Eurovision Song Contest 2009 - General Discussion Thread

[Corki]

Well, here is a thread for general discussion about the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest, which this year is being held in Moscow, Russia after Dima Bilan's victory last year. Feel free to chat about previous competitions, previous winners, views for the forthcoming competition this year, why you love or hate the ESC - basically anything and everything about the contest.

 

One hot topic at the moment is Georgia, who have withdrawn this year after their winning song was refused entry as it supposedly mocked Russian PM, Vladimir Putin, according the Eurovision Organisers. The song was We Don't Wanna Put In. As a result, Georgia are hosting a rival contest, with the sole purpose of musical enjoyment - there is no winner.

 

Or perhaps you are intrigued that Russia have picked a Ukrainian as their singer this year? An interesting choice considering the recent Russia-Ukraine feud over oil...

 

If you know nothing about the Eurovision Song Contest, don't hesitate to ask, and we Europeans will be more than happy to help out.

 

So feel free to start discussing Eurovision!

[Majsju]

I am very proud that Sweden for once did not send neither a botoxed dive (Carola Häggqvist, Charlotte Nilsson), nor another ABBA ripoff. Instead we send a world famous mezzosoprano with a song that married Nessum Dorma with Kylie Minogue. For the first time since ABBBA proper, we are taking a risk. And that in itself is worth your 12 points ;D

[Corki]

I haven't listened to any of the songs apart from the UK entry. We managed to get Andre Lloyd Webber in on the act, and we have a pretty decent singer. It's probably our best entry foe years - but are we a year too late with the ballad??

 

Oh, and no more Terry Wogan for us Brits either. Such a shame. Eurovision is going to be quite different this year.

[Majsju]

I think the English entry is a bit too boring to have any chance. Great vocalist, but it is a quite typical Eurovision-ballad from the days when Ireland ruled the show. In todays competition, you need to stand out more. And the vocalist...While her voice is great, she does not have the charisma to carry a stage all by herself. Seriously, get some dancers.

[MsDanya]

funny stuff

 

lmao  ;D Anyone thing the outcome will be affected?

[Amavia]

I don't even understand why we bother to send someone???

 

As for us Dutch people we send in The toppers..

 

I have nothing to say about them....

 

Absolutely nothing...

[Corki]

After listening to a handful of songs via the BBC website, I have to say I was quite shocked at how similar a lot of the songs sound this year.

[Ludmian]

Or perhaps you are intrigued that Russia have picked a Ukrainian as their singer this year? An interesting choice considering the recent Russia-Ukraine feud over oil...

 

A Ukrainian singer, a song by a Georgian who lives in Ukraine with lyrics written by an Estonian. That's what I'd call the Russian version of political correctness.

 

Anastasia Prihodko was the winner of the 7th season of the Russian show Star Factory, so she's, probably, better known in Russia than in Ukraine. I haven't listened to the song yet, but I do expect a lot from Russia's performance this year. Konstantin Meladze is a terrific songwriter. As for the singer, her personal qualities and the fact that she entered the national Eurovision selection at the last moment against all rules aside, she is far from being the worst choice.

[Corki]

It's probably more than likely that it is the British press stirring things up more than necessary.

 

Well, I'm not convinced about Norway or Greece, the two supposed favourites. I believe 2009 will be a battle of the Divas, with Iceland, Sweden, Malta and the U.K. (yes, I seriously believe we have a chance of winning) being in the mix come the end. Portugal will be there as well. I think Moldova could be a real dark horse...

[Majsju]

Sorry Corki, but you will not make it to top 5.

[Mareina]

Unfortunately I haven't heard France, Russia, The UK, Germany or Spain's songs yet. But, since it is tradition that the host country always gets a 12 or 2 "just because", I figure Russia will manage well.

 

I think Norway has a good chance of making it to top 3. Sweden might work or flop, very hard to say. Our contestants (Finland) is not a total catastrophy, but I'm afraid we won't make it to the top 10. But you never know, do you? (vote for Finland! ;D ;D)

 

Then I kinda liked Moldova too and I suspect Iceland's ballade will manage quite fine. Since Croatia made it to the final they might compete with Iceland though. I still think another ballade won't win again. People are going to want something fresh (or, as fresh as possible. Most of the times it feels like I've heard the songs 100 times before even though it's the first time I hear it).

 

Azerbaijan and Turkey will probably be popular in Eastern Europe. Greece will probably also manage pretty well.

 

Holding my thumbs for Norway! :)

[Corki]

Someone needs to explain to me what is so great about Norway's song as I am missing whatever the wow factor is.

 

Azerbaijan and Moldova are my 2 dark horses for this year's contest.

[Mareina]

Someone needs to explain to me what is so great about Norway's song as I am missing whatever the wow factor is.

 

Well, I don't know. I liked the folk feeling to it. I guess it has much to do with my own background. Although the verses aren't that great, the fiddle is very catchy and is actually the only part of any song I managed to remember one hour after hearing it. :D

[Corki]

That's more than I can remember!  ;D

[Majsju]

Yeah, the fiddle part is incredibly catchy, I could play it after having heard the song once. And it stands out. We have gotten quite used to the etno vibes from the eastern countries the last 5 years or so, now we get the Scandinavian folk, which has not been heard since Norway last won the competition.

 

Also, keep in mind that nowadays it is about more than the song. It is about the performance. He himself is young, good looking and very energetic. Behind him you have great dancers. These things matters, a lot.

 

So, top 3 for Norway.

 

Iceland on the other hand, I can not see what people finds so good about that one. Ok, she has a good voice, but the song is incredibly bland. No drama, no passion, nothing that makes it interesting.

[Mareina]

I'm actually so angry with the authorities in Russia right now that I could boycott this whole event. It shouldn't be a surprise really, but arresting and beating up 40 people in a peaceful protest... It makes my blood boil.

On the other hand I hope the artists will say some well chosen words on stage, but on the other hand I guess they'll just shut down the cameras the minute someone opens their mouth and says something uncomfortable.

 

>:(

[Liitha]

Cause I don't care if I lose my mind, I'm already cuuuuuursed

 

and yeah the dancers are hallingdøl inspired, and come from the Frikar dance company who also contested in norwegian talents (they didnt win but got far)

[MsDanya]

anddont forget, the norwegian guy is actually from belarus so lots of eastern european votes!  ;D

 

And what the hell, we won by a landslide so I dont care  ;D

[Corki]

It was an awful song!  :P I didn't like it at all. It's a shame I don't run Eurovision so I could change the result...

[Majsju]

You could start by running the UK qualifiers, and make them send a good song for once ;)

[Corki]

We did this year. It came 5th. ;)

[Majsju]

Well, if that is what you call a good song, I am afraid there is little hope for you... ;D

 

Me, I am still waiting for Morrissey to decide Eurovision is too fun to resist...

[Graendals favourite]

Am I by the way correct in my impression that most countries' broadcasts don't have the subtitles of the songs on them?

 

In Finland there always are, which is nice so that you know what they are singing about. It is arguable that the subtitle can get in the way of some of the visuals, but it is nevertheless always nice to know the lyric in my opinion. However, I understand that in many countries this is not the case, though is suspect this has to do with how many tv programs in general get subbed, which is the case for any foreign movie or serie here.

[Corki]

In the UK, if you press the magic red button on your TV remote, you can sing along to the songs.

 

It is possible to get subtitles in the UK. However, I do not know if they use English or the language the song is being sung in if it isn't English. While it would be nice to know what they are singing about, I feel it could spoil the show. So I just listen to the songs blissfully unaware of what they are singing about and allows me to judge the song as it stands.

[Ludmian]

anddont forget, the norwegian guy is actually from belarus so lots of eastern european votes!  ;D

 

And what the hell, we won by a landslide so I dont care  ;D

 

It's the first time Belarus gave 12 points to someone other than Russia. It was funny when the people who were commenting the show for Belarus said something like "It's our victory".  ;D

 

Now I know why we do well at children's Eurovision but fail at the regular one. All kids who have a potential to win leave this country before they are old enough to qualify for the main contest.

 

Well, if that is what you call a good song, I am afraid there is little hope for you... ;D

 

One small correction. If they think it's a good song there's no hope for them.