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| Quote Dita's Slot Meter="Dita's Slot Meter"icon_lol.gif ....To be fair, and with all due respect, this reply probably exhibits more about your lack of knowledge of music, than any slight on the musical talent of either band.'"
Quite the opposite in fact and I certainly wasn't having a pop at either band in the slightest - just having an opinion. |
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Back to the Eurotwaddle topic..........
I heard Bonny Tyler twice yesterday ....once on Radio 2 and then she appeared on the One Show.
Her song is not that bad, better than the Hump's song from last time I think.
It won't win of course and I would love for us to enter a song that would meet FA's criteria of a great song, because at the moment I don't think that anything we had to offer would circumnavigate the loathing that we seem to attract from our fellow Europeans.
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| Quote Stand-Offish="Stand-Offish"Back to the Eurotwaddle topic..........
I heard Bonny Tyler twice yesterday ....once on Radio 2 and then she appeared on the One Show.
Her song is not that bad, better than the Hump's song from last time I think.
It won't win of course and I would love for us to enter a song that would meet FA's criteria of a great song, because at the moment I don't think that anything we had to offer would circumnavigate the loathing that we seem to attract from our fellow Europeans.'"
Bonnie still has that raspy voice too. I think the winner will be from one of the former Eastern European countries again and some of the women reading the results from last year were stunners.....I may have to go to Slovenia, Ukraine and a few more nations out there  |
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Quote Stand-Offish="Stand-Offish"Back to the Eurotwaddle topic..........
I heard Bonny Tyler twice yesterday ....once on Radio 2 and then she appeared on the One Show.
Her song is not that bad, better than the Hump's song from last time I think.'"
Yes. "Not that bad" is about as good as it gets though!
Quote Stand-Offish="Stand-Offish"It won't win of course and I would love for us to enter a song that would meet FA's criteria of a great song, because at the moment I don't think that anything we had to offer would circumnavigate the loathing that we seem to attract from our fellow Europeans.'"
But honestly, that's simply not true. really it isn't. Look, if we ever enter a good song but it finishes last then I'll concede you have a point but that just isn't borne out by events.
The last time we had a fair crack at it was 2009 when Jade Ewen sang "It's My Time", which we'd got Lloyd-Webber and Diane-friggin-Warren ('Unbreak My Heart', 'How Do I Live', 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now' etc) to write yet still they came up with a song that was palpably mediocre, and just never came within coo-ee of the heights that those musical geniuses have consistently managed. Why that was, I have no clue. BUT - and here's the point - it was a steady effort, if not spectacular, YET FINISHED FIFTH. If some concept of loathing the UK was abroad, then that couldn't happen, could it? We got 173 points, ffs!
No, the reason in recent years we have finished often near the bottom of the pile is, as Occam would agree, because the entries have been dire. The year after Jade Ewen for example we came up with a piece of utter bilge which was lucky to finish last, it was that bad, it 'peaked' at 179 in the UK charts and that was only because Pete Waterman downloaded a copy. Any loathing it attracted from other people in Europe can't have been any worse than mine!
If the identity of the UK is a factor in the voting, maybe that's because so universally admired is UK music across Europe that when our eagerly anticipated entry turns out to be disappointing dross, the disappointment is reflected in the votes? They and their composers and singers largely [iwant[/i to be English! Have a look at any of the European charts - including the European 100 - and as usual they are dominated by English acts
top40-charts.com/chart.php?cid=31
Indeed most of the Eurovision entries are English songs. Do these forriners suspend their loathing of us for record buying purposes? (And don't point out that several of those chart acts are US - in any Loathing Contest, they must surely be more loathed than us!) |
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Quote Stand-Offish="Stand-Offish"Back to the Eurotwaddle topic..........
I heard Bonny Tyler twice yesterday ....once on Radio 2 and then she appeared on the One Show.
Her song is not that bad, better than the Hump's song from last time I think.'"
Yes. "Not that bad" is about as good as it gets though!
Quote Stand-Offish="Stand-Offish"It won't win of course and I would love for us to enter a song that would meet FA's criteria of a great song, because at the moment I don't think that anything we had to offer would circumnavigate the loathing that we seem to attract from our fellow Europeans.'"
But honestly, that's simply not true. really it isn't. Look, if we ever enter a good song but it finishes last then I'll concede you have a point but that just isn't borne out by events.
The last time we had a fair crack at it was 2009 when Jade Ewen sang "It's My Time", which we'd got Lloyd-Webber and Diane-friggin-Warren ('Unbreak My Heart', 'How Do I Live', 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now' etc) to write yet still they came up with a song that was palpably mediocre, and just never came within coo-ee of the heights that those musical geniuses have consistently managed. Why that was, I have no clue. BUT - and here's the point - it was a steady effort, if not spectacular, YET FINISHED FIFTH. If some concept of loathing the UK was abroad, then that couldn't happen, could it? We got 173 points, ffs!
No, the reason in recent years we have finished often near the bottom of the pile is, as Occam would agree, because the entries have been dire. The year after Jade Ewen for example we came up with a piece of utter bilge which was lucky to finish last, it was that bad, it 'peaked' at 179 in the UK charts and that was only because Pete Waterman downloaded a copy. Any loathing it attracted from other people in Europe can't have been any worse than mine!
If the identity of the UK is a factor in the voting, maybe that's because so universally admired is UK music across Europe that when our eagerly anticipated entry turns out to be disappointing dross, the disappointment is reflected in the votes? They and their composers and singers largely [iwant[/i to be English! Have a look at any of the European charts - including the European 100 - and as usual they are dominated by English acts
top40-charts.com/chart.php?cid=31
Indeed most of the Eurovision entries are English songs. Do these forriners suspend their loathing of us for record buying purposes? (And don't point out that several of those chart acts are US - in any Loathing Contest, they must surely be more loathed than us!) | |
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| Quote Ferocious Aardvark some time ago="Ferocious Aardvark some time ago"...
The bookies have Denmark as a clear favourite but the problem this year is that even that is not a good song. It is very much formula Eurocrap. So it is vulnerable as it won't pick up many floating voters.
My main bet, since you ask, is on Norway (Margaret Berger- I Feed You My Love). As long as it finishes in the first four I'll make a profit. It's not great, but it's the sort of song with enough about it that it would make the top 5 in the UK chart if released by a known UK artist, and I reckon that the slow pace and statuesque performance will appeal to enough Eastern European countries to clinch a good result.
My half-size bet is on Denmark as the blatant formula is a clever one - from Titanic-esque flute opening to blokes with big drums (which seems to go down well in many places)
If you want my sneaky outsider then you could do worse take Betfred's 25/1 on Azerbaijan, who seem to get near the top 4 every year whatever they do, and have a tuneful young fella on the case.
If you just have too much money and want to get rid of some, risk-free, bet on us.'"
As the contest approaches, the bookies have firmed up Denmark as the clear favourite, 6/4 is now as good as you'll get.
Norway has been backed down to 3rd favourite - but you can still get 8/1
Azerbaijan is 5th favourite but you can still get 20/1
The "bolter" is Ukraine, with a weird "anthem meets house" song by a statuesque young lass, with a memorable if very annoying pizzicato accompaniment throughout and some background rapping. Weird. Second favourite now, between 3/1 and 4/1 - if you want to make your mind up then type "Zlata Ognevich - Gravity - Eurovision 2013 Ukraine" into a popular search engine.
I've seen Bonnie performing her effort on Graham Norton. Cringe-TV, awful. Your-drunken-mum-at-a-wedding stylee. IMHO of course - you may have loved it, Graham's audience seemed to. But it also emerged that the song was selected when an un-named BBC executive was for some reason provided an advance copy of Tyler's new album, heard the song, and chose it for us. Some selection process, eh?. |
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looks like it could be a classic this year
Albania Motorhead meets Kiss
Greece a nice bit of Ska crossed with Folk / Rock
Finland Dance at its best
Norway hot chicks
Rumania a 3 minute opera with an amazing falsetto
and all of this from the second semi final ( i missed the first)
cannot wait for saturday night.
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| Quote Durham Giant="Durham Giant"looks like it could be a classic this year
Albania Motorhead meets Kiss
Greece a nice bit of Ska crossed with Folk / Rock
Finland Dance at its best
Norway hot chicks
Rumania a 3 minute opera with an amazing falsetto
and all of this from the second semi final ( i missed the first)
cannot wait for saturday night.'"
I love you man |
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Bring back Lordi !!!
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And yet no space for Montenegro's dubstep astronauts from the first semi-final, which was dominated by the former Soviet republics.
Expect the 2014 contest to be either back in Scandinavia, Moscow or Kiev.
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| Quote Andy Gilder="Andy Gilder"...
Expect the 2014 contest to be either back in Scandinavia, Moscow or Kiev.'"
Or, "I expect that one out of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th in the betting will win"
Well, next season, I expect the Premier League title to be back in either Manchester or London.
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| Quote Ferocious Aardvark="Ferocious Aardvark"
Well, next season, I expect the Premier League title to be back in either Manchester or London or Hull.
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What does the UK get from being a part of this?
Will the people ever get their say on whether the UK should remain in Eurovision?
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Will we see a winner as good as 2012?
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Well it won't be BT that's for sure.
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Deffo Greece for me
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Listening to the chorus of the Finland song i am sure she is singing, " i'll f ook you".
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| I dont know whether to vote for Belarus' legs or Norways Ass
Song wise i quite liked Malta and Denmark |
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Who let Bonnie near the Vodka?
Iceland was my favourite tonight.
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| Quote Ferocious Aardvark some time ago="Ferocious Aardvark some time ago"
My main bet, since you ask, is on Norway '"
Bombed. BOO.
Quote Ferocious Aardvark some time agoMy half-size bet is on Denmark as the blatant formula is a clever one - from Titanic-esque flute opening to blokes with big drums (which seems to go down well in many places) '"
Winning favourite. I move into a modest profit.
Quote Ferocious Aardvark some time agoIf you want my sneaky outsider then you could do worse take Betfred's 25/1 on Azerbaijan, who seem to get near the top 4 every year whatever they do, and have a tuneful young fella on the case.'"
Woot woot! What a tip. Narrowly beaten by the red hot favourite, and a big pickup for me.
Quote Ferocious Aardvark some time ago="Ferocious Aardvark earlier in the week"The "bolter" is Ukraine, with a weird "anthem meets house" song by a statuesque young lass, with a memorable if very annoying pizzicato accompaniment throughout and some background rapping. Weird. Second favourite now, between 3/1 and 4/1 - if you want to make your mind up then type "Zlata Ognevich - Gravity - Eurovision 2013 Ukraine" into a popular search engine.'"
Ukraine finishes 3rd - a bit more for the pot.
Not the funniest ever contest. Not enough weird and wacky. But overall a good laugh, and Bonnie actually made a good fist of it. Still a poor song choice, but a whole lot better than she was on Graham Norton. And all contributions to the Aardvark finances gratefully received. 1st, 2nd and 3rd backed.   |
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| Quote Ferocious Aardvark="Ferocious Aardvark"Bombed. BOO.
Winning favourite. I move into a modest profit.
Woot woot! What a tip. Narrowly beaten by the red hot favourite, and a big pickup for me.
Ukraine finishes 3rd - a bit more for the pot.
Not the funniest ever contest. Not enough weird and wacky. But overall a good laugh, and Bonnie actually made a good fist of it. Still a poor song choice, but a whole lot better than she was on Graham Norton. And all contributions to the Aardvark finances gratefully received. 1st, 2nd and 3rd backed.
'"
You did well in your forecasting Aardvark.
Personally I liked Norway's effort, it was just that bit different from the formulaic Denmark offering, which I was disappointed to see win.
Bookies favourite and all that.
The neighbour voting got on my manboobs again.
Was surprised Ireland came last.
What's your take on that? |
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| Quote Stand-Offish="Stand-Offish"...
Was surprised Ireland came last.
What's your take on that?'"
I just thought it was a very weak song. I am a little surprised it came last but it was a poor effort.
Anyway the substantial majority of the voting is NOT bloc votes,under the system, OK you can give 12 to your neighbour but you HAVe to give plenty of points away to many other countries. And if Ireland's song had been any good, then it would have got more than 1 point from the UK, which is hardly known for bias against them.
I don't disagree that there is some bloc voting that they are unable to get rid of, but actually Ireland is a case in point. What they have done well in the past is strong, sickly-schmaltzy nostalgia and when they did, they won. More than once. Dana. Johnny Logan. So this goes back to my original point - come out with the right song, and you'll get enough votes to win, bloc voting or not. Ireland have in fact won it more times than anyone else.
I think Ireland used to know how to do it, but have lost their mojo. I mean, Jedward, ffs. yes, they did relatively "well", but never a hope in hell of winning it.
Finally, Eurovision wins are often derivative; songwriters watch, listen and steal. If you listen to it again, would you agree that the winning song is more Irish than the Irish entry? The winning writers presumably got that throwing in some Celtic themes would be popular, and so threw plenty of them in to what was almost a Eurovision by numbers effort; not great, but effective enough (just) in the absence of any good opposition entries. |
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The break up of the Soviet and Balkan states have sadly meant the need for semi-finals, which means only half a dozen nations know they're going to be in the final no matter what rubbish they send.
So there's less room for lunacy than there was in the days of the Irish sending puppets. The Russians knew they could get away with it with the grannies last year, they still get enough votes from the old Soviet bloc. Sadly, not enough nations are wary of Montenegro, so this year's dubstep astronauts didn't make it to the main event.
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Had a couple of quid on Azerbaijan at 25-1. Disappointed they didn't win it! Thought the song (coupled with the 'man in a glass box' routine) was better than Denmark's effort. Can't say I've ever really liked a Eurovision song enough to listen to it more than once but Euphoria was a brilliant winner last year.
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Still can't beat ABBA or Lordi for me.
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| Quote Stand-Offish="Stand-Offish"You did well in your forecasting Aardvark.
Personally I liked Norway's effort, it was just that bit different from the formulaic Denmark offering, which I was disappointed to see win.
Bookies favourite and all that.
The neighbour voting got on my manboobs again.
Was surprised Ireland came last.
What's your take on that?'"
The Irish - after many years of pi$$ing the contest - have realised that it costs a fortune to stage the following year.....cash they no longer have - so they have, for the last few years, gone down the 'pile of pap' route, in the hope that no one will vote for 'em.......last year the genius of employing Jedward to vocalise almost back-fired on them, but they've obviously got the formula sorted this time round!!  |
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