Our #ESC250 votes – Part 4: Tim, Simon, Costa – Page 2

It’s Tuesday, which means it’s time for part 4 of our ESC250 series. So let’s have a look at who Tim, Simon, and Costa voted for this year. Make sure you go through all of the pages, and let us know if we share any favorites. Tim: My entries are very recent, please don't judge me! I started watching the Eurovision Song Contest since I moved to the United Kingdom back in 2006. I did not start my detailed following until 2013, and my REALLY detailed following until 2016. If it's a classic, there's a chance I'll like it, but I know people will slate me and say I'm terrible, but to them I say, please respect everyone's opinions and choices!!! THANK YOU!!!!! #10 – Aisel - X My Heart (Azerbaijan 2018) THIS DID NOT DESERVE TO BE THE FIRST AZERI DNQ. LET ME REPEAT, THIS DID NOT DESERVE TO BE THE FIRST AZERI DNQ. I really have strong feelings about Aisel not making it to the Grand Final. There are other entries which deserved this award *cough* Samra *cough* but overall, this is a guilty pleasure and it is one of my most played songs ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CUwlpqUuvA #9 – Mei Finegold - Same Heart (Israel 2014) One of the best Israeli entries this decade and Europe doesn't even bring it to the final?, this track had everything, it sounds current, and the song complimented her voice really well and I really like how she easily switched between English and Hebrew. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acOZVEN5XjE #8 – Greta Salome - Hear Them Calling (Iceland 2016) If there was an entry which I think should have qualified, If I can get that chance to change it, it's this!!!! She deserved that qualification, and I am still bitter about it's DNQ, I look at the ten qualifiers in that first semi-final and I can easily swap Greta out for someone *cough* Samra *cough*. This was in my Top 5 in 2016 and I literally cried when she was not called on the night. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6osxLLPLUDk #7 – Poli Genova - If Love Was a Crime (Bulgaria 2016) This is how you make a comeback, and get your revenge for not qualifying in your first go!!!. They will never break us down!!!!!. This is another guilty pleasure of mine. When Bulgaria returned with this, it shows how much work they have put in and they definitely deserved that placing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQqUTigWKHY #6 – Aminata - Love Injected (Latvia 2015) Best Latvian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. This song is ahead of its time and it should have been a winner. This is the year when Latvia finally upped their game and show how much they wanted to improve their abysmal performance in the contest. Love Injected is unique in its own right and Aminata has certainly set the bar high for Supernova entries in terms of quality. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-usdXbeGHi8 #5 – Dami Im - Sound of Silence (Australia 2016) The only time I think Australia deserved the win, and should have won the whole thing (I know a lot of people will disagree with me on this). Dami showed charisma in her performance and can feel the emotion she shows when she is on the stage. When she hit the high note near the end, I get goosebumps every time I hear it. I hope she comes back in the near future and get that trophy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ymFX91HwM0 #4 – Lucie Jones - Never Give Up On You (United Kingdom 2017) It was 2017, this song was just released. At the first listen, I can instantly tell that this is an Emmelie de Forest track. Once I heard it, I knew it was going to win You Decide and that it is going to Kyiv. This is the only British entry, where I thought we did everything great and that we deserved better. When we got the points on the night, I had really had high hopes for our entry, only for them to be dashed last minute. Despite this, I am proud of our entry and I am very happy Lucie represented us at the contest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl1GYTg4GmA #3 – Eye Cue - Lost and Found (FYR Macedonia 2018) One of the songs that may have been ruined by staging, but I do love the studio version. There isn't a day where I haven't listened to it. It is currently my most played track ever on my phone right now, which shows how annoyed I am it missed the final and which shows I will never get tired of this song. I don't think Eye Cue will be knocked out of the top spot of my playlist any time soon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV_cR_Qb2Cg #2 – Eleni Foureira - Fuego (Cyprus 2018) Wigs are being snatched left, right and centre. Eleni owns this track and with Sacha Jean-Baptiste doing the staging for this, it was going to be instant smash and a visual treat to watch. She was my main winner for 2018, I was ready for a Cypriot win, and I was a little bit gutted when this did not come into fruition, but I am loving Eleni and I am glad that I discovered her in this year's contest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyDTbJ4wenY #1 – Loreen - Euphoria (Sweden 2018) If I am being honest, if it wasn't for this song, I would not be in the Eurovision Fandom and I would not be here writing this. You have Loreen to be thankful for having me in this fandom and having the courage to write as well, I don't know what it is, but her voice just drawn me to the competition and I don't look back, because I've made so many friends and learnt so many lessons being in this fandom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfo-8z86x80 Costa: Sailing through my story, sharing my history Like every devoted Eurovision writer, I could list about one hundred entries (at least) and write endless paragraphs of praise to accompany each one. As just getting my friends to arrive punctually to my Eurovision party is difficult enough, let alone get them to engage in a full-on Eurovision-related discussion, I relish in each and every opportunity to stan my favourite entries. Comprising this list was actually easier than I expected it to be; I simply chose a selection of my favourites that captured the essence of their respective countries. I view Eurovision as a platform to showcase the music and cultures of Europe in an increasingly Americanised and homogenised world, which I believe my list displays. #10 – Kaliopi - Crno i belo (FYR Macedonia 2012) To my surprise, I found my #10 more difficult to choose than my #1. Ultimately, I settled on Crno i belo for three main reasons: I adore Kaliopi, the performance is confident and oozes charisma and talent without any frills or effects, and this entry showcases the full potential of FYR Macedonia on the Eurovision stage, a country that is often overlooked and underestimated. This entry gives me hope that all of the elements could come together for FYR Macedonia once again. Oh, and that whistle note was a moment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSuCdNEy9w0 #9 - Aliona Moon - O Mie (Moldova 2013) When fans hear 'Moldova', I'm sure the vast majority instantly think of Sunstroke Project (or, rather, 'Epic Sax Guy'). A lot of people believe that Moldova have found their niche at the contest and should remain in the realm of fun, quirky party songs. For me, however, O Mie is the quintessential Moldovan entry. The staging may perhaps be a little too hectic, but this song mastered the art of the slow build better than any other. I would gladly place this alonside Quédate Conmigo in the rankings of best native-language power ballads at this contest this decade. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xckgLUv73Jc #8 - Kristina - Horehronie (Slovakia 2010) Now, it wouldn't be a proper Eurovision ranking if I didn't show a little love to one of the many 'robbed' entries that have fallen before the grand final. While many made notable mistakes on the night (staging, vocals, etc.), Horehronie is an exception. I may be a little too young to remember where exactly stood prior to the semis, but I know that this song and performance were objectively stronger than many of what surrounded it that year. This performance has aged like fine wine; her vocals are no different from the studio cut, the staging was unique and dynamic, the song was memorable and, again, 2010 wasn't a particularly compeitive year. Kristina (nor Slovakia) may never quite get the justice they deserve, but I hope a spot in my top 10 (and over 17 million views) will be just fine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kghCqyMLPFA #7 - Sopho - Visionary Dream (Georgia 2007) From one underappreciated entry to...a slightly less underappreciated entry. While many countries take a few years to 'warm up' and 'get' how the contest works and where they fit in the world of Eurovision, Georgia got it in one attempt. I deem Visionary Dream to be the gold standard of how to debut at Eurovision, a feat only Kazakhstan at Junior have reached since. What makes this so exceptional? Georgia came into the contest knowing exactly what they wanted to present and how to do it. The song, though in English, is a celebration of the rich and dynamic culture of Georgia. As Europe welcomed Georgia to the contest, Georgia welcomed us to what was going to be a long and exciting run of entries thereafter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHImNpPta7M #6 - Doris Dragovic - Marija Magdelena (Croatia 1999) Now, I tried desperately to include a broader range of entries beyond the last 20 years...and failed miserably. Much of this is down to the fact that I have struggled to sit through many of the pre-90s contests. During my revisiting of the 1990s Eurovision categlogue this summer, this song stood out from the era. Doris oozes charisma, passion and diva...ness throughout the peformance, rightfully claiming Croatia's best result to date. Of course, the epic tearaway wasn't the only stunt Doris pulled that night; the entry is now shrouded in controversy due to the use of pre-recorded backing vocals. Naturally, this element of controversy only makes me adore this more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2oIkF3sQtE #5 - Zlata Ognevich - Gravity (Ukraine 2013) Speaking of goddesses, I had to show some appreciation for Zlata Ognevich. While I tend to prefer the more dramatic and brooding entries, I can't deny the lightness and charm of Gravity. Zlata stands in one spot (after being placed on a pedistal by a giant...for some reason) and manages to captivate you effortlessly for three minutes. This performance also features perhaps the most note-perfect vocal we've heard at the contest in recent years. She glides through an impressive range without even breaking a sweat. It's very difficult to create a 'whimsical' stage show without being tacky, at yet, Zlata being such a formidable performer gives the song more credibility than it has any right having. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMxpv8naRd8 #4 - Jelena Tomaševic ft. Bora Dugic - Oro I deem 2008 to be the strongest year in Eurovision history thus far in terms of overall quality. As a result, I find that the true gem of that year often gets lost in the shuffle over the likes of 'Qele Qele', 'My Secret Combination' and 'Shady Lady'. The host entry always get the added advantage of a huge response in the hall, but that rarely translates into a better outcome for the entry. For Oro, hearing the roars of the crowd and the sound of people singing along to every word creates a special atmosphere. It is especially poignant to revisit when you remember the social and political changes Serbia was undergoing at the time. In its own right, the song contains the melodic intricacies that keep me listening ten years later. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3NMkyDSEb0 #3 - Ivi Adamou - La La Love (Cyprus 2012) I couldn't possibly make a list of my favourite entries without giving a little la la love to the motherland. Growing up as a Cypriot in the UK, I spent my childhood being routinely dissapointed by not one, but two countries. I gave up on the UK's chances a long time ago, but I always knew Cyprus were capable of better. 2018 may have been the turning point in hindsight, but we say a glimmer of potential in 2012. In pre-Fuego world, La La Love was a rare moment of Cyprus coming to the contest with a competitive entry...aside from the staging. Although Fuego might be a turning point in Cyprus' momentum at the contest, La La Love will always have a special place in my heart. It may not be a perfect song, nor a perfect performance, but this will always be my favorutie slice of eurotrash pop to grace the Eurovision stage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtMHBXO_n48 #2 - Helena Paparizou - My Number One (Greece 2005) Ah, the song that started it all. I remember watching the winning reprise at my grandma’s house when I was 6 and thinking ‘this new Shakira song is a bop!’, little did I know. From that point on, I was hooked on Eurovision and hooked on Helena’s music. Growing up in the UK, it was the only time I could see Greek culture represented on British TV. Almost 14 years later, the song has aged remarkably well. The performance wasn’t the most high-tech or elaborate, but it was choreographed to perfection and delivered with polish. Helena has the uncanny ability to perform high energy songs with focus and poise, even with choreography as tight as this. This will forever be my number one winner of the Eurovision Song Contest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5Sju9fTLUk #1 - Iveta Mukuchyan - LoveWave (Armenia 2016) When comprising this list, I changed my mind frequently about both what entries I should include and where they should be placed. What remained constant, however, was the inclusion of LoveWave and its spot at the top of my list. It may not be the most obvious choice, but by now, three things should be clear about my taste in Eurovision entries: I like drama, I like a strong female vocal, and I love songs that feature cultural elements of the country they represent, be it through language or production. LoveWave may be sung entirely in English, but this is unmistakably Armenian. Be it the swelling instrumentation during the bridge or the sheer passion with which Iveta performs the song – this is a showcase of Armenian excellence. It isn’t easy to command a huge Swedish stage, even with all the dancers, LEDs and props that the EBU would permit, but Iveta manages it single-handedly. Sure, she might have had smoke, fire and a hologram or two, but this performance is all about HER. The song itself is experimental, daring and bombastic, and never fails to get me motivated and hyped up for whatever awaits me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL066Rp7J7k Simon: Quirky compositions and evocative ear worms My top ten may seem a curious selection to most readers, but you should see what didn't quite make the cut! These songs made a distinct impression on me, usually because they've been brave enough to stand out from the crowd, but musically savvy enough to get away with it. #10 - Anna Maria Jopek - Ale Jestem (Poland 1997) A smashing little ditty from Poland. What stands out to me are the unusual chord patterns and rhythms on the guitars. Dissonant strings make me happy, as does Anna's vocal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piD3PP1QDBQ #9 - Tose Proeski - Life (FYR Macedonia 2004) Tose was a superb vocalist and this song shows that off. Anything that is in 7-4 time is a winner for me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_NX0usepUI #8 - Stop - Omar Naber (Slovenia 2005) Robbed. By which I mean it should at least have qualified. I get that it is not everyone's cup of tea, but its production was right up my street. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUTIYik9cRA #7 - Kejsi Tola - Carry Me in Your Dreams (Albania 2009) Kejsi takes to the stage done up like a dog's dinner to sing this hashed up shortened version of a better native language song. Complete with green gimp, guys in creepy masks, clumsy choroegraphy and backing vocals that are sharp throughout, there shouldn't be much to earn my favour. Yet it brings me joy and gets stuck in my head too often. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Ori4A4ATo #6 - Salvador Sobral - Amar Pelos Dois (Portugal 2017) I fully admit to not "getting it" until the contest, but it is a beautiful song. I have respect for it especially as it was thrown among the lions and came out smiling - you would not think that it would have any hope in Eurovision, but how we were proven wrong. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qotooj7ODCM #5 - Jamala - 1944 (Ukraine 2016) A firm middle finger up to certain people, certain events, certain mindsets. But all delivered with impeccable vocals and artistic impression. Every now and then is an entry that creates an atmosphere to seemingly remove itself from the stage and the "TV show", and this was certainly ones of those. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-rnM-MwRHY #4 - Birds - Anouk (The Netherlands 2013) Utterly simple in its delivery and feeling, yet cunningly composed and crafted. A gem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5iazXvMw5o #3 - Athena - For Real (Turkey 2004) It rocks, it bounces, what's not to like? As a certain Moldovan once sang, "You have never seen before how looks the trumpet, but the sound goes straight to your soul, gets you out of control". True that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pipamUl14A4 #2 - My Star - Brainstorm (Latvia 2000) This hasn't dated so well, but it is three minutes of musical happiness and songsmithery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1y9xhmMSDk #1 - Mor Ve Otesi - Deli (Turkey 2008) Deli's style and delivery makes it a safe bet to be in my top ten. But I think what clinches the top spot is the rhthym of it - especially the drumming in the bridge and at the end. It's a showy and vibrant song that needs to show or vibrant staging to bring it to life - the music and its performance have everything that's needed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A__hliu_9UE What did you think of Tim, Costa's and Simon's ESC250 votes? Let us know your opinions and thoughts below or at social media @ESCXTRA

Our #ESC250 votes – Part 4: Tim, Simon, Costa

#7 – Poli Genova – If Love Was a Crime (Bulgaria 2016)

#6 – Aminata – Love Injected (Latvia 2015)

#5 – Dami Im – Sound of Silence (Australia 2016)

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