Could we be seeing Eurovision history being made?
Might we see San Marino get their first top ten finish?
Will Senhit be pumping the adrenaline?
Now we all knew that Senhit was going to be singing for San Marino last year and she was one of the earliest artists to be declared for 2021 - what we didn't know until a month ago was who MIGHT be joining her. For all that, keep reading but I am sticking to my chronological reviews of all this year's entries - first stop is to the National Final that in 2020 showed us what an 'empty arena' show would look like, fingers crossed that 14 months later we will get some fans inside the Ahoy to stop that happening again...
DENMARK : Fyr & Flamme - "Øve Os På Hinanden"
Like almost all of the Scandis, Denmark went with the tried and tested method of choosing their artist for 2021. Dansk Melodi Grand Prix has been the way of selecting Denmark's entry for years and it proved successful for BEN & TAN in March 2020 with the hypnotically catchy "YES". They did not end up in the line up this year - partly due to their dithering initially by saying that they weren't interested and then actually submitting a song for the process that ended up being rejected. A shame but we will always have that earworm from the Royal Copenhagen Arena - as it was, we had what sounded like a fairly average set of tracks for the DMGP 2021 Final but once on stage, the pre-show favourite came alive in a very surprisingly pleasing way, at least for me. Fyr & Flamme are the duo's name - they are not a Freddie Mercury/Andy Bell tribute act, believe me...
As a studio track, "Øve Os På Hinanden" did really very little for me - an 80s inspired track in Danish didn't really set the world alight. The trigger for my fascination for this entry from Denmark was that National Final performance - from the moment Jesper strides into the stage area and onto his podium, I knew that there was going to be something special to see! Some might say that the whole choreography was corny and pastiche, or just OTT and bizarre - I found his staging quite endearing, emotional and even passionate in a small way. Laurits provided the stability on the other podium, being there for Jesper to return to during his performance and accompanying him to stage front at the end, as a friend. Little things away from the pair were nice touches too, with a focus on the keyboard player and those two episodes of the backing singers clapping in time, a bit like the Sanremo orchestra providing the "Alé" for Francesco during "Occidentali's Karma". Jesper was definitely over the top with his gestures and the use of the 'bottomless mic' like Freddie Mercury could have been viewed as cliché but I saw it more as a tribute to the great singer. Now the lyrics are obviously Danish - the entry will stay that way so here they are:
Tiden er gået i stå
Hva' er det, vi venter på?
Dine øjne si'r det samme som mine
Så jeg sætter i et dansetrin
Jeg har øvet på hjemmefra
Og be'r til min skaber, at de griber mig
(Et dansegulv)
Rivaler spænder ben og fører krig
(På et, på et dansegulv)
Men hvis du ikke slipper mig, så letter vi
Ingen ved, hvordan man gør
Så lad os øve os på hinanden
Lige om lidt er vi to voksnе
Du er kvinden, jeg еr manden
Hele gulvet er gået fra forstanden
La' os øve på hinanden
Tiden er gået i stå
Din kjole er lyseblå
Du si'r noget, jeg ikk' ka' høre, mens rytmen kører
(På et dansegulv)
Hvor hjerter svulmer op og går itu
(På et danse-dansegulv)
Vi bli'r aldrig mere levende end lige nu
Ingen ved, hvordan man gør
Så lad os øve os på hinanden
Lige om lidt er vi to voksne
Du er kvinden, jeg er manden
Hele gulvet er gået fra forstanden
La' os øve på hinanden
Et dansegulv hvor hjerter svulmer op og går itu
Vi bli'r aldrig mere levende end lige her og nu
Hele gulvet er gået fra forstanden
La' os øve på hinanden
Ingen ved, hvordan man gør
Så lad os øve os på hinanden
Lige om lidt er vi to voksne
Du er kvinden, jeg er manden
Hele gulvet er gået fra forstanden
La' os øve på hinanden
The translation for completeness...
Time has stopped
What is it we’re waiting for?
Your eyes are saying the same thing as mine
So I start dancing
I’ve practiced it at home
And I pray to my creator that it takes hold of me(A dancefloor)
Rivals stretch their legs and wage war
(On a dancefloor)
But if you don’t let go of me, then we rise
No one knows how it’s done
So let’s practice on each other
Soon we’re two adults
You’re the woman, I’m the man
The whole floor has lost its mind
Let’s practice on each other
Time has stopped
Your dress is light blue
You say something, I can’t hear while the rhythm is going
(On a dancefloor)
Where hearts swell and break in two
(On a dance-dancefloor)
We’ll never be more alive than right now
No one knows how it’s done
So let’s practice on each other
Soon we’re two adults
You’re the woman, I’m the man
The whole floor has lost its mind
Let’s practice on each other
A dancefloor where hearts swell and break in two
We’ll never be more alive than right here and now
The whole floor has lost its mind
Let’s practice on each other
No one knows how it’s done
So let’s practice on each other
Soon we’re two adults
You’re the woman, I’m the man
The whole floor has lost its mind
Let’s practice on each other
As a non-Dane, hearing this language at Eurovision again for a WHOLE song will be amazing (Leonora dipped into it in Tel Aviv with "Love Is Forever") and it adds to the overall package - knowing what Jesper and Laurits are singing about would detract from the performance, in my opinion! My thoughts on the Danish entry with my Jury hat on was this:
Vocal Capability 4.0/5
Stage Performance 4.5/5
Composition / Originality 3.5/5
Overall Impression 4.0/5
Score 16.0/20 (8.0)
This has been given the honour of closing out SF2, after the run of VICTORIA, Blind Channel, Samanta Tīna and Gjon's Tears - there really is nothing like "Øve Os På Hinanden" at Eurovision this year and the placing in the viewing order should clinch a Final placing for Fyr & Flamme easily. As for the Final? This could soar into the Top Ten if the 'chessiness' clicks with the non-fans who will be the vast majority watching on Final night or sink into lower table obscurity otherwise. This might be viewed as a nod to Eurovision of old and for a lot of viewers, that familiarity might give Denmark a very unexpected result. I can imagine Graham Norton's comments even now...
Yes, this isn't the Sanremo footage, as RAI are one of the few broadcasters who delight in wiping the slate clean (literally) by removing all traces of the winning performance in Italy off YouTube and social media, leaving one minute's worth on their website. Their show at Sanremo was an incredibly raw and intense performance (as most of the band's gigs seem to be), with outfits specifically worn for the Final, different to their suits which is a common look for them...
Loro non sanno di che parlo
Vestiti sporchi, fra', di fango
Giallo di siga fra le dita
Io con la siga camminando
Scusami, ma ci credo tanto
Che posso fare questo salto
E anche se la strada è in salita
Per questo ora mi sto allenando
Buonasera, signore e signori
Fuori gli attori
Vi conviene non fare più errori
Vi conviene stare zitti e buoni
Qui la gente è strana tipo spacciatori
Troppe notti stavo chiuso fuori
Mo' li prendo a calci 'sti portoni
Sguardo in alto tipo scalatori
Quindi scusa mamma se sto sempre fuori, ma
Sono fuori di testa, ma diverso da loro
E tu sei fuori di testa, ma diversa da loro
Siamo fuori di testa, ma diversi da loro
Siamo fuori di testa, ma diversi da loro
Io ho scritto pagine e pagine, ho visto sale poi lacrime
Questi uomini macchine non scalare le rapide
Ho scritto sopra una lapide, in casa mia non c'è Dio
Ma se trovi il senso del tempo risalirai dal tuo oblio
E non c'è vento che fermi la naturale potenza
Dal punto giusto di vista, del vento senti l'ebbrezza
Con ali in cera alla schiena ricercherò quell'altezza
Se vuoi fermarmi ritenta, prova a tagliarmi la testa perché
Sono fuori di testa, ma diverso da loro
E tu sei fuori di testa, ma diversa da loro
Siamo fuori di testa, ma diversi da loro
Siamo fuori di testa, ma diversi da loro
Parla, la gente purtroppo parla
Non sa di che cosa parla
Tu portami dove sto a galla
Che qui mi manca l'aria
Parla, la gente purtroppo parla
Non sa di che cosa parla
Tu portami dove sto a galla
Che qui mi manca l'aria
Parla, la gente purtroppo parla
Non sa di che cosa parla
Tu portami dove sto a galla
Che qui mi manca l'aria
Ma sono fuori di testa, ma diverso da loro
E tu sei fuori di testa, ma diversa da loro
Siamo fuori di testa, ma diversi da loro
Siamo fuori di testa, ma diversi da loro
Noi siamo diversi da loro
They don’t know what I am talkin’ about
Dirty clothes, bro, muddy clothes
Yellow ‘cig stains on my finger
I am walkin’ with my ‘cig
Excuse me, but I truly believe
That I can make this jump
And even if the road is uphill
That’s why I am training now
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen
Bring out the actors
You’d better not make anymore mistakes
You’d better be quiet and behave
Around here, there are strange people-like dealers
Too many nights I've spent locked outside
Now I'm kicking these doors
Eyes up like climbers
So excuse me mum if I'm always out, but
I'm out of my mind, but different from them
And you are out of your mind, but different from them
We are out of our minds, but different from them
We are out of our minds, but different from them
I've written pages and pages, I've seen the salt then the tears
These machine-men not climbing the rapids
I’ve written on a tombstone, in my house there's no God
But if you find the sense of time you'll climb out of your oblivion
And there's no wind stopping the natural power
From the right point of view you feel the thrill of the wind
With wax wings on my back I'll seek that high
If you want to stop me try again, try cutting my head off because
I'm out of my mind, but different from them
And you are out of your mind, but different from them
We are out of our minds, but different from them
We are out of our minds, but different from them
They talk, unfortunately people talk
They don't know what they talk about
You, bring me where I stay afloat
Cause here i can’t breathe
They talk, unfortunately people talk
They don't know what they are talkin’ about
You, bring me where I stay afloat
Cause here I can’t breathe
They talk, unfortunately people talk
They don't know what they are talkin’ about
You, bring me where I stay afloat
Cause here I can’t breathe
But I'm out of my mind, but different from them
And you are out of your mind, but different from them
We are out of our minds, but different from them
We are out of our minds, but different from them
We're different from them
There was one lewd expression and a naughty swear word that had to be lost from the original - the changes have been so minor that you would no idea that anything had been altered at all. Most listeners will not have experienced Italian glam rock before and on the face of it, "Zitti E Buoni" sounds totally different to any other Italian Eurovision entry there has ever been - this entry is less about the lyrics and more about the music, the implementation of the sound, the energy of all four performers and the believable intensity of this group when performing. They definitely impressed me:
Vocal Capability 4.5/5
Stage Performance 4.5/5
Composition / Originality 4.0/5
Overall Impression 5.0/5
Score 18.0/20 (9.0)
Italian entries either grab me and make me love them or they have no meaning or soul - this track is one of my favourite Italian entries ever and I would love to see it give Italy only their third win. In a year of bangers and the occasional intense ballad, glam rock stands out and I am already looking forward to what Måneskin will be wearing - I am 99% certain that there will be no difference in how this sounds or how the four of them perform this. For that, I am truly glad and fingers crossed that the jurors and viewers see this the same way. Of course, the chances of the 2022 Contest being hosted somewhere in Italy could be doubled in 2021...
SAN MARINO : Senhit - "Adrenalina"
Yes, you read that right - the nation of Italy having two chances of hosting 2022. San Marino mentioned in the same breath as the nation that geographically surrounds it is unheard of, at least as far as chances to win or get a good Final placing. Valentina took multiple goes to get to the Eurovision Final, Serhat two attempts - can Senhit make it with her second trip too? To be honest, getting to sing on Friday and Saturday in Eurovision week should be the very least achievable with this entry...
Regular listeners to the show and readers of the accompanying articles will know that I have been following Senhit's #freaktriptorotterdam all year and I have said from an early stage in that process that I could see her and San Marino making the Final this year quite easily. Having heard that song and seeing that Flo Rida might be involved somehow makes that a given for me now - the visuals are incredible as per usual when Lucas Tommassini is involved (and he will be the one setting up how their entry looks in the Ahoy) and the song is amazing, by far the best of the bangers in how this sounds and the lyrics too:
I’m burnin up with affliction
Come gimme your full attention
I want you to tame my fire now
Who-o-o-o-oh
Can’t move without your eyes on me
It’s like my body’s yours only
So baby don’t leave me lonely now
Who-o-o-o-oh
We’re like fire and gasoline
Come and light it up with me
So high on ADRENALINE
You’re my ADRENALINA!
Just one touch and I’ll ignite
I’m a flame I’m dynamite
So high on ADRENALINE
You’re my ADRENALINA!
Oh oh oh - this place so fancy
Let’s go and light up this city
You’re close enough but I need you closer
Who-o-o-o-oh
You got me to this point- don’t let go
No I’m not leaving not without yo
You know and you know I kno-o-ow
(You know I know)
We’re like fire and gasoline
Come and light it up with me
So high on ADRENALINE
You’re my ADRENALINA!
Just one touch and I’ll ignite
I’m a flame I’m dynamite
So high on ADRENALINE
You’re my ADRENALINA!
Flo Rida
Senhit
she got adrenalina
Step in the party
Cause she know to do my body like hot coals
Gasoline, kerosene, stop drop roll
I can’t blame it on the stove
911 when she is coming down the pole
Yeaaa we like flames when we touch
Can’t get enough
We get ignited so excited
You can feel the rush
Like cloud fire, more fire
When we in the club
Put out my lighter I got the heat
She got me burning up
So hot look at it steams up
We got the blaze so we in inferno when we team up
Hot spot, hot girl have you seen her
We up in smoke, fireworks adrenalina
We’re like fire and gasoline
Come and light it up with me
So high on ADRENALINE
You’re my ADRENALINA!
Just one touch and I’ll ignite
I’m a flame I’m dynamite
So high on ADRENALINE
You’re my ADRENALINA!
Just one touch and I’ll ignite
I’m a flame I’m dynamite
So high on ADRENALINE
You’re my ADRENALINA!
The song alone hits you from the very first beat of the music, the very first word that Senhit sings and it all screams MODERN, CONTEMPORARY, CHART HIT. This isn't what we are used to with entries from San Marino or indeed anywhere else when it comes to this type of song. Senhit has superb stage presence and dressed as she is in the video, with the black outfit that she has appeared in with other performances, she will stand out a mile from many of the other entries. The video is bright and vivid visually, well choreographed and engaging - obviously there will be limits on what can be transported to the Ahoy stage but using the same guy for that as these videos means that we have a pretty good idea that anything we see will grab our intention from the start.
If Flo Rida can be there in the Ahoy too then that is a massive bonus when you involve the public - a massive US rap star at Eurovision? That will be a huge talking point, especially when Senhit has the honour of opening SF2 - everything from then on will be compared to her and if she nails it, expect this to be the highest placed 'bop' of any song this year. This song is one that I can play again and again - it makes me smile and I would be delighted for San Marino to not only qualify but make it into the top ten in the Final. Given the firepower they have this year, finishing lower down the scoreboard may almost be a disappointment...
RUSSIA : Manizha - "Russian Woman"
Given that right up until the National Final started, we had no clue as to who was performing and there was still the rumour that this might even be a 'pick a song for Little Big' show, there was little on offer from the three acts, at least for me. Comparing Manizha's full on staging to the others, I could see why she made it through but this is really a song in Russian, about Russian's, for Russians. Foreign language hip hop at Eurovision, on the whole, struggles to find an audience (bar Mahmood's "Soldi") and the song itself did not connect with me at all lyrically, even when translated:
Поле поле поле
Я ж мала
Поле поле поле
Так мала
Как пройти по полю из огня
Как пройти по полю если ты одна?
А-а-а?
Ждать ли чьей-то ручечки, ручки?
А-а-а?
Кто подаст мне ручку девочки?
Из покон веков
С ночи до утра
С ночи-ночи
Ждем мы корабля
Ждем мы корабля
Очень очень
С ночи до утра
Ждем мы корабля
Ждем бы корабля
А что ждать?
Встала и пошла.
Every Russian Woman
Needs to know
You're strong enough to bounce against the wall
Шо там хорохорится?
Ой, красавица?
Ждешь своего юнца?
Ой, красавица
Тебе уж за 30
Ало? Где же дети?
Ты в целом красива
Но вот бы похудеть бы
Надень подлиннее
Надень покороче
Росла без отца
Делай то, что не хочешь
Ты точно не хочешь?
Не хочешь?
А надо.
Послушайте, правда.
Мы с вами не стадо
Вороны пщ-щ-щ пыщ-щ-щ
Отвалите
Теперь зарубите себе на носу
Я вас не виню
А себя я чертовски люблю
Борются, борются
Все по кругу борются
Да не молятся
Сын без отца
Дочь без отца
Но сломанной FAMILY
Не сломать меня
Fields, fields, fields
I’m so small
Fields, fields, fields
I’m too small
How do You cross a field thru the fire?
How do you cross the field if you’re alone?
Heeeey?
Should I wait for a helpful hand?
Whaaat?
Who will stretch out for me, girls?
For ages now
From night till dawn
From the deepest of the night
We are waiting for a ship
A Sailing ship
Waiting very much
From night till dawn
Waiting for a ship
Waiting for a ship
But what’s the wait?
Stand up, let’s go!
Every Russian Woman
Needs to know
You're strong enough to bounce against the wall
What’s the rattling about?
Hey, beauty!
Are you waiting for your Prince?
Hey, beauty!
You’re 30!
Hello? Where are your kids?
You are cute overall
But should lose some weight
Wear something longer
Wear something shorter
Oh you grew up without a father?
You should do what you don’t want to
You sure you’d don’t want to?
Don’t want to?
You SHOULD!
Listen up, really!
We’re not a flock
Hey, crows, shoo!
Leave me alone (give me a break)
Now learn it by heart:
I don’t blame you a bit
But damn do I like myself
They just fight, always fight
Go round and round to just fight
But never pray
Boy without a father
Girl with no dad
But this broken family
Can’t break me
As you all know, I judge these entries if possible on the first live listen - Manizha's vocals are great, the best bit about this entry, and the actual concept and music works well too. What totally left me cold is that staging and the rhythm of the whole package - the song is up and down, all over the place and the staging was absolutely bewildering. Once I had studied her career and what the song is about, the outfits and the lyrics make more sense but as we all know, most viewers will not have seen the performance before or heard the song. That is why these marks materialised:
Vocal Capability 4.5/5
Stage Performance 1.5/5
Composition / Originality 3.0/5
Overall Impression 1.0/5
Score 10.0/20 (5.0)
"RUSSIAN WOMAN" is my #39 this year, my bottom of the pack - normally reserved for someone who isn't the best singer but that doesn't apply here. It is all about the rest of the entry - this has such a negative impact on me that I regret saying that I really don't care if this makes the Final or not. I wish I could say otherwise as she has been treated so badly by Russian trolls and idiot politicians that I would love to fight her corner for this song. Manizha as a person is passionate, intelligent and will go far in music but her entry is the one that switches me off this year. I feel that many televoters, bar those who speak Russian, will view this as a 'comedy' entry or as a pseudo-political one (it does sound like that musically) and ignore it accordingly. Jurors might make allowances for her vocals and the contemporary nature of the genre she is selling us but I cannot imagine it will be enough to get Manizha to the Final. For whatever reason, Russia have decided to forego the clear qualification and possible win that Little Big might have given them, and return to 2018 with a probable DNQ. What a difference a year makes...
My personal positions for these four?
DENMARK 15th
ITALY 5th
SAN MARINO 13th
RUSSIA 39th
Måneskin are already in the Final as of right - I would expect to see Fyr & Flamme plus Senhit (and maybe Flo Rida) join them. If Manizha makes it too out of SF1 then a far more deserving entry will have missed out, in my humble opinion. So that is entries 25-28 done - next time we will have one of my tips for the 2021 crown, plus one that would have been a contender last year, not so much this. Join me for entries 29-32 in the next review article!