Almost like a proud dad, John Lundvik was obviously delighted to hear and see his song "Bigger Than Us" being so well received by the London Eurovision Party fans, when it was being delivered by the UK's Michael Rice. There is another linking factor between the UK and Sweden this year - John is singing in SF2 and the UK are voting in it! That means you will get to hear both songs in my rundown of all the songs from that SF plus the three Direct Finalists left (Germany, Italy and the UK). Much in the same way as I did last week with SF1, you will hear my thoughts on each of the 21 entries linked to Wednesday/Thursday night in Tel Aviv, whether they made it into my top ten and how likely that is to match reality. Have a listen and see what you think:
There was a few songs from some of the special guests at Moscow, during their PreParty and a welcome event too, all of them recent Eurovision artists - here is the playlist:
"Walking Out" - Srbuk
"22" - Sarah McTernan
"Stay" - Anna Odobescu
"She Got Me" - Luca Hänni
"That Night" - Carousel
"On A Sunday" - Ester Peony
"Love Is Forever" - Leonora
"Too Late For Love" - John Lundvik
"Limits" - PAENDA
"The Dream" - Roko
"Chameleon" - Michela
"Run With The Lions" - Jurijus
"Scream" - Sergey Lazarev
"Ktheju Tokës" - Jonida Maliqi
"Spirit In The Sky" - KEiiNO
"Arcade" - Duncan Laurence
"Proud" - Tamara Todevska
"Truth" - Chingiz
"Sister" - S!sters
"Soldi" - Mahmood
"Bigger Than Us" - Michael Rice
"Shine" - Tolmachevy Sisters
"Help You Fly" - IVAN
"Fly With Me" - Artsvik
Again, as for the ratings and comments for each of the SF2 entries, I again used my notes for the SECHUK Jury 2019, based yet again on:
VOCAL CAPABILITY
STAGE PERFORMANCE (if from a NF)
COMPOSITION / ORIGINALITY
OVERALL IMPRESSION
Again, all the scores will come to light next week when I run through my top 41 (remember you will get to hear Maruv again) - as for the videos used for that process, here you go:
So here are my thoughts on first listen of each of the 21 entries associated with SF2...
Armenia - 'Grower'
First up, second to last to sing, worth the wait? Maybe...Srbuk provides us with a grower that builds interest through radio friendly pop to intriguing ballad section but will that garner votes in Israel? "Walking Out" is one for my playlist but visually something like the official video is needed to progress.
Ireland - 'Muzak'
Nice, inoffensive, background music - everything that "22" is and that is a real shame, as the song itself is quirky and Sarah provides the believable element of the story that she was actually involved. Unfortunately this is so low key and mellow that it will be barely remembered by anyone.
Moldova - 'Dated'
Moldova will come down off the top ten high they have experienced in the last two years when "Stay" plays in Tel Aviv. Anna Odobescu was the NF's best artist but the song and emotional delivery are very dated, the staging non-existant. Another entry that needs incredible props to even survive.
Switzerland - 'Vibrant'
Hopefully the Swiss delegation have paid up until Sunday, as Luca will be taking his nation through to the Final for only the third time in thirteen years. "She Got Me" is a chart friendly banger with bags of rhythm and a latin feel that will get everyone on the dancefloor.
Latvia - 'Boredom'
If "Funny Girl" couldn't get the televote to put it into the Final then "That Night", a slice of pleasant vocals with no passion will totally sink in Tel Aviv. Carousel would be pleasant enough to have singing at a restaurant where I was eating but I wouldn't notice them all night
Romania - 'Beguiling'
If Ester repeats her Selecția Națională Semi vocal and performance in Tel Aviv, Ester's "On A Sunday" could shock Eurovision fandom to its core as she is the ultimate actress, demanding attention to her stylised movements and grabbing your ears with her engaging vocals and the track's pulsing electro beats.
Denmark - 'Twee'
The award for the largest prop is now between between Australia and Denmark - the massive chair is possibly the highlight of "Love Is Forever", Leonora's pretty voice and multi-lingual skills (including Danish, not heard since 1997) not really covering the lack of pleasing choreography nor the preachy nature of the lyrics.
Sweden - 'Winner'
March 9th 2019 - the day that one entry provided that moment where I believed a particular song would win Eurovision. John, the Mamas, "Too Late For Love", the music and the staging all merged into one at Melodifestivalen as an incredible gospel anthem that will be hard to beat in Tel Aviv.
Austria - 'Breathless'
Not many songs keep you holding your breath for three minutes but "Limits" gripped me so much with the poignancy of its music, story telling through its lyrics and PAENDA's wonderful emotional delivery that I was spellbound. Keep the focus of attention on her and we'll have a sleeper hit.
Croatia - 'Conflict'
First the good - Roko has one of the best voices I have ever heard at a Eurovision NF. The bad? Everything else - the worthy, corny lyrics of "The Dream" and the bizarre staging with him all in white with massive angel wings, stood on a heavenly cloud. Top marks for the voice only
Malta - 'Sublime'
Didn't "Chameleon" just smack me between the eyes! Malta have provided the unexpected, a reggaeton vibe with enticing lyrics, sung by 17 year old Michela seemingly more suited in X Factor to a power ballad. If this earworm looks as good, we could have a shock result on our hands.
Lithuania - 'Surprising'
Jurijus flew under everyone's radar and provided us with the most unexpected vocal masterclass during "Run With The Lions", range and purity of tone that are second to none . Something about his delivery to camera keeps you watching too, despite the basic staging in Lithuania - one to watch in Israel.
Russia - 'Epic'
A total change of pace for Sergey from 2016, this time bringing the story telling side of his singing to the fore, together with a mythical score that would suit musical theatre or even a folk concert. Staging will be key in "Scream" as to whether Sergey will better third this time
Albania - 'Mystical'
An FiK 'return to type' with female soloist singing power ballad but Jonida's tale of Albania migrants needing to return home has a wonderful ethnic, haunting feel about it. "Ktheju tokës" is beautifully constructed using her voice and the pulsating rhythms to move from dark and foreboding to somewhere brighter.
Norway - 'Almost'
Perfect vocals, catchiest song this year, great interaction between Tom and Fred and Alexandra, nice back story to the supergroup KEiiNO, all that is missing is some top-notch staging for "Spirit In The Sky" to complete what I think will be the crowning of Norway's fourth winning entry and a trip to Oslo or Bergen or...
The Netherlands - 'Exquisite'
It's not often you get a male voice so angelic but Duncan has brought us one of the wow moments of Eurovision 2019. "Arcade" is such a touching love poem that the words need to be absorbed fully to get the full impact, the ethereal music playing its part too.
North Macedonia - 'Pure'
Possibly the purest ballad that will be sung in Israel, here's hoping that the impact of the lyrics to "Proud" plus the vocal clarity and power provided by Tamara will be picked up on by the voters and provide the nation with the new name a positive change in fortunes
Azerbaijan - 'Toe-Tapper'
Ignoring the fact that we still don't know what Azeri ethnic music sounds like, Chingiz does something that turns "Truth" from a generic piece of mid tempo 'blend into the background' pop into a track that has you moving your body to it by the end, no idea what though...
Germany - 'Theatrical'
Musical theatre was the genre of choice in Germany, with "Sister" the 'conflict and reconciliation' part of the play. S!sters were so delighted to have won, their emotional connection shining through this performance too, but that was the highlight of what was otherwise two solid vocals and a decent song.
Italy - 'Intense'
Sanremo surprises yet again with a mix of trap and R&B leading the pack, Mahmood's story about his father leaving his family for "Soldi" really gripped me with his intensity and the barest of staging to put all the focus onto this spellbinding Italian mix of verses and hand clapping.
United Kingdom - 'Cosmic'
The raw talent and massive voice of Michael Rice brought a huge soulful and gospel sound to Salford with "Bigger Than Us" - can he do the same in Tel Aviv and at the same time learn some stagecraft? If he can, the UK could have its best result of the Eurovision: You Decide era.
So who made it into my top ten from SF2? Again as for SF1, this is my list that will stay the same until probably Jury SF2 on the Wednesday of Eurovision 2019 week:
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So that is my top ten for this year's SF2 - preferences and likes obviously! Show 38 rounds off the 20 I think will get to the Final and puts my thoughts as to the Direct Finalists too but it will not be clear as to my order as to all 41 this year. That comes next week in a THREE hour special where I will play ALL of this year's songs plus Ukraine's entry that 'never was'. Come and join me for one last show before I head off to Tel Aviv...
First up, second to last to sing, worth the wait? Maybe...Srbuk provides us with a grower that builds interest through radio friendly pop to intriguing ballad section but will that garner votes in Israel? "Walking Out" is one for my playlist but visually something like the official video is needed to progress.
Ireland - 'Muzak'
Nice, inoffensive, background music - everything that "22" is and that is a real shame, as the song itself is quirky and Sarah provides the believable element of the story that she was actually involved. Unfortunately this is so low key and mellow that it will be barely remembered by anyone.
Moldova - 'Dated'
Moldova will come down off the top ten high they have experienced in the last two years when "Stay" plays in Tel Aviv. Anna Odobescu was the NF's best artist but the song and emotional delivery are very dated, the staging non-existant. Another entry that needs incredible props to even survive.
Switzerland - 'Vibrant'
Hopefully the Swiss delegation have paid up until Sunday, as Luca will be taking his nation through to the Final for only the third time in thirteen years. "She Got Me" is a chart friendly banger with bags of rhythm and a latin feel that will get everyone on the dancefloor.
Latvia - 'Boredom'
If "Funny Girl" couldn't get the televote to put it into the Final then "That Night", a slice of pleasant vocals with no passion will totally sink in Tel Aviv. Carousel would be pleasant enough to have singing at a restaurant where I was eating but I wouldn't notice them all night
Romania - 'Beguiling'
If Ester repeats her Selecția Națională Semi vocal and performance in Tel Aviv, Ester's "On A Sunday" could shock Eurovision fandom to its core as she is the ultimate actress, demanding attention to her stylised movements and grabbing your ears with her engaging vocals and the track's pulsing electro beats.
Denmark - 'Twee'
The award for the largest prop is now between between Australia and Denmark - the massive chair is possibly the highlight of "Love Is Forever", Leonora's pretty voice and multi-lingual skills (including Danish, not heard since 1997) not really covering the lack of pleasing choreography nor the preachy nature of the lyrics.
Sweden - 'Winner'
March 9th 2019 - the day that one entry provided that moment where I believed a particular song would win Eurovision. John, the Mamas, "Too Late For Love", the music and the staging all merged into one at Melodifestivalen as an incredible gospel anthem that will be hard to beat in Tel Aviv.
Austria - 'Breathless'
Not many songs keep you holding your breath for three minutes but "Limits" gripped me so much with the poignancy of its music, story telling through its lyrics and PAENDA's wonderful emotional delivery that I was spellbound. Keep the focus of attention on her and we'll have a sleeper hit.
Croatia - 'Conflict'
First the good - Roko has one of the best voices I have ever heard at a Eurovision NF. The bad? Everything else - the worthy, corny lyrics of "The Dream" and the bizarre staging with him all in white with massive angel wings, stood on a heavenly cloud. Top marks for the voice only
Malta - 'Sublime'
Didn't "Chameleon" just smack me between the eyes! Malta have provided the unexpected, a reggaeton vibe with enticing lyrics, sung by 17 year old Michela seemingly more suited in X Factor to a power ballad. If this earworm looks as good, we could have a shock result on our hands.
Lithuania - 'Surprising'
Jurijus flew under everyone's radar and provided us with the most unexpected vocal masterclass during "Run With The Lions", range and purity of tone that are second to none . Something about his delivery to camera keeps you watching too, despite the basic staging in Lithuania - one to watch in Israel.
Russia - 'Epic'
A total change of pace for Sergey from 2016, this time bringing the story telling side of his singing to the fore, together with a mythical score that would suit musical theatre or even a folk concert. Staging will be key in "Scream" as to whether Sergey will better third this time
Albania - 'Mystical'
An FiK 'return to type' with female soloist singing power ballad but Jonida's tale of Albania migrants needing to return home has a wonderful ethnic, haunting feel about it. "Ktheju tokës" is beautifully constructed using her voice and the pulsating rhythms to move from dark and foreboding to somewhere brighter.
Norway - 'Almost'
Perfect vocals, catchiest song this year, great interaction between Tom and Fred and Alexandra, nice back story to the supergroup KEiiNO, all that is missing is some top-notch staging for "Spirit In The Sky" to complete what I think will be the crowning of Norway's fourth winning entry and a trip to Oslo or Bergen or...
The Netherlands - 'Exquisite'
It's not often you get a male voice so angelic but Duncan has brought us one of the wow moments of Eurovision 2019. "Arcade" is such a touching love poem that the words need to be absorbed fully to get the full impact, the ethereal music playing its part too.
North Macedonia - 'Pure'
Possibly the purest ballad that will be sung in Israel, here's hoping that the impact of the lyrics to "Proud" plus the vocal clarity and power provided by Tamara will be picked up on by the voters and provide the nation with the new name a positive change in fortunes
Azerbaijan - 'Toe-Tapper'
Ignoring the fact that we still don't know what Azeri ethnic music sounds like, Chingiz does something that turns "Truth" from a generic piece of mid tempo 'blend into the background' pop into a track that has you moving your body to it by the end, no idea what though...
Germany - 'Theatrical'
Musical theatre was the genre of choice in Germany, with "Sister" the 'conflict and reconciliation' part of the play. S!sters were so delighted to have won, their emotional connection shining through this performance too, but that was the highlight of what was otherwise two solid vocals and a decent song.
Italy - 'Intense'
Sanremo surprises yet again with a mix of trap and R&B leading the pack, Mahmood's story about his father leaving his family for "Soldi" really gripped me with his intensity and the barest of staging to put all the focus onto this spellbinding Italian mix of verses and hand clapping.
United Kingdom - 'Cosmic'
The raw talent and massive voice of Michael Rice brought a huge soulful and gospel sound to Salford with "Bigger Than Us" - can he do the same in Tel Aviv and at the same time learn some stagecraft? If he can, the UK could have its best result of the Eurovision: You Decide era.
So who made it into my top ten from SF2? Again as for SF1, this is my list that will stay the same until probably Jury SF2 on the Wednesday of Eurovision 2019 week:
To paraphrase Lynda Woodruff...
It'll be amazing!