Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Ukraine organized once again Vidbir, the national selection for Eurovision song contest. This time it was broadcast from Kiev's National museum of  history of Ukraine WW II instead of underground metro station bunker. The show was hosted Eurovision veterans hosts Timur Miroshnychenko and Julia Sanina.  Out of 389 submission 20 were selected for auditions and eventually ten chosen out of them. The 11th entry, Anka,  was voted by people, as were the three judges as well. Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil won the final with outstanding numbers, nearly 7 times more votes than the second most voted act. Alyona Alyona or Aliona Olehiva Savranenko (Альо́на Олегівна Савране́нко) (32) is Ukrainina rapper and songwriter. She's been described by Ukrainian media The Sensation of rap and The new rap star, while New York Times included her among 15 European Pop star that matter right now comparing her to Azelia Banks. She has released four albums and an EP, over 20 solo singles and severa...

The Eurovision song contest 2023 in Liverpool on behalf of Ukraine is turning out very Ukraine as promised with a string of Ukrainian artists coming back to belt out their Eurovision successes. Throw in a bit of British by giving a slot also to last year's runner up (and not only), invite some Eurovision favorites to sing Liverpool Songbook. Add Rita Ora and some drag queens (because why not?) and me thinks it looks like a very nice mix! Grand final Opening act: Kalush Orchestra - Stefania Interval act: Sam Ryder - Space man  Flag parade: Go_A - Shum, Jamala - 1944, Tina Karol - Show me your love, Verka Serduchka - Dncing lasha tumbai Liverpool Songbook: Mahmood, Netta, Dadi Freyer, Cornelia Jakobs, Duncan Laurence, Sonia Semifinal One Opening act: Julia Sanina - Mayak Interval acts: Rita Ora - Medley of hits + Praising you,  Alyosha with Rebecca Ferguson - Ordinary world Semifinal Two Interval acts: Maria Yaremchuk, Otoy, Zlata Dziunka - Medley of Ukrainian Music Podilya dan...

In the end they chose the best one, even if for a moment or rather all through the radio pre-vote the runner ups were leading but tonight's vote turned it to Malik's favor. I believe he will get more than 12 points .... Conchita Wurst was there, Jamala came and sung 1944 in complete silence and people standing up, and Emily forgot her lyrics and messed it all up  and got 7 televoting points Germany 12 points results: 1. Malik Harris - Rockstars (radio 90 + televoting 118) 208 2. Mael & Jonas - I swear to God (106 + 79) 185 3. Nico Suabe & team Liebe - Hallo Welt (63 + 94) 157 4. Felicia Lu - Anxiety (74 + 65) 139 5. Eros Atomus - Alive (53 + 70) 123 6. Emily Roberts - Soap (46 + 7) 

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...

Here it is finally, eagerly waited follow up to Duncan Laurence's Eurovision song contest winner Arcade . It seems the midtempo Love don't hate it has surprised many who thought he'd release another ballad and has met with general praise. And indeed, it's a good one. The wait for the follow up has raised also a lot of talk in the Eurovision bubble why the winners take so long to release a follow up.  Duncan's five months is in line with the others, or even a bit faster than average. On the other hand it is only the second song he has released so we can talk about a real debutant. The 2018 winner Netta released her follow up Bassa sababa only in February the year after and has released a total of three singles so far. Salvador Sobral, the 2017 winner, for obvious reasons, released his follow up a year later. Mano a mano was followed by his second studio album and two more singles. After Eurovision he released a live album of his debut album based tou...

More more or less recent releases from Eurovision winners and stars. Enjoy! Fan favorite and Next Star Eurovision judge Harel Skaat has released late last year this  בחיי (Honestly), a happy little pop tune, that honestly doesn't change the world or become an evergreen but it's fun 3+ minutes, catchy and earworm so be aware! Match Portugal's biggest star (who sadly missed Eurovision at home) Diogo Piçarra and Spanish ex-Jesc runner up and The Voice winner Antonio José and a dramatic ballad A dónde vas with mixed lyrics and this is where it leads you to.  Staying in Portugal we have Salvador Sobral coming to ruin the plans in Anda Estragar-me Os planos . It's off his new album Lisboa, Paris, out March 29. Simple and kinda funny. No fast food! Jamala has been in the medias lately for all the wrong reasons but she keeps also releasing music.  Самға (Samğa) is in Kasakh language if I have understood right, which makes it even more interesting. S...

Sanremo winner and Italy's Eurovision song contest 2017 entry Occidentali's Karma by Francesco Gabbani has passed the 200 million views mark on Youtube. It could also become the most viewed Italian video on Youtube ever as the most viewed one Pulcino Pio has 234 million views and the second Roma-Bangkok 223 million and he has reached already 3rd place. And not only, it's also by far the most watched Eurovision entry on Youtube! PS. This year's winner Netta stands at 91 million, Måns Zelmerlöw's Heroes at 30 and Loreen's Euphoria at 38 while Salvador Sobral at 17 and Jamala even less....  Another Italian act is riding high as well: Il Volo's Grande amore at 130 (making it the second most watched Eurovision Youtube ever) while Mengoni stands at 55, Francesca Michielin at 31, this year's MetaMoro at 25 and the rest far far behind.... while Alexander Rybak's Fairytale completes the top-3 of Eurovision Youtubes with 97 million views. 

Måns Z continues to release singles that are nice but not extraordinary. Good effort though... Lordi does what Lordi does best: poppy hard rock with questionabe lyrics Marija does what Marija does best: Balkan ballad Jamala continues on her own path delivering some wings this time.  Mind you there are other versions:  Deep House remix , Disco remix , live

Congratulations to Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala who gave birth to a baby boy yesterday. The little prince is named Emir-Rahman. But no Eurovision without babies: this year's baby onboard is by German Michael Schulte. His girlfriend is expecting a baby girl. Congratulations as well! And lets not forget also Eurovision winner 2015 Måns Zelmerlöw is expecting a baby from his girlfriend.

Jamala is pregnant. Congratulations! Isaiah turned 18. Congratulations! Loreen has a new haircut and a new album. Congratulations? Emmelie has a new hair and a new music out. Err... congratulations? Mengoni is returning. In an epic duet with Giorgia. Out tomorrow! Mr Lordi has finally a mask on. Kiss mask! Kristian went to Miss World but prefers a photo and thank you to firemen... Sergey thanks his mom Saara joins forces for Linnea Deb, but it's not for Eurovision Aisel has a doggie, Zulya Levina is off to Abu Dhabi ... while Tamara gets into X,as mood in Paris Lindita keeps posing... ... as does Svala. Sertab. Is it cold or is this a half statement?

Douwe Bob in shower.... Vaclav likes Frozen - who doesn't? Andras goes Tweety Amir picked yet another award.  This time NRJ's Francophone song of the year  Freddie promotes Pepe Iveta promotes her own watches, jumpers and stuff Dima got a phone. No, it's not the new iPhone Poli had a sweet moment Ira and.... OMG this photo is so wrong in so many ways....  Hovi did Rome Imri did Copenhagen Jamala and hubby did Tbilisi Emma did Brooklyn Måns and fiancee did Asia Tijana took a classic bathroom mirror selfie ... as did MIHAI. His 376.549.075th Claudia and Kurt having cozy kitchen time Svala... well,,,, wtf?! Gianluca got married! Congratulations! How was your week?