Holy Scandinavian goodness! This Norwegian-Swedish partnership is showing everybody how excellent pop songs should sound.
Although the lyrics aren’t as spot on as Röyksopp’s production, it does get a bit meta when Robyn sings “Wait for it, wait for the buildup” as if hinting at something big in the chorus. And the chorus does soar, and it continually builds up to the end.
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 season is coming to a close, and this Saturday is this year’s final. The top 10 from each semi-final, the big 5 (UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), and last year’s winner, Denmark battle it out for the Eurovision trophy.
These are my top 10 songs for Saturday’s final:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQZYHGAuT8Q
Do you agree with these choices? Who are your favorites?
It’s that time once again for one of the biggest television shows in Europe — The Eurovision Song Contest 2014.
2014 seems to be the year of the raspy female solo vocalist with a rock-ish song. There also seems to be a deluge of ballads this year.
Here is how I rank the songs this year starting with my current favorite:
1. Hungary: Kállay-Saunders – Running
One of the more polished songs this year. If this gets to the final (which I hope it does), I predict this would get a lot of points from the UK (unfortunately, they’re not voting in the first semi-final). Hungary is on a good streak for picking good songs.
2. Armenia: Aram mp3 – Not Alone
Just when you thought it’s your regular ballad, it builds up to this massive electronic orchestra in the end. It doesn’t follow the normal structure of verse-chorus-verse-bridge-chorus, and I like it.
3. Poland: Donatan & Cleo – My Słowianie
One of the better “fusion” songs in the contest. Song sounds something that Cher Lloyd might sing. This is my jam.
4. Sweden: Sanna Nielsen – Undo
The best ballad in the competition. (Maybe save for the U-u-u-undo my sad line in the chorus. What is a sad?) Lyrically, it has the same content as Roar (weird, right?). I do have one suggestion for Copenhagen: her stylist should go all-out Elsa from Frozen on her and have her wear a sparkly ice white gown.
5. Italy: Emma Marrone – La mia città
Really powerful vocals. I’ve been loving Italy’s entries in recent years. Weirdly, this reminds me of France’s entry last year. Probably the deep, raspy female vocals.
6. Norway: Carl Espen – Silent Storm
This song could very well be part of the Grey’s Anatomy soundtrack, ha! I like how it builds up from just vocals and piano to including an orchestra sound by the end.
7. United Kingdom: Molly – Children of the Universe
Whoa. Power to the people whoa oh oh oh. I think the UK has a chance at winning this after more than a decade’s drought. It looks like they’re taking the contest more seriously this year.
8. Denmark: Basim – Cliché Love Song
A pleasant interpretation of a Bruno Mars song. I have to say this guy has excellent vocals live. It needs a bigger, grander stage production if Denmark wants to clinch another win.
9. Montenegro: Sergej Cetkovic – Moj Svijet
Another good ballad. I did enjoy their entry last year, but this song here, I predict, would get better results in the semis. But is anybody else weirded out by the abrupt end of the song? I think it was supposed to be longer, but because of the 3-minute restriction, they just cut—
10. Azerbaijan: Dilara Kazimova – Start a Fire
Fifth ballad in a row for Azerbaijan. I’m waiting for how they’re going to do the staging for this song. This song reminds me of Nerina Pallot’s “Sophia” (and both mention fire a lot).
11. Finland: Softengine – Something Better
Sounds like a good pop-rock song with an uplifting(?) message. And they’re pretty cute to boot. The small changes in the newest version make the song something better.
12. Greece: Freaky Fortune ft Riskykidd – Rise Up
Of all the EDM/dance songs this year, this one’s the most Euro-sounding. The instrumental bits even have some traditional Greek music influence. The lyrics are standard for these put-your-hands-in-the-air songs so nothing to write home about it.
13. Spain: Ruth Lorenzo – Dancing in the Rain
Verses are a lot better than the chorus. The song sounds like something from Lara Fabian or Celine Dion. I kinda like the original version more because it had more Español.
14. Ukraine: Maria Yaremchuk – Tick-Tock
Talk about taking advantage of selecting a song early. I liked the original version which she sung in the national selection better. Vocals need a lot of polishing.
15. Macedonia: Tijana Dapcevic – To The Sky
I’ve been suffering (in a good way) of LSS from this song’s chorus. I’m glad that it’s gonna be sung in English.
Scroll on, there are 22 more.
16. Romania: Paula Seling & Ovi – Miracle
I have the same feeling for this as last year’s “Glorious” — a bit generic EDM pop, and a lot shout-y. By a slim chance, it would probably get to the final but not high up the ranks.
17. Austria: Conchita Wurst – Rise Like A Phoenix
Yes, it’s the bearded lady. Yes, her last name is “sausage.” But, this is a gorgeous James Bond-esque ballad. Massive sound.
18. Slovenia: Tinkara Kovač: Spet/Round and Round
It has the flute sound, like last year’s winner, but I think that’s where the similarities begin and end. It’s a nice folk-y midtempo ballad. However, the backing vocalist shouting at the back needs to calm down.
19. France: Twin Twin – Moustache
“Querria un bigote”? “I want a moustache”? What a weird song, but oddly catchy. Eurovision loves this cheesiness. What is up with these people’s Jedward hairdos?
20. Ireland: Can-Linn ft. Kasey Smith – Heartbeat
I’m sorry to be the naysayer here, but if “Only Love Survives” last year didn’t really appeal to the Eurovision watchers, then I don’t think this would help Ireland much this year. If this gets to the final, AND performs last this year, too, then it’ll be an upset for the nth year for Ireland.
21. Israel: Mei Finegold – Same Heart
I like the Hebrew verses better, maybe because I like the sound of the language. The production on this song is so… messy. There are too many layers that it sounds noisy.
22. San Marino: Valentina Monetta – Maybe
I like the Italian version better.
23. Netherlands: The Common Linnets – Calm After the Storm
This is the best sounding country/folk-ish song this year. I do feel though that this will drown in the sea of (better) ballads in the first semi-final.
24. Malta: Firelight – Coming Home
Mumford & Sons, anyone? It pains me to say that this entry isn’t as good as last year’s. Oh well. I hope Gianluca tries out for an entry again in the future.
25. Iceland: Pollapönk – No Prejudice
This sounds like it belongs in the 90’s. I love it, although I don’t understand one word. I’ve seen the title translated as “No Prejudices” so this might have quite meaningful lyrics too.
26. Estonia: Tanja – Amazing
This does a better job than last year’s “Glorious” at attempting to be the successor to “Euphoria.” I have to say I really like the dancing.
27. Albania: Hersi – One Night’s Anger
I really enjoy the darker ballads in Eurovision. The singer’s voice is haunting, which matches the mood of the instrumental just right. I liked it better in Albanian.
28. Russia: Tolmachevy Sisters – Shine
The production on this song sounds really dated.
29. Belgium: Alex Hirsoux – Mother
An okay ballad, but a bit too OTT for my taste.
30. Moldova: Cristina Scarlat – Wild Soul
If this would’ve been a straight-up ballad, then I think this would appeal to me more. It sounds like it’s trying to be “in” by adding the electronic stuff in it, instead of being a more meaningful addition.
31. Germany: Elaiza – Is It Right
I’ve seen a lot of other people that like this. I just can’t enjoy this song. I think the problems are the tempo and the seemingly extremely exaggerated enunciation. I also don’t get the comparisons to Pink.
32. Portugal: Suzy – Quero Ser Tua
Stuck in the 90’s. And I’ve seen a live performance — the vocals are not good.
33. Georgia: The Shin & Mariko – Three Minutes to Earth
“Rainbow bus.” That is all. But seriously, the first few seconds sounded nice. Then it sounded like three different songs haphazardly mashed up.
34. Switzerland: SEBalter – Hunter of Stars
Great instrumental and whistling. But the singing is pretty weak live.
35. Belarus: TEO – Cheesecake
The melody is so catchy. I like the late 90’s to early 00’s throwback. The lyrics though, especially that shoutout to Google Maps (they’ve removed it). Is he Belarus’ answer to Robin Thicke?
36. Lithuania: Vilija Matačiūnaitė – Attention
Umm. Where is the melody in this? Although the “I’m gonna make you, make you fall” part is kinda catchy. But seriously, where is the melody?
37. Latvia: Aarzemnieki – Cake to Bake
So is this only second to “MacArthur’s Park” as songs written about baking a cahe? This is weirdly catchy. “Mix some dough, add some love, let it bake, have some cake.” Truly profound. But in the context of Eurovision, this song isn’t so weird. Oh, and we have two songs with “cake” in the title.
What do you think? Do you agree? Who are your favorites this year?
1. Lauryn Hill – Doo Wop (That Thing)
One side you’re in the 60’s, on the other you’re in the 90’s. But it’s happening in the same block/neighborhood. All at once. And we have 2 decade-appropriately styled Lauryn Hills in the video.
2. Destiny’s Child – Emotion
Three different stories of heartbreak and loss that are seemingly unrelated, then in the end, we find out they’re all related. The best part is when the members switch screens. It also spawned this hilarious parody.
3. Kyla – Nasaan Ka Na (trans.: Where Are You Now)
I believe this local video was inspired by the previous one (and the next). This shows two sides of a relationship that has gone cold.
4. Cibo Matto – Sugar Water
This is my earliest memory of watching MTV (when it actually lived up to its name, by showing actual music videos) and going “OMG,” “WTF,” “How did they do that?” all at the same time. The left side runs normally, while the right side runs in reverse.
5. The Chemical Brothers – Let Forever Be
From the same director as above, Michel Gondry, the father of trippy music videos, makes IMO one of the trippiest videos of all time.
6. Two Door Cinema Club – Come Back Home
I’m pretty sure the director of this video was (at least, partly) inspired by Mr. Gondry. Its concept is somewhat like a mixture of the two previous ones.
7. Zedd – Stay The Night
The most recent video on the list, director Daniel “Cloud” Campos (he’s the dancing guy in it), makes clever use of light bulbs as a teleportation device — one minute you’re in your apartment, the next minute you’re in your significant other’s bed.
8. Kylie Minogue – Come Into My World
Also from Michel Gondry, IMO one of the best pop videos of all time. It’s fun watching the scene loop over and over and seeing the different little details that change. It’s also clever how all the Kylie’s seem to interact with each other and sing together during the chorus.