Why Did You Send This?: Russia 2010

I think it's absolutely fantastic that many of the countries have national finals that allow the public to decide which singer goes on to represent their country at the ESC.  And most of the time, I can understand why the people voted the way they did, even if I disagree with their decision.

However, every once in a while, the people's vote is so egregiously wrong.  Take Russia's national final in 2010.

Who wouldn't have voted for these ladies?

Russia 1's national final broadcast presented 25 songs, and after the voting was completed, Peter Nalitch and Friends won with over 20% of the vote with their song "Lost and Forgotten".

Peter Nalitch and Friends  "Lost and Forgotten"

It's emotive, "romantic", and so screechy I can barely make it through half of the song without turning it off.

It's mind blowing that it (and another song) were more popular with Russians than this:

Buranovskiye Babushki  "Dlinnaya-dlinnaya beresta i kak sdelat' iz neyo aishon"

Catchy and heartwarming, isn't it? 

This group of six ladies from the Udmurt Republic, a constituent entity of Russia, became something of an Internet sensation for their performance, garnering them a feature on NPR's Morning Edition, something that Nalitch was not likely to get.

And it's understandable, the simple performance of the song in Udmurtian is able to transcend national boundaries, something "Lost and Forgotten" is unable to do.

Had it gone to the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo, I think it would have given Lena a run for the top of the board, or at least get more votes from non-Eastern Bloc countries