Eurovision Song Contest 2012

[TheGodBen]

EUROvision live from asia.................

Eh, Israel has been in the competition for donkey's years, Cyprus even made it into the EU somehow.

If Euphoria doesn't win I will just stop watching these things. I mean, for one we have a GREAT song..

Eh, I find that song quite bland. It starts well enough but it develops into a generic pop song without any sort of interesting twist to it. But I have terrible taste in music, so don't mind me.

Ah, fuck, Israel and Latvia didn't even make it to the final, instead Ireland got the last ticket.

Sorry.

I was devastated as well with Ireland getting the last ticket.

Sorry.

Yeah, I thought Israel's song was good fun. I also really enjoy the quirky music video they made for the song. Shame they're out. I was so rooting for Israel to get the last final spot over Ireland.

Sorry.


This will be what the rest of my life will be like.

 

[Count Zero]

Ah, nonsense. There has to be some crazyness in the final, after all, and Jedward will provide it.

As for Italy's entry, I liked the beginning but then I got bored. Let's see how it comes off live. The UK's song isn't that bad but why did they have Engelbert sing it? A weird decision, all in all. The UK shouldn't have a problem finding a talented singer/band with a great song.

 

[Seven of Five]

I think the UK are under the impression that sending out an old favourite who still has fans in Europe gives them an edge when going out to promote the song. It lets people know that they're taking it seriously, dammit! Englebert is a bit of an out there choice though, even though I've ended up really liking it. I have no taste, as you'll find out.

I liked Iceland, Denmark, Russia and yes, Ireland when watching the semi last night. I missed some of the ones from the start, but I didn't feel like I missed much.

I've already seen Sweden's song, which seems like a strong one, and I sort of liked what I saw of Italy's. Germany had another decent entry, and he was cute too!

I love Eurovision. Good, cheesy fun. And of course the singers are there proclaiming how their music brings people together, whilst casually ignoring the horrible Azerbaijan regime.

 

[JRS]

I managed to guess 8/10 from the finalists.
Anyways, that was a quite nice opening for the contests and left a positive taste to my mouth
I think the show was nice, though the audience sounded quite muted, at least from watching it from TV.
It sounded like there was only dozens of people there, rather than thousands
Maybe it was something do with microphones, not sure.
It did someways kill the mood of the show a bit

Music and performance wise the show was good.
Everybody gave their best..and there where some good performance during the evening.
Shame about the technical difficulties during Romanias performance. Her earpiece did not seem to work and that made her sing behind the music slightly towards the end.
I hope that will be last of those

I am mostly happy about the finalists that qualified from this first semi. I was particularly pleased that Denmark and Iceland got trough. I dont care much for Moldova but he sang well.
Albania was very powerful and emotional performance,
though the ballad is not the best one, compared to the other ones in the contest.
Shame about Finland and Latvia, but that happens..and at least they performed well.
I think Europe did much care for the so called "funny songs", because they got voted out. Well, besides Ireland maybe,
but they have their fans.
Russia got people go crazy
The grannies did make me smile but I still feel that the song is only 3/5..and its more about the performers, than the song.
Anyways, I think music won and that is important

Speaking of the Big 5,
I think all of them have good songs this year.
I like Spain the best from them, UK maybe next.
Germany has better song and singer than previous two years.
Italy I find to be a bit flat..but better than the last years total boredom.

Now towards the 2nd semifinal tomorrow
Lots of good songs there( I do love Slovenia and Bosnia is beautiful) particularly on the ballad section.
Lets see how my guesses hold regarding that then

 

[Eyes]

Italy's entry is really quite irresistible, I agree. So much attitude. If the winner is something other than Euphoria, I wouldn't mind it being that. #loreenloon

I think the UK have a good chance... of coming mid-table. Englebert's a weird choice for us, but we haven't exactly done many normal choices recently, and it's easily our 3rd best entry musically in the last 10 years.

 

[Count Zero]

I think the UK are under the impression that sending out an old favourite who still has fans in Europe gives them an edge when going out to promote the song. It lets people know that they're taking it seriously, dammit! Englebert is a bit of an out there choice though, even though I've ended up really liking it. I have no taste, as you'll find out.

I do get the reasoning behind choosing Engelbert although I didn't know he still had a significant fanbase. But why not ask another artist with more of a fanbase across Europe instead? Some of them would have even written their own song, too.

The song isn't bad but not quite my cup of tea, musically. So, your taste isn't that horrible.

As for the political setting in Azerbaijan, yeah, it's a bit fucked up to pretend we're all one big happy family and to celebrate the power of the ESC to bring people together when it is that exact same contest which has robbed people of their homes and other stuff. There was a (licensed) rally a while back which also had musical act but the singer of one band was arrested right off the stage because he's critical of the president. They told him he'd do some serious time if he did it again so he fled the country.
However, political statements and symbols aren't allowed according to the rules so there isn't much the participants can do. On the other hand, awareness has been raised due to the media attention leading up to the event. I guess that will have to do for now.

 

[{ Emilia }]

I think the UK are under the impression that sending out an old favourite who still has fans in Europe gives them an edge when going out to promote the song. It lets people know that they're taking it seriously, dammit! Englebert is a bit of an out there choice though, even though I've ended up really liking it. I have no taste, as you'll find out.

I do get the reasoning behind choosing Engelbert although I didn't know he still had a significant fanbase. But why not ask another artist with more of a fanbase across Europe instead? Some of them would have even written their own song, too.

You really think a successful band with a big European fanbase would even be interested in competing in the ESC?
I find that highly unlikely. There are too many reasons not to do it.
The ESC is there for fresh unknowns with talent and in some cases (old) guys who used to be popular ages ago.

And I think the ESC's audience these days is too young on average to really even know who the hell Engelbert is.

The song isn't bad but not quite my cup of tea, musically. So, your taste isn't that horrible.

Well... or maybe yours is just as bad.

However, political statements and symbols aren't allowed according to the rules so there isn't much the participants can do. On the other hand, awareness has been raised due to the media attention leading up to the event. I guess that will have to do for now.

Meh, the ESC took place in Russia a couple of years ago. Bit late to start complaining about human rights records of ESC hosts now.
I see the issues but in general I guess the people in Azerbaijan are by and large happy to host it. So let them enjoy it.

Oh, and by the way: Granted San Marino's entry was just awful but I couldn't help but wonder: Wouldn't they be totally screwed if they won the contest?

Would they just ask Italy to host it?

 

[Count Zero]

San Marino used to host its own Formula 1 Grand Prix so I'm sure they'd come up with something.

 

[{ Emilia }]

San Marino used to host its own Formula 1 Grand Prix

...in Italy.

That's what I meant.

 

[Shaytan]

And I think the ESC's audience these days is too young on average to really even know who the hell Engelbert is.

I've never heard about him before this thread. But again, maybe it's just me.
After searching on youtube, I can see why I don't know him.

 

[{ Emilia }]

And I think the ESC's audience these days is too young on average to really even know who the hell Engelbert is.

I've never heard about him before this thread. But again, maybe it's just me.
After searching on youtube, I can see why I don't know him.

Yeah, by "young" I meant: Younger than 70.

 

[MacLeod]

San Marino used to host its own Formula 1 Grand Prix so I'm sure they'd come up with something.

Yes at the Imola track, which unfortunantly in 1994 2 drivers were killed at the track. Roland Ratzenberger and the great Aryton Senna. Which led to sweping changes in safety in F1.

But back to the ESC, is it a serious comeptetion or a bit of laugh? And do some nations take it more serioulsy than others?

 

[{ Emilia }]

But back to the ESC, is it a serious comeptetion or a bit of laugh?

Both.

And do some nations take it more serioulsy than others?

Countries that seriously tried winning for ages but always ended up with horrible results tend to send joke entries to mock the whole competition.
Germany spent like 10 years only sending complete rubbish entries that were obviously bullshit.

In general I think the quality has improved in recent years which is why Italy re-joined the ESC, too. Italy had left because the show was so awful compared to San Remo.

 

[Seven of Five]

I think the UK are under the impression that sending out an old favourite who still has fans in Europe gives them an edge when going out to promote the song. It lets people know that they're taking it seriously, dammit! Englebert is a bit of an out there choice though, even though I've ended up really liking it. I have no taste, as you'll find out.

I do get the reasoning behind choosing Engelbert although I didn't know he still had a significant fanbase. But why not ask another artist with more of a fanbase across Europe instead? Some of them would have even written their own song, too.

You really think a successful band with a big European fanbase would even be interested in competing in the ESC?
I find that highly unlikely. There are too many reasons not to do it.
The ESC is there for fresh unknowns with talent and in some cases (old) guys who used to be popular ages ago.

And I think the ESC's audience these days is too young on average to really even know who the hell Engelbert is.

Exactly. I know like one of his songs.

And Blue doing the UK entry last year would have been unheard of years ago when they were popular. It was just a way to get the group back together.

However, political statements and symbols aren't allowed according to the rules so there isn't much the participants can do. On the other hand, awareness has been raised due to the media attention leading up to the event. I guess that will have to do for now.

Meh, the ESC took place in Russia a couple of years ago. Bit late to start complaining about human rights records of ESC hosts now.
I see the issues but in general I guess the people in Azerbaijan are by and large happy to host it. So let them enjoy it.

I suppose so. I watch F1, which has also been visiting morally jubious places for a very long time. This year's Bahrain GP was a prime example - I didn't think it should have gone ahead with all of the shit that's been going on there since last year. But where do you draw the line? Things have to return to normal at some point. They also have races at places like China, Korea, Brazil. Russia is hankering for a place too.

I suppose businesses like Eurovision and F1 need to expand into places they would never have thought of going in order to expand, and then worry about the morality of it later.

Oh, and by the way: Granted San Marino's entry was just awful but I couldn't help but wonder: Wouldn't they be totally screwed if they won the contest?

Would they just ask Italy to host it?

San Marino used to host its own Formula 1 Grand Prix so I'm sure they'd come up with something.

Ooh, perhapps they could win it if they submitted their own version of Fleetwood Mac's The Chain? I would so vote for that.

Oh and San Marino never actually hosted a race, it was just a name for a second GP in Italy.

I'll get my coat now!

 

[Intelligence]

And up to the second semi final. This time I tried to be prepared a bit better than last time, however again I didn't find the time to watch all videos from the youtube playlist ...

 

[Count Zero]

If you're too prepared the final on Saturday won't be any fun. I like there to be some surprises.

 

[{ Emilia }]

Um, does the Swedish lady have a swollen tongue? She's not articulating very well. Sounds weird imo.

 

[Shaytan]

And I find the choregraphy ridiculous.

 

[Eyes]

Loreen does need to work on her diction for Saturday. Aside from that I think the performance was flawless.

There have been some good perfs tonight, Macedonia, Serbia and Bulgaria especially.

Um, does the Swedish lady have a swollen tongue? She's not articulating very well. Sounds weird imo.

She's been a lot better in all the previous live performances I've seen of her, she might just be holding herself back for the final...

 

[Count Zero]

Am I missing something? The huge super deluxe packet of the re-issue of RAM arrived today and I had to listen to that instead.