It is all about geography rather than her life this year...
Lesley Roy sung "Maps" on the show this week!
The beautiful scenery of Ireland provided the backdrop for Lesley's Eurovision video, slightly different to the RTE roof she performed 'live' for the first time during her official reveal the same day. "Maps" was one of four entries that appeared last week and which were covered on Tuesday night's show, along with the revamp of "Karma", Anxhela Peristeri's entry for Albania, which is a major improvement on her FiK sound. Along with Cyprus, Germany and Slovenia, we moved the entry count up to 14 - only 27 to go! Let's kick off the article with the Mixcloud of the show - lots of songs from Denmark, Sweden and Portugal too...
There will be quite a few names there you might not know so here is the playlist:
"El Diablo" - Elena Tsagkrinou
"I Don't Feel Hate" - Jendrik
"Maps" - Lesley Roy
"Amen" - Ana Soklič
"Beautiful" - Jean Michel
"Everything Is Alright" - Mike Tramp
"Hvileløse Hjerter" - Nanna Olivia
"Silver Bullet" - The Cosmic Twins
"Grande Amore" - Il Volo
"Circles and Squares" - Måns Zelmerlöw and Polina Gagarina
"Contagious" - Mustasch
"All Inclusive" - Sannex
"Allting är precis likadant" - lovad
"Good Life" - Tess Merkel
"Bailá Bailá" - Alvaro Estrella
"The Silence" - Frida Green
"Rena rama ding dong" - Eva Rydberg and Ewa Roos
"Best Of Me" - Efraim Leo
"O Meu Coração Não Tem Cor" - Lúcia Moniz
"Contramão" - Sara Afonso
"Joana do Mar" - Joana Alegre
"Karma" (Eurovision edit) - Anxhela Peristeri
"Let Me Be The One" - The Shadows
Bear in mind, this is the quiet week of the last four before the Head Of Delegation Meeting on March 15th! Lots of music from the National Finals I hadn't covered totally, Denmark and Sweden especially - as for Portugal, I might cover that after the mad rush to reveal all the Eurovision entries has finished! Talking of Eurovision entries, I'll do my usual review and give you my thoughts on them all - five this time (yes, "Karma" has improved a lot so it is only fair to chat about that again) and I'll cover them in the order they appeared...
CYPRUS : Elena Tsagkrinou - "El Diablo"
Cyprus have obviously decided that providing the Eurovision fandom with a banger each Contest is the way to go and "El Diablo" is no different. If we get something like that as the live performance (minus the product placing, of course), Elena will be one of the more engaging artists in 2021. She can obviously move and dance as befitting a modern pop star, but in a way that could allow her to sing to her fullest if repeated for Eurovision. The song itself is a very stereotypical banger - mainly about the thumping beats to keep you hooked, rather than this being a great lyrical masterpiece:
Tonight we gonna burn in a party
We wild as fire that’s on the loose
Hotter than sriracha on our bodies
T- taco - tamale - ya that’s my mood
All this spicy melts my icy edges baby it’s true
Tonight we gonna burn in a party
It’s heaven in hell with you
Mama mama cita
Tell me what to do
Lola lola loca
I’m breaking the rules
I fell in love I fell in love I gave my heart to El Diablo El Diablo
I gave it up I gave it up because he tells me I’m his angel, I’m his angel
Oh, El Diablo, El Diablo
I fell in love I fell in love I gave my heart to El Diablo, El Diablo
Tonight we gonna dance in the moonlight
Droppin’ our lashes on the floor
Hair flip flip made ya look twice
Touch me touch me mi amor
All this spicy melts my icy edges baby for sure
Tonight we gonna dance in the moonlight
And then we gonna do it some more
Mama mama cita
Tell me what to do
Lola lola loca
I’m breaking the rules
I fell in love I fell in love I gave my heart to El Diablo El Diablo
I gave it up I gave it up because he tells me I’m his angel, I’m his angel
Oh, El Diablo, El Diablo
I fell in love I fell in love I gave my heart to El Diablo, El Diablo
I love El Diablo
I love El Diablo
I love El Diablo
I fell in love I fell in love I gave my heart to El Diablo El Diablo
I gave it up I gave it up because he tells me I’m his angel, I’m his angel
Oh, El Diablo, El Diablo
I fell in love I fell in love I gave my heart to El Diablo, El Diablo
I love El Diablo
El Diablo
The one interesting thing about the sung part of this song is the backing of children singing "I Love El Diablo", purely from the point of the under 16 rule that has been in place for years. I assume that as backing vocals can now be pre-recorded without them being on stage, is it 'anything goes'? In the past, children's vocals on the studio version would have had to be sung by someone 16+ on stage (I'm thinking of "Teenage Life" specifically) - one more rule that quietly disappears. As a song for the Contest, I am impressed with what I have heard so far - Elena is dynamic and draws the eye, the track sticks in your head and I could see this closing SF1 on 18th May. Cyprus do have some competition for the 'banger stakes' in that half of the draw though - Albina's "Tick-Tock" is also in that batch of 9, so the producers will be looking to keep them apart. As we don't have a live performance yet to judge, I can only say that if the video vocals and performance can be matched, Cyprus should be back in the Final again, keeping their run going since Eleni in 2018. What is guaranteed is that this will be a staple of Euroclub nights out for years to come - Elena has a definite audience there!
GERMANY : Jendrik - "I Don't Feel Hate"
Germany, like the UK, have a reputation for playing it safe, sending good singers with average songs and performances - that is definitely not the case this year! And I am referring to the average bits - Jendrik was on the NDR Talkshow with Barbara Schöneberger (please can Germany win Eurovision in the near future so this incredible woman can host the Contest?) and he proved he can sing perfectly with a slowed down shortened version of "I Don't Feel Hate". The song itself is a delight and fits with his friend's middle finger costume perfectly:
I don’t feel hate
I just feel sorry
you feel so very clever whenever you find another way to wear me down
But I don’t feel hate
I just feel sorry
so you can wiggle with that middle finger it’ll never wiggle back to you
’cause i don’t feel
sorry
I really don’t care that you want to bash me
do it with flair and I’ll let you be
(I’ll let you be common Eileen)
but don’t you dare, mmm, to get angry when you realise those words just don’t hit me (whaaat?)
Cause I don’t feel hate
I just feel sorry
you feel so very clever whenever you find another way to wear me down
But I don’t feel hate
I just feel sorry
so you can wiggle with that middle finger it’ll never wiggle back to you
’cause i don’t feel
hate
sorry
I really don’t mind to be your rival
cause for your kind it’s essential for survival (say what)
(he did not just say that)
yes I did, and I feel sorry, I don’t feel hate, that’s the whole point of the song
I guess you need patronization
as some kind of validation:
you won’t cope with the frustration
that your random me-fixation
is another affirmation
that you’re just a hateful person who’s not really better than me!
(I don’t feel hate)
I don’t feel hate
(I just feel sorry)
I just feel sorry
(you feel so very clever whenever you find another way to wear me down)
Meine Damen und Herren das war’s mit “I Don’t Feel Hate” ich hoffe Sie haben noch ein derbe
nices Leben und bis bald.
(but I don’t feel hate)
No no no no
(I just feel sorry)
I just feel sorry
(you feel so very clever whenever you find another way to wear me down)
don’t wear me down
(I don’t feel hate)
I don’t feel hate
(I just feel sorry)
I just feel sorry
(so you can wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle you)
wiggle wiggle wiggle you
‘cause I Don’t feel
All about ignoring toxicity online and of course the more rabid members of the Eurovision fandom went exactly to type to try to abuse him! I'd have just cut and paste the lyrics and replied like that, to be honest - no need for abuse of this guy from 'keyboard warriors'. The writing is witty and current, just reading it makes me smile and that is what Jendrik is all about - having fun, something he did with his first 'live performance' on 'Schlagerchampions 2021':
Performance spot on but it was patently obvious that it was all playback and he was lip synching (not very well at times). I got the feeling that Jendrik was testing just how much he could do visually AND sing normally - as an example, he now knows that he can't throw his ukelele in the air and catch it in time to start singing again! Having said that, if he can get to a happy medium where he can perform in a way that allows him to sing spot on live, Jendrik will have one of THE hits of the night in Rotterdam. "I Don't Feel Hate" will be that breath of fresh air, that piece of entertaining fun, something to either smile and laugh with him or (if you are unkind) laugh at him. Either way, given the current circumstances of what is going on in the world, a three minute performance that is uplifting, catchy and visually spectacular might at least get Germany a decent televote score. As for the juries, I think that they will at least appreciate the lyrical intelligence of the song itself and give some points to Jendrik. The main pity is that he gets his chance in an era of social restriction - I am convinced that he would be a fandom and press darling at the promo parties, and might even get a following among tv shows across Europe, due to his personality and the song's theme. I enjoy this a lot - where it finishes on Final night will depend a lot on the live vocals, something we have yet to experience. I don't think that this will be bottom five, perhaps more a solid mid table for Germany, and I think that Jendrik and the German fans would be happy with that. One thing is for certain - this WILL be one of 2021's highlights, one way or another...
IRELAND : Lesley Roy - "Maps"
There is more to this year's song than "Story Of My Life" from 2020 and I get the feeling that twelve months of planning have definitely gone into "Maps". This sounds more her style of music and singing, something that connects far better with her emotionally too - it is not often that you see the natural passion that Lesley shows in a video from many other artists. Reading the lyrics, you can sense that this lady means every word she sings, wanting to connect again with Ireland, after being away for so long...
I'm gonna let go of the armor
Let off the power that I've been lighting
Not afraid of the monsters, of the nightmares
That I've been fighting
Easy to run, harder to stay
Finding colors in the grey
You thought I was done
But I've gotta go on
I fell twice, now I'm twice as strong
I've been searching all the wrong places
I've been trying too many faces
Only one way to go
This is the way back home
I've been searching all the wrong places
I've been trying too many faces
Only one way to go
This is the way back home
I had to take all of the wrong ways
All of the wrong ways
As I couldn't see
All the signs, all the mistakes
Pointing one way to get back to me
Easy to run, harder to stay
Finding colors in the grey
You thought I was done
But I've gotta go on
I fell twice, now I'm twice as strong
I've been searching all the wrong places
I've been trying too many faces
Only one way to go
This is the way back home
I've been searching all the wrong places
I've been trying too many faces
Only one way to go
This is the way back home
My soul is a map, my heart is a compass
I am the road
There's only one way to go
This is the way back home
My soul is a map, my heart is a compass
I am the road
There's only one way to go
This is the way back home
I've been searching all the wrong places
I've been trying too many faces
Only one way to go
This is the way back home
I've been searching all the wrong places
I've been trying too many faces (I've been trying)
Only one way to go
This is the way back home
"Maps" needs a closer listen than "Story Of My Life" which was more instant, more of a sing-a-long track - Lesley's 2021 entry tells a story, gives you a beginning/middle/end like a book, and I feel that I know more about her through listening to it. The only downside to having this structure and complexity is that some listeners might need 'another go' to pick everything up, not the best thing for a Eurovision song sometimes. Having said that, Lesley's performance WILL make up for that - she was on The Late Late Show, not always the best place for live music, but watching her give a show was the name of the game:
Being outdoors meant no live vocals (February on a roof, right?) but Lesley was incredible to watch - the passionate delivery and the sheer delight she showed afterwards as Ryan Tubridy wrapped up the piece (with his understated Irish charm) was clear to see. If that is similar to how "Maps" will be staged for Rotterdam, I cannot see Lesley having any issues with producing a perfect vocal alongside that performance and getting the votes in from juries and public. It comes across when an artist believes in their song and is happy where they are in life and this is where Ireland 2021 is at. Again, I will be cautious and wait for a live vocal to go alongside the visuals but I would be not only looking for an Irish show in the Final but also a decent result too. One of the other positives for Lesley was her clear reverence for the 'Stars of the Past' on the same show - Linda Martin, Niamh Kavanagh, Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan were all there too, giving a lovely introduction to the Eurovision show with a medley:
"Maps" is one of the best Irish entries of the 21st Century in my opinion and being in the first half of SF1 is a positive, being kept away from the bangers and up-tempo tracks of the second half. Well done to Lesley for being true to herself and for coming up with a competitive track that will do her nation proud...
SLOVENIA : Ana Soklič - "Amen"
One thing is clear - "Amen" IS a ballad, admittedly a gospel one, but still of that genre. I was hoping a bit for maybe something jazz or R'n'B, as those are areas that Ana excels in but having said that, gospel can be viewed as a musical pathway to soul and blues, so this entry does tick those boxes for me. It has worked at Eurovision too, "Love Shine A Light" and "Nobody But You" are both examples of a gospel sound striking a chord with the viewers. "Amen" is very spiritual in its composition and lyrical content, something that appeals to Ana, if you have seen her interviews...
Hey child
Why ya hidin' from the light?
Why ya cowering in fright?
Don't tell yourself the Heavens cast you out
And you've fallen from grace
You'll get beaten and bruised
You'll be scarred unto your core
But it's gonna make you who you are
When ya learn to heal
When ya learn to rise again
You can tell the sun, "Amen"
Hallelujah
We're glorious
Hallelujah
The day is dawning
The storm's relentless
But everybody knows
Everybody knows we'rе born to the fight
Hey child
The fеar will never go away
Might as well accept it now
Learn to persevere (Ah, ah)
Oh, learn to count your blessings down
Greet the future with, "Amen"
Hallelujah
We're glorious
Hallelujah
The day is dawning
The storm's relentless
But everybody knows
Everybody knows we're born to the fight
Not until the rain has stopped
Not until the thunder's hushed
Are we at rest?
Are we at peace? Just imagine it
Not until the storm has passed
Not until it's quiet
Can the heart that's broken cry
Hallelujah
We're glorious
(Hallelujah) Oh, yeah
The day is dawning
The storm's relentless
But everybody knows
Everybody knows we're born to the fight
"Amen" reads like an evangelical hymn, a rousing anthem to motivate its listeners and its singers - the use of a gospel choir is perfect here and 2021 allows that to happen. No idea how many gospel singers make up that backing vocal but as Ana says, when they chime in, it is like the heavens are opening. It is obvious that Ana is delighted to be singing this song and her belief in the lyrics and the music is obvious throughout the entry itself. My thoughts on this? For some reason, I just think that it could have all gone a bit bigger - Ana is at 100% already but I felt that the music could have been more epic, the backing in their individual parts more powerful. I feel a bit short changed in a way - this could have been a spine tingling performance and yet the EMA show was all very subdued, the flames a bit meaningless and the lighting not just on Ana herself. Make her the focus and have the backing as a 'heavenly choir' (seeing you can't fit them all on the Eurovision stage), ramp up the volume and Slovenia could be on their way to a jury favourite. As it was on Saturday, I could see this nation returning to their 'SF only' status, which would be a real shame, given the vocal talents that they have to use in the form of Ana Soklič. She is an artist I will always follow now but it would be watching her online jazz/soul sessions - gospel music is obviously a love of hers but as it is, "Amen" is not one of my favourites this season. It was the first track not to go into my top ten (admittedly as of Saturday 28th, there were only 14) and the SECHUK Jury scores I gave it were:
Vocal Capability 5.0/5
Stage Performance 3.0/5
Composition / Originality 2.5/5
Overall Impression 2.5/5
Score 13.0/20 (6.5)
Incredible voice but the stage performance score is all Ana at the moment - there is a lot of room for improvement visually. Here's hoping that the Slovenian stage director can help out on that score...
ALBANIA : Anxhela Peristeri - "Karma" (REVAMP)
The positives flow from this entry now - it is still in Albanian which I am delighted about, Eugent and Jonida seemingly having done enough with their recent results to instil confidence in their delegation about singing in their native tongue at Eurovision. Despite my never understanding that language, the revamp has now made this sound like a definite story from start to end and that is all to do with the music. It now sounds distinctive, it has influences of the Adriatic, of Albania, a mix between tradition and pumping modern beats that help push the lyrics of "Karma" into my head at least. We all knew that Anxhela could sing and now she has the assistance of a superb musical track - as long as the staging matches the video, in as far as it is all focussed on her and no distractions like meaningless dancers, Albania now have a fighting chance of a Final place. My SECHUK Jury rating is a mix of the FiK and the video, taking the vocal and staging from FiK, together with the other ratings from the video...
Vocal Capability 4.5/5
Stage Performance 2.5/5
Composition / Originality 4.0/5
Overall Impression 3.5/5
Score 14.5/20 (7.0)
A jump from 6.0 to 7.0 and it can only get better (surely?) with a better staging - at the moment there is nothing like "Karma" in SF2, so that could help with the memorability of the entry too (although Anxhela herself will be enough for some viewers). It is nice to have a successful revamp from Albania for a change...
The entries are coming thick and fast now - I know of the following that you will hear in show 134 next Tuesday, and I say 'know' as some of the internals seem to spring up at a day's notice:
ROMANIA : ROXEN (above) - "Amnesia"
BELGIUM : Hooverphonic - "The Wrong Place"
THE NETHERLANDS : Jeangu Macrooy - "Birth Of A New Age"
MOLDOVA : Natalia Gordienko - "Sugar"
AUSTRALIA : Montaigne - "Technicolour"
SERBIA : Hurricane - "Loco Loco"
ESTONIA : Winner of Eesti Laul 2021
DENMARK : Winner of DMGP 2021
PORTUGAL : Winner of Festival da Canção 2021
ITALY : Someone from Sanremo
RUSSIA : National Final?
SAN MARINO : Senhit
Not sure how much time will be left for anything else, although I do plan to play the rest of the Andra Chansen acts, so that should account for about four more songs? You'll have to tune in to find out who that will be - there should be at least 20-30 seconds for these guys though...
When all of the 2021 mad rush has quietened down,
I'll play "Let Me Be The One" in full again...
PROMISE!