Sweden - Robin Stjernberg - You
Robin did the same that Krista did in Finland: beating the favorites and conquering performance by performance and winning in the end and coming from the Second Chance round. And partly for the same reasons besides the song; open friendly likable personality and energy to envy. You isn't the easiest song on earth nor the catchiest, but it works, even as this fantastic acoustic version. The show factor will be tuned down for ESC and it'll be all about Robin and his vocals. If he nails it the big night, he might end up very high in the scoreboard following rather the suit of Roger Pontare than Christer Björkman. If he fails, well.... it might be rather nightmarish to listen to... But I trust he delivers on May 18....
Belgium - Roberto Bellarosa - Love kills
The fans slaughtered this song ever since it was selected, not concidering the fact that the Belgian "final" was done with demos, flu effected voice at 10am on Sunday brunch so actually the broadcaster can only blame themselves if they have a hard time to get over that initial reaction. It's a shame because this is a good pop song. I love the final version's spacious arrangement and Roberto's eager delivery, recorded in Helsinki by its writer Jukka Immonen. I hope he will surprise us all with a good performance, qualification and even a good finish in the final!
Ireland - Ryan Dolan - Only love survives
Ireland and Belgium have a lot in commont this year but whereas Belgium (so far) works better on studio version, Ireland's love anthem clearly worked better live. I hope they keep the performance as the drummer boys gave the performance that extra something. And where as Roberto is all moody and rather sad, Ryan is full of hope and all smiles. Quite a contrast. Hard to say how this battle between good and bad love will end. I hope they both qualify!
Comments