Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Now as Ireland has withdrawn from Eurovision song contest at least in 2026, let's have a look of some Irish favorites of mine over the year. Among them quite a few winners as usually Ireland has won with their best efforts. My favorite of them all is however a  completely forgotten runner up, Mysterious woman.  Enjoy! 1980 Johnny Logan - What's another year (1st) 1981 Sheeba - Horoscopes (5th) 1993 Niamh Kavanagh - In your eyes (1st) 1986 Luv Bug - You can count on me (4th) 1997 Marc Roberts - Mysterious woman (2nd) 1984 Linda Martin - Terminal 3 (2nd) 2018 Ryan O'Shaughnessy - Togerher (16th) Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan - Rock'n'roll kids (1st) 1987 Johnny Logan - Hold me now (1st) There would have been quite a few to pick up as well but these sounded the ones at this time and space.  Special mentions go to: 2013 Ryan Dolan - Only love survives (26th) 1965 Butch Moore - I'm walking the streets in the rain (6th) 1991 Kim Jackson - Could it be that I...

It's time to kick of the usual reviews. The opinions are all mine and if I don't like some song it's simply just not my cup of tea so to speak. If I like something you dislike or hate, it's fine, too. No stresso, no need to be depresso it's just music and tastes that re diverse and therefor beautiful!  I also try to predict their success come May a little bit but as we know once the staging is out everything may change, remember Fuego and Rise like a phoenix for example? For this series I have grouped the songs in fours as usual as the songs may have similarities or something in common. Some fours came out beautifully, the others.... well not so well. Here comes the second part. NETHERLANDS - Claude - C'est la vie I was very happy when Claude was announced, and I do like his song a lot. The mix of languages works very well, at least for someone who speaks both English and French so it all blends together without effort. All this said I am quite surprised this is...

  Ireland had its national final for Eurovision song contest 2025 on Friday night as part of Late Late Show. The show itself was the usual homely, a bit clumsy affair on a stage that really didn't work for best to the acts. Indeed the only one that seemed like a ready package was the winner that performed last and showed how poor the others were. Adgy, as much as I actually like the song, on stage was missing all energy, Bobby was missing voice and seemed a Bambie light, Reylta was just three minutes of "fireeee-eeeeee, fireeee-eeeee", Samantha's song didn't go anywhere even if she brought even the Irish dancing on stage and joined in - those 10 seconds were on top, the rest was not. Niyl's performance was like a school play, including the outfit and look and then finally came Emmy bringing us back in times she wasn't even born; a perfect time capsule to the 1990's with a voice that was there, catchy as hell and who doesn't like the idea of poor La...

Ireland uses once again The Late Late Show as their national final. Five songs were selected from the submitted entries and one was invited directly to the line up. The songs dropped from January 20, 2025 one by one. Last year's selection was quite wild with song variety from really, really bad to something else that brought them their best placing since 2000. And their only second qualification in ten years - and to think they ruled the contest in the 1990's with four wins and two runner ups! Sadly this year's line up, even if generally better than usually as none of the songs is really bad actually none of them was really something I liked either. The past years they have despite all had a song or two that I really liked - even if usually didn't win though! Now, I don't know.... maybe I should go with the Norwegian Emmy's  Laika party just for the fun of it. Bobbi Arlo - Powerplay  ** Reylta - Fire  ** Adgy - Run into the night  *** Emmy - Laika party   *** Sa...

Norway is one of those countries that decided not to send last year's winner Ulrikke to the Eurovision 2021 and go with  business as usual attitude and have their annual Melodi Grand Prix instead. Ulrikke, who had a very strong chance to do really well in Eurovision last year with her Attention decided not to take part despite invitation. Instead KEiiNO are back, the 2019 European wide televoting winners along with a very strong line up that beats neighboring Melodifestivalen line up by miles.  KEiiNo is of course the big fan favorite, but TiX is the one ruling streaming services and previous MGP fan favorites Raylee and Rein Alexander also have a lot of support. This is going to be interesting! Below is my star ranking and their performance videos from the semi-finals. Enjoy! Atle Pettersen - World on fire **** Pop perfection with a performance that borrows a bit from Lena Philipsson's legendary microphone stand acrobatics. Catchy with nice no gimmick arrangement that...

It seems André has stated years ago he will do Eurovision again when it's held in Baku. Sounds like the good old "Finland will win Eurovision when hell freezes over" and look what Lordi did? Instead of frozen hell we have a global warming and André is almost ready for the sacrifice to go to Baku "if his mother land needs it" as he says in OGAE Armenia's interview. Well, let's just hope there will be an Armenian entry in Baku at all or otherwise EBU has a lot to explain why they always insist Eurovision has nothign to do with politics. What would that be but politics? Anyways, André whose latest effort is Miaseq ergin has one Eurovision credit, besides being the first Armenian entry ever: he opened the semifinal and closed the final in 2006 with Without your love . He finished 8th starting the string of Armenian top-10 placements that was cut only by Emmy this year when she failed to make the final altogether.

The unthinkable happened happened in Eurovision and Armenia (as well as Turkey ) didn't make it to the final against all odds which is only refreshing and restores a bit of the faith for the jury-televote voting system. I learned to like Boom boom in the end a little but by no means it's not a great song. I preferred Ayo in the national final where Emmy (unfortunately) sung all the songs. Now relistening it after some months it doesn't make any big empression either so I can only conclude the Armenian effort in 2012 wasn't that strong, was it?

While the Finnish media has been delighted today and also rather surprised Paradise Oskar actually did make it to the final in some other countries it's a different story. Ask Norway. Ask Stella Mwangi. She was quoted commenting "Shit happens" before bursting into tears. The Turkish guys seem to have taken it easier but has anyone seen Emmy for comments? Turkey misses the final for the first time and after 6 top-10 finishes in the past eight years including one winner and one runner-up. Armenia misses the final for the first time, too. They have scored 5 top-10 placements in the past 5 years. And more importantly lose the personal battle with Azerbaijan that went on to the final and is one of the favourites even for the victory. Last night's qualifiers brought some surprises. Who would have thought Lithuania would make it? Evelina is a mighty singer but the song was concidered maybe a bit dated. And then we have a trio of good mood rather acoustic simple songs Switze...

As much as I would like to hate the boom boom nonsense from Armenia I can't. The weakest thing is Emmy herself with her vocals, or is it the song after all? Anyways, it's a bit like Madonna songs: not the greatest singer nor the greatest dancer but somehow it just works out fine. The choreography is great with some very nice details and one can even forgive the redhooded opening in the boxing glove as after all this is Eurovision. A sure qualifier, not for the musical quality nor for the fact it's Armenia but for the entertainment value. She's in a short white number and the guys are wearing a boom boom t-shirt. How tacky is that? Turkey next with their lady trapped in the ball trying to break out and live it up.Very strong vocals again and this has no trouble getting to the final either. The guys were in jeans and t-shirts but I doubt they will go to the big night that casual so their outfits are yet to be revealed? No pyros in any of the videos I have seen today?! A...

So, the first day of rehearsals is over. They might be "only" technical but already give hints what to expect how things will turn out later. This first part of the first semifinal turned out to be a solid pack and when five songs were presented I had five possible or sure qualifiers. Disturbing! Of course it's not going to be like that when tomorrow we have another nine songs to go through ( btw, tomorrow I can't be blogging until the evening so tomorrow's comments and posts will all come together, not as the day progresses ) and the things may look a bit clearer - or then not.  The biggest positive surprise today was maybe Albania . I didn't count much on it but it did make an impact. I was also very relieved Finland did look stunning and sounded as good as I hoped it would. Way to go Axel! I have to admit Armenia gave a good show without being over the top and as much as I wished it would be a disaster it's a contender. Not for the victory but for a g...

So, here we go. Armenia shows what they've got after the clueless performances of their entry so far: four male backing dancers with Emmy and a boxing theme with cartoonish background images. Boom boom indeed. She enters from a boxing glove and at one point they even form a boxing ring on stage of ribbons most likely aiming for an European K.O.  but will televoters buy this? Most likely with a lot of help from the diapora but it's a shame as there is nothing Armenian in the song or performance and it looks and sound more American than ever now. Watch yourself here on AKOE. I expect a boxing gown strip from the guys come dress rehearsals. I must say this 2011's first semifinal is having a great start after all - four songs, four possible qualifiers, you can't rule none of them out yet! The official video is here . And yes, they have some pointless pyros, too.

Eurovision has a long history with insane song titles and lyrics. It all started very quickly when the songwriters realized they needed a hook that could be understood in all corners of Europe, in every language. So, put something that means nothing (or sounds in other languages like it means nothing even if in your language it does, like Oui, oui, oui, oui , Pomme, pomme, pomme   Bana bana or Qele qele ) and preferably repeat it over and over again until boredom or irritation and you were at least noticed. 1960's and 1970's were the golden era with this stuff when songs like Voi voi , Tipi-tii , Boum badaboum , Ring-dinge-ding , Tom tom tom and Daili dou were sent with variable success. Simple La, la la or Boom bang-a-bang and Ding-a-dong proved more popular. Yet by the critics Eurovision is just this; nonsense lyrics but then doesn't it just prove the fact they are memorable? The 1980's didn't count much on this strategy when one can only pick up Bem bom an...

The eternal Eurovision enemies Armenia and Azerbaijan have both released a video for their entries these past few days. Armenia's Emmy is rather noisy and confusing in her Boom boom . The song's not amongst my favourites but unfortunately I must admit it is rather catchy after all and sticks to your head.... Sigh.  Azerbaijan sends Eldar and Nigar - who took back their names after being renamed Ell & Nikki at some point - with Running scared and the videoclip is a traditional Eurovision videoclip propably sponsored by the local tourist board but it's pretty to see and the song is lovely.

Bulgaria - Poli Genova - Na inat **** I'm not crazu for this song but I must admit it has been one of the most played ones in my head. The chorus just kicks in when you least expect it. Is that a sign of a hidden catchiness? Will the televoters go for this? She's got the look and Pink-esque stage presense and I love the piano playing here and there. We might be in for a Bulgarian surprise? Qualifier: Yes. Austria - Nadine Beiler - The secret is love **** Ok, it's Disney but I don't think it's sugary. It's beautiful. She sings it nicely and when the gospel choir kicks in at 2 minutes I'm in love. Not a fan favourite I know but I like it. And this might just have a wider audience than we think now and make Austria reach the final since forever. But she needs a new look and haircut. Badly. Qualifier: I think so.  Armenia - Emmy - Boom boom * Such a shame they chose this crap when they had something good in the selection as well. This is boring and annoying bu...

I'm not so convinced by the Armenian choice. I preferred Ayo but who knows? Armenia is a sure finalist anyways and Europe will go boom boom no matter what, so...

Armenia chose Emmy as their artist ages ago and tonight we finally pick the song for her. The final's been postboned many times but this time it's for real. Four songs in the running and 50-50 televote-jury will choose the winner. You can listen to the songs and watch videos here . My favourite is Ayo . Boom-Boom   written by Apricota, Sosi, Murzo   Good-Bye   written by Martin Kesici   Ayo written by DerHova   Hi written by Vahram, Mariam, Lazzaro

Armenia has been postboning its national selection several times but now we have the songs out. Emmy will have four songs to choose from: Boom-boom, Good-bye, Ayo and Hi so at least for titles it's simple! With good listening my favourite might be Ayo, the arrangement even has some national influences.... Listen the songs here .

This week there has been many rumours running wild in internet and one of them is that Emmy will represant Armenia in Eurovision 2011. She didn't win this year when she sung with Mihran the rather horrendous  Hey (Let me hear you say) . (And I was very fine with that, I might say and happy with Eva Rivas) Her mother made a big fuss about it.... will she get her revenge this time? UPDATE 11.12.2010: It's been confirmed today that it will be indeed Emmy. Oh well. ..