| Eurovision Song Contest News - 2009 Moscow, Russia 

Chris P. .

Mein Story
I watched my first Eurovision way back in 2000 where I cheered on (at the tender age of 14) the Olsen Brothers to victory! I remembered hoping so much for them to win! On a side-note, my mum thought Jorgen was very handsome...but that's probably too much information. In 2001 I wanted Denmark to win again, until I saw the Danish entrants smoking in the green room (I'm strongly against smoking!) then I changed to hoping Estonia would win! I dunno why everyone hates them as winners, I thought they were great, and still remember their performance, unlike some other winners... I wanted Malta to win in 2002 (Which, despite the result, remains as my favourite ever contest - I recorded it on an old tape and re-watched it at least a million times!). I could go on...but I wont! I'm from Australia's island state, which may literally be on the opposite side of the world from Europe, but trust me, many Australians are fans of Eurovision, and this fan really wants to see the song contest some day! Maybe somewhere with snow, like Norway or Sweden...or even Germany or Switzerland! I have bought copies of, and watched every possible episode of the contest, and have mp3's of those I couldn't (As well as those I have!) I've also tried to collect as many versions of songs, which can be very tricky for some of the forgotten songs! I'm also grateful for the myriad of songs and performers Eurovision has introduced me to, not all of which are directly associated with it even!

On the off chance someone wants to know about me, I can be added on Facebook - chris_tp1986@yahoo.com

Eurovision Issues - My Thoughts

Diaspora and Neighbour Votes
They are real, they exist, they happen, they affect the final result, they aren't fair, but they DO NOT decide who wins. I think the whole problem would disappear greatly if - using the current semi system - if only the qualified countries were allowed to vote in the final.

Joke Entries
I believe that each country has the right to send whatever they like, within the rules currently set out by the EBU. If a joke entry is as "bad" as people usually claim them to be, then it wont get votes.

Language Rule
Leave it as it is. I don't mind what language a country sings, it's their choice. But at the end of the day, English has advantages, like it or not. Those that want the language rule introduced will drag the contest back to the 80's and 90's. Those that claim it's a loss of culture...well, bullsh*t! Listening to a for example, a song in Turkish tells me Turkish people speak Turkish...I already knew that... More of their culture can be imparted through the music style. I'm not suggesting they sing in English, I use that as an example. And, if a country wins singing in English, they can show off far more of their culture by hosting the event than they can ever hope to in a 3 minute pop song. Anyone who seriously thinks that you can learn anything about culture through a 3 minute song is an idiot.

My View

ESC 2009
Alexander Rybak - Fairytail - Norway
Yohanna - Is It True - Iceland


ESC 2008
1. Israel - Boaz Mauda - Ke'ilo Kan
2. Georgia - Diana Gurtskaya - Peace Will Come
3. Denmark - Simon Mathew - All Night Long
4. Armenia - Sirusho - Qele Qele
5. Iceland - Eurobandid - This is my Life
6. Norway - Maria Haukaas Storeng - Hold on be Strong
7. France - Sebastien Tellier - Divine
8. Finland - Terasbetoni - Missa Miehet Ratsastaa
9. Ukraine - Ani Lorak - Shady Lady
10. Serbia - Jelena Tomasevic - Oro
11. Russia - Dima Bilan - Believe
12. Azerbaijan - Elnur & Samir - Day After Day
13. Romania - Nico and Vlad - Pe-o Margine de Lume
14. Portugal - Vania Fernandes - Senhora do Mar
15. Spain - Rodolfo Chikilicuatre - Baila el Chiki-chiki
16. Latvia - Pirates Of The Sea - Wolves of the Sea
17. Turkey - Deli - Mor ve otesi
18. Greece - Kalomira - Secret Combination
19. Sweden - Charlotte Perrelli - Hero
20. United Kingdom - Andy Abraham - Even If
21. Bosnia & Herzegovina - Laka - Pokusaj
22. Albania - Olta Boka - Zemren e lame Peng
23. Poland - Isis Gee - For Life
24. Germany - No Angels - Disappear
25. Croatia - Kraljevi Ulice & 75 Cents - Romanca

Top Ten Winners Ever:

1 - Hold Me Now - Johnny Logan - Ireland (1987)
2 - Waterloo - ABBA - Sweden (1974)
3 - Love Shine A Light - Katrina & The Waves (1997)
4 - Apres Toi - Vicky Leandros - Luxembourg (1972)
5 - In Your Eyes - Niamh Kavanagh - Ireland (1993)
6 - Rock'N'Roll Kids - Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan - Ireland (1994)
7 - Fly On The Wings Of Love - Olsen Brothers - Denmark (2000)
8 - Hard Rock Hallelujah - Lordi - Finland (2006)
9 - Fangad Av En Stormvind - Carola - Sweden (1991)
10 - Wild Dances - Ruslana - Ukraine (2004)

Top 3 from each country (if they have 3 I like!):

Austria:
Alf Poier - Weil der Mensch zahlt (2003)
Thomas Forstner - Nur Ein Lied (1989)
Tony Wegas - Zusammen Geh'n (1999)
WORST SONG: Wilfried - Mona Lisa (1988)

Belgium:
Melanie Cohl - Dis Oui (1998)
Frederic Etherlinck - La Voix Est Libre (1995)
Jacques Zegers - Avanti La Vie (1984)
WORST SONG: Linda Lepomme - Laat Me Nu Gaan (1990)

Cyprus:
Lisa Andreas - Stronger Every Minute (2004)
Alexandros Panayi - Sti Fotia (1995)
Elena Patroklou - S.O.S (1991)
WORST SONG: 2008, 2003, 1999, 1997 = Bad

Croatia:
Maja Blagdan - Sveta Ljubav (1996)
Vanna - Strings of my Heart (2000)
Vesna Pisarovic - Everything I Want (2002)
WORST SONG: 2008, 2006 = bad

Denmark:
Javob Sviestrup - Talking To You (2005)
Olsen Brothers - Fly on the Wings of Love (2000)
Aud Wilken - Fra Mols Til Skagen (1995)
WORST SONG: Malene - Tell Me Who You Are (2002)

Estonia:
Dave Benton & Tanel Padar - Everybody (2001)
Maarja-Liis Ilus & Ivo Linna - Kaelakee haal (1996)
Rufus - Eighties Coming Back (2003)
WORST SONG: Kreisiraadio - Leto Svet (2008)

Finland:
Lordi - Hard Rock Hallelujah (2006)
Kirka - Hengailaan (1984)
Hannah Paarkinan - Leave me Alone (2007)
WORST SONG: Vesa Mati Lori - Flute Man (1980)

France:
Natasha St-Pier - Je n'ai que mon ame (2001)
Joelle Ursull - White & Black Blues (1990)
Amina - Le dernier qui a parle... (1991)
WORST SONG: Sofia Mestari - On aura le ciel (2000)

Greece:
Cleopatra - Olu tu kosmu i Elpidha (1992)
Helena Paparizou - My Number One (2005)
Anna Vissi - Everything (2006)
WORST SONG: Afroditi Frida - Clown (1988)

Germany:
Roger Cicero - Frauen regier'n die Welt (2007)
Max - Can't Wait Until Tonight (2004)
Guildo Horn - Guildo Hat Euch Lieb (1998)
WORST SONG: Cindy & Bert - De Sommermelodie (1974)

Hungary:
Magda Rusza - Unsubstantial Blues (2007)
NOX - Forogj, vilag! (2005)
Friderika - Kinek mondjam el vetkeimet? (1994)
WORST SONG: Charlie - A holnap mar nem lesz szomoru (1998)

Iceland:
Selma - All Out Of Luck (1999)
Silvia Night - Congratulations (2006)
Sigga - Naetur (1994)
WORST SONG: Sjubidu - Anna Mjoll

Ireland:
Johnny Logan - Hold Me Now (1987)
Niamh Kavanagh - In Your Eyes (1993)
Brian Kennedy - Every Song is a Cry For Love (2006)
WORST SONG: Kiev Connolly & The Missing Passengers - The Real Me (1989)

Israel:
Gali Atari & Milk and Honey - Hallelujah (1979)
Lazy Bums - Shir Habatlanim (1987)
David Dor - Laha'amin (2004)
WORST SONG: PingPong - Sameyakh (2000)

Italy:
Jalisse - Fiumi de parole (1997)
Peppino di Capri - Comme e ddoce 'o mare (1991)
Non ho l'eta - Gigliola Cinquetti (1964)
WORST SONG: Matia Bazar - Raggio di Luna (1979)

Latvia:
Bonaparti lv - Questa Notte (2007)
Brainstorm - My Star (2000)
Cosmos - I hear Your Heart (2006)
WORST SONG: Arnis Mednis - Too Much (2000)

Luxembourg:
Vicky Leandros - Apres Toi (1972)
Lara Fabian - Croire (1988)
France Gall - Poupee de Cire, Poepee de Son (1965)
WORST SONG: Sarah Bray - Un Baiser Vole (1991)

Malta:
Ira Losco - Seventh Wonder (2002)
Mike Spiteri - Keep Me In Mind (1995)
Chris & Moira - More Than Love (1994)
WORST SONG: Morena - Vodka (2008)

Netherlands:
Re-union - Without You (2004)
Ruth Jacott - Vrede (1993)
Linda - No Goodbyes (2000)
WORST SONG: Amambanda - Treble (2006)

Norway:
Elisabeth Andreassen - I Evighet (1996)
Christine Guldbrandsen - Alvedansen (2006)
Karoline Kruger - For Var Jord (1988)
WORST SONG: Finn Kalvic - Aldri i Livet (1981)

Portugal:
Lucia Moniz - O meu coracao nao tem cor (1996)
Maria Guinot - Silencio e tanta gente - (1984)
Rita Guerra - Deixa-me sonhar (2003)
WORST SONG: 2007, 2005, 1997, 1994, 1987, 1982, 1977 = bad

Spain:
Marcus Llunas - Sin Rencor (1997)
Beth - Dime (2003)
Mocedades - Eres Tu (1972)
WORST SONG: Remedios Amaya - Quien maneja mi barca (1983)

Sweden:
ABBA - Waterloo (1974)
Tommy Nilsson - En Dag (1989)
Lena Philipsson - It Hurts (2004)
WORST SONG: The Ark - Worrying Kind (2007)

Switzerland:
Peter, Sue & Marc - Io Senza Te (1981)
Paolo Meneguzzi - Era Stupenda (2008)
Arlette Zola - Amour on t'aime (1982)
WORST SONG: 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1987 = BAD!

Turkey:
Sedat Yuce - Sevgiliye Son (2001)
Sebnam Paker - Dinle (1997)
Klips ve Onlar - Halley (1986)
WORST SONG: Seyall Taner & Grup Locomotif - Sarkim sevgi Ustune (1987)

United Kingdom:
Katrina & The Waves - Love Shine A Light (1997)
Mike Moran & Lindsey de Paul - Rock Bottom (1977)
Scott Fitzgerald - Go (1988) & Michael Ball - One Step Out of Time (1992) =
WORST SONG: Jemini - Cry Baby (2003)

Yugoslavia:
Danijel - Dzuli (1983)
Dubrovacki Trubaduri - Jedan dan (1968)
Srebrna Krila - Mangup (1988)
WORST SONG: Bebi Dol - Brazil (1991)


Countries with few entries:

Armenia:
--

Albania:
Anjeza Shahini - Image of You (2004)

Andorra:
Anonymous - Salvem el mon (2007)

Azerbaijan:
--

Belarus:
Koldun - Work Your Magic (2007)

Bulgaria:
--
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Alma Cardzic - Goodbye (1997)

FYR Macedonia:
--

Georgia:
--

Lithuania:
LT United - We Are The Winners (2006)

Monoco:
Severine - Un Banc, Un Arbre, Un Rue (1971)

Poland:
Keine Grenzen-Zadnych Granic - Ich Troje (2003)

Romania:
Mihai Traistariu - Tornero (2004)
Taxi - The Moon (2001)

Russia:
Dima Bilan - Never Let You Go (2006)

Serbia (& Montenegro):
Zeljko Joksimovic - Lane Moje (2004)

Slovakia:
Marcel Palonder - Kym Nas Mas (1996)

Ukraine:
Tina Karol - Show Me Your Love (2006)