It’s *that* time of year again. The time for crowning this year’s Eurovision Top 250, that is. As always, some of us here at escXtra would love to share our top 10 with you. Over the coming weeks we’ll do just that, in a series of 12 articles. In each article, one of our editors will take a closer look at their top 10. They will also present their honorable mention, which is a song they really like, but that didn’t quite make it.
In this first article, Wiv will take you through her top 10 (plus one honorable mention).
An unusual Eurovision fan
I have always been a bit of an unusual Eurovision fan, as I’m HATE canned drums, don’t really go for big female ballads and one of my pet peeves are “singers” who should stick to dancing. Also, looking at my top 10 not a lot of people would guess that I’ve been watching Eurovision since the early 70s, but here goes.
Here are the first part of my votes:
- Unsubstantial Blues – Magdi Rúzsa (Hungary 2007)
- Deli – Mor ve Ötesi (Turkey 2008)
- Divine – Sébastien Tellier (France 2008)
- Nije ljubav stvar – Zeljko Joksimovic (Serbia 2012)
- A Monster Like Me – Mørland & Debrah Scarlett (Norway 2015)
- My Star – Brainstorm (Latvia 2000)
- We Could Be the Same – maNga (Turkey 2010)
8 points: Life – Tose Proeski (Macedonia 2004)
Perhaps the best voice in the history of the contest. The lyrics might not be Nobel level, and I really wish he’d performed in Macedonian, but this song never fails to make me smile, sing along and sway to the rythm. And what a rythm! An interesting beat and a good (male) voice are very often part of why I like a song. Also; if you haven’t listened to the rest of his songs – DO!
10 points: Lady Alpine Blue – Mumiy Troll (Russia 2001)
This is where I very often get blank or even disbelieving stares from other Eurovision fans. For almost 20 years, this was my favorite Eurovision entry. Again, the beat, Ilya’s voice and the quirky performance; these things get me every time. Being a language nerd, of course I really wish they had performed in Russian, as it’s such a beautiful singing language. And as with Tose; if you haven’t listened to their other stuff – DO!!
Honorable mention: Draumur um Nínu – Stefán & Eyfi (Iceland 1991)
Picking just 10 out of all the fantastic songs that Eurovision has given us is close to torture! I thought getting to add an honorable mention would make it easier, but it almost made it WORSE!! Do I pick my 11th place? A song that reminds me of good times? A voice, a beat, beautiful lyrics? All of the above? Well, at least most of the above. Draumur um Nínu means so much to me. It’s one of the songs that made me want to learn Icelandic. The melody and lyrics both speak directly to my heart. I have a ton of great memories tied to this song. And an Icelandic friend once told me that my love for this song prove that my soul is Icelandic. All it takes is the piano intro.
12 points: Soldi – Mahmood (Italy 2019)
I really don’t know where to start with this song, this voice, this guy. Soldi is, again, my most played song on Spotify, by miles. Just like last year. I think I’ll just link to my Soldi and Mahmood tribute from a while back, as I said it all there.
The next article in this series will be published on Friday. Then it’s Nathan’s turn to share his top 10! You don’t want to miss that!
Do you agree with (any) of Wiv’s picks? Let us know! 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.