Eurovision Song Contest 2014 season is coming to a close, and this Saturday is this year’s final. The top 10 from each semi-final, the big 5 (UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), and last year’s winner, Denmark battle it out for the Eurovision trophy.
These are my top 10 songs for Saturday’s final:
Legend:Points. Country: Artist – Song Title (Running Order)
1 pt. Spain: Ruth Lorenzo – Dancing in the Rain (performs 19th)
The rain! The rain! The rain! It’s nice that they decided to focus on the vocals, as this song does require a lot of it. Unfortunately, I am missing Giuseppe di Bella, the hot dancer dancing with Ruth in the music video. It would’ve been nice to see them with their many lifts, twists, and turns on stage.
2. Italy: Emma Marrone – La Mia Citta’ (16th)
I still love this song: so edgy and angry. But the two rehearsals we’ve seen thus far brought to light a glaring flaw: the vocals. And we all know: bad vocals = less votes. European viewers don’t like dem janky vocals. Italy has their work cut out for them.
3. Ukraine: Mariya Yaremchuk – Tick Tock (1st)
Best use of props goes to Ukraine’s man-in-hamster-wheel routine. I hope that performing first won’t make the audience forget about this song and performance. I’m so proud of this song’s journey: how it evolved from a pretty bland pop song to this absolute gem of a performance in the semis.
4. Poland: Donatan & Cleo – My Slowianie/We are Slavic (9th)
This is still my jam. Shake what yo mamma gave ya! It’s hilarious how they didn’t forget to bring laundry girl and butter churner girl on stage. Every vote counts.
5. Armenia: Aram MP3 – Not Alone (7th)
Before the semi-finals, I had this as my second favourite. But because of Aram’s performance in SF1, I’m having doubts if he could actually deliver a much better vocal in the final. I do think the Armenian delegation’s decision to not have backing vocals has been detrimental.
6. UK: Molly – Children of the Universe (26th/last)
The odds are in UK’s favour this year: a lot of buzz around Molly and her song, and performing last on Saturday. Everybody will be chanting “Power to the people!” in the final. Will she finally bring the Eurovision gold for the UK?
7. Finland: Softengine – Something Better (18th)
This song really grew on me these past few weeks. It’s a great Coldplay-esque stadium pop-rock song with the very much LSS-inducing “woah woah oh oh”s. Oh and I’ve mentioned before that this is a good-looking bunch of boys, so that’s a plus.
8. Sweden: Sanna Nielsen – Undo (13th)
Every Eurovision fan knew that Sweden will go straight to the final, and Sanna’s performance during SF1 sealed the deal. I noticed though that she doesn’t sound as perfect as she was during Melodifestivalen. Nerves, maybe, but I hope she brings the house down in the final.
10. Hungary: Andras Kallay-Saunders – Running (21st)
Drama? Check. Sprinting across the stage? Check. Kick-ass song? Check. Relevant message? Check. I still have high hopes for Andras and Budapest 2015, even though they dropped from my #1 spot.
12 pts. Austria: Conchita Wurst – Rise like a Phoenix (performs 11th)
I was trying to hang on to Hungary as my favorite this year, but I just can’t deny how magnetic and mesmerizing Conchita Wurst’s performances have been throughout the Eurovision season. It’s really nice to hear all the cheers from the audience at B&W Hallerne for Conchita during the second semi-final.
More (random) thoughts:
– Robbed for not getting to the final: Latvia and Macedonia
– Best postcard: Macedonia. Yeah science! Close second: Slovenia.
– I don’t know if it’s intentional (I’m betting it is): Greece‘s “Rise Up” is followed by Austria‘s “Rise like a Phoenix”
– Semi-final 2 was a much better show than semi-final 1. Although, SF1 had most of the favourites to win (namely Sweden, Armenia, and Hungary) and perennial top 10 finishers (Russia, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine).
– Speaking of Russia, it’s unfortunate that the Tolmachevy girls are getting the brunt of the jeers from the public. This is still a song contest, guys.
– And unpopular opinion: I still like Malmo’s stage last year better. Not to mention a much better host, i.e. Petra Mede.