Welcome to our new series of posts!
The moment of truth has come, all of the 41 competing songs have been revealed.
Therefore, we are ready for an extended review of them and of course ranking the songs.
Each post in the series will be focusing on 5-6 songs.
The first post in the series will be focusing on 6 countries that will participate in the first semi-final: North Macedonia, Croatia, Slovenia, Sweden, Norway, and Australia.
The artist: Vasil Garvanliev. Vasil is a 35 years old singer. In 2019, he was one of the backing vocalists of Tamara Todevaska who represented North Macedon in Eurovision 2019.
The song: “You”
Selection Process: On the 15th of January 2020, The North Macedonian broadcaster MRT revealed that Vasil was selected internally. The song “You” was released on the 8th of March 2020.
Allocation In Semi-Final: North Macedonia will participate in the first half of Semi-Final 1.
Musical Review: It’s a mid-tempo electro-pop disco song with ethnic motives.
The song starts with an ethnic folklore singing. One of the main components in the melody is the accordion playing. In the verses, the singing is in a mid-low voice and slow rate. An electronic beat started to build in the verses and it becomes powerful in the bridge and the chorus. After the chorus, the verses are more rhymic. The song has influences of retro music and even Eastern- European pop music (especially Russian pop). Vocally, Vasil shows versatile abilities including a low voice and flint singing in the end. I would like to see the song including more ethnic vibes.
The lyrics:
Hand on my hand
Fingertips trembling
This feeling I can’t understand
Your arms into me
Pulling me closer
And closer with sweet melodiesSing it to me, sing it to me, oh
We might only have tonight
Hold me tight and let’s ignite
And for the moment, II just wanna dance with you
Tonight I wanna
I just wanna dance with you
You know you wanna
I just wanna dance with you
Tonight I wanna
I just wanna dance with you
You know you wannaMy lips find yours
And just like a muse, you’re taking over me
I like it
I want moreSing it to me, sing it to me, oh
We might only have tonight
Hold me tight and let’s ignite
And for the moment, II just wanna dance with you
Tonight I wanna
I just wanna dance with you
You know you wannaI just wanna dance
Tonight
Give it to me, give it to meI wanna dance, dance, dance with you
I wanna dance, dance, dance
I just wanna dance with you
Tonight I wanna
I just wanna dance with you (I want to dance)
You know you wanna
I wanna dance with you
Poem Analysis: The song talks about physical attraction. In the first verse, the spokesperson describes the physical closeness between him and his lover. The proximity creates a special feeling – “Hand on my hand, Fingertips trembling,… Your arms into me, Pulling me closer”. In the pre-chorus, he asks his lover to enjoy the moment, because it may over after their meeting tonight – “Sing it to me, sing it to me, oh/ We might only have tonight /Hold me tight and let’s ignite /And for the moment, I”.
The chorus includes a repeating of the phrase “I just wanna dance with you”.
In the verses the arrives after, he describes again their physical closeness. He mentions the closeness as a key for creativity – “My lips find yours / And just like a muse you’re taking over me”
My Initial Ranking: 28 overall, 13th in the semi-final
My Initial Prediction: At the moment, I don’t see the country qualifying for the final . I predict it will end in 11-14 places in the semi-final.
Odds Table: The song lives in the range of 25-26 places in the odds table. In the semi-final table, it is in the 12th place which tells us about unqualifying for the final.
The artist: Damir Kedžo. Damir is a 32 years old Croatian pop singer. He rose to fame in 2003 when he participated in “Story Super Nova Music Talent Show”. In 2016, he participated in the Croatian version of “Your Face Sounds Familiar“.
The song: “Divlji vjetre” (Eng: Wild Winds)
Selection Process: Croatia selected an artist and a song via “Dora 2020” which was held on Saturday the 29th of February 2020. 16 contenders participate in the national final. Damir ended in second place in the jury voting and won in the public voting. The runner up was Mia Negovetić who finished in second place in the public voting and won the jury voting.
Allocation In Semi-Final: Croatia will participate in the second half of Semi-final 1.
Musical Review: It’s a Balkan ballad. The singer has a low and husky voice. The melody is namely based on piano and string instruments. 5 backing vocalists are taking part in the chorus and thereafter. The chorus is powerful. The verses are a little bit forgettable. At the peak of the song, he is shouting in what develops after to a long shot high note. The backing vocalists create harmony which elevates the song. Balkan ballads are welcome but this one isn’t interesting enough.
Translated lyrics:
Once you forget my name
And the bed becomes cold
Like a snow-chained winter
When nothing is left
I will love you and then the wild winds
Leave me alone in silence
Every word is simple now
Go away and let me not know how a man becomes
What you are no longer wild windsTake the foliage brought to my doorstep
And let the rain leave a trail of sadness in the colors of autumn
And it seemed like we were enthralled with soul and body forever
I am left with sadness in the colors of autumn(What are you no more)
Cold as icy rain when you love to stop and break the branches untouched, but before you disappear
Wild winds bring leaves to my doorstep
And let the rain leave a trail of sadness in the colors of autumn
And it seemed like we were enthralled with soul and body forever
I am left with sadness in the colors of autumn
Sadness in the colors of autumn
Sadness in the colors of autumnWild winds bring leaves to my doorstep
And let the rain leave a trail of sadness in the colors of autumn
And it seemed like we were enthralled with soul and body forever
I am left with sadness in the colors of autumn!
Poem Analysis: The song describes life as a set of nature’s phenomenons. The first verse describes the leaving of a person (dying/ moving to another place/ end of relationship). The cold and snowy winter reminds of the situation where someone is leaving and the bad left cold. “Take the foliage brought to my doorstep And let the rain leave a trail of sadness in the colors of autumn” – The spokesperson invites us to connect nature and devote ourselves to the emotions inside us. “Wild winds bring leaves to my doorstep
And let the rain leave a trail of sadness in the colors of autumn” – The spokesperson describes the wild winds as a messenger that brings bad news (the leaves). The rain resembles the tears that come as a result of the sadness.
My Initial Ranking: 38 overall, 16 in the semi-final
My Initial Prediction: predict that Croatia won’t qualify for the final. It will probably end in 15-17 place in the semi-final.
Odds Table: On the day of the national final, the country was in 26th place. A few hours later, the country dropped to 38th place. Afterward, it lives in the range of 36-40 places.
The artist: Ana Soklič. Ana Soklič is a 36 years old Slovenian singer. She started her musical career in performing covers to well-known songs. She is graduated from a music college in Slovenia. She cooperated with the girls’ orchestra “Harlem” from New-York and they performed in front of the former USA president Obama.
In the Slovenian music awards ceremony “Slovenska popevka 2019” she won two awards for her song “Temni svet“: The best lyrics and the best song.
The song: “Voda” (Eng: Water)
Selection Process: Slovenia held national selection named “EMA 2020” that was held on the 22nd of February 2020. 12 contenders participated in the final. The final included 2 rounds of voting. The second round was “super-final”: the top 2 artists from the first round competed – Lina Kuduzović, and Ana Soklič. Ana Soklič won win 53.54% of the votes.
Allocation In Semi-Final: Slovenia will participate in the first half of semi-final 1
Musical Review: It’s a power ballad. There is a poetic atmosphere in the song. The song starts with a captivating instrumental section that is built on piano playing and water effect. Ana starts to sing in a very deep voice. Her face and especially tell us a story, even though the majority of us don’t understand the language. The first two verses are a little long which delays the arrival of the chorus. In the chorus, we are lucky to receive an impressive vocal performance. Ana proves she knows to use a high and stable voice.
She is moving from powerful singing and soft one with the maximum degree of freedom. The third verse if full of darkness and mystery. The next chorus is even more powerful than the previous one. She reaches to an unbelievable high note and ends in a flint singing. In my opinion, the song is one of the strongest ballads this year. Ana is talented and charismatic. My only remark will be that the two first verses are a little bit longer than desired. If the chorus comes earlier than the song will be more effective.
The production focuses on the singer’s voice and the piano sound which makes is simple, beautiful and unique. Ana is planning to release a revamped version. I hope that the chorus will arrive earlier in the new version
You can listen to a snippet from the revamped version:
Translated lyrics:
Let’s move on
In a new time
Let’s get out of here
Far away
Let’s not stop
Right nowhere
It’s gonna be a long nightYou hear when my mind is pounding
That unrest
All that sound
And let them say it all
You are known as the tramp
Yes from words to actions is the longestWater
During the storm, I lay in you to the end
Water is burning
But he can’t do two of us
But he can’t do two of usLet’s move on
In the other direction
Away from the lights
Beliefs
There’s a broken chair
Which stands
And waiting for someone
She is waiting for a babyWater
During the storm, I lay in you to the end
Water is burning
But he can’t do two of us
No, he can’t do two of us
Poem Analysis: The song starts with the beginning of a journey that hints about running away without any option of stopping and thinking – “Let’s move on/ In a new time /Let’s get out of here /Far away /Let’s not stop /Right nowhere /It’s gonna be a long night“. The spokesperson describes herself as restless. There is something that bothers her. She tells that her partner is known as a tramp which means that he would probably agree to move to another place with her – “You hear when my mind is pounding/ That unrest/ All that sound /And let them say it all/ You are known as the tramp/ Yes from words to actions is the longest “. In the chorus, she talks about the storm which is a metaphor for the mess she was trying to run away from. Instead of running away, she is just laying down and waiting for the ending of the storm. The water is burning which means that they can’t avoid the reality anymore. In the end, she confesses that they aren’t brave enough for running away – “Water/ During the storm I lay in the village all the way / The water is burning / But we both can’t / However, we both cannot do that”.
In the third verse, she is considering again to run away, but this time her destiny is another place not necessarily far where they will be free from criticism, lights, and prejudice. She describes a broken standing chair which symbolizes the long time she was waiting. She reveals that she is expecting a baby. Therefore, she may be a little bit moderate considering the previous verses – “Let’s move on /In the other direction /Away from the lights /Beliefs /There’s a broken chair/ Which stands /And waiting for someone
/She is waiting for a baby”.
My Initial Ranking: 10 overall, 7 in the semi-final.
My Initial Prediction: Unqualifying for the final. It’s hard to believe that the audience will support that kind of song. The reactions on social media are pretty apathetic. I hope to be surprised and see Slovenia qualifying for the final. There is an option that the jury will be behind her.
Odds Table: On the day of the national final, the country was in 22nd place. A few hours later, the country dropped to 37h place. Afterwar it continues to drop down to places 38,40,41. At the moment, the song is last in the odds.
The artist: The Mamas are Ashley Haynes, Loulou Lamotte, and Dinah Yonas Manna. The founding member Paris Renita left the group in 2019.
In 2019, they were the backing vocalists of John Lundvik that represented Sweden at Eurovision 2019.
The song: “Move”
Selection Process: Sweden has selected an artist and a song via its traditional selection process “Melodifestivalen“. The selection process included 4 semi-finals and a “second-chance” round. In each semi-final, 7 artists competed and only 2 of them qualified for the final. 12 artists competed in the final (4 of them got a wild card in the second-chance round). The Mamas competed in the first semi-final and ended in the first place in the semi-final. In the final, The Mamas and Dotter received an equal number of points from the international jury. The mams got only 1 point more than Dotter in the public voting and therefore won the competition.
Allocation In Semi-Final: Sweden will participate in the first half of the semi-final 1
Musical Review: It’s an uptempo gospel pop-soul song. n the beginning, two of them have a solo section. Afterward, they all sing together in harmony. The third one of them is singing a solo after the choros. The chorus is an American gospel genre or even churches singing. It is powerful, catchy and being performed really well. The melody is based on keyboard playing and a gentle beat that develops through the song. The staging is pretty dark and the women are wearing black outfits. The song is good but lacks a surprising moment.
The lyrics:
We try, we fight
We fall, it’s alright
That’s life
Oh, life
We wipe those eyes
And then we rise
That’s life
Oh-oh, lifeEven when the rain is falling
Even when you hit the bottom
I’ll be there
I’ll be there‘Cause there ain’t no ocean
Deeper than my love for you
And there ain’t no fire
That I wouldn’t run right through
There ain’t no mountain
Baby, that I wouldn’t move
Nothing that I wouldn’t do for you
‘Cause you do it for me tooOh-oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh-oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh-oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh
‘Cause you do it for me too
Oh-oh, oh, oh-ohWhen highs turn low
I’ll guide you home
That’s right
Damn rightEven when the rain is falling
Even when you hit the bottom
I’ll be there
I’ll be there‘Cause there ain’t no ocean
Deeper than my love for you
And there ain’t no fire
That I wouldn’t run right through
There ain’t no mountain
Baby, that I wouldn’t move
Nothing that I wouldn’t do for you
‘Cause you do it for me tooOh-oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh-oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh-oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh
‘Cause you do it for me tooEverybody wanna move like us
Everybody wanna move like us
Everybody wanna move like us
We’re moving mountains
Everybody wanna move like us
Everybody wanna move like us
Everybody wanna move like us
We’re moving mountains
Oh‘Cause there ain’t no ocean
Deeper than my love for you
And there ain’t no fire
That I wouldn’t run right through
There ain’t no mountain
Baby, that I wouldn’t move
Nothing that I wouldn’t do for you
‘Cause you do it for me tooOh-oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh-oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh-oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh
We’re moving mountainsEverybody wanna move like us
Everybody wanna move like us
Everybody wanna move like us
We’re moving mountains
Poem Analysis: The song talks about life experiences. Life is complicated and includes failures and successes. The brotherhood and being supportive is one of the keys to carry on, get up and trying again. After any fall, we will have to rise – “We try, we fight /We fall, it’s alright /That’s life /Oh, life / We wipe those eyes /And then we rise /That’s life /Oh-oh, life“. Afterward, they mention that everyone will find himself at the bottom in a specific moment in life, but they will be there for him – “Even when the rain is falling/ Even when you hit the bottom/ I’ll be there“. In the chorus, they promise that they will do everything for the person they love or care for. They even overpower nature – “Cause there ain’t no ocean /Deeper than my love for you /And there ain’t no fire /That I wouldn’t run right through /There ain’t no mountain /Baby, that I wouldn’t move/ Nothing that I wouldn’t do for you /’Cause you do it for me too“. In the hook, they mention that they are an inspiration source for others – “Everybody wanna move like us /We’re moving mountains”
My Initial Ranking: 18 overall, 11 in the semi-final (pay attention it’s a strong semi-final)
My Initial Prediction: Sweden will qualify for the final and end in 6-12 places. I will give a reduced range when we will have the running order and live performances of the other acts.
Odds Table: The final of “Melodifestivalen 2020″ took place on the 7th of March 2020. At the end of the night, the song was 8th in the odds. Two days later, it decreased two places down. A day later and until now, it is stable in the 12th place.
The artist: Ulrikke Brandstorp
Ulrikke Brandstorp was born on thr 13th of July 1995.
She is a Norwegian singer, songwriter and musical actress. She is known for participating in the Norwegian singing competitions “Idol“(2013), “The Voice” (2015) and “Stjernekamp” (2018).
In 2019, she played the role of Liesl in the musical “The Sound of Music”
She had previously participated in Melodi Grand Prix 2017, in which she finished in fourth place with the song “Places“.
The song: “Attention”
Selection Process: Norway selected an artist and a song via its traditional national selection – “Melodi Grand Prix” (or just MGP). The selection process included 5 semi-finals. In each semi-final, 4 artists competed and only one of them qualified for the final. The broadcaster had chosen 5 automatic qualifiers
Allocation In Semi-Final: Norway will perform in the second half of semi-final 1.
Musical Review: It’s a power ballad with classical motives. The song is opened with a violin and a cello solo. Afterward, Ulrikke confesses “I find myself longing for attention”. It’s a painful song where the singer is asking us to look deep in her soul. She has got an impressive and strong voice. There is a short beat that keeps returning in the song and being almost muted ib the bridge. The chorus emphasizes the clarity and beauty of her voice. In the pea of the song, she is singing in a higher voice, almost unplugged. thereafter, we get the wishful returning of the violin and cello. The performance is simple, but there is no need for something else.
The lyrics:
I find myself longing for attention
I’m not myself doing what I do
I know I may have hurt someone I love along the way
It wasn’t my intention
I lost myself doing what I doI just want your attention
Oh, the crazy things I doSo why, why do I think it’s okay
Not being me ’cause of you?
And what do you want me to say?
What do you want me to do
To get your attention?
‘Cause I just want your attentionI fool myself just to make you happy
And when I do, it’s all the same to you (It’s all the same to you)Oh, the crazy things I do
So why, why do I think it’s okay
Not being me ’cause of you?
And what do you want me to say?
What do you want me to do
To get your attention?Oh, I don’t wanna do this no more
If I’m the only one here on the dance floor, on the dance floor
OhWhy, why do I think it’s okay
Not being me ’cause of you?
And what do you want me to say?
What do you want me to do
To get your attention?
‘Cause I just want your attention
Poem Analysis: The song talks about a woman that is pining for a specific person’s attention. We don’t know whether he is far from her or he is lust ignores her.
She admits that she has been changed and devoted her life for his attention –
“I find myself longing for attention/ I’m not myself doing what I do/ I know I may have hurt someone I love along the way/ It wasn’t my intention/ I lost myself doing what I do”
In the chorus, she is trying to figure out why has she to be another person in aim to get his attention. She is helpless since she doesn’t know what’s the way to get his attention – “So why, why do I think it’s okay/ Not being me ’cause of you?/ And what do you want me to say?/ What do you want me to do/ To get your attention?/ ‘Cause I just want your attention”.
She tried to treat herself with an aim to make her lover happy. However, it wasn’t helpful- “I fool myself just to make you happy/ And when I do, it’s all the same to you“.
In the bridge, she becomes realistic and sober-minded. She understands that they won’t be together, no matter what she will do – “Oh, I don’t wanna do this no more/ If I’m the only one here on the dance floor, on the dance floor”
My Initial Ranking: 3rd overall, 1st in the semi-final
My Initial Prediction: Norway will qualify for the final. I think that the sog will be a huge jury favorite. She may not lead the public voting. However, it will be enough for qualifying. If Norway qualifies, I predict it will end in the Top 10.
Odds Table: The song was chosen on the 15th of February 2020. At the night of winning, Norway was on the 4th place in the table. Two days later, it decreased to 5th place. 4 days later, it arrived in the 8th place. Afterward, it was in the 7-8 places. On the 1st of March 2020, the song decreased to the 10th place. In the last days, it is stable in 11th place.
The artist: Montaigne
Jessica Alyssa Cerro (born 14 August 1995), who performs as Montaigne, is an Australian art-pop singer-songwriter-musician. Her debut album, “Glorious Heights“, was released on 5 August 2016 and became a huge success in Australia.
In 2016, she won Breakthrough Artist – Release for the album and was nominated for three other categories.
In April 2016 she was a featured vocalist on Hilltop Hoods’ track, “1955“, which reached No. 2 on the ARIA Singles Chart.
The song: “Don’t Break Me”
Selection Process: Australia selected a song and an artist via its national selection “Australia Decides“. 10 artists participated in the national final. The results were determined by 50% public voting and 50% jury voting. Montaigne won the jury voting and ended in the 2nd place in the public voting. It was enough for winning and representing Australia at Eurovision 2020.
Allocation In Semi-Final: Australia will perform in the first half of semi-final 1
Musical Review: It’s a mid-tempo Indie – Pop song. The verse is very catchy. The melody is based on keyboard, piano, and electroproduction. Montaigne sings very fast in the verses. The melody of the verses lacks an edginess. The singer has got a special stamp in her interpolation and voice. The chorus and the bridge has the potential to be captivating.
The studio cut is awesome, but I’m afraid of the translation into the live show, where the singer doesn’t have the perfect vocals while dancing. I would get rid of the dancing (of the singer herself, not in general).
The lyrics:
I don’t feel the same buzz when your name comes up on my phone anymore
Feels like I don’t feel you, I fear you and it makes me cry on my floor
It feels like you’re taking me for granted
I’ve given you everything I have, yeah
And I can barely bring to mind the reason why I’ve stretched myself so far for youBut oh, oh, oh
I can’t take it anymoreDon’t break me
Don’t break me down, down, down, down
Don’t break me
Are you hearing me now, now, now, now?
You thought I was elastic
But maybe I’m just made of glass
Don’t break me
Don’t break me downIsn’t love a compromise, two people tryin’ to keep the fire burning?
You’ve been busy playing ’round and starting fights while I’ve been busy earning
Every time that I try to explain it
You think that your pain is more important
And the hardest thing is that I don’t want to give you up, I love you, I love you, I love youBut oh, oh, oh
I can’t take it anymoreDon’t break me
Don’t break me down, down, down, down
Don’t break me
Are you hearing me now, now, now, now?
You thought I was elastic
But maybe I’m just made of glass
Don’t break me
Don’t break me downI lie awake while you’re asleep
I listen to the sound of all the words I couldn’t say till nowDon’t break me
Don’t break me down, down, down, down
Don’t break me
Are you hearing me now, now, now?
You though I was elastic
But maybe I’m just made of glass
Don’t break me
Don’t break me downDon’t break me
Poem Analysis: The song talks about a complicated relationship. The spokesperson starts by saying that she isn’t enthusiastic anymore when her lover tries to connect her – “I don’t feel the same buzz when your name comes up on my phone anymore“.
She admits that there is a communication failure between them and thus she found herself crying – “Feels like I don’t feel you, I fear you and it makes me cry on my floor“.
She feels like her lover doesn’t appreciate her love and efforts. She tried to fit herself for him but now she feels it wasn’t necessary – “It feels like you’re taking me for granted/ I’ve given you everything I have, yeah/ And I can barely bring to mind the reason why I’ve stretched myself so far for you“.
In the chorus, she asks him to avoid hurting her – “Don’t break me down“. She mentions that she is not as strong as he thought. Actually, she is vulnerable – “You thought I was elastic/ But maybe I’m just made of glass“.
In the second chorus, she says love is a kind of compromise where winners don’t exist. sometimes, the secret is to give up and on the other hand strengthening each other. She blames him for being busy in arguments, while she was trying to find the solutions –
“Isn’t love a compromise, two people tryin’ to keep the fire burning?/ You’ve been busy playing ’round and starting fights while/ I’ve been busy earning“.
She tried to talk to him but instead of listening, he was self-centered. Even though the hard times, She still loves him – “Every time that I try to explain it/ You think that your pain is more important/ And the hardest thing is that I don’t want to give you up, I love you, I/ love you, I love you“.
She keeps thinking about the words she wasn’t brave enough to say and it is bothering her sleeping – “I lie awake while you’re asleep/ I listen to the sound of all the words I couldn’t say till now.
My Initial Ranking: 6th overall, 3rd in the semi-final.
My Initial Prediction: Australia will qualify for the final. In my opinion, the song will have more support from the jury than the public. In my opinion, the song will end in 7-13 places.
Odds Table: The song was chosen on the 8th of February 2020. On the night of the announcement, Australia was first on the odds. One day later, the country decreased to 4th place. Two days later, it was 6th and 5th on and off. Until the 23rd of February 2020, when it was 9th and afterward 12th and 14th. In the last days, it is in the 15-18 places. most of the time (and right now), Australia is in 16th place.
Stay tuned until the next chapter, when we will discuss another 6 acts of the semi-final 1.
