Eurovision 2022
May. 17th, 2022 02:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
hermionesviolinI've really gotta add Eurovision to my calendar in future years.
Thom and I had a couple of watch parties we could have attended, but we had already made plans to visit my parents on Saturday evening for Mother's Day Observed (my mom was in St. Louis for actual Mother's Day weekend, to visit the grandkids). Said grandkids got my mom sick, so we'll have to reschedule, but I forgot about Eurovision as a backup plan until that evening, so we started watching it on delay.
We were having trouble with the Swedish stream (what movie night uses), so I tried to find a US stream, and learned the official Eurovision website conveniently links to pages about each artist/song, complete with lyrics (incl English translation) -- which was really helpful since I often struggle to understand even English lyrics, tbh. Though it also tells where people placed, so since voting had ended by the time we got through the first 12, I def got spoiled. It also includes pronouns for the participants, which I appreciated.
(In case anyone cares, we did end up back on the Swedish stream.)
You can read my takes below the cut.
I think my favorite Eurovision draws on elements of the country's specific heritage and makes it feel contemporary and fun. I am sometimes here for the just full-on wacky. I am not really interested in sad "I miss my ex" songs.
(Asterisks indicate the Big 5 -- who automatically get to go to the Finals because they pay a lot of money. Which I learned thanks to my partner having skimmed the Wiki during the voting portion to try to figure out how many votes were up for allocation for the popular vote portion -- spoilers, the answer is: basically the same as the jury vote.)
1. Czech Republic: We Are Domi – Lights Off
2. Romania: WRS – Llámame
A little confused why this was so Spanish, but it was good. Also somewhat bisexual (I feel like there was maybe less queerness in this Eurovision than some years?).
3. Portugal: MARO – Saudade, Saudade
Thom (who lived in Brazil) was like, "This is very Portuguese, I'm here for it," (told me about the fado tradition) and also, "I'm also here for this lesbian song circle."
4. Finland: The Rasmus – Jezebel
me, as soon as this started: "wtf this creepy dude with the yellow balloon? I mean, it's very Eurovision..."
From the Eurovision website: "They have taken on a new guitarist, Emppu, who launched her own career in the late ‘90s in Finnish girl band Tiktak."
She was A Lot, but clearly having a great time...
I could do without the use of the term "jezebel" pretty much ever, but this was a good lyric:
6. * France: Alvan & Ahez – Fulenn
This was so good.
very Celtic, very witchy, here for it
omfg, amaze
Thom: "Does the wolf want grandma's banana?"
marginaliana said, "I didn't really think that Norway would win it, since gimmick songs are fading out in popularity as an actual winner these days. [...] Also, Subwoolfer have made a song about Turin using the music to Jolene, and it is magnificent." [Eurovision this year was hosted in Turin, Italy.]
8. Armenia: Rosa Linn – Snap
I didn't love the staging of this (squares of white cloth as decor?), but there's some smart lyricism:
Probably the gayest of this year's finalists?
10. * Spain: Chanel – SloMo
The song is really upbeat, so I was confused by the title, but reading the English translation of the lyrics I understood where it came from:
Nice riff on "deep" in the lyrics:
So good!
The empty drum kit in the background was a nicely evocative set piece, and eventually it occurred to me that, oh yeah, because of the "We used to be the rockstars" lyric (which keeps getting stuck in my head).
14. Lithuania: Monika Liu – Sentimentai
very cabaret singer
15. Azerbaijan: Nadir Rustamli – Fade To Black
16. Belgium: Jérémie Makiese – Miss You
17. Greece: Amanda Georgiadi Tenfjord – Die Together
Thom was like, "She's gonna kill him at the end, right?" (lyrics: "I won‘t lose you for another / And if we die together now / I will hold you till forever")
Eurovision website: "When she’s not making music, Amanda studies medicine and has been doing her placement in a hospital for COVID-19 patients."
Uh, yeah, that sure explains this lyric:
Sisters are strong trans rights activists (came out with trans flags in the intro), so we like them.
Thom got Riley from sense8 vibes.
19. Moldova: Zdob si Zdub & Advahov Brothers – Trenulețul
The Eurovision website said, "Zdob si Zdub are a band who have become just as infamous for their spectacular live shows, as they have for their catchy, sing-along tunes." They were not quite as good as Ukraine, but very high-energy, catchy
20. Sweden: Cornelia Jakobs – Hold Me Closer
She looks like Celine Dion, and I, a troll, kept saying, "Hold me closer, tiny dancer."
I didn't understand the green lighting choice. It pivoted to more angry at the end, and I appreciated the accompanying pivot to red light.
21. Australia: Sheldon Riley – Not The Same
"Speaking about his Eurovision entry, the Ozzie says: ‘It is the story I never thought I’d ever feel I’d be able to tell. Written from the memories of a child who at age 6 was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. Growing up in public housing, moving from home to home, unaware of my sexuality, among a deeply religious family. A path already laid that I would never be able to properly understand or interact with other people’."
22. * United Kingdom: Sam Ryder – SPACE MAN
Uh, this is not good? Everyone hates the UK, right? Why did this do so well?
Thom noted this was like the opposite of "Major Tom" -- where Major Tom just kind of floats away, but this person is up in space but wants to come back down.
23. Poland: Ochman – River
24. Serbia: Konstrakta – In Corpore Sano
"As a solo artist, Konstrakta is interested in contemporary social and emotional phenomena. Her song In Corpore Sano has been interpreted by some as a critique of the Serbian healthcare system and a satire on unattainable beauty standards."
The screen flashed English translations of the lyrics at times, which did not always match the English translation lyrics on the official Eurovision website -- like, the website says "men(s)" when it should say "mind" /o\
25. Estonia: Stefan – Hope
Aww, earnest cowboy -- sepia tone, even.
Thom and I had a couple of watch parties we could have attended, but we had already made plans to visit my parents on Saturday evening for Mother's Day Observed (my mom was in St. Louis for actual Mother's Day weekend, to visit the grandkids). Said grandkids got my mom sick, so we'll have to reschedule, but I forgot about Eurovision as a backup plan until that evening, so we started watching it on delay.
We were having trouble with the Swedish stream (what movie night uses), so I tried to find a US stream, and learned the official Eurovision website conveniently links to pages about each artist/song, complete with lyrics (incl English translation) -- which was really helpful since I often struggle to understand even English lyrics, tbh. Though it also tells where people placed, so since voting had ended by the time we got through the first 12, I def got spoiled. It also includes pronouns for the participants, which I appreciated.
(In case anyone cares, we did end up back on the Swedish stream.)
You can read my takes below the cut.
I think my favorite Eurovision draws on elements of the country's specific heritage and makes it feel contemporary and fun. I am sometimes here for the just full-on wacky. I am not really interested in sad "I miss my ex" songs.
(Asterisks indicate the Big 5 -- who automatically get to go to the Finals because they pay a lot of money. Which I learned thanks to my partner having skimmed the Wiki during the voting portion to try to figure out how many votes were up for allocation for the popular vote portion -- spoilers, the answer is: basically the same as the jury vote.)
1. Czech Republic: We Are Domi – Lights Off
2. Romania: WRS – Llámame
A little confused why this was so Spanish, but it was good. Also somewhat bisexual (I feel like there was maybe less queerness in this Eurovision than some years?).
3. Portugal: MARO – Saudade, Saudade
Thom (who lived in Brazil) was like, "This is very Portuguese, I'm here for it," (told me about the fado tradition) and also, "I'm also here for this lesbian song circle."
4. Finland: The Rasmus – Jezebel
me, as soon as this started: "wtf this creepy dude with the yellow balloon? I mean, it's very Eurovision..."
From the Eurovision website: "They have taken on a new guitarist, Emppu, who launched her own career in the late ‘90s in Finnish girl band Tiktak."
She was A Lot, but clearly having a great time...
I could do without the use of the term "jezebel" pretty much ever, but this was a good lyric:
At night you turn into a tiger5. Switzerland: Marius Bear – Boys Do Cry
A girl who looks like she‘s a boy
The world‘s most ultimate survivor
6. * France: Alvan & Ahez – Fulenn
This was so good.
very Celtic, very witchy, here for it
Alvan is a multi-instrumentalist electro artist from the French region of Brittany; the same place vocal group Ahez hail from.7. Norway: Subwoolfer – Give That Wolf A Banana
As an artist, Alvan loves to mix different genres within his own music, and despite his sound mostly being rooted in electronica, he also uses a lot of traditional chants and organic elements in his hybrid compositions.
Ahez (Marine, Sterenn and Stereen) are a traditional vocal group who aim to showcase their regional heritage through music, by writing and singing in their native language, Breton. In their songs, they tell contemporary stories that reference the ancient myths of Brittany.
Alvan & Ahez have made it known they want to show that tradition is not something stuck in the past; rather, it is constantly evolving.
omfg, amaze
Thom: "Does the wolf want grandma's banana?"
marginaliana said, "I didn't really think that Norway would win it, since gimmick songs are fading out in popularity as an actual winner these days. [...] Also, Subwoolfer have made a song about Turin using the music to Jolene, and it is magnificent." [Eurovision this year was hosted in Turin, Italy.]8. Armenia: Rosa Linn – Snap
I didn't love the staging of this (squares of white cloth as decor?), but there's some smart lyricism:
They said just snap your fingers9. * Italy: Mahmood & Blanco – Brividi
As if it was really that easy
For me to get over you
I just need time
Snappin‘ 1, 2, where are you?
You‘re still in my heart
Snappin 3, 4, don‘t need you here anymore
Get out of my heart
‘Cause I might snap
Probably the gayest of this year's finalists?
10. * Spain: Chanel – SloMo
The song is really upbeat, so I was confused by the title, but reading the English translation of the lyrics I understood where it came from:
Take a video11. Netherlands: S10 – De Diepte
Watch it slo mo, mo, mo, mo, mo
Booty hypnotic
Make you want more, more, more, more, more
Nice riff on "deep" in the lyrics:
Out here in the deep12. Ukraine: Kalush Orchestra – Stefania
I keep on hearing your name
Oeoeo
Aaah
Oh my dear, what am I supposed to do?
I‘m in too deep and and don‘t want to let you go
So good!
Kalush Orchestra is a Ukrainian hip-hop band that combines ethnic motifs with modern sounds using different folk instruments.13. * Germany: Malik Harris – Rockstars
The band was named after the Ukrainian city of Kalush. Set in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, it serves as a mascot that inspires the band to involve different folk elements and authentic Ukrainian music within their songs. Moreover, it is the hometown of band member Oleh Psiuk.
Their Eurovision entry, Stefania, is a tribute to Oleh’s mother, which she only heard for the very first time when she saw the band compete in Ukraine’s Eurovision selection show, Vidbir.
The empty drum kit in the background was a nicely evocative set piece, and eventually it occurred to me that, oh yeah, because of the "We used to be the rockstars" lyric (which keeps getting stuck in my head).
14. Lithuania: Monika Liu – Sentimentai
very cabaret singer
15. Azerbaijan: Nadir Rustamli – Fade To Black
16. Belgium: Jérémie Makiese – Miss You
17. Greece: Amanda Georgiadi Tenfjord – Die Together
Thom was like, "She's gonna kill him at the end, right?" (lyrics: "I won‘t lose you for another / And if we die together now / I will hold you till forever")
Eurovision website: "When she’s not making music, Amanda studies medicine and has been doing her placement in a hospital for COVID-19 patients."
Uh, yeah, that sure explains this lyric:
It‘s been a lovely year for us18. Iceland: Systur – Með Hækkandi Sól
Yeah that‘s what they say
It‘s been a hell of a year
And we‘ve been living in fear
Close to giving up
Sisters are strong trans rights activists (came out with trans flags in the intro), so we like them.
Thom got Riley from sense8 vibes.
19. Moldova: Zdob si Zdub & Advahov Brothers – Trenulețul
The Eurovision website said, "Zdob si Zdub are a band who have become just as infamous for their spectacular live shows, as they have for their catchy, sing-along tunes." They were not quite as good as Ukraine, but very high-energy, catchy
Folklore and Rock ‘n’ roll.(Chisinau is the capital of Moldova.)
The train’s route is East to West
Chisinau – Bucharest!
20. Sweden: Cornelia Jakobs – Hold Me Closer
She looks like Celine Dion, and I, a troll, kept saying, "Hold me closer, tiny dancer."
I didn't understand the green lighting choice. It pivoted to more angry at the end, and I appreciated the accompanying pivot to red light.
21. Australia: Sheldon Riley – Not The Same
"Speaking about his Eurovision entry, the Ozzie says: ‘It is the story I never thought I’d ever feel I’d be able to tell. Written from the memories of a child who at age 6 was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. Growing up in public housing, moving from home to home, unaware of my sexuality, among a deeply religious family. A path already laid that I would never be able to properly understand or interact with other people’."
22. * United Kingdom: Sam Ryder – SPACE MAN
Uh, this is not good? Everyone hates the UK, right? Why did this do so well?
Thom noted this was like the opposite of "Major Tom" -- where Major Tom just kind of floats away, but this person is up in space but wants to come back down.
23. Poland: Ochman – River
24. Serbia: Konstrakta – In Corpore Sano
"As a solo artist, Konstrakta is interested in contemporary social and emotional phenomena. Her song In Corpore Sano has been interpreted by some as a critique of the Serbian healthcare system and a satire on unattainable beauty standards."
The screen flashed English translations of the lyrics at times, which did not always match the English translation lyrics on the official Eurovision website -- like, the website says "men(s)" when it should say "mind" /o\
25. Estonia: Stefan – Hope
Aww, earnest cowboy -- sepia tone, even.
no subject
Date: 2022-05-20 10:21 am (UTC)