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Our #ESC250 2020 votes – Part 9 – Bente

With the announcement of this year’s Eurovision Top 250 results shortly, we really want to tell you all who our all time Eurovision favorites are.

In this series, our editors will be looking closely at their Top 3 entries (the ones that got 8, 10 and 12 Points) and will also provide their honorable mentions (a song they really like, but did not make their ESC250 list).

Today, it is Bente’s turn to let you know who she voted for in this year’s edition of #ESC250.

Basic meets modern Eurovision

There is one curse, or some might call it a blessing, that I struggle with as a Eurovision fans: I like a lot of songs. In an average year, there are approximately 5 songs that I genuinely do not listen to, and around 20 songs that I really enjoy! Sure, it makes watching Eurovision a lot of fun (unless my favorites fail to qualify), but it makes creating an #ESC250 list immensely difficult. Some songs I rediscover after having not listened to them for years, and then the idea for a top 10 that I had in mind gets ruined again. One thing I can promise anyone reading this, is that you will read my list and think to yourself: ‘that’s a lot of modern Eurovision’, and ‘those are kind of basic choices.’ Not to worry, I am aware. I love a good pop song, and sometimes I get emotionally attached to songs that have won Eurovision (or should have won Eurovision if it didn’t get cancelled – spoiler alert)!

With that being said, let’s start with the songs that missed out on my top 3 spot:

  1. Hari Mata Hari – Lejla (Bosnia and Herzegovina 2006)
  2. Lordi – Hard Rock Hallelujah (Finland 2006)
  3. Alexander Rybak – Fairytale (Norway 2009)
  4. Miki Nuñez – La Venda (Spain 2019)
  5. Mikolas Josef – Lie To Me (Czech Republic 2018)
  6. Nathan Trent – Running On Air (Austria 2017)
  7. Daði Freyr – Think About Things (Iceland 2020)

8 points: Sergey Lazarev – You’re The Only One (Russia 2016)

‘Thunder and lightning, it’s getting exciting’, truly a cultural reset in lyrics! In all seriousness though, though, this song is absolutely amazing. While I watched Eurovision for many years, 2016 was the year I started getting more involved in fan culture and thus already heard the songs before they were actually performed on the Eurovision stage. You’re The Only One has remained in my heart, probably through a combination of nostalgia and just an incredible performance. Sergey himself definitely has something to do with his song making my top 3, as I just think he’s an incredibly charismatic performer with a voice out of this world. Please do not remind me of the final seconds of the 2016 voting process….

10 points: Eugent Bushpepa – Mall (Albania 2018)

We have all seen the live performance, right? That means we have all seen one of the greatest vocalist to ever grace the Eurovision stage. The studio version is already great (especially pre-revamp, damn it Albania), and then you get the live version, wow! I had the honor of seeing Eugent perform live during Eurovision In Concert and, not being dramatic, it changed me as a person. I tend to disagree with the juries, but the fact that they Albania to the final is something I will never forget. The song itself is equally amazing, bringing some much-appreciated rock to Eurovision, and of course in Albanian! Nothing but respect for my winner of 2018.

Honorable mention: Knez – Adio (Montenegro 2015)

I am a sucker for a good Balkan ballad, and this is one of the best there is! I cannot exactly pinpoint what it is about this song that makes me enjoy it so much, but I just love it. Knez is a great singer, and who can go wrong with a Željko Joksimović composition? When Montenegro returns (please soon), they should ask Knez again, or at least make a song equally as good as this one.

12 points: Duncan Laurence – Arcade (The Netherlands 2019)

Is this the most recent winner? Yes. Is this my own country? Also, yes. This is where my basic taste jumps out, but I don’t mind. Choosing the other songs was tough, but I always knew this one was going to be my 12 points. It is, simply said, a masterpiece. I remember hearing this song for the first time, and getting teary-eyed. Duncan Laurence is incredibly talented, and manages to put all of his emotions into the song, whether in studio or live. It is such a personal song that it feels private to listen to it sometimes. The instrumental is amazing as well: when I hear the opening chords to this song, it feels like stepping into another world. Everything about this song and its performance is just right, and I am immensely happy that the rest of Europe appreciated it as much as I did. (although maybe I appreciated it a bit more, sorry Europe!)

What do you think of Bente’s votes for this year’s ESC250? Let us know! Stay tuned, as Costa will present their votes in the next edition.

Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter@escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to see our reactions to the news in the upcoming months.

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