Preface:
Since we are more or less in the quiet season, I can soothe my Eurovision itch by watching some of the previous contests. Since I’m at my computer all day and my workstation has three monitors, I figure that I could devote one monitor to ESCs while working on the other two. Yes, I know there is a Junior Eurovision, but I’m not a huge fan of children-based competitions.
We’re ‘feeling our heartbeat’ in Düsseldorf, Germany
Eurovision 2011 – Full Show
For this year’s ESC, 43 countries participated with Italy returning after its 14-year hiatus from the contest. Since I’m pressed for time, this will be a pretty basic, general review. Even more basic and general than my other reviews. Overall, I thought the production and the hosting aspects of the contest were great. Y’all know that video postcards are my thing, and I really loved the concept. This year’s contest had folks/activities in Germany but from the performers’ home countries, which greeted the audience and the performers. I guess this concept works well in a country like Germany since Germany probably has quite a few people from the participating countries living there. While I enjoyed the contest overall, none of the songs really stuck out (in a good or a bad way to me). To be honest, I think that I preferred the interval acts more than 90% of the performances. I kind of felt like I was just going through the motions watching the contest. A couple reasons for this feeling include my list of maybes:
- Maybe, it was the general era of music.
- Maybe, I was in an indifferent or crabby mood that day. Actually, I’ll take back the crabby part because I really did not hate on any of the songs or performers.
- Maybe, it was too cold in my house.
- Maybe, it was too distracting having Youtube-related ads break up most of the performances.
- Maybe, I did not care too much since I already knew who won that year.
But, anywho . . . . Let’s go.
What Europe Thought:
Image courtesy of EurovisionWorld (***)
What Kwame Thought:
In terms of countries that were on the left side of our scoreboards, it looks like Europe and I agreed on only eight songs/countries (Slovenia, Sweden, Bosnia & Herzegovina, the UK, Denmark, Germany, Moldova, and Italy). Although Slovenia was my favorite, the actual winner was Azerbaijan (my #14).
My Winner: Slovenia – Maja Keuc – No One
Maja’s voice reminds me a lot of Christina Aguilera’s, which is all good in my book.
Europe’s Winner: Azerbaijan Ell & Nikki – Running Scared
While it is a nice song, it just did not do much for me.
Random Thoughts:
Some of my thoughts while watching the contest (in order of the performances)
Finland – Da Da Dam by Paradise Oskar: A Nice song about the environment, but it didn’t do much for me. However, I think it was too slow of a song to open the show.
Bosnia & Herzegovina – Love in Rewind by Dino Merlin: A very eclectic song that seemed to have a little bit of everything. For some reason, this eclectic mix really worked for me. I think this would have been a better opening than Finland.
Denmark – New Tomorrow by A Friend in London: So blond. Decent and catchy song.
Lithuania – C’est Ma Vie by Evelina Sasenko: Eh
Hungary – What About My Dreams? by Kati Wolf: It started off kind of nice, but then it sounded like she was yelling. I kind of wish that she moved around a bit more because I found myself watching the backup dancers instead of the main performer.
Ireland – Lipstick by Jedward: Very energetic, but it seemed like the backup singers were doing most of the singing. I guess it’s fine because the twins were jumping all over the place. The ending was a bit abrupt.
Sweeden – Popular by Eric Saade: That was fun!
Estonia – Rockefeller Street by Getter Jaani: Eh
Greece – Watch My Dance by Loucas Yiorkas ft Stereo Mike: I guess this is a combo of something old and something new. Not sure if I really liked the guy rapping, but the vocalist was pretty decent. Honestly, I don’t think Greece needed the rapper for this performance. I did like the breakdancing.
Russia – Get You by Alexej Vorobjov: (in a strong Russian accent) Do you feel my heartbeat, Europe? Um, I think it was the techno beat that I was feeling, comrade Alexj. I will say that the choreography is very tight in this performance. Extra points for nailing a backflip while holding a microphone.
France – Sognu by Amaury Vassili: Opera in Eurovision; I love it.
Italy – Madness Of Love by Raphael Gualazzi: Something a bit unexpected from Italy considering that the country had a 14-year hiatus. Then again, I’m not sure what I was expecting.
Switzerland – In Love for A While by Anna Rossinelli: Too similar to Italy’s song, which was right before her performance.
The UK – I Can by Blue: Pretty poppy boy band entry from the UK. Well, the guys were also very pretty. 😉 Overall, I kind of liked this performance with the exception of one of the guys constantly straining to hit those notes.
Moldova – So Lucky by Zdob Si Zdub: Is that a fairy on a unicycle? While different, it was a very exciting performance. Much props to Zdob Si Zdub for staying in the Eurovision game for so long. I believe this was their second time in the contest, and they came in 2nd place in the televote for Eurovision 2022.
Germany – Taken By A Stranger by Lena: A bit surprising that the winner from the previous year’s contest came back to ‘defend her title. I don’t know why, but I kind of liked it. Perhaps, it’s a nice breather from Moldova’s energetic and over the top (in a good way) performance.
Romania – Change by Hotel FM: Little too 90s for me. Actually, this song sounds like a theme song from a sit-com from the 80s and 90s. It does have a nice message so that’s something.
Austria – The Secret Is Love by Nadine Beiler: Ok, Austrian Mariah Carey, I ain’t mad at you.
Azerbaijan – Running Scared by Ell&Nikki: Sorry, but I don’t get all the hype.
Slovenia – No One by Maja Keuc: Wow, this lady has some strong vocal pipes.
Iceland – Coming Home by Sjonni’s Friends: Eh, they were there.
Spain – Que Me Quiten Lo Bailao by Lucia Perez: ummmm. Her voice sounds like something from a cartoon series. Like a song Dora the Explorer would sing right before going on a journey to find Diego or something. The song has a pretty fun vibe. I might have missed something in the performance because the crowd was chanting Lucia when she finished.
Ukraine -Angel by Mika Newton: What an engaging performance. I’m starting to understand why they do so well in this contest.
Serbia – Caroban by Nina: I wasn’t feeling this one, but I cannot put my finger on it. Maybe the staging was too bright, but girlfriend has a pretty strong voice.
Georgia – One More Day by Eldrine: What in the Evanecesance hell? I will say that Georgia always brings something different.
Eurovision 2011 Playlist
Next up: Eurovision ???
Social Media Plug:
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