Glad I was able to point you this time even if just the one! I loved your last entry also, a shame that DNQed </3

Bailen "I Was Wrong"

126

 

Discovered: The Summit

Semifinal Result: 28th

This entry had been at least a year in the waiting! I had two Bailen songs that I really liked and wanted to test the waters by sending them to Nuggets first. Naturally there was an extra-long break between Nuggets contests, but it was worth the wait as 'Your Love Is All I Know' did reasonably well there! 'I Was Wrong' is actually my fave, but didn't seem rock-y enough for Nuggets, so here it was representing Harmonica in BJSC. Thought it might actually stand a chance with so many countries having to send their backup entries this time, but alas my strategy didn't pay off :lol: Back to the drawing board we go!

Georgia Lines "Same Things"

127

 

Discovered: ZM

 

My expectations weren't big and I didn't feel like trying to build some hype, but lo and behold there are fans out there :o Harmonica is rejoicing as we find ourselves in the final! Nice to see a midtempo entry not get lost in the shuffle of more attention-grabbing songs. Much love to the semi 2 voters :heart:

Georgia Lines "Same Things"

127

 

Discovered: ZM

Semifinal Result: 11th

Final Result: 25th - 157 points

 

Voters

18 points: POPHub, Sandenia

13 points: Singerpurear

12 points: Chestoria, Mosquetania

11 points: Hushkanukia

10 points: Jupiterdonia

9 points: Scherzland

8 points: Aelandor, Greenfroze, United States of Jack

7 points: Altyr Muunilinst

6 points: Oslol

4 points: Caerfyrddia, Daehun, Tartford

3 points: Beaverdonia

2 points: New Lexico

 

To think just a few less points would've landed us in 26th for the third time this year ;o Well our next entry has been selected and once again not sure how it'll do, but it is an artist that 99% of y'all will know. Hope you enjoy it.

Le Youth "Swimming"

128

 

Discovered: Rock FM Lusaka

Hoping this entry is a pleasant surprise for those who remember Le Youth from several years ago but hadn't listened to them since then - it sure was for me! The original version is about a minute longer but this one seemed better suited for BJSC. Not that something so subtle and understated is a recipe for a hit but hey, here we are in the final (again)! Would love for it to beat our current YTD peak of 25th :o

Le Youth "Swimming"

128

 

Discovered: Rock FM Lusaka

Semifinal Result: 7th

Final Result: 21st - 187 points

 

Voters

15 points: Aelandor, Jupiterdonia

13 points: Danaeviia, East Rukahavian, Mulgracia

12 points: United States of Jack

11 points: Lotunia, Rolloland

10 points: Vulkyria

8 points: Seyetana, Wholune

7 points: Tartford, Trifoski

6 points: Cor Lupus, Ultraviolenceland

5 points: FSR Rontvia, Sandenia

4 points: Hendinia, Suedeonia, Utopia

3 points: Taahino

2 points: Kylienips, Pagasa, TARO Bellamia

1 point: Holland-Oats

 

It did, it did beat our previous YTD peak of 25th! Our first top-half finish of 2020 :cheer: In fact this is probably our most successful dance entry to date, impressive considering considering its tempo and how much of the song is instrumental but the vocals are still a highlight, so lush :wub: Thanks to these countries for giving this unconventional Harmonican entry a chance! Still two more chances for us to achieve a top 20 hit this year. Hope you'll keep supporting us :cool:

Overcoats "The Fool"

129

 

Discovered: The Summit Sounding Board

More Overcoats! This song is actually older than their previous entry, and I've known it for longer but like it just as much and hope you will too! Spoiler alert: they shave their heads in the video. Will be very interesting to see how 'The Fool' does compared to 'Fire & Fury'!

Overcoats "The Fool"

129

 

Discovered: The Summit Sounding Board

Semifinal Result: 16th

Final Result: 41st - 107 points

 

Voters

10 points: Trifoski

9 points: Wholune

8 points: Fljotavik, Niceland, Palmyra, Singerpurear, Suedeonia

7 points: Numayania

6 points: Jupiterdonia, Pupok

5 points: Rolloland, Seyetana, Utopia

4 points: Aelandor, Sandenia

3 points: FSR Rontvia

2 points: Bhangra

1 point: Eledan

 

Wow! Literally avoided last place on a tiebreak but who cares, it's a third Q in a row! :cheer: So glad this got to be heard by everyone and found its little niche of fans (despite not being in anyone's top 5 *_*).

After a shaky start we've managed our goal of 5 Qs for the year! We could celebrate by taking a risk next month or look for a way to extend that streak. We do not have another hit on our hands at this point so stay tuned!

TKA "Maria"

130

 

Discovered: SiriusXM Studio 54, April 2020

Semifinal Result: 23rd

This became Harmonica's oldest entry to date, dating back to 1992! Before that our oldest was from 1996: Voice Of The Beehive's 'Scary Kisses', which we sent exactly 10 contests ago. This was also one of Harmonica's longest entries ever, with this version clocking in at 6:58. How's that for breaking stereotypes! :D The radio edit just doesn't quite do it justice. Any 90s dance entry is guaranteed to have fans here in BJSC, and 'Maria' was no exception, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to stop our DNQ streak.

HARMONICA'S FAVORITE ENTRIES OF 2020

 

 

1. New Lexico - Moyka "Spaces"

2. Fljotavik - SAULT "Wildfires"

3. Scherzland - Claudia Valentina "4:15"

4. Oslol - Marisa Maino "LOVE SUX"

5. Flynnonda - joan. "Love Me Better"

6. Wholune - Majestica "Ghost Of Christmas Past"

7. Jupiterdonia - Rebecca & Fiona "Fet House Mode"

8. New Lexico - Kyan Palmer & nicopop. feat. Yuri Joness "Antisocial Socialites"

9. POPHub - Peg Parnevik "Break Up A Bit"

10. Greenfroze - Little Green Cars "My Love Took Me Down To The River To Silence Me"

 

It could only be 'Spaces' for the EOY #1, with the disclaimer that we actually tried sending it ourselves and were beaten to the punch! Moyka's other entry 'Colder', sent by Florina, was #3 in our 2019 EOY, and I believe she's the second Norwegian to top our BJSC EOY, after Ary did it in 2015 on Carl Louis' 'Telescope', sent by Tinnmark. Of course we ended up sending Ary ourselves twice since then and hope to do the same with Moyka one day!

 

New Lexico was one of two countries to get two of our 18s last year, both of which are here. They also made our EOY top 10 last year with chloe mk's 'To Be Young', and climbed from 17th to 9th in our 'points given' voting history in 2020.

 

So, since 'Spaces' was technically not a discovery, that makes 'Wildfires' our favorite discovery of the year! Everything further down was almost impossible to rank, there's barely anything separating the songs between #5 and #15 (to be revealed). Nevertheless, the rest of the top 50 will be revealed shortly!

HARMONICA'S FAVORITE ENTRIES OF 2020 (CONTINUED)

 

11. Hendinia - Smith & Thell "Goliath"

12. Jadakissnia - WILDES "Let You Go"

13. Fljotavik - De Grandi "Paris Nord-Est"

14. Hendinia - PRIZM "Can't Bring Me Down"

15. Unovia - LOONA "Why Not?"

16. Cadelicia - Offer Nissim feat. Meital De Razon & Riki Ben Ari "Better Man"

17. Republic of Adonia - Ivorian Doll "Rumours"

18. Jupiterdonia - PS1 feat. Alex Hosking "Fake Friends"

19. Ultraviolenceland - Gabby Barrett "I Hope"

20. Kluminican Republic - St. Lucia "China Shop"

21. Oslol - Colton Dixon "Miracles"

22. Daehun - APRIL "LALALILALA"

23. Persephonia - Ela Minus "el cielo no es de nadie"

24. Tartford - Amanda Ghost "Idol"

25. Greenfroze - Toy-Box "Tarzan & Jane"

26. Greenfroze - ELM "Golden"

27. Vulkyria - Moodshift "What About My Love"

28. Jupiterdonia - The Subculture & Nikki Ambers "Alive"

29. Jupiterdonia - The Preatures "Yanada"

30. Persephonia - 070 Shake "Guilty Conscience"

31. Varakë - HAYES & Wiktoria feat. Famous Dex "F*** This Place Up"

32. Hushkanukia - Gabrielle Aplin "Waking Up Slow"

33. Quintessa - YooA "Bon Voyage"

34. Scherzland - Kiara Nelson "Adore You"

35. Bhangra - Sheppard "Die Young"

36. Altyr Muunilinst - GRANT "Hell Yes, I'm Betting On You"

37. D'yermak'er - Blanche "Fences"

38. Ramrynia - Four Of Diamonds feat. Mr. Eazi "The Writer"

39. FARC - NIKI "Switchblade"

40. Oslol - SKAAR "Quiet"

41. Scherzland - Cailin Russo "You Touch Me, I Touch You Back"

42. New Lexico - Navvy "Pieces"

43. United States Of Jack - Julia Michaels "Lie Like This"

44. Summericia - Faouzia "Tears Of Gold"

45. Mosquetania - Ina Wroldsen "Pale Horses"

46. United States of Jack - Grace Davies "Just A Girl"

47. Cadelicia - Icarus "Sirens"

48. Hendinia - SVEA "Good At Losing"

49. Lookylion - Babet "Chameleon"

50. Numayania - Cathrin Gram "Kite"

 

It was Jupiterdonia's year, with four entries in our top 50 - that's not the record though, Bhangra had five back in 2018! (Shout out to The Preatures who I'd sent to Unknown Pleasures in 2014 but wasn't brave enough to send to BJSC!) SUCH a good year overall. I made a Spotify playlist to help order these, so check it out to see if any of your other entries are there! #50 to #100 is just in a very rough order and anything below that's not in order at all, but all 153 of those songs are keepers!

 

a second year in a row making minimal impact on Harmonica :') I need to do better this year

Jennifer Denali "Sweet Sounds"

131

 

Discovered: Spotify Discover Weekly, October or November 2020

Any titular resemblance to 'Sweet Melody' is just a coincidence. ;) Been a while since we sent a song that was a Spotify discovery, in fact the last one was probably Blondage! Feeling compelled to join the pop hoes as much as possible this year. Hope you'll enjoy the strings on this one, let's start the year off right with a hit!

Oh wow, WILDES as high as #12 in your EOY :wub: glad you enjoyed it so much!

Jennifer Denali "Sweet Sounds"

131

 

Semifinal Result: 13th

Final Result: 32nd - 129 points

 

Voters

15 points: Lotunia

13 points: Tartford

12 points: Caerfyrddia, New Lexico

10 points: Lookylion, Mosquetania

9 points: Seyetana

8 points: Scherzland, Why So Sirius

7 points: POPHub, Quintessa

5 points: The Actual Republic of Bellamia

4 points: Ultraviolenceland

3 points: Aesthetica

2 points: Bhangra, Oslol, Republique d'Askorza

 

Yes, I say this all the time but this was genuinely unexpected :o This song was sat on for a few months thinking it was a sure-fire DNQ, but curiosity eventually took over and we had to find out if anyone else would like it. We were fortunate to be in a pop-friendly semi where this placed 13th! The final results were a big surprise at first, as we spent most of the night in the top 20, but it didn't last. We've now gone 11 contests without a top 20 hit, so it was nice to get a little taste of it! :P

Here's to a year of inspired entries. At this point, no matter when we reach top 20 again, it'll be well worth the wait!

Lily Rose "Villain"

132

 

Discovered: on the US iTunes chart, December 2020

Semifinal Result: 31st

 

Well, Cam finished 2nd in this contest so we can't say BJSC wasn't in the mood for a country entry. There just wasn't enough room in this town for both of them. :(

 

Remi Wolf & Dominic Fike "Photo ID"

133

 

Discovered: Triple J's Hottest 100 (solo version), MTV (this version)

Semifinal Result: 24th

 

After last month's result, Harmonica scrapped its potentials list and started from scratch. This was a highlight of Triple J's Hottest 100 but just a little too weird for a Harmonica entry, that is until this collab version was released just this month! Even so, the voters refused to appreciate it, which is baffling tbh. But it's our first ever entry to make the Radio 1 playlist!!

Robyn Sherwell "To Give Up"

134

 

Discovered: on her YouTube channel, the day before the confirmation deadline

Semifinal Result: 23rd

 

So excited to introduce our 70th entry!!! You may have heard Robyn Sherwell's stunning cover of 'Landslide' on this Airbnb ad. She has so many amazing original ballads too, would recommend them all tbh, but they're mostly too slow for BJSC. We needed a more upbeat song from her, and she delivered it just in time for this month's contest! The end result...perfection :heart: (and another DNQ, but that's your loss, not mine)

*New formatting alert!* Also, speaking of new, Harmonica has formally adopted the Mosquetania-designed flag as its new flag:

Caveboy "Obsessed"
135


Discovered: on SiriusXM approx. September 2020
Name sound familiar? Perhaps you heard 'Silk For Gold' in the last Unknown Pleasures! That was very nearly a BJSC entry instead, but now let's see this all-female Canadian band finally follow through - hopefully with better luck than Remi Wolf had ;)

Caveboy "Obsessed"

135

 

Semifinal Result: 12th

Final Result: 34th - 143 points

 

Voters

18 points: Tartford

12 points: Altyr Muunilinst, Republique d'Askorza

11 points: Sandeborg

10 points: Lookylion, Quintessa

9 points: Skall

8 points: New Lexico, Ultraviolenceland

7 points: Caerffyrdia, Lotunia, Varake

6 points: Cumulonimbia, Holland-Oats

5 points: Mulgracia

3 points: POPHub

2 points: Chestoria, St. Burbia

 

Always good to start a new decade of entries with one that qualifies for the final! After passing on sending 'Obsessed' for several consecutive contests, it proved to be worth sending after all by breaking our 3-contest DNQ streak. Can we break our non-top-20 streak next!? Stay tuned...up next is BJFestivalen!

Rye Rye "New Thing"

Buzzjackfestivalen VI

 

Discovered: probably on YouTube back in 2012

Heat result: DNQ

Does the name ring a bell? Rye Rye was championed by M.I.A. a decade ago, she made a handful of bops although she didn't get much mileage from that endorsement. 'Boom Boom' is possibly a bigger fave but 'New Thing' is the one to fit the sub-3-minute criteria. It finished last in its heat, so probably for the best we never sent this to the main contest :kink: