Time for part 2 of our Eurovision round-up, then. Today we’re focussing on the Nordic countries, who traditionally take the contest VERY seriously and, you know, they have been pretty successful in the past. Entries in these countries are generally chosen by the public in ratings-winning TV shows, with many songs competing in heats over a number of weeks before the winner is chosen in a grand final.
That is the process in Sweden, for example, who this year are sending pretty young thing Eric Saade with his song, Popular. He WILL be popular, he tells us, and then he’ll get his girl – although, quite why he wants a girl who will only want him when he’s famous is not really explained. The song features one of the worst opening verses you’ll hear in the competition, but it quickly bursts into life and gets better as it goes on, especially with the smashing glass at around 2:30.
Kind of fun. Six points.
Nice this isn’t what I expected from Iceland, especially after last year’s larger than life dance effort. Coming Home by Sjonni’s Friends has a backing track that wouldn’t sound out of place on Boardwalk Empire and with a Buble-ish vocal and lyrical sentiment. They dress a bit like Mumford and his Assortment of Annoying Friends, too.
I don’t quite know what to make of that, I must say, and I really have no idea whether Europe will it take it to its bosom. A fence-sitting six points, then.
It certainly trumps Finland’s entry, though. Paradise Oskar’s tale of a boy (Peter) who sets out to save the planet because “everyone’s busy living and dying, not thinking about what they’re doing” isn’t exactly offensive, but it is dull, despite young Oskar’s cute smile.
Un points.
Still awake? No? Wake yourself up with this lively number from Norway’s Kenya-born Stella Mwangi. All I need to say is: it has a dance routine (YES!).
Huit points. FYI, Haba Haba is Swahili for “little by little”. Sage advice there, readers, and advice Denmark’s entry should heed.
A Friend in London, a pop-rock band from Vostrup in Denmark, want to change the world overnight with their entry, New Tomorrow. “Come on boys, come on girls”, the singer pleads, “it’s your future, it’s your choice”. It seems this “crazy crazy world” is a bit too much for the bleached-blonde singer, and he wants us all to “make a new tomorrow, today.” Bless.
Trois points.
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