19
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All the Eurovision songs are out. Let's talk about them!
You can hear all the songs (and see translated lyrics) over at Eurovision World.
Let's hear your favourites, predictions, hopes and dreams, and whatever else you have to say about this year's songs.
Lots of good ones this year, in my opinion. And lots of variety. Hard to pick a favourite.
I'm of course biased, but I like the song from my own country (Norway). Maybe not very unique or exciting, but it could do well, depending on how many rock songs are left after the semis.
UK has one of my favourites this year, which could also do well, if he can pull off the live performance. I wonder if he'll bring his home-made synthesizer to the stage, even if he probably won't be allowed to use it.
Moldova is, as usual, lots of fun! Really hoping they qualify for the grand final.
Austria is this year's most underrated song. If it qualifies for the grand final, I need to memorise those dance moves and get my dance license in order. He needs to practice performing it some more though.
Finland is the bookmaker favourite to win this year. I have my doubts, but I really like the song. Probably a good thing we didn't send Rybak this year, because his fiddling would look pathetic next to Lampenius.
We need to talk about Israel. They nearly won the two last years, by rigging the vote, and just got a slap on the wrist and a warning for it. Several countries are boycotting the contest this year because Israel hasn't been thrown out, both over the vote rigging and that needlessly brutal war in Gaza. This song is likely to win the televote, so unless the juries more or less agree on a single song they think deserves to win, there's a real risk that this may get a completely undeserved win.
Yeah, the Israel thing is the main reason why I stopped following Eurovision. The genocide should have been enough reason to ban them from the competition (and I'm looking at you too, Russia). But even without that, the blatant rule breaking and cheating should have also disqualified them. Having them also censor the artists on the program from criticizing them is just plain insulting.
If they let a genocidal warmongering country who cheats at everything in, why not just let in the US? /s
The real question I think, is why Russia is banned, Ukraine has been allowed to have overtly political songs, performances, and videos (recall that they had a video that was clips of idealized Ukrainian soldiers in war zones), audience support for Ukrainian political choices has not been censored, and performers have not been punished for criticizing Russia. These choices seem completely hypocritical.
I'm not saying that Russia should be allowed, but rather that the completely different treatment of Russia and Israel has been quite dismaying. Either allow both, taking the stance that being apolitical is more important than opposing genocide, or ban both.
(Yes, Russia nominally can't participate now because they are no longer active EBU members, but they suspended their EBU memberships after being banned from Eurovision 2022. The statement arguably makes the current situation even worse, in that it establishes that the EBU will ban countries whose participation "would bring the competition into disrepute". That would seem to suggest that the EBU feels Israel's participation does not.)
My understanding is that the EBU totally did plan to allow Russia to participate in 2022, it was the threat of 8+ countries pulling out three months before the show that forced their hand. I think if more countries were willing to boycott in protest of Israel's participation, the EBU would be forced to act, but there are potential consequences for Israeli broadcaster KAN and political alliances that make the decision more complex than with Russia's invasion. It's still utterly nonsense though, especially given the support for Ukraine, as you highlight. I'm sitting Eurovision out until the EBU grows a spine (but I would love for Finland to get a win!).
The main problem as I understand it is money, the main sponsor of Eurovision is an Israeli beauty products brand and as always money talks
While funding probably is a consideration, losing the participation fees of Spain and Netherlands, two of the biggest funders, is also a major blow and causes disruption among EBU members. As mentioned in the other thread, if the EBU bans Israel, they will likely permanently be ineligible from Eurovision because the government wants to make major changes to KAN, and EBU members do not want that to happen. It's probably why so many nations wanted minor changes to the voting system to keep Israel (and thus protect KAN) while limiting impacts from attempted vote manipulation:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-next-threat-to-israel-at-eurovision-is-coming-from-inside-the-house/
https://tildes.net/~music/1rkx/ireland_among_countries_boycotting_eurovision_after_israel_allowed_to_compete
This conversation has some thoughtful discussion on the topic of Israel, in case that interests people
I just realised Austria is the host, so they auto-qualify for the grand final. There's a real risk of them getting the dreaded 0 points! He really needs to practice, and they should maybe liven up the stage show a bit.
I don't watch or vote or support Eurovision in any way and never will, but will give props to Look Mum No Computer who does cool music and has a cool Youtube channel (and I would have liked them even more had they stayed out of Eurovision).
I think their song is great. It's quirky and silly and intentionally so and I like a lot of electronic and synthesizer stuff, which does have a place for the strange and silly without it being overbearing or tryhard the way it lands in other genres a lot of the time, and he does a lot of cool synth electronics projects and the like too. I find the humor earnest and enjoyable. I'm a Kraftwerk fan and can feel some influence there for sure.
greece has a fucking ai-generated video clip
I couldn't even make it a minute into my country's song.
Look Mum No Computer deserves nil points just for dipping a biscuit into a cup of baked beans alone. And I haven't even gone into how bad the actual song is.
I quite enjoyed the song! It’s a Eurovision style song, it’s a bit silly, but it’s suppose to be and it’s a bit of an ear worm. It doesn’t take itself too seriously. But just personal opinion.
I really like synths (and the song!), and I think it's cool to see them on the big stage at ev.
I like the guy and all the things he does, but I really can't find a way to care about the actual music he produces.
From the Nordic selection this year I'm going with Denmark. It's their first entry I've ever liked, and despite the Swedish one almost winning me over at the last minute with their (classic) late reveal, I'm sticking and not twisting.