Eurovision 2012: Semifinal Voting Thoughts

So here's some initial thoughts on the semi-finals.  Obviously there will be more, as well as thoughts on the finals.  However, so far, we've had a few good performers, songs, or acts that for whatever reason don't succeed.  Some highlights (or lowlights):

Joan Franka - "You and Me" (Netherlands)

The song grew on me over the past few weeks.  It's kind of sweet, and girl with guitar can go over really well (see, eg, Soluna Samay).  But Eurovision is about 3 minute presentations and most people were probably scratching their head at the bad 1980's-Cher head dress and didn't vote for her.  It probably didn't help that the closest neighbors and traditional supporters were all in the other semifinal either.  And that's kind of a shame.

Max Jason Mai - "Don't Close Your Eyes" (Slovakia)

This was the only true rock song, and one of the better entries in my opinion.  So what happened?  Slovakia was in the semi-final with a lot of former Yugoslav and Soviet states.  Whether it was all bloc voting or just a few guitar solos too much for older voters, it just couldn't get the support it needed.  It might have fared a little better in the first semi-final, which featured more of its neighbors.

Nina Badric - "Nebo" (Croatia)

Croatia was exactly where it wanted to be:  A good song, great performer, and in a semifinal with 4 other former-Yugoslav states.  I figured three of them would get in, and I was right.  Unfortunately, when it came down to it, Croatia and Slovenia were on the outs with FYR Macedonia sneaking in.  Bloc voting giveth, and bloc voting taketh away.

Filipa Sousa - Vida Minha (Portugal)

This was the complete opposite boat than Croatia.  A nice song with great traditional overtones, in a semi-final of Eastern European countries.  Neighbor Spain voted in the other semi-final, which probably didn't help Portugal break up the eastern blocs.

Pernilla Karlsson - "När jag blundar" (Finland)

A rather pretty little song from Finland (we've come a long way from Lordi) that against just didn't get the support it needed.  While Greece and Iceland have given Finland a lot of points over the years, it probably didn't help that Sweden, Norway, and Estonia (other traditional supporters) were in the other semi-final.  Also am I the only one who thought the first semi-final was pretty stacked?

Valentina Monetta - "The Social Network Song" (San Marino)

Again, my bias is showing, but I loved this song.  It was fun, cheeky, upbeat, and satirical, and Monetta was great to watch in the lead up.  Obviously the voters just didn't get it.  Europe's loss.

I'm sure we can analyze the voting until the cows come home.  What are your thoughts?

Eurovision 2012 Preview: Pot 4

We're half way done with the semi-finals!  Only three more pots and the finalists to go!  Today's pot is a strange mix of Mediterranean and the Benelux.

Armenia
First Appearance:  2006
Highest Place:  4th (2008)

Armenia withdrew from the competition on March 7, 2012, citing safety concerns for its delegation, a month and a half after the pots and semi-finals had been allocated.  For a discussion about the icy relationship between Armenia and Azerbaijan that lead to this decision, click here.

Belgium
First Appearance:  1956
Highest Place:  1st (1986)

Iris - "Would You"

At 17, Iris is one of the youngest competitors in this year's competition, and it shows.  The song is nice, in that teenage ballad way (am I the only one who could see Taylor Swift singing something this this?), but I don't think it will score that high.  "Would You" won the song selection in Belgium with 53% of the vote, while the other option, "Safety Net" garnered 47% of the vote.  However, don't underestimate the youth from Belgium; Sandra Kim won with "J'Aime la Vie" at age 13 in 1986, the youngest winner in Eurovision history.

Cyprus
First Appearance:  1981
Highest Place:  5th (1982, 1997, 2004)

Ivi Adamou - "La La Love"

Another upbeat song by a young competitor, and this one is oddly catching (trust me, after a listen or two, you'll find pops into your head at random times).  Eurovision betting odds say that it will do well, although Eurovision isn't likely to be coming to us from Nicosia next year.  I'm definitely a big fan of the Snow White motif, although did anyone notice in three minutes, Adamou shows more emotional range than that other Snow White (Kristen "Bella Swan" Stewart).

Greece
First Appearance:  1974
Highest Place:  1st (2005)


Eleftheria Eleftheriou - "Aphrodisiac"

Another upbeat song by a young competitor, and this one is oddly catching (trust me, after a listen or two, you'll find pops into your head at random times).  Eurovision betting odds say that it will do well, although Eurovision isn't likely to be coming to us from Athens next year.  Wait, is that the same thing I just said about Cyprus?  Yes, because they're both nice, fun, upbeat songs that enjoy alliteration.  Eleftheriou was actually born and raised in Cyprus (more similarities?)  Is anyone else getting vibes of Helena Paparizou (first place in 2005) or Kalomira (third place in 2008)?

Netherlands
First Appearance:  1956
Highest Place:  1st (1957, 1959, 1969, 1975)

Joan Franka - "You and Me"

So, it's a nice little song that's a change from the ballads and pop numbers in the pot so far.  And if you listen to it, it's a kind of sweet (she's talking about playing "Indian" with a friend when she was five).  But the outfit...the backup dancers.  We're about thisclose to awful stereotype and thisclose to the craziness that Eurovision sometimes can become.  I'm not sure which way it's going to fall yet.

Turkey
First Appearance:  1975
Highest Place:  1st (2003)

Can Bonomo - "Love Me Back"

Turkey gives us an interesting mix of modern pop music with traditional flare.  The song has yet to grow on me, but the video more than makes up it.  Interesting note:  Bonomo is of Jewish descent, yet is representing a nation that, as a Muslim state,  previously chose not to participate in Eurovision when it was held in Jerusalem.

Five more down, only a few more to go.  Pick from this pot?  Cyprus.

What is your favorite act from Pot 4?