| Eurovision Song Contest News - 2008 Belgrade, Serbia 

Florian G.

Hello everyone,

my name is [u]Florian[/u], I'm an Austrian- German student and certainly [u]one of the biggest Eurovision Song Contest- fans[/u] (Well, it's really hard for fans in this area because we don't have any stars here. In fact, Austria is a sheer disaster in terms of both contemporary music and ESC and unfortunately, Austrian national television is as ignorant and retarded as possible, so I support my favourite nations instead- you'll find out which ones if you continue reading (Slovenia, for example, is one of my alltime favourite nations! Besides, I'm not a full Austrian and definitely no typical one as there isn't really much to be proud of and I cannot wait to finally emigrate).

Anyway, back to the topic: I have been watching this amazing competition first in 2002 and got addicted to this show and the whole concept immediately. I like the idea of European countries participating alltogether at this unique show and sharing the values of their cultures. Therefore, ESC is - to my mind- the most entertaining show ever. For me, ESC is more than just a competition. It brings the countries of Europe closer to each other and unites people (or seperates sometimes?!... but diversity and different outlooks/ views are good). After all, music is the most beautiful language, isn't it?
And well, I just love making lists of my favourite entries every year and getting all enthusiastic about the next May, it's a highlight each year!

Furthermore, I like to learn more about the music scenes of the European countries as some of them have really great and very talented national stars! Due to Eurovision, I got to know many superb artists from the Balkans, from Scandinavia and from other European regions!
Another great aspect about ESC is the wide range of different music styles, everyone is able to find something according to his taste! That is only possible at ESC!
Normally, I'm really fond of lyrical songs that reveal their nationality and contain traditional elements but that are still modern in a way! Moreover, I'm quite often in favour of melancholic, rather sad ballads, especially- but not only- from the Balkans. But I am open for any other musical styles as well because I have a broad taste.
Over the past years, there have been a lot of great songs that I'm still listening to today.

My alltime favourite is [b]"Cvet z juga" by Alenka Gotar (Slovenia 2007)![/b] Her voice is breath- taking and the song absolutley unique- I love its melancholic mentality!
Alenka has become my favourite ESC- star of all times and I cannot wait to hear more of her breath- taking, stunning voice singing wonderful songs of Andrej Babic!
2008: The wonderful story that began with "Cvet z juga" continues with the second part called [b]"Senhora do mar", sung by Vania for Portugal[/b]. , I loved it from the first listen, it's magical and it has brilliance written all over it- it is passionate, sad, melancholic, Mediterranean and it knows how to convey emotions to the listeners. I can see the ocean and all the heart breaking tragedies of lost loves that have happened there in front of me, when I am listening to it... It is incredibly touching, probably one the most beautiful songs about the loss of love and a part of life that have ever been written. The beautiful Portuguese language and Vania's vocals perfectly illustrate the melancholy, the Fado- mentality and the pain of losing true love, the most devastating thing that can happen to a person.

For my other favourites, check out the lists I've made for each year, you'll see which ones I prefer!

What I would also like to state: I'm really glad that esctoday.com exists- it is by far the best and most informative website about ESC and a great place for lively disussions...

If you wanna find out more about me:
Here's the link to my profile at My Space: url=http://www.myspace.com/flo1511]http://www.myspace.com/flo1511/url]
If you want to contact me, here's my mail- address: email=flo1511@hotmail.com]flo1511@hotmail.com/email]
Getting to know new, open- minded people from other countries is always great, especially if they like ESC as well...


[b]MY FAVOURITES:[/b]

Favourite country in Eurovision: [u]Slovenia[/u]

Other favourite countries: Portugal, Serbia, Macedonia, Croatia, Norway, Turkey...

Favourite European countries: Slovenia and Portugal

Favourite artist: [u]Alenka Gotar[/u]

Favourite song writer: [u]Andrej Babic[/u]

Favourite song: [u]Alenka Gotar- Cvet z juga[/u] (The song of my life! Always in my !)

[b]Favourite Eurovision- artists:[/b]

Alenka Gotar, Rebeka Dremelj, Lambe Alabakovski, Omar Naber, Vania Fernandes, Sasa Lendero, Christine Guldbrandsen, Jelena Tomasevic, Darja Svajger, Nusa Derenda, Zeljko Joksimovic, Helena Paparizou… and many more…

[b]Top 20-[/b] [u]Best songs ever:[/u]

1) Slovenia 2007: [b]Alenka Gotar[/b]- Cvet z juga (Best entry EVER! Dramatic, emotional, melancholic yet extremely powerful… words can never describe just HOW much I love this song and Alenka!)
2) Portugal 2008: [b]Vania Fernandes[/b]- Senhora do mar (incredibly beautiful, lugubrious, poetic and- above all- Portuguese!)
3) Slovenia 2005: [b]Omar Naber[/b]- Stop (very dramatic, powerful yet highly emotional song, simply wonderful!)
4) Slovenia 2008: [b]Rebeka Dremelj[/b] - Vrag naj vzame (very charming singer and extremely catchy song! Just stunning!)
5) Slovenian NF 2006: [b]Sasa Lendero[/b]- Mandoline (outstanding ethno- song, simply irresistible!)
6) Slovenia 1999: [b]Darja Svajger[/b]- For A Thousand Years (one of the most beautiful ballads ever about true love!)
7) Slovenia 2001: [b]Nusa Derenda[/b]- Energy (powerful song and singer, truly energetic!)
8) Serbia 2008: [b]Jelena Tomasevic[/b]- Oro (very touching, sad and meaningful ballad!)
9) Macedonian NF 2007: [b]Lambe Alabakovski[/b]- Zemjo Moja (beautiful ethno- song, great singer!)
10) Slovenian NF 2005: [b]Rebeka Dremelj[/b]- Pojdi z menoj (very cheerful and happy song from a true “Slovenska Supergirl”)
11) Norway 2006: [b]Christine Guldbrandsen[/b]- Alvedansen (mystical song, crystal clear voice of an elf!)
12) Greece 2005: [b]Helena Paparizou[/b]- My Number One (great, outstanding up- tempo song!)
13) Slovenia 1997: [b]Tanja Ribic[/b]- Zbudi Se (very special, sophisticated and mystical!)
14) Turkey 2003: [b]Sertab Erener[/b]- Every Way That I Can (outstanding ethno- song!)
15) Croatia 1999: [b]Doris Dragovic[/b]- Marija Magdalena (great up- tempo song!)
16) Luxembourg 1983: [b]Corinne Hermès[/b]- Si la vie est cadeau (beautiful song and great lyrics!)
17) Serbia 2007: [b]Marija Serifovic[/b]- Molitva (powerful Balkan- ballad!)
18) Serbian NF 2005: [b]Jelena Tomasevic[/b]- Jutro (sorrowful ballad!)
19) Portugal 2007: [b]Sabrina[/b]- Danca Conmigo (very positive and charming song!)
20) Portugal 2003: [b]Rita Guerra[/b]- Deixa-me sonhar (romantic and melancholic ballad!) or:
Luxembourg 1972: [b]Vicky Leandros[/b]- Après toi (beautiful, emotional ballad!)

[b]MY FAVOURITES YEAR BY YEAR:[/b]

[b]2008[/b]

1) [b]Portugal: Vania Fernandes- Senhora do mar[/b] (lugubrious, sad Mediterranean ballad, excellent vocals, touching lyrics! Portugal in all its beauty! Simply the best!!!)
2) Slovenia: Rebeka Dremelj - Vrag naj vzame (very charming singer, extremely catchy song! Absolutely stunning! Slovenia forever!)
3) Serbia: Jelena Tomasevic- Oro (melancholic, poetic, sorrowful- simply beautiful!)
4) Macedonia: Tamara, Vrcak & Adrian Gaxha- Let Me Love You (good song and great rhythm!)
5) Russia: Dima Bilan- Believe (contemporary song with a nice message!)
6) Norway: Maria Haukaas Storeng- Hold On Be Strong (appealing song, good voice!)
7) Switzerland: Paolo Meneguzzi- Era Stupendo (good singer, really pleasant song!)
8) Turkey: Mor Ve Ötesi- Deli (good vocals, melodic and interesting song!)
9) Israel: Boaz Mauda- The Fire In Your Eyes (pleasant song, distinctive voice!)
10) Albania: Olta Boka- Zemren e lame peng (nice ballad)

[u]Great songs in the national finals:[/u]

[b]Macedonia: Lambe Alabakovski- Zemjo Moja[/b] (beautiful ethno- song, touching voice!)
Serbia: Beauty Queens- Zavet (beautiful Balkan- ballad!)
Sweden: Sibel- That Is Where I’ll Go (nice ballad, good voice!)
Ireland: Liam Geddes- Sometimes (very beautiful, classy ballad and voice!)
Slovenia: Brigita Suler- Samara (good song!)
Macedonia: Sonja Tarculovska - Sever i jug (beautiful Balkan- ballad!)
Ireland: Leona Daly- Not Crazy After All (original and catchy))
Slovenia: Skupina Langa in Civili- Za svobodo Divjega srca (good)
Slovenia: Iris- Peti Element (good)
Slovenia: Eva Cerne- Dovolj (nice)

[b]2007[/b]

[b]1) SLOVENIA: Alenka Gotar- Cvet z juga (OUTSTANDING, breath- taking, powerful, sophisticated, melancholic, simply perfect! Alenka is the best and her song is the song of my life!!!)[/b]
2) Serbia: Marija Serifovic- Molitva (powerful ballad full of yearning!)
3) Portugal: Sabrina- Danca Conmigo (very positive and very charming! I love it!)
4) Bosnia and Herzegovina: Marija Sestic- Rijeka bez imena (wonderful and heart- breaking ballad!)
5) Malta: Olivia Lewis- Vertigo (great song with oriental elements!)
6) Moldova: Natalia Barbu- Fight (good song and charming singer)
7) Finland: Hanna Pakarinen- Leave Me Alone (great rock song)
8) Iceland: Eiríkur Hauksson- Valentine Lost (melodic rock ballad)
9) Macedonia: Karolina- Mojot Svet (good song with ethno- elements)
10) Hungary: Magdi Rusza- Unsubstantial Blues (original song, great voice)
11) Lithuania: 4Fun- Love Or Leave (nice ballad, good lyrics)
12) Russia: Serebro- Song #1 (good)
13) Ireland: Dervish- They Can't Stop The Spring (interesting song, bad performance though)
14) Andorra: Anonymous- Salvem el món (nice)

[u]Great songs in national finals:[/u]

Lithuania: Aiste Pilvelyte- Emotional Crisis (outstanding song)
Macedonia: Lambe Alabakovski- Belo e se (nice song and singer)
Iceland: Jónsi- Segðu Mér (good)
Slovenia: Eva Cerne- Cudezi Smehljaja (good)

[b]2006[/b]

1) [b]Norway[/b]: [u]Christine Guldbrandsen- Alvedansen[/u] (mystical and outstanding! By far the best song and voice!)
2) Bosnia and Herzegovina: Hari Mata Hari- Lejla (wonderful Balkan- ballad!)
3) Greece: Anna Vissi- Everything (simple but amazing and emotional song!)
4) Germany: Texas Lightening: No No Never (very catchy song with country elements!)
5) Belgium: Kate Ryan- Je t'adore (good, catchy up- tempo song!)
6) Croatia: Severina- Moja Stikla (hilarious entry with folk- elements!)
7) Macedonia: Elena Risteska- Ninanajna (nice rhythm)
8) Bulgaria: Mariana Popova- Let Me Cry (nice, emotional song!)
9) Russia: Dima Bilan- Never Let You Go (nice, dramatic song)
10) Andorra: Jenny- Sense Tu (nice entry)
11) Finland: Lordi- Hard Rock Hallelujah (good song)

[u]Great songs in national finals:[/u]

Slovenia: Sasa Lendero- Mandoline (outstanding ethno- song!!! Damn the jury that wouldn't let her go!)
Serbia: Flamingosi feat. Louis- Ludi letnji ples (outstanding, catchy entry!)
Macedonia: Lambe Alabakovski- More od solzi (good, pleasant song and great singer!)
Montenegro: No Name- Moja Ljubavi (nice song!)
Iceland: Regína Ósk- Þér við hlið (mystical song, excellent voice!)

[b]2005[/b]

1) [b]Slovenia:[/b] [u]Omar Naber- Stop[/u] (very dramatic, powerful yet emotional song, great singer! I love it!)
2) Greece: Helena Paparizou- My Number One (great up- tempo song with ethno- elements, good singer!)
3) Hungary: Nox- Forog Vilag (extraordinary song!)
4) The Netherlands: Glennis Grace- My Impossible Dream (great pop- song!)
5) Malta: Chiara- Angel (good voice and nice song, maybe a bit unoriginal but beautiful!)
6) Bosnia and Herzegovina: Feminnem- Call Me (catchy and cheerful!)
7) Monaco: Lise Darley- Tout De Moi (wonderful, emotional chanson!)
8) Andorra: Marian Van de Wal- La Mirada Interior (beautiful and special ethno- song!)
9) Serbia and Montenegro: No Name- Zauvijek Moja (great, traditional music)
10) Iceland: Selma- If I Had Your Love (catchy up- tempo song)
11) Latvia: Walters and Kazha- The War Is Not Over (simple but nice song)
12) Israel: Shiri Maymon- The Silence That Remains (beautiful)
13) Norway: Wig Wam- In My Dreams (good)

[u]Great songs in the national finals:[/u]

Slovenia: Rebeka Dremelj- Pojdi z menoj (great, very cheerful song! Slovenska Supergirl!))
Serbia: Jelena Tomasevic- Jutro (wonderful, emotional Balkan- ballad!)
Slovenia: Sasa Lendero- Metulj (nice, special song!)
Malta: Olivia Lewis- Deja Vu (nice song)

[b]2004[/b]

1) [b]Serbia and Montenegro:[/b] [u]Zeljko Joksimovic- Lane Moje[/u] (very touching, sad ballad!)
2) Greece: Sakis Rouvas- Shake It (great rhythm)
3) Sweden: Lena Ph- It Hurts (good up-tempo song)
4) Ukraine: Ruslana- Wild Dances
5) France: Jonatan Cerrada- À Chaque Pas
6) Belgium: Xandee- One Life
7) Spain: Ramon- Para Ilenarme De Ti
8) Iceland: Jónsi- Heaven
9) Andorra: Marta Roure- Jugarem a estimar-nos
10) Norway: Knut Anders Sorum- High

[b]2003[/b]

1) [b]Turkey[/b]: [u]Sertab Erener- Everyway That I Can[/u] (great ethno- song!)
2) [b]Portugal[/b]: [u]Rita Guerra- Deixa-me Sonhar[/u] (lugubrious and romantic ballad!)
3) Norway: Jostein Hasselgard- I'm Not Afraid To Move On (wonderful ballad!)
4) France: Louisa- Monts Et Merveilles (romantic and beautiful)
5) Croatia: Claudia Beni- Vise Nisam Tvoja (very catchy song)
6) Slovenia: Karmen Stavec- Nanana (really catchy)
7) Poland: Ich Troje- Keine Grenzen (good)
8) Iceland: Birgitta Haukdal- Open Your Heart (nice)
9) Spain: Beth- Dime (good)
10) Bosnia and Herzegovina: Mija Martina Barbaric- Could It Be (good)

[b]2002[/b]

1) [b]France[/b]: [u]Sandrine Francois- Il Faut Du Temps[/u] (the ballad of the evening! Very classy!)
2) Malta: Ira Losco- 7th Wonder (charming, much better than the actual winner)
3) Finland: Laura- Addicted To You (great, contemporary song)
4) Turkey: Buket Bengisu- Leylaklar Soldu Kalbinde (great ethno- song)
5) Macedonia: Karolina- Od Nas Zavisi (special, dramatic song)
6) Croatia: Vesna Pisarovic- Everything I Want (good pop- song)
7) Sweden: Afro- Dite- Never Let It Go (catchy disco- song)
8) United Kingdom: Jessica Garlick- Come Back (beautiful)
9) Estonia: Sahlene- Runaway (nice)
10) Romania: Monica Anghel and Marcel Pavel- Tell Me Why (good)

[b]2001[/b]

1) [b]Slovenia[/b]: [u]Nusa Derenda- Energy[/u] (great song, powerful voice! Awesome!)
2) Turkey: Sedat Yüce- Sevgiliye Son (beautiful ballad, magnificent voice!)
3) France: Natasha St. Pier- Je n'ai que mon ame (superb chanson!)
4) Greece: Antique- Die For You (beautiful song)
5) Croatia: Vanna- Strings Of My Heart (good song)
6) Spain: David Civera- Dile Que La Quiero
7) Denmark: Rollo and King: Never Ever Let You Go
8) The Netherlands: Michelle- Out On My Own

[b]2000[/b]

1) Estonia: Ines- Once In A Lifetime
2) Austria: Rounder Girls- All To You
3) Turkey: Pinar- Yourgunum Anla
4) Switzerland: Jane Bogart- La Vita Cos'e
5) Russia: Alsou- Solo

[b]1999[/b]

1) [b]Slovenia[/b]: [u]Darja Svajger- For A Thousand Years[/u] (very beautiful and touching ballad about true love!)
2) Croatia: Doris Dragovic- Marija Magdalena (outstanding song! a classic!)
3) Iceland: Selma- All Out Of Luck (so much better than the actual winner! very charming!)
4) Lithuania: Aiste- Strazdas (original)
5) Estonia: Evelin Samuel & Camille- Diamond Of Night
6) Cyprus: Marlain- Tha'ne erotas

[b]1998[/b]

1) [b]Croatia[/b]: [u]Danijela- Neka Mi Ne Svane[/u] (very beautiful and touching ballad!)
2) Portugal: Alma Lusa- Se Eu Te Pudesse Abracar (wonderful, traditional music! Superb!)
3) Cyprus: Michalis Hatzigiannis- Genesis (great, outstanding song!)
4) Malta : Chiara- The One That I Love (charming)
5) Sweden: Jill Johnsson- Kärleken är (beautiful ballad)
6) The Netherlands : Edsilia Rombley- Hemel En Aarde (good)
7) Macedonia: Vlado Janevski- Ne zori, zoro (nice, sad song)
8) Estonia : Koit Toome- Mere Lapsed (nice song)

[b]1997[/b]

1) [b]Slovenia[/b]: [u]Tanja Ribic- Zbudi Se[/u] (beautiful, very sophisticated and mystical!)
2) Italy: Jalisse- Fiumi Di Parole (good entry)
3) United Kingdom: Katrina & The Waves- Love Shine A Light (beautiful song)
4) Cyprus: Hara & Andreas Konstantinou - Mana mou (good song)
5) Malta: Debbi Scerri- Let Me Fly (nice song)
6) Turkey: Sebnem Paker- Dinle
7) Russia: Alla Pugachova- Primadonna

[b]1996[/b]

1) [b]Portugal[/b]: [u]Lucia Moniz- O Meu Coração Não Tem Cor[/u] (very catchy!)
2) Norway: Elisabeth Andreassen- I Evighet (just beautfiul!)
3) Croatia: Maja Blagdan- Sveta Ljubavi (nice song!)
4) Sweden: One More Time- Den Vilda (nice entry)

[b]1995[/b]

1) [b]Slovenia[/b] : [u]Darja Svajger- Prisluhni Mi[/u] (touching song!)
2) Croatia : Magazin & Lidija- Nostalgija (beautiful)
3) Spain: Anabel Conde- Vuelve Conmigo (good)
4) Norway: Secret Garden- Nocturne (good)
5) Turkey: Arzu Ece- Sev

[u]Current favorites before 1995: [/u]

1) Luxembourg (1983): Corinne Hermès- Si La Vie Est Cadeau (touching song, good lyrics!)
2) Luxembourg (1972): Vicky Leandros- Après toi (great and touching song!)
3) Portugal (1991): Dulce Pontes - Lusitana Paixão (good song)
4) Norway (1993): Silje Vige- Alle Mine Tankar (beautiful)
5) Spain (1973): Mocedados: Eres tu (nice song)

...and many more!!!


[u]FAVOURITE COUNTRY:[/u]
[b]Slovenia![/b]

Other favourite countries: Portugal, Serbia, Macedonia, Croatia, Norway, Turkey...