National finals revisited: From Erika Vikman to Elvana Gjata [Part 1]

The national final season is officially over. With a final Super Saturday and the results of San Marino's two way battle, we finished with a bang last week. However, we all know that some songs have been left in the fields of the season... We've had to leave them behind to instead move on with songs other people liked best. So, we take a trip down a short memory lane. It's only been a few months, but we want to highlight some of our favourites. In the next four weeks, we'll revisit the Eurovision national finals, with each of our partaking editors sharing one of their favourites. Today, we'll see Matt Baker, Tom Ryan, Wivian Renee Kristiansen, Nathan Picot and Nick van Lith sharing their favourites... Check it out below and click through to the next pages to see them all! Nick van Lith:Erika Vikman - Cicciolina (Finland) When Finland decided to return to an open national final, I expected them to come up with diversity and a very interesting line-up. I was not wrong. Finland managed to deliver: There was something in there for everyone. For me, it was that one song: Cicciolina by Erika Vikman. Sure, the topic is rather interesting - an adult actress from the twentieth century. But this is everything countries dread to be: Upbeat, fun, taking themselves a little less seriously for a while. The Finnish public got behind this, as did the fandom... Sadly, the juries did not. And now we won't have Erika Vikman in Rotterdam... Nevertheless, this is wrong on so many levels. And that is exactly what makes it so right. Bring it on, Cicciolina! Well done, Erika Vikman, for bringing fun and pleasure back. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPaFqUMqcJY Click through to the next page, below the emojis, to see what Matt Baker has chosen! Matt Baker:Monique - Make Me Human (Lithuania) The new shortened format and branding of the Lithuanian national final this year meant we were treated to a fresh approach from our Baltic friends. The changes were carefully considered after music industry feedback, which is why we ended up seeing one of Lithuania’s biggest stars, Monique, take part. The song “Make Me Human” had all the ingredients for an impressively staged Eurovision entry: authenticity, storytelling/emotionally connected, confident performer with great song, and the potential for huge visuals. The song was memorable, if not a little simple, and could be put in the same bracket as Billie Eilish and similar contemporaries. It wouldn’t have won the Eurovision Song Contest but it would have been an incredible entry that Lithuania could have been very proud of. The Roop were a firm local favourite in the end and deserved to win Pabandom iš naujo, but it will be Monique that will stay in the memory for me. I, for one, hope the team at LRT can coax her back again another year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrR5l-Xk5-o Click through to the next page, below the emojis, to see what Tom Ryan has chosen! Tom Ryan:Elis Mraz & Čis T - Wanna Be Like (Czech Republic) Going into the third year of their national final format, I was expecting big things from the Czech Republic. And as if by magic, "Wanna Be Like" come along. I have to admit, I personally believe it's the best song out of the three years of Eurovision Song CZ, and it was robbed of the win this year. Especially now I've heard Benny's revamp, it reminds me even more why Elis & Cis should have made it to Rotterdam. The Latin vibes of the song are amazing and used well in the whole package of the song and this song could have easily brought a top 5 result in Rotterdam. Just one of the many amazing songs that got lost in this year's national final season! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76VMqReVkoY Click through to the next page, below the emojis, to see what Wivian Renee Kristiansen has chosen! Wivian Renee Kristiansen:Kristin Husøy – Pray For Me I don't follow the pre-selections (-Söngvakeppnin, of course), so picking a "national final song that got away" normally wouldn't be an easy task. However, a couple of weeks ago I heard this gorgeous song on the radio. I shazamed it, and found out that it was the MGP runner up; Pray for Me, with Kristin Husøy. I can't believe we passed on this little gem! The song is modern and cool, and Kristin is a great singer with an amazing stage presence. I think this is one of those songs that will become a NF classic, while the actual entry will be forgotten. At least by me ;) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHShSfZf7pY Click through to the next page, below the emojis, to see what Nathan Picot has chosen! Nathan Picot:Elvana Gjata - Me Tana (Albania) Well where do we start with this one? I know! Right from the start of this National Final season. When Elvana was announced to be competing in Festival i Kenges I was so shook that one of Albania's biggest stars was competing in what I thought was a stuffy show. But boy she TURNED the party with one of the bangers of the season and remains one of my biggest highlights and lowlights of the NF season. I won't lie to you having to break the news that Arilena won FiK instead of Elvana here for my 50th post for the site broke me a little as I was desperate to break that Elvana won! She had one of the best stagings of the season and her vocals were on point throughout and who could forget the legendary dance breakdown WITH hankies! ICONIQUE! What a performer! What a song! This won't be forgotten quickly that's for sure. The biggest upset being the first upset of the season? I think so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY675dNQH68 That’s it from us when it comes to the first few national final songs we wanted to revisit once more. We will be back next week, when we make a trip all around Europe, including Sweden, Moldova and Armenia... Stay tuned! Let us know which of the songs you liked best today! Who was robbed the most?

Nick van Lith

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