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

#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.

#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.