I think it's so hilarious Macedonia has to have the prefix F.Y.R (former yugoslavian republic). It's hilarious, dumb and sad at the same time because that name issue (over names of countries which ceased to exist a looooong time ago) is the ACTUAL reason Macedonia can't join the European Union.
____________
Over himself, over his own
body and
mind, the individual is
sovereign.
- John Stuart Mill
xerox said:I think it's so hilarious Macedonia has to have the prefix F.Y.R (former yugoslavian republic). It's hilarious, dumb and sad at the same time because that name issue (over names of countries which ceased to exist a looooong time ago) is the ACTUAL reason Macedonia can't join the European Union.
This is the Balkans. The place where other countries hold intellecutal property rights to your name, gender and religious affiliation, atheists are universally shunned in the balkans.
There is a reason there is no state or city in America called New Macedonia, or New Greece or New Serbia.
And to add on top of that, FYROM is a micro country with a miniscule army. Greece fears FYROM could annex Greek Macedonia.
On the other hand, FYROM's Skopje, FYROM's capital, has more statues of Alexander the Great and other statues than a museum. There is a statue every 2 blocks.
Xerox, you should visit the balkans sometimes. Start from which ever country you like.
remember not to walk away more than two meters from a road if you stop your car and need to take a leak. landmines.
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"Kip is the Gavin McInnes of HC" - Salamandre
"Ashan to the Trashcan", "I got PTSD from H7. " - LizardWarrior
...except you would have to choose between Kosovo or Serbia. If you entered Serbia, you would get a stamp if you enter kosovo, and therefore you would be unable to leave through serbia again because serbia then would destroy your passport or delete kosovo stamps.
Or you could pay bribes or enter through areas where there are no borders, but then you could be shot and killed if you did the later thing.
On a second note, you are better of just visiting croatia and slovenia and dont bother with the others.
xerox said:
Xerox, you should visit the balkans sometimes. Start from which ever country you like.
I know a lot of Swedes whos' parents came from present-day Croatia and Bosnia during the war. They go back to visit the place all the time. Croatia seems to be fairly successful, judging by its EU membership. I've heard that Croatia was the most prosperous region of Yugoslavia and one of the reasons they split was because they didn't want to subsidize the rest of the country.
____________
Over himself, over his own
body and
mind, the individual is
sovereign.
- John Stuart Mill
Actually, Yugoslavia fell apart for the same reason as the USSR did - so we can all vote for each other's crappy Eurovision entries.
I liked the French entry last year. And the Greek one. Loved the kilts and the Irish polka punk attempt in the style of these fine lads. Are there any this year that aren't shyte?
____________
"Let me tell you what the blues
is. When you ain't got no
money,
you got the blues."
Howlin Wolf
Truth to be told, I WAS a bit disappointed when this won Songvallkeppnin, but over time it was my heart that Pollapönk won over.
There's no way around it: This entry has SWAG. I love everything about this. Such a happy-hardcore pamphlet for equality with an amazing catchy beat, percussions, great lyrics etc. <3
Overall No Prejudice is a solid entry and I'll be sad when it is inevitably robbed of a spot in the finals. ;__;
What the hell did I just watch... and can i have what he had, please?
As this official videoclip hints, Sebalter is a trainwreck waiting to happen and I'm SO EXCITED for it. During the Swiss finale, Sebalter was clearly in SOME state of intoxication and much like Andrius Pojavis last year, I'm expecting a lolzy performance on Eurovision.
EXCEPT, Hunter of Stars is a much better song than Something was, is and ever will be. This is... so unashamedly jolly and lightweight. It's one of those songs that just... make you want to get out of your seat and dance along, y'know? It's also the first BLUEGRASS song on Eurovision ever and that sort of excites me.
Sadly this isn't higher because Latvia does a similar thing and does it better imo. (more on that much later)
Chances
Iceland has low odds at the moment, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did qualify. The way Semi 1 works is that there are six guaranteed qualifiers, and the four remaining slots could literally go to any of the remaining 10. Pollapönk has a slot between Sannawful (X_X) and a break. This could benefit them in the televote and give them a slot in the finals. I love it.
Switzerland has a good draw (12th in the semi usually qualifies), but I really doubt this high-on-happiness loltard has a chance. It's Switzerland after all. NOBODY takes them seriously I would expect this to finish 13th or something in the semi.
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Coincidence? I think not!!!!
That's because you're wisely avoiding touching the OSM with a 10 foot pole. I stop by over there occasionally.
The board'll endure. I could swear I saw MightyMage around these days. Young Herry also seems... promising.
Yeah, the Italian contestant is as cool as Eurovision gets, probably. The riff's actually alright. The chorus is boring, though, 'cept for the bridge at the end of it. Thanks.
____________
"Let me tell you what the blues
is. When you ain't got no
money,
you got the blues."
Howlin Wolf
Locksley
Promising
Famous Hero
Wielding a six-string
posted March 28, 2014 02:25 PM
Among the songs presented so far Sweden's is clearly the best!
Analysis:
Those that aren't just sad & bad are mostly happy lalala songs that appear thirteen per dozen (as we say in Sweden) and Sanna was tested against such songs in Melodifestivalen. Given these circumstances actively demanding attention like Lithuania could be a good strategy, if you insist on having a happy lalala song instead of a ballad about rain & pain, which is the wiser strategy.
But don't overdo it like Azerbaijan whose entry is the longest three minutes of 2014. It's a better strategy to stay with the standard length of 3 minutes and increase the tempo of the ballad instead. Undo's composer Fredrik Kempe has admitted in an interview that Undo is too fast.
Finally, since I can't vote on Sweden and I like songs played with real instruments Malta and Georgia also get some thumbs. The complete list of thumbs will be published when the Contest is soon upon us.
I am hoping you are being sarcastic, Locksley. Undo is the more tired generic ass trite ever, with mediocre singing and boring staging (a light cage? That's your act? really, Sweden? REALLY???) that will not even qualify for the finals and you WILL learn to deal with it. Nothing barring that horrific oedipus creature from belgium is worse than it.
18. France TwinTwin- "Moustache"
Final
What's this? Haven't I heard this before? Hmmmmm...
THAT BEGINNING SOUNDS A WEE BIT SIMILAR, DOESN'T IT FRANCE, HMMMM???
lol, anyway, TwinTwin. Just lol @ all of this. I feel like France understands their place in the contest more than most other countries. They've understood that they will not do well at this era in Eurovision and will keep on getting unjustly robbed (my hearts are with you, Amaury Vassily, Amandine Bourgeois and Anggun ), so why not send in something fun? Come to think about it, France's entries from... 2007? Onwards have always either been trashy joke acts that did moderately well (2007, 2010) or extremely polished entries that Katy Wolf'ed themself on the stage (2011, 2012, 2013) or Patricia Kaas.
As for Moustache: it's fun. It's entertaining. It entices you to bob your head along. It's pretty silly, but i'm endeared by it.
I am really excited to see this on the stage. Just thing about it. Everyone could have moustaches. The female dancers could have them, the backdrop could be all moustache as well. This song LENDS itself to hilarious OTT staging, while at the same time being good enough of a song to invite for multiple listenings on your prefered medium of choice. I'm a fan!
Chances - Poor
I mean... obviously. 1) It's France 2) It's a joke act 3) it is, at the end of the day, fairly basic entertainment, which makes it inadequate for those (infuriating) peopple who watch this contest for the music (). Needless to say, this will finish like... 19th? But at least it's enjoyable.
and since we're at the halfway point, i'll post a recap my list here:
37. Belgium
36. Sweden
35. Denmark
34. Azerbaijan
33. Montenegro
32. Russia
31. Greece
30. Georgia (i may actually bump this up because i've come to appreciate how acidtrippy and weird it is <3)
29. Belarus
28. Macedonia (get over it, greeks that read this post)
27. Malta
26. Poland
25. Portugal
24. Ireland
23. Romania
22. Lithuania
21. San Marino
20. Iceland
19. Switzerland
18. France
Still in: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Moldova, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, The Netherlands, Ukraine and The United Kingdom
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Coincidence? I think not!!!!
Time to enter my mind during the German National Final:
First time I heard Is It Right?: "lol this is such fodder. At least it's a good meatshield for my favourites ^__^"
Second time I heard Is It Right?: "This.. actually isn't too bad?"
Third time I heard Is It Right?: "Wow.. I actually love this? GO ELAIZA"
Germany's song this year is the quintessential grower for me. There is just something about "Is It Right?" that makes it very appealing if you take the effort of listening to it a couple of times. Obviously, I've listened to all songs multiple times beyond count by now, so it shouldn't be a surprise I'm really fond of Elaiza now.
You know, it's SO easy to write this off as basic, generic, mundane, whatnot, but I think that sometimes, simplicity just works. This is one of those times. Is It Right is catchy and has a very memorable hook ("Is It Right? Or Is It Wrong? I Can't Go on, I Can't Go On "). It's deceptively infectuous. This song lingers and in Eurovision, this can only be a good thing.
Besides, this is an INTERNET WILD CARD who crushed the televote at the finale. I'm just compelled towards loving it on principle.
Unfortunately for Elaiza, there is ONE other song that does the same thing they're doing (going for the jugular with extremely accessible/deceptively catch music) and does it better. But more on that in the next update.
Chances: Unknown?
I don't know! I don't *know* how well Elaiza will fare on Eurovision. It's perfectly possible that Europe is like "eh, basic boring $#^!, not voting for that!", but at the same time, they could remember that simple, pleasant chorus and vote for it.
This is also the sort of music that could do well all over Europe because its appeal is universal: There are distinct Eastern-European influences (which isn't surprising since the frontwoman of Elaiza is of Polish and Ukranian descent), and Scandinavia has their own female fronted folk groups such as Katzenjammer and Timoteij. This could do very well and i'm surprised the oddsmakers haven't picked up on it yet (the Oddsmakers don't seem to *get* it this year. lolwtf @ sweden being a top contender)
While there is no guarantee that Elaiza even makes it out of the bottom five, the naysayers may be in for one rude awakening if does gain a fan following like Kedvesem did last year and likewise finishes in the top 10!
This is the thing that perhaps excited me the most about Elaiza. They could do very poorly and they could do very well at the same time. They're a wild card in the purest sense of the word. It's a prospect that I find very exciting.
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Coincidence? I think not!!!!
I like this. It's got a bit of cabare over it!
I just wish nations would sing at least part of their songs on their native language. At least most are incorporating cultural influences.
Also like Portugal, Switzerland and Lithuania (despite it being a bit to commercial). Iceland is a bit funny. Montenegro is fantastic. I get shivers through my body. A perfect balkan balad.
Sadly the mass-pop versions win way too often
I'd like to see that native language transalted to english with subtitles instead so that you can follow the song.
I really must agree with the dislike towards Sweden. A blatantly shallow, commercial pop-song sung in english. Sigh.
A better fit for Idol than for Eurovision. Or for her own fans at her own contest. This contest is about the celebration of Europes multicultural fabric.
edit: Strike that, hadn't seen the polish one before. I hate the polish one. No, that's not commercial. It's just insulting to polish heritage, has no real humour in it, it's sexual objectification of women to point of the absurd and her singing is snow.
Ireland disappoints aswell with a shallow song.
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16
Hersi Matmuja, Zemierimi i nje nate (One night's Anger)
Ah I found my favourite. Albania.
A great voice. Not a perfect pronounciation but who cares, she masks it well. A universal message that is uplifting. There's a touch of rock and in the start of a little traditional albanian folk music rythm.
HI ARON. I appreciate your thoughts and i agree with most of your points. Feel free to start your own preshow ranking if you want, I appreciate the imput of others. Do not hijack my ranking though - It's rather obnoxious behaviour.
anyway:
16. The Netherlands The Common Linnets - "Calm After The Storm"
Semi 1 - Slot #14
Ugh ranking songs is so difficult. The next sixteen could come in any order, but ultimately it's the Dutch song that I'm the least fond of.
I love Calm After The Storm. Country is a genre that is rather unrepresented at Eurovision and while it's far (far!) from my favourite genre, this song just works. Again, simplicity is the best solution sometimes. This entry aims for the more refined audience that loves their songs polished and acoustic and hit the bullseye imo. Even someone such as myself, whose #1 requirement towards liking a song is "It has to be at least mid-tempo" really enjoys this. This song is an oasis of tranquility among the rhythmic pop and dull ballads of semi 1 and I very much appreciate it for that reason.
Chances - Below Average
Let's be honest, it's still the Netherlands. With an unconventional song. In a non-competetive semifinal. Because Calm After The Storm is as good as it is, I believe that the Dutch have a decent chance to qualify, but they are competing for only one of FOUR possible slots... with nine other nations. It's gonna be tight.
I REALLY would love for this to do well, but I doubt it would. If it qualifies, it will be by the skin of their teeth. If this does make the finale however... i would expect this to finish in the top half for sure.
Ah sorry bro, I didn't know this was your personal blog. Thought you were just listing them in a way so we can all keep track of the entries, because you would later comment about how much you liked someone and how much of a chance they had to win.
Albania gets a bad rap for being "too old-fashioned", but I don't really get it? I am deeply in love with the melody of One Night's Anger. It's so soothing. "FREE YOUR MIND FROM THE DOUBTS THAT ARE TICKLING. FREE YOUR HEART AND LET THE PEACE ENLIGHTEN YOUR FEELINGS" mhm yes girl, I'm gonna do just that! Great synergy between lyrics and music is always a nice bonus.
But aside from the pleasant melody, One Night's Anger is a rather complex song. It slowly, but steadily morphs into a midtempo rock song. The part where she bangs the guy in the cape with her fists is SO GOOD omg. I suppose the 80s-inspired guitar riffs are where the song derives it's "dated" label from, but i think it works well with the melody. Dated 80s rock is Albania's favourite jam apparently, so if anthing this is a fun, polished ballad that succeeds at representing Albanian culture well. THIS is how do you ballads, take notes, Azerbaijan.
The criticisms re: her annunciation are valid though. But she'll pull through, I'm sure. Albania always takes a very professional route with this contest, which is a quality i find rather underappreciated.
Chances - Poor
Albania's draw is poor. 6th between Iceland and Russia? and after a commercial break too? Ugh, not good.
It's also difficult to predict how well One Night's Anger could fare in a televote. My personal guess is, sadly, not that well. Albania has to compete HARD for a slot in the finals, a competition they are unlikely to win.
If Albania qualifies, they'll finish somewhere in the lower half.
This thread is pages long: 
posted March 25, 2014 04:00 PM
I would expect this to finish 13th or something in the semi.
Given these circumstances actively demanding attention like Lithuania could be a good strategy, if you insist on having a happy lalala song instead of a ballad about rain & pain, which is the wiser strategy.
and I like songs played with real instruments Malta and Georgia also get some thumbs.
). Needless to say, this will finish like... 19th? But at least it's enjoyable. 
"). It's deceptively infectuous. This song lingers and in Eurovision, this can only be a good thing.
