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Approaching the midway point of the 2012 Juke Box Jury series, after this Friday’s show we’ll be into the second half of the 42 songs taking to the Eurovision Song Contest stage when we reach Baku in May.
Some new voices to the Jury this week, as award-winning podcasters Olly Mann and Helen Zaltzman join Ewan Spence. Perhaps not as hardcore Eurovision as other judges, it’s still going to be a roller coaster ride to find out this week’s Hits, Misses, or Maybes.
Eurovision Insight Podcast: Juke Box Jury 2012 #4
with Olly Mann and Helen Zaltzman, from Answer Me This.Switzerland: Unbreakable, by Sinplus.
Cyprus: La La Love, by Ivi Adamou.
Denmark: Should’ve Known Better, by Soluna Samay.
Malta: This Is The Night, by Kurt Calleja.
Norway: Stay, by Tooji.
Don’t miss an episode of this year’s Juke Box Jury (or any of The Unofficial Eurovision Podcast episodes) by subscribing to the RSS feed dedicated to the podcasts. iTunes users can find us in the iTunes Store and get the show automatically downloaded to your computer.
I’m wondering did you record this before Melodifestivalen and Loreen. I think Sweden will undermine Norway’s entry this year.
As regards Denmark, my favourite this year, I am not sure it is as poor as it seems. When they showed an extremely short clip of it during the national final in Ireland most the people watching it with me [non Eurovision fans] thought it was a really strong entry. I don’t it is going to win, but I don’t think that Denmark are going to be far from the Top 5.
Olly and Helen rock! I’m still laughing. Great fun!
I watched Dansk MGP having previously heard the audio for the songs once and thinking they were all pretty average, but on the show I have to say the performance of this song totally won me over and I was so happy this got selected, Denmark are my joint favourites this year. And I like her cute army outfit. ^_^
I’m really not a fan of Norway’s song, but with the benefit of hindsight I think they made the right choice in picking this song out of the four in the MGP super final, this is the only one of those four that could’ve got Norway out of the semis. And I think the teen girls will be running for their phones to vote for this.
I don’t like Cyprus’ song but I’m starting to actually prefer this to Greece’s song, purely because it’s a bit more punchy.
The indie hipster in me would like to see Switzerland sneak through, but with that dodgy English it may be a long shot.
As for Malta – uggghh. And Olly was spot on, the singer does look like the kind of guy who thinks he’s more attractive than he really is. The Keith Lemon gag floored me, haha!
Sean, well spotted, yes, this was recorded in late Feb.
Switzerland: If you can understand every accent in the British Isles, I’m pretty sure you can follow this. A fusion of 90s motifs that I don’t mind at all, but it needs a good chunk of the miscellaneous vote to get through.
Cyprus: Perfectly fine background music, but there’s not enough in it for even the most accomplished singer to make much of, and too dull for clubbing; aqua-aerobics indeed.
Denmark: This style is very current, the title hook is clear, the drumming is just right. I’m with Miss Purple on her outfit, but all hoodies and baseball caps must go. It would take some incomprehensible voting to prevent this qualifying from SF1.
Malta: The Sparrow-ish vocal affectation is bit icky, but there must be an audience for it, right?
In it’s defence, how much would Kurt have to under-sell the song to avoid the appearance of vanity? How weak would it have to be? The lyrics imply humility in placing the motivation and belief with the love interest, and in the pivotal message – “All I need is one more chance.” And it is performed with warmth, friendliness, and a sense of fun.
There are positives here, but first impressions are critical, and mediocre music does nothing to save it.
Norway: Vocal ability doesn’t matter much here, but there are a few points in the song that really turn on strong *lead* vocal delivery, and I’m not convinced that Tooji can do it. The jumble of dark ‘street fashion’ does nothing for me except undermine the highs and hide the choreography. Despite being largely on formula with a few nice details, it’s a tedious shouty barrage to me – so it’s probably in.
Seriously, the 2 people you had really didn’t seem to “get” Eurovision. I really like the podcast normally, but not this week.
The Danish entry won me over instantly, but so did the 2010 swedish entry of wich I’m somehow reminded, and that didn’t go thru the semis.So I somehow fear that we will have a final without Denmark.
Watching Norway’s MGP I was in the first seconds struck with the feeling that this is a “winner”. It’s recognisable and has a good structure, it’s well performed and looks and feels complete. And I still think this could be a winner, but it will have to beat strong competiion. I hope that we will have an exciting voting and that the winner will be clear when the last twelve points come in.
Stephen, I think it’s important to make sure some of the Juke Box Juries are recorded with people “outside” of the regulars to help keep perspective for the millions of casual Eurovision fans. It’s also good to hear different voices and attitudes, keeps the show fresh. Thanks for the feedback, and of course, we’ll have another show next week!
Since this podcast included Denmark and I am indeed Danish — although I have lived most of my adult life in America — I would like to briefly introduce myself. I am doubtless the oldest Lurker on this site and my first albeit vague memory from Eurovision is of the Kessler Twins on a round table in 1959. I vividly remember Denmark’s win in 1963 and my favorite all-time Eurovision song remains Connie Froeboess’ Twei Kleine Italiener. My second favorites may just be Iceland 2012.