popular artists in Sweden. Still she had to take part 7 times before her dream came true, winning the Melodifestivalen (national selection for Eurovision). 2001 with "i går, i dag" which came 3rd, 2003 with "hela världren för mig" which came 5th, 2005 with "du och jag mot världen" which came 8th, 2007 with the song "vågar du,vågar jag" which came 7th,2008 with "empty room", which got 50000 votes more than the "hero" which was sent to Eurovision. Empty room was the moral winner no doubt in there and bigger hit in Sweden. 2011 she returned with the song" I´m in love" which came 4th and finally came back again 2014 with this song "undo" and she finally won.She has released 8 albums.
5) Iceland Pollapönk group members had earlier band called Botnledja, which also took part in Eurovision 2003 "eurovisá" and after few changes in crew band changed the name, but musicstyle punk-rock remained. They have done lots of children´s music aswell and have had major hits in Iceland.
6) Albania Herciana Matmuja, born 1990, and she has practically been singing her whole life. She started at the age of 8 taking part in various contests and coming home with the prize. She took part 5 times in Festivali de Këngës, which functions as the national final for eurovision and she won the 52nd edition 2013. This year she gets the diploma from her musicstudies from Accademia Santa Cecilia in Rome.
7) Russia Tolmachevy sisters are now 17 years old and they won the Junior Eurovision in 2006. Now they are trying their luck in adults version of Eurovision.
8) Azerbaijan Dilara Kazimova, born in 1984 in Baku. Dilara has taken part twice before in national final being member of the group Unformal in 2008 gaining 2nd place and 2010 being part of group Milk & Honey being again 2nd. Third time lucky Dilara represents Azerbaijan this year.
9) Ukraine Mariya Nazarivna Yaremchuk, born 1993 in Chernivtsi. Her father was famous artist and her brothers are also in music business. Mariya has released 2 singles before "tick-tock" which is her 3rd.
10) Belgium Axel Hirsoux, born 1982, took part in two talent contests Voice of Belgique and Star Academy and he was voted out in 2nd round from both contests. "mother" is his 1st single.
11) Moldova Christina Scarlat, born 1981 in Chisinau. She has twice before tried the ticket for Eurovision from Moldova 2011 "everyday will be your day" which came 12th and 2012 "I pray" which came 3rd. She has been representing her country in various song contests around Europe and coming home with the prize.
12)San Marino Valentina Monetta, born 1975 has been trying from San Marino 4 times and been selected 3 times, which is an record for sure and she is the 4th artist in that serie. Other three are Lys Assia,Udo Jürgens and Corry Brokken. She tried actually in 2008, but wasn´t accepted then. 2012 "the social network song" which received 14th place , 2013 "chrisalide (vola)" which received 11th place in semifinal and now 3rd time in row "maybe". She has released 3 albums 4th coming and 2 singles before the albums.
13) Portugal Susana Guerra, born 1980 uses the artistname Suzy.She debuted at the age of 5 and has released 1 album and couple of singles, which have sold very well. Currently she lives in Dubai. Her victory was creating an scandal of some level in Portugal, but that´s part of the contest. As long as it creates strong feelings and opinions this contest is doing well.
14) Netherlands Common Linnets is an duo.
Ilse Annoeska de Lange, born 1977 Almelo and she debuted 1994. Released 1st single 1996 being part of the popgroup and own album in 1998. Totally she has released 13 albums and 2 singles (not from albums).
Willem Bijkerk, born 1980 in Apeldoorn and he debuted in 1995 in televisionshow "telekids" and he has released 2 albums and few singles. Breakthru did happen in 2008 "Holland has talents" which led to recording contract. This duo is created for the Eurovision and the plan is to release album after this. Motivation for the song is taken from their trip to Nashville, the hometown of country.
15) Montenegro Sergej Cetkovic, born 1976 in Podgorica.He debuted in 1983 being member of montegrin popgroup Vatrena srca. He has released 8 albums and has taken part in various songcontests around ex-yugoslavia.
16) András Kállay-Saunders, born 1985 in New York,USA. He has hungarian model mother and famous soulsinger as father from US. He has released 5 singles since 2011 and the album is to be released this year.
OPINION A = previews B= semifinal
1A) Armenia song is bit 2 dark and far too slow for my taste, but still this has something. Visually thinking this offers lots of possibilities for an really superb act on stage. Diaspora takes care, that this gets to the final, but for the first time I don´t like the entry from Armenia. Song repeats the title far too many times and I suppose everyone knows it, bt that´s not the point in this contest.
2A) Latvia song is simply such an campfire singalong. It doesn´t stick in mind, it doesn´t much annoy either. With neutral songs the only hope is that their charisma wins over the voters heart. In my opinion they lack the charisma totally, if looking only to the latvian selection, but you never know what happens on stage later.
3A) Estonia song is catchy poptune, but the new version took away the strong chorus. That is the trend of the year. Either I am totally oldfashioned or simply too hard with professional ear and eyes. This will qualify without any doubts as voters will adore the danceact on stage. I like this still a lot and is one of the strong entries this year.
4A) Sweden song honestly wasn´t my favourite from the beginning as I was hoping for an strongly ballade like the empty room was, but that was my problem that. Song "undo" is beautiful modern popsong, bit cold sounds, but without an doubt clear qualifier.
5A) Iceland honestly I liked the song that came 2nd far more, but after this won I had to give this a chance. I knew before that this group is popular so I wasn´t as shocked as most of eurofans around europe was after icelandic final. But honestly this group has great message so listen to their lyrics and go with the flow. This fills perhaps the annual kitch-label, but I find this pretty cool song and I hope they will qualify. Big question is whether their humour and their way of bringing strong message gets thru.
6) Albania once again this country sends out very talented artist, maybe the best artist infact. The song has very unique melody, which might be once again difficult for most of the audience, bt give this a chance. This 3 minutes version is strong. One of my big favourites from this semifinal, if only those electric quitars could be somehow dropped from this. Arrangement could be better, but I think this functions still.
7) Russia I don´t like this one bit. Only question is why this is written at all? Sure gals have been in Junior Eurovision and took home the trofy, but still this song isn´t good. No rubbish. And my opinion would be the same even without the Russia´s act against Ukraine ... some fans protest stronger, I let the music speak and this is just bad.
8) Azerbaijan Usually I don´t like the entries from this country, but this year this song is very good and artist is talented and yes I liked the colour of her voice and instruments, which matched her voice perfectly. Strong entry.
9) Ukraine Usually I like the entries from Ukraine for the reason explained earlier. This time the new version they made is simply not working in my opinion. This lacks the catchyness which every chorus needs. I do hope that I am so wrong.
10) Belgium Fans are screaming the name of Axel and seeing him practically an messias whom bring the song contest victory to Belgium, but honestly I don´t understand what´s the fuzz about. Sure lyrics are worth notification, but singing isn´t. I don´t find his voice strong, nor song musically speaking that special. Infact boring cry for help kind of song. Well. I am sorry but I think this is an another flop as Belgium had very good song in final, which could have done miracles. this just doesn´t.
11) Moldova This was my 2nd favourite from Moldovan nat.selection this year. This is very strong entry with dramatic melody. I advice that you would listen the lyrics and you will see, that we have all experienced the very same.
12) San Marino Honestly I would like to complain. When a country sends same artist over and over again and whom still doesn´t make it ... is that wise? Not in my book for the artist nor the country. Last year the song was amazing, this year it´s so pale memory of that and this just doesn´t work. So sorry. Despite this is written by my friend I am so sorry, that I don´t see this has any chance what so ever this year, when there is so many ballades so we will see Valentina once more?
13) Portugal Honestly this wasn´t my favourite to win .. it was my 4th runner-up. This song is typical partysong and Portugal has done well with this type songs before. Gladly the backingvocals are changed and a lot is promised for this act. But giving this the verdict how it is today I must say, that this might get thru, but a lots of changes must take place for it to do so.
14) Netherlands I don´t know actually how Netherlands have been able to do so poorly during the past years, when the nation is full of amazing artists and songwriters. This time they send talented artists, but it´s pity that the song wasn´t part of the package. Song is boring, so boring such a one note samba and this is not doing the trick for them this year either and I am so sorry for that.
15) Montenegro Finally they send Sergej to eurovision. I have so waited for quite some time. This song is very typical ballade from balkan, but I would say yes but also with celtic touch. Song is beautiful, maybe the best ballade of the year atleast to me. Heartbreaking melody and the arrangement is perfect and visually I can see the possibilities what they can create on stage and hopefully they do it too :) Love it :)
16) Hungary Honestly I don´t like the song. Mainly because of it´s theme, which is important to point out for sure, but for some like me this gets far too personal aswell. I could say, that it could be a song of my life and it would still be far too clean version. This artist can do great music,great songs, but this is far from being the best what he can do. Difficult to say, but I think this will get thru to the final.
gets to the final preview seminal
Moldova 12
Montenegro 10
Estonia 8
Sweden 7
Azerbaijan 6
Albania 5
Iceland 4
Armenia 3
Hungary 2
Ukraine 1
