Welcome to our new series of posts!
The moment of truth has come, and all of the 40 competing songs of Eurovision 2022 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 focus on 5-6 songs.
The 4th post in the series will be focusing on 6 countries that will participate in the second semi-final: Cyprus, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino, and Serbia.
You can reach the previous chapters here:
- Chapter 1 (Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Slovenia) is available here
- Chapter 2 (Armenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Ukraine) is available here
- Chapter 3 (Austria, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, The Netherlands) is available here
Artist: Andromache
Andromache Dimitropoulo is a 27 year old Greek singer-songwriter who was born in Germany.
She became well known to the public in 2015, when she participated in “The Voice of Greece“.
Her debut single was “To Feggari”, written by Giorgos Papadopoulos. Later on, she released singles that she has written by herself. Some of them have become a huge success, grabbing millions of YouTube views in several months.
Selection Process: Cyprus has chosen an artist and a song internally.
Andromache will perform the song “Ela“:
Allocation in Semi-Final: Cyprus was drawn to perform in the first half of semi-final 2.
Cyprus will perform in the 9th position, after Australia and before Ireland
Musical review: It is a mid-tempo ethnic pop. The song starts with an instrumental part composed of the traditional bouzouki. Thereafter, a guitar is added to the melody and we can hear male backing vocals with echo effect. The first verse’s melody is based on gentle electric keyboards. She sings it while trilling. Later on, the bouzouki is added, and the production gives it a more rhythmic character.
Pre-chorus feels more sensual, she performs it a little bit faster. This is a short part that creates the connection between the verse and the chorus.
The chorus begins with an ethnic beat, and we can hear the soft use of wind instruments. The chorus is performed in the Greek language. The beat combines into the percussion sound. Her voice sounds sometimes not powerful enough, but the melody permits it without taking over the singing part. The second verse is based on the electric keyboards as well, but this time the rhythm is kept. We can hear a traditional flute playing which adds another layer to the musical package. The second pre-chorus arrives and it is quite similar to the first one. The festive chorus is performed in the Greek language. She sings it with a soft interpatition. The beat has a bigger drop this time.
After the chorus, we get a short instrumental part with, based on string elements.
The last chorus arrives, and this time isn’t based on the beat, but on wind and string elements.
I’m happy to see that Cyprus has decided to step in a different direction, compared to Eurovision 2018, 2019, 2021.
Cyprus and Greece have a wonderful heritage and tradition that they can be proud of in their music.
Andromache isn’t one of the most powerful vocalists in the contest, but she still manages to deliver this song properly. I love the ethnic elements in the song.
The combination of Greek and English is refreshing.
Lyrics – The Greek part was translated into English, thanks to LyricsTranslate
Melodies
Ringing through my head
When you lay eyes on me
The rush is from above
It feels so heavenly
Come and charge me up like electricity
My remedyAll in my, in my head
All in my, lucid dreams
Take my pain away
Come on, come on, come on, come onLive one more day in my arms
In my arms, let’s go further
In my dreams, I get wings and fly (away)
You could be my only one
Na na na na ni amanAa aa come one, come on, come on
Aa aa come one, come on, come onChemistry
Moving to the beat in perfect harmony
I’ll show you what it’s like beyond your fantasy
My remedyAll in my, in my head,
All in my lucid dreams
Take my pain away
Come on, come on, come on, come onLive one more day in my arms
In my arms, let’s go further28
In my dreams, get wings and fly (away)
You could be my only one
Na na na na ni amanAa aa come one, come on, come on
Aa aa come one, come on, come onAman
Take my pain away
Come on, come on, come on, come onLive one more day in my arms
In my arms, let’s go further
In my dreams, I get wings and fly (away)
You could be my only one
Na na na na ni amanCome on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on
Poetry Analysis: This is a romantic song that the spokesperson dedicates to her lover.
When her lover looks at her, it feels like hearing beautiful melodies.
It feels good, like it’s in heaven. But at the same time, she states that her lover is the source of her power and energy. Therefore, she asks him to “charge her” like electric energy.
Thinking about him is an integral part of her life, it presents in her thoughts and in her dreams.
She feels like he is the right one for her, and therefore can be the only one.
When they are together, it gives her the power to step forward.
He has the power to make her forget about the daily troubles and remove the pain.
When they are together, she feels like an angel that can spread her wings and fly.
Initial Personal Ranking: 20th overall, 8th in semi-final 2
The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2: Among the countries that usually vote for Cyprus, we can find the following countries in the list of countries that vote in semi-final 2:
Malta, San Marino, United Kingdom, and Georgia.
Betting Odds: Cyprus has released their song for Eurovision 2022 on the 9th of March 2022. On this say, Cyprus was in the 15th place. Between the 10th of March and the 16th of March, the country has moved in the range of 16 – 19 places. The following day was spent on the 15th place. Even since then, Cyprus has moved in the range of 16 – 19 places, especially in around 17-18 places.
Early Prediction: It seems like Cyprus will probably qualify for the final.
If the country qualifies for the final, I think it will end in 15-20 places.
Artist: Emma Muscat
Emma Muscat is a 22 year old Maltese singer and model. She splits her life between Malta and Italy.
Emma showed an interest in music from a very young age. After completing compulsory education,she decided to study at the University of Performing Arts.
Besides singing, she is interested in dancing and playing different instruments, especially the piano.
Emma started releasing her own music in 2016.
In 2018, she participated in the 7th season of the Italian talent music show “Amici di Maria De Filippi“. She ended up in 4th place, earning a contract with Warner Music Italy.
She has released 8 singles and 1 EP to date.
Selection Process: Malta has chosen an artist (and initially a song) via a national selection “MESC 2022″. 22 artists [participated in the selection, 17 of them advanced for the final.
Emma won first place, both with the jury and a public vote.
However, it has been decided by the broadcaster and the singer to search for another song for Eurovision 2022. The original song was “Out of Sight“, but finally Malta has decided to submit the song “I Am What I Am“.
Allocation in Semi-Final: Malta was drawn to perform in the first half of semi-final 2.
Malta will perform in 6th position, after Georgia and before San Marino.
Musical Review: It is a mid-tempo pop soul with gospel elements.
The song starts with a piano playing. Thereafter, Emma starts singing with her fragile and powerful voice. A gospel choir decorates the ending of some of the lines. As the first verse continues, the song accelerates a light beat that can be heard as a snap finger sound.
The chorus is more powerful, especially in the singing aspect. There’s a light drum beat that comes in the melody. The choir still plays an integral part in the melody.
The second verse relies on piano playing, but on a faster beat as well.
The second chorus repeats on the first one, and we can hear the choir singing as well.
The bridge starts with raw production and the sound of clapping. After this point, her singing becomes even more powerful. The chorus is catchy, but at the same time feels basic.
First of all, I think it was a mistake to change the song for Eurovision.
This song has some catchy moments, but it is also basic and predictable
Lyrics
Every time I fall down (Ooh-ooh)
As soon as I hit the ground (Ooh-ooh)
Remind me who I am, yeah
And I’ll get back up again
Gettin’ up, gettin’ up, yeah-eahThis is my masterplan
I’m gonna take a stand
Take it or leave it
I am what I am
I believe that I can
I’m gonna take command
Take it or leave it
I am what I amI am what I am
I am what I am
Bending backwards trying to fit in
I’ll make them understand, yeah
Take it or leave it
I am what I amDevils inside my head (Yeah)
Late at night in my bed (Yeah)
It’s time I shut you up, yeah
‘Cause I think I’ve had enough
I’ve had enough, had enough, yeah-eahThis is my masterplan
I’m gonna take a stand
Take it or leave it
I am what I am
I believe that I can
I’m gonna take command
Take it or leave it
I am what I am[Post-Chorus]
I am what I am
I am what I am
Bending backwards trying to fit in
I’ll make them understand, yeah
Take it or leave it
I am what I am (Ooh yeah)Oh, yeah
Oh-ooh
I am what I am
I am what I amThis is my masterplan
I’m gonna take a stand
Take it or leave it
I am what I am
I believe that I can
I’m gonna take command
Take it or leave it
I am what I amI am what I am
I am what I am
Bending backwards trying to fit in
I’ll make them understand, yeah
Take it or leave it
I am what I am (Ooh yeah)
Poetry Analysis: This is a self-empowerment song. The spokesperson says she will stick to her own identity and opinions, no matter what happens. Each one of us can sometimes fall down or fail. The solution will be to try to return to ourselves as fast as we can.
We should stand on our own, even if other people don’t like it.
Initial Personal Ranking: 24th overall, 12th in semi-final 2.
The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2: Among the countries that usually vote for Malta, we can find the following countries in the list of countries that vote in semi-final 2:
Australia, Azerbaijan, United Kingdom, Ireland, North Macedonia, San Marino, and Montenegro.
Betting Odds: Malta has chosen Emma Muscat via a national selection on the 19th of February 2022. On this night, Malta was 33rd with the bookies. Until the 27th of February, Malta was in the range of 30-36.
On the 28th of February, Malta was 24th with the bookies. then 32nd and then 21st in the odds.
Thereafter, the country was in 27th place and 22nd place. Malta has officially released their new song for Eurovision on the 14th of March 2022. Since then, The country is in 21st or 22nd place with the bookies.
Early Prediction: I believe that the tradition will e kept this year as well. This means that Malta will get more points from the jury, rather than the public.
Semi-final 2 might be considered as little bit more difficult. Therefore, I think Malta can struggle to qualify and even being in danger of not making it to the final.
If the country qualifies, Malta will end in 18-25 place.
Artist: Vladana Vučinić
Vladana is a 35 year old Montegrin singer and songwriter.
Vladana has shown an interest in music since a young age. She has a primary and secondary education in music, focusing on music theory and opera singing.
She made her debut TV appearance in 2003, when participating in a national karaoke show.
Vladana is well known for her attempts to represent the country at Eurovision. She has tried her luck in the national selection (back then for Serbia & Montenegro) in 2005 and 2006.
Her first single in Montegein was released in 2003, while her first single in the English language was released in 2009.
She was the first montegrin artist to broadcast on the regional MTV station.
Valdana has launched an online fashion magazine “Chiwelook“. This magazine features interviews and reviews in the fields of music, fashion, culture and politics.
Selection Process: Montenegro has chosen a song and an artist internally. The country has received 30 submissions which are record-breaking and 24 acts met the criteria outlining RTCG. The jury of all songs was awarded points based on the following criteria:
- Song: 50 points
- Lyrics: 30 points
- Productional potential of the piece: 20 points
The winner of the internal selection was Vladana with the song “Breathe“.
Vladana was announced as the artist for Eurovision 2022, on the 4th of January 2022.
The song was released 2 months later
Allocation in Semi-Final: Montenegro was drawn to perform in the second half of semi-final 2.
Montenegro will perform in the 15th position, after Poland and before Belgium.
Musical Review: This is a Balkan ballad, performed in English.
The song starts with an instrumental part, composed of piano playing. We can hear a deep breath in the introduction as well. In the first verse, Vladana sings with a natural resonence, and deep voice. She reached some high notes, but it was mostly performed in a mid-low voice.
We can hear a “hint” to the use of string elements.
Pre-chorus includes slow piano playing and violin playing.
The chorus opens with fragile singing and the main element is the violin playing. Towards its end we can hear backing vocals. This part ends with a strong and deep violin stringing that creates a dramatic dimension. The second verse is built on the unique rhythm that is created by the sampling of this ethnic beat. Vladana‘s voice keeps on being accurate and she sings it emotionally.
In the second pre-chorus, she sings with the support of backing vocalists.
The second chorus is simple but impactful, towards the end she sings more powerfully with long notes. The chorus continues a little bit more with even more powerful singing, and a great melody composed by the violin and piano playing. The chorus slowly decays with fragile singing. Backing singers support her, until we get another chorus. The chorus is paused somewhere in the middle and we can hear another dramatic deep breath. The song ends with a melody that slowly decays.
I find this song exciting and impactful. Blakan ballads should be welcomed, even if they aren’t performed in their native language. Vladana is an experienced vocalist and I think she can give us a high quality vocal performance. The text is meaningful, and the orchestration frame is excellent.
I think it might be the best song we’ve received from Montenegro in years or even at all!
Lyrics
The pain will go away they say
And the clouds fall
You’ll keep the things to feel their smell
Just to make you warmNo, nothing feels the same
The fear won’t leave you anywayThe battle for the life
Is bigger than you know
To act so selfishly is unforgivable
The air is what they need
Air is what they breathe
They’ll die without it
It’s unforgivableBreathe, breathe
Fight for your life
Breathe, breatheGo to sleep and dream that we
We will be reborn
Our souls will find themselves again
In the sweat of the stormNo, nothing feels the same
The fear won’t leave you anywayThe battle for the life
Is bigger than you know
To act so selfishly is unforgivable
The air is what they need
The air is what they breathe
They’ll die without it
It’s unforgivable
The air is what they need
The air is what they breathe
They’ll die without it
It’s unforgivableUnforgivable, forgivable
Nothing would feel the same
Unforgivable, forgivable
We can’t lose them
Have to save them
It’s unforgivable
Breathe, breathe
Fight for your life
You better breatheThe air is what they need
The air is what they breathe
They’ll die without it
It’s unforgivableBreathe
Poetry Analysis: Vladana wrote this song to tell the story of her mother who passed away, due to Covid illness. The main idea of the song is to take a deep breath, something that people who have Covid can’t do properly.
In the first verse, other people promise that the suffering is something temporary, the pain won’t stay forever. But the addressee keeps objects just to be able to smell them later on. This is a hint for the loss of smell while someone has Covid. But we can also see this as someone who is searching for comfort in familiar things.
At this certain point, anything can happen. When life is at risk, it seems like nothing will be the same.
When one struggles to stay alive, it is one of the hardest challenges.
The spokesperson describes a selfish action, but we don’t really know what she is talking about. Selfish action can be the leaving of the sick person. But this metaphor can also refer to the people who prevented others breathe properly.
All these people need to keep living is such breath. Some readers may understand this as a criticism of the Covid restrictions: people that can’t go out, will be out of breath.
In the next verse, there’s hope: the spokesperson asks the addressee to go to sleep. Maybe afterwards, a new life will begin. The circle of life will put us again in a place where we’ll have to fight, therefore we will be found in the sweat of storm.
Initial Personal Ranking: 14th overall, 7th in semi-final 2.
The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2: Among the countries that usually vote for Montenegro, we can find the following countries in the list of countries that vote in semi-final 2:
Serbia, North Macedonia, Azerbaijan, San Marino, and Malta.
Betting Odds: Montenegro has released the entry for Eurovision 2022 on the 4th of March 2022. On this day, Montenegro was 20th with the bookies. Ever since then, the country started to go down, and was in 23, 25, 27-30 places.
Since the 11th of March, the country has moved in the range of 34-38 places.
In the recent days, the country is 36-39 in the odds.
Early Prediction: I think that Montenegro will do better than expected.
With the proper staging, I can see it as a song that jury will appreciate.
Let’s not forget that Serbia and North Macedonia voters will probably support this song.
So I think it can end in places 7-10 as a qualifier, or in places 11-13 as non-qualifier.
If Montenegro qualifies, I think they will end in 15-23 places.
Artist: Andrea Koevska
Andrea is a 22-year-old North Macedonian singer-songwriter. She has shown interest in music since a young age. Andrea has spent most of her childhood in New York. She has mentioned Lauryn Hill and Hayley William as some of her idols and mucial inspirations.
Living in America, made her being inspired by plenty of music genres: soul, gospel, R&B, pop and punk-pop.
Andrea has kicked off her career by uploading covers for familiar songs. She ha been noticed by the music producer Aleksandar Masevski. He also was the one to collaborate with her on the song for Eurovision 2022.
So fat, Andrea has released 6 singles, the last of them is her Eurovision 2022 song.
Selection Process: North Macedonia has chosen an artist and a song via the “za Evrosong 2022” national selection. 6 artists competed in the national selection. The results were determined by 50% public vote and 50% international jury vote. Andrea won the national selection, after a tie break. She won the first place in the jury voting.
Andrea will perform the song “Circles”:
Allocation in Semi-Final: North Macedonia was drawn to perform in the second half of semi-final 2.
The country was allocated to perform in the 11th position, after Ireland and before Estonia.
Musical Review: It’s an alt-indie pop ballad.
The song starts with piano playing. The first verse is based on simple piano playing. Andrea sings it effortlessly and with a low voice. Towards the end of the first verse, we can hear violin playing and backing vocals. The chorus is based on a light beat alongside piano and guitar playing. She sings it emotionally and with a high voice. Sometimes, her breathing is heavier, just to make us understand the message. She used some vocal improvisations and vibrations that made her voice even more beautiful. The second verse is built on a richer production. The rate is faster and she sings in a convincing way. Towards the end of the second verse, she sings with a wide amplitude and a drumbeat enters the composition. The chorus is more upbeat, but it still preserves the rebuke she wants to show us. We can even hear an electronic cyclic beat that’s composed of synth sounds.
Between the 2 choruses, she gives her all. The last chorus still relies on the same beat.
The song ends with another chorus that is plays a little bit differently, so it permits her to perform it slightly more virtuously.
Andrea is a sophisticated artist, with not much effort, she delivers the message and remains in the listener’sconvincingly consciousness. I would like to give a big applause for the production here. It is like another sphere that goes around the sound (my recommendation: listen with professional headphones).
Lyrics:
I just want a healthy conversation
Get it right and fix this situation
Everything is crumbling down beneath us
We run around, run around in circles
Tell me, is this our last temptation?
Can we even fix this situation?
Do I listen to my heart or mind, ’cause
We run around, run around in circles
Circles, circles
Oh, circlesYou don’t wanna test my limits
But something tells me you’re not listenin’
Probably, you’re going crazy
It’s all you’ve been doing lately
You don’t wanna test my limits
I gave you all, but you’re not listenin’
Can you stop calling me baby
I’ve made up my mind already
We’re running in circlesI just want a hеalthy conversation
Get it right and fix this situation
Everything is crumbling down bеneath us
We run around, run around in circles
We run around in circles
Ooh, yeahYou don’t wanna test my limits
But something tells me you’re not listenin’
Probably, you’re going crazy
It’s all you’ve been doing lately
You don’t wanna test my limits
I gave you all, but you’re not listenin’
Can you stop calling me baby
I’ve made up my mind already, yeah-eahWe’re running
Ooh
I’ve made up my mind
I’ve made up my mind
Stop, stop calling me baby
(Probably you’re going crazy)
Crazy
You don’t wanna test my limits
I gave you all, but you’re not listenin’
Can you stop calling me baby
I’ve made up my mind already
We’re running in circles
Poetry Analysis: The song talks about 2 people that have got into an argument/conflict.
The spokesperson, as one-half of the couple, gives us her perspective.
She starts by stating that a conversation can be the solution for anything. They just need to settle down what happened, sit together as 2 adults, and reach mutual findings.
She feels like they have reached a critical point, where it can’t be even worst.
It feels like moving in an infinite loop and someone has to put the stop point.
She is torn between her heart (sticking to this relationship) and mind (cut it off, as it can’t go anywhere good). This relationship has reached a boiling point, she feels like he examines her limits. There’s no conversation between them anymore. She wonders about how sane it is to stay in this situation.
She feels like she gave everything she could have brought to save it, but apparently, it wasn’t enough.
It seems like he is trying to satisfy her, and maybe make her forget about the continued arguments.
But it makes her mad, because she has already decided: putting an end to this relationship.
Initial Personal Ranking: 4th overall, 2nd in semi-final 2
The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2: Among the countries that usually vote for North Macedonia, we can find the following countries in the list of countries that vote in semi-final 2:
Serbia, Montenegro, and Azerbaijan.
Betting Odds: North Macedonia has chosen the song and the artist for Eurovision 2022 on the 4th of February 2022. Unfortunately, the country was in the bottom of the table most of the time (36 – 40 with the bookies).
Early Prediction: It isn’t a secret that North Macedonia is one o the entries that I love this year. However, I predict they will end their journey in the semi-finals, probably in 14-18 places.
Artist: Achille Lauro
Achille Lauro (real name: Lauro De Marinis) is a 31 year-old singer Italian singer and rapper.
So far, he has released 8 studio albums and an EP. 2 of his albums peaked at number 1 position in the Italian charts. His first album was released in 2014.
Achille Lauro is well known for his multiple participations in “Festival Di Sanremo 2022” (which is also used as the Italian selection for Eurovision) in the years 2019 (9th place) , 2020 (8th place) and 2022 (14th place).
Selection Process: San Marino has presented us with one of the longest and most complicated selection processes. 75 artists competed in 7 days long selection process.
66 emerging artists and 9 established artists (that have received an invitation from the broadcaster SMRTV). The results were determined by a jury panel.
Achille, as one of the established artists, won the first place.
He will sing the song “Stripper“:
Allocation in Semi-Final: San Marino was drawn to perform in the first half of semi-final 2.
San Marino will perform in the 7th position, after Malta and before Australia.
Musical Review: It is a punk rock song.
The song starts with electric guitar playing. Achille opens the singing part with a sensual singing, the limits with whispering. We can hear a slow beat that slowly becomes a constant and stronger drum beat. The second verse continues the same line. Towards its end, we can hear some sound effects over his singing. The pre-chorus stars with a raw acoustic guitar with effortless singing. The chorus is more powerful and has a flavor of stadium-hymn rock song. Achille sings it is with a raspier voice. The backing singers and players accompany him with light shouting, and at certain point they just sing together. The main element of the melody is the guitar playing.
After a short pause, we move forward to the third verse. He sings it with a thin and raspy voice. We can hear him moaning, in the aim to deliver the vibe and the message of the song. The electric guitar has some beautiful moments in the melody. The hymn chorus returns. Once again, the main element is the guitar playing. Towards the end, we can hear a slight difference in the melody. After this part, we have an instrumental part composed by the bass and the electric guitar.
The song ends with another chorus, but this time it feels more calm and less kicking.
First of all, I’m happy to see San Marino sending a sing performed (partly) in the Italian language. I love rock music, so I’m happy to get this kind of a song.
But my problem is with the vocal performance of the song. It seems that sometimes he doesn’t sing it properly. The focusing on moaning, doesn’t always help to deliver. I believe that a singer with more raspier and thicker voice, would have performed it better.
Achille will probably enjoy the advantage of using his charisma and stage presence.
Lyrics [The Italian part was translated to English, thanks to LyricsTranslate]
It’s a strip club
This love is a strip club, yeah
My heart is in a freezer, freezer
I’m in bed with the killer, thrillerLike a virgin, virgin
It’s not a movie, London Calling, call me
Ah, I love Britney
It’s the devil in a Birkin purseBut what a stupid desire I have
But what a stupid desire
I put on my shortest skirt
And leave, eh
And leave my sensesI don’t know
All I need is love
All I need is love
All I need is love
All I need is loveBut what a stupid desire I have
But see what a woman I am
No one can judge me
Do you trust me?
What a stupid manCowboy, my heart is your sex toy
My bad boy
Madonna on Playboy
It’s a Barbie, her beagle has
600 horse power
It’s my Personal JesusI don’t know
All I need is love
All I need is love
All I need is love
All I need is loveBut what a stupid desire I have
But look at the woman I am
No one can judge me
Do you trust me?
What a stupid manBut what a stupid desire I have
But what a stupid desire
I put on my shortest skirt
And leave, eh
And leave my sensesOh no, no, no, no
Oh no, no, no, no
OhBut what a stupid desire I have
(All I need is love)
But look at the woman I am
(All I need is love)
No one can judge me
(All I need is love)
Do you trust me?
(All I need is love)
What a stupid manI don’t know
Poetry Analysis: The song tells the story of a stripper woman. She feels disconnected of her feelings. Therefore, her heart is frozen. She ends the night with a foreign guy in the bad, and therefore she feels like he is a killer. He will take whatever he wants, and she will like an object. Making this things puts her in a place where her soul is absent.
When she has enough money, she can follow her desires, like flying to London, going to Britney’s shows and etc. But she feels like the devil took over her, since she achieved this money in a dirty way. When she is the strip club, she tends to be someone else. She wears her shortest skirt, and forget about her real identity and dreams. It give us a hint how hard is this work for her. But at the end of the day, like anyone else, she dreams about being loved.
Even though, she understands the problematic situation she has been through, she see no place for criticism. She sees the men who watch her and interact with her as stupid. She can’t realize why they don’t see that anything about her is fake. She isn’t able to give them the lover they need.
Initial Personal Ranking: 28th overall, 15th in semi-final 2.
The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2: Among the countries that usually vote for San Marino, we can find the following countries in the list of countries that vote in semi-final 2:
Azerbaijan ,Georgia, Montenegro, Malta and Poland.
Betting Odds: San Marino has chosen the song and the artist on the 19th of February 2022. The country has started with 3 days on the 13th place.
Thereafter, the country was in 16-19 places. On the 19th of March, San Marino was 20th with the bookies. Since then, the country has moved in the range of 17 – 20 places.
Most of the time, San Marino has been in 19-20 places.
Early Prediction: At the moment, I think San Marino is more likely to fail in qualifying, I’m just not sure about the vocal performance of the singer, I think many people may compare him to Måneskin and it isn’t an advantage a year after they won.
Therefore, I think San Marino might not qualify.
Artist: Konstrakta
Konstrakta (real name: Ana Đurić) is a 43 year-old Serbian singer-songwriter.
She rose to fame in 2007, as the lead singer of the Serbian Indie-pop band Zemlja gruva. They released 3 studio-albums as a band in 2010, 2013, and 2016.
The band took par in the “Beovizija” festival that was used as the Serbian selection for Eurovision. In 2008, they performed the song “Čudesni svetovi” and ended in the 8th place in the final.
In 2009, they performed the song “Svejedno je” and ended in the 16th place in the semi-final.
Since 2019, she has focused on her solo career. Her first single as a solo singer was “Žvake” (Chewing Gums).
So far, she has released 5 singles. One of them is her Eurovision 2022 song.
Selection Process: Serbia has used a new version of national selection – “Pesma za Evroviziju ’22“. The selection was held between the 3rd and the 5th of March 2022.
36 artists took part in the selection. 18 participated in each semi-final, 9 of them made it to the final from each semi-final.
Konstrakta ended in the first place, grabbing the first place both in jury and public vote.
Konstrakta will perform the song “In Corpore Sano” (Eng: In healthy body)
Allocation in Semi-Final: Serbia was drawn to perform in the first half of semi-final 2. Serbia was allocated to perform in the 3th position, after Israel and before Azerbaijan.
Musical Review: It is an experimental Avant pop with influences of spoken word.
The song begins with a pre-recorded singing part that’s produced in massive electronic production. The first verse’s melody is based on a bit dramatic keyboards playing and bass guitar stringing. She recites the lyrics, sometimes doing it in a curved way. From time to time, we can hear female backing vocalists supporting her in a kind of choir singing in the style of ethnic white voice.
As the verse progresses, it becomes more tensive. She sings a little bit faster and the rhythm is more dominant. A dramatic sound of horror soundtrack cuts the melody, it is composed of bowed string elements. This beat, together with a catchy drum beat and clapping effect builds the chorus. The chorus is more energetic and powerful, she tends to sing it, rather than reciting.
The following verse is performed faster then the previous verses. The melody is namely based on drum beat, but we can hear keyboards playing as well. She sings it with a slightly softer and higher voice. The next verse is based on percussion elements and drum beat. This time she recites it even faster. We can hear the backing vocalists in this part again. The echo effect leads un to the bridge which starts with a dramatic instrumental part. This dramatic melody, composed by plenty of instruments, continues to the next part where her singing is like a lullaby singing or even whispering. She is accompanied by loud and fading voices. Another chorus arrives, and once again is upbeat, catchy and memorable. The song ends with the leading of backing singers. The melody is electronic and intensive.
I can’t say that is a song that I would easily add to my playlist.
However, it is sophisticated and delivers an important massage.
Musically, it relies on many different layers. Whether you like it or not, you can’t ignore this entry. One of the central merits is the visual appeal it creates, alongside the memorable and catchy chorus. Not to mention: Have you ever imagines that a country will send a song that talks about medical insurance or a mentioning Meghan Markle?
Serbia has taken a huge risk, but I think they will benefit of this at the end of the day.
Lyrics [Translated From Serbian to English, thanks to LyricsTranslate]
I wonder what’s the secret behind Meghan Markle’s healthy hair?
I wonder what’s the secret?
I wonder what’s the secret behind Meghan Markle’s healthy hair?
I wonder what’s the secret? (I wonder what’s the secret?)I think that
Deep hydration is what it is
They say that
One’s skin and hair show everything clearlyFor example, dark circles around the eyes
Could indicate liver problems
Blemishes around the lips, enlarged spleen perhaps?
Enlarged spleen is not good, it’s not prettyAnd the artist, she needs to be healthy
Be healthy, be healthy, be healthy
B-b-b be healthy
Be healthy, be healthy, be healthy
She must be, she must be, she must beWe’re incredibly lucky
That there’s such a thing as the autonomic nervous system
I don’t need to control my own heart beats
The heart beats, the heart beats on its ownBright colors of a summer day
My skirts are on my body,
My skirts, the dog and I
The two of us are taking a walk
We’re counting the steps
The skirt goes around my leg
We are taking a walk, and that’s itAnd it doesn’t need to get any better than this
The heart beats on its own
I put my trust in it
Let it beat on its own
I put my trust in it
Let it beat, let me breathe
God, give me health
God, give me health
God, give me health
(God, give me health)I don’t have health insurance
How will they be able to keep track of me? (In the name of health)
To care for me? (In the name of health)
The artist, she is invisible (In the name of health)
You don’t see me, it’s magic (In the name of health)The artist, she can be healthy
Be healthy, be healthy, be healthy
B-b-b be healthy
Be healthy, be healthy, be healthy
She can be, she can be, she can beIn a healthy body, in a healthy body
In a healthy body, in a healthy body
In a healthy body, in a healthy body
The body is healthy
So now what?A sick mind in a healthy body
A sad soul in a healthy body
A desperate mind in a healthy body
A terrified mind in a healthy body
So now what?
Poetry Analysis: It is a personal song that tells a wider story. Artists in Serbia can’t have a proper medical insurance. Therefore, they must take care of themselves and hope they won’t be at a situation where a medical problem prevents them working.
The spokesperson tries to catch our attention with mentioning Meghan Markle. She speaks about Meghan‘s wonderful hair and wonders what’s the secret behind it.
But why does she talk about it? Well, an optional explanation is that the spokesperson wants to be sure that we are on the same page. Meghan is famous, so anyone knows about her beauty. Having a common starting point, can help her to create the suitable empathy. Therefore, we will be able to understand even more complex situations. In the second verse, we get a first clue about the reason why she has talked about Meghan‘s hair.
The spokesperson interested in the source of her hair’s beauty, because she wants it herself.
The hair and the skin reflect one’s health. So as part of being healthy, it is important to have a good appearance, especially hair and skin.
As part of her routine as an artist, she must pay attention to the signs that the body gives us. Because for her, as an artist, any medical problem can be critical. Therefore, she recited the main dangers the body can hide: dark circles around the eyes could indicate liver problems, blemishes around the lips could indicate enlarged spleen.
And the Serbian artist can’t afford it, she must stay healthy.
In the live performance, Konstrakta is wearing a nurse uniform and it isn’t a random choice. As an artist, she must take care of herself, knowing she won’t be covered by the medical insurance.
The act of washing hands isn’t random at all. Maintaining hygiene can help her prevent some of the diseases and viruses.
Thereafter, she mentions that the humanity should feel lucky about having the body taking care of its ow activity in some cases. Otherwise, the artist’s worries would have been increased.
But we can translate this metaphor into an additional direction. The nervous system are autonomic which means they take came of themselves, Therefore the artist sees herself as responsible for her own fate. She is autonomic regrading her own body, having no back-up.
But I can see it also as a criticism of the medical insurance companies that act brutally, having the power to decide who will be their clients.
She tells us about walking with her dog outside in a sunny day. The nature gives her the hope that everything will be OK. She acts like her own medical insurance. This means that she has to be careful with any step she takes. That’s why she counts the steps in her way home while walking with the dog. She has to be sure that nothing extra-ordinary happens.
At this point, she also explains us how sad can be the life while having such problems.
Even enjoyable activities like waking with the dog, can be dangerous (in case she might hurt or אם be injured).
The only thing she can do is trusting her own body: the ability to breathe, the heart that beats on its own and etc.
Later on, she goes straight-forward with her criticism towards to medical insurance companies. They don’t really care about the health of the artists. It seems like that even a severe action like tracking each single step of the artist won’t help.
The talented artists become invisible, they are transparent and no one cares about their health.
But what if maintaining a healthy body (when no one can back-up you) takes a high price?
What’s the sacrifice you should give? Probably going crazy (sick mind) or depression (sad mind, desperate mind), or even anxiety (terrified mind).
Initial Personal Ranking: 13th overall, 6th in semi-final 2.
The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2: Among the countries that usually vote for Serbia, we can find the following countries in the list of countries that vote in semi-final 2:
Montenegro, North Macedonia, Germany, and Sweden.
Betting Odds: Serbia held their selection “Pesma za Evroviziju ’22” between the 3rd and the 5th of March 2022. Between the 5th and the 13th of March , Serbia was in the range of 20 – 22 places. Thereafter, Serbia went up to the 16 place, then it moves to the 19th place and back to the 16-17 places. since the 25th of March, the country has been stable in the 15th place.
Early Prediction: I think that Serbia can be almost considered as a certain qualifier. With right translation of the message on stage, its chances will increase.
At the moment, I see it achieving more points form the public.
I predict Serbia will end in 6-14 places .
In the next chapter, we will discuss additional 6 countries that will participate in semi-final 2.
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