Welcome to our new series of posts!
The moment of truth has come, and all of the 37 competing songs of Eurovision 2023 have been revealed.
Therefore, we are ready for an extended review of them and a ranking of the songs.
Each post in the series will focus on 5-6 songs.

1. You can find the 1st chapter (Croatia, Moldova, Portugal, Serbia, and Switzerland) here
2. You can find the 2nd chapter (Czechia, Finland,The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden) here
3. You can find the 3rd chapter (Azerbaijan, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Malta) here
4. You can find the 4th chapter (Albania, Cyprus, Greece, San Marino, Slovenia) here

The 5th post will focus on 6 countries that will compete in semi-final 2: Armenia, Australia, Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Lithuania

Brunette – Future Lover

Elen Yeremyan (known as Brunette) is a 21 year-old Armenian singer-songwriter.
She started singing at the age of 4, and started writing songs at the age of 15.
She released her debut single (“Love The Way You Feel“) in September 2019.
Brunette joined the project “Project 12”, performing in night clubs in Armenia,
She is a member of the girl group En aghjiknery (ThoseGirlz). They released the hit “Menq” in 2022. As a solo artist, she released several singles in 2022: “Gisher”, “Smoke Break” and “Bac kapuyt achqerd“.

Selection Process

Armenia has internally selected the artist and the song for Eurovision 2023.
Brunette was revealed as the Armenian artist for Eurovision 2023 on the 1st of February 2023.
Her song “Future Lover” was revealed on the 15th of March 2023.

She will perform the song “Future Lover”:

Allocation in Semi-Final

Armenia will perform in the first half of semi-final 2 at Eurovision 2023.
Armenia is set to perform in the 2nd position, after Denmark and before Romania.

Musical Review

• It is a ballad with RnB motives.
• The first verse starts with piano playing. Brunette sings it with a fragile and high tone of voice.
• She uses some humming and manners in the short pre-chorus.
• The chorus relies on piano and string elements, the main of which is the cello. The chorus is slow, exciting and classic. It enables her to showcase her wonderful vocal abilities. She continues with an angelic voice, creating a frame with “Be good, do good, look good”.
• The second verse is more powerful and kicking. It gives it the RnB flavour. This part moves between spoken-word and just fast singing. With this, she delivers the power and volume of her emotions. The melody is more intense, the piano playing is faster and a beat is added as well. She uses a lower tone of voice. At a certain point, we can hear the string elements again.
• The second chorus is faster and features drum beats as well. Her singing is more sparse and she puts an emphasis on some syllabses. We can hear backing vocals as well.
• Thereafter, she sings the chorus in the Armeinaim language.
• The song closes with a simple piano playing.
• It is one of the most effective songs this year. I remember it by heart from the first time.
• Brunette has succeeded in combining a classic ballad with modern spoken-word/RnB. The song has a huge staging potential, and she elvated it with her vocals.
• Do we have a potential dark horse here? I think so!

Translated Lyrics

I just wanna make art, read books and just find someone
Who likes me enough to kiss my face
I wanna explore with him and visit old bookstores
And cute little things, like drink smoothies at near cafés

Oh – oh – oh
Drink smoothies at near cafés
Oh – oh – oh

Oh future lover, I hope it all comes naturally
I hope our love is quiet outside, but loud inside, oh baby
Oh future lover, this song I wrote for you
This song I wrote for you, my future lover

I decide to be good, do good, look good
I decide to be good, do good, look good
I decide to be good, do good, look good
I decide to be good, do good, look good

It’s like a daydream, but I got some other, better plans
I wanna scream and shout, my heart caught in chains
Cold heart, cold hands, fire in my veins
Fire in my veins, heart in chains
I’m a volcano that is going to explode in a sec
I’m so hypnotised by someone that I’ve never ever met
Don’t wanna forget, am I dreaming yet?
Poetic dream, I don՚t want it to end, oh
Three minutes of making impossible plans
Seven minutes of unnecessary panic attacks
Here I go with the coldest hands
Here I go with still no plans, oh, still no plans
I can’t cool off, no I can’t relax
Lord what I’m gonna do, my pain just attacks
I still have the coldest hands
Oh my Lord, my Lord, my pain, my panic attacks, oh

I decide to be good, do good, look good
I decide to be good, do good, look good
I decide to be good, do good, look good
I decide to be good, do good, look good

You’re so far away from me
Left alone, far far away
You and I, silent in my dream
Were lost far, far away

Poetry Analysis

• The song describes the dream to find love, your soulmate in the world.
• In the beginning, she tells us a bit about herself. However, we know almost nothing about her. It is clear she enjoys making art and reading books. The rest tells about her passion to find love.
• She searches for love with a physical expression – “Who likes me enough to kiss my face“
• Later on, she tells us more about the things that she likes in life. But the connotation related to her and her lover together – “I wanna explore with him and visit old bookstores/ And cute little things, like drink smoothies at near cafés“.
• In the pre-chorus, she reveals that she hasn’t met her intended lover yet. She wants an exciting and emotional relationship, that’s based on feeling, and not on actions – “Oh future lover, I hope it all comes naturally/ I hope our love is quiet outside, but loud inside“.
• Until she meets him, she tries to focus on positivity and being attractive. Maybe she believes in karma – “I decide to be good, do good, look good”
• In the second verse, she tells us about anxiety that takes over her – “my heart caught in chains/
  Cold heart, cold hands, fire in my veins/ Fire in my veins, heart in chain“
• It seems like it can prevent her from functioning normally. That’s why finding a future lover can be like a “daydream”. On the other hand, it can keep her safe and sane.
• Reaching a future lover looks impossible and far (both on time and distance) –
• “So far You’re so far away from me/ Left alone, far far far away / You and I, silent in my dream/
  Were lost far, far away“

Initial Personal Ranking

1st overall in semi-final 2, 6th overall

The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2

Among the countries that usually vote for Armenia, 4 countries will vote in semi-final 2: Georgia, Greece, Belgium and Cyprus

Betting Odds

On the 15th of March, “Future Lover” was released and Armenia was on the 14th place in the table.
4 days after have been spent on the 13th place.
Since the 20th of March 2023, Armenia has been in 12th place, with the exception of 2 days in 11th place.

Early Prediction

Armenia has got a challenging allocation. In recent years, the second song in each semi-final tends to fail qualifying for the final.
However, based on some live performances Brunette gave in the pre-parties, it seems we can trusא her. Vocally, it was good and stable.
We still have no idea about her staging plans, but I believe i will stand out.
Therefore, I believe Armenia will qualify for the grand final.
Prediction: 4-10 in the final

Voyager – Promise

Voyager is a progressive metal band from Australia. The band was formed in 1999, with change in th line-up over the years.
The band members are:

• Daniel Estrin (Vocals)
• Simone Dow (Guitarist, since 2006)
• Scott Kay (Guitarist, since 2010)
• Ashley Doodkorte (Drummer, since 2011)
• Alex Canion (Bassist, since 2007)

So far, the band has released 7 studio albums. The first of them was released in 2003. and the latter (to date) in 2019.

In 2022, they competed in the national selection for Eurovision 2022 – “Australia Decides 2022“. They performed the song “Dreamer”, winning the public’s vote, but ending in 2nd place overall.

Selection Process and Song

Due to some disagreement between the Australian broadcaster (SBS) and companies involved in organization, things turned out to select internally.
SBS approached Voyager (who ended 2nd in last year’s national selection).

They will perform the song “Promise”, which was released on the 21st of February 2023:

Allocation in Semi-Final

Australia was allocated to perform in the second half of semi-final 2 at Eurovision 2023.
Cyprus is set to perform in the last (16th position) after Lithuania.

Musical Review

• It is a progressive pop metal song.
• The song opens with electronic string and perscussion instruments.
• The lead singer opens the first verse with a quite indifferent singing.
• Thereafter, the production goes in a slightly darker direction. The tempo is faster.
• The pre-chprus is short, and leads us to the chorus.
• The chorus is repetitive and catchy. The bass and the electric guitar take over the melody. We can hear one of the band members as a backing vocalist.
• The second verse is based on synth production, that can be considered as 1980’s influenced.
• The melody is based on synth, drums and guitars.
• The bridge starts with an instrumnel guitar solo and growling by one of the guitarists.
• The part that comes after starts more laid back, with the emphasis on the percussion and string elements. Thereafter, we get a synth rock vibe, obtained by Keytar.
• As a metal song, it is a good one, built on classical and more edgy colors of rock. Vocally, they stand out. However, I feel they haven’t done enough for the lyrics. Repeating the same sentence again and again, and having an amorphic subject don’t contribute here.

Lyrics

Have you ever done anything like this before?
Have you ever done anything like this before?
If you’ve never done anything like this before
Then you haven’t been alive
Have you ever shut all the open doors
Have you ever just walked on out on your own
Have you ever just lost your mind?
When you try to unwind
Or are you coming right back for more?

I’m here tonight
Promise me you’ll hold me ’till I die
I’m by your side
Promise me it’s gonna
Promise me it’s gonna be alright

(Ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh, oh-oh)
Promise me it’s gonna be alright
(Ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh, oh-oh)
Promise me it’s gonna be alright
(Promise me it’s gonna be alright)

Have you ever been alone too much
Have you ever prayed for human touch
Have you ever just lost a little part of you
To find a little something new?

(Cross my heart ’till the sky turns red in the sunrise)
Since you told me everything’s alright

(Ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh, oh-oh)
Since you told me everything’s alright
(Ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh, oh-oh)
Promise me it’s gonna be al— (‘Right)

I’m here tonight
Promise me you’ll hold me ’till I die
I’m by your side

Promise me it’s gonna
Promise me it’s gonna
Promise me it’s gonna be alright

Alright
(‘Til the sky turns red in the sunrise)
Promise me it’s gonna be alright (Be alright)
Alright

Poetry Analysis

• The song doesn’t have a specific topic.
• The spokesperson brought up several questions, to urge the reader/listener to braveness
• The spokesperson didn’t explicitly say what was the thing he had done before. However, it is described as something dramatic – “If you’ve never done anything like this before/
  Then you haven’t been alive“.
• This bravery requires making some decision: “Have you ever shut all the open doors?/ Have you ever just walked on out on your own/ Have you ever just lost your mind?“.
• The spokesperson is looking for someone to be there for him, while he takes these actions: “Promise me you’ll hold me ’till I die/ I’m by your side“

Initial Personal Ranking

10th is semi-final 2, 25th place overall.

The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2

Among the countries that usually vote for Australia, 6 countries will vote in semi-final 2: Poland, Iceland, Denmark, Spain, UK and Belgium

Betting Odds

On the 21st of February 2023, Australia released its song for Eurovision 2023.
On this day, Australia was 12th in the odds.
2 days later, Australia was 14th in the odds.
Thereafter, Australia has been in 16-19 places with the bookies, mostly 18th place.
Since the 18th of April, Australia has been 15-17 at odds.

Early Prediction

Australia has been allocated a great position, closing the 2nd semi-final.
Voyager members have a noticeable energy and chemistry on stage.
And also, rock/metal genres have also the tendency to get public support.
That’s why I believe Australia will qualify for the final.
On the other hand, I don’t see Australia conquering the scoreboard, since the song isn’t bold enough. Having other bands in the contest, will probably split some of the voters over the different songs (especially rock bands like Slovenia, Germany and etc.).
Prediction: 13-18 in the final

Reiley – Breaking My Heart

Rani Petersen (better known as Reiley) is a 25 year-old Faroese singer and social media influencer.
He is the first person from Faroe Islands to represent Denmark in Eurovision.
So far, the singer has released his debut EP (“BRB, Having an Identity Crisis”) and a few singles.
In the summer of 2022, he performed at the “Slow Life, Slow Life” festival in Seoul, South Korea.
He gained some popularity in the K-Pop scene.

Selection Process

As always, Denmark has selected an artist and a song via its national selection “Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2023″. 8 artists competed in the national selection.
“Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2023″ was held on the 11th of February 2023.
The first round was determined by public votes, 3 artists made it to the second round.
Reiley won the second round with 43% of the votes:

He will perform the song “Breaking My Heart”:

Allocation in Semi-Final

Denmark will perform in the first half of semi-final 2 at Eurovision 2023.
Denmark is set to perform in the 1st position, before Armenia.

Musical Review

• It is a synth pop song.
• The song starts immediately with Reiley singing. He suggests a gentle high tone of voice.
• The first verse’s melody is based on an electric guitar and drum beat.
• The chorus starts with synth backing vocals. Production breaks in a less melodical direction. It is almost unplugged, where the emphasis is on the vocals. Thereafter, we can hear string elements in the melody.
• The second verse is a little faster, with a drum and guitar beat.
• The pre-chorus is softer and connects us to the chorus.
• The bridge is faster and more intensive.
• The last part starts softly and transforms into the chorus.
• There is a rich use of vocoder and pre-recorded backing vocals that make the song sound a little bit less natural. In addition, it seems like he will struggle vocally.

Lyrics

Do you remember?
Said it’d be easier if I was dead
‘Cause whenever
You try to start something, I’m in my head

Pink skies
Red wine, I called you mine
September
Naked by your side

On and off
Come meet in the middle
I got lost
Still thinking ’bout September

If we could go back to the start
Bet we’d still be falling apart
I’m not scared to love you
But I’m scared of breaking my heart
If we could go back to the start
Bet we’d still be falling apart
I’m not scared to love you
But I’m scared of breaking my heart

Now I remember
I used to tell you all my deepest fears
When fighting
You used them just to force some tears

Pink skies
Just like when we were fine
September
Now I’m crying by your side

On and off
Come meet in the middle
I got lost
Still thinking ’bout September

If we could go back to the start
Bet we’d still be falling apart
I’m not scared to love you
But I’m scared of breaking my heart
If we could go back to the start
Bet we’d still be falling apart
I’m not scared to love you
But I’m scared of breaking my heart (You’d still breaking my)

If we go back to the start (If we go back to the start)
You’d still be breaking my heart (You’d still breaking my heart)
If we go back to the start (If we go back to the start)
You’d still be breaking my heart

On and off
Come meet in the middle
I got lost
Still thinking ’bout September

If we could go back to the start
Bet we’d still be falling apart
I’m not scared to love you
But I’m scared of breaking my heart
If we could go back to the start
Bet we’d still be falling apart
I’m not scared to love you
But I’m scared of breaking my heart (You’d still breaking my)

If we go back to the start (If we go back to the start)
You’d still be breaking my heart (You’d still breaking my heart)
If we go back to the start (If we go back to the start)
You’d still be breaking my heart (You’d still breaking my heart)
If we go back to the start (If we go back to the start)
You’d still be breaking my heart (You’d still breaking my heart)
If we go back to the start (If we go back to the start)
You’d still be breaking my heart (You’d still breaking my)

Poetry Analysis

• The song describes a toxic romantic relationship that came to an end.
• The spokesperson tells about the addressee’s thoughts about renewing their relationship, but the spokesperson has some doubts.
• The beginning of the song already suggests a jarring final chord to their relationship – “Said it’d be easier if I was dead“.
• Back then, their relationship was romantic and intimate: “Pink skies/ Red wine, I called you mine/ September/ Naked by your side“.
• We learn that the relationship wasn’t continuous – “On and off/ Come meet in the middle“.
• The spokesperson is convinced that their relationship was doomed to failure – “If we could go back to the start/ Bet we’d still be falling apart/ I’m not scared to love you/ But I’m scared of breaking my heart“

Initial Personal Ranking

14th overall in semi-final 2, 32nd overall

The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2

Among the countries that usually vote for Denmark, 4 countries will vote in semi-final 2: Iceland, Estonia, Australia, and Slovenia

Betting Odds

On the 11th of February 2023, Reiley won the “Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2023″.
On this night, Denmark was 27th with the bookies. The first week was spent in places 24, 26, and 27.
The week after was spent in places 28-31. 5 additional days were spent in 25-27 places.
Since the 5th of March, Denmark is 28-30 with the bookies, mostly 28-29.

Early Prediction

Denmark brings a teenage/Tik-Tok-friendly song. However, it seems like the performance is heavily based on studio effects.
However, the option to put it as the opening of the show does not seem to be the best one. I think it might be forgotten in the mix.
Prediction: Non-qualifier

Alika Milova – Bridges

Alika Milova is a 20-year-old Estonian singer of Russian descent.
Alika started her music career while competing in several music contests like The Baltic Voice, New Wave Junior, Kaunas Talent, Bravo Song Contest, and Berlin Perle.
In 2021, she won the 8th edition of the Estonian talent show Eesti “otsib superstaari“, which led her to sign with the record label “Universal Music Group“.

Selection Process and Song

As always, Estonia held its national selection for Eurovision – “Eesti Laul 2023“.
20 artists competed in 2 semi-finals. The 2 semi-finalד results were determined by a combination of a public vote and a national jury.
10 artists qualified directly for the final, with 2 additional artists getting wildcards from the public.
The final results were based on a 50% international jury and a 50% public vote. In the second round, the top 3 acts faced another public vote.
Alika won the public vote and the international jury vote. Therefore, she will represent Estonia at Eurovision 2023.

Alika will sing “Bridges“:

Allocation in Semi-Final

Estonia was allocated to perform in the first half of semi-final 2 at Eurovision 2023.
Estonia is set to perform in 4th position, after Romania, and before Belgium.

Musical Review

• It is an emotional ballad.
• One of the writers is Wouter Hardy, who was involved in the writing of The Netherlands 2019 and Switzerland 2021.
• The song starts with a short instrumental part, composed of piano playing.
• Alika opens the song with her crystal clear and stable voice.
• The first verse relies on a uniform piano playing, where the emphasis is on her voice.
• The first chorus ends with a melodic fragile humming that is used as a transition between the first verse and the chorus.
• The first chorus is quite short and “calming”, we can hear the humming from the previous part fading in the background. In this part, the piano playing is a bit faster.
• The second verse is performed in a quarter tone lower. The melody is richer and includes some orchestra elements like strings (cello?). Her voice is warmer and you can feel her dedication to the text.
• The second chorus is powerful, she sings it with a convincing tone and we can hear the humming in the background.
• Thereafter, arrives the bridges of the song. It starts on a long note, with intense string elements playing that decay and is replaced by piano playing.
• She moves into fragile and gentle singing, then again the cello comes and she brings a last long note.
• It is a high-quality James Bondish ballad. The production wraps it with the required dramatic colors.

Lyrics

Now I’m heading home
To solid ground
Realized that all the lies I’ve told myself have died

Bring me to the place
Where I belong
Filled with all the memories and dreams I have ignored

There is always time
To get back on track
Tearing down the walls
Slowly every step
Now I see myself
Building up a world of bridges

There is one more thing
You need to know
That I forgive myself for all the lies I said before

Now I see the road
Of leading lights
Showing me where I should go and what to leave behind

There is always time
To get back on track
Tearing down the walls
Slowly every step
Now I see myself
Building up a world of bridges

You will find a way
To begin again
No more time to waste
Or to play pretend
Now I see myself
Building up a world of bridges

I remember all the things that I went through
All the lies and blurry lines and city lights I knew
Now I’m strong enough to see what lays inside
And I can feel it all

There is always time
To get back on track
Tearing down the walls
Slowly every step
Now I see myself
Building up a world of bridges

You will find a way
To begin again
No more time to waste
Or to play pretend
Now I see myself
Building up a world of bridges

Poetry Analysis

• The song talks about self-discovery, forgiveness, and the way we cope with problems.
• All of us tend to lie to ourselves, in the sense of creating alternative reality or making excuses. The song doesn’t indicate any specific situation, and that’s why it is described as – “Now I’m heading home/ To solid ground / Realized that all the lies I’ve told myself have died“.
• Reality is represented by the phrase “solid ground”.
• The spokesperson realized that she had ignored her dreams and memories, and she is ready for a change – “Filled with all the memories and dreams I have ignored“.
• Nevertheless, there’s always a chance to take action and make changes. Sometimes, it might be complicated. Even taking it slowly, might be helpful in the long term – “There is always time/ To get back on track/ Tearing down the walls/ Slowly every step/ Now I see myself/ Building up a world of bridges“.
• The main metaphor is “building a world of bridges“. It represents the way we should build the process of change in life. It won’t be implemented as magic, with one step. we will have to find connections and build minor paths, and take them step by step. Bridges represent a careful transition between levels.
• In the second verse, the spokesperson takes another step forward. She admits the lies she said before, but most importantly she forgives herself. Self-acceptance and forgiveness are keys to change – “There is one more thing/ You need to know/ That I forgive myself for all the lies I said before“.
• It enables her to see clearly the way to her destination – “Now I see the road/ Of leading lights/ Showing me where I should go and what to leave behind“
• The last part of the song calls us to take action over our own lives. The spokesperson has probably completed her mission. Now it is our own turn, with the inspiration of her story – “You will find a way/ To begin again/ No more time to waste/ Or to play pretend/ Now I see myself/ Building up a world of bridges“

Initial Personal Ranking

2nd overall in semi-final 2, 7th overall.

The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2

Among the countries that usually vote for Estonia, 6 countries will vote in semi-final 2: Finalnd, Lithuania, Georgia, Poland, Denmark, and Iceland.

Betting Odds

On the 11th of February 2023, Alika won the “Eesti Laul 2023” with “Bridges“.
In the first 3 days, Estonia was in 16th and 18th place in the table.
Between the 15th and the 26th of February, Estonia was 19th with the betting odds.
Ever since then, Estonia was 21st and 22nd with the bookies, with an exception of 2 days (in 34-34 places)

Early Prediction

This year, we have a low number of ballads, especially slower ballads.
It isn’t a secret that songs like this usually get more support from the jury. On the other hand, we have seen such ballads that have ended up high in the televote.
Alika is a great performer, one that you can trust in live performances.
The running order she was allocated will give her the opportunity to shine, as she comes after Romania and before Belgium – 2 songs that are different from hers.
This is one of the predictions that I am not really sure about. I tend to think Estonia will qualify (but there’s a chance it will be a shocking non-qualifier).
Prediction: 15-21 in the final

Diljá – Power

Diljá Pétursdóttir (better known as Diljá) is a 21-year-old Icelandic singer.
She took her first steps into the music industry in 2015, when she participated in the talent show “Ísland Got Talent”.
In 2020, she moved to Denmark, where she combines her physiotherapy studies with singing lessons.
In 2023, she won the national selection “Söngvakeppnin 2023″. Her Eurovision song was performed in 2 versions: the Icelandic one (“Lifandi inni í mér”) which is in 6th place in the Icelandic charts, and the English one (“Power”) which is in 1st place in the Icelandic charts.

Selection Process and Song

Iceland held its national selection for Eurovision – “Söngvakeppnin 2023”.
10 songs were shortlisted to participate in the contest. The contest included 2 semi-finals and a final. 2 artists qualified from each semi-final, and an additional finalist was chosen as a wild card.
The semi-final results were determined by the public only.
In the final, 5 artists competed in 2 rounds. In the first round, the results were determined by a 50% public vote and a 50% international jury. The second round was determined by the public vote only.
Diljá won all the rounds of voting, and therefore will represent Iceland at Eurovision 2023

The final of “Söngvakeppnin 2023” was held on the 4th of March 2023.
Diljá will perform “Power” at Eurovision 2023:

Allocation in Semi-Final

Iceland will perform in the first half of semi-final 2 at Eurovision 2023.
Iceland is set to perform is in 7th position, after Cyprus and before Greece.

Musical Review

• This is a powerful country-pop ballad.
• The song starts with electric guitar stringing.
• The first verse gives us the impression, it would be a dark pop song, but later on it becomes clear it won’t be. The first verse relies on guitar playing, and the focus in on Diljá‘s excellent voice. She sings it in a mid-high voice.
• The chorus starts with a very powerful singing, that even sounds like an outcry. In the background, we can hear some backing vocals.
• The chorus outro starts with a drum playing and an electric beat.
• The second verse relies on electric guitar and percussion beat.
• Thereafter, we get the second chorus, which is more upbeat and of the pop genre. The chorus includes some backing vocals.
• The bridge includes pre-recorded backing vocals, alongside higher-pitch singing.
• The last part of the song is again the chorus.
• The song is catchy, mainly due to its chorus. Diljá‘ elevate this song to several levels. It makes it from a standard radio-friendly pop song to a meaningful, emotional song.

Lyrics

I’m ready to let you go
Won’t hold you back no more
And go on spread your wings and fly away
Been carrying you way too long
Like an obsession
I thought you were a living part of me

But I got my power in my hand
You hold no power over me
And I’ll take my flowers while I can
So let the love shower over me (Shower)

Ho-oh, ah-ah-ah-ah
You hold no p-p-p-power over me
Ho-oh-oh, ah-ah-ah-oh-oh
You hold no p-p-p-power over me

I’m not doing this dance again
So goodbye old friend
And tired of finding meaning in the dark
I’m releasing all of you
In gratitude
Replacing you with light that fills my heart

I got my power in my hand
You hold no power over me
And I’ll take my flowers while I can
So let the love shower over me (Shower)

Ho-oh-oh, ah-ah-ah
You hold no p-p-p-power over me

Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, oh-wow
No power over me
And I’ll take my flowers while I can
So let the love shower over me, oh-oh-oh

Ho-oh-oh, ah-ah-ah-oh-wow
You hold no p-p-p-power over me
Ho-oh-oh, ah-ah-ah-oh-oh
You hold no p-p-p-power over me

Poetry Analysis

• The song talks about dealing with breakups. It is also a self-empowerment song.
• In the first verse, she is ready to end this relationship. It seems like she had some doubts in the past and now she is finally about to take action. Now, she can see it lasted longer than it should have. Initially, she felt like they had a strong connection. Later on, it became as heavy as an obsession – “I’m ready to let you go/ Won’t hold you back no more/ And go on spread your wings and fly away Been carrying you way too long/ Like an obsession/ I thought you were a living part of me“
• The spokesperson is strong enough to control her life and find an independent definition of her happiness. Releasing him will let her have the motivation to love herself – “But I got my power in my hand/ You hold no power over me/ And I’ll take my flowers while I can/ So let the love shower over me“.
• Following her disillusionment, she states that she won’t make such a mistake in the future. This toxic relationship made her give up on herself. She spent a long time trying to find meaning in this relationship. Even though she was left sad, now she is thankful for learning this important lesson. She replaced his presence with trying to say happy and positive –
  “I’m not doing this dance again/ So goodbye old friend/ And tired of finding meaning in the dark// I’m releasing all of you In gratitude/ Replacing you with light that fills my heart“.

Initial Personal Ranking

3rd overall in semi-final 2, 9th overall

The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2

Among the countries that usually vote for Iceland, 4 countries will vote in semi-final 2: Denmark, Australia, UK, and Estonia

Betting Odds

Iceland selected “Power” as its Eurovision 2023 song on the 4th of March 2023.
In the first 3 days, the song was 26-28 with the bookies.
Thereafter, Iceland was ranked 24th for 6 days.
The following 8 days, were spent in 21-22 places.
Since the 21st of March, Iceland has been ranked 23-26 with the bookies, mostly around 25th place.

Early Prediction

I think that Diljá is one of the best vocalists this year.
Her song is a radio-friendly pop song that might be accessible to the average listener. However, the staging should be more convincing.
I’m afraid that people will find themselves indifferent to the song, and therefore won’t give it enough support in order to qualify.
Prediction: non-qualifier or 19-26 in the final

Monika Linkytė  – “Stay”

Monika Linkytė is a 30-year-old Lithuanian singer.
Monika fell in love with music when she started piano lessons as a child.
In 2013, she participated in the 2nd season of “The Voice of Lithuania”, where she ended in 2nd place.
During the years 2010-2015, Monika tried her luck in participating in the Lithuanian selection for Eurovision. She reached the top 6 on each occasion.
In 2014, she represented Lithuania at the “New Wave” Contest, where she ended in 4th place.
In 2015, she won the national selection, as part of the duo with Vaidas Baumila.
They performed the song “This Time” and ended 18th in the final.
So far, the singer has released 2 successful albums in 2015 and 2018.
In 2023, she won “Pabandom iš naujo 2023“, defeating 29 other artists.

Selection Process and Song

Lithuania selected an artist and a song via the national selection “Pabandom iš naujo 2023“. 30 artists took part in a selection that included 2 heats, 2 semi-finals, and a final.
Monika Linkytė was ranked first with the national jury, and 2nd with the public.
Therefore, she is set to represent Lithuania (due to a tiebreak).

Monika Linkytė  will perform the song “Stay”:

Allocation in Semi-Final

Lithuania was allocated to perform in the second half of semi-final 2 at Eurovision 2023.
Lithuania is set to perform in 15th position, after Albania and before Australia.

Musical Review

• It is a mid-tempo power pop-soul ballad.
• The melody is based on piano playing.
• The introduction is performed in a choir singing of “ČIŪTO TŪTO”. It is a cylic cotive that will repeat along the song, and therefore will create a frame.
• Monika opens the first verse with a stable voice. The first verse is slow and relies on basic piano accords.
• Pre-chorus sounds almost the same.
• The chorus is opened with a very strong and noticeable voice. She shows how wide her range is as a performer. From intimate, it becomes more uplifting. Monika sings together with her backing vocalists, and we can hear a mid tempo drum beat conquering the melody.
• The next verse is performed with wide support from the backing vocalists and a gentle percussion beat.
• Thereafter, we get the chorus again.
• The bridge emphasises Monika’s voice. The song ends with all of them singing in Lithuanian.
• It is really hard to create something new in this region of songs. The chorus is the strong part of the song.
• Overall I love Monika and I am thrilled by her voice. Thi is one of my growers this year.
• I think this song will merrit on the live performance (and all the ones so far were bold)

Translated Lyrics

I’ve carried sadness with me
I hid it well since sixteen
And all the crying, all the fighting
It kept putting out the fire
That burned so bright within me

As I look back to all those years
To broken dreams, disguising fear
Being someone that I’m really not
Now I am drowning in my bed
And life has gone out my hands
Happiness seems further than the moon

Just stay with me
My heart is bleeding
I need your healing
Wait for me
Well, it ain’t easy
To love someone like me

(Oh-oh-oh) My heart is beating, (oh-oh-oh) my heart is beating
(Oh-oh-oh) My heart is beating, finally, my heart is beating
(Oh-oh-oh) My heart is beating, (oh-oh-oh) my heart is beating
(Oh-oh-oh) My heart is beating, finally, my heart is beating

I took it all on myself (Hey, hey, hey)
I asked for nobody’s help
Had to taste it and embrace it
All the bitterness of failure
To find myself within me

Just stay with me
My heart is bleeding
I need your healing
Wait for me
Well, it ain’t easy
To love someone like me

(Oh-oh-oh) My heart is beating, (oh-oh-oh) my heart is beating
(Oh-oh-oh) My heart is beating, finally, my heart is beating
(Oh-oh-oh) My heart is beating, (oh-oh-oh) my heart is beating
(Oh-oh-oh) My heart is beating, finally, my heart is beating
Just stay (Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh)
Just stay, ooh (Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh)

Čiūto tūto, čiūto tūto, čiūto tūto
Čiūto tūto, čiūto tūto, čiūto tūto

Poetry Analysis

• The song talks about finding love, after a long period of coping with self problems and fighitng with our own demons.
• In the first verse, the spokesperson tells us about something that happened to her when she was 16. She didn’t elaborate about it, but it seems like a meaningful point in her life. In fact, it made her sad from then until now – “I’ve carried sadness with me/ I hid it well since sixteen”
• Not only sadness, but also living her life behind shadows. The fire which represents the ongoing life – “And all the crying, all the fighting/ It kept putting out the fire/ That burned so bright within me”.
• time has passed, and she still struggled to release the pain. At this point, she admits that she has been though depression. She feels like she has wasted her beautiful years. In some sense, it feels like life got out of her hands. She missed the days when she was happier -“ As I look back to all those years/ To broken dreams, disguising fear/ Being someone that I’m really not/ Now I am drowning in my bed/ And life has gone out my hands/ Happiness seems further than the moon“.
• Nowadays, she wants to be loved. She is afraid of being abandoned and staying on her own. She is aware of the difficulties of staying with someone like her. However, she believes that being loved will help her to overcome her fears and sadness – “Just stay with me/ My heart is bleeding/ I need your healing/ Wait for me/ Well, it ain’t easy/ To love someone like me“.
• OVer the years, she was the only one to help herself. Now, she realizes that failure and sadness are just integral part of life – “I took it all on myself (Hey, hey, hey)/ I asked for nobody’s help/ Had to taste it and embrace it/ All the bitterness of failure/ To find myself within me“.
• The repetitive phrase “my heart is beating” throughout the song highlights the fact that she has finally found someone who makes her feel alive again.

Initial Personal Ranking

19th overall, 7th in semi-final 2

The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2

Among the countries that usually vote for Lithuania, 5 countries will vote in semi-final 2: Georgia, UK, Estonia, Australia, and Ukraine

Betting Odds

“Stay” was selected on the 18th of February 2023.
In the first 3 days, Lithuania was ranked 21-23 with the bookies.
The following 9 days, have been spent in 25-29 places.
Between the 4th of March and the 16th of April, Lithuania was ranked 30-34 in the odds.
Since the 17th of April, Lithuania has been 28-29 with the bookies.

Early Prediction

I believe that Lithuania will qualify for the final this year.
Lithuania was allocated to perform towards the end of the show. The song is quite accessible. The chorus and the “Čiūto tūto” are memorable and catchy.
It is important to mention the Lithuania dispora that will probably help here as well.
I believe the song will be ranked higher by jury (in the final) rather than the public.
Prediction: 16-22 in the final

In the next chapter, we will discuss some participants of semi-final 2.

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