Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Happy new year everyone! Yet another year has passed and Russia finally won the Eurovision in 2008 and hosts the event in 2009. Many changes in this edition; countries dropping out, some returning. The juries are back... Let's see if that will make the show move a bit back towards the western and central Europe... Time will tell. Meanwhile, I wish you a very happy and eventful 2009. Let some of your dreams and wishes come to reality during this year. I leave you with this questionable dance version of ABBA's Happy new year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41W-NgzrnLo&feature=related

XXX-porn star Marco Banderas seems to be fan of Eurovision, as he is aiming for Moscow 2009. His The porn life is at #385 in the voting right now. He's doing much better in his hardcore porn star career than as a singer: he's been nominated to 8 AVN (Adult Video News) Awards, including Male performer of the year. http://www.rtve.es/television/eurovision2009/candidatos/marco-banderas.shtml (oh and no, it's not one of my favourites. It's here purely to spice up your new year's a little ;-) )

Melody and the 7 flamenco dancing brothers of Los Vivancos have been climbing up the on line voting chart and are already as #2 with their flamenco explosion full of Spain and passion. Amante de la luna would surely make a spectacular stage show possible in Moscow 2009 and bring in some real thing. But the brothers are 7, 2 of them should stay off the stage.... shame! http://www.rtve.es/television/eurovision2009/candidatos/melody-y-los-vivancos.shtml

NRK announced the artists in the last and third semifinal thus completing the list. Half Romanian Ovi as well as two girl groups in this one. Sichelle- Left right The Rebelettes - Soul train Ovi- Seven seconds Jane Helen - Shuffled Foxy- Do it again Sunny - Carrie Alexander Rybak - Fairytale

And here comes yet another pretty boy singing an Europop song! Dani Aleman's Mia is not bad at all but here propably gets lost amongst all the other similar ones of this genre. Shame. He might make it big in some other countries I am not going to name aloud.... Enjoy! http://www.rtve.es/television/eurovision2009/candidatos/dani-aleman.shtml

The third Eurovision veteran in Sanremo 2009 is Fausto Leali (64). He participates for the 9th time and 7 times he has finished in top-5! He won with Ti lasceró in duet with Anna Oxa and they went on to represant Italy in the Eurovision as well, but with another song, Avrei voluto . 1968 Deborah (4th) 1969 Un'ora fa (4th) 1970 Hippy (12th) 1973 La bandiera di sole (8th) 1987 Io amo (4th) 1988 Mi manchi (5th) 1989 Ti lasceró - with Anna Oxa (1st) 1997 Non ami che a te (5th) 2002 Ora che ho bisogno di te - with Luisa Corna (4th) 2009 Una piccola parte di te http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXJEd5adaWA

It seems like IBA would want Harel Skaat for Israel in Moscow 2009 but unsettled legal matters with his record company will put stop to all that. The negotiations are over and Harel can't record any new material for the time being so goodbye Moscow. Shame. The rumour is Boaz Mauda's runner up in Israeli Idols Marina Maximilian Blumin would be on top of the list of possible entrants right now.... We will see.... Here's a duet by them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY9IynMesgo&feature=related

Another Eurovision veteran is taking part in Sanremo, too. Al Bano or Albano Carrisi returns for the 12th time. He started as solo, then did several festivals with then wife Romina Power and they also did Eurovision twice (in 1976 and in 1985). Hel also backed Jane Bogaert for Switzerland in 2000. Since 1996 he has been to Sanremo as soloist again. Two years ago he took a surprise 2nd place in the final. Here are his participations: 1968 La siepe (9th) 1971 13 storia d'oggi (8th) 1982 Felicitá - with Romina (2nd) 1984 Ci sará - with Romina (1st) 1987 Nostalgia canaglia - with Romina (3rd) 1989 Cara terra mia - with Romina (3rd) 1991 Oggi sposi - with Romina (-) 1996 È la mia vita (7th) 1997 Verso il sole (14th) 1999 Ancora in volo (6th) 2007 Nel perdono (2nd) 2009 L'amore é sempre amore http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4HoYexCkA0 , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foJCSqAda-8

I may have been presenting too many male singers from Spain, but here comes yet another one. There's something irresistible and captivating about this song. It sounds very familiar somehow and at the same time very unfinished, yet I don't want them to change anything about it! http://www.rtve.es/television/eurovision2009/candidatos/roel.shtml

Today's pick comes from the bottom of the voting lists so if you like it: vote! David Sampedro presents a catchy pop-rock number Tan lejos here: http://www.rtve.es/television/eurovision2009/candidatos/david-sampedro.shtml

Iva Zanicchi (68) returns to Sanremo as a singer for the 10th time. In 1969 she represented Italy in Eurovision with Due grosse lacrime bianche (13.) and she's also the female singer who has won Sanremo most times (3). She has toured South America, given concert in Madison Square Garden in New York, she was the first Italian singer to tour Soviet Union, she has written two books, hosted TV shows and is since May 2008 a member of European Parliament. 1965 I tuoi anni piú belli (-) 1966 La notte del addio (7.) 1967 Non pensare a me (1.) 1968 Per vivere (-) 1969 Zingara (1.) 1970 L'arca di Noé (3.) 1974 Ciao cara come stai? (1.) 1984 Chi (mi dará) (9.) 2003 Fossi un tango (20.) 2009 Ti voglio senza amore (?) Besides singer she has been involved in Sanremo also in 1977 with Arrivederci padre (guest star), in 1979 with Pronto 113 (guest star), 2000 in quality jury and 2005 as critic. Watch her in Eurovision 1969 in Madrid here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gIiGg--8Tw

Enrico Ruggeri was guest starring in Festivali i Këngës a Tirana, dueting with the hostess Elsa Lila, who also participated in Sanremo 2003 in newcomers category. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn75PNNgdU4

Yet another one from Spain. Marti with his power ballad Sigo aqui, very traditional Eurovision stuff but definately a grower. Check it out here: http://www.rtve.es/television/eurovision2009/candidatos/marti.shtml

Sal Da Vinci, who is taking part in Sanremo 2009 won the very first Festival Italiano 1994 with self penned Vera . A song full of Napoletan passion and his performance on stage convinced everyone and he took a very well deserved surprise win before many wellknown popular artists. Marcos Llunas, who represanted Spain in the Eurovision 1997 recorded the song in 1995 and it became a megahit in Latin America and Spain selling over 5 million copies as Vida . Which one do you prefer? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5ltddDrsts , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ0BKOf3t9o

Moldova has put their songs on line. You can also vote them but a jury will pick up max 20 songs to the final. Listen here: http://trm.md/index.php?add_trm=12 . Moldova also takes a strong hold for the "Worst English in national selection Award"... with honorable mention to Alexandru Bognobov, who unfortunately also provides vocals to After Reahersal... Alexa and Olga Tira are giving it yet another try. Onnik - Love your country One Man's Project - Be mine After Reahearsal - Knocking on Julie's heart Alexandru Bognibov - In 2 days Mihai Brasoveanu - Le feu d'amour Corbus Albus - 7 days Elena Buga - Queen Cristina Croitor - First chance Cristina Sitnic - Cine cineva Veronica Stolli - Lerui - ler Anisoara Balmus - Adrenalina Nora Marian - Born to be together Zbînts - I am free Doina Gherman - Hei! Exploadeaza! Dana Marchitan - Doar un pas Marius - We'll gonna rock Edict - Run away Katalina Rusu - Sparky lady Slavici - O fata cu parul de aur Octavyan - Feel my he...

NRK has announced the acts in the 2nd semifinal and we have the return of Eurovision veteran Wenche Myre, as well as Alexander Stenerud goes solo this time instead of his band Zuma. 1: Wenche Myre - Alt Har En Mening Ar 2: Publiners - Te Stein 3: Tine Wulff - Ride 4: Alexander Stenerud - Find My Girl 5: Janni Santilen - (Like You Did) Yesterday 6: Julius Winger: Like An Angel 7: Tone Damil Aaberge - Butterflies

Have yourself a merry little Christmas!!! with this song of Edyta Górniak: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEnW6uqDvm8 . I also want to take the opportunity to thank you all - over 68.000 - that have been reading something here since May. That's over 300 of you every day. Thank you!

Look what I just found in http://www.rtve.es/television/eurovision2009/candidatos/rafael-de-alba.shtml ... the picture looks suspiciously familiar, doesn't it? Anyways, it's just another excuse to talk about Rafael De Alba's wonderful song so go and listen to it. And vote for it!

Barb@zul is a duo with a gay twist, bear following and nice synths. And their entry Enganchado a ti is a very catchy little number that could become this year's This is my life .... http://www.rtve.es/television/eurovision2009/candidatos/barbzul.shtml

Many familiar names in the Croatian final Dora 2009. Goran Karan who sung for Croatia in 2000, Femminem who represented Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2005 and Vesna Pisarovic, the winner of 2002 are amogst the hopefuls along with one member of last year's winning team Krajlevi Ulice in Papak Dance Company. These 14 from the open contest will be joined by ten songs by invited composers. Čager Zec i Papak Dance Company - Ritam da se ritam Alen Vitasović and Lela Kaplowitz - Tamo gdje ljubav pocinje Marta Kuliš - Makni se Feminnem - Trebam te Maja Vučić - Tebe imam ja Marko Tolja - Stranci Ivo Gamulim Gianni - Daj mi jedan razlog Jelena Radan - Voljet cu te sutra Goran Karan - Adam i Eva Ricardo Luque - Ljubav ima njeno lice Vesna Pisarovic and Giuliano - Raduj se Sane - Dečk Tomislav Bralić & Klapa Intrade - Ne damo te pismo naša Dražen Žanko - Samo ti

The artists and songs for the next Sanremo festival have been announced today ending a speculation and guessing going on for weeks. From the ex-Eurovision artists we have Albano, Fausto Leali and Iva Zanicchi. Besides them previous winners - in various categories - include Alexia, Dolcenera, Marco Masini, Povia and Francesco Renga. From the various Idols reality things we have Marco Carta. Afterhours will take care of the rock, Gemelli Diversi of the italorap. For me the nicest surprise is Sal Da Vinci, the winner of the first Festival Italiano 1994 with Vera - the anti-Sanremo festival on Canale5 that lived a few years in the 1990's until RAI killed it. CATEGORIA ARTISTI: Afterhours - Il paese è reale Albano - L’amore è sempre amore Alexia feat. Mario Lavezzi - Biancaneve Marco Carta - Dentro ad ogni brivido Dolcenera - Il mio amore unico Gemelli Diversi - Vivi per un miracolo Fausto Leali - Una piccola parte di te Marco Masini - L’Italia Nicky Nikolai & Stefano Di Battista -...

Marc Muria is one of the many artists who is trying his luck again after last year's Salvamós Eurovision. His at #108 at the moment. http://www.rtve.es/television/eurovision2009/candidatos/marc-muria.shtml

Željko Joksimović is rumoured to have his eye on Montenegro 2009. If he wrote the song, it would be his fourth Eurovision country and entry in six years: In 2004 he wrote and performed the Serbia-Montenegro's entry Lane moje that came 2nd. In 2006 he wrote the song Lejla for Bosnia-Herzegovina, that was performed by Hari Mata Hari and came 3rd. In 2008 he took revenge with Jelena Tomašević in Serbia when Oro won and represanted the country at home arena in Belgrade scoring 6th place. (Back in 2005 the same team failed to win the Serbia-Montenegrin controversial final with Jutro when most Montenegrin members of the jury favoured their own entry.) Željko also hosted the 2008 Eurovision song contest in Belgrad.

Kejsi Tola was chosen as the Albanese entrant for Moscow 2009 last night by the jury. Më merr në ëndërr is, in my opinion, quite monotonous and tuneless effort but for Albania it's quite up tempo! However, when cut to 3 minutes, remixed and revamped who knows what comes out of it? Full results: Kejsi Tola - Më mërr në ëndërr 126 Juliana Pasha & Luiz Ejlli - Nje jetë 119 Group West Side Family - Jehonë 118 Besa Kokedhima - Ajer 109 Marjeta Billo - Era e tokës 106 Group Burn - Jam I Pari I Jettes Sime 96 Dorina Garuci - Dite 1 jetë 92 Adelina Thaci - Oret e fundit 91 Endri & Stefi Prifti - Ti bere faj 91 Evis Mula - Unë jam dashuria 91 Erga Halilaj - Dikush mungon 63 Rovena Dilo & Gent Bushpepa - S'jam balade 60 Agim Poshka - Fajtor për ngrohjen globale 56 Vedat Ademi - Po me prite 51 Era Rusi - Shpirt i humbur 50 Soni Malaj - Zona zero 44 Emi Bogdo - Kur buzet henen e kafshojn 43 Kujtim Prodani - Nostalgji 24 Shpat Kasapi - Aromë mediterane 22 Julia...

Jorge Gonzáles is at the moment the 4th most voted on the combined on line voting after Soraya, Mirela and Melody y Los Vivancos with his Si yo vengo a enamorarte . http://www.rtve.es/television/eurovision2009/candidatos/jorge-gonzalez.shtml

Tonight we will finally know the first entry for Moscow 2009 when Albania chooses its song in the 47th Festivali i Këngës in Tirana. The songs have been presented already on Friday night, and reperformed last night with different versions. One of the favourites to win tonight is Shpat Kasapi (above). Let's see if he manages to bring is Mediterranean aroma to Moscow 2009. We should know by 2AM CET.... 01. Group West Side Family - Jehonë 02. Soni Malaj - Zona zero 03. Juliana Pasha & Luiz Ejlli - Nje jetë 04.Kujtim Prodani - Nostalgji 05. Emi Bogdo - Kur buzet henen e kafshojn 06. Erga Halilaj- Dikush mungon 07. Marjeta Billo - Era e tokës 08. Adelina Thaci - Oret e fundit 09. Rovena Dilo & Gent Bushpepa - S'jam balade 10. Dorina Garuci - Dite 1 jetë 11. Endri & Stefi Prifti - Ti bere faj 12. Kejsi Tola - Më mërr në ëndërr 13. Era Rusi - Shpirt i humbur 14. Julian Lekocaj - Nuk Je Ti 15. Shpat Kasapi - Aromë mediterane 16. Evis Mula - Unë jam dashuria 17. Group Burn...

Malta's search went on last night and 7 more songs were presented. One can only hope people were busy prepairing for Christmas instead of watching as there's nothing to write home about really. Shame. 01. Jamie Tonna - Where was I? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csbOiZGelok Rather forgettable in every sense. But doesn't he sound like Jim Diamond? 02. Q - Before you walk away http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctvpsfVDaYc The group of 5 vocalists returns. This one's better than their first effort. Rather beautiful melody and they all can sing and their vocals also mix nicely but this isn't going anywhere either.... 03. Julie Pomorski - Shades of memories http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lofYWJzNvb8 Is that her voice or did she have a flu? However, cute little number. Quite likable for some weird reason.... 04. Jessica Muscat - Hey you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_135A2sdbLY The first uptempo song and Jessica gives all she can with her long legs and high heals. The title...

Soraya Arnelas Rubiales takes the early lead on the online voting for the Spanish song in Moscow 2009 with this La noche es para mi. I think it's ok, nothing special as it gives me a feeling of rather manufactured entry. Something the fans will love but the general public? Don't think so. In the war of taking sides I stand with Mirela. http://www.rtve.es/television/eurovision2009/buscador?c=soraya When writing this Mirela is as clear second but the voting has just started and you can do your share here: http://www.rtve.es/television/eurovision2009/

NRK has published the line up for the first semifinal in Kongvinger on January 24: Surferosa - U Look Good Chicas del Coro - Men Men Men Kesera - Party Espen Hana - Two Of A Kind Charite - Sweeter Than A Kiss Thomas Brøndbo - Det Vart Ein Storm Velvet - Tricky

Yet another song from the Spanish MySpace selection, and one of the early favourites. I agree. This sounds like a song that deserves to be sung in the end of the show, titles running on top of it, confettis falling and flags flying. This might a very good card to play for Spain. Mirela is no stranger to Eurovision: 2007 she was in Misión Eurovision and became a huge fan favourite, and last year she tried her luck with Stronger . I hope she'll be third time lucky.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5riI575ga84

Koop Arponen, the fresh winner of Finnish Idols 2008 scores his first #1 hit when Insomnia as his debut release goes straight to that position. Pieni ja hento ote by Dave Lindholm, that Idols runner up Anna Puustjärvi performed during Idols enters the chart at #2. This week also Anna signed a recording deal and will release her debut single in March 2009 and an album later next spring. Today's news is also third placed superfavourite Pete Parkkonen has been signed, too. Koop's Insomnia : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7uollnN4J8 , Anna's Insomnia : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtYRaebonIs

Bulgaria goes on tonight. In this quarterfinal the top-3s from the past 3 heats battle it out for the 3 places in the semifinals... Why can't I recall any of these songs? Zona, Tedi & co and Stefan qualified. Tedi Slavcheva feat. Teni & Iva - Don't look for me Vatticana - Sun is shining Svetozar Hristov - Barrow from the shadow Sunay Chalakov - Neshto ludo Freeway - Sama Iskren Petsov - Zashto se varna X-R@Y - We Stefan Ilchev - Get up Zona - Senki

Not the best day to announce their songs, but the Netherlands have published today the songs in their final. De Toppers have sorted out the 365 received songs first to 20, then to these 6 final songs: Our night (Rutger Kanis/Robert Dorn) No one loves me like you (Rob le Cardinale) Shine (Bas van den Heuvel Ger van de Westelaken) Angels of the light (Edwin de Groot/Edwin van Hoevelaak/Bruce R. F. Smith) Everybody can be a star (Ferdi Bolland) Three is the magic number (Kees Te/ Christiaan Hulsebos)

Some good news for a change. Kjell Ekholm, the Finnish member of the EBU's reference group, confirms on YLE's website that Georgia has had a change of heart and will participate in Moscow 2009 after all.

Today's tip for the Spanish El Retorno is fan favourite Diven with Forever with you . Nice pop song that could be following Man Meadow's footsteps but ... is there something missing after all? Their MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/divengranada

So, it looks quite sure Latvia is out, Lithuania is still a big question mark and now San Marino confirms they are not going to Moscow 2009. There goes the record dreamed by the Russian organizers and Svante Stockselius. With these news and atmosphere they must be happy if they manage to drag 40 countries to Eurovision 2009... Shame. (And now all you dreamers can start daydreming San Marino's NO means Italy's SI....)

Iceland has revealed the first 3 artists to take part in the Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2009, the Icelandic national selection. 13 more artists to come... Jógvan (Hansen), winner of the Icelandic X-Factor 2007 with 70% of the votes. He comes from the Faroe islands. Halla Vilhjálmsdóttir is also known from X-Factor... as hostess! Ingó is one of the most popular artists in Iceland at the moment. His song (and Jógvan's as well) is written by Hallgrimur Oskarsson.

According YLE's website Latvia has withdrawn from Moscow 2009. The government cut 3,5 million euros from LTV's budget, including the 150.000 Eurovision fee. Latvia, as all the other countries had until December 14 time to confirm their participation but got 3 extra days from EBU to sort out the situation. In neigbouring Lithuania the situation is still unclear. LTR had decided to cancel several programmes due to its final crisis, including all international events like Eurovision song contest, Junior Eurovision and Eurovision dance contest. Their fee for Eurovision is 72.000 euros but they are still negotiating with EBU to cut it down.

Lithuanian TV made public today its semifinalists for Dainų daina , the show that in theory shound deliver the Lithuanian entry for Moscow 2009. However, the whole participation was put in doubt due to the financial crisis LRT is facing. A bit like the situation in neighbouring Latvia... We will see... The includes familiar names like Sasha Son and Rūta Ščiogolevaitė as well as Ruslanas Kirilkinas from the Finnish Idols. Irena Starošaitė (Song title TBA), BIX - Visko pradžia ,Stano - Viskas pasakyta , 69 danguje - Meilės simfonija , Rosita Čivilytė and Donatas Montvydas - Dainu daina ,YVA - Į dangų , Zvonkai - Mes gyvenam gerai, Violeta Tarasovienė - Aš būsiu šalia , Vilius Tarasovas - Aš tik tavim tikiu , Rūta Ščiogolevaitė - Redemption , Rūta Lukoševičiūtė - Window of life , D.Montvydas - Euro LT , Alanas - Geras jausmas , Indraja - Svetima , Taja- Vėjai keturi , Siela - Euforija , Širdelės - Visko per mažai , Saulės kliošas - Saulė , Augustė - Not the best time , Jonas Čepulis a...

The rumours and speculations are running wild while waiting for the announcement of the artists in Sanremo 2009. The latest "sure" names are Paola Turci (winner of Emergenti category back in 1990), Dolcenera (winner of newcomers in 2003), Marco Masini (winner of newcomers in 1990 and winner of 2004), Francesco Renga ( winner of 2005) and Neri per Caso (winner of newcomers 1995). Also ex-Eurovision entrants Albano Carrisi (as Albano & Romina Power) and Antonella Ruggiero (as in Matia Bazar) are also given out as quite sure names. Other names include Mondo Marcio (or Rotten World ), who would bring something else to the stage of Teatro Ariston with his rap, and not so hard pop-rap by Gemelli Diversi . Also Velvet, Sugarfree, Nicky Nicolai & Stefano Di Battista and Anna Tatangelo circulate in rumours.

NRK must have received a lot of goodies as they announce 21 - instead of the planned 18 - songs for the MGP 2009. The artists will be announced later this week. Here are the ones announced today: Dikt Mæ En Himmel Left Right Te Stein Party Like an angel Soul train Carrie Alt Har En Mening Nå Like you did (yesterday) Shuffled Two of a kind You can find the previously announced songs here: http://ilkar.blogspot.com/2008/12/news-from-norway.html

One more hopeful from Spain. This time duo La rosa del desierto - that makes me think of Jalisse for some reason - and their beautiful Rayo de esperanza . Here's their MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/larosadeldesierto

Many familiar names in the Cypriot final. Only the titles and writers were announced today but it may be a safe bet Marlain (ESC 1999) will perform her own song. Metaxas however, who should have won last year, is busy in Greek Idols (!), so is Panayi (1995, 2000) as a vocal couch! Last years winning team is involved in I'm gonna break up with you . Βleed for you (Pieros Kezou) I wanna thank you (Kor Melian) I believe (Katerina Neokleous) Moving on (Yiorgos Sinos-Christina Georgiou) Heartbeat (Dionysis Stamatopoulos-Androula Michail) Firefly (Nikolas Metaxas) Mr Uptight One night stand (Marlain Angelidou) There is love (Alexandros Panayi) I’m gonna break up with you (Nikos Evangelou-Tefkros Neokleous) Mary (Tefkros Neokleous)

SVT has come to agreement and today we got to know also the very last artist in Melodifestivalen 2009. Star Pilots will perform Higher . Sounds fabulous! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkm4oAUKzH4 , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C3nIhsLff4 , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgYI9BziOzs ,

More Spanish Eurovision wannabes: Rafael de Alba with soft and quiet One more chance. In all it's simplicity it sounds really nice. Will it have any chance getting through I don't know but I like it a lot! His MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/rafaeldealba

Sweden wins once again OGAE's 2nd chance contest when Sanna Nielsen's Empty room beats Spain's Todo está en tu mente by Coral with 90 points! Actually Sweden took all top 3 places, as also Spain's and Poland's entries are made in Sweden. If Romania took part it would have been most likely top-4 for Sweden as well.... Here's the Top 5: 01. SWEDEN Sanna Nielsen - Empty room 268 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw0dbtpWkl0 02. SPAIN Coral - Todo está en tu mente 178 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXTpwWTAMwo 03. POLAND Man Meadow - Viva la música 155 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIU21uZTWWI 04. GREECE Kostas Martakis - Always and forever 140 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4sbgrr69L4 05. NORWAY Veronika Akselsen - Am I supposed to love again? 139 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUbm-4taYUA Watch the voting and full results here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7365584436583332235&hl=en And the list of the entries is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/w...

E.M.D will be the last wildcard in the Melodifestivalen 2009. Three guys; Erik Segerstedt, Mattias Andréasson and Danny Saucedo. They will perform Baby goodbye . They all started in Idols, and especially Danny has been getting popular after that. He also represanted Sweden in the Eurovision dance contest this fall. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrKFw_3Pmww , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBI0BYzRY8E

Yet another hopeful from Spain. Catchy little rock-pop number. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aAImQxqOoc

Another song from Spain. Carola Terror Drag - one can only guess where she got the name from... - already tried her luck last year with Dime la verdad but seems to have tuned down the act to be more serious this time and yes, it's a nice little pop song! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzzwxtFCIGc

These five acts made it to the final. It's worth remembering they still may change the song. Petr Elfimov - Eyes that never lie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_14DqiGhIU4 Litesound feat. Dakota - Carry on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLNiShrsPyY Domenika - This is my day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU996bfh89U Gunesh - Fantastic girl http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8fIlnQnzQ8 Veter v Golove - Or - or - and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO1SkwqgGbI

It's time for Belarus to start its process to find the song for Moscow 2009. !5 songs will be performed tonight in a gala concert and a jury will pick up 5 of them to the final next year. Televoting will choose the winner in the final. As usual, one should not count these are the songs the qualified singers will perform in the final.... 01. Alex Patalis Band - Who Said It? 02. SingeRin - Don't think about it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQnCsPEIkBw 03. Uncle Vanya - Our Belarussia 04. Petr Yelfimov - Eye, that never lie 05. Venera - Big Game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzHMBRCGDIw 06. Litesound - Miracle 07. Anna Blagova & Yury Vashchuk - Behind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG1VDH-AqqA 08. Gunesh - Fantastic Girl 09. Victoria Belova - Don't give up from love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy8MsFppD8A 10. Cola & Lidya Zabolotskaya - Honk 11. Dominica - My Day 12. Wind in the Head - And - Or- And 13. Alexei Krechet - Joy and freedom http://www.youtube.com/wa...