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ARMENIA, SWEDEN OR BELGIUM? FIVE SONGS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN THE FIRST EUROVISION SEMI-FINAL
Metro, UK
May 6 2014
Caroline Westbrook
Planning to watch the first Eurovision semi-final? Make sure you keep
your eyes peeled for this quintet of contenders.
So Eurovision 2014 is finally upon us, but before we all get to
see how our very own Molly fares in Copenhagen, we've got a pair of
semi-finals to look forward to.
Tuesday night's semi will see the first 16 countries take to the
Eurovision stage in their bid to win one of 10 places in Saturday
night's final (alongside automatic qualifiers France, Spain, Germany,
Italy, the UK and Denmark).
And here's just some of the contenders you can look forward to -
or not, as the case may be - on the big night...
Armenia - Not Alone by Aram MP3
Gruff Armenian crooner Aram MP3 is not only kicking off the whole
shebang on Tuesday night but is also the favourite to win the entire
contest with this moody little number, which starts off as a lush
ballad before suddenly taking a dub-steppy turn around the two minute
mark. Either the one to beat, or some bloke standing alone on a vast
stage singing the words 'not alone' several thousand times to the
point of distraction, depending on your opinion.
Will it make the final? Almost certainly.
Sweden - Undo by Sanna Nielsen
Habitual Melodifestivalen hopeful Sanna has finally made it to the
Eurovision stage after six previous attempts to represent Sweden at
the contest. And she's done it with what can only be described as an
epic ballad that ticks all the necessary boxes. Anthemic chorus?
Check. Key change? Check. Wind machine? Oh probably.
Will it make the final? Yes. But it's worth noting that Sweden have
never actually won the contest with a ballad, so whether or not it
gets any further is another matter.
Hungary - Running by Andras Kallay-Saunders
Possibly one of the grimmest songs ever to make it to the Eurovision
arena, Running weaves a sorry tale of child abuse which may well
surprise all those still convinced that your average entry draws its
lyrics from the boom bang-a-bang style school of songwriting. It's
also rather good.
Will it make the final? Not only will it make the final but its
dramatic blend of ballad crossed with drum n'bass makes it a potential
contender for the title. One could almost say they are Hungary for
the win. Shall we just end it there?
Belgium - Mother by Axel Hirsoux
Here's a song which has thoroughly divided Eurovision fans, with
some absolutely loving the sentiments and operatic stylings of
Axel's maternal tribute - and others finding the whole thing just
a tad creepy. And yes, he actually does refer to his mother as 'my
satellite' in the chorus. We'll be honest, we're kind of veering
towards the latter opinion.
Will it make the final? Highly likely. Although your own ma may never
forgive you for voting for it.
Netherlands - Calm After The Storm by the Common Linnets
The Dutch are kind of on a roll after Anouk finally returned them
to the top ten in 2013 - and this year they've followed a similarly
classy route with their entry, a gorgeous country-tinged ballad by duo
Waylon and Ilse de Lange (performing under the above name). A few more
songs like this in the Eurovision line-up certainly wouldn't go amiss.
Will it make the final: If the massed voting ranks do the right thing
then it will. Come on people, you know it makes sense.
The first Eurovision semi-final is on BBC Three from 8pm.
http://metro.co.uk/2014/05/06/armenia-sweden-or-belgium-five-songs-to-watch-out-for-in-the-first-eurovision-semi-final-4716900/
Metro, UK
May 6 2014
Caroline Westbrook
Planning to watch the first Eurovision semi-final? Make sure you keep
your eyes peeled for this quintet of contenders.
So Eurovision 2014 is finally upon us, but before we all get to
see how our very own Molly fares in Copenhagen, we've got a pair of
semi-finals to look forward to.
Tuesday night's semi will see the first 16 countries take to the
Eurovision stage in their bid to win one of 10 places in Saturday
night's final (alongside automatic qualifiers France, Spain, Germany,
Italy, the UK and Denmark).
And here's just some of the contenders you can look forward to -
or not, as the case may be - on the big night...
Armenia - Not Alone by Aram MP3
Gruff Armenian crooner Aram MP3 is not only kicking off the whole
shebang on Tuesday night but is also the favourite to win the entire
contest with this moody little number, which starts off as a lush
ballad before suddenly taking a dub-steppy turn around the two minute
mark. Either the one to beat, or some bloke standing alone on a vast
stage singing the words 'not alone' several thousand times to the
point of distraction, depending on your opinion.
Will it make the final? Almost certainly.
Sweden - Undo by Sanna Nielsen
Habitual Melodifestivalen hopeful Sanna has finally made it to the
Eurovision stage after six previous attempts to represent Sweden at
the contest. And she's done it with what can only be described as an
epic ballad that ticks all the necessary boxes. Anthemic chorus?
Check. Key change? Check. Wind machine? Oh probably.
Will it make the final? Yes. But it's worth noting that Sweden have
never actually won the contest with a ballad, so whether or not it
gets any further is another matter.
Hungary - Running by Andras Kallay-Saunders
Possibly one of the grimmest songs ever to make it to the Eurovision
arena, Running weaves a sorry tale of child abuse which may well
surprise all those still convinced that your average entry draws its
lyrics from the boom bang-a-bang style school of songwriting. It's
also rather good.
Will it make the final? Not only will it make the final but its
dramatic blend of ballad crossed with drum n'bass makes it a potential
contender for the title. One could almost say they are Hungary for
the win. Shall we just end it there?
Belgium - Mother by Axel Hirsoux
Here's a song which has thoroughly divided Eurovision fans, with
some absolutely loving the sentiments and operatic stylings of
Axel's maternal tribute - and others finding the whole thing just
a tad creepy. And yes, he actually does refer to his mother as 'my
satellite' in the chorus. We'll be honest, we're kind of veering
towards the latter opinion.
Will it make the final? Highly likely. Although your own ma may never
forgive you for voting for it.
Netherlands - Calm After The Storm by the Common Linnets
The Dutch are kind of on a roll after Anouk finally returned them
to the top ten in 2013 - and this year they've followed a similarly
classy route with their entry, a gorgeous country-tinged ballad by duo
Waylon and Ilse de Lange (performing under the above name). A few more
songs like this in the Eurovision line-up certainly wouldn't go amiss.
Will it make the final: If the massed voting ranks do the right thing
then it will. Come on people, you know it makes sense.
The first Eurovision semi-final is on BBC Three from 8pm.
http://metro.co.uk/2014/05/06/armenia-sweden-or-belgium-five-songs-to-watch-out-for-in-the-first-eurovision-semi-final-4716900/