… and that’s how the Eurovision contest went
I really do hate to say this (truly), but I told you so. There just was no way that Ireland’s entry could have succeeded in the Eurovision Song Contest, and indeed it didn’t. In fairness, Niamh Kavanagh gave it her very best shot, but the song was all wrong.
People (including someone commenting in this blog) had been telling me how Germany would do well, and they did. But did I like the song? No, not at all. Lena should have been singing in German, and in any case it wasn’t exactly great music. I couldn’t quite work out the voting dynamics, but probably she benefited from all those countries wanting to be bailed out by Germany right now.
I thought Graham Norton (commenting on the BBC, presumably with instructions not to let us pine for Terry Wogan) had it about right: talk over everything. Much more fun that way.
Explore posts in the same categories: cultureTags: Eurovision song contest, Lena, Niamh Kavanagh
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May 30, 2010 at 10:08 am
I though Niamh did a great job last night, especially seeing as she seemed under pressure on thursday. What is interesting though, is that your comments on Friday regarding the requirements to winning the contest did not seem to stack up.
‘Nowadays you need three things to win: (i) an outrageous stage act; (ii) a cod glam rock style of song; and (iii) geo-political affiliations, preferably in the Balkans.’
None of these seem to agree with the winner or last years winner for that matter
Anyway, the results are in and counted. I thought Ireland should have received more votes but in the end they didn’t. Germany’s song seemed to be more catchy with the voting public and the Jurys were probably saying thank you to the German Economy for their assitance in the Euro zone. But on thing has always perplexed me – When did Israel join Europe?
June 3, 2010 at 10:00 am
And when did Azerbaijan join Europe too, or are you only really concerned about Israel which, incidentally, has been in the contest since 1973?
June 3, 2010 at 11:55 am
And won it three times.
May 30, 2010 at 11:32 am
hah…its also a generational thing, let’s be honest. The german entry is really popular as a song in much of Europe. The economic-theory is complete hogwash and was all over the twittersphere last night, mainly from disgruntled Brits it has to be said. But I doubt that the phone lines were full of votes from the various finance ministries showing their gratitude! Let’s face it, the commentariat is full of old ex-rockers who puzzle over ‘young people’ and their terrible lack of appreciation of musicianship…yawn! As for it not being in German?? so? its about making a song that is catchy and popular across borders. Ireland’s as you rightly point out was tired, old and so out of place whilst the UK’s was so utterly banal and bland that the lyrics (in English) sounded like they were written by a non-native speaker, or even extracted from a child’s rhyming dictionary.
Anyway, its good family fun and my kids love writing out score cards and dancing along..that’s what its about, not international politics and economic treaties, just a couple of hours of entertainment and all forgotten about the next day..
May 30, 2010 at 12:02 pm
While, to me, there was little of musical interest, apart perhaps from the Ukraine entry, I sat through til the end – driven by a sort of morbid fascination and the inevitability of defeat that we Brits so get off on.
As for the language issue, several countries did sing in their own language. But it was interesting to see how so much of the commentary was in English. Nice to see the French calling in their scores in French though.
I shall probably do it all again next year, inshallah.
May 30, 2010 at 9:41 pm
I enjoyed the FYR of Macedonia giving their scores in Strine!
May 30, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Lest we stray too far from academia, lunatics have actually analysed the voting behaviour of Europeans in this petri dish of wonderful musical awfulness: http://webdoc.sub.gwdg.de/ebook/serien/e/CORE/dp2005_6.pdf, the abstract is a model of academic understatement, but bloc-voting clearly goes on.
Just in case you missed the flashmob, it’s worth a watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsuPqiCjyag
May 30, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Stephen, theres quite a lot of papers on the subject, see comments on FvP’s previous post.
I am going to stick to the economic theory: Ireland, Iceland, Spain & Portugal punished for their fiscal profligacy, Greece – in too fragile a position- being gently encouraged to get back on track, the Brits hammered for staying out of the Euro and obviously tremendous fear about annoying the Germans. It all makes sense and even if it doesn’t, why let an irritating truth get in the way of a nice story?
May 30, 2010 at 9:42 pm
there was quite a bit of booing any time a former part of the USSR gave 12 points to Russia though . . .
May 30, 2010 at 10:10 pm
music oriented review:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10192518.stm
May 31, 2010 at 12:43 am
It’s important everybody (who needs a loan) makes Germany feel happy this year
May 31, 2010 at 1:23 am
Yes, except that I’m not convinced the Germans can afford that much… Their economy hasn’t been performing particularly well either. And politically they are in a total mess.
May 31, 2010 at 8:37 am
Well, my prediction of an Ireland victory was way off the mark! Congratulations to Aidan who tipped the German entry. Interesting, that the youtube viewing figures seemed to translate into votes …… no doubt, the bookies will be monitoring this.
As for Countries voting for their neighbours, I don’t think it matters as the most popular song still rises to the top.
May 31, 2010 at 9:41 am
There was very little political voting this time. Germany doesn’t get many political votes anyway so it needs a good song (note they got zero from some countries too including Israel).
The song I really liked from Romania came third, they got one 12 pointer from Moldova but the rest of the points were on merit. After several years of semi-final knock-outs Belgium came fourth with a simple song which proves that pizazz is not the only thing thst counts. Turkey came second with an okay rock song by a group that has a big following around Europe.
Basically to win you need to have the looks, a good song, maybe a bit of novelty and you need to do a lot of promotion in advance.
As for singing in German, by the same token Ireland should really enter songs in Irish. It is, after all, the first national language.
June 3, 2010 at 6:40 pm
they did once….it wasnt bad for the time…