Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Let's continue the series and kill some time having a look at the last decade and see who were the Top-10 best scoring countries in the Eurovision song contest in the past ten years. The ways to calculate are many and here I have used the simple average placement method (and it's not all so serious). Next up is Ukraine at n.o 4. Ukraine, Ukraine.... so many troubles this decade. Still doing great success - when they managed to take part. Due to the crisis with Russia and financial matter they stayed home in 2015 just to come back and win it in 2016. And just like back in 2005 they did poorly at home compared to their other efforts. 2019 again the trouble with Russia caused withdrawel for Maruv (that I have included here just because it's so awesome and err,.. I needed nine songs) Unlike many I think Jamala was a worthy winner in 2016 and the only Ukrainian entry I never cared for is Be my guest really.... The Ukrainian national finals also provide a lot of drama every...

Ukraine has polished it's act from what a mess it was in the first rehearsals it seems. it's colorful for sure and clever staging but those who say Gaitana has a great voice, I disagree. She doesn't sing. She shouts. She shouts  those about ten words she has put together all through. I like this kind of "singing" when it's 1990's eurotechno's refrain, say Black Box and Ride on tim e but all three minutes? No thanks. But this is Ukraine and propably will finish in top-5 if the last year's entry did so.... this gives me nothing but bad mood! Being her guest? I'd rather stay home and have a nice cup of tea, as my friend Amanda would say. More here . Today's last is Bulgaria . Sofi is alone on stage and her vocals after Gaitana's are a relief for me. She's dressed casual and saving her dress for the dress rehearsals but it is rumored to white and gold. The backdrop pulses with the beat and she looks happy on stage and I'm sta...

One of the most anticipated stage shows must be that of Ukraine. year after year they manage to turn a mediocre song a real contender with their huge or clever staging. Remember last year's sand painter? And can you remember the song? Ukraine has props alright, borrowing Blue's idea last year by doubling its dancers with screens. So, once again they did. it surely looks grand but personally this song is among the last 3-4 this year. And not so convinced on Gaitana's vocals either. Big isn't always beautiful or better.... This is an anti-song. Besides, borrowing the football song for Eurovision isn't anything new either, remember Olé olà? More here . Bulgaria follows with another dance song going to the opposite direction: less is more. I enjoy this much more. Purple and white stripes for Sofi after Ukraine's colorful act creating a nice contrast also because Sofi is alone on stage. I'm relieved they didn't add some useless dancers and gimmicks...

And we have a new country visiting the world of Blogilkar, the Republic of Congo. Maybe Gaitana made this happen? Anyways, a big welcome! :-)

Two exotic ladies for two countries that are willing to well. Anggun from Indonesia for France and Gaitana, a half Congolese for Ukraine. Both have high hopes but while France's high hopes in the recent years have crashed and burned come the final night despite making interesting artistic choices that usually would have deserved more, while Ukraine's efforts have sailed to the final and have been on top year after year. Will this year change this or will they both be on top, or neither, or just one of them? France is promising a great show on stage and we know we will get one from Ukraine, the master of the game of turning a mediocre song into a real show stopper with its staging and tricking people to vote for it... 2-1 for France. France - Anggun - Echo (You and I)  *** Anggun has the fame already and a lot of international experience and success. The song tries to capture what's in the hit lists at the moment with its whistling but not quite capturing it....

The Ukrainian afternoon final is over and no, I didn't watch it. Gaitana with her horn boys has won with Be my guest . Now relistening the song I realized I have heard it before an thought it was a cover or some other song she sung somewhere??!! Anyways, another Ukrainian entry I don't care so much but will finish in top-5 for reasons known only to ... I don't know who. But it's way better than the dreadful runner up and Max who obviously sounds and looks good on video, not live. 01. Gaitana — Be My Guest (41 points) 02. Oksana Nesterenko — Mondo Blu (35 points) 03. Max Barskih — Dance (38 points) 04. NEREALNYE (The Incredibles) — Just A Dream (34 points) 05. Eduard Romanyuta — I’ll Never Let Go (28 points) 06. Masha Shazonova & Tyhon Levchenko — I Close To You (27 points) 06. Renata — Love In Sunlight Rays (27 points) 08. Olya Polyakova — Lepestok (23 points) 08. Ulyana Rudakova — Ty Ne Odyn (23 points) 10. Igor Tatarenko — You’re My Life (22 ...