1,2,7,3...Eurovision Interlude

With the Dusseldorf stage already being graced with the disappearing handkerchiefs, shattering glass, glitter bombs and waving flags of practicing nations here’s the skinny on who’s who, who’ll finish top 5 and who will be likely to face the dreaded NUL POINT?

With Italy, Austria and San Remo returning to the competition – San Remo shouldn’t have bothered – and with two former winners Dana International and Lena (again, one’s a dud) both re-representing their countries and chuck in an entry from Iceland where the participant died prior to the national heats and we’re in for a closer contest than we’ve seen in the last two years.

The betting is much tighter this year than last, where Germany’s Lena ran away with the competition with her Cockney-Aussie rendition of “Satellite”. And for those who are fans of the Bill and Neighbours...Lena returns to defend her crown in Eurovision’s latest re-invention where the winning artist is given the opportunity to return and perform in the competition using a new song. This year Lena’s entry is “Taken by a Stranger”, not as catchy last year’s “Satellite” but a definite Top 10 finish is likely.

The Frontrunners...

Estonia – Getter Jaani – “Rockerfeller Street”
Currently ranked equal 2nd in the betting I believe that this song will take top prize this year trumping the more fancied other two nations. Like Lena’s entry last year this is a perky, quirky piece of pop that the perfectly fresh-faced Estonian Getter Jaani performs with equal part syrup and silliness. The chorus is the best of this year’s competition and won’t leave your head once it’s ear-wormed. With a liquorice all-sort city-scape as a set and some surprising magic tricks (where did that handkerchief go?) this is a definite Top 3 finisher. Also in Jaani’s favour is that she’ll be performing the song in the 1st Semi whilst her major two rivals won’t perform their songs until the final itself. This helped the Ukraine, Finland and Norway in previous years with early exposure to the voting public. She’ll benefit from a 2nd half performance in the final but that’s the luck of the draw - could we see Tallinn hosting its 2nd Eurovision final and just the 3rd trip into the Baltics for the competition?

United Kingdom – Blue – “I Can”
Reforming specifically to contest this year’s competition Blue has been working very, very hard shopping this song all over Europe over the last 6 weeks. Good job too as the UK’s dismal entry last year (sorry Josh – you’re gorgeous but the song and performance was woeful) desperately required remedying. Blue will go for a simple choreographed routine where each of the four boys will shimmy past one another into the central singing position through the duration of the song. The song – a mid-tempo number – is not bad but it’s not the home-run song which would have secured the UK a victory. I don’t know that the UK can host the Olympics and the Eurovision Song Contest Final in one year – that’s a bit greedy. Likely to finish a close 2nd behind Estonia.

France – Amaury Vassili – “Songu”
Currently the favourite in the betting France’s entry this year has a lot going for it. Not only is Vassili a gorgeous young man who’s voice is splendid but he’s also singing in Corsican, the first time this language has appeared in the competition. But he’ll have to overcome two major issues – 1) will Eurovision voters really vote for a classical song (note Sweden’s Popera effort La Voix which finished bottom 3rd in 2008) and 2) will Vassili’s lack of “shopping the song” to Europe cost him top prize (he should be taking a leaf out of Estonia and UK’s book here). He’ll benefit from a 2nd half performance in the final. Likely to finish Top 3.

Best of the Rest

Sweden – Eric Saade – “Popular”
Shattering glass, high hair, killer key changes, catchy chorus and pelvic thrusts...it all adds up to Sweden’s entry. Sexy little Saade will be popular with the three G’s (girls, gays and grannies) and sail into the final. This year’s competition is lacking in some serious catchy pop and this entry certainly satisfies all the required Eurovision criteria. The shattering glass box is a highlight and should send the Dusseldorf crowd into a frenzy. Top 5 finish.

Hungary – Kati Wolf – “What About My Dreams”
I’ve a soft spot for this Hungarian entry – a poptastic whinge of a ditty by the ageing Wolf. Hungary has really struggled in the past 20 years to perform well in the competition and have failed to qualify through the Semi’s for several years. Wolf’s entry will not only remedy this but it should see her sail into a Top 5 finish. This will be a dark horse if it gets a 2nd half final birth and the other favourites have to perform early. Budapest? That’d be nice.

Ireland – Jedward – “Lipstick”
The crazy little leprechaun twins Jeward, currently gracing the cover of this editions Gay Times, will get some serious attention in this year’s competition. A high-octaine performance will be required to cover-up some of the defaults of the song. Unfortunately Jedward will be dwarfed by Blue this year but these boys will finish Top 10.

Azerbaijan – Ell/Nikki – “Running Scared”
I feel for Azerbaijan. They’ve been so close to the top prize in the last couple of years but just have not been able to crack it. Sorry to say this entry won’t get them over the line but it will see them finish Top 10 for the 3rd year in a row. The mid-tempo ballad has a catchy but slightly un-memorable chorus and as this is the only male/female duo this year the entry should be remembered. Country-block voting should also assist. A nice effort.

Anyone else?

Norway – Stella Mwangi – “Haba Haba”
Early favourite...great chorus but a bit lacklustre.

Armenia – Emmy – “Boom-Boom”
See Norway

Bosnia & Herzegovina – Dino Merlin – “Love in Rewind”
See Norway

Romania – Hotel FM – “Change”
Another soft spot for this one...great chorus but will need a big performance for it to be elevated to Top 10. Will qualify and finish in the top half in the final.

Belarus – Anastasiya Vinnikova – “I Love Belarus”
Controversy reigns over this disqualified then re-entered entry but one fact remains...it’s catchy. It’s 250/1 to win but would be a good bet for any of those considering a flutter on an outsider for a Top 10 finish.

The Disappointments

Israel – Dana International – “Ding Dong”
A former winner returns with a howler of an entry – terrible lyrics, awful vocals and a shocking chorus. Some performers should just stay away.

Greece – Loucas Yiorkas feat Stereo Mike – “Watch my Dance”
No thanks. This mess of rap and dance will make your ears bleed. Be warned this will qualify for the final due to country block voting.

Belgium – Witloof Bay – “With Love Baby”
When Glee goes really, really wrong. 2:57 never felt so long.

So, it’s open an open race this year which should make for a interesting evening...Tallinn? London? Paris? Budapest? Stockholm? Who’ll be hosting next year’s final???