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!

Bosnia-Herzegovina - Dino Merline - Love in Rewind

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

Dino Merlin - Love in Rewind

Dino Merlin fly the flag for Bosnia - Herzegovina at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Dusseldorf and brings to the contest his vast experience. A hugely popular singer across much of the former Yugoslav nations, Merlin will be a familiar face to many. Indeed he has previously written the 1993 Bosnian entry and represented the nation in 1999 finishing a respectable seventh. He has had major hit albums across the continent both as a solo artist and as part of his band and even wrote the first national anthem for the nation. Merlin. Add to the mix a life time of live gigs to massive audiences and what you have here is a successful, known and experienced singer representing his home nation.

So how well will Merlin perform in Dusseldorf and can he succeed to land Bosnia-Herzegovina their first Eurovision crown?

The song itself is a medium paced pop track that is, in actual fact, very catching and memorable with a ton of hooks thrown in there from the actual chorus, to the melody down to the lyrics. What Merlin has constructed here then is a song which will be remembered in the mix, particular given the charisma of the performer and the staging as you can see in the above video will get a reaction. Merlin sings it well, he sings with a smile on his face and seems all around that he is thrilled to be back at Eurovision. Each a combination of factors that should stand this in good stead to make the final.

After all, since first entering the contest back in 1993 Bosnia-Herzegovina have never failed to make the final and have placed in respectable position in and around the top 10 for 4 out of the last 5 years. Better songs than this, that had better backing and more hype in the lead up to the contest have failed to break the top 5 though and I have a feeling Dino will do the same. 

There is no doubt that he will make the final and Dino will be sitting down come Eurovision Final night awaiting the points to come rolling in. I forsee this hanging about the top 10 for much of the voting procedure and ending up around 8th-12th. 

Armenia - Emmy - Boom Boom

ARMENIA

Emmy - Boom Boom

Armenia, as I have mentioned on this blog before, is one of the countries I feel is due a Eurovision win. In previous years they have never failed to reach a final and never finished outside of the top ten. After years of strong songs, strong performances and successful results I felt that with the right song that maybe this could be their year. However, the song that has been selected, Emmy - Boom Boom, is without doubt the weakest entry they have sent in years and unfortunately Armenians will have to wait for their first victory in Eurovision.

Emmy is a popular singer in her homeland and narrowly missed out in the 2010 selection coming second in the national final. But this year Emmy secured her place in the contest and will compete for a place in the grand final, which she may find more difficult than previous years. This is the first year I feel the Armenian entry is at risk for breaking the streak of qualifying for the final.

The song does not open to badly and on first impressions regular viewers of the contest will be waiting for the usual catchy Armenian pop choruses to kick in but this never happens. What we get here from Emmy is a very childlike, simple almost old fashioned chorus. Something you may here in a kids club on a holiday camp. I cannot see how, in its current form, this song will work on the big Eurovision stage surrounded by much better tracks. For me, very little about this works and I cannot imagine it growing on me either.

Sadly, Armenia may find that for the first time in its ESC history that the final will be taking place without them present.

Sweden - Eric Saade - Popular

SWEDEN

Eric Saade - Popular

Eric Saade took victory this year in the Swedisn Melodifestivalen and will head on to Dusseldorf in May with the song "Popular". Sweden have had a tough time in Eurovision in recent years and will be looking to restore their reputation as one of the dominant forces in the contest.Sadly though, Eric Saade has little chance of doing that.

What you get with Saade is a slightly-more-modern-than-usual piece of Schlager that fills the Melodifestavlen each year. This was by no means the strongest song in this years selection but given Saade's popularity, pardon the pun, and the competent staging this won an easy victory, but the 21 year old singer will not have it so easy in Dusseldorf.

After a background in the mildly successful boyband "Whats up?" Saade went solo in 2009 scoring a number two album to which he is currently working on the follow up. He has also performed some brief tv work and is a known face in his home land.

But Eric Saade will find it very tough in his semi-final, perhaps the stronger of the two. Working in his favour may be the draw going third from last with two of the weaker songs in the contest following his. This should be enough to grab the votes he needs to make it to the final but once there I see the Swede perfoming simialr to Charlotte Perrelli on her return to the contest.

The song itself has an obvious hook, is well sung to give Saade credit, and the staging and performance will be as always with Sweden, second to none. But at the end of the day I see the song failing at the final hurdle. This is not a genuine contender for Eurovision despite what you may read on other fan sites and will not feature in the shake up. If it doesnt make the final, it would not be a huge suprise but I am predicting it to make the final and place around 21st.

Germany - Lena - Taken By a Stranger

GERMANY

Lena - Taken By a Stranger

After storming to triumph, in a somewhat predictable victory, last year Lena has been given the honour of defending her title in her home nation at the Eurovision Song contest 2011. The ever popular singer was given her own prime time TV selection show in which she sang various songs from her repertoire and at the end of the process the song “Taken by a Stranger” was given the go ahead and will be flying the German flag in Dusseldorf this may.

In the midst of the crisis of confidence that was at the heart of debate  prior to the new voting system being introduced, it was said one of the big four countries would never win the Eurovision Crown again. Lena proved the doubters wrong last year with a track that was a genuine European pop classic that charted highly across the continent . This year she comes back with a track which is not even in the same league as “Satellite” and where it will place is unpredictable.

The host nation in recent years has tended to under perform and Lena will most likely suffer from this. Returning winners to the contest in recent years, such as Nimah Kavangh and Charlotte Perrelli, have also failed to land as highly as hoped. So Lena will have to break tradition and overcome the barriers of being the defending champion and the darling in the eye of the host nation if she is to give a performance to match her landslide win in Oslo.

The song is a mid-paced, almost dance esque pop track with a progressive beat and obvious vocal hooks. Lena does her best to add her unique vocal talent to make the song her own. The video is excellent and if given a good staging this could prove one of the most visually stylish and overall package performances of the night.  In essence though what you have is an average “album filler” track.

Lena will not be celebrating back to back victories with “Taken by a Stranger”.  There is too much counting against her as well as the fact that the song basically is not strong enough to win the contest. I forsee position in the 13^th-17^th mark for the reigning champion but regardless it is always satisfying seeing a winner return and equally one who is defending her title!

Norway - Stella Mwangi - Habba Habba

NORWAY

Stella Mwangi - Habba Habba

It was carnival time at the Norwegian National final this year as Stella Mwangi brought a little  bit of the African beat to Scandinavia and powered her way into victory. The Kenyan-Norwegian singer, who has had her work featured in a variety of major films and tv series as well as being an active writer on the condition of her Kenyan homeland, defeated her rivals easily and will fly the flag for Norway in Dusseldorf.

From the very first listen this song has a upbeat, carnival esque vibe that make you want to dance and sing along. Mwangi delivers it with, perhaps not the best voice in the contest, but with passions and an alluring, relaxed yet vibrant stage presence. She will certainly figure to be one of the characters of this years contest, whether she will use it as a platform to raise further issues regarding her homeland only time will tell.

Noway has had a relatively successful run in the contest as of late, winning of course in 2009 with Alexander Rybak and gaining top ten finishes with Wig Wam and Marie Strong and since its debut in the contest in 1960 has missed only one final (in 2007 when Guri Schanke failed to progress). 

This year though the bookmakers will be making Haba, Haba one of the favorites to fight its way into the top 5. It has everything that is needed to do well at the contest, an up-tempo number, a charismatic singer and if the staging at the Norwegian final is anything to go by, then the visuals will look good on the night.

So when Stella Mwangi brings a little bit of Africa to Dusseldorf will the voters and juries feel inclined to issue points? Surely the African population around Europe will support their own, particularly those of a Kenyan background and her mixed-nationality story will surely impress judges. The song will stand out, is memorable and has enough to impress at first listen so yet again Norway finds itself as a strong contender for the Eurovision crown. 

Azerbaijan - Ell and Nikkie - Running Scared

AZERBAIJAN

Ell and Nikkie - Running Scared

It has been rumoured for some time but the Azerbaijan entry for this years Eurovision Song Contest will be Ell and Nikkie with the song Running Scared. I have been saying ever since their initial debut that Azerbaijan will win the contest in the not so distant future and have shown promise this far. This year Ell and Nikki present a real threat to the contest and it would be about time!

An intense selection process saw the duo listed as artists and a panel of "experts" then selected Running Scared as the song. The song is the brain child of the writers of last years Drip Drop by Safura which performed well.

Nikki has lived in London with her two children and husband for much of her recent life and with a long term dream to represent the nation in the contest is finally achieving her ambition. With no real music background apart from educationally and a little success in competitions when she was younger this is her first really shot at the big time and she has the chance of a lifetime.

Likewise, Ell has yet to taste success outside of this campaign. He has studied in Germany and is a talented pianist but otherwise he will be banking on Running Scared lifting him into the limelight.

The song itself is a mid-tempo, modern ballad with vocal hooks throughout. It does not sound something dissimilar to what English girl group the Saturdays release and is very current. Whether it has that first-listen impact or not is hard to tell though.

Both have the looks but whether or not they can carry this through on the night is the big question. with no experience could the massive audience prove a hurdle too far? Only time will tell. Azerbaijan are due a win in this contest, as are Armenia, and if this song gains momentum, is given good staging and is delivered well it could be a challenger in the top 5 come Dusseldorf.

Finland - Paradise Oskar - "Da Da Dam"

FINLAND

Paradise Oskar - "Da Da Dam"

In recent years Finland has brought a diverse array of music to the ESC from the metal of 2006 winners Lordi, to high tempo modern dance numbers all the way through to last years folksy number which just missed out on a place in the final. Despite Lordi's win however, and being present in all but 3 finals since coming into the contest in 1961, Finland have failed to make a mark in recent years. Places outside the top 15 are common with more often than not the nation ending up in the lower reaches of the final table. However, ESC Addict certainly feels that Paradise Oskars entry this year will change this streak!

There is always one song at least that sticks in the mind through its selection from the national final all the way through to the Eurovision Song contest finale its self. This is the one this year! Never has the tune been far away from my mind and the urge to sing aloud the chorus has been persistent to the extent that my girlfriend is threatening violent action if "Da Da Dam" is heard from my lips again!

Paradise Oskar has came largely from no where and stormed to a win in the Finnish National Final with over 46% of the vote.

Its a very simple track and the style of music that is becoming ever more popular in this day and age, a singer and a guitar and not much else! And good grief, how this works. Oskar delivers the song perfectly with his fragile, youthful voice which is perfect for this sort of track. A simple stage presentation akin to Tom Dice last year is all that is required for this to sail through. The verses themselves are even catchy but the main hook is the chorus which has simple vocal and lyrical hooks that stick in the mind.

Looking how this years contest is shaping up with a lot of up tempo, over the top and rock based numbers this may just be subtle even to stand out. I feel this will breeze into the final and secure a top 10 for Finland with no hesitation and Paradise Oskar could well be taking the Eurovision Song Contest back with him to Helsinki!

Ireland - Jedward - Lipstick

IRELAND

Jedward - Lipstick

First they give us Dustin the Turkey, and now they give us Jedward. The once glory nation of the ESC and still the nation to have triumphed in the contest on most occassions, the Irish seem to have fallen out of love with the contest. Despite last years attempts to reignite the flame with previous winner Nimah Kavangh, the Irish have reverted to X-factor novelty act Jedward to fly the flag.

Jedward, for those of you that have had the fortune not to encounter them before, are brothers who shot to fame on British talent show The X Factor. Despite not being able to sing, dance or basically do anything at all the duo made it through to the later stages of the contest having been selected to be in the final 12 by Irish mentor Louis Walsh. Despite receiving a chorus of boo's every time they performed Jedward managed to make it through to finish in 6th place. Each week there act got more and more ridiculous with gimmicks, props and songs such as "Ghostbusters" used to hide the fact that they could not sing.

Following the contest they became perhaps the most famous act from that series appearing all over tv, in the mainstream press, releasing singles with Vanilla Ice and touring the UK. The Irish selectors came calling in 2011 and using the song "Lipstick" Jedward became Irish representatives for the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest.

If the ESC had anything to do with actual singing ability and talent this song would fail at the first hurdle as the nasally, tuneless and down right awful voices that protrude from the mouths of these two irritants clearly are dire. Indeed, the backing singers will be on overtime to ensure this does not leave the crowd covering their ears. What Jedward do have however is the fact that they have a stage presence, they have charisma and will provide ample photo opportunities in Dusseldorf.

The song itself is not too bad. It has a catchy hook, a modern up tempo pop number and certainly gives impact. Visually it works, on record it works but live in the arena how will it fare?

How will Jedward go down with the voters and juries? Only time will tell. A place in the final I feel will come their way but where they go from there who knows! Given Jedward's status in the UK they will certainly win the phone vote here come the final. Surely not a winner of the Eurovision however, but a mid table finish in the final may not be beyond the duo.