Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Il vento caldo dell'estate, Alice's first real hit and the first offering of Alice and Franco Battiato collaboration (with Giusto Pio and Francesco Messina) and with a rather revolutionary sound for the time of release in 1980. A real summer hit of 1980 Il vento caldo dell'estate, despite its rather dark lyrics,  has become an evergreen and Alice has re-recorded it twice: For Elisir album in 1987 and for Personal Jukebox in 2000. It's also included in the 2016 Live a Roma album.  The song is the main single off Caponord album, the first of Alice's new era.  Ho chiuso le finestre per non lasciare neanche l'aria entrare qui Nel buio della stanza si ferma la mia vita per te Le mie reazioni non le controllo più quanto mi manchi Il vento caldo dell'estate mi sta portando via La fine la fine la fine I closed the windows so as not to let even the air in here In the darkness of the room my life stops for you I can't control my reactions anymore how much I mis...

  A cosa pensano is another hit from Alice's freshly found success also aboard after Sanremo 1981. Taken off her 1982 album Azimut it was one of album's three big hits along with Messaggio and Chanson egocentrique. The song is written by Alice and Francesco Messina and would reappear in a new version in 2000 in Personal Jukebox album. The lyrics of the song are among the funniest ever recorded by Alice and the song in all is quite jolly and light pop tune. What do they think indeed, writers when they write, shop keepers when they sell, the teachers when they teach.... Something in the air! La vita interiore, i romanzi d´amore è meglio andare tardi a lavorare.  Anche le mamme fanno spesso l´amore ma in silenzio per non farsi sentire The inner life, romance novels it is better to go late to work.  Even mothers often make love but in silence so as not to be heard

  This week all the songs are a bit older but still #Finpop2024. All four artists are releasing new songs in steady flow and gain popularity, even if still missing The Hit. This season I have enjoyed these ones a bit more than their other efforts. Yet. Enjoy these efforts, there's more to come! ANI - Jos puhutaan totta Etta - Piilota sun sydän Rosi - Joutomaa Ollie - Jumalat

The wait is over and Swiss city of Basel will host the 69th Eurovision song contest in St.Jakobshalle on May 13th and 15th the semi-finals, and May 17th the grand final.  Basel is a border town just like Malmö last year, and sixth year in a row that Eurovision isn't hosted by a capital city, and Eurovision fans may find themselves staying in either Switzerland, France or Germany during their Eurovision adventure.  St.jakobshalle was opened in September 1976 and renovated in 2015-2018 and has now 12.400 capacity in the main arena. Besides the main hall there are five other halls of different space so probably they will manage to house everything in the same building from dressing rooms to press center.   During the renovation it was suggested the arena to be named Roger Federer Arena, Basel's own tennis hero but that was blocked in the local council vote and St.Jakobshalle name remained. The day of announcement of the venue and dates (August 30, 2024) 24 countries hav...

Alice had success also abroad, especially in Germany after winning Sanremo 1981 with Per Elisa. The follow up single Una notte speciale continued and cemented her success and apparently at the time she was selling more abroad than in Italy. In summer 1981 she had two singles in German charts and especially Una notte speciale had a long lasting chart success as it stayed there for months.  Una notte speciale, off her 1981 album Alice (published abroad as Per Elisa) was written by the trio Alice, Franco Battiato and Giusto Pio. The song would reappear in the soundtrack of The House of Gucci film by Ridley Scott  starring Lady Gaga in 2021.  The song was re-recorded for 1987 album Elisir . Noi senza dignità oltre la montagna scopriamo l'amore Qui, qui senza falsità noi ci amiamo come la mente non sa We without dignity beyond the mountain discover love Here, here without falsehood we love each other the way mind does not know

In 1985, the year after Alice went to Eurovision song contest with Franco Battiato she recorded the first full album of Battiato's songs, Gioielli rubati or Stolen jewels. All songs were covers of his songs and it went on to win awards and became a commercial success providing some of her most loved songs. Luna indiana certainly isn't a pop hit but an elegant sophisticated song originally released by Battiato in his 1979 album L'Era del cinghiale bianco, his first "pop" album.  Luna indiana, loosely based on Beethoven's Moonlight sonata got new lyrics written by Francesco Messina for Alice and orchestration by Milan's La Scala Opera house. Interestingly Battiato himself apparently has had nothing to do with the album produced by Angelo Carrara with art direction by Messina. Luna indiana was released as a single, as well as Prospettiva Nevski's B-side in various 7" printings in different countries. Lunghe sere per scoprire luce della luna Che il t...

  Another #Finpop2024 in English special. And these are partly pretty much unknown talents with the exception of already familiar Neea River and up and coming indie favorite Goldielocks, already heavily tipped for UMK2025. Time will tell.  This is also a full load of summer nostalgia. Is it over already? Enjoy! Goldielocks - Live again Van Derand / Cindi - Summer ain't over Thnked - One day s m s n / Neea River - Last call for summer

Dammi la mano amore written by Alice herself first appeared in her 1995 Charade album. Her Personal jukebox in 2000 and live album Lungo la strada in 2009 also have it. It was also released as a remix single in 1996. A simple gentle nostalgic love song.  Riportami ai profumi dell'infanzia quando i cicli della vita Vibravano continuamente in me Quando aspettavo che il tramonto ricamasse i suoi segreti nel mio cuore Take me back to the scents of childhood when the cycles of life Vibrated continuously in me When I waited for the sunset to embroider its secrets in my heart The song is also featured in Alice + Franco Battiato's joint live album Live in Roma 2016

Let's continue discovering Alice's fantastic recording career. Visioni was the lead single off her 1989 album Il sole nella pioggia, again written by Juri Camisasca. Camisasca along with Franco Battiato has written some of Alice's most fantastic songs. He started with progressive rock and collaborated with Battiato until 1979 when he entered a Benedictine monastery where he lived as a monk until 1987 when he movd out to an eremitical life at the slopes of Mount Etna. Besides now continuing his singer-songwriter life he also paints icons. And yes, his songs always have that something extra.  E più lontano vai sempre meno conosci / And the further you go the less you know

Incredible but true Alice turns 70 on September 26. Her voice and her beauty haven't changed since she hit it big by winning Sanremo 1981 and doing Eurovision song contest 1984 with late Franco Battiato. Even more incredible is she will publish her biography L'unica via d'uscita é dentro (The only exit is inside) in September as well. Always been so reserved and private it comes as a surprise for sure. But then again, if you stop and think about it it's kind of logical. Her partner in art and life Francesco Messina, who has already written books about Franco Battiato's life among others, is behind the project. But it's a real gift to her fans like me, 40 plus years by her side. I could easily do a 70 songs presentation of her songs as they have provided me my life's soundtrack and her Park Hotel album probably being the album I have listened the most times in my life of any albums by any artist. But that would be a bit too much I suppose so I will just go fo...

  Another dose of #Finpop2024. This time we start with the official Pride anthem 2024, that is based on a real Finnish evergreen tango Satumaa. Newcomer Safira followes before country pop by Lili & Luna who is no other than Eurovision veteran Norma John's Leena with her cousin, or was it a niece? Anyways, we close up with another newcomer James-J. Enjoy! Helena Routa / Tiia Karoliina - Aavan meren tuolla puolen Safira - Kommentti Lili & Luna - Sul ei ole hätää James-J - Miksi pyöräni varastit

Another week, another dosse of #Finpop2024 with some summery sounds even if here in Finland the summer's nearing the end. Two duets by already well known names Janna with Keko Salata and Finnish-Italian NOTO with UMK veteran Mikael Gabriel. ABREU continues to flirt with caliente Latin sounds and Tuuli goes rather dramatic, bang bang bang! ABREU - Caliente NOTO / Mikael Gabriel - Kolumbus Janna / Keko Salata - Muuttolintu Tuuli - Kevlar

If 25 countries are yet to win Eurovision song contest for the first time (see previous post here) they aren't though the ones who have waited longest for a win. Malta has waited now the longest since their debut, 54 years next year. Morocco , let's count them in despite participating only once, for 45 years, and Cyprus that is still actively participating has waited 44 years. Then we can add Iceland that comes to 39. But of those who have won previously the crown goes to Spain that has been waiting for another win for 56 years after their 1969 home win. Monaco sums up to 54 years as their only win was back in 1971. France who hasn't won since 1977 collects already 48 years without winning in 2025. Also Luxemburg that made a very welcome comeback in 2024 last won in 1983, 42 years ago. Another French speaking entry won in 1986, making Belgium waiting for the second win for 39 years already! To complete the top-10 we have the 1990's powerhouse Ireland who last won in...

As Eurovision is nearing its 70th edition in 2026 we still have 25 countries, more or less active or existing that have never won the contest. Some have been close already like Croatia this year placing second, as well as other runner ups Cyprus, Bulgaria, Australia, Iceland, Malta, Poland and no longer existing Serbia & Montenegro. Moldova, Romania and Bosnia & Herzegovina have reached the third place getting a taste of the podium success, too.  Then we have poor Andorra that never reached the final being close to do so in Helsinki 2007's massacre mega big semi-final of 28 entries placing 12th. Some countries are yet to reach the Top-1o in the final: San Marino, Montenegro and no longer participating Slovakia and Morocco. This said let's hope they all come back one day! While at this let's enjoy those non winning countries best placed entries to show them some support, ok? 2024 CROATIA (2.) Baby Lasagna - Rim Tim Tagi Dim 2019 NORTH MACEDONIA (7.)   Tamara Todevs...

  Here comes the special post vol.1 of #Finpop2024 not in Finnish. First ALMA, one of Finland's most selling artists abroad with a title song from her biopic movie followed by Samu Haber ex-Sunrise Avenue, another mega export artist who has released songs in English after he went Finnish when going solo at first. Then we have Miriam Bryant, that you all know as a Swede. But actually she's a Finn and finally for the first time ever sings in Finnish! Last but not least a groovy song by a trio that includes Axel Ehnström aka Paradise Oskar from Eurovision 2011. Da dam he has become one of the hit songwriters in Finland. he has co-written also that Samu Haber song btw. Enjoy! ALMA - Life must be beautiful ( movie trailer ) Samu Haber - Dancing with a broken heart Miriam Bryant - Mustelmilla ( Mi amor ) Lane Boy / Axel Ehnström / Surfin' Sam - What I hope

Keep it in family. This week have brothers Frans and Mikko Harju with their respective latest offerings paired with two female bangers by Jannika B and Neea River. Thinking of it this foursome should all apply for UMK2025 in my opinion. At least Jannika B did so this year with Tetris apparently.  FRANS HARJU - AINOA TIE JANNIKA B - HUOMENNA ON KAIKKI PAREMMIN NEEA RIVER - X0X, FROM ME MIKKO HARJU - RIKAS SYDÄN

This week we have four more goodies from 2024 and even beyond. Ehyt is an indie-duo with astonishing 71 monthly listeners on Spotify! Let's change that as the song is just wonderful! Show some love to them. Then we have big names from streaming and radio, Hugo and Olli and finally Shimmer, a trio of ladies that have made a comeback with a great song after 22 years! Ehyt - Kaikki muistuttaa mua susta Olli Halonen - Miten käärmeet lisääntyy Hugo - Sun puolesta Shimmer - Korennot

It has taken awhile but this 2024 has been the year of Mahmood. He may have not won Sanremo this time but his Tuta gold has been by far the biggest success from Sanremo entries despite him placing only 6th missing out the Top-5 super final. The past week it was revealed that nearly 6 million votes were uncounted that night, most of them those that exceeded the number of votes one could vote but still there are almost two million mystery votes left uncounted. Could those have changed the fate? Mahmood won Sanremo 2019 somewhat surprisingly and was faced with a lot of racist hatred among other things that continued even after his second win 2022. But all of sudden in 2024 it seems even the haters have admitted he's good and goes from success to success. In 2024 he has sold already over 700.000 copies, over 400.000 of them Tuta gold , that has become his biggest hit to date after Brividi (800.000+), Soldi (200.000+) and Calipso (200.000+) collaboration. It's worth remembering ...

Sometimes the Eurovision stars don't quite follow up their momentum with releases of new singles and/or albums but this year the Top-4 has been already productive with the exception of the winner Nemo who still goes around singing The Code. The runner up Baby Lasagna from Croatia  third placed Jerry Heil and Alyona Alyona from Ukraine as well as French superstar Slimane all are out with a follow up single already. BABY LASAGNA - AND I JERRY HEIL - VIRGIN MARIA ALYONA ALYONA - Тато SLIMANE - RÉSISTER (WHAT ABOUT PEACE?)

It's no news France Eurovision and Eiffel tour have a long lasting love affair but last night it was taken to another level in the 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony. We all remember poor Tom Leeb who was chosen to represent France in 2020 Eurovision, climbed to Eiffel tower to belt out his song only to see Eurovision being cancelled and even France Television cancelling him for 2021 later on. That has been perhaps the high light of France Eurovision loves Eiffel tower in fandom's collective memory until now. Last night Eurovision 1988 winner Celine Dion returned to the spotlight after four hard years trying to recover and survive her illness and showed she was in top form in her first live performance since 2020. Belting out Edith Piaf's L'Hymne á l'amour like there was no tomorrow she reconquered the world. Well, I must say I do enjoy Tom Leeb's entry quite a lot. After all. 

Slimane recovered from flu just in time to perform in front of Basilique Saint-DenisDenis in Paris just hours before the outstanding opening ceremony of 2024 Olympics. Accompanied by 50 piece symphonic orchestra, gospel choir and dancers and even another Eurovision veteran Lara Fabian (her Eurovision 1988 competitor would be icing on top in the opening ceremony later that night). He sung some of his hits, including a majestic version of Mon amour and his most recent release, Résister (What about peace). Enjoy the show below!

This week superstar Jenni Vartiainen's new single along with already more or less known names AHTI, Averagekidluke, Pihlaja and Jari Uutela, all already featured here previously. Jenni Vartiainen / Etta - Viimeinen pisara AHTI / Averagekidluke - Kissa Pihlaja - Delulu Jari Uutela - Silmät tottuu pimeään 

Four Eurovision song contest icons selected randomly to celebrate Paris Olympic games opening tomorrow - with Slimane giving a free concert as warm up show (and I am hoping he will also perform in the opening ceremonies  as well!) ? Not quite so.  Slimane has dueted with all of them, besides co-writing the songs. Let's have a listen! LA ZARRA / SLIMANE - LES AMANTS DE LA COLLINE PATRICK FIORI / SLIMANE - PROMESSE MADAME MONSIEUR / SLIMANE - DIS-MOI QUE JE SUIS PATRICK FIORI / YCARE /CLAUDIO CAPÈO / SLIMANE -  QU'EST-CE QU'ON ÈTAIT BEAUX Slimane has literally dozens of duets with other singers so it's no wonder he has ended up with these previous Eurovision stars. Maybe they have had a word to convince him to do it, who knows?

As a surprise twist front runner favorite Zurich is out of the race to host Eurovision song contest 2025 and the Swiss team with Ebu announced that Basel and Geneva are the top two bids and of them will get the honor to host the contest in May 2025.  Basel is apparently aiming on St.Jakobshalle that could have been also called Roger Federer Arena to honor the local tennis player but the local council vote blocked that idea. Built in 1976 and completely renovated between 2016-18 adding fro its original 9.000 capacity to 12.400. The complex also has five smaller halls that would nice serve as press center, delegation lounge and all that extra needed for the show under same roof.  The arena has been used mainly for tennis, handball, ice hockey, curling and of course concerts, including Bob Dylan leaving him with life changing experience.  Basel itself is Switzerland's third biggest city by river Rhine with its approx 178.000 inhabitants (541.000 in greater Basel). In multi l...

This week two cover bangers with already familiar Teleks with some nearly symphonic pop and new name Överi. Kaija Koo's iconic anthem has been remixed by Dog Hustlers while BÄMÄ enganged UMK2024 hostess Pilvi Hämäläinen in Kikka's evergreen from the 1990's.  Teleks - Lukot sillankaiteeseen BÄMÄ / Pilvi Hämäläinen - Anna rakas (raju hetki) Dog Hustlers / Kaija Koo - Tinakenkätyttö  Överi - Kyyneliä