THIS IS ESC 2013: CYPRUS, HUNGARY, SWITZERLAND

Cyprus - Despina Olympiou - An Me Thimáse

First thunbs up for Cyprus for singing in Greek (especially when the English version sounds very bland, just like San Marino btw). The problem with this song for me is that I like it when I'm listening to it, but otherwise I don't remember it or rank it very high, unfortunately. I think Cyprus may have a hard struggle to get past the semifinal, and it's a shame considering they have an artist with a real career, a beautiful song and even sing it in original language. But the sparkle is missing....

Hungary - ByeAlex- Kedvesem

A little bit the same goes for Hungary that has changed their original version to Zoohacker remix for Eurovision, even if there is even better remix yet around, namely  Lotfi Begi's Deep In The Forest Mix. I like it everytime I hear it, but tend to forget otherwise. The song has something irresistible about it though and even if I must admit I was very surprised it won in Hungary and I was wondering what the Hungarians heard in it, it is slowly opening to me. I suspect this could be one of the big surprises this year if he gives a good performance and doesn't come across a bit too distant, or even scared as it may look like. Maybe in the final he gets to perform the last refrain in Swedish?

Switzerland - Takasa - You and me

The first song to be elected for Eurovision 2013 will end up this my run down of the entries. When I heard this for the first time I thought this is a possible winner. And I still do, even if the fans aren't so thrilled. I think this has all that makes a winner. Their Salvation Army thingy may have put off some fans off but I thought it was just a nice Lordi-like gimmick or addition. The  came the clever name and image change resulting as no label wardrobe and The Artist Known As Salvation Army band name for the Eurovision (even if the CD-single sleeve has only "you and me" and "Switzerland" written on it with the Salvation Army logo...) And they had to redo the video as well and gained a lot of sympathy points with the funny car drive instead of the Salvation Army filled original one. They lose a bit of the power on stage, but no one expects 95-year-old Emil to jump around and dance to the beat, right? Still one of the front runners for me.... if they get the arena shouting along!