Montenegro made it to the finals for the first time last year and they're hoping lightning strikes twice with their entry sung by Knez.
Knez "Adio"
"Adio" is a traditional Balkan ballad sung by Knez, a performer who has had a 20 year career in the region. The song has a golden pedigree, with both music and lyrics by one of the most successful participants in Eurovision, Željko Joksimović. This should give "Adio" a chance to make it to the finals.
However, I don't think as it is now, "Adio" will make it to Saturday night.
If you take a look at the successful male Balkan ballads at Eurovision, there's an aura of polished quality behind them:
Sergej Ćetković "Moj svijet" Montenegro 2014
Željko Joksimović "Lane moje" Serbia and Montenegro 2004
Dino Merlin "Love in Rewind" Bosnia/Herzegovina 2011
Unfortunately, in the form it is in now, Knez and "Adio" don't have that quality. In the video, Knez is squeezed into clothing that would look stupid on someone 20 years younger than he is and he's backed up by a group of Kardashian clones. It's trashy attempting with all of its might to be classy.
Of course, my opinion can change once I see the performance come the night of the first semifinal, but as of right now, Montenegro's song is a big disappointment.
The Stari Mostar is perhaps the most recognizable landmarks of Bosnia/Herzegovina.
When looking back at my top five choices of Bosnian songs, one thing connects them all--compelling performances by their lead singer. Having had twelve years of musical training in choral groups, I have major respect for performers who have actual talent in being able to present a song effectively.
5. Maja Tatić "Na jastuku za dvoje" 2002
I have a confession to make. I love female singers from the Balkans with husky, powerful voices and Maja Tatić fits very much in that mold. The song may be subpar and her styling disappointing, but I could listen to her sing the phone book. Anybody know if there's a recording of Maja Tatić singing the phone book? I'll buy it from you.
4. Hari Mata Hari "Lejla" 2006
Hara Mata Hari took Bonsia to their best placement at Eurovision, a third place finish. It's an good example of the "Balkan Ballad". I only have one big problem, and that's because it is a Željko Joksimović song. Joksimović is and extremely successful Serbian singer--coming in second and third at Eurovision. Hari Varešanović, the lead singer of Hari Mata Hari, is a good singer, but he's no Joksimović
3. Davorin Popović "Dvadaset prvi vijek" 1995
This song was never going to win Eurovision. It feels weird and dated and probably felt that when it was performed on stage in Dublin. But even with that criticism, it's easy to see how Popović is considered a musical legend back in his home country. Popović's ability to interpret lyric is something that comes across even though he is singing in Serbo-Croatian. It wasn't going to win, especially since it followed the eventual winner of the 1995 contest. However, this song is a nice feather in the cap for Popović--a quality international moment to top off a very successful career.
2. Regina "Bistra Voda" 2009
Although this song came in a disappointing ninth in 2009, this is one of the Eurovision songs and performances that has aged quite well over time. It's a great example of song style, performance, and staging that comes out of the region and how amazing and effective they can be when everything works well together. I just wish that they had some better camera work--at times it's very static.
1. Dino Merlin "Love In Rewind" 2011
This song is an earworm and it's the rare earworm I don't mind having stuck in my head. It's been that way ever since I first heard it back in 2011. The sunny, upbeat feeling of the song isn't an obvious choice for a successful song at Eurovision, but came in sixth in Düsseldorf even from the dreaded place of second in the running order. Had it drawn a better place in the second half of the contest, this could have been a contender to win in a rather weak year. (And I would have been much happier.)
Finally, I'm through with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Next up, Bulgaria.
Although it appears landlocked, Neum is Bosnia/Hezegovina's only coastal town.
It's always disappointing when a country decides to opt out of the Eurovision Song Contest, especially so when they decide not to participate for financial reasons. Bosnia and Herzegovina haven't entered Eurovision since 2012 due to the cost of participation.
Before starting this blog, I probably would have said "good riddance", but using this blog to look in depth into Eurovision, I am genuinely disappointed that they don't enter. I've learned to love music from the Balkan region, and not having a Bosnian entry in Eurovision makes this Eurovision lover sad.
But it's not going to stop me from ranking the previous Bosnian entries.
I have to say that most of the Bosnian entries are pretty serious in the "Balkan Ballad" style, like the very first entry Bosnia sent, back in 1993:
Fazla "Sva bol svijeta" 1993
Although the song sounds quite dated--you can tell by the orchestration it's from the early 1990s, "Sva blo svijeta" is worth listening to because it is one of the few times where the politics of the time are overtly shown at Eurovision. The Bosnian war was at its zenith in 1993, and Fazla was almost unable to get out of the country due to bombings. Just listen to the applause from the audience at the beginning of the song--an ovation that may never be repeated.
But the same straightforward, dramatic presentation can be seen in the most recent Bosnian entry:
MayaSar "Korake ti znam" 2012
It's a lovely romantic song that was negated by the strange styling. I was put off by the long limp hair and the oversized black dress. (Isn't it incredible how the most minor things can put down a perfectly decent song?)
Yet, the most memorable Bosnian entry is one that breaks that mold:
Deen "In The Disco" 2004
Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present you the gayest performance ever to grace the Eurovision stage. (Yes, even gayer that Conchita Wurst.) I jokingly say that this is the only song at Eurovision you can potentially get a sexually transmitted disease from. It's so not to my taste, but I think the over the top performance is exactly why it was successful and is definitely memorable.
6. Maya Sar "Korake ti znam" 2012
7. Alma & Dejan "Ostani kraj mene" 1994 I do love duets where the people actually look like they enjoy being together.
8. Alma Čardžić "Goodbye" 1997 The first peppy sounding song that Bosnia sent.
9. Nino Pršeš "Hano" 2001 The presentation of the song just failed to live up to its promise.
10. Fazla "Sva bol svijeta" 1993
11. Maria "Rijeka bez imena" 2007 I like Maya Sar's take on this basic song better.
12. Deen "In The Disco" 2004
13. Mija Martina "Ne brini" 2003 This is a song that is much better in English..
14. Amila Glamočak "Za našu ljubav" 1996 She has a nice voice, but the song is dull.
15. Dino & Beatrice "Putnici" 1999 Pretentious.
16. Laka "Pokušaj" 2008 I have a feeling that this is a cultural thing. I just dont get this.
17. Feminem "Call Me" 2005 ABBA did this much better.
18. Vukašin Brajić "Thunder and Lightning" 2010 Don't bother. It's horrible.
My top five Bosnian songs should be posted soon.
I've been rather lax listening to the entrants from the former Yugoslavia, so I'm hoping to tackle them over the next week or so.
MayaSar is representing Bosnia Herzegovina with a lovely little ballad.
MayaSar "Korake ti znam"
It's a pretty song and they have a really good draw, coming second last and following the really uptempo Norwegian entry. In other words it's a shoe-in for the final.
But with the production values if feels like a ballad from a late 90s movie. In other words, shades of Celine Dion.
