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
5. You can find the 5th chapter (Armenia, Australia, Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Lithuania) here
6. You can find the 6th chapter (Austria, Belgium, Georgia, Romania, Poland) here

The 7th post will focus on 6 countries that have already guaranteed their spot in the final: Germany, France, Italy, Ukraine, Spain, and the UK.

Lord Of The Lost – Blood And Glitter

Lord of the Lost is a German industrial metal band from Hamburg.
The band was formed in 2007, initially as a solo project by the lead singer Chris Harms.
The band line-up has changed over the years and it currently includes:

• Chris Harms (The Lord) – vocals, guitar, cello
• Class Grenayde (Klaas Helmecke) – bass
• Gared Dirge (Gerrit Heinemann) – piano, synthesizer, percussion, guitar, theremin
• π (Pi Stoffers) – guitar
• Niklas Kahl – drums

So far, the band has released 9 studio albums, the 4 letter of them entered the top 10 chart in Germany.

Selection Process

Germany held their national selection “Unser Lied für Liverpool” on the 3rd of March 2023.
Initially, 9 artists were shortlisted to participate, but one of them had to withdraw.
The results were determined by a 50% public vote and a 50% international jury.
Lord of The Lost ended up 5th with the jury, and 1st with the public. They managed to get the highest combined results, and therefore will represent Germany at Eurovision 2023:

They will perform the song “Blood and Glitter”:

Musical Review

• It is a progressive metal comines with glam rock song with some synth rock elements.
• The song starts with reciting part of the chorus. The melody of this part is based on simple guitar and keyboard playing.
• Thereafter, the leas singer moves to a loud growling, with drums and keyboard playing.
• The first verse is quite slow and performed in a low tone of voice. The drums playing is getting more powerful, and we can hear some electric elements.
• The pre-chorus is composed of fast singing.
• The chorus is catchier. The first half is based on keyboard playing. Later on, we can hear electric guitar with some electronic effects. Towards the end the lead singer roars.
• The second verse starts calmer. But shortly after, we get an additional chorus with some synth production.
• Once again, some powerful roars and the song is finalized with a long instrumental part composed of bass and electric guitar.
• As for the lyrics of the song, I can see an “underground” message. The theme is quite dark with evocative imagery and allusions to death, regret, but also unity (“we are all from the same blood”).
• The song sounds like an old fashioned rock song from the 1990’s. There’s something too repetitive about its structure. At least half could have been cut off, and the message will remain the same.
• Growling is a legit element of glam rock, but sometimes it is just too much.

Translated Lyrics

Blood and glitter
Sweet and bitter
We’re so happy we could die

Blood and glitter

What we are is but a choice
A promise to ourselves
We are free to break and change

Never forget? Let it go
This or that? No need to know
Whether above or below
We are all from the same blood
Blood and glitter
Sweet and bitter
We’re so happy we could die

Blood and glitter
Sweet and bitter
We’re so happy we could die

Blood and glitter
Saint and sinner
We do fall before we rise

Now go, go
Let your blood flow, flow
With broken wings, we’ll learn to fly
We are blood and glitter

Keep your head up in the clouds
With two feet on the ground
Life’s too fast so make it count

Never forget? Let it go
This or that? No need to know
Whether above or below
We are all from the same blood
Blood and glitter
Sweet and bitterу
We’re so happy we could die

Blood and glitter
Saint and sinner
We do fall before we rise

Now go, go
Let your blood flow, flow
With broken wings, we’ll learn to fly
We are blood and glitter

Let your blood flow
Blood and glitter
Let your blood flow

Blood and glitter
Sweet and bitter
We’re so happy we could die

Blood and glitter
Sweet and bitter
We’re so happy we could die

Blood and glitter
Saint and sinner
We do fall before we rise
Now go, go
Let your blood flow, flow
With broken wings, we’ll learn to fly
We are blood and glitter
Blood and glitter

Poetry Analysis

• The song calls to celebrate our own life, with emphasis on self acceptance.
• Each one of us has life full of ups and downs. Blood represents the harsh times in life, when we have to fight for our own. Meanwhile, glitter presents the exciting and desired moments in life.
• The title of the song, “Blood & Glitter,” symbolizes the two opposing yet intertwined aspects of life – the challenging reality (blood) and the glitz and glamour (glitter).
• The first verse focuses on the importance of living according to our choice.
• Pre-chorus call to forget about worrying past, while release our thoughts about what will happen in the future. It is a call to focus on the present.
• “We’re all from the same blood” – Regardless of the way we look, the way we live our lives – we all will have to cope with the same challenges in life.
• The chorus indicates the duality in life, the successes (glitter) and the failures (blood). “We do fall before we rise” – There’s no way to resist failures
• “Let your blood flow, flow/ With broken wings, we’ll learn to fly” – We should acknowledge the facts, we all will fail and might stay broken. But the wisest thing to do is rise from the ashes ans try again.
• The spokesperson encouraged us to believe in self love. We should recognize the bad in the good, and the good in the bad.

Initial Personal Ranking

33rd overall

Betting Odds

On the 3rd of March, Lord of the Lost won the national selection.
On this day, Germany was ranked 21st by the bookied.
Thereafter, the country was 23rd with the bookies.
Since the 13th of March, Germany has moved in a range of places 18-21.
Most of the time, Germany is in 20th place.

Early Prediction

On one hand, Germany’s song stands out for its different style and identity.
However, they are not the only rock band this year.
They will probably have to meet Australia in the final.
I can see some people voting for this song, but I’m not sure whether it will be enough.
Prediction: 18-26 in the final

LA ZARRA – Évidemment

Fatima-Zahra Hafd (better known as La Zarra) is a 35 year-old Canadian singer and songwriter based in France.
She was born in Montreal to Francophone Canadian parents of Moroccan descent.
She rose to prominence in 2016, when she released her debut single “Printemps blanc” (together with the rapper Niro).
Her fame increased as she released the single “Printemps blanc” in 2021.
In December 2021, she released her first album “Traîtrise“.
In 2022, she was awarded Revelation of the Year at the 33rd Socon Awards.

Selection Process and Song

French television has decided not to use the national selection for Eurovision 2023.
On the 13th of January 2023, La Zarra was declared as France’s artist for Eurovision 2023.
The song “Évidemment” was releaed on the 19th of February 2023.

Musical Review

• It is a French chanson, combined with disco pop.
• The song starts with several instruments, in a kind of symphonic orchestra. The melody is based on piano and string instruments.
• The first verse starts with dramatic singing, the melody is built on a simple bass stringing and piano playing. She sings in a mid-tone voice. As the verse comes to an end, the piano playing is getting stronger and more impactful.
• Just before the chorus, we get a short instrumental part, similar to the one in the introduction.
• The chorus is more festive, relying on drum beats and disco – dance club beats. We can hear some backing vocals as well.
• The second verse has a similar structure to the first one, but it has a faster rate. This time, the orchestra instruments take a bigger role.
• The second chorus is another piece of dicro music, but it is much shorter.
• The bridge delivers drama with powerful singing, intense melody (composed of string elements) that explodes into a big note. Thereafter, we get another chorus with some backing vocals.
• The song ends with a standard piano playing.
• Overall, the song suggests an enjoyable experience. La Zarra manages to combine traditional French music with modern production and even some 1980’s disco music. On the studio cut, she has done a wonderful job with the vocals.
• As it seems to me, the song can create an appeal for both the jury and the public. It also has a great staging potential.

Lyrics

My heart, my hands, my eyes, my kidneys
Don’t belong to me anymore
I hurt myself to
Do some good
I forget like it’s nothing

In my infernal garden grow flowers
That I water with my dreams, with my cries
Even if we were on top of the world
We couldn’t touch the sky with a finger

Evidently
All of these beautiful promises that I hear
They’re nothing but the lies
Evidently
That before the sun comes the rain
That’s what we forget

It is always too good to be true
But it is never too ugly to be false
Evidently
She will never be the same again
This girl from before

I sell tomorrow, I buy yesterday
Time is a killer
I look for love
I find none
As in my purse

In my head it’s not that clear
I look for truth while avoiding it
Even if we were on top of the world
We couldn’t touch the sky with a finger

Evidently
All of these beautiful promises that I hear
They’re nothing but wind
Evidently
She will never be the same again
This girl from before

Because I sing
My life, yours
And a bit of romance
I am naked in front of you
Therefore, give me a chance
From you to me
From me to you
Have I managed to sing
To sing in front the great France

It is always too good to be true but
It is never too ugly to be false
Evidently
She will never be the same again
This girl from before

Evidently

Poetry Analysis

• The spokesperson tells about a break-up she has experienced and left her broken.
• In the first verse, she spans her sorrow by telling she feels like her body parts don’t belong to her anymore. This is a metaphor for the fact she feels like she lost control. She even stopped loving herself, in the sense that hurting herself looks like something positive – “My heart, my hands, my eyes, my kidneys/ Don’t belong to me anymore/ I hurt myself to/ Do some good“
• The dark world she created in the precious part continues here as well. A garden that should symbolize life and hopes represent the sorrow and sadness – “In my infernal garden grow flowers/ That I water with my dreams, with my cries“.
• She feels like wherever she will be, her dreams will be far from fulfilling – “Even if we were on top of the world/ We couldn’t touch the sky with a finger”.
• Subsequently, she has lost her trust in others “All of these beautiful promises that I hear/ They’re nothing but wind”.
• She tends to forget that before each new beginning, we must cope with the difficulties – “That before the sun comes the rain/ That’s what we forget”.
• She admits that she has changed a lot, as a result of the last time she got hurt – “She will never be the same again/ This girl from before”
• When falling in love, it always seems like the most lovely thing, sometime too good to be true. However, the sad reality is never too harsh to imagine – “It is always too good to be true/
  But it is never too ugly to be false”.
• She is fully exposed and sincere, begging to be loved and appreciated – “Because I sing
  My life, yours/ And a bit of romance/ I am naked in front of you/ Therefore, give me a chance“.

Initial Personal Ranking

11th place overall.

Betting Odds

On the 19th of February 2023, France released its song for Eurovision 2023.
In the first 6 days, France was ranked 11th in betting odds.
Between the 26th of February and the 11th of March, France has been in the 9th and the 10th place.
Thereafter, the country has spent 4 days in 11th place.
Between the 17th of March and the 16th of April, France has been in the 9th and the 10th place.
Thereafter, France has been in the 7th and 8th place for 3 days, and 4 days in the 6th place. In recent days, France is 4th with the bookies.

Early Prediction

It looks like France has a promising formula for this year’s contest.
I believe the song will appeal more to the jury, but I also can see the public voting for this one.
Prediction: 4-8 in the final

Marco Mengoni – Due Vite

Marco Mengoni is a 34 year-old Italian singer-songwriter who rose to prominence in 2009, when he won “X Factor Italy”. Since that he has sold over 2.8 million records in Italy, peaking the Italian albums chart seven consecutive times and entering the Top 10 Italian Singles Chart fifteen times.
He won “Festival Di Sanremo” in 2013 and therefore represented Italy at Eurovision 2013 with “L’Essenziale”, and ended up 7th in the final.
So far, he has released 7 studio albums.

Selection Process

As always, Italy has selected an artist and a song via its traditional festival “Festival Di Sanremo” . 28 artists competed in the national selection.
Marco qualified to the golden final, and achieved 45.53% of the votes.

He will perform the song “Due Vite”:

Musical Review

• It is a radio-friendly ballad.
• The first verse starts with a gentle piano playing which becomes the central element in the melody. Marco sings this part with a mid-low tone of voice, almost effortlessly. Part of the singing is the kind of speaking.
• The second half of the first verse is much faster and more intense.
• The chorus is more exciting, as Marco gives more vocally. He uses his husky voice and a higher tone of voice. The melody is based on piano and string elements. The chorus ends with piano playing.
• The second verse of the song indicates a change in the production, as a mid-tempo beat is featured. The basis of the melody is still rooted in the piano playing. In addition, we can hear a bass guitar stringing.
• Again, the pre-chorus is fast and kind of includes fast speaking.
• The second chorus continues the same line from the first one. Marco changed the interpretation a little bit, as some of the syllabels are longer. The electric guitar takes over the melody.
• The latest chorus features backing vocals. while Marco gives it all.
• The song ends in a simple piano playing, just like at the beginning.
• Marco is a wonderful vocalist and knows how to create a moment on stage.
• The song is radio-friendly and in some sense a safe choice (maybe too safe?). I guess it can be as effective as the beautiful Italian language will be magical for some of the voters.

Translated Lyrics

We are the only ones awake in the whole universe
And I still don’t know your desert well
Maybe it is in a place of my heart
Where the sun is always off
Where sometimes I lose you
But if I want I catch you
We are stopped at such a time
That lifts the roads
With the sky one step away from here
We are the monsters and the fairies
I should call you
To tell you the thing I am feeling
But my apologies are finished
And I have no defenses anymore
We are a book on the floor
In an empty house
That looks like ours
The coffee with lemon
Against the hangover
You look like a blurred photo

And we have wasted another night still
Out of a bar
And thankfully
This is the last
Song and then the moon is going to explode
I will be there telling you that you are making a mistake, you are making a mistake and you know it
Here the music does not arrive
And you don’t sleep
And where will you be
Where are you going?
When life will overdo
All the rushes and the slaps the mistakes that you do
When something shakes you
Well, I know that you never sleep sleep sleep

What kind of circle are two lives making
We are the only ones awake in the whole universe
To shout some anger on a rooftop
Nobody is feeling like that
Nobody is watching movies anymore
The flowers in your room
My T-shirt made of chains
We are a book on the floor
In an empty house
That looks like ours
Lost among people
How many words
Without an answer that never came

And we have wasted another night still
Out of a bar
And thankfully
This is the last
Song and then the moon is going to explode
I will be there telling you that you are making a mistake, you are making a mistake and you know it
Here the music does not arrive
And you don’t sleep
And where will you be
Where are you going?
When life will overdo
All the rushes and the slaps the mistakes that you do
When something shakes you
Well, I know that you never sleep

Turn off the light even though you don’t want to
We are wrapped up in the dark
Only by the sound of the voice
Beyond the madness that dances in all things
Tow lives, look at the mess

This is the last
Song and then the moon is going to explode
I will be there telling you that you are making a mistake, you are making a mistake and you know it
Here the music does not arrive
Well, I know that you never sleep sleep sleep

What kind of circle are two lives making
Two lives

Poetry Analysis

• The song describes the complexity of life, indicating how we should cope with the ups and downs in life.
• The song demonstrates 2 stories (each one focuses on another person) that are aiming to reach the peace of mind in the ongoing roaring life.
• They try to find comfort in some habits (drinking coffee) and focus on enjoyable and happy moments.
• They find each other and trying to solve their problems together.
• “What kind of circle are two lives making” – the song showcases the cycle of life. We should find the beauty in life (even in the hard parts) and understand that life will feature some challenges.
• The song calls to besiege beautiful and tiny moments in life, they can be like pearls in the neckless of life.

Initial Personal Ranking

16th overall

Betting Odds

On the 11th of February 2023, Marco Mengoni won “Festival Di Sanremo 2023”.
In the first week after the selection, Italy was ranked in the 7th and the 8th place in the odds.7th and 8th
Between the 20th of February and the 7th of March 2023, Italy has been in the 9-11 places.
Between the 8th of March and the 23rd of April 2023, Italy was ranked in the 11th and the 12th place.
On the 24th of April, Italy was in the 10th place, and ever since then, Italy is in the 9th place in the odds.

Early Prediction

Italy has almost always managed to score in the top 10 (in recent years).
I suspect that the beautiful Italian language puts a spark in the voters ears.
The fact we have a minority of ballads this year will help it to stand out.
Prediction: 6-11 in the final

Tvorchi – Heart of Steel

Tvorchi electro-music a Ukrainian electro music duo, consisting of the producer Andrii Hutsuliak and vocalist Jimoh Augustus Kehinde (alias Jeffrey Kenny). The duo was formed in 2018.
The two of them met if the faculty of Pharmacy in Ternopil National Medical University.
The first of them was born in 1996, and the letter in 1997.
So far, they have released 4 studio albums.
In 2020, they participated in the “Vidbir 2020” (the national selection for Eurovision 2020) and ended up in 4th place.

Selection Process and Song

As always, Ukraine held its national selection for Eurovision – “Vidbir 2023“.
10 artists competed in the final. The results were determined by a 50% public vote and 1 50% national jury.
Tvorchi ended up in 2nd place with the jury, and won the public vote.

Tvorchi will sing “Heart of Steel“:

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 electronic synth pop song.
• The song begins with an “electric” thunder sound. The singer opens the singing part with a thin melody that’s based on electric keyboards playing. Little by little, the “electric thunder” sounds return.
• The part that comes before the chorus, is performed with the help of backing vocalists.
• The chorus opens with an electric explosion. The singing keeps on going with strong electronic production and fading backing vocals.
• After the chorus, there is a short instrumental part.
• From time to time, we can hear string elements sampled in the production
• The production is rich, and maybe too rich? Their voices combine well with the melody in the studio cut, but it can be a challenge in live performance.
• With this kind of song, the live performance must be sharp and convincing.

Lyrics

Sometimes gotta let it go
Sometimes gotta look away
Sometimes you just gotta know
When to stick your middle finger up in the air
I cannot explain
Tell you how I feel (Oh, I)
Life is just a game (Oh, yeah)
And I’m playing for the win (Ooh)

Don’t be afraid to say just what you think
‘Cause no matter how bad, someone’s listening

Don’t care what you say
Don’t care how you feel
Get out of my way
‘Cause I got a heart of steel

Don’t care what you say
Or how you feel
Oh, I got a heart of steel, uh-uh

(Oh, I) You just like to act a fool
Tryna get in my head like
When I turn on my headlights
I can see right through you
Tryna get a reaction
I just hit the action move

Despite the pain
I continue my fight
The world is burning, and you act

Don’t be scared to say just what you think
‘Cause no matter how bad, someone’s listening

Don’t care what you say
Don’t care how you feel
Get out of my way
‘Cause I got a heart of steel

Don’t care what you say
Or how you feel
Oh, I got a heart of steel, uh-uh-uh

Poetry Analysis

• The song talks about self-confidence. It encourages us to stand for ourselves and reject criticism that was meant to let us down.
• The spokesperson claims anyone can reach the phase where he/she is criticized by others. He suggests letting it go and focus on ourselves. The middle finger is mentioned as a metaphor of ignoring others.
• The song calls us to say what is within our hearts, and not to hide behind nice words.
• In case of a conflict, there will always be someone to listen to us.
• The spokesperson says he has a “Heart of steel”, this means he is stronger and has learned to ignore negative interactions and negative people.
• The Ukrainian part “Despite the pain/ I continue my fight/ The world is burning, and you act” can also be interpreted as a reference to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The pain may be an obstacle, while we are waiting for solution, it looks like the world is on fire. However, we should take an action and be brave. We can also understand it as that everyone should focus on his/her problem, ignoring the background noise and focus on self acceptance and self love.

Initial Personal Ranking

20th overall.

Betting Odds

On the 17th of February 2023, Tvorchi won the “Vidbir 2023” with “Heart of Steel“.
Until the 22nd of February, Ukraine was 1st in the odds.
Thereafter, Ukraine has been 2nd with the bookies for a week.
Since the 2nd of March, Ukraine has been 3rd with the bookies (with an exception of 4 days in the 3nd place).

Early Prediction

It is probably the most American song we have this year. Ukraine chose a Western radio-friendly song to represent the country. Ukraine is well known for elevating their song with eye haunting performances, and I think we expect the same this year.
The electro sound will probably convince the ones who like the genre. Not to ignore some sympathy votes that Ukraine can earn from solidarity.
However, I still believe that it won’t do as well as in the odds (top 3).
Prediction: 8-13 in the final.

Blanca Paloma – Eaea

Blanca Paloma Ramos Baeza, also known by her given name, Blanca Paloma, is a Spanish singer, set designer, and costume designer.
It was the second time in a row that the 34-year-old singer tried her luck in the national selection.
In 2022, she performed “Secreto de agua” and finished 5th in the final.
This year, she won the festival with “Eaea“

Selection Process and Song

For the second year in a row, Spain selected an artist and a song for Eurovision 2023 via the music festival “Benidorm Fest 2023″.
18 artists participated in 2 semi-final, 8 of them qualified for the final.

The results were determined by a combination of 50% international jury, 25% demoscopic jury and 25% public vote.

The final results were as follows:

Blanca Paloma will perform “Eaea” at Eurovision 2023:

Musical Review

• It is a flamenco song.
• The song starts with a beautiful vocal decoration that is joined by traditional percussion instruments (Castanets among them I believe).
• Fading backing vocals guiding us to the first verse. She sings it with a thick and crystal clear voice that becomes higher between the lines.
• The first verse is upbeat and thrilling.
  Thereafter, comes the chorus which is built on electric keyboards and percussion elements. We can hear a choir of female vocalists singing the “Eaea”.
• The clap beat continues along with the chorus.
• She sings the second verse with a soft and higher tone of voice.
• The part that comes after relies more on the ethnic elements.
• The second chorus includes some more effects.
• Towards the end, she gives us a very impressive vocal ability.
• What I love about this song is its “curve” shape, the melody is catchy but not simple. You can’t predict the next phase and it keeps on delivering high quality.
• And maybe more important: it shows the attractive Spanish music heritage
• This is one of the songs that put me to tears this year, and I believe it can conquer the jury panel, and do quite good in the public vote.

Translated Lyrics

Hey, come, my child (ah ah ah)
Hey, come, my child—
come sleep by my side
May my bosom provide you with refuge—
refuge from all your sorrows

Ya ea ea ya ea ea
Ya ea ea ya ea ea
Ya ea ea ya ea ea
Teardrops from the Nile
Wakeful nights

My child, when I die,
may they bury me in the moon.
And I hope to watch over you every night
And I hope to watch over you every night
And I hope to watch over you every night—
on every night except one

Hey, come, my child.
Hey, my child, my darling—
the scion of all my love
May your sunny eyes—
illuminate me at night.

Ya ea ea ya ea ea
Ya ea ea ya ea ea
Ya ea ea ya ea ea
Teardrops from the Nile
Wakeful nights

My child, when I die—
may they bury me in the moon.
And I hope to watch over you every night
And I hope to watch over you every night
And I hope to watch over you every night—
Let’s go beyond, Blanca Paloma.

My child, when I die,
may they bury me in the moon.
And I hope to watch over you every night
every night except one

Ya ea ea ya ea ea
Ya ea ea ya ea ea
Teardrops from the Nile
Wakeful nights
Ya ea ea ya ea ea
Ya ea ea ya ea ea
Ya ea ea ya ea ea

Poetry Analysis

• The song is a special tribute of Blanca Paloma to her grandmother, who introduced her to Flamenco music
• The song is a lullaby that showcases mother’s love to her child.
• In the first verse, the mother wants her child to be as close as possible to her – “Hey, come, my child/ come sleep by my side/ May my bosom provide you with refuge/ refuge from all your sorrows”. She wants him to sleep be her side. In this way, she can protect him and give him a warm and safe place.
• “Teardrops from the Nile/ Wakeful Nights” – This is a reference to biblical stories and mythology, where tears from the Nile are the tears of Isis, who was mourning the death of her beloved husband Osiris, whilst trying to put together his body parts that were shredded to pieces by his evil brother Seth. This indicates the worried awake mother that just wants to keep her child safe. She feels so close to him, that even her tears are part of the protection she suggests.
• “My child, when I die/ may they bury me in the moon/ And I hope to watch over you every night/ …. on every night except one” – The mother can’t release her child. She is already thinking about the day they will have to be apart, probably the day of her death. She asks to be buried on the moon. It represents eternity, but also death. The mysterious moonlight will keep their love ongoing. In this way, she will also make sure, she can follow her son, validating that everything is OK while she left.
• “Hey, my child, my darling/ the scion of all my love/ May your sunny eyes/ illuminate me at night” -Their close relationship will continue even after the death. The child represents life, light and the hope, while the mother (Who passed away) represents death, end and eternity. She asks her child to light her dark world with his innocent and hopeful light.

Initial Personal Ranking

1st overall

Betting Odds

Spain officially selected its Eurovision 2023 song on the 4th of February 2023.
Between the 4th and the 16th of February, Spain was ranked in the 10-12 place by the bookies.
Between the 17th of February and the 9th of March, Spain has been in the 8-9 place in the betting odds.
Between the 10th and 21st of March, Spain has been in the 6-7 place in the betting odds.
Since the 22nd of March, Spain has been ranked in the 4th and the 5th place in the odds, mostly around 5th place.

Early Prediction

I believe the Spanish song will shine due to its uniqueness and different flavor it suggests. As II see it, the song will probably do better with the jury, but will definitely come in a good place with the public. Blanca’s captivating performance, alongside the convincing vocals should elevate it to the safe zone in the scoreboard.
Prediction: Top 10 in the final.

Mae Muller – “I Wrote a Song”

Mae Muller is a 25 year-old English singer-songwriter. She became known, following the release of the song “Better Days” that became viral and entered the top 40 chart in the UK and in USA. .She was born an raised in London, to a Jewish family. Her grandfather Robert Muller is a Holocaust survivor who escaped to Britain from Germany at age 12.
In 2007, as a child, she appeared in the music video for “Grace Kelly” by Mika.
In 2019, she released her first album “Chapter One”.

Selection Process and Song

For the second year in a row, the UK chose its artist and song for Eurovision 2023 via an internal selection, that was in charge of the BBC and TaP music.
On the 9th of March, Mae Muller was declared as the representative for Eurovision 2023, alongside her song.

Mae Muller  will perform the song “I Wrote A Song”:

Musical Review

• It is a powerful pop song.
• The song begins with a dramatic instrumental part that’s composed of piano playing, vilion and more.
• The first verse relies on a mid dance beat (which sounds like a mixture of perscussion and keyboards). Mae sings this part with a soft and gentle voice.
• The pre-chorus is faster, the melody features the same dance beat from previously, but this time a tempo drum beat is added as well. Another component in the melody is refreshing Latin guitar playing. This part ends with echo and backing vocals.
• The first chorus relies on the same concept, but the tempo is higher. This part is more catchy. Latic guitars create a frame. The chorus outtro relied on a kind of gibberish words.
• The second verse is similar to the first one, but has more studio effects, including pre-recorded backing vocals.
• The second chorus is upbeat, catchy and convincing. The structure is similar to the first one.
• The part that comes after (the bridge) continues the dramatic instrumental part of the introduction. She sings it as an emotional spoken word. The melody is based on piano and string elements. IT ends with a powerful singing.
• The last chorus is ricker, with more backing vocals.
• Overall, it is a kind of a song I’ve waited to get from the UK for years! It is probably the definition of Brit pop. The song has a clear message: it is modern and has staging potential.
• However, I fear that this is a song that will be difficult to deliver live.

Lyrics

Oh, yeah
Ooh

When you said you were leaving
To work on your mental health
You didn’t mention the cheating, yeah
You kept that one to yourself

I got so mad was gonna
Cuss you out outside your house
For everyone to see
Wanted to trash your Benz
Tell all your friends
How cruel you were to me (To me, to me)

Instead, I wrote a song
‘Bout how you did me wrong
I could have cried at home
And spent the night alone
Instead, I wrote a song
I feel much better now
Me and my girls are out
And we all sing along
Instead, I wrote a song

[Post-Chorus]
Da-da-da-da-da-I
Da-da-da-da-da-I (Woo-woo)
Da-da-da-da-da-I (Ugh)
Instead I wrote a song
Da-da-da-da-da-I
Da-da-da-da-da-I (Woo-woo)
Da-da-da-da-da-I (Ugh)
Instead I wrote a song

I kept my cool and composure (Yeah, yeah)
My mother would be so proud (My mother would be so proud)
I was ready for a sentence, baby (Ah, ah-ah-ah)
Instead, I wrote it all down

Oh, I was gonna
Cuss you out outside your house
For everyone to see (Everyone to see)
Wanted to trash your Benz
Tell all your friends
How cruel you were to me (To me, to me)

Instead I wrote a song
‘Bout how you did me wrong
I could have cried at home
And spent the night alone
Instead I wrote a song
I feel much better now
Me and my girls are out
And we all sing along
Instead I wrote a song

Da-da-da-da-da-I
Da-da-da-da-da-I (Woo-woo)
Da-da-da-da-da-I (Ugh)
Instead I wrote a song
Da-da-da-da-da-I
Da-da-da-da-da-I (Woo-woo)
Da-da-da-da-da-I (Ugh)
Instead I wrote a song

Look into my eyes, she’s feeling good, she feels alive
So don’t you call my phone tonight, tonight, tonight
No lie, got a kick telling the world just what you did
I’m better now, I burned the bridge
Raising a glass, taking a sip.

Let’s celebrate
Dance it away
I thought my heart would break

Instead, I wrote a song
‘Bout how you did me wrong
I could have cried at home
And spent the night alone
Instead, I wrote a song
I feel much better now
Me and my girls are out
And we all sing along
Instead, I wrote a song

Poetry Analysis

• The song talks about the way you can empower a break up, and use it as a benefit for life.
• The spokesperson tells us about someone who broke up with her. He told her that it is just because he is not ready, and have to work on his mental health. However, she knows that he has also cheated on her – “When you said you were leaving/ To work on your mental health/ You didn’t mention the cheating“.
• At the beginning, she was furious about it. She wanted to make him regret and embarrassing him in front of his friends. She has even considered to damage his property. Now that they are no longer together, she can see the picture clearer and admit how cruel he was to her – “I got so mad was gonna/ Cuss you out outside your house/ For everyone to see/ Wanted to trash your Benz/ Tell all your friends/ How cruel you were to me“.
• But then, she finds a way to calm down, and in one specific sense even a therapy of this break-up. The art of writing songs will keep her sane and happy. In this song, she will let her emotions flow, but still not breaking her into pieces. She thinks that the worst thing to do will be to waste her time in crying at the bad, alone. She celebrate the end of this relationship, like a released prisoner – “Instead, I wrote a song/ ‘Bout how you did me wrong/ I could have cried at home/ And spent the night alone/ Instead, I wrote a song/ I feel much better now/ Me and my girls are out/ And we all sing along”.
• It is probably not the first time, she has experienced a break-up. This time, she decides to keep it cool and not lose herself into sorrow and madness – “I kept my cool and composure”.
• She is not in the judgmental place anymore, but prefers to talk about her emotions in an artistic way- “I was ready for a sentence, baby (Ah, ah-ah-ah) / Instead, I wrote it all down”.
• She has prepared herself to the say she will meet him. This time, she is stronger than ever. Her revenge will be expressed by staying loyal to herself, an independent woman with desire to live happy and empowering life – “Look into my eyes, she’s feeling good, she feels alive/
  So don’t you call my phone tonight, tonight, tonight/ No lie, got a kick telling the world just what you did/ I’m better now, I burned the bridge/ Raising a glass, taking a sip“.
• She is proud of herself and therefore ready to celebrate the end of this relationship – “Let’s celebrate/ Dance it away/ I thought my heart would break”.

Initial Personal Ranking

5th overall

Betting Odds

the UK has started its way in the 7th place (on the day when the song was released).
For the 3 days later, the UK was 6th with the bookies, thereafter another 4 days in 5th place, and another 5 days in the 7th place.
Between the 29th of March and the 4th of April, the UK has been in the 9th place.
Since the 5th of April, the UK has been almost always in the 10th place.

Early Prediction

I believe that the song will appeal for some of the voters, but I’m not sure how many of them.
It is one of the song I enjoy to listen to. However, I think it will be difficult to perform live, especially when combining with dancing.
Moreover, it won’t be the only pop song that will be performed by a woman (we also have Israel, Austria and so on).
Therefore, I believe (with a heavy heart) that it will do not as good as expected.
Prediction: 15-22 in the final

Don’t forget to visit our full guide to Eurovision 2023: Our Eurovision 2023 homepage