Special - The Greenroom: Separating the wheat from the chaff... | Eurovision Song Contest News - 2010 Oslo, Norway 

...a look at the Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Final 2005...


Welcome Europe – and Welcome to Ukraine! The land the cornfields, of hearty borchz and of Slavic folklore. From the golden domes of Kiev to the Caparthian Mountains this nation has it all, and is a perfect setting for a contest now truly in a new era of life. Ukraine represents the new Eurovision and the vision of a new Europe! On May 19th Ukraine will host the semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 live from the Palats Sportu in central Kiev. Once again ten nations will qualify, to join the current fourteen countries in the final on Saturday May 21st. Here’s a little low-down from me, Kemal Shahin as I give my views on each entry and really start to separate the wheat from the chaff…

The running of the semi-final isn’t too bad, but then again isn’t anything that special either. Importantly the opening and closing songs fit well together and give the semi a sense of cycle, from one ethnic folk song to another. However I am now sick of Austria always being in the top three songs, it’s becoming scandalous! Second place suits Lithuania well, as one of the weakest should be placed here in my eyes, as it’s the song position everyone forgets. Moldova make an early entrance with their crazy song, but then back to back are three ballads from Latvia, Monaco and Israel I hope this does not stunt the chances of Israel as it is by far one of the best ballads in the whole contest this year. Favourite Iceland has a good chance being sandwiched in tenth place between a good ballad and then a not so good ballad! A good draw for Hungary, FYR Macedonia and Andorra and Switzerland too will be happy with their position. Then a saving grace for Croatia, Slovenia and Denmark and a waste of a very good space on Bulgaria!

…and so Austria kicks off the show for 2005, and I think that this is a nice song to start the contest with. I am unsure whether it will be remembered, probably only for the fact that it opens the contest and there is some strange yodelling going on, but it does have a nice '1920’s Bavarian' feel about it. Austria would do well to get into the final with this but they would be scraping in, and my prediction is they may just miss out. Austria have been quite unlucky in recent years in regards to the drawn, have sung in the first three positions for three consecutiveyears, and now again in 2005. I do feel starting the show does a lot for this song, rather than the song itself…

I remember reading a news article on esctoday.com back in February about a certain music producer called William Billy Butt. He claimed, "Lithuania will become a music nation to count on and it's only a question of time before we will see Lithuania score a victory in the Eurovision Song Contest". Now I don’t mean to be rude but if this is the song that makes Lithuania the nation to count on this year as we await a victory he and others who agree are sadly mistaken. This song won’t cut the mustard, make the grade, how else can I say it…it isn’t going to even qualify, forget create a musical revolution? If this gets through I’d be very surprised, as it is also drawn in a bad position. In Billy Butt’s defence he points out some good things about the selection procedure in Lithuania, that it consists of too many semi-finals with too many poor songs. In regards to Laura, her voice seems held back and there is a tension in her tone. Little by Little, Lithuania is doing worse and worse in Eurovision. I can not see Lithuania achieving a victory like their neighbours Estonia and Latvia anytime soon.

Finally Portugal hobbled together an entry, but was it really worth the effort? The broadcaster most likely forgot about the contest and the fact that they needed to actually choose a song. I knew the talk of Dana International was meaningless. In regards to this song, the beat isn’t bad, and often there is a little English creeping through but generally it is bland and unexciting. They have modelled a little of the song on Ruslana’s ‘wild dances’ style, what with the ‘hey’ they keep repeating. It’s a little middle of the road, neither here nor there but unlike some entries in the semi-final it’s bearable to listen to. Everyone around me is still alive! I’m not holding that this gets through and once again Portugal may fall flat on their face and crawl back to the greenroom with little more than a few points picked up along the way. I do pity Portugal a little and I would love Portugal to one day pull up their socks and take us to Lisbon. However I am starting to believe that Portugal just enter for good measure, something to pass the time…

I don’t care what anybody says, I really like this song and I really want it to get through but I am not sure it will! What Moldova have done is to debut with a song that certainly stands out. Of course it isn’t technically the best song, the vocals are shouted more than sung and the boys need a good wash. But it is seriously funny! Everytime I listen to this it gets me! Terry Wogan would love ripping this apart, but unfortunately he is not commentating for the UK in the semi final! Instead we have some wet home sick puppy cracking a few highly unfunny jokes. I am going to make a conscious effort to learn the lyrics to this song and guaranteed I will be bopping around Kiev singing it! If only my grandma could play the drums…

The war may not be over, but Latvia’s reigning title certainly is. Latvia has sent something that tries to give the contest it’s political stance this year, and here we have our first politically correct peace anthem for Europe and the world. But are we talking the Iraq war, the Crimean war or the war over ticket sales for this year’s contest? Who knows – they certainly don’t! This is bland, magnolia and quite 90’s in style. The only thing I faintly like is the vocals on the track. It reminds me of a dulled down version of those two guys on stools the Netherlands sent last year. The major difference being that their song was actually good. A word for all Europe, the days of boys, stools and guitars are long gone! I have listened to this again only for the sake of writing this column and I can tell you now I am extremely bored and this first minute feels like it have lasted ten. If the OAP population, childbearing flower power hippie mothers or thirteen year olds with lighters are watching, they will vote for this…

Had they have sent Lise last year and she had have sung ‘Notre Planet’ I would have not known the difference. I like the orchestral use of instruments, but I fear that the Royalty of Monaco playing a part in the entry selection is dragging Monaco down. Oh well, they can always rely on France for a few votes. Other than that, they should start planning their next bland semi-final entry, guaranteed once again not to qualify…

On paper it does not sound good for Israel, but surprisingly I really really like this ballad! It makes this years Eurovision, feel more Eurovision, and I like the 90’s vibe. It is one of this years strongest ballads for sure and is going to give Chiara a run for her money as well as Glennis Grace. I like the simple tune, and Shiri’s voice is so warm and textured, not to mention her natural beauty and glow. I really hope this qualifies. Whether it makes the top five in the semi-final is a different matter because I do not know how Europe will vote for this one, but it would be a great triumph for Israel to get through. I did feel that this years Israeli preselection was of better quality than I expected, and I did not think this would win but I am glad it has. Good Luck to Shiri, and to Israel. p.s this womans chest is the perfection so many women strive for, its fabulous...but is it real?

Clap, Clap, Clap! Thank the Lord that Belarus realised that sending that awful awful trash called ‘Boys and Girls’ was going to be a big big mistake! It was by far the worst song of this year; it was unbearable to listen to. This new entry is so much better, the tune is stronger, and Angelina’s vocals a lot better, though I still stand firm she can not sing. English lessons are also a must for this girl and I don’t know where she got her pronunciations from! She does look good in the video, now she has ditched that silver catsuit with matching headgear and dredlocked hair! It isn’t the best song, its quite middle of the range but important for Belarus – they now stand a chance of qualifying. I am surprised that Nikos Terzis composed this, as it does not sound like one of his songs, but there you go, at least someone pitied Belarus and gave them a charitable helping hand. What a waste of a national final though!

Ah Glennis Grace – the diva that just quite isn’t! After her Martin Luther declaration – she starts singing, and undeniably this Whitney wannabe has a good voice and I have grown to like this song more than when I first heard it. But I fail to see what all the hype is about? It’s not that bad, but it’s not that good, and I much prefer Chiara’s Angel and certainly the Israeli song. The Impossible Dream is that Glennis could actually win this contest – I really can’t see it happening! I wouldn’t think either way if it qualified or did not. I will say this much about her, she has good stage presence, funky hair and a fabulous bone structure!

And then an old pro made her comeback, and I am glad she did. First off – this isn’t as catchy as ‘All out of luck’ and I’m still undecided if it is as good! This will either win the semi-final or come second, or even third. It will definitely qualify. I love this song, do not get me wrong, but I did expect more from Selma. The hype was great and I really was waiting to be wowed – it didn’t happen to the extent I imagined but it walks over a lot of the other entries and merely leaves a tyre mark! It’s in the running to win the whole thing, forget qualifying. Her voice and style have grown since 1999, and the one qualm I always had with All out of luck was that it felt immature, but this song is a lot more technically advanced. I love the instrumental section, and the song has great colour and texture. I do fear for Selma, because it was a brave choice to enter after taking silver in 1999. For her there is now only a win and she wants it more than anyone does, second is Helena! I am just glad Iceland have made a stand and attempted to send something decent, sad that the last decent Icelandic song was Selma’s entry from 6 years ago! The major problem for Iceland (which is also true for the UK) is that being a western country the eastern block may not look twice at such a good song and pick the phone up to vote but Denmark will certainly award this with 12 points, and the Scandanavian, Baltic and Western nations will make sure she gets a good few points aswell. Though I love the eastern music craze, I am glad she has gone for a more traditional Europop entry, which fuses the sounds of a Bond movie soundtrack and Britney’s toxic. I do personally want to wish Selma the very best of luck! Lets hope she just isn’t out of it all…..

Belgium is really trying for the title of last place! There is no two ways about it, this is one of the worst songs in the whole semi-final, and Belgium’s only hope of coming 24th was Angelina’s ‘Boys and Girls, Cats and Dogs, Nuns and Vicars’, but now she’s wised up, Belgium can now take the title. What went so wrong for Belgium? It was Wallonia who sent the brilliant Urban Trad in 2003, and then the Flemish had a minor hiccup with Xandee, I really hoped Belgium would come back with vengeance. I’m hoping this is the end of the downward spiral, and maybe next year Belgium will send something worth listening to! My grandmother (who unfortunately can not play the drums) could have done better than this and she’s nearly 86 AND she speaks no French!

Just as I hoped for a break, Estonia clamber onto stage, deciding to ‘get loud’ and sing about being ‘hotter than India spice’? What? The opening is a rip off of a Girls Aloud tune, and this song is truly disastrous. It’s just too ‘look at me I’m happy’. If anyone votes for this, they have serious problems with their musical taste! And what is with the decks they each have! No, no no. When did it all go so wrong for Estonia as well? Ah that’s right, as soon as they won in 2001! After years of aiming for top ten, they too are now aiming for bottom 10 each year. If this qualifies I will slit my wrists and pray for mercy! But not before, as they sing, I dunk them in boiling water myself!

By now the whole thing is really starting to grate after two bad entries, and then Norway make an appearance. At least I have now come to expect something rubbish from Norway, and they have not failed to disappoint with this throwback to the 70’s crossover period into the 80's! Again it’s bad! I am however feeling their style a little more, it’s certainly different and they really camp the contest up this year and add some fun factor, but they won’t qualify and most of Europe will wonder what is going on?! At least the band name is quite cool….Wig Wam! If only the song was half a good….

I was not sure what to make of this when I first heard it and I am still unsure how it will go for Romania. After the past few disastrous entries it will stand out more. It’s got a nice opening and the vocals are good and the clubbing chorus is not bad. The drums in the background add drama, and when this song is actually performed it’s a lot better. I think it has a reasonable chance of qualifying but if it does it will be in the bottom half of the top ten.

Welcome back Hungary. Thank You! This song is brilliant and I really hope it wins the whole semi-final – this Selma, is your competition right here! Though different to the Serbia & Montenegro entry of last year it gives me the same hopeful feeling and I think not only will it come top three in the semi but go on to hopefully come top five in the final and will give other nations like Greece and Albania and good run for their money. I love the whistle flute opening, the lead singer’s voice has a warm tone and the drums give this song a real edge. The common theme this year is that the women with the beautiful looks also have the beautiful voices and my my isn't this diva something special! This sexy minx is really going to rock on May 19th and the dance routine is also funky. I get a little feeling I am in an after hours lock in, at a Hungarian bar in Budapest, dancing the night away. The instruments fit together perfectly and Hungary should be extremely proud of this entry! Certainly my favourite of the semi-final.

How lucky for Hungary that this waste of space entry follows. The only good thing for Finland is that the song contrast to the ethnic entry from Hungary. I am undecided what is better, the rubbish from Jari last year or Laura or…oh gosh the list is endless. Another country entering every year just for good measure without a hope of ever winning! The secret of making things better, as Geir asks in his song, is for Finland to sit down and really think hard, what makes a good entry. Then to call in the top dogs in the music business and start all over again. Turkey have done it, Ukraine did it before falling into a deep cycle of low scoring entries, as have other countries. At least they have fellow serial losers Portugal for comfort every year. Why Finland? Why?

Right – now at first I did think that maybe Aleksandra Pileva should have won the Macedonian final but oh how this song has grown on me and along with Iceland and Hungary is one of the best finalists of the semi and for me has a guaranteed place in the final, and could see FYR Macedonia achieve it’s first top five entry. Surprisingly the English works really well. Too often the English translations (unfortunately my darling Ledina is struggling as we speak) are poor and unfulfilled – but this is a really good English version. And – the Zurna (the trumpet like interment in the instrumental break) makes its debut at Eurovision. This is my favorite instrument of all time as it has such a powerful yet enchanting sound and really gives this song it’s ethnic edge. Go on Europe…make Martin’s day!

La Mirada de Interior – As soon as I heard this song I fell in love with it. It is one of the most unique entries this year and most unique for a while, certainly since Urban Trad. This is a very special song, which MUST, in my eyes qualify, just for the diversity in sound it brings. I really hope it comes top five in the semi final, and then top ten in the final. The new version for Eurovision has some stronger points, the opening and the use of drums, as well as Marian’s vocal, but at times lacks the same drama as the original. I just hope Andorra hasn’t shot themselves in the foot by remixing it. Marian de Wal herself is quite an obscure like woman, and the picture with her Elvis quaff scares me like there is no tomorrow! I love her; she is one of the biggest Diva’s this year, the fact she runs a hotel for some reason makes me love her more. I have really warmed to her style, her sensuous voice. What an improvement on the Sarah Jessica Parker wannabe they sent last year….

I once again missed something with this song. It is okay, but it certainly is not spectacular. Again if this did not qualify I would not be heartbroken, but many love this entry. It has uniqueness about it, but it’s got a weak opening, followed by a stronger chorus. Why so many love it is beyond me, but the girls are beautiful and this is the best entry Switzerland have had for quite a while, and what does that say? In my eyes, this is going to scrape though, as it will divide Europe. Unfortunately for the fabulously named!

They had Danijela in the final, they had Vesna and they had Goran, but in the end they chose the freaky geek who no-one thought stood a chance, and somewhere along the way I think Croatia lost track of their selection process. I am happy Danijla is not back, because I love her so much, and I love Neka Mi Ne Svane with such a passion it’s scary, her coming back would only have taken away from her previously amazing entry with her new second chance version! Vesna’s entry was a lot poorer than I expected and I’ve never liked Goran. I hope that this is Croatian and I hope that it qualifies, and I think it may although I did expect a little better so from Croatia. I like it for its folklore ethnicity, for it’s depth and strong chorus. If this qualifies I will be both pleasantly surprised but happy.

Drawn in a very good position, but I don’t think that anyone explained to Bulgaria where they are or what the purpose of the contest is. They have just drifted in, and sent another contender for worst song in the contest. Belgium is certainly the worst ballad, but this is the worst ‘light hearted’ song. Kaffee simply can not sing, there is no two ways about it and the English lyrics are awful. I said previously that Belgium was the worst entry, but now listening to this for only the third time ever I have decided THIS is actually the worst song of all! Ignore what I said Belgium, least he doesn’t sing about Lorraine, and rhyme the words Lorraine with rain and name! At least that Belgian guy can sing a note, these people have no sense of tune or timing or rhythm. They need to go home and rethink their entry. What I am now going to dub, doing a ‘Belarus’, thus changing your entry last minute, is what Bulgaria should have done. They should have gone home and done a Belarus! Long ago! Now if this one qualifies I’m not only slitting my wrists but I’m burning down my house and going to live on a desert island…alone and away from LORRAINE! I can only hope Lorraine drowns in the rain! Awful, just awful!

Many would guess I would not like this , but surprisingly I do and this year I’m not going to rip the Irish entry to shreds. I actually think it’s in the top five of strongest entries of the semi final and I’d be really happy if Ireland qualified. I think this could be the start of the Irish reformation in Eurovision. Drawn in a really good position, it’s really catchy, it has a distinct Irish feel, and generally western entries fail to reflect their countries musical tastes. If the instrumental interlude (which this year has proven to be extremely popular) had a good dance routine it would be a lot better, with stronger Irish dance that looks less messy. Even though I like this song, and if it doesn’t go through I will be sad, this pair needs a little tweaking. He looks as if he has just started puberty and she looks like his first ever girlfriend, still excited over having her braces being removed! They need serious styling, need to learn how to play to the camera and need to relax in their movements more. They just look lost on stage! If anything holds Ireland down this year or stops them qualifying it is the presence these two possess and that fact that once again as a western country, like Iceland, Ireland will struggle to get the votes. However overall a good entry, despite what many fans and Johnny Logan say. In regards to the latter he really is still living in the 1980’s and his opinion in my eyes bears little value. After all his efforts in the Dutch final practically handed Glennis Grace her victory! If he ever enters a national final again, he needs to find a new wardrobe assistant for his entries!

Again an entry that does not set my soul alight, but it’s not bad and has grown on me since I first heard it. He has a nice voice and the girls will love his boyish looks. I love the fact it goes a little rock in the middle and then it really starts to develop further. He has passion when he sings and the performance adds a lot to the entry. Again it could go either way for Slovenia in regards to qualification. I think Slovenia’s major rival is Croatia and it’s got to be one or the other. I would however be surprised if it came top five in the semi! The video is really good quality and quite original in concept, and I’m sure many appreciate a bit of naked Omar prancing in a pool by moonlight, surrounded by dainty ballet dancers…
However may i just draw your attention to the offical Eurovision website eurovision.tv which, on Slovenia's country profile in the multimedia photo section claims that poor little Omar is not only a Gary Barlow lookalike, but also a womanizer? Obviously whoever wrote that didnt understand the implications of their sense of humour.....Gary Barlow...what? Don't listen to them Omar! Mind you they did try and make up for it by stating he has a strong body and a strong song, his mixture for Kiev. Make of that what you will!

Lucky with the draw and he has a really nice tone to his voice but boy will he struggle to qualify! The song is just, well it’s adjust a bit nothing. Nothing happens, it doesn’t really do anything, and is a bit like a slower version of that song from rollebooties boy from last year. Not a good effort from Denmark and I would be seriously shocked if this qualified. I thinks its undeserved of a place in the final, but all they can do now is give a good vocal performance, keep it simple and pray singing second from last is a bit of a saving grace!

What is this? Poland is adamant on sending these bizarre entries. Moldova is bizarre in a good way and I once read a comparison between Hungary and Poland’s entry. This is nothing like the Hungarian entry. I don’t really like it that much. However I do think it makes a really nice closing to the show, what with the similar Austrian entry opening and I would not have it any different! It gives the semi final such a good, well rounded feel. I like the fact its a little folk and a little ethnic but it’s also a little…well a little not that very good.

It is a great shame that Lebanon felt unable to participate in this year’s contest. I do not care for the politics behind this decision but am merely focusing on the entry they chose. It was not one of the best and it would not have qualified. I, more than anyone awaited the entry of Lebanon with great anticipation and I believed Jad Rahbani’s entry to provide one of the best songs in the entire contest and really bring the middle east, and a real Arabic influence to the contest. This entry failed to do that, but the strings were nice. What I suggest is that Lebanon now holds on till 2006 or even 2007 but debut’s with something spectacular, with a real chance of winning on debut. In my eyes, this is whom Dana International should represent if she was to make a comeback, what with her Arab roots, and if Tele-Liban read this, please go find Dana and make a real statement when you enter! I want someone to do for Lebanon what Sertab did for Turkey and Ruslana did for Ukraine and would love Lebanon to win on debut and take us all to Beirut! See you soon Lebanon…

1. Hungary


2. Iceland


3. FYR Macedonia


4. Andorra


5. Israel


6. Netherlands


7. Croatia


8. Belarus


9. Romania


10. Ireland




and the reserves...


Moldova


Slovenia


Switzerland


Austria




Next time in The Greenroom: Who’s hot and who’s not in the final!