Eurovision Song Contest 2008 - Belgrade, Serbia

[2099net]

To be honest, I was somewhat disappointed with the 2007 contest. That's nothing against the hosting by Finland, who probably presented the most impressive contest to date. I just thought most of the songs were lacking something. Certainly, 2007 didn't come anywhere close to the musical delights of 2006.

2007's lacklustre entries were all the more disappointing considering that it had a record number of 42 entries. Indeed it was Serbia's - 2007's "Winner"* - first time entry. As Europe expands across the globe like a virus, so grows the Eurovision contest entries (and so do the petty inter-country feuds, friendships and - dare I say it? - corruption.) Out of the 42 entries, only 28 made it to the semi-final, and only 10 of those made it through to the final. That may sound wrong, but the top 10 countries from the preceding year's final are automatically placed in the final, as are the 4 countries who contribute to the shared broadcast financially The United Kingdom, France, Spain and Germany.

As with tradition, the contest is hosted by the winning country of the preceding year, so 2008's competition will be the first time it has been hosted by Serbia – a "new" country which only achieved its independence in 2006, following years of co-operative unions with Yugoslavia or Montenegro.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 - Belgrade, Serbia Final: 24th May

As always, it appears the United Kingdom will be picking its song last - I guess that's one of the perks of having a guaranteed finalist. As far as I can see no names have even been released for any of our candidates.

However, while absent minded decking about on YouTube, I found all of Malta's Eurovision 2008 contenders, including this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0w-LvCdkQA


which from what I can gather, is the entry most likely to be Malta's Eurovision Song Contest entry. Perhaps Malta's own Eurovision junkie, Julian Carter can give us more feedback on the Maltese situation. It's not exactly the style of entry I would expect from Malta! Check out the related video link on the YouTube page for the other contenders. Malta's selection will be made on the 26th January 2008. (I like Caravaggio!)

As for other countries, here is a list of Eurovision selections made so far:

* Albania picked female singer Olta Boka for Belgrade. She sings the ballad Zemrën Lamë Peng

* Andorra will be represented by Gisela. She will sing the up-tempo song Casanova. The song has been written and composed by Jordi Cubino

* Armenian broadcaster ARMTV selected Sirusho as 2008 Eurovision Song Contest representative. Her song has not yet been chosen

* Elvir Lakovic Laka will represent Bosnia & Herzegovina with the song Pokusaj

* Evdokia Kadi will represent Cyprus with Femme Fatale

* Dutch broadcaster NOS invited Hind to represent the Netherlands. She will select her own song for Belgrade at a later stage

* With a song in Italian titled Era Stupendo, Paolo Meneguzzi represents Switzerland this year

* Turkey will be represented by the band Mor ve Ötesi. A song has not been announced yet

* Ani Lorak, superstar in Ukraine, will represent the country at the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest. No song has been picked yet

I'm fascinated by how many selections have been made without a song yet.



* I'm not exactly convinced Serbia "won" fair and square with all the political voting.

[Jules]

Yes, it will soon be that mad time of the year again, Escapay.

Everyone post news here!

The Maltese entry for this year's ESC will be chosen next Saturday in the "GO Malta Song for Europe Festival 2008". If any of you people are interested, you can view the songs here: http://www.escmalta.com/articles/540

Post back please!

[Balto123]

I'm looking forward immensely to ESC 2008! For those not in the know, here are the five songs that have so far been picked-

Switzerland: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2gRhyEY6Bss

Cyprus: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QdvweTXHfoo

Belarus: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aIy4dPAlyHQ

Andorra: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm-0NQE_8T4

Albania: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=18Djh_Mc- ... re=related

[Jules]

Malta's own Eurovision junkie (thanks for the name 2099net! ), Julian Carter, presents the winning song form The GO Malta Song for Europe Festival 2008!

Vodka
Interpreted by Morena

Lyrics by Gerard James Borg
Music by Philip Vella

See it here: http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10293#form

I absolutely LOVE the song and its retro sounding, toe tapping, electronic musical arrangement.

Unfortunately, the reaction from the rest Europe seems to be entirely hostile! They're even accusing us of trying to trick Eastern Europe into voting for us.

General reaction: "Horrible song"; "Crappy"; "Bye bye Malta!"; "Wrong choice ... again!"; "Tiresome" ...

Wtf!?

[Jules]

Come on Netty! I want to know what you think of our song! And how the rest of Europe is rejecting it.

[2099net]

Well, like I said, I liked Caravaggio the most out of all the Maltese contenders. I'm not sure it really matter what you or anyone else enters these days - the only way to win is to be an Eastern Bloc country or enter a "gimmick" entry.

Note: Gimmick does not automatically mean poor quality - nobody would deny Hard Rock Hallelujah was a gimmick, but it was also a good song, and well presented. I do think it deserved to win in 2006.

The more classical style of song have clearly not worked for Malta so why not go for something else? Ignore everyone else, I think given it's long history every single country has entered a song that's either oddball, embarrassing or a blatant crowed pleaser (or all three) at some point! So who is anyone to judge the quality or motivations of anybody else's entry?

I sort of am leaning towards indifference towards the contest this year. I did think the 2004, 2005 and 2006 contests were of very high quality, but last year's was remarkably poor throughout (but hosted well - what a wonderful stage!). I hope 2008 shows a return to recent form.

I can understand that people may get disappointed when the songs entered don't seem to reflect the originating country's culture and/or traditions. That was why the contest was set up in the first place. But I think those days are long gone. There seems to be a split at the moment between the older ESC viewers who want the contest to continue as it was, and the newer younger viewers who just want to be entertained – and to be fair, they can still be entertained by a traditional style song as long as it is good.

I'm also convinced the ESC itself wants the more "popular" style entries being as it has a limit of 3 minutes per entry, which is a length more suited to "throwaway" pop music than a more traditional ballard.

Also I feel at certain times in the past, the traditional style songs were entered because some countries thought that was what was expected rather than because they were the best. For example, can you even remember the Republic of Ireland's 2007 entry or was it too boring? Yes, it was traditional, but a dull as dishwater.

It may be a song contest, but its also called EuroVision and the presentation is just as important as the song and part of the overall entry(IMO). It's just no good enough to throw up a woman in a long expensive dress and have her sing on stage while virtually standing still all the time.

You also have to remember, for all our complaints about political voting, the contest has much more import in the newer Eastern Europe. Some of these countries were under Soviet control until recently, and the contest is a way for these countries to show audiences that they can be just as radical and modern with their music and for them to have some national pride, or perhaps something even more important. Ruslana (of Wild Dances fame) for example helped to motivate the crowd during Ukraine's Orange Revolution.

That said, Scootch were robbed last year. I wasn't expecting a win, but a fair number of points…

I think I'd like to see the UK split up into England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for the ESC, even if it means we'd loose our guarenteed place in the final. It would make the contest (and the voting) more interesting. I'm not sure why we don't now - my guess is that its because the BBC is one organisation which covers all four countries, and the ESC is based around broadcasters rather than countries as far as I know.

[2099net]

Slight echoes of Hard Rock Hallelujah and Wild Dances... but this has just got to be Norway's entry! I love it! I love it!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ATaeWstsrrg&feature=user

[PatrickvD]

"The Eurovision Press Release* Dutch broadcaster NOS invited Hind to represent the Netherlands. She will select her own song for Belgrade at a later stage

I'm fascinated by how many selections have been made without a song yet.

speaking on behalf of The Netherlands, I know Hind was approached because of her vocal qualities and who she is as an artist. Holland has cancelled the annual national song contest. The organisation simply approaches an artist now. No selection or whatever anymore.

We truly value quality singers. And Hind is simply amazing. She's as good as any of the artists we've had over the years or great ones that other countries have sent.

Speaking for myself, a song can be great and fun, original or even crazy, but when the singer(s) are off key, out of the rythm etc, that's a definite tune-out for me. Unless it's so bad it's good. And in recent years that has sadly been the case for most of the songs. just my opinion though.[/quote]

[2099net]

You know how Ireland used to almost always win the Eurovision Song Contest? So much they they even did a Father Ted episode about Ireland not wanting to win?

Well it appears that they still don't want to win.
Ireland's Eurovision Entry could be a Turkey (literally).


Norway: Maria Haukaas Storeng to Begrade
NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Far Away hasn't been selected to be Norway's entry. NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I feel as though my soul has been ripped away.

[2099net]

Well the UKs contenders have been revealed.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a8963 ... unced.html

On the whole, a bunch of reality show rejects. Us British must really hate the ESC.

[2099net]

The Puppet Turkey won, and will sing for Ireland in the ESC.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7261164.stm

[Balto123]

You can find all the entries picked so far here-

http://uk.youtube.com/user/2008Eurovision

[2099net]

Eurovision boss slams Wogan shocker!

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a9572 ... wogan.html

I don't know, perhaps its the political voting making the competition look "ridiculous" rather than a new good natured light hearted comments.
Also, Wogan was pretty much up for the 2007 contest - I think like me he had a lot of hope for Scootch. But, you could almost hear his heart break and the bitterness creep into his voice once the Eastern Block votes came in...

Who cares anyway? Eurovision 2008 was dead to me as soon as "Far Away" was knocked out of Norway's selection process. "Far Away" rocks! (And I think the UK picked the wrong entry too )

[Jules]

Aww. Come on netty. Surely you're not letting one song ruin your enjoyment of the contest? You know better than that!

[2099net]

Actually Julian, 2007's show was a huge disappointment for me. Over the years the ESC has been variously poor, okay and good. I do think that the last few years, say from 2004 onwards have been very good, but 2007's contest just didn't have that many good entries.

I think this is also clear from Wogan's commentary. He did seem enthusiastic and keen at the start, no doubt due to the last few years, but his enthusiasm seemed to fall as the contest went on. I pretty much felt the same. A shame, as 2006's contenst was superb.

Of course, once the voting came in, Wogan did nothing to hide his opinions. It's this I suspect that is annoying Mr Eurovision more than a little gentle good natured ribbing.

I will of course watch the contest (and record it for you , I've still got the UK entry selection shows recorded to be passed on along with the BBC's coverage of the actual competition) but I feel absolutely NO anticipation this year... and the UK's entry is absolute rubbish! It was only voted in because the singer was on the X-Factor (our American Idol). Saying that, it will probably win.

[Mooky]

What do you think of our song?

Bosnian version:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EJekvU3lLhI&feature=related

English version:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=usBMTNMGz54&feature=related

This type of music isn't my cup of tea, but many people liked it. Some say it reminds them of Coldplay.

ESC has become more of a show than a song contest. I used to watch it regularly, but now I couldn't care less who wins or not.

[Jules]

@ Netty

Aaww, come on! Even If rocks, and Andy Abraham has got bucketloads of charisma! In other words, I like his song. The Eurovision this year is rather fragmented in quality - seemingly split in two dimensions - good and bad. Even If is certainly at the upper part of the spectrum. If there is any justice in the world, the UK should place well.

My favourite song from the show is probably Belgium's O Julissi.

@ mooky

I quite like the Bosnian entry, despite not being one of my favourites. It's certainly inspired and hence stands out from some of the other (frankly, drab) songs (e.g. Greece's Secret Combination or Iceland's This Is My Life).

I've identified three songs which this year are intentionally made to be a farce (a la Lithuania's We Are the Winners in a past contest).

Estonia's Leto Svet
Ireland's Irelande Douze Pointe
Spain's Baila el Chiki Chiki

Whereas the other songs are serious contributions to the contest, these three are quite obviously not composed for the sake of musical merit. Nevertheless, I quite enjoy Leto Svet and Irelande Douze Pointe in an open minded sense. I just don't expect to hear a masterpiece like I Know Him So Well.

Spain's entry, on the other hand, makes my ears bleed. It is undeniably the worst song in the entire contest. Dustin the Turkey's song is sort of significant as it functions as a satirical critique of the Eurovision's voting system. Spain's song makes me wonder how Western Europe expects to earn votes if they keep submitting crappy songs (*cough* Sebastien Tellier *cough*). Je n'aime pas la chanson de Tellier. No, I don't really like the French entry either - it could have been great, but the melody just doesn't work. A pity, since it would have been nice to see France trying something else other than a ballad, if it decent. Germany's entry is disappointing too. To sum it up: not terrible, but rather dull and uninspired. So out of the Big Four, only the UK has a rockin' song. tsk tsk.

And then we complain (Malta included ... we made a hell of a fuss last year) that the Eastern countries are stealing the Eurovision.

[2099net]

@ Netty

Aaww, come on! Even If rocks, and Andy Abraham has got bucketloads of charisma! In other words, I like his song. The Eurovision this year is rather fragmented in quality - seemingly split in two dimensions - good and bad. Even If is certainly at the upper part of the spectrum. If there is any justice in the world, the UK should place well.

At least three of the other contenders were much better. As you'll see in a few weeks. Personally I wanted this to be entered:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1WR_6cqXco (because its good, and more selfishly we may get a few Eastern European votes too!)

But Michelle Gayle has much more charisma and life than Andy. Its almost as if she's made of bubbles!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N365OxnK ... re=related

And then we complain (Malta included ... we made a hell of a fuss last year) that the Eastern countries are stealing the Eurovision.

Well, maybe they've just given up at this point? If you feel something is unfair, you tend to treat it as a joke. It would be a shame if the competition went back to its lowpoint of the late 70's/early 80's where (over here at least) it was just a joke. I may complain about 2007's competition, but it wasn't that bad.

[Jules]

I haven't yet seen those videos Netty, but I will, don't worry. Whilst, I'm still potentially unbiased against Even If, I will state again that (even if the UK could have picked a better song) I still think Even If ranks as one of the best in the contest, and in a naive, idealised Eurovision Song Contest, should rank well.

Well, maybe they've just given up at this point? If you feel something is unfair, you tend to treat it as a joke. It would be a shame if the competition went back to its lowpoint of the late 70's/early 80's where (over here at least) it was just a joke. I may complain about 2007's competition, but it wasn't that bad.

Thing is, I don't like to think of the Eurovision as a joke. It should be a serious contest with great music dammit! That are loads of talented singers, composers and lyricists taking part ... and if I were one of them* I'd want my song to be taken seriously, and not labelled as "Gah! It's just a Eurovision song. It probably sucks." That would be an insult, especially if your song is a great song!

*I have sometimes contemplated composing something and perhaps submitting it to the Maltasong board. If I'm lucky, it might make it to the final, and if I'm super lucky it could win ... and I'd be off to Eurovision as a composer. It may sound far-fetched, but it's certainly not impossible. A friend of mine at school, called Daniela Delicata (she must be 17 or 18 now) sings, and last year she wrote the music and penned the lyrics to a song called "Little islands in your Heart" and submitted it. Incredibly, she made it through to the final, against locally established singers like Olivia Lewis (who went on to win the festival with Vertigo. Remember it last year?).

Now I know this Daniela well (I have Sociology lessons with her ) and if I wish I guess I could approach her and ask her if she's interested in my composing a song for her for submission. She's a really sweet girl. Even though we're not really close friends, I really like her.

It was really thrilling to see one of my school friends on TV in such an important festival. Yeah, I'm like that.

She has a website! www.danieladelicata.com/

[2099net]

Well Julian, the Eurovision song contest of the 70s and 80s had a bad reputation over here for two reasons.

Firstly, Britain is a notoriously arrogant country when it comes to language. We're very mono-language now (and were even worse two or three decades ago) and expected everyone to speak English. Thus, people would mock songs in other languages and especially mock the points system (even now "Nul Points" pops up occasionally as jokes in British pop-culture. *obligatory Netty Doctor Who reference coming * The Doctor said the phrase when a group of Daleks failed to exterminate him in "The Parting of the Ways" for example).

Secondly, it was perhaps in the early to mid 70's that a lot of songs were entered into the competition with effectively "nonsense" words (presumably to get around the language barrier) but they in all honestly sounded ridiculous. Songs like "Ding-A-Dong", "La La La" or even our own "Boom Bang A Bang" did a lot of damage to the competition's reputation (and of course, to ignorant English only speakers, some of the genuine foreign language songs sounded just as ridiculous, so it was easier to mock the whole affair than try to understand it).

I think recently the contest has gained a lot more respect. I know you can point to some of our entries as being a bit camp and tongue-in-cheek, but when all said and done, they were still decent songs (on the whole). Perhaps no better than previous entries, but certainly no worse.

However, everybody here is fed up with the voting over the past few years. It's clear something has to be done, because it is becoming a joke once more. I know I lost patience with the whole affair last year.

I think it's great that there are people who still want to submit songs. I really do. But if you did Julian, do you think you would have a snowball's chance of coming in the top half once the results were in? The only way you could is with a "gimmick" entry or by moving East. Which sort of undermines the whole concept doesn't it? Thus it becomes a joke.