Ermal Meta (Italy) - L'unico Pericolo - Steve S

Ermal Meta and Fabrizio Moro represented Italy at Eurovision in Lisbon in 2018. They placed 5th with “Non mi avete fatto niente”, a song calling for peace and an end to terriorism around the world.

Ermal is a well known poet and songwriter of Italian pop, rock and folk songs. His lyrics support the advancement of human rights and social justice. His solo career includes 5 studio albums, 1 live album and recording 26 singles. His most recent album (2024) titled “Buona Fortuna” , includes the love song “L’unico pericolo.”

I enjoy Ermal’s music because his songs have a message and he always sings with deep passion and conviction. He sings with feeling and as a listener, I am always moved by Ermal’s work.

I particularly enjoy his 2022 album “ Ermal’s Greatest Hits” and it is a regular on my playlist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntb1zXjojlg

Alexander Rybak (Norway) - Funny Little World - John C

I chose Funny Little World by none other than Alexander Rybak. I really like this song because it's actually quite a simple tune with a simple message.  While he frequently writes about love and relationships, this song was distinctive, to me at least, because it did not involve the heavy use of his violin. I appreciated this change as this sound was so different from the two songs he used to compete in 2009 and 2018. The video is quite cute as well and is very much of a similar simplicity.

https://youtu.be/oVNBcEygJ5E?si=LjlajvvybXmm9lFu

Sara Tavares (Portugal) - Nova Feira da Ladra - Luis B

This was an original from Carlos do Carmo (Eurovision 1976, Portugal) included on his 1977 LP "Um homem na cidade". A typical fado, a bit happier that the usual fado songs. All about an iconic landmark in Lisbon, Feira da Ladra (thieves market), an open air market which happens every Tuesday and Saturday. It is a "world" inside the city where you can find everything (well... almost everything), at reasonable prices, deal prices but also way over the mark prices. It is fascinating, but you need to take your time and know how to negotiate and you may come home with great stuff!

In 2004 there was an homage CD: "Novo (new) homem na cidade". Several artists recorded their own version of the songs included in the original LP and our amazing Sara Tavares gave us this "Nova Feira da Ladra". It is such a great cover  in my opinion, where you can still feel a bit of the Portuguese guitarra but this time with an African flavour in the soft and beautiful voice from Sara. 

I hope you like it!

Sara's version: https://youtu.be/G19ANhlGGyA?feature=shared

Original: https://youtu.be/YJ11l3WUv5o?feature=shared

Blanche (Belgium) - Empire - Rachel G

We all remember Blanche in 2017 with her song "City Lights". In 2020, Blanche released a song called “Empire" which followed with an album of the same name. “Empire” is a hauntingly beautiful track that blends her ethereal vocals with a delicate, minimalist production. I think it’s an evolution of City Lights rather than a total reinvention. It’s a song about overcoming obstacles and building one’s own legacy. There’s moodiness and emotion and, of course, Blanche’s unique voice. 

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/5bpkaQCwKyU?si=x36SPAm7eorSXPEV
Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/track/59Z3Odlq8WlbY465Pt0E8P?si=q1rTNMHfR0msUU2S4fn_Gw

Sergei Lazarev (Russia) - 7 Digits - David McK

Sergei Lazarev, a renowned Russian pop artist, has built a distinguished career beyond his Eurovision appearances. Emerging in the early 2000s as a member of the popular boy band Smash!!, Lazarev quickly established himself as a solo sensation with a series of successful albums and chart-topping singles. His dynamic performances and powerful voice have earned him critical acclaim in Russia and beyond. Lazarev has also ventured into acting, starring in popular Russian TV series and theatrical productions. His extensive discography includes hits like “7 Цифр” and “The One,” reflecting his versatility and solidifying his status as a major figure in Russian pop music.

https://youtu.be/H5ahfxY4YH8?si=25pWZIeNzaHSPmbE

Raphael (Spain) - Que Sabe Nadie - Ricardo A

Rafael was very popular and admired at the time he went to the contest, both in Spain and Latin America. 

But, at the same time, it was the focus of much criticism and envy. Many times because of his way of singing (not very masculine for those years in Spain) or because of his happy marriage.

"Nobody knows what I like or what I don't like. Nobody knows what I prefer in love. Nobody knows what my heart vibrates for”,,, It is a very powerful lyric, very vindictive, and where he told the world that who were they to criticize him. 

Apart from being a very beautiful song, its message and lyrics are still very modern.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDStB4Kp91k
https://open.spotify.com/track/6k9IY8ZUD0wihrL4Ch7Upn?si=dd28d1b29f26411d

Andras Kallay-Saunders (Hungary) - Breathing - Michaela S

Andras Kallay Saunders

2014 was my first Eurovision and I was impressed.. I still remember the Hungary's entry Andras Kallay Saunders burst onto the stage with his emotional performance of his song Running. What a performance and he deserved his fifth place. But what happened after 2014.?

One thing is sure he is still performing and producing music. He has also tried to to perform again at Eurovision Since 2014 he has founded his own band , Kallay Saunders Band. He also collaborated with Adal 2015 participants and performed an interval act that year.. His last album Delivery Boy was one of the 19 records nominated for the IMPALA Album of the Year Award. He returned to Adal in 2016 with his band and vocalist Antonia Val, performing Who We Were and made it to the last 4 finalists but did not win. He tried again in 2017with Seventeen and in 2019 with a member of The Middletonz Dutch and producing music. He has also tried to to perform again at Eurovision Since 2014 he has founded his own band , Kallay Saunders Band. He also collaborated with Adal 2015 participants and performed an interval act that year.. His last album Delivery Boy was one of the 19 records nominated for the IMPALA Album of the Year Award.

He returned to Adal in 2016 with his band and vocalist Antonia Val, performing Who We Were and made it to the last 4 finalists but did not win. He tried again in 2017with Seventeen and in 2019 with a member of The Middletonz Dutch rapper Farshad Alebatool with the song Roses., again making it to the final.

This year in April he released Breathing a heart felt song featuring Tunisian artist Ashref. It is about never hiding your feelings . Like all of his songs he can convey the feeling through his vocals and music. He just hooks you in.

https://open.spotify.com/track/5QflG88iqO1llI515KL382?si=7YKqAjT7RjiSyiGVbbBy8w &context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A00s6sE0GqXtycnq4zuLVeH

https://youtu.be/XYAs21RyNyY?si=XGlg0Q1pDPszlPoR

Kate Ryan (Belgium) - Only If I - Alex W

This song was an easy choice for me to highlight since it’s the whole reason I got into Eurovision. “Only If I” was the lead single for Kate Ryan’s “Stronger” album and was released in my market, the United States, a year after its European release and a year before her Eurovision attempt. This was during the peak of Cascada-mania in the US as “Everytime We Touch” hit the US top 40. People like me, we wanted more and a few of us found Kate Ryan. After hearing her catchy choruses and synths, we were hooked!

https://youtu.be/dv4Egg_1S-I?si=rYLUGawEJ_sxoUz4

Kaarija (Finland) - Trafiki - Alan W

After Kaarija’s close second in Liverpool, he pumped out some new music including this very recent release called ”TRAFIK!”.
The song is a collaboration with The Netherlands’ Joost Klein so it really doubles down on the high-energy craziness. Subtlety is left at the door…
Basically its 2 minutes of frenetic electronic, pop, and dance music that will no doubt be a standout hit for both artists.

https://youtu.be/5BmUrlQZDok?si=z0WPdH7wZGyv1lm6

WRS [Andrei Ursu] {Romania) - Leah - David D

WRS represented Romania in 2022 with the crowd pleaser, Llámame. WRS is now known by his name, Andrei Ursu.

During and after ESC 2022 I was walking the Camino Portugues. By this time, I had discovered WRS’ EP Mandala. During these two weeks I had the EP on repeat. Leah (featuring Iraida) is the first track on the EP; it’s steady beat and Andrei’s vocal set me up well for a day’s walking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK1ETvHNFYE

Benjamin Ingrosso (Sweden) - Tror du att han bryr sig - Dennis F

Benjamin Ingrosso - Tror du att han bryr sig

“Tror du att han bryr sig” is a song released by Benjamin Ingrosso and Melodifestivalen alumn Felix Sandman on 4 May 2018. The song is actually the Swedish language version of Ingrosso’s 2017 song “Do You Think About Me.” 

The song is addressed to an ex-lover, casting doubt that the ex is happy in a new relationship. Although still friends, he promises to wait when the new relationship hopefully ends. 

The famed Swedish melancholy is present– the lyrics are about a breakup, the melody is happy. What I enjoy most about the song is the catchiness of the melody and how upbeat it is– I can see myself strutting down the summer sun in Stockholm to this. Not understanding the lyrics is probably why I prefer the Swedish version to the original version– ignorance is bliss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4rScrIqRAE

AWS (Hungary) - Útvesztő - Madeline N

AWS (Hungary) – Útvesztő

The ESC catalogue contains far too little post-hardcore, in my considered [albeit unpopular] opinion. So, when I heard Hungary’s 2018 entry, I knew I’d found not only my douze points for the year but also a band that I would be listening to well beyond Eurovision season.

Útvesztő is the final song recorded by AWS frontman Örs Siklósi before his death in February 2021. Inexplicably, Siklósi’s haunting lyrics—written prior to his leukemia diagnosis—foretell his passing. Released in August 2022, the song showcases the very best of AWS. The music video is a poignant tribute featuring Siklósi’s loved ones.

Official music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqmv2RnWgqo

Translated lyrics: https://lyricstranslate.com/en/utveszto-maze.html

Voyager (Australia) - Colours - Sean S

Voyager represented Australia in 2023 with their song “Promise,” and everything was alright for them as they placed 9th in the contest. Being huge fans of Eurovision, they had attempted to represent their country twice before—in 2020, with their song “Runaway,” and in 2022, with “Dreamer.”

Voyager first formed in 1999, though the current configuration of members came to be in 2011, with lead singer Danny Estrin being the only member present since the band’s inception. “Colours” is from their 2019 album “Colours in the Sun,” an album that leans slightly more into their prog-rock sound rather than prog-metal. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reFRCJzHN8I 

Duncan Laurence (The Netherlands) - Sleeping on the Phone - Ilya M

Duncan Laurence, the winner of Eurovision 2019, has a real talent for making you feel something with his music, and "Sleeping on the Phone" is a great example of that. The song is simple—just his voice and a gentle melody—but that's what makes it so powerful. It captures that feeling of being far away from someone you love, missing them so much that you just want to hear their voice, even if it’s through a phone line.

There’s something really honest about it, like he's letting you in on a personal moment. When I listen to this song, it feels like Duncan is sitting right next to me, sharing that quiet, lonely space. It’s the kind of song you put on when you’re feeling a bit down and want to know you’re not alone in feeling that way. Give it a listen and enjoy this stunning live version!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUsrmZpJ4eM

Celine Dion (Switzerland) - My Heart Will Go On - Jose LA

How can we not recognize this song? If you are a 90’s kid, you would have probably attempted to belt at the top of your lungs the part where Celine sang the words “there’s naaaahhhhhthing I fear”. This song is instrumental because it made the artist a household name worldwide. Yes, she released tons of songs before this, but this song marked her as one of the divas in the field of music. This made her THE Celine Dion. And she will forever have a special place in my heart because of this song and the movie Titanic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bFHsd3o1w0

Alvan (France) - Magma - Bronson T

Alvan’s debut album “Magma” was my favourite release of 2022, and while the entire thing is worth a listen, apart from his Eurovision song “Fulenn”, my favourite song off the album is the title track. Containing Alvan’s signature ukelele sound (that he also brought with him on stage at ESC!), “Magma” is a hypnotic, almost trance-like listen that wouldn’t sound out of place on the dancefloor at a nightclub.

It’s electronic pop excellence complete with a rocking guitar solo at the end, sure to redeem any disappointment of where he and Ahez finished in Turin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2DDtW25674

https://f4.bcbits.com/img/0023398249_10.jpg

Sam Ryder (United Kingdom) - Mountain - Dexter T

I thought it was a solid follow up to Space Man and just in time for his performance at the 2023 Eurovision Grand Final in Liverpool. The lyrics is just empowering and singing it makes me feel that I can overcome any obstacles ahead of me. Cliche I know. His voice shines as always and the composition is rather catchy as well. Overall solid follow up.

https://youtu.be/Iszl2jfuXsY?si=_iIefWtb_mO787-o

Vanilla Ninja (Switzerland) - Encore - Luc SG

Vanilla Ninja... the Estonian group who represented Switzerland in 2005 with "Cool Vibes" never stopped releasing music.  There have been many changes in personnel within the group, but the music never stopped.  Shoot forward 16 years, and their 2021 comeback was a tour de force.  The title track of their album, "Encore", was musically fabulous... Sweeping synths and beats with a build to a fantastic payoff that sent shivers up the spine... This may have been the last thing they have done, but what a perfect curtain call.

YouTube:  https://youtu.be/kKJWu3gUHq0?si=X9_tRT23kBUr_o4F

Patrick Juvet (Switzerland) - I Love America - Patrick V

Model-cum-singer/songwriter Patrick Juvet (1973, 12th place) found his most enduring success as a disco king, co-writing his 1978 hit “I Love America” with Village People founders Jacques Morali and Victor Willis.

Juvet’s echoing falsetto, the wide-eyed joy of exploring New York, and the breezy hook-filled melody have made this a favorite discovery of mine.

Juvet worked in other styles and scored one film.  Fun fact: he collaborated with two of Charlotte Rampling’s husbands (Brian Southcombe & Jean-Michel Jarre).  But nothing would top his definitive song, later sampled in English house duo Full Intention’s “America (I Love America),” climbing the charts once more.

I Love America- Patrick Juvet