Eurovision 2024 - Malmö
- Thread starter PR1Berske
- Start date
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Belgium
"Before the Party's Over"
We're at the stage where songs are coming thick and fast and here's another to ponder. The singer Mustii is a judge on Drag Race Belgium though this song is some distance away from a club banger: this is the other side of camp, the big gay theatrical ballad.
It takes quite a while to hit the heights, and that's a problem with a 3-minute song. There is something going on underneath the building up to the midway point and I wonder if that period could have been better worked out. It's grand in design, not in execution.
"Before the Party's Over"
We're at the stage where songs are coming thick and fast and here's another to ponder. The singer Mustii is a judge on Drag Race Belgium though this song is some distance away from a club banger: this is the other side of camp, the big gay theatrical ballad.
It takes quite a while to hit the heights, and that's a problem with a 3-minute song. There is something going on underneath the building up to the midway point and I wonder if that period could have been better worked out. It's grand in design, not in execution.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Rumours are hitting eurofandom that the EBU may disqualify Israel for the lyrics of their proposed entry, following reports that a song called "October Rain" was to be submitted at the end of the month.
Belarus was disqualified on the same basis a few years ago after their song was essentially a list of Lukashenko catchphrases put to music. When a replacement song was proven to contain homophobic idioms, the EBU pulled the plug.
Israeli TV is said to be defiant that not one word of the song will be changed.
(Cc The39thStep ATOMIC SUPLEX )
Belarus was disqualified on the same basis a few years ago after their song was essentially a list of Lukashenko catchphrases put to music. When a replacement song was proven to contain homophobic idioms, the EBU pulled the plug.
Israeli TV is said to be defiant that not one word of the song will be changed.
(Cc The39thStep ATOMIC SUPLEX )
ATOMIC SUPLEX
Member Since: 1985 Post Count: 3
October rain??? Jesus.
Are the lyrics published yet? It's not like Israel wasn't actually offensive in their political messages when they hosted. They just completely take the piss.
Are the lyrics published yet? It's not like Israel wasn't actually offensive in their political messages when they hosted. They just completely take the piss.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
San Marino
"11:11"
I've just woken up for a middle aged toilet break when it came to mind that it was Sunday and that must mean a Eurovision selection had been made yesterday. Yes, San Marino, the little country that could, having started months ago, and with 129 (one hundred and twenty nine, not a typo) entries in this week's "finals".
You'll notice two things. The 'stage' wouldn't look out of place at the Little Bishopton Village Fete, and the song is the kind of rock band they employ on Hollyoaks to rough things up a bit. It's charming and silly in the way only Eurovision can be, particularly when, I read here, the programme started just over 4½ hours ago. Allora.
"11:11"
I've just woken up for a middle aged toilet break when it came to mind that it was Sunday and that must mean a Eurovision selection had been made yesterday. Yes, San Marino, the little country that could, having started months ago, and with 129 (one hundred and twenty nine, not a typo) entries in this week's "finals".
You'll notice two things. The 'stage' wouldn't look out of place at the Little Bishopton Village Fete, and the song is the kind of rock band they employ on Hollyoaks to rough things up a bit. It's charming and silly in the way only Eurovision can be, particularly when, I read here, the programme started just over 4½ hours ago. Allora.
Voley
🐀
Finland
"No Rules"
Oh boy. Right. Here goes.
Last year Finland won the hearts of the viewers with "Cha Cha Cha", a giddy rap pastiche celebrating going crazy to combat depression. Well this year feels like the sequel. It's sillier, louder, less controlled, more spectacle than message.
There's only two ways this will go. Either it'll die in the semi finals as the audience don't take to such an obvious re-do of last year....or it'll make it to the finals and we'll still be talking about it by Wednesday.
And with that introduction......
Gets our vote! NO RULES! NO TROUSERS! NO PANTS!
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
My absolute pleasure
Croatia chooses tonight and if it tickles your fancy, they're putting it on YouTube, live, without geoblocking.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Croatia
"Rim Tim Tagi Dim"
Good evening Voley !
With more than a touch of last year's Finland entry, this is an onslaught of campery and lyrics about suffering from anxiety. As with this year's Finland entry, I do worry that people will remember what has already happened and deduct votes accordingly.
Anyway, if your taste involves a Slavic twink giving Billy Idol in a 1990s gay club, fill your boots.
"Rim Tim Tagi Dim"
Good evening Voley !
With more than a touch of last year's Finland entry, this is an onslaught of campery and lyrics about suffering from anxiety. As with this year's Finland entry, I do worry that people will remember what has already happened and deduct votes accordingly.
Anyway, if your taste involves a Slavic twink giving Billy Idol in a 1990s gay club, fill your boots.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Switzerland
"The Code"
I suggested earlier that this was shaping up to be the "year of the witch", with folksy/ethereal elements in the entries from Norway, Ireland, and Slovenia. Well put that to one side as it turns out we're entering the "year of the dorks". Hello Finland, hello Croatia, and from 1100 CET this morning, hello Switzerland.
It's very "UK radio in the 2000s" mixed with the unique alchemy of European pop. It's cheesy without being novelty, a balance many countries get wrong. A fresh faced young man rapping came second last year, does lightning strike twice?
"The Code"
I suggested earlier that this was shaping up to be the "year of the witch", with folksy/ethereal elements in the entries from Norway, Ireland, and Slovenia. Well put that to one side as it turns out we're entering the "year of the dorks". Hello Finland, hello Croatia, and from 1100 CET this morning, hello Switzerland.
It's very "UK radio in the 2000s" mixed with the unique alchemy of European pop. It's cheesy without being novelty, a balance many countries get wrong. A fresh faced young man rapping came second last year, does lightning strike twice?
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
The Netherlands
"Europapa"
What was I saying about "year of the dorks"?
Hello to Joost, guitarist, rapper, and nerd. It's another sign that last year's winner hasn't really landed while the runner up has encouraged all the oddballs to fly their flags a little prouder.
Part emo, part hip-hop, part cheese, full-on celebration of self. It's crazy, it's party, you might say.
"Europapa"
What was I saying about "year of the dorks"?
Hello to Joost, guitarist, rapper, and nerd. It's another sign that last year's winner hasn't really landed while the runner up has encouraged all the oddballs to fly their flags a little prouder.
Part emo, part hip-hop, part cheese, full-on celebration of self. It's crazy, it's party, you might say.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Cyprus
"Liar"
A few years ago Cyprus achieved its best result ever with "Fuego", a full on song and dance number taken from viewing Beyoncé through a keyhole. They've been chasing that dragon ever since, with diminishing results: "Replay", "El Diablo", all photocopied from the original high.
This is another go at the photocopier. Maybe a high end scanner. Sometimes you've got to learn to let go, extinguish the flames, because lightning is hard to direct even if it wanted to strike twice.
"Liar"
A few years ago Cyprus achieved its best result ever with "Fuego", a full on song and dance number taken from viewing Beyoncé through a keyhole. They've been chasing that dragon ever since, with diminishing results: "Replay", "El Diablo", all photocopied from the original high.
This is another go at the photocopier. Maybe a high end scanner. Sometimes you've got to learn to let go, extinguish the flames, because lightning is hard to direct even if it wanted to strike twice.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
United Kingdom
"Dizzy"
In the "year of the dorks", where does Olly Alexander find himself? Amongst the winners, near the middle, at the bottom? Is this device of asking rhetorical questions just delaying the inevitable?
I suspect the BBC is kicking itself. Just when they got someone who was, at one point, the hot young thing in UK chart pop, the rest of Europe ran ahead of them, doing the Years and Years thing much better than the original. "Dizzy" is an album track, an okay third or fourth single release, a decent mid-gig number while the set dressers do their thing behind the curtain. It's not a winning song.
"Dizzy"
In the "year of the dorks", where does Olly Alexander find himself? Amongst the winners, near the middle, at the bottom? Is this device of asking rhetorical questions just delaying the inevitable?
I suspect the BBC is kicking itself. Just when they got someone who was, at one point, the hot young thing in UK chart pop, the rest of Europe ran ahead of them, doing the Years and Years thing much better than the original. "Dizzy" is an album track, an okay third or fourth single release, a decent mid-gig number while the set dressers do their thing behind the curtain. It's not a winning song.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Serbia
"Ramonda"
Every so often the ex-YU countries offer a reminder of their scars, their shadows, their resilience. Serbia does it more than most, and can often create beautiful songs as a result.
This is not one of those "instant winner" songs. It's a lullaby, deadly serious, and a good addition to the hyperactive mix.
"Ramonda"
Every so often the ex-YU countries offer a reminder of their scars, their shadows, their resilience. Serbia does it more than most, and can often create beautiful songs as a result.
This is not one of those "instant winner" songs. It's a lullaby, deadly serious, and a good addition to the hyperactive mix.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Iceland
"Scared of Heights"
Some context. The favourite to win the Icelandic vote this year was "Wild West" by a Palestinian singer who had learned Icelandic to take part. Imagine the narrative had Israel been DQ'd while a Palestinian took part.....
....but that's all academic. This is a rare example, this year, of a returning artist, and while her first entry was a Europop club banger, this is a weaker, more generic "office commercial radio" song. It's too 'nice' to break out through some of the weirder entries, I suspect, there are only so many times you can photocopy the Greatest Showman soundtrack.
"Scared of Heights"
Some context. The favourite to win the Icelandic vote this year was "Wild West" by a Palestinian singer who had learned Icelandic to take part. Imagine the narrative had Israel been DQ'd while a Palestinian took part.....
....but that's all academic. This is a rare example, this year, of a returning artist, and while her first entry was a Europop club banger, this is a weaker, more generic "office commercial radio" song. It's too 'nice' to break out through some of the weirder entries, I suspect, there are only so many times you can photocopy the Greatest Showman soundtrack.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Austria
"We Will Rave"
Can you believe that we're near the end of selection season? We've heard spooky, we've heard pure pop, and now let's visit the DJ booth, because after Ibiza and Mykonos, where else do we go other than...... Vienna?
In three minutes it's a quick rush though commercial dance and techno, with a bias on the commercial and audience friendly. It's more cheesy than a rave track should be, and that will hobble its chances.
"We Will Rave"
Can you believe that we're near the end of selection season? We've heard spooky, we've heard pure pop, and now let's visit the DJ booth, because after Ibiza and Mykonos, where else do we go other than...... Vienna?
In three minutes it's a quick rush though commercial dance and techno, with a bias on the commercial and audience friendly. It's more cheesy than a rave track should be, and that will hobble its chances.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Australia
"One Milkali/One Blood"
Having been invited to the Eurovision family out of love and cooperation, the Aussies have certainly embraced the opportunity. The entries so far have included singers of South Asian and indigenous descent and now an indigenous language is to be showcased too.
Vibrant, electronic, and a combination of Australian characteristics, this song has the potential to be a big hit in the hall.
"One Milkali/One Blood"
Having been invited to the Eurovision family out of love and cooperation, the Aussies have certainly embraced the opportunity. The entries so far have included singers of South Asian and indigenous descent and now an indigenous language is to be showcased too.
Vibrant, electronic, and a combination of Australian characteristics, this song has the potential to be a big hit in the hall.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
The countries yet to declare:
: "Elephant in the room" and that's perhaps insulting to elephants. We believe a lyrical rewrite is coming though that will not please or placate the many demanding disqualification.
: Almost no news at all from arguably the other human rights catastrophe in the Contest. Shortlisted singers rumours are flying around, nothing confirmed.
: The defending champions refuse to accept "it's not the winning, it's the taking part." Their selection process Melodifestivalen is more popular in the ratings than the Contest itself and this year there are many contenders to retain the crown.
: Happy to have won once, Portugal is settling back into its comfort zone. Their national final is mostly very insular insofar as Portuguese music tends to prefer its own culture to anything outside. Don't expect a winner, they don't really fancy winning again
: An American Idol alum is lined up to sing. No hints about what yet. A big ballad could stand out amongst a Contest seemingly high on its own supply.
: When even the Wikipedia article is a great big shrugged shoulders, you have to wonder if Yerevan hasn't forgotten that the Contest is happening. Deadline approaching and there is nothing even remotely whispered about what they're doing.
: "Elephant in the room" and that's perhaps insulting to elephants. We believe a lyrical rewrite is coming though that will not please or placate the many demanding disqualification.: Almost no news at all from arguably the other human rights catastrophe in the Contest. Shortlisted singers rumours are flying around, nothing confirmed.: The defending champions refuse to accept "it's not the winning, it's the taking part." Their selection process Melodifestivalen is more popular in the ratings than the Contest itself and this year there are many contenders to retain the crown.: Happy to have won once, Portugal is settling back into its comfort zone. Their national final is mostly very insular insofar as Portuguese music tends to prefer its own culture to anything outside. Don't expect a winner, they don't really fancy winning again : An American Idol alum is lined up to sing. No hints about what yet. A big ballad could stand out amongst a Contest seemingly high on its own supply.: When even the Wikipedia article is a great big shrugged shoulders, you have to wonder if Yerevan hasn't forgotten that the Contest is happening. Deadline approaching and there is nothing even remotely whispered about what they're doing.
Voley
🐀
The Netherlands
"Europapa"
What was I saying about "year of the dorks"?
Hello to Joost, guitarist, rapper, and nerd. It's another sign that last year's winner hasn't really landed while the runner up has encouraged all the oddballs to fly their flags a little prouder.
Part emo, part hip-hop, part cheese, full-on celebration of self. It's crazy, it's party, you might say.
Yes! Ticks all the Eurovision boxes for me, that one.
The39thStep
Urban critical thinker
To be accurate they approved the new lyrics to a song called Hurricane
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Having, reportedly, rejected two previous attempts.
I note in passing that Belarus attempted twice and was subsequently barred.
The39thStep
Urban critical thinker
'In passing' sounds like Private Eye
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
It's how I type and phrase things.
The39thStep
Urban critical thinker
Fine , I'm not knocking you.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Sweden
"Unforgettable"
Four years ago selection season was going ahead as normal even though Europe was slowly falling into the grip of Covid: eventually the fun of the show was replaced by the first cancellation in the history of Eurovision.
Undeniably, events in Gaza give this year a similar vibe, one of the Contest carrying on with all the glitz and camp underneath a massive shadow.
Unless and until anything changes, this thread carries on and here we go with defending champions Sweden, for whom the phrase "it's not the winning, it's the taking part" appears to have no direct translation. This selected entry is from the heart of the clunking, cranking, hulking great machine that is Sweden's music industry (albeit performed by two Norwegians).
If you're still invested in this year's Eurovision and would rather like someone other than Sweden to win for a change.... holding your breath isn't advised. This is a country which just seems to know how to write pop like no other country on the continent.
"Unforgettable"
Four years ago selection season was going ahead as normal even though Europe was slowly falling into the grip of Covid: eventually the fun of the show was replaced by the first cancellation in the history of Eurovision.
Undeniably, events in Gaza give this year a similar vibe, one of the Contest carrying on with all the glitz and camp underneath a massive shadow.
Unless and until anything changes, this thread carries on and here we go with defending champions Sweden, for whom the phrase "it's not the winning, it's the taking part" appears to have no direct translation. This selected entry is from the heart of the clunking, cranking, hulking great machine that is Sweden's music industry (albeit performed by two Norwegians).
If you're still invested in this year's Eurovision and would rather like someone other than Sweden to win for a change.... holding your breath isn't advised. This is a country which just seems to know how to write pop like no other country on the continent.
PR1Berske
Alligator in chains by the park gates.
Portugal
"Grito"
Now here's an update of contrasts.
Last night saw Sweden and Portugal choose, and while the former is happy to stick with English-language bangers for maximum impact, Portugal tends to find comfort in its own culture, its own language, and its particular brand of vibes-based music.
Having won only once, with a floaty, jazz-adjacent ballad in Portuguese, they seem to have settled back into being happy with competition over competing, and this year is no different. Their winning entry is wistful, floaty, building in waves without crashing onto the shore. It's close in tone to this year's Serbian entry, not least because most other countries have chosen to go completely bonkers and that leaves the slower songs conspicuous by their temperament.
It's not a winner....and wasn't supposed to be.
"Grito"
Now here's an update of contrasts.
Last night saw Sweden and Portugal choose, and while the former is happy to stick with English-language bangers for maximum impact, Portugal tends to find comfort in its own culture, its own language, and its particular brand of vibes-based music.
Having won only once, with a floaty, jazz-adjacent ballad in Portuguese, they seem to have settled back into being happy with competition over competing, and this year is no different. Their winning entry is wistful, floaty, building in waves without crashing onto the shore. It's close in tone to this year's Serbian entry, not least because most other countries have chosen to go completely bonkers and that leaves the slower songs conspicuous by their temperament.
It's not a winner....and wasn't supposed to be.
