All of this year’s songs have been selected, the running order has been decided: let’s get this show on the road! I’ll be reviewing all of this year’s participants three by three in running order. Lord, gimme strength… Let the Hunger Games…eum…fun begin!
FRANCE
The Song: Again a bit of a weird sensation. It sounds like something I should love, with its nifty ethnic influences that vaguely remind me of their 2003 entry. But perhaps I’m too spoiled by artists like Indila & Nadiya, who score hits in Belgium as well thanks to our French speaking part: this sounds a bit uninspired in comparison. By the third time the chorus is repeated, I’ve officially had it with this song. #sorrynotsorry
Standout lyric: ” Ce soir enfin je n’ai plus peur ” (“Tonight finally I’m no longer afraid“) Famous last words?
The Voice: Her performance in the Ukrainian NF was better than expected, but still somehow lacked a bit of spice. Hope she’ll turn it up a notch when she returns to Kiev.
The Performance: You never know with the French, do you? But I’m putting money on a wind machine anyway.
In one line: Requiem for a dreamless sleep.
PERSONAL TOTAL: 
PREDICTION: Don’t know why this is so high up with the bookies. I don’t see this troubling the top ten.
GERMANY
The Song: Anyone who denies this has got ‘Titanium’ written all over it, is just fooling themselves. But it’s its wallflower-little-sister with a less powerful production and toe-curl-inducing lyrics.
Standout lyric: ” Sometimes it’s wrong before it’s right ” #eyeroll
The Voice: Okay enough I suppose. Even SIA wouldn’t be able to rescue this, I presume.
The Performance: If that NF performance is anything to go by, this’ll pass people by before they can say ‘this sounds rather familiar’.
In one line: Not at all bulletproof, lots to lose.
PERSONAL TOTAL:
PREDICTION: It’ll be hard to crawl out of the bottom five again with this.
ITALY
The Song: Where do I begin? As a song, it’s nice enough. Especially loving the chorus, which just sneaks into your brain with its singing violins and poppy vibe. But. The three minute cut is a bit clumsy, especially at the switch after the first chorus. And the much praised lyrics are a bit on the forced side for me – with all those sound-alike’s and recognizable phrasings it’s trying a bit too hard, I feel.
Standout lyric: ” Namaste, allez! ” I know he’s trying to be ironic, but come on.
The Voice: That almost quintessential nasal Italian sound feels quite okay, except for when he’s doing the Singing In The Rain bit. Or maybe that’s his accent bothering me, dunno.
The Performance: That good old Italian charm is really working to this entry’s advantage. Almost makes up for the naked ape dancing. Which to me is too much of a gimmick to even remotely appreciate. Thank God there’s Francesco to stare at.
In one line: Karma-karma-karma-karma-karma-karmaleon.
PERSONAL TOTAL:
PREDICTION: No idea why so many people seem to think this is a runaway winner. It’s a bit too much of a crowd pleaser to my ears. Hm, I just countered my own doubts there, didn’t I? Anyway, top 5 should be possible – more than that? Maybe.
CURRENT RESULTS
– Belgium, Portugal, Armenia
– Sweden, Finland, Azerbaijan, Iceland, FYR Macedonia, Norway
– Montenegro, Poland, Latvia, Serbia, Hungary, Denmark, Ireland, Belarus, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Estonia, Israel, Italy
– Georgia, Australia, Albania, Czechia, Cyprus, Austria, Netherlands, San Marino, Switzerland, France
– Greece, Moldova, Slovenia, Malta, Romania, Germany
– Russia, Croatia
Tomorrow: Spain, Ukraine & United Kingdom + a wrap-up!
Dimivision 