Eurovision Semi Final 1 - Preview

Hi all! It's Eurovision week, with the festivities already having kicked off in Liverpool. For those new to the contest, or just wanting a refresher, here is a rundown of how the week will go.

On Tuesday and Thursday, we will see a semi-final take place where countries who don't make up the 'Big Five', will compete for a place in the grand final. Tuesday has 15 participants, with 10 qualifying. Thursday has 16 participants, with 10 qualifying. They will join the 'Big Five' (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain & Italy) along with the 2022 winner, Ukraine. Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the UK will host on their behalf and hopefully celebrate Ukrainian culture and music in a safe setting, however I feel the UK may see this as their one and only chance to host.

In this post, I will preview the participants in the first semi-final and predict who I believe with qualify. This may change when the semi-final starts as sometimes the staging of the song can greatly affect whether it is voted for or not - maybe that's just me, but I put a lot of stock into staging along with song choice and vocals. I'll also cover the three pre-qualified countries that will be showcased in this semi-final as well  - these are France, Germany & Italy.

Semi-Final 1 - Participants

Norway - Queen of Kings by Alessandra

This year, I believe Norway have entered quite a strong song that is very likely to qualify. It's upbeat, catchy and entertaining. It has a kind of Game of Thrones/fantasy vibe to the lyrics, which doesn't really distract from the tune overall. I'm hoping that this song doesn't replicate the Austrian entry last year, 'Halo' by LUM!X & Pia Maria, as that failed to qualify despite being a proper Eurovision staple song, like this one. Expect this to do well.

Malta - Dance (Our Own Party) by The Busker

It's generic and a typical offering for Eurovision. Despite being unremarkable, I quite like the song. It's got a saxophone in it, which gives it a bit of a hook, but it's been done before. The nicest thing I could say about this song is that it's inoffensive - one of those songs you might Shazam if you heard it in the shopping centre or on the radio, but won't really listen to again.

Serbia - Samo Mi Se Spava by Luke Black

It has a distinctive sound and, if the same staging is used on the night as is used in its official video, it should do well. It's usually not a good thing to count Serbia out as they are a mainstay of the contest since their entry in 2007; only missing out on the final twice. Their entry last year was a bit of weird hit (handwashing anyone?). This will likely go through.

Latvia - Sudden Lights by Aijā

This year, Latvia have quite an lacklustre song. It doesn't really hit the heights of pop classic or the quirky nature to win over the neutrals. It's background music at best. Unless a sudden groundswell of support comes out on the night, don't expect to see this one on Saturday.

Portugal - Ai Coração by Mimicat

When I first heard this song, I initially thought it was straight out of the eastern European catalogue of unusual entries from over the last few years, so I was genuinely surprised to hear it was the Portuguese entry. I can't really predict what will happen with this one. The percussion and bass lines of the song will have your foot tapping, but is that enough to put it through? On their national performance video, you can see they've put a bit of effort into the staging, but I'd expect this to be dialed up a few more notches. I expect it will qualify, but if it doesn't, it won't upset me.

Ireland - We Are One by Wild Youth

Poor Ireland. They've had a torrid time these last few years, quite unfairly in my opinion as some of their latest entries have been good enough. Brooke's entry last year, 'That's Rich', deserved a place in the final. In terms of this year, the song is solid but a generic pop track. I'd love to say I'm prepared to go out on a limb and say this will qualify, however I feel Ireland are going home again. Unlike the Portuguese entry, I will be a bit saddened if this didn't qualify. It has shades of a late 2000s chart topper.

Croatia - Mama ŠČ! by Let 3

This is very much in my Eurovision wheelhouse. I encourage anyone to watch this one and read the translated lyrics and watch the wacky visuals. It's crazy, it's catchy and it's about as political as the EBU will allow. There's always songs every few years that strive to make a political statement that either go really serious or batshit crazy, although never quite making it further than their semi-final appearance. This is the later - it's a clear jab at Russia and Belarus. Normally, I would say this has no chance at all, but in the current climate, I'm backing this for a place in the final. I believe in it that much, I'm going to use this as my recommended track on this post.

Switzerland - Watergun by Remo Forrer

This song is incredibly sweet for the subject matter it covers. In an interview, Remo has advised that the song is about living in a world where we have to live with the consequences of others. If he can hit the vocals live on Tuesday, this will cut straight through the arena and book him a place in the final. The melody is easy to pick up and reminds me, stylistically, of Duncan Laurence's 'Arcade', which went on to win in 2019. It's simple, it's effective and it's a clear qualifier for me. If it wasn't for stronger songs this year, I'd tip this for a top 5 finish overall.

Israel - Unicorn by Noa Kirel

This is a right bop from Israel. They've had worse qualify so this should be fine. It's got dance beats, references to unicorns, killer strings at the start and a patch where she breaks up the word 'phenomenal' that'll get stuck in your head for ages as you try to figure out how to say quickly like she does. I'm still a little bit salty that 'Set Me Free' didn't place higher than 17th in 2021, but this should be some solid mid-table fodder for Saturday, picking up random 4 points from even more random countries.

Moldova - Soarele şi Luna by Pasha Parfeni

If dance beats and the sound of, what I assume to be some sort of flute, are your things, this is the song for you. Moldova have a history of sending crowd pleasers, but not necessarily high scorers. For reference, if you've heard of Epic Sax Guy, you've heard a Moldovan Eurovision classic. This will score well. If you were a fan of the Ukrainian entry 'Shum' by Go_A in 2021, you'll enjoy this. The lyrics are quite medieval mystic but unless you speak Romanian, you won't know this, however, your enjoyment of this song is not dependent on your linguistic prowess. This will most definitely qualify.

Sweden - Tattoo by Loreen

There is nothing that I can say here that will hide the fact that this song is going to win - no doubt in my mind at all. Having already won with 'Euphoria' in 2012 and achieving immense success that very few Eurovision acts achieve with their entries, it's hard to look past Loreen for a second time. The song is enticing; it's melody is catchy; the lyrics are heartfelt and filled with longing. If the staging on Tuesday is anything like it was when she won Melodifestivalen, then that too is stunning; it's simplistic and symbolic and stylish. I could spend hours gushing over my love for this song, but I'll reserve that for belting out the song. It is definitely, as the song goes, 'stuck on me like a tattoo'. Winner, calling it now.

Azerbaijan - Tell Me More by TuralTuranX

Azerbaijan's heyday is fully in the rearview mirror now. They've been mid to low table stock mostly for the past few years and, with this song, that's unlikely to change. In all fairness, it's unlikely to even reach the final. The chorus is kind of cute but the 'talk singing' that comprises pretty much the rest of the song, isn't something that polls very well at this time. If this had been a few years ago, decent upper table finalist, but not now. There are better songs this year. Sorry, Azerbaijan.

Czech Republic (Czechia) - My Sister's Crown by Vesna

This is quite a polarising song - it's the marmite of the 2023 contest. It's a statement song about gender equality and you can clearly get that from the lyrics. It's a bit of a mix of both 'In Corpore Sano' and 'Toy', which is a mashup I don't think anyone asked for, but it's artsy, the costuming in their official music video is quirky and it's strangely catchy. I think, for this one, if the live performance stages like the music video, it'll be a song and performance you will likely remember. If they take the stage in generic clothing and no staging, it's just a bland song. I think it'll qualify, but needs some serious staging to push it up the table.

Netherlands - Burning Daylight by Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper

I love this song. The Netherlands have this unusual form of producing ballads that could transcend Eurovision and enter the mainstream with no effort. For example, very few people remember that 'Nel Blu, Dipinto Di Blu' (or commonly known, 'Volare'), was a Eurovision song. It's melodic, understated and beautifully written. It genuinely hurts me to say this won't qualify. That's not because it's not a fantastic song, it's just in the wrong semi-final. Had this been drawn in semi-final 2, I would have said it qualified easily. Unfortunately, I think 'My Sister's Crown' is destined to take its place in the final.

Finland - Cha Cha Cha by Käärijä

This qualifies - straight forward. I'm a lover of quirky Eurovision and this is quirky Eurovision. Finland have a history of unusual entries and have a patchy qualification history, but this a banger. There's a lot of buzz about this song and you can see why - it's catchy and the performer is memorable. I challenge anyone to not find themselves humming 'cha cha cha' in the days following the semi-final. It's hip-hop, it's rap, it's metal - it's unique. For a song about a bloke having a few drinks and then getting up to dance, it encapsulates so many genres neatly into one package. For easy reference, stick Tenacious D & The Lonely Island together and you'll have something close.

Predicted qualifiers - Norway, Serbia, Portugal, Croatia, Switzerland, Israel, Moldova, Sweden, Czech Republic & Finland.

Germany - Blood & Glitter by Lord of the Lost

I never know how to feel about Germany and their entries for Eurovision. With the exception of Lena's winning song 'Satellite' in 2010 and 'You Let Me Walk Alone' by Michael Schulte in 2018, they've been awful. As the other 'Big 5' countries around them are starting to learn and enter good songs, Germany seem to be stuck in a mire of bad entries. 'Violent Thing' by Ben Dolic, which was slated for the cancelled 2020 contest, was a good song and looked to be a positive move by the Germans, however, he never got to perform and their entry this year just shows, to me, they don't really care. Heavy metal rarely does well, with Lordi being the exception. Looking at how Lord of the Lost stage themselves, it's almost like they're aiming for the staging votes. I could be wrong, and have been proven wrong previously, but metal has no place at Eurovision. I will clarify though, I like the song and, outside of Eurovision, I'll probably have in a playlist, but for a Eurovision entry, it falls flat for me.

France - Évidemment by La Zarra

If Loreen wasn't participating for Sweden this year, I would, hand on heart, fully back La Zarra to take the trophy back to France for the first time since 1977. The song is beautiful and has a great beat underneath it. There's not really much else I can say about it. I expect it to place highly - top 5.

Italy - Due Vite by Marco Mengoni

Italy have always been decent since their return to the tournament 2011, only finishing outside the top 10 twice. They are good, they seem to know what the rest of Europe will enjoy/find interesting enough to vote for. I fully expect this song to place in the top 10 - it's a decent, emotional ballad. For me, however, I find it bland.

Dan's Recommended Track

I did say above that I would use this slot to promote Croatia's entry. By promote, I mean show you the madness that they'll likely be unable to replicate on Tuesday night.

Back soon!