Eurovision 2008: The Finals … a late overview
Posted by evdomada on June 4, 2008
Yeah … I know it’s a little too late but I had been asked to write something about the Eurovision final.
I’ve never thought of the Eurovision contest as a “serious” song contest. I always thought that it’s all about choosing the feel-good song of the summer season that will sell a few songs around the continent. If it was serious, wouldn’t it be judged by a panel of respected music industry people, as opposed to a tele-voting system?
Russia were the winners but one can wonder how? It wasn’t a great song and it wasn’t visually a great performance. Sure, some girls would’ve loved it when the young Russian opened up his shirt … and sure, some others would’ve been excited to see an Olympian ice-skater doing figure-8′s on a mini ice skating rink … and let’s not forget that passionate performance from the violinist.
Personally, and I am not being biased in any way, Kalomoira’s performance was only matched by the Ukraine entry. It was hard for me to split it between those two performances.
Ukraine’s song was a catchy dance beat, a classic euro-pop track, delivered by an attractive young lady … isn’t that what Eurovision is about??
Kalomoira also delivered a great pop song with the “ethno-pop” sound that has been evident in Greece’s entries over the past 4 or 5 years. It’s been a formula that has ensured us a top 5 finish over these years. Kalomoira also delivered a sassy performance with a bit of her girly charm … you can’t deny that.
Russia’s entry was a bit too melodramatic and a touch too serious for Eurovision. From what I’ve heard (and cannot substantiate) he had already had a contract offered by Urban Grooves performer Timbaland. But I don’t understan how some people could think that there was a conspiracy theory link to the Timbaland contract and his victory, when the voting is coming through from tele-voters??
We can all speculate and argue but the voters’ have had their say and the Russians walked away worthy winners based on the voting public.
Until next year …
evdomada@gmail.com
Athanacia said
I think the voting was a result of the now-defunct USSR countries all voting for each other
As for why such a serious song won – UMMM did you catch Eurovision 2007 and the Serbian entry that won? I still can’t work that one out.
Eurovision is not about great songs or great performances unfortunately.
Kalomira did a great job at Eurovision just as Sakis Rouvas and Sarbel did before her. Greece should be proud of the calibre of those entries. Funnily enough Anna Vissi’s song and performance was overly melodramatic and serious but it didn’t win either
evdomada said
I have to admit that the “eastern-block” factor is a hard one to gloss over. I think it will be a long time before a song from the traditional “west” will win again at Eurovision.
And yes you are quite correct … the Serbian winner in 2007 was also a piece of melodrama but personally i thought it was a great song … even if I couldn’t understand it.
As for Vissi aka Beastie … I actually wiped out that performance from my Eurovision memory bank. A poor effort from an artist that shouldn’t have put herself in that position ie singing a poor entry for the hell of it.
But thats the price you pay for trying “too hard” to break into the English pop market. Give it up Anna … you are a legend in Greece … leave it at that.