Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
The 2012 Contest remains one of the most expensive stagings of the Song Contest to date. With ‘Euphoria‘ it had a memorable winning song, backed up with some strong songs and memories further down the running order. But what else happened in 2012? Welcome to the Crystal Hall…
Eurovision Insight Podcast: Eurovision Again 2012
A companion podcast to Eurovision Again’s trip to Baku 2012. Join us as we go over the rulebook, National Final gems, the State Of Pop, and more…
Hosted by Ewan Spence, with Fin Ross Russell, and AJ Clay,
Stay in touch with the Eurovision Song Contest during the new season by listening to the ESC Insight podcast. You’ll find the show in iTunes, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. A direct RSS feed is available. We also have our email newsletter which you can sign up to here.
Let’s talk about the 2012 contest.
When 2012 was revealed as the year we are going to watch during #EurovisionAgain, I had to ask myself whether I really want to re-watch this particular contest. The immediate answer was, no. On a 2nd thought, I decided to give the 2012’s contest a 2nd chance. Unfortunately, the 2nd watch only made it clear why this particular contest is one of my least favourite contests.
So let’s see where it all went wrong, in my eyes:
Stage – That big stage and big LED screens made sure that everyone looked small and almost disappeared in that stage. Add to that what felt like an atmosphere which at best can described as a sterile one, presenters that sounded like robots and you get a broadcast which failed to connect with me as an audience.
Songs – it was a bunch of luck laster, middel of the road songs. it wasn’t a strong year, songs wise. Usually on an evening of # EurovisionAgain, I have 12-13 songs I like and need to make some decision, which song will not get any points from me. On this edition I had to scratch my head to find 10 songs I like(Sweden wasn’t one of these songs, on that later). At the end I had to add at least 2 songs I don’t really like, so I can vote. If today’s song/singer has to feel authentic, most of the songs in the final didn’t feel authentic at all(there are exceptions, of course). Most of the songs were just copy of old songs or formula. Euphoria sounded different from all song around it. I ask myself if Euphoria would have a runaway win on a different , stronger year? I have no answer for that question, as this is total speculation. It might have, but maybe with some difficulties.
Voting – The voting was one of the most boring,unexciting and predictable voting sequence we had. Sweden took the lead after the 4th round of voting and have never looked back. Everyone were voting for Sweden(God bless the Italian who were the only one who didn’t give any point for Sweden, it was refreshing to see).
The winner – In the fandom Euphoria is considered the best Eurovision song. Since its winning, the song has topped the Top #250 Eurovision songs and no other song has managed remove him from that position.
But is it a good or even complicated song? I think it’s not. It’s based on a very simple and a bit repetitive music line which does not really progress or change. In some parts, that line is enhanced by a dance bit, however it doesn’t really change the basic line of music
What works for the song, is Loreen’s voice that gives the song a different colour and the “Euphoriaaa” at the start of the chorus and “We’re going up-up-up” at the end of it. Those 2 line at the chorus give an elevated filling to the song. Not much of a meat to a song, but enough to give it a runaway victory.
I also have to say that as person with impaired hearing, I have difficulties understanding what Loreen is singing. I get some parts of the text, but a big chunk of the text is incomprehensible for me.
So that’s my view n the 2012 contest.
The songs I like, will remain on the my Eurovision play list. I don’t really need or want to watch the 2012 again.