IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN

On May 25, 27 and 29 the Eurovision fever will once rise to its yearly climax. 39 countries will compete for the Eurovision winner title of the 2010 edition. After Alexander Rybak’s victory in 2009, this edition will be held in Oslo, Norway. The Voice reviews some of the top 10 songs according to the bookmakers and other peculiar entries.

Let’s start with what the top 10 is up to the time of writing. We have Germany, Israel, Denmark, Armenia, Croatia, Norway, Greece, Sweden and Slovakia. Hot favourite is Germany’s Lene Meyer-Landrut, a 19-year old that brings a cheerful song in the spirit of various currently popular songs in the trend of Amy MacDonald, Kate Nash or Jason Mraz.

Young is certainly a trend this year. Apart from Germany, also the United Kingdom, Israel and Portugal candidates are under 20 years old. Do we hear you say “influence of last year’s winner”?

Yes, the previous year generally influences the next one. What worked last year will be done again the next one. However, not only are the young participants and the folkloric influence noticeable among the delegates to the 2010 edition. The fact that a professional jury gives 50 percent for the second year in a row plays an even bigger part then last year in what you will hear and see, as the quality of the songs is considerably higher than in previous editions. Good example is, precisely, Lene Meyer-Landrut.

As for the folkloric aspect, we hear local influence in a couple of songs. In the top 10, a clear example is Greece. Mandatory muscled dancers with open shirt accompany a bearded guy in a folk upbeat song, sung in Greek. Outside the top 10, the Netherlands will ‘surprise’ with a song in true Schlager tradition. Sieneke will sing ‘Ik ben verliefd (Shalalie)’, which translates into ‘I’m in love (Shalali)’. No kidding. Lithuania also goes folk with kazoos, trumpets, drums and dance. In contrast with the Netherlands, Lithuania might score some points, mainly due to the mix of eastern and western European touches. ‘The European kinda funk’, as they themselves sing.

Next to upbeat folk inspired material, it will be ballads all over. Israel sends in a Tel Aviv ‘cutie’ who will try to enchant the viewers with his puppy dog eyes. Spain does the same, but their song ‘Algo pequeñito’ has somewhat more impact. If you understand the lyrics, it might even give you goose bumps. Is he gay? To quote a Spanish friend: “Look: he’s from Madrid, he’s a cute theatre actor and sing of the little sings that are important to him to keep the relationship alive, in an homage to the Little Thin Soldier. Go figure…” Does it matter? Of course it doesn’t. Eurovision is after all a gay how-do-you-do. Looking at Serbia this year, it becomes even more obvious. The eccentric guy flatters himself calling himself Mister GaGa. Not done.

Armenia is another entry tipped to win. Eva Rivas falls slightly out of tone. While many others went for folk - ‘back to the motherland’ as she sings -, she goes for mainstream. Should you hear Azerabijan’s song on the radio, you would just know it’s Eurovision time. Having worked with Beyoncé’s choreographer, we’re looking forward to see ‘Drip Drop’ on stage.

Some other candidates in short: France will make you feel summer is coming; Norway is rightly in the top 10 as the guy has an amazing voice; you will want to get something out of the fridge or take a sanitary stop when Portugal is up; Turkey reminds of Russia’s Dima Bilan, but we’ll leave it up to the viewers to judge whether that’s a good thing; the UK goes for a faint dance beat above which the singer’s voice barely ascends; Denmark’s entry, wind machine obliged, is tries with ABBA-like stuff; And finally Ukraine turned 360° compared to previous editions with such a depressingly slow song, it’s not funny anymore.

What about Belgium? At the time of publication, Tom Dice’s ballad did make it to the final, which is the first time since the introduction of semi-finals Belgium got that far. Belgium will have to wait and see at the final.

All in all, the 2010 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest does look promising. Enjoy! |