Eurovision 2012 Preview: Finalists

We're down to our last six contestants!  Just as a quick refresher, last year's winning entry automatically qualifies for the finals.  Additionally, the five countries that contribute the most money to the EBU ("The Big Five") also gain automatic slots.  The rest of the countries need to battle it out in the semi-finals.  I guess money can't buy happiness, but it can certainly buy a lot.

Azerbaijan
First Appearance:  2008
Highest Place:  1st (2011)

Sabina Babayeva  - "When the Music Dies"

Wow.  A stunning blend of traditional Azeri folk music (listen to those instruments) with Western music, with great pipes to back it up.  It should continue Azerbaijan's streak of placing in the top 10, and it might make a run to keep the contest in Baku next year.

Italy
First Appearance:  1956
Highest Place:  1st (1964, 1990)

Nina Zilli - "L'amore è Femmina (Out of Love)"

Wow.  Again.  If Babayeva is the Azeri Adele, I suppose that makes Zilli the Italian Amy Winehouse.  The song is original, catchy, and she nails it (translation available here).  Don't bet against the contest going back to Rome next year.  As a note, Zilli originally announced that she would be singing "Per Sempre" before changing to the current song.  I'm really not sure which one I like more.

Spain
First Appearance:  1961
Highest Place:  1st (1968, 1969)

Pastora Soler - "Quédate conmigo"

Yeah, so the Finalists are making it really difficult to pick a favorite.  So ballads can really be hit or miss, and this is definitely a hit.  One of the ways I try to judge a song is to see if I can feel the emotions without knowing what on earth they're singing about, and this one definitely passes the test (translation available here).  Eurovision to Barcelona again?  And as a fun fact, all of Spain's entries have always been either totally or partly in Spanish

France
First Appearance:  1954
Highest Place:  1st (1958, 1960, 1962, 1969, 1977)

Anggun - "Echo (You and I)"

How did Lady Gaga get into the competition?  Seriously, if that song and video don't scream Gaga, I'm not sure what else does (translation available here).  France is looking to bounce back from some rather disappointing placement lately, and they've picked one of their biggest stars to do it.  This won't do too badly (nothing like a fun, upbeat, catchy dance number), and it will be interesting to see if anything comes of Anggun's self professed claim that 98% of her fans are gay with Azerbaijan's poor gay rights record.  Bit of trivia:  Anggun was born in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Germany
First Appearance:  1956
Highest Place:  1st (1982, 2010)

Roman Lob - "Standing Still"

Following in the footsteps of Lena, Germany's sending another young performer.  Maybe I'm a sucker for the smooth vocals and the dreamy eyes, but that's probably where he's going to pick up his votes.  It won't win, but it probably won't do too poorly either.  Also, does anyone else think this sounds exactly like The Fray?

United Kingdom
First Appearance:  1957
Highest Place:  1st (1967, 1969, 1976, 1981, 1997)

Englebert Humperdinck - "Love Will Set You Free"

So Humperdinck, despite being a bajillion years old isn't even the oldest singer thanks to those crafty Russian babushkas.  The song is really great, and despite being a bajillion years old, Humperdinck's still got it.  It's certainly better than Blue.  Humperdinck, Humperdinck, Humperdinck!

So this is a really tough group for me to pick a favorite.  If I'm going to choose, I'll narrowly go with Italy over Spain.

Which finalist is your favorite?