I would much prefer to be bottom five in the final (it's happened to me three times in the last 10 contests but at least I was there) - it feels like the final is the only part that really counts, especially with some hosts using the 'jury vote' and DNQs not counting towards the YTD. That's partly why I chose something that would likely have got 5 points in the semi for my AQ.

Most of the times when I've been bottom 5 in the final I can't say I was *that* invested so wasn't so bothered, I think the worst flop for me was definitely Reigan - All Of The Pieces which I absolutely adored (it's still just outside my top 5 of my entries) and was absolutely gutted when it flopped because it's such an atmospheric and stunning song. I think it that case I was glad it Qd even if it came so low, I'd have been far more gutted if it didn't qualify at all. I was under no illusions it was going to smash or win though so even low in the final was better than a DNQ. But if it was a surprise under-performance in the semi and I had my hopes up thinking it could be top 10 or something, I'd probably rather have the "just about" DNQ rather than a week of getting my hopes built up and then coming 38th :lol: But then again you can't really predict that because I've had songs that have come like 18th in the semi but still got top 20 in the final because it was obviously not in the best semi but got more support from the whole crowd in the final. What I guess I'll say is if it was guaranteed to be like 38th from a low finish and it was a surprise, I'd rather have the plaster ripped off immediately rather than building my hopes all week and them crashing down.

I feel a lot better about a bottom 5 finish in the final than a DNQ - I guess it's really up to the (current-ish) success rate of a country, if someone constantly finishes in the top 20, then a DNQ once or twice per year is less painful than bombing in the final. Most of the less successful countries (ones with many DNQs under their belt) would rather take the bottom 5 in the final, I guess. Not to mention that DNQs in the 'other' semi tend to get forgotten, at least everyone will listen to your song for sure if you make the final and there's a chance that it'll have some more fans (although nowadays I do make an effort to listen to the other semi's DNQs as well, it's definitely worth it).

 

You're probably right to be fair! I'm sure my perspective would suddenly change if I went months without qualifying again. x

Well, I've narrowed my list down to 2 songs which I love, so I just need to decide between them. :P

Well, I've narrowed my list down to 2 songs which I love, so I just need to decide between them. :P

I’m not participating in this contest so if you REALLY can’t choose between them... :D

 

Good luck with making your final decision for your debut entry though!

I mean we all say this now, but I think WhoOdyssey’s dilemma is not in what to pick to do well bc he’s probably just gonna go nuts, but more about making a good first impression. The first couple of entries are always trial and error and it takes a while to get it right, so don’t worry if the first one is a bust.

 

This actually reminds me though: are there entries we tend to forget we sent into the contest?

#TeamLessSuccessful checking in :D

 

Honestly a lot of my fave entries are ones thatve DNQd :')

My least favourite entry so far (CXLOE - Monster) came 41/41 in its final, looking back I probably would’ve been just as fine had it been a DNQ but it does all depend on what you send :P. I didn’t really enjoy that song once the contest had begun and since then I’ve put a lot more effort into my entries, so idk I guess how you feel about a DNQ vs bottom 5 can vary a lot.

 

Sidenote it’d be interesting to see how many countries didn’t qualify with their debut

This actually reminds me though: are there entries we tend to forget we sent into the contest?

There was a period of me sending American 'modern' indie/dance entries which I tend to forget most of (AJR, Captain Cuts, OHEY, Project Jenny Project Jan, culpriit). Love Like We Used to got me my first Q but it isn't something I go back to much, OHEY is something I define as the blandest thing I've ever sent as I was never really behind it, which has made it unforgettable in it's own right despite actually being the most forgettable. AJR and PJPJ are both artists I go back to but they weren't for BJSC.

 

(although the only two USA entries that don't fit this criteria happen to be the ones which got <5 points :P )

Sidenote it’d be interesting to see how many countries didn’t qualify with their debut

 

Only counting debut entries in contests which actually had semi-finals, 85 have DNQed compared to only 71 that qualified! (Another 47 countries debuted in contests that didn't have semi-finals, i.e. the very early contests, the One Big Final era or the mess of BJSC 64).

Only counting debut entries in contests which actually had semi-finals, 85 have DNQed compared to only 71 that qualified! (Another 47 countries debuted in contests that didn't have semi-finals, i.e. the very early contests, the One Big Final era or the mess of BJSC 64).

It's a tough start then I'm guessing!

It's a tough start then I'm guessing!

definitely! my first entry was lucky enough to qualify but out of my first ten entries only two were qualifiers. usually takes a bit of time to get used to what kind of thing does well.

Take it from the king of flopping, enter something you love and it makes the contest more enjoyable.

Conversely, my most successful run was from my debut - I haven't managed 3 qualifiers in a row since April last year!

I have never actually finished bottom 5 in a final before but I'd definitely prefer that to DNQing! I know that not everyone listens to both semis so it always feels like your song will receive maximum exposure in a final. Plus it doesn't hit you as hard on the YTD as you get 0 points from DNQing rather than 100 or whatever for a low finish. I also feel like I can comment way more in a final results thread just by being a part of it. It's a shame when your entry underperforms but I would definitely take that over another DNQ to stain my history :kink: btw to add to the other discussion, I started off on a very good foot with two consecutive top 20s but then came 36th in my third contest and full-on bombed in my fourth contest with my least favourite entry by far, so it's all about experimenting for sure until you find your feet. I wouldn't say I found mine truly until 2016, I didn't regret a single entry from that year whatsoever - nor 2017 or 2018 either! Send what you love always.

yeah, commentary is another thing. It’s more exciting to follow the contest when you’ve made it through vs DNQing and then checking out for the rest of the month

 

(84 is still the weakest contest I’ve ever been in)

I'd rather be bottom of the final than DNQ at least you get the whole contest experience x

Don't know whether to go for experimental hip-hop that absolutely nobody is going to like or a synth infused alt-rock track.

There was a period of me sending American 'modern' indie/dance entries which I tend to forget most of (AJR, Captain Cuts, OHEY, Project Jenny Project Jan, culpriit). Love Like We Used to got me my first Q but it isn't something I go back to much, OHEY is something I define as the blandest thing I've ever sent as I was never really behind it, which has made it unforgettable in it's own right despite actually being the most forgettable. AJR and PJPJ are both artists I go back to but they weren't for BJSC.

 

(although the only two USA entries that don't fit this criteria happen to be the ones which got <5 points :P )

I wish you'd have been around for my American indie phase - Parade Of Lights/FMLYBND/No Wyld was an impressive trio <3

Don't know whether to go for experimental hip-hop that absolutely nobody is going to like or a synth infused alt-rock track.

Bré (and to a lesser extent, me) being absolutely nobody now :snif: