Two young handsome guys with uptempo dance songs, Tooji and Kurt. Both in their early 20s and having their first real break. Both have co-written their songs with Swedish songwriters. Both countries have had mixed results in the Eurovision the past few years, Malta's last significant success was in 2005 while Norway won in 2009. Both failed to make the final last year. This battle ends 1-1.
Norway: Tooji - Stay ****
Tooji has been labeled as poor man's Eric Saade, but what can he do if he's dark like him? (Being Persian or Lebanese might give you dark hair and eyes). And what comes to wearing the hood, it just happens to be in fashion up here in the north. The song itself isn't anyway similar to Popular in my books and is actually better. More interesting and not built up on a stage show. If he delivers on stage I think Norway might qualify this year. And if they do, they'll be on the upper side of the scoreboard rather than the lower...
Malta: Kurt Calleja - This is the night ****
Kurt has a great voice and a smile to die for and he displays it a lot and hopefully will be all smiles on stage in Baku 2012, too. The song is catchy and bubbly and if they get the Crystal Hall dancing and chanting along it will be rather effective on TV-screens, too. Even if this wasn't my favorite choice for Malta at first I have been singing this in my head for days and I want to believe this will qualify and not end up 11th in the semifinal.
Comments