So, the EBU celebrated 60 years of Eurovision in 2015. But it all started in 1956, so it should be celebrated in 2016, no? So let me do the honors, and offer you my short view on every country’s track record. I’ll add my top three per country to that – in the spirit of the Olympics, that other peaceful and worldly event!
We move along chronologically, so it’s time for the countries that joined the Eurovision family in 1998, 2000, ’03 and ’04. Welcome to post Y2K!
36. Macedonia
I’m afraid I only like a couple of Macedonian entries, the rest falls into the #meh or #whatever pile. Anxiously awaiting something amazing. I’m not getting my hopes up though.
- 1998 – Ne zori, zoro – Vlado Janevski
Because it’s so dark in the chorus, especially the opening is awesome. Bond goes Balkan! - 2002 – Od nas zavisi – Karolina
Because it’s a different melody – even though the original sounded 10x better. - 2006 – Ninanajna – Elena Risteska
Because I love people who don’t take themselves too seriously.
37. Latvia
Latvia has, despite their great debut, all too often given us songs I’d rather never hear again. They’ve come through the past couple of years though – let’s hope they manage to keep that up.
Their only winner is so weak I don’t even wanna (ha!) waste time on it. Aiaiaiaiaiaiai.
- 2015 – Love Injected – Aminata
Because it’s well put together and rather groundbreaking in sound #yayforelectro - 2016 – Heartbeat – Justs
Because it’s got it all: great beat, great vocals and something great to look at - 2000 – My star – Brainstorm
Because the studio version is great.
38. Ukraine
One of the better additions to the contest, even though their debut was quite horrible. They manage to surprise every once in a while and never really go into cliché territory (bar 2008 & 2014, perhaps).
Their first win was all kinds of awesome. Their second…well…yeah…see my 2016 review…
- 2010 – Sweet people – Alyosha
Because of the intriguing apocalypticness of it all. - 2004 – Wild dances – Ruslana
Because IN YOUR FACE! - 2009 – Be my valentine – Svetlana Loboda
Because it’s so deliciously OTT
39. Albania
Hit or miss country. The thing where they miss most is when they completely overhaul their chosen entry and almost always manage to come up with a worse version than the original one. But when they nail it, they NAIL it. At least they manage to bring something new to the table every now and again.
- 2012 – Suus – Rona Nishliu
Because finally something Björkish made it to the ESC stage and it ROCKED. - 2011 – Feel the passion – Aurela Grace
Because of the power of it all. - 2010 – It’s all about you – Juliana Pasha
Because it’s vocally convincing.
40. Andorra
The tiny country gave us such helpless entries, you can’t help but secretly adore them all.
- 2005 – La mirada interior – Marian Vandewal
Because Anabel Condé. And because the delicious chaos of it all. - 2006 – Sense tu – Jenny
Because the song is actually doable, even though Jenny isn’t. - 2004 – Jugarem estimar nos – Martha Roure
Because it’s just so sweet!
41. Belarus
Probably my least favorite country in ESC, together with Malta & Romania. I hardly ever ‘feel’ what they’re trying to do. Even when they serve Cheesecake.
- 2007 – Work your magic – Dmitry Koldun
Because it’s their only decent entry, actually. - 2004 – My galileo – Alexandra & Konstantin
Because this just cracks me up. - 2013 – Solayoh – Alyona Lanskaya
because #backwardhandclap
42. Serbia
I kinda like Serbia. Sometimes they manage to think outside the box, giving us some swell entries. Or really random and strange (hello, 2013!). Disclaimer: I was too lazy to dedicate a separate part to a two entry country (SRB-MTG), so you get Zjelko below. Take it or leave it (you better believe it).
Do I like their winner? Well, I do – but not enough to include it in my top 3. I like the heavier stuff, but somehow it’s a tad hard to digest.
- 2008 – Oro – Jelena Tomasevic
Because this is one of those timeless ballads. Well…for the post Y2K period, anyway. - 2004 – Lane Moje – Zjelko Joksimovic
Because despite me staying rather cold, it is a good song and performance. - 2011 – Caroban – Nina
Because RETRO, yay!
Dimivision 