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The Mysterious Stranger looks to Semi Final 2 Written by on May 1, 2011 | 4 Comments

And so, as the ESC Insight team gather in Dusseldorf (Ewan is the last of the arrivals, just typical) it’s time to finish off the predictions, fished out of a hermetically closed envelope, sealed a mayonnaise bottle, and buried under Johnny Logan’s patio.

Yes, it’s time for the second semi final, as seen by Carnac The Mysterious Stranger…

1. Bosnia & Herzegovina

And we start the second semi with a returnee, Dino from Bosnia, this time without the lovely Beatrice. Looking at the video I don’t think that lady is playing those keyboards! This is very much a Bosnian hoedown which is undeniably pleasant and may get the crowd going. But Country and Western type songs tend to come a cropper at Eurovision, most recently with Germany in 2006. I think this song has a better melody than “Texas Lightning”, and given Dino’s popularity throughout large swathes of Southern Europe, I would be amazed not to see this qualify with ease.

2. Austria

After welcoming back Dino to Eurovision, now we welcome back the Austrian nation, last seen in 2007! When I first saw Nadine Beiler I immediately thought of a young Linda Ronstadt, and this song is not dissimilar to Linda’s style of music. This is another show or film song, richly orchestrated with very good backing vocals. On balance I think it’s a little too dated for Eurovision and the ending is a tad weak, but overall it’s a solid return from Austria.

3. The Netherlands

You really have to admire the Dutch. They have only managed to qualify once for a Eurovision final since the semis started in 2004. They have tried every conceivable style of music in the hope of appealing to Europe, culminating in last year’s “Sha-la-lie”. This year they have returned to a more traditional style with a decent band. The video is very A-Ha from the 1980s, and the song opens nicely and then builds really well. To my ears there is very little wrong with this, and it deserves to do well. Alas, being a Dutch entry, and being 3rd in the running order will not help its chances.

4. Belgium

Staying in Benelux, we move just down the road to Belgium. This is a return to that dreadful Latvian entry from 2006. Who on this earth thinks that A cappella is the way to win the hearts of the Eurovision tele-voter? I have never liked a song that tries to incorporate human sound effects, and this one has such effects by the bucket load.

I think this is truly dreadful.

5. Slovakia

And it’s time for the first set of twins in Eurovision 2011. It’s like busses. You wait years for a set of twins to arrive, and two come along at once! This song reminds me a lot of Croatia 2010, which isn’t a great omen. Neither is the fact that Slovakian TV only decided to enter because it would have been more expensive to pull out!

Whatever about the song, the video is bizarre, like a Slovakian “Reeling in the Years”, complete with a shot of Alexander Dubček, who I have only just realised was actually Slovakian. Not too sure what the floods are meant to symbolise. This song is fine of its type. Indeed it could be a song by The Corrs. But it’s the best Slovakian entry by some margin, and might qualify.

6. Ukraine

One is always nervous about trying to critique any Ukrainian song at Eurovision, because as soon as you are finished, they are likely to change it on you. This year, despite their best efforts to mix things up, they have actually stuck with the song chosen (allegedly) at their national final. As always with Ukraine it’s a typically angst ridden piece, being sung by what must be the palest woman in Ukraine. Does she ever see sunlight? This song passes you by, and it has a particularly long and pointless break in the middle. Not great.

7. Moldova

It’s all about returnees in this semi-final. After Dino and Austria, now it’s Zdob şi Zdub back for another go at it. And there is still a return from Dana International to go! My first thought on this was “Where is Grand-mama?” as she was by far the best thing about their 2005 effort. As for the lead singer, will someone please buy him a shirt! Is it just me or does the break in the middle of this song remind you of the theme to Victoria Wood’s “Dinnerladies”? Well, any thoughts of finally seeing Chisnau will have to wait until 2013 at the earliest!

8. Sweden

Onto the ever popular Sweden with their song sung by the equally popular Eric Saade. Sweden have not been too popular with Eurovision audiences in recent years and that unpopularity reached its zenith in Oslo when they failed to qualify for the final. Eric obviously hopes to go where Ms. Bergendahl failed, and that is to the final. And it might get there. It has a strong opening, ludicrous lyrics and a handsome singer. It even has an ice-cage for Eric to demolish. What’s there not to like! This might just be very popular in Düsseldorf. If only I could remember the name of the song!!

9. Cyprus

Normally Cyprus can be relied on to give the viewers of Europe a lovely travelogue of their nation in their Eurovision video. Not this year though. Is that the best beach they could find, and what’s with the gritty back streets of Nicosia? I think the director wants an international career in movies away from Cyprus! The video is all very dramatic and moody which does suit the mood of the song, but like the Greek song, this is another mishmash of three different songs in one, and the overall effect doesn’t impress.

10. Bulgaria

Well this starts like Netherlands 2001, with Poli Genova and her hair sitting on the stage with her legs crossed. The song soon gets going, and turns into not a bad rock song. It certainly has a more contemporary sound than many of the songs on offer this year, and Poli could be a Debbie Harry for 2011. This is a song that is far better live than on CD, and given a good performance, it could qualify for the final.

11. Macedonia

Staying in the southern Balkans, we move onto the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia. Its nice to see Jamie Oliver diversifying away from the kitchen and into music. If ever the phrase “Nice video, shame about the song” applied in 2011, then it applies here! Just when you think the song can’t get any worse, it breaks into a folksy bit, the likes of which we all adored in last year’s Slovene entry. Another song that makes three minutes go very very slowly.

12. Israel

I have always admired Dame Linda Martin, and her steadfast refusal ever to do Eurovision again. She makes the simple point that once you have won the contest, what is there left to do? Even if you win a second time, all you end up doing is to dilute the impact of your first victory. Dana International ought to have followed that advice. Alas because of this lamentable ditty, when people remember Dana International in Eurovision those iconic images from Birmingham 1998 will be replaced by shots of her in the green room failing to qualify in Düsseldorf.

n many respects the title is the worst thing about this song. Its melody is actually quite nice. And let’s here it for the best backing singers of the night by a mile. They look like five bridesmaids who have been forced to wear the worst dresses imaginable!

13. Slovenia

Try as it might, little Slovenia just can’t seem to get Eurovision right. Even when it seems to have gotten the correct formula, like in Athens 2006, the tele-voters just don’t respond. This year might be another case in point. Having chosen a song that sounded and looked great at their national final, they have gone and given it a serious makeover, and I’m not too sure if the results are all that great. That said it has the first wind machine on display and the song does have a credible sound. I would lose the two backing dancers though. This could be very good, if they get the staging right.

14. Romania

For as long as I can remember Romania has been the “next big thing” at Eurovision. After a number of top-5 results, most assumed that it was just a matter of time before the whole Eurovision circus packed up its tent and headed to Bucharest. Will 2012 be the year? There is not a lot wrong with this song. It opens well, and our British lead singer does a decent job. I would wonder if the song is memorable enough to stand out over the other 42. But it’s a nice song which could do well.

15. Estonia

Year after year a song comes along that seems to capture some class of zeitgeist amongst the Eurovision fan base, and I don’t know why. This year that award goes to Estonia. The first time I heard this I started singing Boney-M’s “Rasputin” over the chorus, and I haven’t stopped! Also the chorus has very little in common with the verse. The music box opening is sweet, but isn’t in keeping with the rest of the song either. All in all, this song leaves me pretty cold. So going on my previous form, if you are looking for a sure-fired winner in 2011, then it’s probably going to be Estonia!

16. Belarus

“I love Belarus” so the song title goes, and despite being a total contradiction in terms, I too have to admit a certain fondness for one of the most ridiculous songs to come Eurovision’s way in many a year! This is the song that was made for Eurovision. It has a driving beat, bonkers lyrics, a pretty singer, great backing dancers, a catchy chorus, and best of all, a key change that can be seen coming from Mars. The Euroclubbers of Düsseldorf will love this, and will sing it to the echo. Will the tele-voters be as easily persuaded? Probably not, but its all great fun (as long as you don’t actually have to live in Belarus!).

17. Latvia

The second country to choose it’s own place in the running order, along with Slovakia at number 5. I think I would have gone for a late draw as well. Here is yet another song with a rap interlude, though the rap here is less out of place than in the other songs on show. Looking at the video I can only assume that the audience were able to buy Anna Bergendahl’s unused glow-sticks cheaply on e-bay. While I actually like this song, I can’t see who its going to appeal to more generally.

18. Denmark

It wouldn’t be Eurovision without some class of plagiarism controversy every year, and this year we must thank Denmark for providing one. That said, issues about the song’s similarity to Andreas Johnson’s 2006 entry to the Swedish final aside, this is one of the better songs in this year’s contest. The stage setting is straight out of U2’s Pop-Mart tour, or even Eurovision 1997, with the backing vidi-wall from Helsinki 2007. The song itself is well put together, and even the long break in the middle works well. This is another one to keep a beady eye on!

19. Ireland

And last but by no means least is my own fair nation (and if that’s not a clue…), with what must be said is one hell of a good draw! After listening to the other 42 songs in the competition, I do think that this song stands up very well. Its ideal fare for Eurovision, with two decent looking lads singing what is a very instant and catchy song. If the boys could actually sing well live then I would be tipping this as a potential winner. However their proven lack of ability in that regard might seem them coming up just sort on the night.

Who’s going through then?

Unlike most commentators, I think that semi 2 is the stronger of the two this year, with a better mix and range of songs on offer. But here is who I think will make it out of the magic envelopes on the night

  1. Denmark

  2. The Netherlands

  3. Belarus

  4. Slovenia

  5. Ireland

  6. Sweden

  7. Bosnia & Herzegovina

  8. Slovakia

  9. Romania

  10. Estonia

What about Eurovision as a whole – is there a clear winner?

And now for the all important top-5 on the big night! It’s hard to call but I will do my best! Despite the ratings I have given to all 43 songs, this is how I think the top-5 will look on the night, as opposed to being my favourite five songs.

  1. United Kingdom

  2. Hungary

  3. Russia

  4. France

  5. Denmark

So, will my many friends in the UK be celebrating on May 14th? Can the BBC afford to organise the Eurovision as well as the Olympic Games and the Diamond Jubilee in the same year? Who can tell? If I was to get my own wish, then Kati will have us all spending two incredible weeks in beautiful Budapest in 2012. All will be revealed in a little under two weeks.

Enjoy the shows!

About The Author: Ewan Spence

British Academy (BAFTA) nominated broadcaster and writer Ewan Spence is the voice behind The Unofficial Eurovision Song Contest Podcast and one of the driving forces behind ESC Insight. Having had an online presence since 1994, he is a noted commentator around the intersection of the media, internet, technology, mobility and how it affects us all. Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, his work has appeared on the BBC, The Stage, STV, and The Times. You can follow Ewan on Twitter (@ewan) and Facebook (facebook.com/ewanspence).

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Have Your Say

4 responses to “The Mysterious Stranger looks to Semi Final 2”

  1. Seán says:

    Very conservative veiw neither, Estonia OR Turkey in the Final Top 5. And the UK WILL NOT WIN. If they come above top 10 they will have done well. Even if they did win the televote do you think they’re going to beat France/Turkey/Estonia/Denmark with Juries?

  2. Zolan says:

    I concur on UK, Hungary, and France. I see how it could work for Russia and Denmark, although I’m going with BH and Turkey instead.

    The (apparent) popularity of Estonia’s song baffles me.
    From what I can tell, the Eurovision fan base generally hates any mixing of styles that feels unfamiliar, but this does it repeatedly and without any sense of musical development beyond keeping the beat, and it’s a hit.
    The song makes me think of a rushed homework assignment.

  3. Anthony says:

    Im not to sure about Belarus making it throught to the final although it will make the final interesting with the Russian voting. Irealdn will struugle to get the vocals right on the night even when they are lacking their beloved 2 tigers. I would love to see the United Kingdom winning but the song for me has lost it’s appeal after multiple plays, for me it’s between Hungary, Russia, Denmark. France still baffles me on how it will be received by the public.

  4. Chad says:

    France is crap and if they win this year then there’s something seriously wrong. Doesn’t deserve to even be Top 10. It’s boring, dreary and goes nowhere it has absolutely no progression. I would be delighted for the UK or Hungary to win.

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