Albania selects for Baku!

Always one of the first nations to select Albania have held thier national final early in the season and will be sending Rona Nishliu with the ballad Suus to Eurovision 2012 in Baku.

So now we have two songs for Eurovision 2012 before the year is even out and both are very good in their own manner. Rona Nishliu won the Albania final by some distance, not that that means a great deal, and the song is a very well performed ballad that has tended to go down well in the contest in recent years.

One thing that must be added at this point is that Albania have a common tendnacy to change the song massively before the finals so by the time we hear Rona in Baku, Suus will be very different indeed. The inevitable switch to English will occur at some point, they will play about with the temp, the orchestration will properly be lost in the bid to cut the time down and who knows what else, but if Suus is the basics of Albania's entry into Baku early signs are promising.

Rona is a singer for sure, and she will wow the audience with her voice and I can see the juries liking whatever version of this makes it to Baku so time will tell.

We are well on the road to Eurovision 2012 Baku now.

Happy New Year!

First Song Selected! Sinplus for Swizterland!

Is it really that time of year again? The National Final Season is underway with the first song already selected for Baku, almost 5 months in advance. The excitement has started already and I have to say on a personal level what a fantastic start to proceedings.

Sat in front of my laptop with an excellent stream from SF Tv on Saturday Night I watched as for once, a song I really wanted to progress to the ESC made it. Sinplus will represent Switzerland with the song Unbreakable. A great addition and a great start for Baku 2012!

The Swiss national final gained headlines for the return of the first ever winner of Eurovision Lyss Assia who many felt was a hot favourite going into proceedings. Could the 87 year old really trump the youngsters and take her place at Baku 2012? I thought it was possible but in the end, despite a better than expected vocal and a song that wasn't by any means awful, she failed to make an impact missing out on even the top 3.

The final itself started really poorly and by half way through even the most addicted ESC fans were beginning to give up hope but those who knew the songs prior to the contest knew what was coming and a succession of contenders to the throne cured that. Suddenly it all felt alive and by the time Sinplus took the the stage the contest was on.

Sinplus have a great sound, something close to The Killers and the problem Sinplus obviously have is their "sound" on the night and in Baku 2012 will rely on the vocals of the lead singer. Now I'm not saying Sinplus cant play live, Ive never heard them but the vocals at the NF weren't the best. English pronunciation was off a lot and this may effect the song in the final but that can easily be worked on. I'm sure Sinplus will be pitch perfect come Baku.

Lyss Assia did herself proud and it was nice to see her on stage again, a simple song, a simple performance and simple delivery. All very charming, all trying to tug the nostalgia strings but it didnt work. Not even the well fancied Katherine St Laurent could make it into the top 3 and without seeing the actual figures I have a feeling Sinplus will have ran away with it.

A deserved winner, a good song, a modern sound and something to add diversity to the contest, Sinplus - Unbreakable is a worthy winner and gets a massive thumbs up from ESCA.

Baku 2012 has got off to a flyer, long may it continue!

BAKU 2012!

Here is the official start of the ESCA's coverage of Eurovision Song Contest 2012 - Baku! Stay tuned for all the latest news, videos, links and opinion on next years contest!

Its good to be back!

Kalomira is back!

One of ESCA's favourite Eurovision acts launched her new single recently. Kalomira returns with This is The Time!

Safura's New Track

Title says it all!

Blue - Juries took "I Can" out!

Well it is very interesting to read this morning that as the figures of the Eurovision Final have emerged and the split between the jury and Public votes has been released, Blue did as expected impress "the people" of Europe coming 5th in the Televote which I feel was a much fairer placing than the 11th they finished in the final.

This as it seems was in part due to the jury vote which cast Blue 22nd in the final which is a ridiculous decision

RIP Kathy Kirby

In tribute to the late great Kathy Kirby who passed away this week, her performance from the Eurovision Song contest. A great talent and thoughts go out to her family and friends

Rumor Mill Begins for Baku 2012

Well I am very surprised this morning to read that the Azerbaijan delegation is considering...wait for it...building a brand new arena for the Eurovision Song contest. Baku has a couple of choices but the fact that the nation want to wow the European audience even more by building something new for the event says a lot about what this victory means.

I guess Azerbaijan want to make sure they give off a great impression, after all Germany put on such a great show in terms of venue and staging it will be hard for any nation to match it.

If they are to build a new stadium, avoid the British builders....it wont be finished for 2022 let alone 2012 if thats the case!

Congratulations Elle and Nikki!

After a ESC which provided surprises in the Semi's, great performances and some of the most exciting voting in years all that is left to say is congratulations to Elle and Nikki on their excellent win in Dusseldorf.



Keep tuned to ESC Addict for the run up to Baku 2012!

Semi Final 1 Delivers Surprises!

Well Well Well!

The first semi final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 has given us one of the most unpredictable semi finals since the new system came into place. The arena looked fantastic and the solid performances kept coming and coming. Each of the 19 nations did their all to gain a place in the final but only ten made it.....and at least half of them were a shock!

Turkey, Norway and Armenia.....tipped by many to be top 10 contenders all out. Albania a nation who always seems to make it through crashing out.

In their place strode the likes of Switzerland, rewarded for a brilliant effort from Anna Rosinelli who gave a stunning vocal performance to ensure she won over votes. The Icelandic folk track which struck a chord somewhere down the line. Georgia was not tipped by many to do much this year but Eldrine made it through in one of the nights biggest surprises and Nina staked her claim for a final spot with a classic retro track to take Serbia into the final. Lithuania had been massively overlooked in the build up to the contest and that brought a huge grin to my gave when Evelina made it through.

Add to the pack the obvious qualifiers in Greece, Finland, Russia, Azerbaijan and Hungary and the contest provided a great first semi final.

A really entertaining evening and more reaction to follow.

Eurovision Semi Final 1 Prediction!

Well the time is finally here, less than 24 hours remain until the first Semi Final in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. Here are my predictions. In no particular

QUALIFIERS 

Norway

Stella has everything going right for her in this song. A good stage production, an upbeat boot and bound to raise a smile on voters and juries alike. A great carnival song for the Eurovision song contest and Stella Mwangi will fly Norway into the final.

Russia

A song being overlooked by bookmakers and pundits alike. A potential winner of the whole contest given how well Russia have done in previous years with bad songs, considering this year they have something upbeat and that has a good staging this will qualify and contend for victory.

Greece

One of the best performing ESC nations with perhaps one of their weakest songs in years but still should be enough to qualify especially with the good draw. An infectious chorus with a good vibe, this should see Greece make the final again.

Armenia

One of the nations due a Eurovision win, I did not take to this song at first but the crew have put together an awesome stage show and this will see the nation qualify again.

Turkey

For the first time in a number of years Turkey are not being talked about as possible winners. Whilst this rock number may only scrape into the Top 10 in the final it will see Turkey qualify again without doubt.

Azerbaijan

Another of the countries due an ESC win, this duo will qualify with this modern upbeat ballad and could be one of the countries challenging within the lower half of the top 10 come the final.

Finland

Subtle, appealing and vastly different to anything else on show in this semi final the great staging effects and subtle tones of this slow burner should win enough support to see it through to the final. 

Hungary

Massively overrated and will not be challenging for the title in the final but should qualify easily. A typical example of a fan favorite that will burn out come the night. Expect no higher than 7th in the final.

I see the above as definite qualifiers and this leaves a right old scrap for the final two places between.......

Albania - Usual qualifiers with powerful vocals on this one

Serbia - Different enough to stand out? Stylish, classy and stylish vocals!

Switzerland - Lovely modern ballad with catchy chorus

Iceland - The story behind the song may win votes, plus its catchy

Croatia - Cheesy, pop tastic and memorable. Could make it!

Georgia - Could well ease the rock tastes of europe.

Could go either way and it will be very interesting on the night. Malta, San Marino, Poland, Lithuania and Portugal have no chance of making it. Of those involved if forced to choose I would say Croatia and Albania. 

Hence to clarify, ESC Addict is predicting the following to qualify from Semi Final One -

• NORWAY
• RUSSIA
• TURKEY
• GREECE
• ARMENIA
• FINLAND
• HUNGRAY
• AZERBAIJAN
• CROATIA
• ALBANIA

ESC Addict hopes the following will qualify

• NORWAY
• RUSSIA
• TURKEY
• GREECE
• ARMENIA
• FINLAND
• HUNGRAY
• AZERBAIJAN
• SWITZERLAND
• SERBIA

UK Rehearsal - Worrying Times?

I was full of optimism in the run up to this years contest that my proud home nation, the good old United Kingdom, would do us proud and had in the back of my mind already started planning for the 2012 contest in London. Until I saw this....

Now this is what I call a buzz killer!

Blue took to the stage yesterday after a string of other nations had made stunning impression on the media and online fans the Eurovision Song contest 2011 in Dussledorf. But the reaction to Blue has been very negative. The UK remain third favorites with the bookmakers here and also are doing superbly well in the OGAE fan poll and will certainly be in a lot of peoples predictions for a top 5 placing but on this evidence much work needs to be done.

Lee Ryan and Anthony Costa are vocally awful here and the whole staging just looks wrong. The green is horribly bland and the pictures of the band members on the backgrounds is a massive letdown. I am terribly disappointed with this but hopefully the team will pull something together.

Rehearsals Start Tomorrow!

Düsseldorf is ready and the Eurovision Song contest 2011 Semi finals begin tomorrow! Stay tuned to ESCA for full coverage and opinion on whole process

Portugal - Homens de Luta - A luta e alegria

PORTUGAL

Homens de Luta - A Luta e Alegria

The Portuguese national selection process provided much interest this year which a close online voting process followed by a tight national final. Despite placing only 4^th the juries, Homens da Luta proved popular with the televoters and thus narrowly won the right to represent Portugal in Dusseldorf.

In recent years the nation has been on a strong run in the contest with three qualifications for the final after missing out at the semi final stage for 4 consecutive years. Vania Feranades was a huge fan favourite when coming 13^th in 2008 , followed by the folksy Flor-de-Lis the year after coming 15^th and the sultry ballade from Filipa Azevedo last year coming 18^th. All the songs had followings among Eurovision fans and gained votes but sadly this year Portugal find themselves in a very different position.

What they are sending to Eurovision in the form of Homens Da Luta is a Street theatre/musical street show/improvisational comedy act that essentially has no place in a music contest. The song itself is nothing really but a street chant, it has no major hooks and feels massively out of place at Eurovision. Given the variety inherent in the contest that is really saying something but “A luta e alegria” really will not work on stage in Dusseldorf.

Indeed, I forsee that despite having a good draw in the Semi this could well finish last and has virtually no chance of qualifying. If this was outside on the streets of Dusseldorf entertaining passers by I am sure it would raise a few smiles a garner a few watchers, but this is Eurovision and on the big stage with millions watching in the vast arena this will not work.

Failure to qualify and potential last place!

Iceland - Sigurjons Friends - Aftur Heim

ICELAND

Sigurjosn Friends - Aftur Heim

Iceland will enter the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Dusseldorf with the song “Aftur Heim” by Sigurjons Friends. The group comprise of 6 members competed in the Icelandic selection in tragic circumstances. Original artist Sigurjon Brink was intending on presenting this song in the process but sadly passed away in the run up the event thus family and friends decided to drive the song forward and the band were formed to take the song to the final.

Iceland have performed relatively well at the past three Eurovision’s. After three years of missing the final Euroband score a 14^th place with “This is My Life” which Yohanna followed up with an excellent second placing in 2009 and last year her Bjrok made 19^th which was lower than expected but a 3^rd place in the Semi final confirmed the songs popularity.

Interestingly, this is the first non-English entry from Iceland since 1999 and it works better for that purposes. It’s a very folk based number with a slow building hook and a let-loose sort of fell. It does not follow a traditional song structure, is not over the top or cheesy in anyway and simply stands its own ground being something unique

Given the tragic circumstances this song could have easily been something very different and have a very different feeling. But rather than dwell on a tragic event the family and friends of Brink have stuck to the upbeat, almost celebratory tone of the song and its an all round upbeat feeling. The band deliver it well and it will have some impact on viewers I think.

I think this is a very touch and go song in terms of qualification but I can forsee it sneaking through into the final where it may place around 16^th-17^th. Either way it’s a song which will stand out and entertain with the celebratory tone and smile it is bound to bring to many faces around Europe.

Hungary - Kati Wolf - What About My Dreams

HUNGARY 

Kati Wolf - What About My Dreams

Hungary return to the Eurovision song contest after a one year absence to be represented by Kati Wolf with the track “What About My Dreams”. In recent years Hungary have failed to make the final in 2008 and 2009 with two poor entries. The 9^th placing of  Magdi Ruzsa in 2007 however showed the nation has potential to perform well in the contest and everyone in the Esc fan community is pleased to see them return in Dusseldorf!

Kati Wolf has previously released two albums and comes to the Eurovision Song contest 2011 with a modern upbeat number that will be a favourite with fans. When Eurovision tries to pop and dance it can sometimes come across as dated, out of touch and unintentionally retro but Wolf has a song here which could and may very well be, a summer hit around the continent.

The song hits its stride early with a singalong, feel good chorus that serves to instil an urge to jump up and dance and sing along. This will go down a storm in the arena and will come across well to people at home too. The mix of languages works a treat too and the whole vibrant, summer-like feel of the song make this a perfect antidote to some of the other songs around it.

I feel Kati Wolf will certainly make the final and when there she could creep into the lower reaches of the top 10. A good draw in the final may secure this and she certainly has potential to be one of the break out stars of the contest.

Hungary will be present in the Eurovision final and Kati Wolf will give us a performance to remember, of that I am sure! 

Croatia - Daria - Celebrate

CROATIA

Daria - Celebrate

Always one of the most enjoyable selection process Dora this year ended with victory for young Croatian singer Daria with the song now known as "Celebrate". After last years disappointment of the excellent Feminem failing to make the final Croatia will be looking to establish themselves back the Eurovision final of which they have missed only two in their history in the contest. It has been ten years since Croatia landed a top 10 placing, will this be the year they return to the upper reaches of the table?

The song is certainly different to previous winners of the Dora and takes a more Eurovision approach with a up-tempo, disco fueled almost retro pop track. Its lively, upbeat and feel good with a sing a long chorus that you will remember long after first listen. It jumps into your ears and will be one of the songs you will be humming around the house.

This will look fantastic on stage with correct staging and if Daria nails the English version and pulls of the performance she is capable of this could be one of the nights mot feel good and upbeat numbers. I have no doubt this will qualify for the final in around 7th-8th place in the Semi final and will probably end up around 12th-13th in the final. It is always nice to have an old-school, disco track that you can sing along to with the hairbrush in Eurovision and at a time when a  lot of nations are trying new types of music in the Eurovision, its good to see Croatia give us something like this. By no means the best song in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 but certainly one that will raise a lot of smiles and qualify for the grand final.

San Marino - Senit - Stand By

SAN MARINO

Senit - Stand By

Having only competed in Eurovision once before, in 2008 when Miodo failed to make the final, San Marino make a welcome return as one of the newcomers to the contest. They have chosen the popular and successful Italian singer Senit to represent them in the semi final and will have hopes of making it to their first Eurovision Song Contest final. 

The song "Stand By" is a ballad in a modern fashion sung with a powerful vocal from a proven singing talent. There is no doubt that on the night it will be delivered with class, power and a vocal masterclass by Senit but the song may lack the punch to make the final. 

The chorus is not particularly memorable and it doesn't jump out and leave a lasting impression.  even after a few listens it is hard to recall the songs hooks and it turns into a very bland experience. The song becomes boring very quickly and no matter how good the performance or staging is I cannot see this qualifying for the final.

I would like this to be the "shock" qualifier of semi final 1 in the 2011 Eurovision song Contest but simply cannot imagine it. San Marino are welcomed back with open arms to the contest but I feel will have to wait a little longer to qualify for the grand finale. 

Georgia - Eldrine - One More Day

GEORGIA

Eldrine - One More Day

After Eldrine triumphed in the Georgian selection this year with the song One More Day the lead singer of the group was promptly replaced for reasons which have hitherto been fully ascertained. Regardless, the song and style remains the same and Georgia this year provide us with a rock song which has every chance of qualifying. 

Georgia have managed to make it through the semi final in each of the contest they have participated in since debut in 2007 and have never been outside the 9th-12th placings. Bar the disqualification on 2009 they have shown promise and are one of the nations I feel will prove victorious at some stage in the near future. 

"One More Day" by Eldrine is unlikely to challenge for the victory but it certainly has a lot of positives and should make the final. It opens in a moody, rock induced, vocal powered intro and moves into a high energy rock chorus that will have the arena jumping. It does at times sound very dated however with the rap sections sounding like something for the late 90's. Nevertheless, this has proved to be popular in other selection procedures so maybe it will add to the songs appeal.

It certainly ticks a lot of boxes and will make for an excellent on stage performance. It is clear from selection processes all over Europe that this type of music has a wide audience and I expect this will gain many votes from countries who have selected similar songs and those you like their music with a rocky edge. I feel this will qualify in about 7th or 8th position in the semi final and maybe land a placing of around 14th-15th in the final.

Albania - Aurela Gace - Feel the Passion

ALBANIA

Aurela Gace - Feel The Passion

As usual Albania were among the first nations to select their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 and this year have selected Aurela Gace to fly the flag in Dusseldorf with the song "Feel The Passion". Albania have made a habit in the past three years of managing to qualify for the final but I feel this year they may find it slightly tougher going.

Aurela Gace is a popular Albanian singer with a string of hits and is now based in the USA. She won the selection process with the song sung in her native tongue but this has since been changed into the English version as you will see in the video above.

The song is a mid-tempo song and will participate in the first semi final of the Eurovision song contest 2011.  Gace is an excellent live singer but has a slightly annoying voice in parts of this song when it appears she is merely shouting the lyrics and it starts to grind on the ears and feels very uncomfortable to listen to. Its certainly not an easy song to fall in love with as its hard to remember, lacks a major hook and starts low and goes nowhere. Also again, it suffers from the English translation.

i am usually a fan of the Albanian song but feel this is their worst entry in years and they will fail to make the final for the first time in 3 years. Its not an appealing song and will require some amendments and an excellent staging and commanding vocal to give it any chance whatsoever.

Poland - Magdalena Tul - Jestem

POLAND

Magdalena Tul - Jestem

Poland have had a frustrating time in the Eurovision Song contest as of late and will hoping to rectify this in 2011 with Magdalena Tul;s "Jestem". Easing to victory in the national final with almost 45% of the vote, Magdalena has her sights firmly on qualification for the final at the very least. However, Poland have in recent years failed to make an impact on the contest qualifying for the final only once in the last 6 attempts and sadly I feel Magdalena will follow suit.

Her song is a typical up tempo Eurovision type song with an overly repeated chorus, a female lead and a simple melody. Although the song is pleasant enough to listen to and can easily be danced and sung along to after only a few listens, it fails to have that key first time impact that Eurovision winners require. There is nothing that jumps out of the song and strikes you in the face to impress and after one listen its barely memorable.

Magdalena Tul does the best she can and is a competent performer with a good voice, stage presence and the looks but that alone will not carry her through to the final. It will serve a very good on stage show but the song won't be remembered enough to be in peoples voting plans come the end of the Semi.

 The draw has not been kind to Poland either and sadly they will find themselves watching from the sidelines again this year. A non qualifier. 

Serbia - Nina - Caroban

SERBIA

Nina - Caroban

Serbia come to the Eurovision song contest 2011 on their fifth outing as a lone nation. A victory in 2007 was followed by a 6th place on home soil with disappointment the following year when the nation fell at the semi final hurdle. Milan Stankovic probably exceeded expectations lat year coming 13th in the final and this year Nina has been selected to represent Serbia with the retro inspired Caroban.

Nina has had some experience in singing around her homeland as part of a band but this is her first major outing in solo terms and certainly winning the Serbian selection is her biggest achievement to date. On stage though she oozes class, sassiness and confidence and if the staging is anything like it was in the Serbian Selection this will look fantastic on stage and certainly stand out as something different.

Serbia have produced a song that is very retro, which at the moment is actually a contemporary route to take. A heck of lot of succesful artists all over Europe are of late turning to retro sounds and nostalgica tones and finding it works on the wide audience. Very few have been as overtly retro has this 60's inspired ditty, but this sound is becoming ever more popualr again and it may just work to Serbias favor. It has a catchy chorus and definitely  sounds something from the 60's in the pop world and 70's and even 80's Eurovision entries.

However although I think this has an excellent chance of making the final and I feel that it will come around 8th in the Semi Final, I feel it lacks that final bit punch it needs to challenge the top 8. A position around 13th-15th is predicted from this blog and that would be a fair reflection for what is a fun, retro inspired track

Spain - Lucia Perez - Que me quiten lo bailao

SPAIN

Lucia Perez - Que me quiten lo bailao

Spain have failed to make an impact in recent years in the Eurovision Song contest despite trying a vast range of methods to select their song. This year the task of overcoming the recent streak of bad results goes to Lucia Perez with the song "Que me quiten lo bailao". Starting in 2001 Spain achieved four back to back top ten finished but since have only comes as high as 15th last year with Daniel Diges (with the famous stage invasion of course) with many of the entires becoming below 20th. Lucia Perez will of course be lining up in the final as one of the automatically qualified nations but can she get Spain back into the top 10?

Personally, I feel this is a strong, Spanish flavored pop song which has a sing along melody, and upbeat chorus and all round good feel to it. Perez is a strong singer and the whole staging should be fantastic. i am a big fan of this song but sadly feel it will be another year with Spain languishing in the lower half of the table. For some reason the Spanish songs of late, of which this is a prime example, are not connecting with the wider Eurovision audience. I would love to see Lucia Perez have a great year and get into that top 10 but sadly she won't and I predict an excellent performance on stage but a final placing of around 18th-21st.

Romania - Hotel FM - Change

ROMANIA

Hotel FM - Change

Romania have been involved in every Eurovision final since 2002, making it out the semi final every time they have been placed there. After a few lowly placed finishes in the final itself, last year Paula Selling and Ovi performed above expectations to come third. Thus Hotel Fm, with their song "Change", head into the contest with a tough precedent to beat. Do they have what it takes?

The band have been formed for 6 years with a strong of CD's released and a failed attempt in 2010 to make the Eurovision Song contest. However they returned to the Romanian National Final this year with "Change" and eased to a victory. They will head into the into the Second Semi Final in Dusseldorf on May 12th.

The song has a very mid-90's feel it and definitely seems dated in every aspect from the arrangement, the music and even the vocals. It does sound very familiar and the melody is a simple one. The lead singer of the band does have a strong voice but it has a grating sound to it, especially when performed live. It seems fine at first but as the song goes the voice begins to grate on you and it becomes quite intolerable by the end. I have found this to be very annoying on later listening and have grown to see the song for what it appears to be, a simple, almost-cheesy pop song by numbers.

There is nothing new or special here but I think its simple enough and styled in a fashion that will see it qualify from a a very tough Semi. I don't think for one second it deserves the place in the final and hope I am wrong but I forsee this getting into around 9th or 10th in the Semi and ending up maybe 18th-20th in the final.

Lithuania - Evelina Sasenko - C'est Ma Vie

LITHUANIA

Evelina Sasenko - C'est Ma Vie

After hearing this song it will be of no great surprise to you that not only is Evelina Sasenko a student of theater but she also shot to fame through an Opera contest on TV. "C'est Ma Vie" is the very theatrical ballad that will represent Lithuania in the Eurovision Song contest 2011. After mixed results in recent years, including a failure to qualify last year with Inculto,  Evelina will be hoping to lead Lithuania back to the Eurovision final!

To be frank, Sasenko has a great chance of making the final. The song is a a very obvious ballad and is nicely placed in the Semi final draw. It really is touch and go in my book and could come down to how well Sasenko delivers the song on the night. There is no doubting she is an excellent singer, perhaps even one of the best in the entire contest and if she can give a vocal performance she can make the final.

The has a classic ballad feel and the mixture of languages used adds a certain beauty. It she does make the final, which I am starting to think she may, I would expect her to fill up the bottom 4 places. Making the final alone in a tough ESC year will be a good achievement for this song!

Israel - Dana International - Ding Dong

ISRAEL

Dana International - Ding Dong

Viva la Diva! Dana International's inevitable return to the stage that made her famous is upon us and this year the song "Ding Dong" will represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dusseldorf. What are her chances of repeating the victory of 1998?

Israel of course have not won the contest since Dana last stepped foot on stage in the ESC and have a mixed bag of results since ranging from 3 top ten finishes to two failures to qualify. Last year Harel Skaat was predicted to come much higher but due to a bad vocal performance ended up 14th. This year Dana will certainly be hoping to do better!

I have no doubts that this will qualify for the final, it has enough to beat the rival songs in the Semi Final and the curse of the returning winner should not strike Dana. After all returning winners in recent years have failed to make anywhere near the impact of their initial victories, Nimah Kavangah and Charlotte Perrelli for instance. 

Dana of course will be a huge photo opportunity in Israel and along with Jedward will provide hog the limelight in the run up. I have no doubt she will try in some way to make headlines whether it be for her on stage results or behind the scenes ramblings. She won't want the whole contest to pass by without some issue or event that revolves around her.

Nevertheless, her chances of winning are very slim once in the final. I cant imagine this breaking into the top 8 and realistically expect a finish around 13th-15th for Dana. There is nothing wrong with the song per se, but its all a bit paint-by-numbers, with an old fashioned title and the chorus doesn't bite as much as it should. With a redraft of the song and a few changes it may challenge the top 10 but I foresee Dana qualifying for the final and coming around half way down the leader board. 

Belarus - Anastasia Vinnikova - I Love Belarus

BELARUS

Anastasia Vinnikova - I Love Belarus

After Anastasia Vinnikova's original "Born in Beylrorussia" song was disqualified from the contest after being selected to represent Belarus at Eurovision a change was needed and the song "I Love Belarus" replaced it still be Vinnikova at the helm.

Both are anthemic tributes to her homeland. Patriotic, shout along almost football esque chanting chorus with a totally forgettable verse. Vinnikova is a powerful singer and delivers the whole package well however the nature of the song may see it slide off into obscurity this year.

In the past 7 contests, after debuting in 2004, Belarus has failed to make much of an impact. Koldun's "Work Your Magic" was heavily tipped in 2007 and coming in home in 6th came the nation their highest ever placing but aside from that last years "Butterflies" from 3 + 2 is the only other entry to reach the final coming 24th.

"I Love Belarus" will not however break this trend and certainly won't outdo Koldun. The song is a very basic pop song with a chanting chorus that will only appeal really to Belarussians. A few may be won over by the patriotic nature of the song but at the end of the day the contest is modernizing and Anastasia Vinnikova simply will not get away with a song called "I Love Belarus".

An unlikely qualifier!

Malta - Glen Vella - One Life

MALTA

Glen Vella - One Life

Malta are perhaps one of the nations that love ESC more than any other. Each year they come to the contest with high hopes for a contest they clearly have a national passion for. After missing three of the last four finals they are hoping to return this year and it was Glen Vella who proved victorious in the national final. Will One Life be the song to end Malta's poor string of results and return to the heights of when Chiara and Ira Losco were challenging for victory? Sadly not and Malta may find themselves watching the final without a contender.

Glen Vella himself has tried to represent his nation three times in the past and found victory in 2011 in the Maltese selection with One Life, ironically the weakest of the attempts he has made to get to Eurovision. It is a very mid-90's esque dance track, sung badly, with a unmemorable chorus the likes of which has been heard at Eurovision before a million times.

Not only that, but Vella himself lacks any sort of stage presence, has a poor nasally voice that doesn't work well with the song and his lack of vocal competence will be shown up on the big stage where far better singers surround him.

Overall, and I am sad to say it as I love Malta's enthusiasm for the contest, this is a dated, forgettable and all together lifeless song that will fail to get out of the Semi Final. Another year for Malta in which they will watch the final as on outsider.

Switzerland - Anna Rossinelli - In Love For a While

SWITZERLAND

Anna Rossinelli - In Love For a While

Having failed to qualify for the past four finals, Switzerland come to Dusseldorf with high hopes that 2011 will be the year they return to the peak of the Eurovision Song Contest.With only one top 10 finish since 1994 and no victory since Celine Dion romped home in 1988 the Swiss have been out of the main frame of Eurovision for some time. This year however, they will return with a bang!

Anna Rossinelli will be flying the flag for Switzerland in Dusseldorf with the modern ballad "In Love for a While". Somewhere along the line there has been some inspiration taken from Lena's winning song for Germany last year but those pointing that this is merely a "copycat" are far from the mark.

The song is mid-to-slow tempo and relies heavily on the powerful and rich voice of Rossinelli to deliver the melody and she delivers that superbly. She has a fantastic voice and with a little more work on stage presence and a suitable staging in ESC she will find herself doing very well indeed.

I have no doubts that this song will see Switzerland return to the final for the first time in recent memory. its catchy, modern and will appeal to a broad base of voters as well as juries. It has depth and is one of the songs that once it has ended you will not only be humming the tune, but will find yourself eager to hear it again.

Rossinelli will breeze through the semi-final and take her place, I have no doubts, in the lower reaches of the top 10 in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. Switzerland is back!

Greece - Loukas Giorkas feat Stereo Mike - Watch My Dance

GREECE

Loukas Giorkas ft. Stero Mike - Watch My Dance

Greece are another of the nations who have had a successful run in the Eurovision song Contest in recent years with top ten finishes since 2004. They are always one of the nations to watch in National Final season and this year they have turned to Greek X Factor winner Loukas Giorkas to fly the flag in Dusseldorf with the song Watch My Dance on which he is accompanied by Stereo Mike.

Stereo Mike himself has a string of hits and an MTV award and coupled with Loukas Girokas' gold selling EP, they have between them seen quite a bit of success. But can they translate this into Eurovision victory?

Again, Greece must be considered in with the front runners. The song is a decent blend of hip hop and traditional singing. Stereo Mike's sense of rap is a little outdated however and the one criticism of this song may be that the rap segments sound like something from the 1980's. All credit to Giorkas however has he has a superb voice which he uses to full effect with a moody, brooding and emotionally charge chorus. It certainly has that first time impact and once the song builds towards the end and he takes more control and the rap is reduced it certainly works better.

It all ends on an impact note which will go down well at Eurovision. It builds and builds and you begin to get lost in Loukas' voice. It's a shame Stereo Mike is in this song at all as he may put people off. As the saying goes, its hard to come back from a bad first impression, and due to Mike being the first thing you hear in this song it could damage Greece's changes of winning.

I think this will song will still however gain the votes and jury points and will find itself in the lower half of the top 10. There is no question that it will qualify for the final and once there I forsee not a serious challenge for victory but also a song that cannot be ignored. I would say 8th at this time.

Estonia - Getter Jaani - Rockefeller Street

ESTONIA

Getter Jaani - Rockerfeller Street

Currently the joint bookmakers favourite in various nations around the continent Getter Jaani heads to Eurovision as one of the front runners. Shooting to fame through a fourth place on Estonian on idol she stormed to victory in this years Estonian selection and will represent her home nation in May on the biggest stage of all in Dusseldorf and she has a very good chance of securing victory!

Estonia have had something of a bad time in the contest in recent years qualifying for the final only once in the past 7 years. Admittedly, the time Estonia did make it through with the superb Urban Symphony they came a credible 6th and had superb run in the contest between 1996-2002, with of course the victory in 2001 and a number of top 5 placings. 2011 marks the year Estonia will return to the final of the contest and will return to the upper echelons of the rankings!

This is a lively, stylish and attitude filled modern pop track with a sassy, sexy and all round stylish performance from a young singer who is oozing confidence and looks likely to be unphased by the task in front of her. The song is catchy from start to finish with a memorable chorus, sing a long words and a whole package that with a decent staging will stick in the mind. Its the full pop-perfect Eurovision package and if voters and juries so for the standard up tempo pop number this year this will be that song.

Estonia will be a challenger this year and will make the final comfortably, possibly ending up somewhere inside the Top 5. A definite contender for victory this year and a deserved one at that.

Russia - Alexey Vorobyov - Get You

RUSSIA

Alexey Vorobyov - Get You

Alexey Vorobyov will fly the flag for Russia this year in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Dusseldorf. After a successful career in Russia and surrounding nations Vorobyov heads to ESC as a strong contender. Russia is due a return to the top ten of the Eurovision scoreboard and after two years in 11th place this could well be the year Russia triumph again!

Russia has enlisted the help of worldwide musicwriting superstar Redone, of Lady Gaga fame, to aid them in their quest for further Eurovision glory and the song works. Its a modern day, up tempo pop number with an obvious track, progressive beat and a dance feel. In addition, a singalong chorus and memorable hooks must make this a favourite to win. Personally, I feel the performance from Vorobyov and his voice is not strong enough and something shouts out to me that this would work better with a female voice. Nevertheless given the fact that the song is modern and strong and the fact that its Russia, this could well win the contest! After all, Russia have come much higher with far worse songs. Top 10 for sure and a certain contender I feel for the crown.

Could well win Eurovision 2011!

Slovakia - TWiiNS - I'm Still Alive

SLOVAKIA

TWiiNS - I'm Still Alive

First and foremost let us introduce to you Daniela and Veronika Nizlova, otherwise known as TWiiNS. I am sure you will get to know these girls very well over the course of the next few months as the popular Slovakian duo descend on Eurovision. After success in their homeland the duo were selected to fly the flag in Dusseldorf in May and could provide Slovakia with their best result yet!

Slovakia has yet to makes it mark on the Eurovision Song Contest. Only six times have they set foot on the big stage and the highest placing thus far is the 18th achieved in 1996. Since returning to the contest in 2009 they have failed to qualify for the final and in truth have been some distance off. Despite last year, Kristina having a strong song, the promotion, presentation and general performance just did not click into gear and the song limped to a bottom placed finish in its Semi-Final. Surely, the Twiins cannot do worse than this.

I certainly feel this song will give Slovakia its highest placing yet. They sing 4th in the first Semi Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in between  two of the weaker songs on display this year. The song itself is a slow tempo, catchy pop song with a strong, overly repeated chorus that will stick in mind. In terms of the looks, the Twiins will also stick in the mind and if they pull together a strong staging and a strong vocal performance they should breeze into the final.

Once in the final however I think the Twiins should realistically expect a position around 11th-15th. It would be nice to see the song creep into the top 10 but either way I am confident this song will give the nation their best ever result at ESC. Not under any circumstances a winner but a firm cert for a place in the final.

Turkey - Yukesk Sadakat - Live It Up

TURKEY

Yukesk Sadakat - Live It Up

Yukesk Sadakat are a popular Turkish band, formed 14 years ago and broke through into the mainstream in 2005 with their self titled album. After a string of hits, gigs at festivals around the continent and building up a large fan base the band will now be flying the flag for Turkey at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 with the song "Live it Up" and based on the video above, I am sure you would agree, that Turkey will be in the upper reaches of the final once again.

Turkey are without doubt one of the most consistent performers at Eurovision in the 00's. Sertab Ertner of course took victory in 2003 and since then three times the nation as placed 4th, 7th in 2008 and of course last year runners up to Lena. That is quite some form!

Again Turkey have went for the rock edge to their entry and Live it Up certainly packs a punch. From the opening guitar rhythm to the end the song takes you in its grasp and never lets go. A chorus and verse structure thats laden with hooks, a competent performance, a big sound...I have little doubt this will be in the shake up. I cannot see it winning, and don't want it to either, but either way I would be very suprised if this was not in and around the top 5 come May.

Turkey has a knack of getting points and Yukesk Sadakat will continue that run I am sure. Unless there is a drastic change in what was popular last year I see many of the votes that Magna got from juries and the public alike will transfer straight to this band.

One to watch out for!