Here are my top ten picks for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Fingers crossed that all of them score high on the finals scoreboard. (Read my previous Eurovision post for my picks 20-11.)
10. Austria
The Makemakes — I’m Yours
This sounds like a classic rock ballad from yesteryear. That’s a good thing considering this sound is sort of making a comeback on the airwaves, with the popularity of Sam Smith and Hozier among many. Will this song win? Probably not. But I’m expecting this to at least be on the left side of the scoreboard come finals.
9. Spain
Edurne — Amanecer
Sounds like the Spanish delegation took cues from the previous three Eurovision winners: you have the folk-y instrumentation of “Only Teardrops,” then the Bond theme sound of “Rise Like A Phoenix” when the second verse kicks in, and the drama and tension of “Euphoria.” Pair that with Edurne’s very strong vocals and what we have is a very competent entry; one of Spain’s bests in recent years.
8. Sweden
Måns Zelmerlöw — Heroes
Plagiarism accusations aside, this pop anthem belongs on Top 40 radio right now. And it has been getting great reception in his home country and its neighbors in Europe. I could imagine the audience at the arena chanting and singing along to the lyrics, and I’m getting chills just imagining it.
7. Slovenia
Maraaya — Here For You
The usual subject when talking about the Slovenian entry is the air violinist performing alongside Maraaya. However, the song itself is modern and catchy. I have been disappointed with Slovenia not qualifying 2 years ago, so I will be very surprised and disappointed again if this does not qualify this year.
6. Italy
Il Volo — Grande Amore
Italian popera (that’s a portmanteau of pop and opera) at its finest. The Italian lads are not only cute, but talented vocalists as well. I love the song in it’s full longer-than-three-minutes version. I’m still not used to the 3-minute Eurovision version I heard: they did some weird cuts at the end. But it’s still the same beautiful romantic ballad, and I hope it translates well to viewers.
5. Albania
Elhaida Dani — I’m Alive
Yasss! More R&B in my Eurovision. The old Albanian entry wasn’t even on my radar. But this new song got my attention, like a lot. Her vocals are in much better use on this song, especially at the end when it turns all powerful. It reminds me a lot of Ellie Goulding’s “Burn.” Has anyone made a mashup of these two songs yet? 😀
4. Norway
Mørland & Debrah Scarlett — A Monster Like Me
This is very musical theatre a la Phantom of the Opera minus the opera. But I am completely in love with it! I do think though that Mørland is a stronger vocalist than Debrah, but when they harmonize, it’s all beautiful music. It takes a full 2 minutes before the song starts kicking into high gear, but the payoff is great. This song gives me chills.
3. Azerbaijan
Elnur Huseynov — Hour of the Wolf
I’ve been having major LSS with this song. Can’t hit the notes as high as Elnur does though. The production on this song is superb. The way the marching band drums and the classical instruments ebb and flow. When the chorale chimes in as it builds up to the bridge, and then everything becomes silent save for his voice and the piano. Absolutely brilliant.
2. Estonia
Elina Born & Stig Rästa — Goodbye to Yesterday
This duet, almost like an interrogation between two lovers, gives me life. The I didn’t want to wake you up tune really got stuck in my head for a long time that I sang it out of the blue sometimes. I’m very much rooting for Talinn 2016 so far. However…
1. Latvia
Aminata Savadogo — Love Injected
This song. Wow. It grabbed my attention in the Latvian selection. My Amazon goddess! Aminata’s vocals are always on point. That is such a marvel, since this is no easy vocal arrangement to sing. Her vocals are soft and delicate in the verses, then the chorus kicks in and it’s all unstoppable force. Looking forward to see how this will be staged.
That concludes my Eurovision picks for this year. For numbers 20-11 of this series, check my previous Eurovision post. I based my picks on the song’s studio versions (available to stream on Spotify, and on their Youtube channel) wherever possible, since not all of the entries have been performed live outside of their respective national selections.
Now that the contestants (minus the Big 5 + 2) have completed their first and second rehearsals for their semi-final performances, some of my picks have been slipping in my estimation, while the others I ranked low had amazing staging.
It’s Eurovision next week. I can feel the excitement from the Wiener Stadthalle and across the continent. But of course I won’t be able to watch the semi-finals and finals live. Darn you timezones! 😠 Sound off in the comments below or tweet me if you agree (or disagree) with my top picks.