Eurovision Semi Final 2: Song Preview

Yes, I promised. I said I’d write a preview of semi final two and since the semi finals start tomorrow there is no time like the present. Remember, my views on the Big 5 and Switzerland are being kept back for a separate post. I could bore you with a long introduction about how I think this one will be a bit less competitive but let’s get on with the preview and start with the most European country of them all… Australia!

Australia
The lyric “When I say ‘sweet, sweet’ you say yum yum” produces memories of Honey G in X Factor that I didn’t realise I still had in my memory bank. Let’s face it, this is one of several entries in this semi final which provides incredibly suggestive lyrics. However, it is a lot of fun. Go-Jo is trying to inspire people to become the proudest and loudest version of themselves. Having met him, he is adorable – and the energy he exudes is truly remarkable. This was my favourite entry when it came out, and although it’s slipped back a little now, it is an infectious number which will leave you with a smile on your face.

Montenegro
And the slot of death goes to… Nina Zizic! I love the entrance to this song – it invokes the idea of Bond, or a dramatic television moment. This is a song with gravitas and depth, and it makes for a really strong ballad. Staged right, this one has a lot of potential and will definitely have everyone at home entranced. The only issue is that being on so early, she might not qualify….

Ireland
Hot on the heels from last year’s Doomsday Blues comes Emmy (of Witch Woods MGP fame) singing Laika Party. This is high energy, silver (think Iceland from SF1 with more style) and incredibly bouncy. We try during this not to think about the inspiration of this song i.e. the dog that got sent into space and died; but instead think of the party in the sky. She has been to so many preview parties and national finals this year I cannot express highly enough the fact I think Ireland should do the double and qualify this year. It’s just high energy, vaguely innocent and will leave you smiling. What more could you want!

Latvia
Six girls in harmony. The introduction to this reminds me in some ways of some divine chanting which is quite good, and the constant drumbeat in the background as a constant works very well. There is an almost ethereal nature to this which is very enjoyable. As for qualification, I’m afraid I don’t rate its chances – but it’s quite endearing.

Armenia
Survivor! Parg from Armenia is no Destiny’s Child (there’s one for the youth…) but delivers a rocky, high energy number that I think derives its style from Finland’s Cha Cha Cha (2023) or Croatia’s Rim Tim Tagi Dim (2024). In fact when I first heard this at Eurovision in Concert preview party, I thought this had instant qualification and 2nd place wrapped up for the grand final. It’s got a great beat and you can rock out to it. Unfortunately it would appear that despite most Eurovision fans tolerating a title that bears not a lot of sense, they can’t handle lyrics that rhyme ‘Survivour’ with ‘Aliver’. Which is a shame, because I quite like it!

Austria
Nothing turns me off a song more that to see Euro-fandom wanking all over an entry, telling me I should like it straight away because it’s amazing. And with that we arrive at JJ who sings ‘Wasted Love’ for Austria. This guy has an amazing voice. It is falsetto, high and an exceptional delivery live. The song is a ballad for about 2 minutes before it goes into a dance break. Those that may have seen the 20s previews of this song will probably have heard the dance break rather than the 2 minutes of falsetto opera that goes before it – and this is my point. Decent song, but whilst the voice is strong enough to hook the casual viewer, the two minutes of ballad that follows the initial burst possibly won’t. Anyway, along with Sweden this is one of the favourites to win. I’m going to throw myself out there and say if this qualifies it will probably do well – but I won’t be picking up my phone to vote for it either. Some people said the rehearsals invoked memories of France 2011 – ‘Songu’… and if anyone has memories of that you’ll know what the greatest danger is on the night. Good luck, JJ.

Greece
When you first hear this it is like being transported back to a mid-1990s Greek entry. However it quickly develops into something a bit more modern and dramatic with some good added drumbeats. Klavdia has a fabulous voice which sells the song well, the only thing that concerns me is the amount of time it takes the song to really get going. Will an audience wait around until 1 minute 30 seconds for the song to really kick in?

Lithuania
It’s hard to think just 4 years ago we were all over the Roop as Lithuania deliver this entry that has the darkness that some entries have gone for this year, sung by someone who reminds me vocally of the lead singer from Snow Patrol. Repetitive and slow, this song waits a while to get going in an emo rock fashion. It makes for a very long three minutes. Sorry, Lithuania – not this year.

Malta
How do you elevate a song above it’s natural position? Create controversy – and that’s exactly what’s been served here with a song that originally should have been called ‘Kant’ (read as if it sees you next Tuesday). Let’s be honest, this is lots and lots of fun, and should go down well in the hall. Miriana is a brilliant singer, and delivers this with a fabulous amount of sass. Watch out for what has become the iconic dance with the ball as well. It’s been very TikTok famous!

Georgia
Another ballad incoming, this time from Georgia. It’s got another drumbeat that is persistent and constant throughout the track which drives the melody on, and the singer has a lovely voice. When it kicks into the second third, the melody swings and reminds me of a rather old fashioned ballad from the 1940s or 1950s. I’m picturing smoke filled jazz clubs at this point. I like it – I just don’t think people will pick up their phones and vote for it.

Denmark
Sissal! Hallucination! Where do we start. The poor Danes have not qualified for the grand final in what feels like has been an age. This year they have sent the amazing Sissal – and yes I’m biased, This is a fabulous track with some lovely vocals and is consistently upbeat throughout. It’s one of those songs you listen to and immediately like. I cannot express how much I hope this will bring home the bacon for Denmark this year – and allow them to eat those bacon sandwiches watching the first Danish entry in the final since Leonora sat on a big chair in Tel Aviv telling everyone that Love is Forever. Fingers crossed!

Czechia
With a delightful swing beat, a hint of drama this song bursts on to the stage. This is the second song I could imagine as a Bond-esque anthem. Kiss Kiss Goodbye is simple dramatic pop which is bound to go down well in the hall. A good vocal on the night and I can’t not see this in the final!

Luxembourg
Do you remember 1965? Frances Gall? Laura Thorn sings ‘La poupee monte le son’ which is seen as a homage or sequel to her winning entry. Spoiler alert – this won’t win. However with an outfit that looks a bit like a doll, a catchy hook, and some groovy dance moves this is another song I think will get through to the final.

Israel
New Day Will Rise is the Israeli entry this year. In any other circumstance we could be touting this as a winner. Impressive vocals, massive climax to the song. If you had a shopping list of what makes a great ballad then this would probably be it. However, as much as I like Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest, I think Israel winning the contest would be a controversy too far. I wish the singer all the best.

Serbia
Michelle loves Princ’s hair. I just had to mention that. Anyway, it’s another ballad. This one is about his cat or so I am told. Big ballad, alas with no key change, Princ belts this out with true force. There is obviously a reason why this has been picked to go on as the penultimate song. This is a massive, brilliant, Serbian ballad. The big question is, in what is a very varied semi final, will it do enough to qualify? I rate this which is probably the kiss of death.

Finland
This is what Eurovision fans have been waiting for, for around 5 years. Erika Vickman is here – and boy is she here! Ich Komme is an absolute banger. She has bags of stage presence, and I have it on good authority that some of the more sexually suggestive elements of the performance might be turned down. This is going to go massive in the hall and will leave people wanting more. If Europe goes for fun, and rejects ballads then this is going to be a potential WINNER!

OK – let’s throw out my predictions – as wrong as they maybe. Who do I think will qualify? Australia, Ireland, Armenia, Austria, Greece, Malta, Denmark, Luxembourg, Israel and Finland. Though this was a lot harder to pick than semi final one. Some of these performances will live and die by their performances. It certainly won’t be dull at any rate!

Eurovision: Semi Final 2 takes place today (15th May) from 8pm BST/9pm CET and is available to watch on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK.