June 14Jun 14 Author 5 Go-Jo - Milkshake Man (2025, DNQ)I guess this sort of innuendo isn’t really in vogue, especially from a man. That’s the only issue I can see with this though - I think it’s a really fun and well composed song and a very fine performance. I got to see this live and the staging tricks were brilliant - it’s a real shame it finished 11th in the semi.4 Delta Goodrem - Eclipse (2026, 4th)It’s an old school unity power pop anthem. Not entirely my bag but very well done and I really like the instrumental parts. The performance really did bring it alive, and it was great that she did so well.3 Dami Im - Sound Of Silence (2016, 2nd)Again I really can’t fault this. It’s a brilliantly composed song, immaculately sung, and a totally unsurprising jury winner. The emotion of the lyrics really comes across in the soaring chorus. And yet somehow I’ve never quite loved it and only admired it.
June 14Jun 14 Milkshake Man is fun, I saw it performed by Sheppard last year who wrote it, I'm surprised it didn't make the final in the end.I love Eclipse, although it's far from the best song Delta has done, and I do feel Wings could have been a slightly bigger challenger for her in 2015 if it had been used as Australia's first entry. Still, she performed the hell out of it as expected and came across so well, it was amazing to see her on that stage and doing so well, especially in the public vote.I agree with you about Sound of Silence completely. Brilliant performance but more of a number that I respect than particularly love myself, for reasons I'm not really sure. An incredibly impressive and deserved result though.My favourite has made your top two! The other song is strong too.
June 15Jun 15 Milkshake Man was near the bottom of my rankings. I can totally understand someone loving Sound of Silence. Unfortunately, I end up comparing it to 1944 so it comes across like a product (which is fine) and not the almost religious experience of watching 1944.
June 15Jun 15 Author 2 Kate Miller-Heidke - Zero Gravity (2019, 9th)The pop-era style has isn’t news anymore but at the time this felt really daring and fresh. The vocals are fantastic and somehow have quite a light touch despite being big and operatic. It’s such a clever and beautifully written song that gets the feeling of flying across brilliantly.1 Voyager - Promise (2023, 9th)Winning the battle of the 9th place finishers is Voyager. I enjoy heavy metal songs in Eurovision generally because they are few and far between and I respect artists who don’t think they’re too cool for it. And this song is accessible enough to do well but they didn’t compromise on their style at the same time. I love the end of the second chorus: “promise me it’s gonna be al…RIIIIIIGHT!!!”, when we’re reminded that yes this band is the real deal and not some watered down TV friendly rock act. And then they really let rip in the last minute. Marvellous.
June 16Jun 16 Zero Gravity would be comfortably up there in my top 10 Eurovision entries ever, and definitely Australia's best for me.I've loved Kate since the 00s and was excited to hear she was doing the Australian national final, although expected Sheppard to come out on top (and their entry On My Way is actually great and has a lot of Spotify streams).But you can't deny her artistry, her vocal range and delivery is amazing, the lyrics about coming out of severe postpartum depression are such a unique but important subject, and the triumph of the last part of the song is so uplifting. Also...that performance, absolutely astonishing and looked incredible on screen. 9th was an absolute insult for a song and performance this good and I can't really understand why the jury marked it so averagely compared to Nemo and JJ, for example, a few years later. Singing and performing a great song with brilliant lyrics like that while swaying in the air, what more did they want from her?Promise came alive for me when we went up to Liverpool in 2023 to watch it. I enjoyed seeing it live in the dress rehearsal, and it stuck in my head for a long time after the contest finished. The public really underrated this in the final, as is often the way with Australia.
June 16Jun 16 I thought Zero Gravity would have walked away with the victory in 2019. It wasn't my favorite - I just thought it had what it takes to win.
June 16Jun 16 Zero Gravity just rips off Defying Gravity and also beat 2000 and Whatever to represent Australia that year :(
June 17Jun 17 Author Country 5: AustriaDeep breath… OK this is the 1st of the big countries where the task I’ve set myself is rather large and involves sifting through some very old stuff. I’m finding quite a bit of the older stuff doesn’t leave that much impression so only a select few will make my ranking.Austria have competed 58 times, 59 including 2020. They started in 1957 so that actually means they’ve missed quite a few years.In 1969 they boycotted the contest hosted in Spain due to Franco’s rule.In 1970 they skipped, not liking the 4 way tied win result in 1969 apparently.In 1973 to 1975 they were absent for unclear reasons possibly related to the scoring system.They were relegated in 1998 and 2001 due to poor results in the brief period when that was how they dealt with the contest being oversubscribed.And in 2006 and 2008 to 2010 they didn’t enter due to being disgruntled following poor performances and feelings that the contest favoured certain countries due to block voting.Having listened to all the entries, there’s a huge range of good and bad and different styles from Austria so I don’t think there’s an Austrian style as such. Last century they did have a lot of bad fortune with a record 7 last places and only 1 victory. However this century they haven’t struggled to the extent of many of the Big 5 countries with 2 victories and a real mixture of styles.
June 17Jun 17 I've been looking forward to this.I think I will also take this as an opportunity to listen to older entries.
June 17Jun 17 I would also pick 'Promise' as my favourite Australian entry, the one time I've properly been obsessed with what they sent to the contest and was supporting them all through, great bunch of lads and good success for the very wonderful Eurovision rock-metal lane that is always a favourite when it arrives glammed up and shiny. Interested to see what highlights you pick from Austria, I don't have too many myself I don't think but on occasion they get it right.
June 17Jun 17 A very erratic nation, you never know if they will send something of top three or bottom three/DNQ quality, there's often very little in between.My favourite from them is a pretty unfashionable song from the 21st century that I wouldn't expect to come in your top ten rank, so will mention it when it appears.I appreciate, admire and respect rather than personally love their winning entries.
June 18Jun 18 Author I’m including 10 pre 2000 and 10 post 2000 in my top 20 ranking. I may not always do it as an even split like that but it felt about right this time, highlighting the best of each period.My pre 2000 reviews:YearArtistSongLanguageFinalPointsSemiPointsNotes1957Bob Martin"Wohin, kleines Pony?"German103No semi-finals First of their many last places: it's pleasant but not memorable1958Liane Augustin"Die ganze Welt braucht Liebe"German58A slow paced and not very striking, typical '50s style ballad1959Ferry Graf"Der K. und K. Kalypso aus Wien"German94Top 201960Harry Winter"Du hast mich so fasziniert"German76Another old fashioned reomantic ballad that's nicely performed but it drags1961Jimmy Makulis"Sehnsucht"German151Another crooner ballad and another last place: totally unremarkable1962Eleonore Schwarz"Nur in der Wiener Luft"German130Quite an operatic vocal - impressive singing but not really my thing and a nil points last place1963Carmela Corren"Vielleicht geschieht ein Wunder"German, English716This came much closer - a more engaging ballad with nice orchestration and lovely vocal tone1964Udo Jürgens"Warum nur, warum?"German6111st of his 3 successive entries - all sincere ballads with piano and orchestra and this is very nice1965Udo Jürgens"Sag ihr, ich lass sie grüßen"German416Similar style to "Warum…" but I find this doesn't hit as hard: however he saved the best for next year1966Udo Jürgens"Merci, Chérie"German131Top 201967Peter Horten"Warum es hunderttausend Sterne gibt"German142A commanding performance, but still very much a standard post war style ballad1968Karel Gott"Tausend Fenster"German132Top 201971Marianne Mendt"Musik"German1666Top 201972The Milestones"Falter im Wind"German5100Top 201976Waterloo and Robinson"My Little World"English580Very shlager in style, and it's happy and catchy but very twee and with no depth1977Schmetterlinge"Boom Boom Boomerang"German, English1711Similarly this is very much in the light entertainment arena and not for me1978Springtime"Mrs. Caroline Robinson"German1514Another catchy but rather naff song that grates fairly quickly1979Christina Simon"Heute in Jerusalem"German185A more earnest and slightly jazzy number but a last place: I find the sax and vocal part clash slightly1980Blue Danube"Du bist Musik"German864This is quite a charming number about the power of music and better than the last few1981Marty Brem"Wenn du da bist"German1720Quite a strangely presented and not very tuneful duet 1982Mess"Sonntag"German957A much better duet: this is very catchy but back in the twee Shlager zone1983Westend"Hurricane"German953Top 201984Anita"Einfach weg"German195Last place for this feels harsh as it's competent but an underwhelming '80s pop number1985Gary Lux"Kinder dieser Welt"German860Top 201986Timna Brauer"Die Zeit ist einsam"German1812A straightforward and well performed but unremarkable ballad1987Gary Lux"Nur noch Gefühl"German208His 2nd and less good appearance with another unexciting and of its time romantic ballad1988Wilfried"Lisa Mona Lisa"German210A rather repetitive and limp song that understandably received nil points1989Thomas Forstner"Nur ein Lied"German5971st of his 2 appearances with a rather clunky power ballad, though it somehow managed 5th place1990Simone"Keine Mauern mehr"German1058Top 201991Thomas Forstner"Venedig im Regen"German220He's back and this is considerably more dreary than his 1989 effort - a nil pointer1992Tony Wegas"Zusammen geh'n"German10631st of his back to back: an accomplished performance but another flaccid emotive ballad1993Tony Wegas"Maria Magdalena"German1432A more upbeat number than the previous year's: it's not bad1994Petra Frey"Für den Frieden der Welt"German1719Quite an anthemic number about world peace: it's good but very in its lane1995Stella Jones"Die Welt dreht sich verkehrt"German1367A soulful, jazz infused number that doesn't really stand out1996George Nussbaumer"Weil's dr guat got"German1068Top 201997Bettina Soriat"One Step"German2112Another number with a jazzy feel that's nice but not memorable1999Bobbie Singer"Reflection"English1065Top 20
June 19Jun 19 Author And the post 2000 reviews:YearArtistSongLanguageFinalPointsSemiPointsNotes2000The Rounder Girls"All to You"English1434No semi-finalsA slightly Motown style number that doesn't really pop2002Manuel Ortega"Say a Word"English1826This reminds me of D:Ream with its upbeat style, but it's nothing special2003Alf Poier"Weil der Mensch zählt"German6101Top 202004Tie Break"Du bist"German219Top 11 in 2003 contestA slushy Boys II Men style group effort that's very uninspiring2005Global.Kryner"Y así"English, SpanishFailed to qualify2130Top 202007Eric Papilaya"Get a Life – Get Alive"English274Top 202011Nadine Beiler"The Secret Is Love"English1864769This is a well performed power ballad, but the lyrics are quite clichéd2012Trackshittaz"Woki mit deim Popo"GermanFailed to qualify188Top 202013Natália Kelly"Shine"English1427It's a sweet song competently done, but all in all it's boring2014Conchita Wurst"Rise Like a Phoenix"English12901169Top 202015The Makemakes"I Am Yours"English260Host countryNil points as the hosts is quite something: there is a charm to it but it plods2016Zoë"Loin d'ici"French131517170Top 202017Nathan Trent"Running on Air"English16937147Quite a nice soft indie style number, but it's all rather vanilla2018Cesár Sampson"Nobody but You"English33424231Top 202019Paenda"Limits"EnglishFailed to qualify1721Top 202020Vincent Bueno"Alive"EnglishContest cancelledThis sounds like bog standard late '10s radio friendly pop2021Vincent Bueno"Amen"EnglishFailed to qualify1266I prefer this of Vincent's songs and it's well performed, but the song still isn't anything special2022Lumix feat. Pia Maria"Halo"English1542A rather soulless dance pop track that unfortunately deserved its fate2023Teya and Salena"Who the Hell Is Edgar?"English151202137Top 202024Kaleen"We Will Rave"English2424946A better dance track than "Halo" with nods to techno, though still quite ordinary2025JJ"Wasted Love"English14365104Top 202026Cosmó"Tanzschein"German246Host countryThis actually came very close: I enjoy the rhythm and think it's underrated but it didn't pop on stage
June 19Jun 19 I love Halo. Not the live version though 😔I'll post my star ratings at the end of the Austria section of this thread.
June 20Jun 20 Author 20 Westend - Hurricane (1983, 9th)A bright, breezy and catchy number in a very early ‘80s style19 Bobbie Singer - Reflection (1999, 10th)A very sweet and nicely performed number with a late ‘90s guitar pop feel18 Ferry Graf - Der K. Und K. Kalypso Aus Wien (1959, 9th)I enjoy a bit of yodelling and this stands out among all the crooners in the early years17 Alf Poier - Weil Der Mensch Zählt (2003, 6th)Vocally it’s rather unusual, but I really enjoy the goofiness of it and so did Europe clearly 16 Eric Papilaya - Get A Life - Get Alive (2007, DNQ)I can see why they rage quit for a few years after this and the previous entry didn’t qualify: this is a strong slightly rocky number
June 20Jun 20 Alf Poier made me laugh. It was the bookies favourite to come last that year but it did stand out and I can see why it appealed. Going from a schlager song into a rock song was interesting.The Secret Is Love was in my top three entries of 2011 and one of my overall favourites from Austria, I thought that was a great Disney-esque ballad delivered with a lot of power, the final minute is brilliant (only weird part is the last couple of seconds).A lot of 'this sounds like' among some of the entries that have gone out, like Say A Word (All Right Now by Free) and We Will Rave (Think About The Way by Ice MC).Halo was decent in studio form but the live was just awful vocally. I didn't think I Am Yours deserved nul points, it's the kind of thing I could imagine doing well in the UK charts and on the radio in the early 90s, I'm surprised juries gave it zero as it was well written and performed.
June 21Jun 21 Author 15 Gary Lux - Kinder Dieser Welt (1985, 8th)The best of a mostly rather twee bunch of ‘80s entries: an earnest but very nice and well performed song14 Marianne Mendt - Music (1971, 16th)A very powerful performance and quite unusual track that really stands out for its time13 Paenda - Limits (2019, DNQ)I think more subtle alternative stuff like this can really struggle in the comeptition, but it has a fragile beauty to it12 Karen Gott - Tausend Fenster (1968, 13th)If you do listen to any of the crooner entries make it this one and the one to come: this builds beautifully and doesn’t feel laboured like many early entries11 Global.Kryner - Y Asi (2005, DNQ)A lovely and quirky jazz folk number with bits of yodelling that deserved very much more
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