Now we have all 37 entries ready for Eurovision Song Contest in Basel. But along the road we have lost a few real diamonds in the war fields that are national finals. Here I have listed the best of the fallen (according to my taste entirely, of course). Some felt unjust, some flew totally under the radar, some simply lost to an even better opponent.
Notably: Croatia has 6 entries on my top 20, but the chosen one, Marko Bosnjak – “Poison Cake”, is dead last in my Eurovision list.
- Lelek – The Soul of My Soul, 3rd in Dora, Croatia
The girls struggled quite a bit in the semi final due to sickness(?), but got it all together amazingly in the final. Still they could not match Marko Bosnjak. Would have been at least a solid top 10-contender in Eurovision.
https://youtu.be/FZnWR3D9yhw?si=L22eom6_0VxuiC3t - Goldielocks – Made of, 2nd in UMK, Finland
As happy as I am that Sweden finally chose to go outside our comfort zone and chose a less stiff entry, I almost equally hope that Finland will be able to chose some serious quality again, not just go for the most spectacular option. Goldielocks had it all, but stood no chance against Erika Vikmans popularity.
https://youtu.be/xLGKOpiotCo?si=z2hh0nl_rKwzUyqn - Magazin – AaAaA, 4th in Dora, Croatia
Another wonderful option for Croatia, that would have been in my personal top five in Eurovision. A fresh and hauntingly catchy song and a flawless performance.
https://youtu.be/k79KdEjsPss?si=Q0CiksF16_CcHe11 - Dominik Dudek – Hold the Light, 3rd in Wielki Finał Polskich Kwalifikacji, Poland
Just as in Finland, the outcome of Polskich Kwalifikacji was predestined to bring Justyna Steczkowska to victory. Thus Dominik Dudek had no chance. Still, this slick ballad is one of my most played songs of this Eurovision season.
https://youtu.be/Y4ykdEUszFE?si=a7epCOFhEPRHu80C - ANT – Tomorrow Never Comes, 5th in Eesti Laul, Estonia
Eesti Laul was actually one of the absolute best national finals this year, but just as with Erika in Finland and Justyna in Poland it was all set from the start that Tommy Cash would win. A pity for exceptional quality such as ANT.
https://youtu.be/qTeAiqdY4cs?si=A7bsHpPqx4fEZXVW - Nomi Tales – Funniest Thing, semi final in Melodifestivalen, Sweden
Kaj was the best for Sweden, but it is still a scandal that the Swedish people, blinded by Erik Segerstedt, didn’t vote Nomi Tales straight to the final.
https://youtu.be/LqbefjnJwrI?si=TCFZT47tfacAC40Q - Xannova Xan – Play It!, 5th in Ethnikós Telikós, Greece
That Klavdia was the best option for Greece is a no brainer. Still many promoted Evangelia and “Vále” as the girl bop alternative. Thus totally neglecting that Xannova Xan was better and catchier.
https://youtu.be/PEIYBdLROls?si=IETjS1r3nfym_aPp - Ogenj – Daj, daj, 2nd in Dora, Croatia
Ogenj got the most televotes in Croatia, but failed to convince the international jury. This energetic and catchy ethno punk would be yet another better option than “Poison Cake”.
https://youtu.be/ZRj6iBteM4o?si=e_TXC0jbcPL0Hqh4 - Wig Wam – Human Fire, 4th in Melodi Grand Prix, Norway
Glam rock was pretty outdated when Wig Wam made it to 9th place in Eurovision 2005. Twenty years later it is again a genre in full bloom, but they were not really close this time. Except for Jahn Teigen, Ketil Stokkan, Elisabeth Andreassen and Alexander Rybak, Norway historically don’t like returning artists in Eurovision (counting from my lifetime).
https://youtu.be/Aa-tC7lsrqw?si=KkB8g82J8d_OXv0H - Natalli – Dom si srcu mom, 15th in Dora, Croatia
Another emotional Balkan ballad from Croatia, which would have been a better choice. Make Balkan ballads great again!
https://youtu.be/ta2tALQRY9M?si=Uc6B-1oop_EyzwIc - Dario Bezzina & Zeppi L-Muni – Ghazliet, 6th in MESC, Malta
They were totally overshadowed by more spectacular performances as well as more generic pop, but the heartfelt and charming ethnic vibe would fit in Eurovison like a glove.
https://youtu.be/LZhZPsDpwJs?si=TNdvCOCC9F6cc6xK - Viivi – Aina, 3d in UMK, Finland
A great, emotional ballad in Finnish that, along with Goldielocks, was my favorite in UMK.
https://youtu.be/zrurU2PAqAM?si=R2ltu-CBk_FFK5yw - Dolly Style – Yihaa, 5th in Melodifestivalen, Sweden
Catchy and energetic as a runaway horse, the colourful quartet really deserved their decent place in the final of Melodifestivalen after having qualified through finalkvalet.
https://youtu.be/MQAo-zrTolM?si=haWIoUC-j2Pi2CKx - Janek – Frozen, 4th in Eesti Laul, Estonia
Another really strong contestant, with an emotional pop ballad, that would have been a good representative in a year where there was no Tommy Cash.
https://youtu.be/0ZGAgIsQNLs?si=7iLzLIKE1jGJM-L1 - Matt Shaft – Welcome to the Circus, 11th in Dora, Croatia
Although I hate clowns I must admit that Matt Shaft made a nice theatrical show at Dora and made what first appeared to be a mid song much stronger.
https://youtu.be/bKUuzW17bic?si=EpKP-V9xtBXMNjqg - Andrei Zevakin & Karita – Ma ei tea sind, 2nd in Eesti Laul, Estonia
Closest “threat” to Tommy Cash and a great energetic electrorock track that stood out for sure. But not as strong as ANT or Janek.
https://youtu.be/tZMccmghlE8?si=nhdXdC_N6YH8k5Q- - Cosby – I’m Still Here, final in Chefsache ESC, Germany
A really emotional power ballad, that should have been among the last ones standing for public vote, but got sorted out by a jury in the last minute.
https://youtu.be/jwZLf0tjIbA?si=n3UQ_udS7up_E-TM - Klara Hammarström – On and On and On, 4th in Melodifestivalen, Sweden
I feel sorry for Klara, who tried for the fourth time in Melodifestivalen and with the best song so far, but still was nowhere near to win. A straight up, catchy pop bop.
https://youtu.be/tAw2Zo4JSIM?si=Xeef8rCR1c-Y-pyx - Luka Nizetic – Juzina, 5th in Dora, Croatia
Another one with smooth ethnic vibes from the incredibly strong Dora.
https://youtu.be/n1RbroPQ3ok?si=1tMf8xYeDyZzaYn7 - Henka – I Wanna Destroy You, 4th in Festival da Canção, Portugal
Henka was the audience choice in Portugal but got zero(!) points from the juries. She could have been a fresh and bold choice for the Portugese in Eurovision (although a bit too much alike “Doomsday Blue” maybe?), but the place went to the safe and dull Napa.
https://youtu.be/Z7dNMbXk7DY?si=DxDbqpZaKBR3EpeE - Feuerschwanz – Knightclub, final in Chefsache ESC, Germany
Another rock entry discarded by a jury. Feuerschwanz qualified for the final and seemed to be a strong contender for the victory. Then Stefan Raab, Germany’s own Christer Björkman, feared that it would end up as bad as their last metal effort Lord Of The Lost (last place in 2023), thus changed the rules and made his jury chose to eliminate four of the nine final entries. All to make sure that the way was paved for Abor & Tynna. I don’t say it wasn’t the best choice in the end, but the method was questionable.
https://youtu.be/u4c0BRV1aGs?si=hDpwcKhaN5RTPqL1 - Josh – Tristeza, 5th in Festival da Canção, Portugal
- Birgo – Stormchaser/Ég flýg í storminn, semi final, Söngvakeppnin, Iceland
- Masha Kontradenko – No Time to Cry, 3d place in Vidbir, Ukraine
- Ladybug – Hot As Hell in Paradise, 9th in Melodi Grand Prix, Norway
- Malou Prytz – 24K Gold, semi final in Melodifestivalen, Sweden
- Minimal Wind – Armageddon, 9th Eesti Laul, Estonia
- Scarlet – Sweet ‘n’ Psycho, 7th in Melodifestivalen, Sweden
- Lorenc Hasrama – Frymë, 5th place in Festivali i Këngës, Albania
- Meira Omar – Hush Hush, 10th in Melodifestivalen, Sweden
- Sarah Toscano – Amacord, 17th in Sanremo, Italy
- Joan Thiele – Eco, 20th in Sanremo, Italy
- Noemi – Se t’innamori muori, 13th in Sanremo, Italy
- Nelli Matula – Hitaammin hautaan, 4th in UMK, Finland
- Olly – Balorda nostalgia, 1st in Sanremo, Italy
- Lyza – Lovers on Mars, 2nd in Chefsache ESC
- Orgesa Zaimi – I Parë, 8th place in Festivali i Këngës, Albania
- Elvana Gjata – Karnaval, 2d place in Festivali i Këngës, Albania
- Evangelia – Vále, 2nd in Ethnikós Telikós, Greece
- Daniela Blasco – Uh Nana, 2nd in Benidorm Fest, Spain
- EoT – Bye Bye Bye, 8th in Dora, Croatia
- Biber – Da mi se vratis, 14th in Pesma za Evroviziju, Serbia
- Teenah – Aurora, semi final in Dora, Croatia
- Petunija – I salduma, 8th in Eurovizija.LT, Lithuania
- Stereo Terror – Prty Till the End of the World, 15th in Eesti Laul, Estonia
- Sinergija – Bound by the Light, 9th in Supernova, Latvia
- Alis – Mjegull, 3d place in Festivali i Këngës, Albania
- Diana Vilarinho – Cotovia, 2nd in Festival da Canção, Portugal
- The Ludvig – Ligo, 4th in Supernova, Latvia
- Ardit Cuni – Amane, 7th place in Festivali i Këngës, Albania
- Kantera – Lalaratatakeke Lalaratakabum, 3rd in MESC, Malta
- Kristy Spiteri – Heaven Sent, 2nd in MESC, Malta
- Liepa Mondeikaite – Ar mylètum?, 3rd in Eurovizija.LT, Lithuania
- Queens Of Roses – Taip!, semi final in Eurovizija.LT, Lithuania
- DeTeresa – La Pena, semi final in Benidorm Fest, Spain
- Carla Frigo – Bésame, semi final in Benidorm Fest, Spain
- Tam – Durum Durum, 6th in Pesma za Evroviziju, Serbia
- Kejsi Jazxhi – Kur bota hesht, 12th in Festivali i Këngës, Albania
- July Jones – New Religion, 2nd in EMA, Slovenia
Biggest disappointments
And then we have those who should have been on the list, or – even better – in Eurovision, but failed for one reason or another.
- IVXN – Monopol, 10th in Dora, Croatia
My most played track of all from national finals, until the final of Dora. IVXN’s performance was simply a big disappointment and the extremely catchy tune got lost in false notes and bad staging. - One Morning Left – Puppy, withdrew from UMK, Finland
The only entry that could have really had a chance to stand up against Erika Vikman had to withdraw when they parted ways with singer Mika Lahti, following allegations of grooming. The song, however is great, energetic discorock/electronicore. - Athena Manoukian – DaQueenation, 3rd in Depi Evratesil, Armenia
Following the cancelled Eurovision 2020, many of the chosen artists returned in 2021 with new songs, but Athena never got the chance to follow up her fan favourite “Chains on You” – until now. But “DaQueenation” was a huge disappointment and sounded like an unfinished mash of “Chains on You” and a couple of other thrown in ideas that didn’t match. The victory went rightfully to Parg instead. - Greta – Monster, withdrew from Supernova, Latvia
Greta had to withdraw from Supernova due to health problems and with her the best song there was got lost. - Lachispa – Hartita de Llorar, 5th in Benidorm Fest, Spain
Great, ambitious song with true Spanish vibes that was big favourite before Benidorm Fest, but Lachispa could not manage it live… - Jelle van Dael – Monster, 4th in Eurosong, Belgium
Best song in Eurosong, but simply an underwhelming vocal performance. - Måns Zelmerlöw – Revolution, 2nd in Melodifestivalen, Sweden
As a former winner in 2015 Måns was a big favourite to win the whole Eurovision before his song was heard. After… not so much. Generic Swedish pop at it’s most dull moment. - Irama – Lentamente, 9th in Sanremo, Italy
Irama was one of my favourites last year with his emotional “Tu no” and I had big expectations this year, but “Lentamente” did not match them at all. - Ieva Zasimauskaitė – Don’t You Ever Leave Me, semi final in Eurovizija.LT, Lithuania
Ieva is my all time Lithuanian favourite, with “When We’re Old” from 2018, but “Don’t You Ever Leave Me” was not at par.
Ranking of national finals
- Dora, Croatia
- Eesti Laul, Estonia
- Festivali i Këngës, Albania
- Melodifestivalen, Sverige
- UMK, Finland
- Melodi Grand Prix, Norway
- Ethnikós Telikós, Greece
- Chefsache ESC, Germany
- Sanremo, Italy
- Benidorm Fest, Spain
- MESC, Malta
- Wielki Finał Polskich Kwalifikacji, Poland
- Pesma za Evroviziju, Serbia
- Vidbir, Ukraine
- Festival da Canção, Portugal
- Eurovizija.LT, Lithuania
- Melodi Grand Prix, Denmark
- Depi Evratesil, Armenia
- Luxembourg Song Contest
- EMA, Slovenia
- Eurosong, Ireland
- Söngvakeppnin, Iceland
- San Marino Song Contest
- Supernova, Latvia
- Montesong, Montenegro
- Eurosong, Belgium