Only 3 weeks to go until Eurovision submission closes, so the entries are coming thick and fast. We're not going to attempt to chronicle every one that comes through, but we'll pick out a few highlights on the way. And then, of course, there'll be ample opportunity for us to shove our favourites down your throat as EUROfiascoLive approaches.
Ireland chose their Eurosong this weekend and, against the odds, the best pop song won (with thanks to the Dublin jury and the televoters of Ireland). As seems to be the norm with the Late Late Show's annual selection, the acoustics and vocals are poor and the staging seems tiny... but we have higher hopes for this on a Malmö stage:
A few weeks ago, Norway's Melodi Grand Prix came to a close with a final that had quite a few good songs in it - somewhat surprisingly, as the 3 heats had a lot of gumph in them. Yet the Norwegian people saw through the dross and the Super-Final had some great songs in them - including Bombo (sung by Adelen, who is from Horten, Monica's hometown); this one from Sirkus Eliassen (which is bascially what Sean Banan for Sweden should be doing rather than this year's slightly ropey number); and a worthy winner in this marvellous slice of electro from Margaret Berger:
Denmark had a fantastic MGP themselves this year - one night, 10 songs, a fun, uplifting show and a mission statement of "no rap". And, largely, no crap. Particular highlights were this and especially this, amongst many others, but the winner is probably one that is more likely to do well at Eurovision, even if it doesn't quite set our world on fire:
Meanwhile, what's going on in Sweden, you may ask? Well, you may well ask... it's been a bit of a shambles this year. Last night we reached the final heat of Melodifestivalen and, sadly, there was nothing being pulled out of the bag by SVT to salvage this year's final. While we don't quite have the venom that The Gays have unleashed on the contest, we do feel rather wistful for the many, many great songs of 2009-2012 and how there was really nothing to touch any of them this year. David Lindgren's Skyline is probably the only thing right now that can save Sweden from missing out on the EUROfiasco Top 10 for the first time since... well, since we started making them.
Having said that, Melodifstivalen itself has been brilliant - the interval acts have been brilliant - Danny a treat for the eyes and ears every week - and the comedy has been hilarious even if we can't understand a word of the Swedish ... and last night this explosion of amazingness reminded us, and hopefully also the people of Sweden, just what fantastic pop they have at their fingertips that they really shouldn't take for granted - yes, it's The Mighty Alcazar:
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