The style, how the video is shot, plus his outfit remind me of this little ditty that did well in Germany as well (plus most of Europe):
He will be the first Turkish singer to be taking part in Eurovision since his nation's withdrawal in 2012 but if he can come up with something as catchy as Mambo No.5 and Je M'Adore (which grows on you as the song progresses), combined with the Turkish diaspora around Europe, San Marino could be looking at a second Final place plus a reasonable amount of points all over Europe. Maybe this was a very canny move on their part - I am assuming that Ralph Siegel will not be involved this year though...
So that's Turkey, how about Westlife? Not all of them, admittedly, just the one who happens to work for RTÉ Radio in...where else? Ireland! This was all a bit out of the blue but it was confirmed that the seven times winners of Eurovision were NOT relying on The Late Late Show this year to find their entry, an internal selection would hopefully get 'The Emerald Isle' back up to the dizzy heights of the left hand side of the leaderboard on Final night. The guy to do that? Someone that UK fans will have seen most recently dancing on Saturday nights on the 2014 season of Strictly Come Dancing - Nicky Byrne:
This is a major improvement on what Ireland has produced for many a year! As you, regular readers, will know, I have a soft spot for Jedward and 2011's "Lipstick" was my favourite Irish entry in the 21st Century - this tops it. It's radio friendly, up tempo and it stuck in my head straight away. The beat to this makes my fingers drum and toes tap - I can picture some jumping up and down with this one. He might not have been one of the strongest or most prolific singers in the band but he has a high profile due to being one of them and having done things since - a DJ in Ireland but also being on Strictly in the UK. The lyrics are meaningful but simple, fans will probably be able to sing along with this already and the emotion can be aimed at either sex. I am fully aware that this isn't showing his singing live (he'll be doing that on Saturday 13th February) so that is an unknown quantity, although this show from the Globen itself gives us a taster:
This is an early announcement for Ireland as The Late Late Show is normally at the end of February - what Nicky will have in his favour is:
His years with Westlife
&
The announcement being in mid-January
He will not be fazed by big crowds, singing live, performing a routine on stage, interacting with the crowd in the Globen or connecting with the cameras to link up with the viewers at home. He will already have a massive fan base, some current but mainly those now in their 20-30s, all over Europe and also in Australia. He will also be used to the intense scrutiny that being in Eurovision brings, all the interviews, all the PR events, all the meet and greets - having launched 'Sunlight' so early means Nicky can get lots of interval slots in Eurovision National Finals and go to all the pre-Parties. If Ireland can 'do a Conchita' and attend as many events as possible, the song's profile will be high everywhere across the continent - the public votes and exposure to the jurors will help the points to creep up.
My feelings about San Marino and Ireland's chances?
If Serhat produces something as catchy as Je M'Adore (or even better, Mambo No. 5!) then, in combination with the possible Turkish diaspora effect, San Marino could be in line for their second ever Final appearance. As for Ireland, I think we could have a possible dark horse in 'Sunlight' - probably not a winning song but a definite finalist and a probable left hand side of the scoreboard finish. Both countries would be delighted with those results...
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My feelings about San Marino and Ireland's chances?
If Serhat produces something as catchy as Je M'Adore (or even better, Mambo No. 5!) then, in combination with the possible Turkish diaspora effect, San Marino could be in line for their second ever Final appearance. As for Ireland, I think we could have a possible dark horse in 'Sunlight' - probably not a winning song but a definite finalist and a probable left hand side of the scoreboard finish. Both countries would be delighted with those results...
Are the dark days of Eurovision obscurity over for the Emerald Isle and San Marino?