Entries categorized as ‘Qualifying Heat 15-28’
Title: Molitva
Performer: Marija Serifovic
Molitva means prayer, but the 22-year-old Marija Serifovic hardly needs any divine intervention to be one of the serious contenders for 1st place in this year´s Eurovision Song Contest.
Ever since she was a child Marija has dreamed of being able to make a living as an artist. She made her first public appearance when she was just 12 years old rendering a perfect version of Whitney Houston´s (and Dolly Parton´s) I Will Always Love You. In 2003 Marija released her first album and two years later the second one hit the stores. Marija has won a number of prestigous awards in Serbia and this year she also won the Serbian preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Molitva is a fantastic, epic ballad and even though it is performed entirely in Serbian there is no risk that the European TV-viewers will miss out on the fact that what Marija has to offer is drama at the very highest level.
A top 5 finish in the qualifying heat as well as the final is almost a certainty for Serbia who will be participating for the very first time as an independent nation.
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Marija´s homepage can be found at: www.marijaserifovic.net
You can listen to nine (!) different versions of Molitva here:
www.evropesma.org/sve-verzije-molitve
Categories: Eurovision Song Contest 2007 · Qualifying Heat 15-28
Title: Malá Dáma
Performers: Kabát
The Czech Republic makes an impressive debut in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Heavy metal band Kabát, which means jacket, was formed in 1983 and one of many accomplishments on the band´s resumé is having released the best selling album ever in the Czech Republic.
Malá Dáma means little woman and the lyrics are about a homeless woman who wanders the streets at night and sleeps during the day. She feeds the cats and reads people´s palms.
It may not be considered very original to send a heavy metal song the year after Lordi won the competition but despite the fact that the Metallica look-alike vocalist sings in a rather annoying way and even though no efforts have been made to present the song in an attractive way, I cannot overlook the fact the melody is extremely strong.
I get the feeling that the Czech Republic could finish anywere in the Finnish capital. It is hard to foretell which countries are biased to vote for a nation who makes its debut. One thing for sure though, and that is the fact that Slovakia is not participating this year. Perhaps a handfull of points or two from the former union partner will be what is separating the Czechs from a place in the final.
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Read more about Kabát at: www.kabat.cz
Categories: Eurovision Song Contest 2007 · Qualifying Heat 15-28
Title: Dança conmigo (vem ser feliz)
Performer: Sabrina
After the Finnish victory in Athens last year Portugal is one of the few countries who, despite having participated almost since the beginning of the Eurovision, is yet to win.
The artist who has been appointed to try to change Portugal´s depressing bottom line in the Eurovision Song Contest is called Sabrina. Chances are, however, that she will fail in doing so. Dança conmigo has its bright moments, but to be honest they are not too many. If the song had been entered in the late 80s when the Lambada fever raged all over the world it might have had a fair chance. In 2007 it is merely a reminder of the kind of music we used to listen way back when.
My prediction is a finishing position between 20 and 24 in the semi final.
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Categories: Eurovision Song Contest 2007 · Qualifying Heat 15-28
Title: Mojot Svet
Performer: Karolina Gocheva
When looking up the word fabulous in a dictionary you will see a photo of Karolina Gocheva.
Karolina is one of the most popular singers in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. She has released four albums which have all become huge hits in Macedonia as well as in other former Yugoslav countries. Karolina participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2002 in Tallinn with the song Od nas zavisi (It depends on us). On that occasion she finished 19th.
In this year´s Macedonian preselection Karolina won by a landslide. In fact she received the maximum 12 points from all the 12 televoting regions. So it is safe to say that Karolina has the support of the Macedonian people when she enters the stage in Helsinki.
The beautiful lyrics in the chorus can be translated into English as:
My world is called music, is has no religions or borders, my world is eight notes, one Balkan soul.
I would love for this marvellous celebration of music, life and the Balkans to be among the contenders for victory, but I think a more realistic prediction is a finishing position between 8th and 12th.
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Read more about Karolina at: www.karolinaonline.com.mk
Categories: Eurovision Song Contest 2007 · Qualifying Heat 15-28
Title: Ven a bailar conmigo
Performer: Guri Schanke
Swedish legendary schlager composer Thomas G:son is the man behind this year´s Norwegian entry. The performer Guri Schanke has been a beloved actress and singer in her home country for many years and like other her fellow contestants Dutch Edsilia Rombley and Estonian Gerli Padar she has participated in Dancing with the Stars.
Guri finished second in the dancing competition but to make up for that she won a convincing victory in the Norwegian preselection, Melodi Grand Prix.
Ven a bailar conmigo is a quite catchy little latinoish ditty. Guri is absolutely radiant on stage and I find it quite impossible not to be smitten by her cheerfulness and energy.
Still I find it hard to picture Norway as a potential winner in Helsinki. Somehow it just does not feel like this is what Europe wants and needs. I may be wrong, but I have a feeling that the qualifying heat will be that final stop on Guri´s Eurovision journey.
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Categories: Eurovision Song Contest 2007 · Qualifying Heat 15-28
Title: Vertigo
Performer: Olivia Lewis
After having (fruitlessly) attempted to win the Maltese preselection every year for almost a decade it has finally become Olivia Lewis´ turn to represent the small Mediterranian island Malta.
Vertigo is written by Philip Vella and Gerard James Borg whose songs have represented Malta on three previous occassions. In 2000 Claudette Pace placed 8th with Desire, in 2002 Ira Losco came 2nd with 7th Wonder and in 2004 Julie & Ludwig finished in a shared 12th position with the song On again … Off Again.
Vertigo may not be the most easily accessible song to have ever competed in the Eurovision Song Contest. When listening to it the first time it mostly sounds screamy and all over the place. But the more I listen the more I realise that the Maltese entry is a small masterpiece.
If Malta manages to get past the first hurdle they are going to be absolutely leathal in the final. But their bid for victory could also come to a very disappointing end in the qualifying round.
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You can read more about Olivia at: www.olivialewis.net
Categories: Eurovision Song Contest 2007 · Qualifying Heat 15-28
Saturday, 5 May, 2007 · 1 Comment
Title: Salvem el món
Performers: Anonymous
Pocketsized country Andorra participates in the Eurovision Song Contest for the fourth time this year. The Andorrans have never even been close to qualifyng for the final and last year they finished last with hopeless artist Jenny and horrible Sense tu.
This year the principality sends three teenagers with a mission to save the world. Anonymous actually has four members, but the youngest one, Cristian, did not meet the EBUs age criteria so he will not be joining his friends on the stage in Helsinki.
There is no doubt that the teenage band´s musical inspiration comes from punkrockbands like Green Day and Blink 182. I find Salvem el món rather catchy and first and foremost very efficient, but it is not one my personal favorites.
If Anonymous performs at their very best in Helsinki they might have a chance to proceed to final, but in the tough competition with 28 countries battling it out for just 10 places in the final I would not place any bets on it.
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Categories: Eurovision Song Contest 2007 · Qualifying Heat 15-28
Saturday, 5 May, 2007 · 1 Comment
Title: Unsubstantial Blues
Performer: Magdi Rúzsa
In 2006 Magdi Rúzsa got her big breakthrough when she won the Hungarian Idol. That same year Magdi released the two best selling albums in Hungary.
In the beginning of this year she was presented with a Grammy for Best Newcomer and that award even won her the right to represent Hungary in Helsiniki.
The song Aprócska Blues from Magdi´s most recent album Ördögi angyal (Devilish Angel) was translated into English and given the title Unsubstantial Blues.
Magdi has a great voice and Unsubstantial Blues is a well-composed and in fact very substantial song. However, I fear that Hungary will be not be among the ten countries that earn tickets to the final on the 10th of May - but I hope to be proven wrong.
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You can have a look at Magdi´s video here (with permission from her record company): http://youtube.com/watch?v=KHPMae29iOw
Categories: Eurovision Song Contest 2007 · Qualifying Heat 15-28
Title: Partners in Crime
Performer: Gerli Padar
Alongside Dave Benton Gerli´s brother, Tanel, won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2001 with the song Everybody - much to everybody´s surprise!
It must be considered highly unlikely that Gerli will be able to match her brother´s triumph. Partners in Crime is not exactly a bad song, it is just not very exciting either. And when Gerli sings from the top of her lungs it becomes all too evident that she is not the best vocalist in the world.
Not since the system with a qualifying heat was introduced in 2004 have the Estonians made an appearance in the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest. And our Baltic neighbours will most probably not make it this year either.
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Categories: Eurovision Song Contest 2007 · Qualifying Heat 15-28
Title: Love Power
Performers: The KMGs
Belgium is another country who has had some rough times in the Eurovision Song Contest. Although the Belgians have won the contest once in 1986 they also have a lot of last places. However, in 2003 the Belgians almost won the whole spectacle with an entry performed in an imaginary language.
These last few years the Belgians have been among the favorites on a couple of occasions, but both times ended in fiascos. Last year Kate Ryan and the entry Je t´adore was seen as a potential winner but due to a rather dull and lifeless performance she missed out on a place in the final.
This year´s Belgian entry is a rather annoying story. The KMGs is an abbreviation for The Krazy Mess Groovers and they are doing their best to be funky but I seriously doubt that they will succeed in coming across with their message about the power of love in this falsetto inferno.
I am rather convinced that Belgium will be placed among the last in the qualifying heat this year.
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Categories: Eurovision Song Contest 2007 · Qualifying Heat 15-28
Title: Cvet z juga
Performer: Alenka Gotar
Almost every year Slovenia sends us a fantastic pop song with a strong chorus – and this year is certainly no exception. Cvet z juga is the result of a divine meeting between pop music and a very, very wonderful soprano voice.
It is the third time that Croatian composer Andrej Babic participates in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2003 he wrote the entry Vise nisam tvoja for his home country. Claudia Beni performed it and was placed 15th. In 2005 he was the man behind Call Me which with a little help from Croatian trio Feminnem brought home a 14th place to neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina. And now it is time for an Andrej Babic song to represent Slovenia. Cvet z juga means flower from the south.
30-year-old Alenka is one of the most highly praised sopranos in Slovenia. She regularly performs at opera houses in Slovenia as well as abroad. This should come as no surprise to anybody as Alenka sings exquisitely and when she hits the high notes I for one get shivers down my spine and goose bumps.
I really hope that the ingenious idea of mixing danceable pop and with powerful opera will give Slovenia its first victory in the Eurovision Song Contest. After years of undeserved failures I really hope for a Slovenian success in Helsinki. And even if Alenka may not go all the way I think that at least a place in the top 10 is more than realistic.
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Read more about Alenka at: www.alenkagotar.com
Categories: Eurovision Song Contest 2007 · Qualifying Heat 15-28
Title: Shake It Up Shekerim
Performer: Kenan Dogulu
After Sertab’s victory in 2003 the Turkish results have been a little like a roller coaster ride. This year the Turks are hoping that hunky super star and Justin Timberlake wannabe Kenan Dogulu will bring home the country’s second victory.
Personally I hope he will not. Although Shake It Up Shekerim is a modern tune with some R´n´B influences I find it quite bleak and anonymous. Shake It Up Shekerim could possibly work on the dance floor but on a television screen it is uninteresting, at best.
And I actually don’t know whether I should laugh or cry when a grown-up man in the year of 2007 without an ounce of irony or self-distance gasps:
Lovey dovey, lovey dovey, all the time, I got lots of candy to make you mine
There are lots of people with Turkish roots throughout Europe and judging from the results in previous years they are more than willing to pick up the phone and vote for their second home country. But if Turkey – against all odds – were to miss out on a place in the final I sincerely hope that this will be the year.
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Read more about Kenan at: www.kenandogulu.com.tr
Categories: Eurovision Song Contest 2007 · Qualifying Heat 15-28
Title: Get A Life – Get Alive
Performer: Eric Papilaya
Austria is back in the Eurovision Song Contest after taking a time out last year. The artist chosen to be the face of the Austrian comeback is called Eric Papilaya. Eric is 28 years old and made a name for himself when participating in the TV show Starmania which resembles Idol.
The entry Get A Life – Get Alive was, according to reliable sources, originally written for Anastacia but when she was diagnosed with breast cancer she felt unable to record the song. Instead it was chosen as the official theme song of the annual Life Ball which aims to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. The gala is the biggest of its kind in Europe and the proceeds from the record sales will be donated to AIDS charity.
The line between the moving and the tacky is of course fine when it comes to charity – especially in competitions like these. However, the connection between the Life Ball and Eurovision has been strong and apparent in many years. For instance the Austrian votes have been delivered live from the Life Ball and in 2003 Elton John even greeted the European TV-viewers live from the event. Therefore it only feels natural that the Life Ball theme song will also be the Austrian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.
I had to listen to Get A Life – Get Alive a couple of times before I grew to appreciate it, something which unfortunately can be quite costly in the Eurovision Song Contest. I would like to see Eric Papilaya in the grand finale on the 12th of May, but I gather his destiny lies in the hands of the people who are in charge of creating the Austrian visual appearance on the stage. If they come up with something truly spectacular they might make it to the final, if not I fear it will be difficult for Get A Life – Get Alive to get what it deserves.
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Read more about Eric at: www.ericpapilaya.com
Categories: Eurovision Song Contest 2007 · Qualifying Heat 15-28
Title: Questa Notte
Performer: bonaparti.lv
Last year Latvia failed with a vocal group who sang a capella. This year the Latvians are trying to ride the Il Divo wave and put their hopes on a song which is performed entirely in Italian by six, unequally, gifted male singers.
My first impression when I listen to the Latvian entry is that something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Most of all it feels like a scene from Tony´s restaurant in Lady and the Tramp. But the more I listen the more I have to surrender to the pompousness of Questa notte. When the song reaches its climax I just want to open my arms and hug the whole wide world. So even if my senses try to remind me that this whole spectacle is rather unatuthentic and tacky, my sensibility tells me to just let go and indulge myself.
The only prediction I dare make is that Latvia will not be among the last countries on the scoreboard but bonaparti.lv will not be one of the acts battling it out for the victory either.
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Read more about bonaparti.lv at: www.bonaparti.lv
Categories: Eurovision Song Contest 2007 · Qualifying Heat 15-28
