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© Edsilia Rombley
'I will choose the song for Helsinki myself!'
Netherlands: Edsilia speaks out
Edsilia was interviewed by Stadsradio Breda, a local radiostation which aired a top 50 of songs which competed during the Dutch National finals since 1956. The show was hosted by Frank Mol and Niña van Dijk, one of the three Treble-members who represented the Netherlands last year at the Eurovision Song Contest. Edsilia was asked if there was a difference between the preparations of 1998 and this year.
"This year I'm much more involved than in 1998. I really want to do it my way this time. I can choose the song myself, I will choose my own outfit; I really want it to be my thing". Edsilia was asked to participate again this year, although she was busy doing other things. 'As you know I was planning a theater tour and I was very busy recording my forthcoming album "Meer dan ooit" when I was approached by Dutch broadcaster NOS. At that time we just decided to add "Hemel en aarde" on the album as well, since it never made it to an album of mine. Then I decided; Why not? I will do it again!".
Edsilia further revealed that she will sing 3 songs coming Sunday during Mooi! Weer het Songfestival!. All of the songs will be sung in Dutch as she told before already. "I will choose the song for Helsinki myself. The audience is allowed to give its opinion about the songs and there will be a panel of advisors as well. But in the end, it's up to me! It feels great I got this kind of freedom; this way I'm able to select a song which is most suitable for me!".
Edsilia selected 3 pop songs for the National Final: "The Eurovision Song Contest has changed a lot through the years, and I didn't want to come with a 'typical' Eurovision song. Been there, done that! And besides, these last few years the songs with 'Eurovision' written all over them, don't often make it to the top ten anymore!".
Edsilia made clear as well that at least one of the three songs would be a ballad. However, she isn't sure yet if she will also sing the elected song in Dutch in Helsinki. "I got so many reactions on the fact that I wanted to sing in Dutch! I'm not sure yet which language it will become in May. I still have some time to think about that before my record company and I will decide".
At the end of the show, it turned out that Hemel en Aarde was elected by the Dutch fans as all time favourite National Songcontest song. Edsilia was thrilled to hear that and she thanked all the people who voted for her song. The Dutch National Final will take place this Sunday during a special broadcast of Mooi! Weer De Leeuw! For this special occasion, the show will be rebaptized into Mooi! Weer het Songfestival!.
The show will be hosted by Paul de Leeuw and will start at 20.20 pm. Due to the disappointing 20th place of Treble in the 2006 semi final, Edsilia Rombley will have to qualify for the final of 2007 first.
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Roel Schaap it's not true that West countries has bigger problem to add their counttries to the final. Look at last UK songs, Spain, also Netherlands. Dont' say me that Trbl;e from Netherlands made big show (I love your country and I wish you'll be in final but I have to say it). Malta is western country too! Malta has no neibourhood and look at them. They are always on 2nd or 3rd position. I think Poland has no help too. We get points only from Ukraine, Lithuania and Germany (but it's like you connection with Belgium). IRELAND is WEST country too! I think that Balcans countries help themselves too much (Serbia, Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, Albania). But on the other hand they have never won. Also Russia get help, but it is caused many Russian in Latvia, Estonia, Belarus or Russia. YOU EXAGERATE! ;-) Good luck Netherlands
And sorry I wanted to say (in last comment) Ik houd van je LAND.
Ik vind ook dat is better waneer jullie in Nederlandse zingen. Ik houd van jou lied maar julli zijn TOO AMERICAN in Eurovision!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ik wil graag in de final jullie zien! Good luck my best contry
Cyprian from Poland
The up tempo song Nooit meer zonder jou was added as number 1 to the track list (at bol.com/nl) of Edsilia's new album which is to be released Monday.
I hope we will reach the top10! It's hard to reach the top10, because we're 'WEST' Europe 
Just remember how badly the Netherlands have done since they started singing in English. Ik hou van het Nederlands, alleen van het Nederlands, ik kan niet leven met een Songfestival zonder het Nederlands! Alsje blieft, Edsilia!
Please Edsilia, don't bow to the stupid globalisation mongers - sing in the beautiful language of DUTCH! We in the UK really miss it, please don't jump on the bandwagon, think of the recent successes of Zeljko and Hari!
Trebble, daar kreeg ik buikpijn van 
Anyway, the only "issue" I have with the Dutch selection, is that it isn't a selection.
Ok, last year was a disaster with songs that were equally bad... but I'd rather have something like that, than a presentation in Paul's show where no one has a say. Sure, the audience can show how much they like each song and there will be professionals to give advice... but if Edsilia will decide on her own anyway, it all seems a bit pointless to me.
In any case, I hope our neighbours will do well in May and who knows, if they can bring the victory home, it will certainly cut down travel costs for 2008! 
edsilia had the best song by a mile in 1998 and shouldve won
I have been aroused curiosity with which number Edsilia goes to Helsinki. And I hope that she will sing in Dutch in Helsinki!
hahahah wat heb je buikpijn ??
I really hope the Netherlands does well and get to the top 10. I live here now, and I don't think the people here 'hate' the contest (well, I am only just learning Dutch), but if she gets to the top 10 at least, interest will (hopefully) shoot up. I really don't want the Netherlands to pull out! It seems however that the show will just be her deciding. Hmm. Oh, I'm rambeling now.
Amsterdam/Rotterdam 2008!
Ik hep baoukpain!
Are you having a bad day Nelson? ;-)
I can understand people from other countries are having difficulties understanding this, you have to know the Dutch situation where the vast majority of people simply doen's care about ESC. So it is our job to explain this.
People here who talk about democracy should go back to classes!!! Our dutch government is elected by the people, this is called democracy!! The NOS is a state run tv channel, since it is state run it is run by people that were chosen by the dutch voters during elections. The people working for NOS chose this artist in our name!! in my opinion this is STILL democracy!!! And people that complain should shut up cause you are probably the same people that last year were complainig about how bad Treble was....a song chosen DEMOCRATICALLY!!!
Well, let's see if this formula works for the Dutch....I really hope so.
Good luck to our nothern neighbours!
I really hope Edsilia will sing in Dutch. It's far too long ago we've heard that in Eurovision. Plus I think a song sang in native language stands out more
I think it's quite a good idea, and so far new for ESC selections, that the singer gets to choose while introducing it to the audience. After all it will be herself up onstage. Good luck Edsilia!!!
Good luck Edsilia, good luck Netherlands..
choose the beste song
Good luck from Greece!!!!!!
I'd rather hear her song in English,
since most countries do that.
If all countries used their native language it would be great!!!!!
but since they dont, then 100000000% you shouldnt do it.
There is no use to make a great song and loose chances to win
if all others are competing in english.
Voters will vote the song they remember easily
Please Edsilia SING IN DUTCH!!!! This beautiful melodic sweet language!!! Ik houd van Nederlands en van de nederlandse taal!! English has brought only mediocre Dutch songs, alsjeblieft alsjeblieft alsjeblieft CHOOSE DUTCH!
dank
This decision is not democratic, that is true. But it don't need to be democratic. Interest in the songcontest is very low in my country. Most Dutch don't care whether we participate or not. Because of that NOS decided for this very simple and cheap selection procedure. If this means we can continue to participate in the contest I'm happy. And I think this is true for most of my fellow countrymen. So no need for other countries to worry about this not being democratic. We can speak out for ourselves.
@Stian: Clouseau got to choose its own entry in 1991. The selection is nothing other than a copy of that 1991 evening.
Who cares who chooses the song: as long as it's good! And as Edsilia will have to sing it, just let her make the choice. The we can complain about more serious things...
Hey!
Someone wrote: "If it was democratic it would be open to the people of Holland to vote."..
That would not be democratic as Holland only makes up two provinces of the Netherlands. What about the other 10 provinces?
Back to the singer, Edsilia. Good luck! But I don't think the Netherlands will qualify again unless they send a song that truly represents them.
The Netherlands are close to giving up the ESC. The contest has never been as unpopular as it is now. They asked Edsilia as they think she could make the ESC a bit more popular again. In order to make it attractive for her to participate she has been given the freedom to do things the way she likes it.
No, this is probably the least democratic option.
If it was democratic it would be open to the people of Holland to vote.
If I was the dutch tv company I'd tell her to stick it.
YEEEAAAAYYY im going to be there sunday !!!!!!
zet m op wijfie , komt alle maal goed 
"disappointing 20th place of Treble
to be realy unest i was quit reliefed we didnt end up last 
She's got to sing it and defend it. Very wise move.
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