Eurovision 2022
- Thread starter PR1Berske
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PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
San Marino 
Achille Lauro
"Stripper"
The "bad boy of Italian pop" turns out for the Serene Republic with a very ripe slice of glam rock. It's certainly in the same wheelhouse as Måneskin from last year, though even they didn't namecheck "sex toy" in their lyrics.
Achille Lauro
"Stripper"
The "bad boy of Italian pop" turns out for the Serene Republic with a very ripe slice of glam rock. It's certainly in the same wheelhouse as Måneskin from last year, though even they didn't namecheck "sex toy" in their lyrics.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Malta 
Emma Muscat
"Out of Sight"
Quite the star in Malta, Emma has a solid, contemporary voice. The song is a touch safe, to the point of bland, but she has the tools to sell it. Least said about the alleged riggery of the national selection that got her here the better.
Emma Muscat
"Out of Sight"
Quite the star in Malta, Emma has a solid, contemporary voice. The song is a touch safe, to the point of bland, but she has the tools to sell it. Least said about the alleged riggery of the national selection that got her here the better.
stdP
One Swiss dinosaur in Polly Gosling's anorak hood
As per every year I'm purposefully avoiding listening to anything except on the night itself, once the correct level of BAC has been attained.
...but if it helps with anyone's enjoyment in the run-up, my GIFinating skillz say u75 can do with a proper sax solo:
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Ukraine 
Kalush Orchestra
"Stefania"
Having chosen an emotive, divisive folk ballad a few weeks ago, Ukrainian television struck upon a problem. The singer had entered Crimea, possibly from within Russian space, and the relevant paperwork was missing, possibly forged. The singer withdrew her nomination.
So here we are with attempt number two. Folk singing melded with East European rap, a heady mix. National imagery, in style and song, hits that little bit harder when the world is primed for war, particularly when the song is so explicitly Ukrainian when that very identity is under threat. It's not just a song, it's a rallying cry.
Incidentally, Russia and Ukraine are drawn in the same semifinal.
Kalush Orchestra
"Stefania"
Having chosen an emotive, divisive folk ballad a few weeks ago, Ukrainian television struck upon a problem. The singer had entered Crimea, possibly from within Russian space, and the relevant paperwork was missing, possibly forged. The singer withdrew her nomination.
So here we are with attempt number two. Folk singing melded with East European rap, a heady mix. National imagery, in style and song, hits that little bit harder when the world is primed for war, particularly when the song is so explicitly Ukrainian when that very identity is under threat. It's not just a song, it's a rallying cry.
Incidentally, Russia and Ukraine are drawn in the same semifinal.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Finland 
The Rasmus
"Jezebel"
If you're old enough to remember a time when the charts were full of guitars fused to hair-gel and baggy jeans , The Rasmus will still have a place in your ear-worm compartment of your brain. This version of them is older, slower, still has crow feathers in the hair, and is in need of a production meeting. Trend alert: the Finns sent retro-tinged emo last year, because of course they did.
The Rasmus
"Jezebel"
If you're old enough to remember a time when the charts were full of guitars fused to hair-gel and baggy jeans , The Rasmus will still have a place in your ear-worm compartment of your brain. This version of them is older, slower, still has crow feathers in the hair, and is in need of a production meeting. Trend alert: the Finns sent retro-tinged emo last year, because of course they did.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Australia 
Sheldon Riley
"Not the Same"
This is a theatrical, almost overwrought, megaballad, a deep cut of musical theatre emotion that really draws from the personal experience of the singer. It's a lot, perhaps too much, but man alive can they sing. It might go big in the hall though, if voters engage with the lyrics as well as the vibe it could score well. It's divisive, for sure.
Sheldon Riley
"Not the Same"
This is a theatrical, almost overwrought, megaballad, a deep cut of musical theatre emotion that really draws from the personal experience of the singer. It's a lot, perhaps too much, but man alive can they sing. It might go big in the hall though, if voters engage with the lyrics as well as the vibe it could score well. It's divisive, for sure.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Netherlands 
S10
"De Diept"
Continuing a theme of slower, more introspective songs from countries this year, the Dutch are singing in Dutch for the first time in a decade. Lana del Rey vibes as per, and I suspect influence from Taylor Swift's lockdown albums too. Having spent millions hosting the thing last year Dutch television needs a song that comes across as a credible entry without being good enough to win and they've done that. Gentle, slow, mature.
S10
"De Diept"
Continuing a theme of slower, more introspective songs from countries this year, the Dutch are singing in Dutch for the first time in a decade. Lana del Rey vibes as per, and I suspect influence from Taylor Swift's lockdown albums too. Having spent millions hosting the thing last year Dutch television needs a song that comes across as a credible entry without being good enough to win and they've done that. Gentle, slow, mature.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Montenegro 
Vladana
"Breathe"
There is a tradition at Eurovision which states that at least one ex-Yug state should send an ethnic ballad and in their own language. That tradition might be broken this year- Croatia has gone for a ballad in English and now both their neighbours has done the same (North Macedonia chose some months ago).
In an increasingly ballad heavy year, "Breathe" is emotive, certainly well constructed, heartfelt. Montenegro is not a known force, historically, so there is dark horse potential.
Vladana
"Breathe"
There is a tradition at Eurovision which states that at least one ex-Yug state should send an ethnic ballad and in their own language. That tradition might be broken this year- Croatia has gone for a ballad in English and now both their neighbours has done the same (North Macedonia chose some months ago).
In an increasingly ballad heavy year, "Breathe" is emotive, certainly well constructed, heartfelt. Montenegro is not a known force, historically, so there is dark horse potential.
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PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Germany
Malik Harris
"Rockstars"
After all the excitement of a woman forgetting the words to her own song, here's what the Germans ultimately selected, a forgettable song. Oh, irony, how we love thee.
I don't know what's happened with Germany. They won in 2010 and appear to have lost their way ever since. This attempt at clawing back credibility is a total mess of British-accented radio friendly pop and, bafflingly, an Eminem-accented spoken word section. It's not exactly screaming out "winner" though it will stand out amongst the ballads, let's say that.
Epona
Sonic: 1 Nov 2006 - 8 Jan 2022
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Edited that typo, the truth remains! It's certainly shaping up to be a Final with few quirks this year. It happens, sometimes the odder songs don't break through.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Just to add, the last four songs I've posted on here after their selection are all slow ballads, that's not by my choosing to put them together by theme, that's just how they've been released/chosen.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Serbia 
Konstrakta
"In copore sano"
At last, you might say, a genuinely bonkers entry this year, we've been waiting for this. The lyrics, in Serbian and they'll stay that way because Serbia shuns English for reasons we don't need to go into right now, deal with health care and the unavailability of free medicine even after the era through which we currently live. Oh, and yes, the opening line asks how Meghan Markle has such shiny hair. Told you it is bonkers.
Konstrakta
"In copore sano"
At last, you might say, a genuinely bonkers entry this year, we've been waiting for this. The lyrics, in Serbian and they'll stay that way because Serbia shuns English for reasons we don't need to go into right now, deal with health care and the unavailability of free medicine even after the era through which we currently live. Oh, and yes, the opening line asks how Meghan Markle has such shiny hair. Told you it is bonkers.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Romania 
WRS
"Llámame"
Weak sauce Mediterranean pop from, erm, Romania. See, some countries know that winning the thing is out of their grasp so tend not to bother too hard. Romania has tried since 1994 so forgive them for this light and fluffy pop number, they are just happy to take part.
WRS
"Llámame"
Weak sauce Mediterranean pop from, erm, Romania. See, some countries know that winning the thing is out of their grasp so tend not to bother too hard. Romania has tried since 1994 so forgive them for this light and fluffy pop number, they are just happy to take part.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Denmark 
Reddi
"The Show"
Bless the Danes, they know not what they do. A passable midtempo song turns into a cut-price guitar-led novelty number that does nothing to my ears, but I've been wrong before about what gimmicks work when you've got a semifinal to break out from
Reddi
"The Show"
Bless the Danes, they know not what they do. A passable midtempo song turns into a cut-price guitar-led novelty number that does nothing to my ears, but I've been wrong before about what gimmicks work when you've got a semifinal to break out from
ice-is-forming
I was born naked, shameless & fucking outrageous..
You know what? I didn't even realise Australia entered, but it seems that in 2015 they were invited as a guesture of good will 
What an eclectic mix of songs this year..
What an eclectic mix of songs this year..
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Switzerland 
Marius Bear
"Boys do Cry"
It's International Woman's Day so here's a.....bloke singing about feelings. Okay, low blow, male mental health is important and this song touches on the subject matter with care. But. He. Sings. Every. Word. So. Slowly. You. Can't. Be. Bothered. With. The. Wait. For. The. Chorus.
Marius Bear
"Boys do Cry"
It's International Woman's Day so here's a.....bloke singing about feelings. Okay, low blow, male mental health is important and this song touches on the subject matter with care. But. He. Sings. Every. Word. So. Slowly. You. Can't. Be. Bothered. With. The. Wait. For. The. Chorus.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Cyprus 
Andromache
"Ela/Έλα"
Cyprus has used their local outfit Panik Records for four songs in a row, and almost won at the first time of asking with "Fuego". That was a sure fire dancefloor banger, and other countries have tried to capture its lightning in a bottle ever since (Spain will possibly win doing just that this year.)
This fourth use of Panik is a very different vibe, incorporating a very Balkan/Middle Eastern sound and the Greek language into a dreamy, evocative song. Perhaps the most grounded entry from Cyprus in years.
(Video is half way down this link)
panikmusic.gr
Andromache
"Ela/Έλα"
Cyprus has used their local outfit Panik Records for four songs in a row, and almost won at the first time of asking with "Fuego". That was a sure fire dancefloor banger, and other countries have tried to capture its lightning in a bottle ever since (Spain will possibly win doing just that this year.)
This fourth use of Panik is a very different vibe, incorporating a very Balkan/Middle Eastern sound and the Greek language into a dreamy, evocative song. Perhaps the most grounded entry from Cyprus in years.
(Video is half way down this link)
ANDROMACHE – «ELA»: ΠΡΩΤΗ ΜΕΤΑΔΟΣΗ ΤΟΥ VIDEO ΤΗΣ ΚΥΠΡΟΥ ΓΙΑ ΤΗ EUROVISION 2022 | Panik
Το Ραδιοφωνικό Ίδρυμα Κύπρου ανακοινώνει ότι η Κύπρος θα εκπροσωπηθεί στον 66ο διαγωνισμό τραγουδιού της Eurovision, που θα πραγματοποιηθεί στο […]
panikmusic.gr
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Belgium 
Jérémie Makiese
"Miss You"
Belgium like to throw a lot at the wall and this year they've landed on......sadboi ballad. If you're getting the impression that this year is heavy on the number of sadbois with ballads, I can't disagree. I hoped that the chorus would lift this but it's quite weak sauce.
Jérémie Makiese
"Miss You"
Belgium like to throw a lot at the wall and this year they've landed on......sadboi ballad. If you're getting the impression that this year is heavy on the number of sadbois with ballads, I can't disagree. I hoped that the chorus would lift this but it's quite weak sauce.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
United Kingdom 
Sam Ryder
"Space Man"
We've tried to win with novelty, with unknowns, with veterans, with whatever the Hell last year turned out to be, and this year we've gone to TikTok with a handwritten sign on some cardboard begging for help. Sam has serious pipes, the song is of the commercial bent, And it's another sadboi, bringing the total this year to approximately 37.
Sam Ryder
"Space Man"
We've tried to win with novelty, with unknowns, with veterans, with whatever the Hell last year turned out to be, and this year we've gone to TikTok with a handwritten sign on some cardboard begging for help. Sam has serious pipes, the song is of the commercial bent, And it's another sadboi, bringing the total this year to approximately 37.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Greece 
Amanda Tenjford
"Die Together"
With a reference to "the year we've had" and "if we die together now", this is the most explicit reference to the era through which we currently live so far. Yes, it's another ballad, it's another downbeat female singer, it's more proof that through accident or design this year's Contest is particularly dour.
Amanda Tenjford
"Die Together"
With a reference to "the year we've had" and "if we die together now", this is the most explicit reference to the era through which we currently live so far. Yes, it's another ballad, it's another downbeat female singer, it's more proof that through accident or design this year's Contest is particularly dour.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Austria 
LUM!X ft Pia Maria
"Halo"
DJs on the Eurovision stage have a bad time of it. Darude tried for Finland a few years back and didn't get through the semifinals, with one theory being that superstar names grab attention when they sing but not if they're just standing there pretending to mix. Remember that only vocalists are allowed to perform live, for various technical reasons all other instruments are mimed at Eurovision.
Anyway, DJs, here's one, and the song is a female-fronted banger, lyrically chaotic, rare this year for being something you could dance to. It's going big with the fans, who can spot gold in the dirt pretty well, so if you're after a slice of Europop....well, Alpinepop I suppose, you might be okay with this.
LUM!X ft Pia Maria
"Halo"
DJs on the Eurovision stage have a bad time of it. Darude tried for Finland a few years back and didn't get through the semifinals, with one theory being that superstar names grab attention when they sing but not if they're just standing there pretending to mix. Remember that only vocalists are allowed to perform live, for various technical reasons all other instruments are mimed at Eurovision.
Anyway, DJs, here's one, and the song is a female-fronted banger, lyrically chaotic, rare this year for being something you could dance to. It's going big with the fans, who can spot gold in the dirt pretty well, so if you're after a slice of Europop....well, Alpinepop I suppose, you might be okay with this.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Iceland 
Sigga, Beta og Elin
"Með hækkandi sól"
We're on the final stretch of selection season 2022, starting with Iceland, coming out of a double-hit of Daði and his meme-worthy viral phenomenon, and needing to ride the wave of his PR earthquake. Their choice is.... the complete opposite. Gone are the high-energy, arch, ironic pop-rocks happenings, and instead there is an Icelandic-language country-tinged moodboard in the style of First Aid Kit or Haim.
I'm charmed by this song, it's subtle, and delicate. It's very different from Iceland - remember Hatari, remember Silvia Night - and I hope the semifinals are kind to them
Sigga, Beta og Elin
"Með hækkandi sól"
We're on the final stretch of selection season 2022, starting with Iceland, coming out of a double-hit of Daði and his meme-worthy viral phenomenon, and needing to ride the wave of his PR earthquake. Their choice is.... the complete opposite. Gone are the high-energy, arch, ironic pop-rocks happenings, and instead there is an Icelandic-language country-tinged moodboard in the style of First Aid Kit or Haim.
I'm charmed by this song, it's subtle, and delicate. It's very different from Iceland - remember Hatari, remember Silvia Night - and I hope the semifinals are kind to them
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Sweden 
Cornelia Jakobs
"Hold Me Closer"
In a very downbeat Contest, "Hold Me Closer" stands out, not because it's a cheery silly dance song, rather because it's the most genuine and raw of all the slower, serious entries. You believe the story, you believe the hurt and pain. You believe that Sweden, coming off a run of disappointing results, has just put the best cat amongst the pigeons.
Cornelia Jakobs
"Hold Me Closer"
In a very downbeat Contest, "Hold Me Closer" stands out, not because it's a cheery silly dance song, rather because it's the most genuine and raw of all the slower, serious entries. You believe the story, you believe the hurt and pain. You believe that Sweden, coming off a run of disappointing results, has just put the best cat amongst the pigeons.
