Eurovision 2017: Macedonia

The first few songs in the second semifinal this year have been made up of songs that really haven't made an impact.

Macedonia's song is another one of those forgettable songs.

Jana Burčeska   "Dance Alone"

However, unlike the previous two songs, Macedonia's song actually has a chance to make an impact on stage.  "Dance Alone" begs for flashy lights and sexy dancers.

If the team behind the Macedonian entry can come up with a visually interesting staging and Burčeska can stomp the stage properly, there is a chance that this could make it to the finals.

However, qualification isn't guaranteed.  Macedonia doesn't have many friendly votes from other countries and this has to overcome the apathy from other countries to make the final.  Everything has to be perfect in the semifinal for Macedonia to qualify, and I look forward to seeing how the chips fall with this song.

Eurovison 2016: Macedonia

No matter where they fall at Eurovision, Macedonia is always on top of national flags.

As I mentioned in my review of last year's Macedonian entry, Kaliopi is one of the best singers their country has, and it's unsurprising that they have turned to her to represent their country again this year.

"Crno i Belo" is one of my favorite Eurovision songs, so I had high hopes for the song she would bring to Stockholm.

Kaliopi   "Dona"

Unfortunately, this song is not as strong as her previous entry, with no build and a repetitive chorus.  While her ability to clearly interpret lyrics is as strong as ever, she has been let down by the song she has been given to perform.

"Dona" is a marginal qualifier at best and it saddens me to say that.  

Top 10 Before The Show: Eurovision 2015

As the rehearsals are going on in Vienna, I now get to the fun part of my blog--choosing my favorite songs.

Read on and enjoy

10th place:

Lisa Angell  "N'oubliez pas"   France

France is always a great country when it comes to Eurovision, and I'm a sucker for chanson.   Naturally Angell's song was going to be high on my list.

9th Place:

Electro Velvet   "Still In Love with You"   United Kingdom

I love the out of left field choice of the UK.   It's weird and most of all fun.   Fun is something missing in this year's contest and I hope Electro Velvet are going to bring a little bit of joy.

8th Place: 

Guy Sebastian   "Tonight Again"   Australia

Australia is sending a commercially successful song that is a catchy as hell.

7th Place:

Nina Sublatti   "Warrior"   Georgia

There are a lot of moody young women singing dark dramatic songs at Eurovision this year.  This is the only one that hasn't been overworked to death.  

6th Place:

Elina Born & Stig Rästa   "Goodbye to Yesterday"   Estonia

I cannot deny that this is one of the best songs in the contest.   I can understand why it's one of the favorites.

5th Place:

Aminata   "Love Injected"   Latvia

Latvia has finally come to win, not place last in the semifinal.  It's delightful to see.

4th Place:

Daniel Kajmakoski   "Autumn Leaves"   Macedonia

I must confess that Kajmakoski's work on reaching out to the Eurovision fan base has worked on me.  If you haven't checked out his cover of Yugoslavia's 1983 entry, Džuli, you really should.    It's made me go back and take a listen to his entry that I wrote off back at the beginning of my tour through the 2015 songs.   It's popped up to the top of my replay list.

3rd Place:   

Monika Kuszyńska   "In The Name of Love"  Poland

I'm surprised by the fact I keep playing the Polish entry over and over again.   Simple songs sung well always hook me.    I don't know if it will qualify, but for me it works.

2nd Place:

Ann Sophie   "Black Smoke"   Germany

If Eurovision songs won on sheer memorability, "Black Smoke" would be my winner hands down.  This song has been stuck in my head since I first heard the darn thing, and it's a great one to have on the car stereo with the volume cranked up.   It also doesn't hurt that it's in my vocal range.  Hello new karaoke song.

1st Place:

Maraaya   "Here For You"   Slovenia

Hands down my favorite song in the contest, and they're going to be the group I'll definaletly follow in the future, joining a small list like Anouk and Patricia Kaas.   Have you heard their other versions--the remix with the students of their music school?  Or the remix with the a capella choir?   This song has legs and Maraaya has the musical chops.

Eurovision 2013: Macedonia

If you've been a reader of my blog, you know that my favorite song in Eurovision last year.

 

Kaliopi  "Crno i belo"

 

So I was looking forward to hearing the selection of the Macedonian entry this year.

 

And I have to say that I was highly disappointed when I heard this song.

 

 

 

Esma and Lozano  "Pred da se razdeni"

 

He's a good singer.  She's a good singer.  But it feels like they're performing two different songs in two different places, and as my rule on duets, it fails completely, and I fully suspect it's not going to make it out of the semifinal--especially since it is third in the running order.

 

What is interesting is that "Pred da se razdemi" wasn't the original song choice for Macedonia.  At the original presentation on February 27th was this song.

 

 



 

Esma and Lozano  "Imperija"

 

"Imperija" was changed because the Macedonian public didn't like the song.  

 

I can't see what's so bad with it; in fact, the singers seem more cohesive in "Imperija".  If I knew how to speak Macedonian I might feel differently, but as an English speaker I don't see any point in the change.

 

All in all, I'm disappointed by Macedonia this year.  Maybe next year...