Spain - 2012

NOW THIS IS WHAT I CALL A BALLAD. Passionate, Emotional, Strong vocals, Lively, Moving...just some ways in which I would desribe Quedate Conmigo by Pastora Soler.

I have very little to say, other than the fact that this song is just beautiful. It shows all these other ballads how it's done. Bring it on Pastora Soler!

Will this win? Spain haven't been in the top 10 since 2004 and their last win was 1969. It's been a while. The only other ballads that I can see giving this trouble are Love Will Set You Free (UK) and When The Music Dies (Azerbaijan) (and possibly that Serbian bore, because of the fame of the artist). Luckily for Spain, both the UK and Azerbaijan will perform before hand. If the Icelandic entry is classed a ballad, then that will also be troublesome for Spain, but if Iceland and then Sweden both get poor draws for the final, then we could be well off to Spain next year. Seriously. I am going to suggest it, ESC in Spanish sun. This has the power of Molitva. I have now even gone that far.

Song Rating: 9/10
Liklihood to win: 9/10

Current odds: 20-1                     (oddschecker.com) (on average)

FYR Macedonia - 2012

Don't get me started, it's another ballad from a former Yugoslav country. Let's just say that.
FYR Macedonia have entered Kaliopi with Crno i belo.

People rate this song. People have voted for this song in the polls. They enjoy this. WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE? Nothing against the Macedonians, but I just really don't rate this. I think this is absolutely terrible. Yes, Kaliopi has a large fan base in her home country, and the former Yugoslav countries also rate her, but that will be the only thing getting votes as the song is just...so poor. Maybe it wouldn't be that poor if there were less ballads this year and I wasn't comparing it so some real standouts, but I just can't see how people enjoy listening to this. Sorry Kaliopi. Will it qualify? I bloody hope not, but then again, at least that would give me a toilet break during the ESC. Performing 2nd, to be followed by lots and lots of ballads and much better songs. Not going to qualify.

Song Rating: 1/10
Liklihood to win: 1/10

Current odds: 150-1                  (oddschecker.com) (on average)

Austria - 2012

Trackshittaz. Woki mit deim Popo.
Hilarious!

These two have well established themselves in Austria, and are starting to make a real impression on Europe! Haha. On first listen, I just love it. It's hilarious, and you can't avoid the laughter when hearing "F*** him in the popo". But listening again and again just makes me think more and more, what the actual f***!!!??!?!?!??? It really isn't that good. And they aren't that good as rappers. The talent isn't the best, but you have to admit, they really do bring it to the stage. And as I said, on first listen, I loved it. So there we are, most of the ESC audience will only hear this for the first time on the 22nd May, and if it qualifies, the 26th May. But will it qualify? Well, the song alone just feels so amateur and novelty-ish that I assume half will see it as joke act that isn't to be taken seriously. The other half will probably appreciate the humour, however, I am unsure if this will inspire them to vote. Especially after seeing the draw for the semi final... they may perform near the end, but at the very end are two boys who haven't just got national name recognition. They have popularity steadily growing fast througout Europe...and will definitely be remembered from last year. Trackshittaz vs Jedward is a tough one to call, but on face value this probably won't qualify. If it does, it really isn't the end of the world, and I will actually be quite looking forward to seeing my friends watch this for the first time during at our Eurovision party.

Song Rating: 4/10
Liklihood to win: 1/10

Current odds: 100-1                  (oddschecker.com)(on average)

Slovenia - 2012

Bloody hell it's come around fast! 8 days to go now and here is Slovenia 2012! This year is Eva Boto, singing the ballad "Verjamem".

Yes, you read it write... another, bloomin' BALLAD by a former Yugoslav country. Not that I'm complaining that much about Slovenia, cos this is a stormer! But don't think I'm THAT excited about Eva Boto, I seem to always skip this song even though I think it's a really good song. At just 16, Eva Boto may be unexperienced, but I think it's fair to say she neither looks like she's struggling through puberty and has a stage presence of that of an established star. Maybe that's a little too over-enthusiastic, and a little too biased, but you have to see where I'm coming from. I recently read a review of Verjamem, which said that it sounded like it should be used as the soundtrack during a medieval battle, and that did make me chuckle. Yes, I completely agree! Still though, Verjamem has to be regarded as a good song, which is much better than a lot of the other ballads entered for this year.

Slovenia in Eurovision? Recent history is poor. Top finish is 7th, which they have done twice since 1993,  but not once since 2001. Slovenia have qualified just twice to the final in the last 5 years, but I think this year, they will be able to do it again! Verjamem is much better than previous attempts in my opinion, and will perform in the middle of the second semi, which should hopefully put clouds over the other former Yugoslav ballads. Good Luck Eva Boto! I hope this is a start of a wonderful music career for her.

Song Rating: 7/10
Liklihood to win: 5/10

Current odds: 66-1                     (oddschecker.com) (on average)

France - 2012

Anggun will sing "Echo (You and I)" for France in Baku.

I LOVE this song. This song really is edgy. It's really catchy. And a part of it sounds like a bit from Mario Kart. As well as that, Anggun is brilliant! She's experienced, she's sassy, got a great image, and sings in both French and English. All in all, France have really entered a class act this year!

Echo (You and I) is part of Anggun's 5th international album, and will serve as her lead single for the international music market. She has a huge fanbase and many people in Europe know her (forget the blind UK nationals of course! ha!), so Anggun will bring the points home for name recognition alone. But the song would naturally do well, as I have already said, it is edgy and fun. It really fits in with Eurovision, as does Anggun, who I'm confident will look right at home on stage in Baku.

France have had very little success in recent years. As well as not lifting the crown since 1977, they haven't finished in the top 5 since 2002. Even with a favourite (albeit controversial) last year, Sognu, they still couldn't pull off a good showing. I am personally hoping that Anggun can change this. She has the experience and will definitely be able to shine for France. She will perform 9th in the final, and so this could be slightly problematic. Still, I believe that it's France's strongest song for years, and even those who perform in the first half can still finish with a top 10 score.

Good Luck to Anggun! Paris 2013? Unlikely, unfortunately.

Song Rating: 9/10
Liklihood to win: 4/10

Current odds: 66-1                        (oddschecker.com) (on average)