Its that time of the year again. That time that half the Maltese population loves and the other half hates. Yes its MaltaSong for Europe time, or as they call it today: The Malta Eurovision Song Contest.
So yes, this is a Eurovision post so if you can’t stand Eurovision, this is your time to leave.
To start off, I have a confession to make... I’m an ex-Eurovision addict. The ‘Ex’ plays an important role here. Till a couple of years ago, I used to live Eurovision all year round. I could tell you who won the Eurovision every year since 2000 and on the night of the actual Eurovision, I would already know the lyrics to most of the songs, even the ones in Russian and Polish. Yes it was that bad. This was the pre-Facebook era, so instead of Facebook and Twitter, my Internet entertainment was a couple of Eurovision websites. I sucked.
Now I’m over it; so over it in fact that I have to think hard to remember were this year’s Eurovision Song Contest is going to be held. Azerbaijan.... I think! But still when its Eurovision time, I interest myself and this year with the overload of promotion that the Malta Eurovision Song Contest got on local television, I’m getting quite into it, though still not as much as a few years ago.
Unfortunately over the last few years Malta’s performance has just dropped down and down, and only one thing is to blame... the song choice. Every year the choice of songs at the Malta Eurovision Song Contest gets worse and worse and we end up having to chose a winner from one or 2 good songs. This year I have to say, I was expecting a much higher level of songs than previous year, but I was slightly disappointed. There were a few standout songs, but the rest were pretty average, maybe just a little bit better than last year.
Being Saturday afternoon, we know who the final 16 are, but here is what I thought of the 24 songs in the semi-final and who I think deserved to make it through to tonight’s show. For those of you who didn’t watch last night’s show, click on the names of the songs to hear them. The song titles written within stars are the actual finalists.
*Seven Days - Danica Muscat*
The song isn’t too bad but the background piano is way too loud over the singer’s voice. Overall a pretty plain performance, not really a stand out song.
*You Are My Life - J. Anvil*
I usually hate Janvil, J.Anvil, or whatever his name is, but this year he brought a new style to the show and I like it compared to his old cabaret style which got boring after 5 years. The song isn’t catchy enough and please Janvil, loose the awkward finger clicking at the beginning of the song.
I liked this song and it got better when the backing vocalists started singing. They pulled the song together. It’s definitely not winning material but a good effort. Not bottom 8 material.
*Take Me Far - Francesca Borg*
The music to this song needs work. I think a more chaotic track would have made it modern and different. Basically had the music matched the city street scene in the background, the song would have been much better.
*No Way Back – Klinsmann*
He cleans up nicely, thank God! I like the song. It sounds a bit Ed Sheeran-ish in the beginning though his accent sounds a bit fake. Could do well.
*Look At Me Now - Richard Edwards*
I loved Richard last year and thought he would have done a much better job than Glen at the Eurovision. This year his song isn’t as good as last year but it’s still a good quality. In my opinion he needs to forget about the Eurovision and release music for radio. He’s a star fading into Eurovision mediocrity.
Whoop It Up - Annalise Ellul
I love Annalise too much to say anything bad about her but I must. The beginning of the song is bad and we first impressions last much longer than 3 minutes. Over all the song needs a lot of work but again, I love her too much to hate anything she does. The song gets much better as it builds and the refrain is catchy but the lyrics are lame and somewhat childish. The dancing is great, and I was impressed at how she managed to dance so much and sing well. Have I mentioned that I love her? Deserved to make the Final.
*This is the Night - Kurt Calleja*
Love it! Modern, fresh and catchy. I heard it a couple of weeks ago and it was stuck in my head for a week! Its new and upbeat and I love the music to it.
DNA – Romina Mamo
I don’t love it but I like it. I don’t see how it didn’t make the final 16. Romina’s accent was a bit exaggerated especially when she says ‘DNA’ but the song is very catchy and I think it could have done well at the Eurovision. In my opinion it was one of the best of the night.
Can’t Get Away - Nadine Bartolo
I liked the song; especially the music to it but it definitely wasn’t one of the best songs. My biggest problem with it is her; she’s so awkward on stage! Its like she doesn’t know what to do with herself.
*In Your Eyes - Lawrence Gray*
I really like Lawrence; he looks like a really nice guy, but when I watch him sing I can’t get over how disproportionate his head and his body are to each other. The song is normal, getting powerful towards the end but even then it doesn’t stand out as much as it needs to.
*First Time - Kaya*
One question: how did THIS make it through to the final? The song is boring, not disastrous but definitely not final-worthy. Kaya aka Priscilla Psaila needs to stick to singing happy, political related, mass meeting songs.
*Pure - Claudia Faniello*
My favourite song of the night. A classic ballad that always does well at Eurovision. Felt quite Italian, maybe her Italian roots gave me that vibe. A good song sung by a good singer, written and composed by the Vella-Borg duo, it doesn’t get any better.
Dance Romance - Jessica Muscat
A bad version of Born this Way, especially in the beginning; I mean, she starts off by looking in a mirror and talking about doing her makeup, or something like that. It’s the kind of song I imagine representing Bulgaria and placing 20-something.
*Time - Wayne Micallef*
I liked the beginning of the song (apparently I liked the beginning of a lot of songs), but when the music steps up it loses it. It got better towards the end.
*Autobiography - Dorothy Bezzina*
I love it! The song is structured really well, the vocals are great and the song is catchy and flowing. If it wins, at the Eurovision they have to do like Sweden did a about 2 years ago and give everyone in the audience a blue-green glow stick to bring out the jungle-ish-echo-y feel.
*Petals On A Rose - Gianni Zammit*
Different from usual Eurovision material and the song is good, but there’s something about it that I don’t like. It’s definitely not the fact that it’s a rock song, I just can’t put my finger on it.
*I Will Fight For You - Fabrizio Faniello*
Typical Fabrizio material. He hasn’t changed since 2001, or if he did, he got worse. My biggest problem with the song is that it sounds like a love song, but it’s dedicated to his father. Ok it’s a sweet concept but a 30 year old man singing a song to his father is just wrong. Fab, you’re not nine anymore dear.
While Her Eyes Still Glow - Janice Mangion
Plain, boring, could barely hear her sing. My sister fell asleep. She can sing very well but the song just doesn’t do it for me.
I Want To Run Away - Eleanor Cassar
One of the better (not best) songs of the night so I don’t see why it didn’t make the final. I would have thought she’d place fourth just because the people love her. Its very Eurovision, which today isn’t a good thing. The last time a typical Eurovision song won the Eurovision was probably in 2006.
*Mystifying Eyes - Corazon*
A slow and calm song, but in a good way. Its not a great song but its a very good effort and I liked it.
*You Make Me Go Uh Uh - Deborah C ft. Leila James*
I liked this song mostly because its catchy. It isn’t a great song and wouldn’t do well at Eurovision because its pretty average. Deborah C needs to engage better with the song, camera and audience. She has to remember this is Eurovision not Ħadd Għalik. The costumes seemed air-hostess inspired so it would have been nice to develop that into a theme for the performance. Also, change the name to ‘You Make Me Go Ooh Ooh’ please; ‘Uh Uh’ just sound wrong, especially when people read it out.
Still Waiting - Anna Azzopardi
A much better song than the one she sung last year in fact, I can’t even remember last year’s song. Still it’s not up to standard and it’s pretty forgettable.
*Answer With Your Eyes - Amber*
I really like Amber’s style and her voice and accent/pronunciation. I’m not sure about the song; it’s different. It might work well, but it might not work at all. I give it a thumbs up especially for the mysterious, Bond feel.
I have to comment about Elaine and Ron, the presenters of the night, or more importantly about what Elaine was wearing. Now I’m no fashion expert, but that outfit was hideous! Whoever styled her should be fired yesterday! The jump suit was ok, but the pink gloves and super tight pony tail made her look like she was washing dishes. Not the look you want to present the Malta Eurovision Song Contest in. It was good that when Ron commented about it, she took it lightly and laughed with him.
So, tonight’s the final night. My top 3 are:
1. Claudia Faniello
2. Dorothy Bezzina
3. Kurt Calleja
However the judges always tend to mess something up along the way (I mean they gave maximum points to Lynn Chircop in 2003!) so since they have more votes than the public, my predictions are:
1. Claudia Faniello
2. Gianni
3. Dorothy Bezzina
Anyways at the end of the night, may the best song win and do us proud in Baku!
Ed.
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