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With the National Final season at an end, we have our thirty-seven songs for Liverpool. That means it’s time for Juke Box Jury to return to the podcast! We’ll talk about all the songs over seven shows, and when we have all our hits, misses, and maybes, it’ll be time to start watching rehearsals!
Eurovision Insight Podcast: Juke Box Jury #1
with Matt Baker (Second Cherry) and Dude Points (DudePoints.Fun).Spain: Eaea, by Blanca Paloma.
Iceland Power, by Diljá.
Malta: Dance (Our Own Party), by The Busker.
Netherlands: Burning Daylight, by Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper.
Serbia: Samo mi se spava, by Luke Black.
Stay up to date with all the discussions, news, and reviews as we get ready to travel to Liverpool for Eurovision 2023 with ESC Insight. You’ll find the show in iTunes, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. A direct RSS feed is available. We have a regular email newsletter which you can sign up to here., and you can support us on Patreon here.
Ewan mentioned Malta’s Eurovision jumble sale. Also there are Daði Freyr’s video game graphics, if their NF is anything to go by.
As those who follow this site long enough know, last year’s Eurovision wasn’t one of my favourite. Song wise , I didn’t like last year’s . I like this year, if only because of the diversity of songs it is presenting us.
Spain-
Spain is going out of the comfort zone, taking a risk and sending something very Spanish. You know you are hearing a Spanish song, not just because of the language but because of the sound and the rhythm. I think that most of the viewers on Saturday won’t care about the text and its meaning but what they will see is a singer who takes command on stage and lead them through a very difficult song. I am not sure it is an accessible song and I am not sure if there is enough for it to cross the line and bring Spain a victory, however Spain should be commended for sending a very bold song- MAYBE
Iceland-
It is a bit bland. It’s not an interesting or a memorable song.It goes through the 3 minutes without really leaving any mark. And when the 3 minutes are finished you have difficulties remember what you have just heard. – MISS
Malta-
Yes, it is a repetitieve song but on the other hand, Sunstroke Project(Moldova 2017), got 3rd with the same repetitive type of song. I like this one more than I ever liked Sunstroke Project. It is deliberately low key and this is part of its charm. To be honest, I don’t really care about or mind the references it is throwing at me, as I see it as part of the contest. The big hurdle for this song is its place in the 1st semi, which has some strong songs and some favourites – MAYBE
The Netherlands-
In any other year, this will be called a jury bate. I am asking myself if this is what the Dutch were thinking when they have chosen this song. The timing of choosing this song was just before the EBU change the voting and made the semi’s, televoters only outcome.It seems like a song you choose when you want to go to the final by impressing the professional jurries but not really care about the televoters and at the end, have a nice result. Is it a good son?, yes. Is it an instant song,?not really. As one of the panel member said, it is a grower, which is never good thing in Eurovision terms. In addition this song is sandwiched between Chzechia and Finland, 2 songs which by far are more memorable than this one. Especially Finland, will just make everyone forget this song – MAYBE
Serbia-
This felt like a song which lasted longer than 3 minutes and I had to make an effort to keep my eyes opened. It seems that Serbia is trying to cash on what they have done last year and have sent something which is quite weird. The different is that last year’s effort was mesmerising in its simplicity while this song is just pretentious and not really interesting-MISS
Spain: HIT. In the last few contests, songs with a perceived authenticity have done very well and this should stand Spain in good stead. There’s also a singer who performs well live, who holds your attention and there’s an effective staging. It’s better when performed live versus in the recorded version. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but should be enough for another top 10 finish.
Iceland: MAYBE. I like her voice and it’s one of the better songs in SF2, despite the chorus needing a bit more variation. Iceland needs to work on the staging and making the connection to the camera better. I think it is one of the songs on the bubble for qualifying, but it would get swallowed up in the final by other songs a bit like their entry last year.
Malta: MAYBE. I have a soft spot for this song and the group. It’s a slightly atypical and quirky entry. The lead singer is very charming and it’s a different take on the lyrical content for an upbeat song. However, it has a big uphill battle in SF1, especially performing from second. I think that it does have a small chance to qualify.
The Netherlands: MAYBE. I like this song but I’m unsure as to its competitiveness. For me, it feels like it doesn’t build up to much at the end of the song and there’s not enough of a burst of release. A big unknown is how it will come across live. I think it should qualify without too much trouble and perform better with the juries that the televote in the final.
Serbia: MAYBE. When I watched the Serbian NF, I knew this was a lot of people’s favourite to win and was a little disappointed when I saw/heard it. I think the song is too sparse in parts and I thought it was more of a performance piece than a song. It’s grown on me more since then. It’s easy to relate to wanting to sleep through or avoid the worst parts of life and I found the performance very visually creative. There’s definitely enough to qualify but not enough for a huge success like Konstrakta had last year.
Firstly, glad that JBJ is back and thanks to Dude for some insightful song meaning explanations.
In my view, 2023 is a stronger year song-wise than 2022, but nowhere near 2021 in terms of the number of really good songs. As Shai says, there is a diversity of songs this year. There are also very few genuinely poor songs, so a lot could come down to presentation
SPAIN – I was devastated to discover that this was not an anthem to female empowerment. These are, of course, so thin on the ground at Eurovision!
ICELAND – The song has an instant hook. The big worry is lone singer on massive stage.
MALTA – This is fun but has to overcome a terrible SF draw
NETHERLANDS – This will get jury appreciation but not until, and if, it makes the final
SERBIA – Musically and visually captivating. I expect to see this make left hand side of the board in the final.
SPAIN: HIT. Winner worthy. I hear it as a grandmother speaking to a grandchild at the end of her life.
It’s healing. It’s love.
ICELAND: MISS. Kinetic performance. I get the purpose, but I don’t feel it in the music.
MALTA: MAYBE. Funky, youthful. I do tap my toe when I hear it.
NETHERLANDS: MAYBE. Nice verses. A little bit youth revival. The ending feels like a campfire song.
SERBIA: HIT. Dramatic, immersive, engaging story telling.