Tran-Ye Countsdown!

Continuing on from our last post, here are our Top 5 songs from semi-final one!!!

Let’s begin with a song that didn’t exactly excite me at first, in fact, i was quite unimpressed with it! What a difference two months can make! This is now one of my favourites in the contest, and whilst I maintain that it really isn’t up to the same standard as many other songs in terms of production, lyrics and musicality, the singer has three reveals, so hey, why not give it a chance? Coming in at number five is Latvia’s contestant Anmary and her song, “Beautiful Song” – just give it a chance!

Next up is another song which has grown on me a lot over the past months, Finland – represented by Pernilla Karlsson and her song, “Nar Jag Blundar”. I watched their selection live this year, and remember thinking, what is this drivel, and what is that wench on stage doing? Since then, it has grown on me so much that I am practically fluent in Swedish, at least for three minutes and when discussing Blundar… It really is a beautiful song, and I think that if they can get the staging right on the night, it will impress many!

In at number three is a country yet to win the contest, but have their best opportunity yet, Romania! This year they have sent Mandinga and their song “Zaleilah” – I don’t know what that means, and I am told it doesn’t actually mean anything, but hey, this is a fantastic pop song which is predicted to become a summer hit over in (Eastern) Europe… There is a lot going on, but my personal favourite is the high kneed accordion player!

Jedward are back, back, BACK this year, and they even have waterworks! Their song isn’t quite as instantly likable as last year, but their presence and following means they are one to watch. They will be performing last in this semi-final, and that in itself should see them through to the final! Also, I am deadly serious about the waterworks, they have brought a fountain to Azerbaijan, how great is that! Here is their song for Eurovision 2012, “Waterline”:

Topping our list of songs from the first semi-final is a country which always gives us pretty fab tunes, and this year is no different. Iceland have decided to send back Jonsi (who competed in 2004) with Greta Salome (and her fiddle) and their song “Never Forget” is absolutely incredible! The film clip to this is intense, with fabulous footage of Iceland coupled with the music at just the right times. Also, Jonsi is absolutely gorgeous, which makes viewing pretty easy! One to watch this year indeed!

Remember,if you are in Brisbane on the 27th of May come along to Schlagerfest Brisbane’s first official Eurovision party! All proceeds raised will go directly to Healthy Communities!

Until next time! Happy Schlagering!!!

Eurovision Catch-Up – Part 1

So, an awful lot has happened since our last update, eleven songs worth in fact! So over three parts we will update the latest songs to be added for our pleasure in May! If you are super keen tickets to the final actually went on sale…you just need flights, a hotel, and a visa…

First up is Slovakia, and the incredibly delicious Max Jason Mai. His song “Don’t Close Your Eyes” is a harder song than we are used to on the Schlager Party, but it is growing on us. It is no Twiins but hey, after last year’s debacle I’m sure Europe doesnt care. Here is Max Jason Mai, with “Dont Close Your Eyes”.

Next up is Romania and Mandinga with “Zaleilah”. Thank goodness for Romania, every year they give us a song that even if we don’t love it, still gets us happy. Well we REALLY LIKE Romania this year. It may not rock our socks off, but we would love it in the final to get us dancing. and it has PINK PANTS AND BAGPIPES! Fab, fab, FABBB!!!! Here is Mandinga, with “Zaleilah”.

Portugal are back again, this year they have decided to try, which is nice of them and have sent a pretty decent ballad. Not our favourite of the year, and to be frank, it really isn’t going to be too many people’s favourites either. Oh well. here is Filipa Sousa with “Vida Minha”.

Finally in this first catch-up is Moldova with Pasha Parfeny with “Lăutar”. Moldova have a history of sending some cooky but fun entries, and once again they achieve this. Not entirely sure what is going on here, but I am glad it isn’t (ANOTHER) dreary ballad. Entirely listenable, here is Pasha Parfeny with Lăutar.

Until next time!

❤ Tran-Ye.