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Our third set of songs looking to pick up a “hit” has arrived in the Juke Box Jury offices. Let’s discuss the songs, the chances, the music, the memes, and more, in our latest episode.
Eurovision Insight Podcast: Juke Box Jury #3
with Samantha Ross (12 Points From America) and Matthew Ker (Majiker).Denmark: Sand, by Sana.
Czechia: Pedestal, by Aiko.
Azerbaijan: Özünlə apar, by Fahree.
Croatia: Rim Tim Tagi Dim, by Baby Lasagna.
Poland: The Tower, by Luna.
Stay up to date with all the discussions, news, and reviews as we get ready to travel to Malmö for Eurovision 2024 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.
Denmark-
It’s not bad. It’s a solid song, sung by a capable singer, however it doesn’t come out as a sincere song and I am not sure I am convince it is emotional enough to leave a mark. In the last 3 years, Denmark have sent songs, which were less safe than this one and failed. This should take Denmark back to the final after 3 years absence, but contra to the last time the contest was in Malmö(2013) they are not going to win – MAYBE
Czechia-
I think it’s trying too hard to sounds cool but somehow fail. Musically it’s quite simple in its approach. It is very, on your face, and is trying to sound sincere. Unfortunately the whole package evoke irritation and loose me somewhere half through – MISS
Azerbaijan –
I finding myself liking this song quite a lot. It’s low key, on purpose but this serve the song very well. A bit of a strange structure as it doesn’t have a real chorus, more a semi chorus, nevertheless I like it. It took me sometimes, until I realised he is singing in English(at least in parts). There is something endearing in the combination of his voice and the arrangement, which has some influences from Azerbaijan-(a surprise, personal) HIT( even though it is not going to shake the scoreboard and will be more MAYBE or even a MISS, when it comes to the contest)
Croatia-
This is a song I shouldn’t like at all but I am enjoying the simple, catchy and very effective beat of it, which grab you from the start and lead you through the whole song. When the song comes up, I know exactly which song it is and I find myself shaking my head to the rhythm of the song and sing along the oh oh oh of the chorus. It could be an accidental winner but it could also fail miserably. During the national final he was a bit off key in some parts, but nevertheless, manage to win-HIT
Poland-
A simple but effective dance song but somehow is let down by her voice, which sounds a bit weak, even in the studio version. It’s the kind of song which demands strong vocals and a presence, which I am not sure she has. If she can sing this live, with a stronger vocals and if she has a good staging, this could do well. As it is, it is a MAYBE
Denmark – This is as boring as it gets. Except for the end when SABA keeps shouting about sand, which is when it gets really annoying. I can’t even find the motivation to listen to the lyrics, instead I find myself skipping this song more and more. MISS
Czechia – This is my personal favourite this year, at least in the (old) studio version. It’s just my kind of music and the message totally appeals to me. The revamp is fine, too, except I also worry about the spoken words part, I’m afraid it’s going to be sooo awkward on stage, and the national final performance was already a car crash. I didn’t need extra anxiety on top of what I already had. (And it’s in the wrong semi, I can’t even vote for it! Arrrgh!) I know this song is generally considered a clear non-qualifier, although I don’t quite understand why everyone hates it so much, but I simply love it. This one and Italy were the only songs from this year that when I heard them for the first time, I was immediately sold. (Estonia as well, but just a notch below.) For the contest it looks like it’s a miss, but personally it’s a huge HIT.
Azerbaijan – I like it. It is wonderfully soothing and puts me in a relaxed and serene mood. Unfortunately, that is unlikely to translate into televotes, so it might well struggle to get out of its semi. MAYBE
Croatia – Here it is, the (somewhat) Käärijä 2.0 (much more than Estonia). It’s still a very different song and I don’t think it will do as well, but it is certainly going to give Croatia a really good result. Personally I’d rather have an engaging song with an actual message (not something like Love or Peace) and a few notes that are off than a perfectly sung and produced song that leaves me without any emotions. HIT
Poland – I find this much better than Denmark, even if it is in the same category of tame pop song. Luna is a much more interesting artist, although I’m still in the dark as to her ability to perform the song live. “I’m the one who built the tower” sticks in my head a lot though, and with all of the Polish diaspora around Europe I could well imagine this making the final. However, I won’t be shocked if it doesn’t. MAYBE
Though both are used, apparently it’s more appropriate to say “Azerbaijani” over “Azeri”, because the latter technically relates to the Azeri people, who are from Iran rather than Azerbaijan.
Denmark. ESC’s most disappointing country in the last few years. Unexceptional and rather unremarkable song, which wastes a decent vocalist. MISS
Czechia: had promise, but series of disappointing live performances do not breed confidence. Messily staged so far and Czechia does not stage imaginatively as a general rule. Do not see this in the final. MISS.
Azerbaijan: a country that used to qualify easily every year but now struggling. I like this, but it’s quite underpowered for an all televote semi. Needs to be really polished staging and vocally on point. MAYBE.
Croatia: it’s NOT Cha Cha Cha mark 2😩..just because of that zany beat! But it’s fun and catchy and hits you first time. Croatia does not have a great record in brilliant visuals and concepts and Baby L’s vocals are occasionally wobbly. But definitely top five potential. HIT
Poland: echoes of Blanka 2023. Vocally feeble and a rather “meh” pretty but superficial melody. Not for me. MISS .
Having recently rewatched the 1974 contest I agree with Ewan that ‘I See A Star’ should have won.
1974…sorry…..the only winner that stands the test of time: “Si”..
Denmark: MAYBE. An enjoyable but slightly dated piece of dance-pop. Saba and her vocal are the best part of it. Denmark need to work on the staging and find a way for the audience to connect to Saba and a way of making it memorable. It comes after Austria and I think it’s a better quality song with a better singer, but may suffer if Austria is more of a visual spectacle. It definitely has a chance to qualify from SF2 but there’s a lot of songs on the bubble in that semi so it’s not a done deal.
Czechia: MAYBE. I was very surprised when this song won the Czech selection because the live performance was so poor. It seemed like a lot of its votes came from people liking the studio version so much. I like the studio version too and it has good subject matter and lyric content. It’s quite a difficult to sing live, especially as Aiko will want to moving a lot on the stage as it’s quite wordy. If performed really well this would be another one on the bubble of qualification in SF2. The spoken word part is in the official lyrics on the Eurovision website!
Azerbaijan: MISS. This is a solid if somewhat unexciting choice. I feel the same way about it as Samatha and Matthew. I applaud them on finally featuring Azerbaijani in their song for the first time. It does feel like they chickened out of doing the whole song in Azerbaijani. The mughum section fits and doesn’t feel shoehorned in after the fact like in 2012. There needs to be more lyrics and some development to make it more competitive. I’m frustrated that Azerbaijan is choosing more local entries since last year but opting for uncompetitive songs. I worry that they may go back to the old template if they have several non-qualifications.
Croatia: HIT. A standout and enjoyable entry. Baby Lasagna keeps you engaged the whole way through and it bags of personality to shine in a large field of songs, like it did at Dora. HRT need to think about Dora more. Apart from Rim Tim Tagi Dim there were lots of competent, professional entries that wouldn’t have been competitive, save for Let 3. Lots of people from across Europe will be able to relate to leaving for the city, or another country or someone in your family doing so. The mix of modern and traditional serve the song well too. A definite qualifier and in the mix to win. Even if they don’t manage that, a top 3 placing would be their best result ever.
Poland: HIT. This is one of my favourites this year. I too enjoyed the video but enjoy listening to it without the visuals too. I really enjoy the lyrics and the uniqueness of her voice. Luna’s been singing for a lot of her life so I hope her live performance will be good. I think it should qualify fairly easily, especially with many friendly countries voting in SF1. I think it’ll be more of a mid-table finish. If Poland keep qualifying and choosing entries that are hits at home this will hopefully stand them in good stead going forward at the contest.
I have to know! What are Samantha and Ewan doing in Boston, and when?
Green Monster time!