Eurovision Song Contest 2014

yerwanthere123 · 16-03-2014 1:12am

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Really don't see how that Norwegian song is so highly rated? I think it's very bland.

Iceland had a better ballad than that last year imo (the guy with the long hair and beard) and I don't think it threatened the leaders. I loved Norway last year but I don't see this year's entry as anything special.

Where are Sweden in the betting odds? I see a lot of positive comments on that on Youtube and it features highly in people's lists. I would be tempted to stick a few quid on it.

PS I think if Sweden win Eurovision they are just one win behind Ireland in the all-time winners list?

Sweden are 3rd favourites with Paddy Power at 5/1. One to remember though is Sweden are one of the favourites pretty much every year. I'm unsure how Sanna will do tbh.

And you're correct, one more win will have Sweden at 6, just one behind us. Hopefully if that were to happen, it might inspire RTÉ to put more effort in. Can't have us losing our Eurovision crown! :eek:

Mr.Nice Guy · 16-03-2014 1:43am

Portugal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz1eJjZ6uug

Trying to go down the Shakira route I think? Doesn't do anything for me. Might have had more of a chance if it was in English. Chorus is okay. Can't see it having much of an influence though.

yerwanthere123 · 16-03-2014 2:13am

Oh no, that's all a bit of a mess from Portugal. Like you say, they'd have more of a chance if it was in English. Kinda surprising when countries insist on singing in their own language when it's so rare for a non-English song to win. Particularly in the case of Portugal, you'd think given how unsuccessful they are after so long in the competition they might as well give English a try?

16-03-2014 1:32pm

Moldova: I actually kind of like this one. And, because it's Moldova, you can be sure that the choreography will be ten times more gimmicky and nonsensical by the time the contest rolls around! :P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbL5Mz75APc

And here's Portugal again, since the last video was taken down. Some people claiming that there was cheating going on and the writer of the song "bought" the televote.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbCe1916IJw

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Oh no, that's all a bit of a mess from Portugal. Like you say, they'd have more of a chance if it was in English. Kinda surprising when countries insist on singing in their own language when it's so rare for a non-English song to win. Particularly in the case of Portugal, you'd think given how unsuccessful they are after so long in the competition they might as well give English a try?

I dunno, I like it when countries sing in their own language. Makes their entries feel more authentic or something. I don't think Portugal have ever cared about winning, they just like showcasing their artists.

EDIT: This is the Albanian entry in English. I think it sounded much better in Albanian.

Also Holy low budget video Batman! :eek:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4ABpIspdic

Go Harvey Go · 16-03-2014 5:13pm

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

I don't think Ell and Niki were the favourites but they were certainly up there, so their win didn't come as too much of a surprise to me. I thought their's was a really good song, although not many seem to agree.

Many expected Amaury Vassili and "Sognu" to win for France in 2011.

The song was certainly novel - a piece of operatic pop in the Corsican language.

Yet, despite 12s from Belgium and Greece, it only finished 15th. The breakdown of the voting suggested that the televoters were far less impressed by it than the juries were...

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Iceland had a better ballad than that last year imo (the guy with the long hair and beard) and I don't think it threatened the leaders.

It finished 17th.

And it might have done better had it been sung in English rather than Icelandic...

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Oh no, that's all a bit of a mess from Portugal. Like you say, they'd have more of a chance if it was in English. Kinda surprising when countries insist on singing in their own language when it's so rare for a non-English song to win. Particularly in the case of Portugal, you'd think given how unsuccessful they are after so long in the competition they might as well give English a try?

Deleted User wrote: »

I dunno, I like it when countries sing in their own language. Makes their entries feel more authentic or something. I don't think Portugal have ever cared about winning, they just like showcasing their artists.

Since its debut in 1964, Portugal has never even finished in the top five - its best result being 6th in 1996. :eek: :eek:

16-03-2014 6:03pm

Go Harvey Go wrote: »

Since its debut in 1964, Portugal has never even finished in the top five - its best result being 6th in 1996. :eek: :eek:

And the woman who sang that sixth place entry went on to be Colin Firth's love interest in Love Actually. She has a rather impressive CV! :P

Meanwhile, in Azerbaijan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipQswujA5gw

In a word: zzzzzzz.

yerwanthere123 · 16-03-2014 6:41pm

Go Harvey Go wrote: »

Many expected Amaury Vassili and "Sognu" to win for France in 2011.

The song was certainly novel - a piece of operatic pop in the Corsican language.

Yet, despite 12s from Belgium and Greece, it only finished 15th. The breakdown of the voting suggested that the televoters were far less impressed by it than the juries were...

The juries weren't all that impressed either, they ranked it 12th!

I remember France being the favourites that year, but I never got it. I wasn't surprised at all when they bombed in the final.

I scarcely remember a year when the bookmakers got it so badly wrong.

17-03-2014 12:56am

Iceland has also taken the step of translating their song into English. I still have a fondness for this song, even if it's seen by many as one of the worst in the competition.

And here's Belgium's entry. Very much a case of the singer being a lot better than the song. I suspect it will qualify though:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ8jaHtmn38

EDIT: Just had another look at oddschecker and Belgium has jumped up to fifth, overtaking Romania and Hungary! :eek: I might be underestimating this one.

yerwanthere123 · 17-03-2014 5:58pm

Armenia has overtaken Norway as favourite to win.

yerwanthere123 · 18-03-2014 3:36pm

Austria

Go Harvey Go · 18-03-2014 10:28pm

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Austria

As seen on the Saturday Night Show a few months back.

He won't win.

Starscream25 · 18-03-2014 10:37pm

Wasn't there something's similar last year, can't remember the country but thought it was funny

Mr.Nice Guy · 18-03-2014 10:48pm

I really like that Azerbaijan entry.

It reminds me of one of those ballads you'd hear at the end of a Metal Gear Solid game as the credits roll.

I'd have that in my top ten.

yerwanthere123 · 19-03-2014 12:05am

I love the Azerbaijan entry! It's pure class, and her voice is amazing. The juries will love and it and with all of Azerbaijan's voting buddies it's pretty much guaranteed top 5. Heck, if they're rigging the votes again this year it might even win!

TGJD · 19-03-2014 9:15pm

The odds are lengthening for Poland by the day on Paddy Power! I will be winning a packet when they inevitably win!

Starscream25 · 19-03-2014 9:21pm

TGJD wrote: »

The odds are lengthening for Poland by the day on Paddy Power! I will be winning a packet when they inevitably win!

Some amount of boobs in the video which is always good, shocking song tho.

yerwanthere123 · 20-03-2014 1:17am

Russia

Last song to be revealed. Safe and solid. Automatic qualifier obviously. Will be interesting to see how Europe responds to Russia this year.

yerwanthere123 · 22-03-2014 1:14am

Who are we picking to qualify from the semi's?

From semi 1 I'm picking Armenia, Azerbaijan, Sweden, Russia, Estonia, Hungary, Ukraine, Moldova, Belgium & The Netherlands.

Semi 2 is a lot harder given the amount of crap within it, but Norway, Israel, Greece, Poland, Romania and Ireland should all be pretty safe anyway. Will have to listen to the rest again to decide who the other four will be.

Obviously all of these could change on the night though.

22-03-2014 6:29pm

The ones I think will qualify are (in no particular order)

SF1: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Sweden, Hungary, Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro, The Netherlands and Belgium.
Latvia and Portugal are no-hopers. The juries will (hopefully) punish Estonia for being so derivative and unoriginal. San Marino is a bit old fashioned, Iceland is a bit too wacky and Albania was much better in Albanian than in English.
SF2: Ireland, Romania, Norway, Israel, Macedonia, Poland, Greece, Finland, Lithuania and Malta.
Wouldn't rule out Switzerland possibly taking a spot instead of Lithuania, Malta or Macedonia.

However if I was ranking them based on my personal preferences, I'd choose the following:

SF1:
1. ARMENIA
2. The Netherlands
3. Iceland
4. Moldova
5. Hungary
6. Albania
7. San Marino
8. Azerbaijan
9. Belgium
10. Ukraine

11. Montenegro
12. Sweden (I really don't get the appeal of this song!

)
13. Russia
14. Estonia
15. Portugal
16. Latvia

SF2:
1. NORWAY
2. Poland (though only if it's sung in Polish; if it's done in English then I'm gonna knock it down a few places)
3. Georgia
4. Israel
5. Belarus (my favourite novelty song of the contest!

)
6. Ireland
7. Macedonia
8. Romania
9. Greece
10. Finland

11. Switzerland
12. Lithuania
13. Austria
14. Malta
15. Slovenia (it's not terrible, just very forgettable. It would stand a better chance in Semi One, where quite a few songs are weaker than this)

Semi 2 definitely has the stronger quality on average. Thankfully there's one less country for Ireland to compete against.

Mr.Nice Guy · 22-03-2014 8:44pm

Nice work. I'll have a go too. Who I predict to qualify:

SF1: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Sweden, Hungary, Ukraine, Moldova, Estonia, The Netherlands and Belgium
Almost identical to Homer's picks but I think the Loreen rip-off will make it. I think Albania could be close to qualifying.

SF2: Ireland, Romania, Norway, Israel, Macedonia, Poland, Greece, Finland, Austria and Malta.
Similar thoughts to Homer again but I would be surprised if Lithuania advance. I'll go for the pretty 'out there' Austrian song.

My personal preferences:

SF 1:
1. AZERBAIJAN - I think this is a very nice ballad and I could easily see a song like this being used in a TV show montage where the characters are going through some emotional upheaval. It's being slated by many but I think it's the best ballad this year.

2. Armenia - A well produced tune which is quite innovative for Eurovision. I can see this being popular and can understand why it's the current favourite.

3. Sweden - The Swedes take this seriously and it shows. Another well crafted, modern tune with a powerful singer. Think this is top five and a potential winner.

4. The Netherlands - Very nice, American sounding song. Could imagine this on an American TV show or film. Not sure it's well suited to Eurovision though. May struggle to qualify.

5. Ukraine - I think they polished this up a bit. It's not bad

6. Albania - Might have a better chance in English but the singer seems more comfortable in her own language.

7. Iceland - This is getting really slated but it's not terrible. Should be in English imo.

8. Hungary - I hate this song. The beats really irk me. Can see why it's popular but it's not my thing at all.

9. Portugal - It's the Shakira route without the quality. Quirky and distinctive though.

10. Moldova - Does nothing for me but not the worst.

11. Estonia - Blatant take on the Swedish winner which hurts it.

12. Belgium - Belgian Paul Potts singing about his mother. Pass.

13. San Marino - Meh.

14. Montenegro - Meh meh.

15. Russia - Surprisingly bad and feels extremely dated.

16. Latvia - Not sure this has the right ingredients. Huh ho. See what I did there?

To be honest the only songs that I have really warmed to here are the top four in my list. I agree with Homer that there's not a lot of quality songs in SF 1.

SF 2:
1. ROMANIA - Not as good as their song a few years back and it gets quite OTT near the end but the song is catchy and the girl is a great singer so I see top five.

2. Norway - I am warming to this more and more. Could well be top five material.

3. Ireland - Our best song sent in years but the staging is terrible (Irish dancers and the singer in a debs dress). Also think she can put a bit more oomph into the singing. Fingers crossed for the semi-final.

4. Poland - Whacky song with a surprisingly catchy chorus. Not sure it will do well in English though.

5. Israel - Gets better after a few listens but not a favourite of mine.

6. Macedonia - Really feel like I've heard this before. Can't place it though. I wonder if there was a bit of Ted and Dougal style 'inspiration' behind this track. It's alright.

7. Finland - Quite distinctive. Okay for one listen.

8. Malta - Inoffensive. Not as good as the Dutch one but alright.

9. Austria - Has a Bond track feel to it. Not sure about the presentation aspect or whether Europe will reject that. As a song to listen to it's not the worst. Think it could sneak through.

10. Slovenia - Alright but forgettable.

11. Greece - Really dislike this sort of dance music. Hope it doesn't do too well.

12. Georgia - This song is hated but there are a few catchy moments. It's not one I'd listen to regularly though.

13. Lithuania - Meh.

14. Belarus - Think this gets worse after a few listens. Not a fan of it.

15. Switzerland - Perhaps my least favourite song of them all. I strongly dislike the lyrics. Horrible.

Much more memorable songs in this semi-final, but only the top three would be songs I'd be willing to listen to more than the one time.

I think there's only a handful of songs that could be regarded as charts-worthy.

I must say the UK one is growing on me. I think that one will be in the mix when the final rolls around.

ShaneMc2012 · 23-03-2014 4:18pm

Although the songs are no way as good as the previous few years there's still a few good ones that caught my eye.

Semi-final 1
01. Hungary
02. Azerbaijan (Gets better after each listen)
03. Ukraine (New Version is much improved!)
04. Moldova (Really depends on the staging they go with I'd say!)
05. Sweden (Generic but alright)
06. San Marino (Third time lucky perhaps?)
07. Armenia (Don't understand how its the favourite?)
08. Albania
09. Belgium
10. Estonia (Bad version of Euphoria)

11. Portugal (Mea Culpa would have been a much better choice)
12. Montenegro
13. Russia (Boring song, will get through anyway I'd say)
14. The Netherlands (has some moments but could be a lot better)
15. Iceland
16. Latvia

Semi-final 2
01. Romania (Much better than Playing With Fire in my opinion)
02. Greece
03. Ireland (Best entry in years as long as we lose the dancers!)
04. Norway (Nowhere as good as last year but its still good)
05. Poland (Hopefully its sung in Polish)
06. Israel
07. Malta (Juries will love it I'd presume)
08. Austria (Good song.. Lose the beard maybe..)
09. Switzerland (Catchy but in an annoying way)
10. Belarus (I want it to get though against all better judgement.. :P )

11. Slovenia (Very forgettable)
12. Finland
13. Macedonia
14. Georgia
15. Lithuania (My least favourite song of the whole competition)

24-03-2014 10:51pm

The running order for the semi-finals has been released.

Ireland will perform ninth in Semi Final Two, following Finland and before Belarus. Not a bad position to be in, sandwiched between two very different songs (both with male vocalists) might make it more memorable.

Most notable thing about the draw is that Armenia, the bookies favourites, have been designated the opening slot in Semi Final One. They probably won't be too happy with that but it might be given a better spot in the final.

yerwanthere123 · 25-03-2014 12:05am

Armenia have nothing to worry about. Serbia opened their semi two years ago and came 2nd overall, only behind the eventual winner.

Not really too much to infer from the running orders tbh, I don't think it should influence too much about who does and doesn't qualify. San Marino have a good draw in the first semi.. shame they didn't get this last year!

yerwanthere123 · 25-03-2014 2:12am

This year is so up in the air it wouldn't surprise me if Azerbaijan came out a surprise winner. I know this would be a hugely unpopular result, but I think it'd be a worthy winner. It's classy stuff.

Right now, my overall top 5 would be:
1. Azerbaijan
2. Norway
3. Armenia
4. Sweden
5. UK

yerwanthere123 · 27-03-2014 1:53pm

Here's a way in which you can rank the top 37. I only takes about ten minutes and is actually very accurate!
http://gerbear.com/esc2014

My ranking:
1 Norway
2 Azerbaijan
3 Armenia
4 Sweden
5 United Kingdom
6 Hungary
7 Israel
8 Denmark
9 Ireland
10 Belgium
11 Poland
12 Estonia
13 Finland
14 FYRO Macedonia
15 Ukraine
16 Netherlands
17 Russia
18 Greece
19 Romania
20 Belarus
21 Malta
22 Switzerland
23 Spain
24 France
25 Portugal
26 Montenegro
27 San Marino
28 Latvia
29 Moldova
30 Italy
31 Albania
32 Austria
33 Germany
34 Slovenia
35 Lithuania
36 Iceland
37 Georgia

28-03-2014 10:46am

Pretty sure I contradicted myself a few times during that selection process!

But here's my ranking, along with a few more observations:

1. NORWAY
2. France
3. United Kingdom
4. Poland
5. Georgia (no-one else likes it seemingly but I find this one rather delightfully odd! :pac:)
6. Armenia
7. Italy
8. The Netherlands
9. Israel
10. Belarus (trolololol......

)
11. Macedonia
12. Albania (this would easily have made my top ten if they'd kept it in Albanian. English ruins it. :mad:)
13. Ireland
14. Romania
15. Iceland (it's daft and it's pure cheese....but it's sort of impossible to dislike!)
16. Moldova
17. Greece (if/when I'm drunk this will instantly move into the top ten)
18. Switzerland (he's sort of cute in a slightly creepy way)
19. Lithuania (I would like this song much more if it had a different singer)
20. Finland
21. Azerbaijan (this one is danger of growing on me a bit and moving up the list)
22. San Marino (would have done better in Italian)
23. Germany (see Azerbaijan)
24. Hungary (surprised this featured as low as it did but the more I think about it, the less I like it)
25. Austria
26. Russia
27. Spain (I do like Ruth Lorenzo and hope she does well but this song does absolutely nothing for me)
28. Malta (I'm probably being a little harsh on this one but I can't get past the unbearable twee-ness of it)
29. Belgium (good singer, bad song; maybe he should sing the Lithuanian entry instead?!)
30. Sweden (I'm probably one of the few people who has this so low but it really does nothing for me at all)
31. Slovenia
32. Montenegro (bring back the dubstep astronauts!!)
33. Ukraine (though if this qualified and Russia didn't, I would find that rather lol-worthy!

)
34. Estonia
35. Portugal
36. Latvia (has finally moved off the bottom for me!)
37. Denmark (as rude as it is not to appreciate your hosts, this song can go die in a fire. :mad:)

*dies from procrastination-induced coma*

playedalive · 08-04-2014 12:30am

I'm just going to post quickly so that I can keep in tune with all the talk about this great date on my calendar. :P

I've only listened to a quick compilation of the 37. So far, Norway, Spain, Israel and Romania are standing out as the typical type of Eurovision songs I would enjoy at the Eurovision.

Will keep the thread posted based on my improved listenership.

Welsh Megaman · 08-04-2014 5:58pm

There was a discussion on the radio today about different ideas to make the Eurovision more of a 'level playing field'...one suggestion caught my ear - not having the names of the countries revealed until AFTER the voting! The only problem would be trying not to disclose who's representing who beforehand.

Opinions?

yerwanthere123 · 08-04-2014 9:09pm

Welsh Megaman wrote: »

There was a discussion on the radio today about different ideas to make the Eurovision more of a 'level playing field'...one suggestion caught my ear - not having the names of the countries revealed until AFTER the voting! The only problem would be trying not to disclose who's representing who beforehand.

Opinions?

Such an idea would be impossible to execute accurately. Any fans of the show would know who's representing who already, and even if they didn't it wouldn't be too hard to work out. It might have a small affect among the casual fans who watch only on the night, but would it really even be necessary? How unfair is the voting on Eurovision anymore? The reintroduction of the juries helped, and last years change has reduced the diaspora votes even more.

Eurovision may still not be a completely level playing field, but I'd say it's about 60-40, as opposed to a few years back when it was about 80-20.

gavmcg92 · 11-04-2014 1:30pm

Only found this from scanning through looking for a thread for a tv show I'm watching. Like playedalive, just commenting so as to have this for when things all start to kick off.

Quick question, why were we not at eurovision in concert this year? Did we decide not to take part in the concert this year? It's always a nice beginning to the event and gives you a chance to see how far acts have come since national finals.

Anyway, after listening to most of the songs my top 5 are Norway, Israel, Sweden, UK and Malta.

Eurovision Song Contest 2014

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