That's true :( Bulgarian song seems to be more successive than Iceland one though Bulgaria would have chosen much better song. Agree with top 3 :/

I absolutely don't agree about Bulgaria having political votes from neighbours. The truth is that we aren't among the countries with lots of friends, no matter what most people think. We are not part of the ex-Yugo block, we're also not part of the ex-USSR block, and actually most of those countries don't like Bulgaria at all! For various political reasons, the ex-Yugo countries (especially Macedonia) would not vote high for us, the same goes for Romania. We count on votes from Spain and Hungary mainly, from Greece too, but definitely not from most other neighbours. Last year the song "Water" got many votes from almost all European countries, but this year even OGAE clubs don't vote for us. I think Bulgaria will qualify, but not because of neighbours' votes (rather because more than half the countries from each semi are gonna make it actually). I'm quite skeptical about the final, though.

Now, as for the song, I'm not personally a fan of it. We had a better entry in the national final here, which everyone expected to win, but it came second with a margin of only 0,1% after Deep Zone. It's a song in Italian called "Sogno", performed by a famous Bulgarian singer and a young Italian pop-star from San Remo. Check it out:

Do you think this one would have had better chances than Deep Zone?

 

Also, don't forget to check the best video made this year - Moldova's Geta Burlacu not only has one of the classiest songs (the other one being Croatia), but the newly released video of her song is absolutely brilliant!:

Edited April 17, 200817 yr by Tomoe

ok fair point Tomoe, I was just generalising, assuming that because of the area its in, Bulgaria would get a lot of neighbour votes...whether you agree or not though, I do believe it would be *easier* for Bulgaria to pick up 'friendly votes' than Iceland

ok fair point Tomoe, I was just generalising, assuming that because of the area its in, Bulgaria would get a lot of neighbour votes...whether you agree or not though, I do believe it would be *easier* for Bulgaria to pick up 'friendly votes' than Iceland

 

Well to be fair Iceland does have all of the Scandinavian countries to vote for it. Until last year, Bulgaria hadn't even come close to qualifying for the final, so he probably has a point.

 

And Tomoe, I was enjoying reading your post, and may have taken you seriously until you called Croatia a classy song....

Well to be fair Iceland does have all of the Scandinavian countries to vote for it. Until last year, Bulgaria hadn't even come close to qualifying for the final, so he probably has a point.

 

And Tomoe, I was enjoying reading your post, and may have taken you seriously until you called Croatia a classy song....

 

geographically, the closest country to Iceland is the UK...not that we ever give them high points or receive points in return...though I think This Is My Life will get a few points from the UK, and Bulgaria might too...

 

and I agree about Croatia's song not being anywhere near classy...their song will be the worst thing ever to grace a Eurovision stage :puke:

Bulgaria always get a few points from Albania and Greece don't they? They also always receive high points from Cyprus, FYR Macedonia and indeed Spain and Hungary.

 

You got Macedonia's eight (final) and seven (semi) last year Tomoe, along with six points in 2006's semi (one sixth of Bulgaria's final points) and eight in 2005's semi-final, which was also very nearly a sixth of your final votes. So they definately are friends of yours! :lol:

someone's been researching Bulgaria's past votes to prove a point :kink:

Indeed I have. :heehee: I don't feel as enthusiastic and excited about the Eurovision this year for some reason so I have to keep it on the brain and do many ESC-related activities. :cry:

give it a few weeks...I feel like I have a good solid 8 or 9 songs that I love now: Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Armenia, Iceland, Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic and Malta and Ukraine and Serbia are continuing to grow on me quickly :wub:

 

I think the reason we are perhaps not as excited as usual is because we're sending one of the worst songs we've ever sent...I love being patriotic and having the UK's entry as my favourite song but I just can't get excited about Even If and I don't think anyone else in Europe will either. If we'd sent It's You, we'd have loads of points from the OGAE juries by now...

I absolutely don't agree about Bulgaria having political votes from neighbours. The truth is that we aren't among the countries with lots of friends, no matter what most people think. We are not part of the ex-Yugo block, we're also not part of the ex-USSR block, and actually most of those countries don't like Bulgaria at all! For various political reasons, the ex-Yugo countries (especially Macedonia) would not vote high for us, the same goes for Romania.

 

He's totally right! Honestly said, we've never had true allies among our neighbours. For various reasons - mostly political and historical - it goes more like that: Cyprus+Greece, Macedonia+Serbia, Romania+Moldova - it's pretty obvious. Besides, having "friends" does not contradict the rules.

 

Bulgaria always get a few points from Albania and Greece don't they? They also always receive high points from Cyprus, FYR Macedonia and indeed Spain and Hungary.

 

You got Macedonia's eight (final) and seven (semi) last year Tomoe, along with six points in 2006's semi (one sixth of Bulgaria's final points) and eight in 2005's semi-final, which was also very nearly a sixth of your final votes. So they definately are friends of yours! :lol:

 

You've also made your point, but you're wrong - it's not a POLITICAL vote; on the Balkans we share a common taste in music, so if our neighbours support our songs, it's mainly because they like them and just feel like voting ;) I don't expect you to understand that because it's hard to explain, but I can assure you - there is absolutely no political reason that would make other Balkan countries vote for Bulgaria.

 

 

He's totally right! Honestly said, we've never had true allies among our neighbours. For various reasons - mostly political and historical - it goes more like that: Cyprus+Greece, Macedonia+Serbia, Romania+Moldova - it's pretty obvious. Besides, having "friends" does not contradict the rules.

You've also made your point, but you're wrong - it's not a POLITICAL vote; on the Balkans we share a common taste in music, so if our neighbours support our songs, it's mainly because they like them and just feel like voting ;) I don't expect you to understand that because it's hard to explain, but I can assure you - there is absolutely no political reason that would make other Balkan countries vote for Bulgaria.

Oh I wasn't blaming it on politics - I personally feel that politics plays a very small part in the Eurovision. I don't just think it's down to them liking the songs though. Most of the neighbourly votes are caused by diaspora voting imo - Croats in Serbia voting for Croatia, Serbs in Slovenia voting for Serbia etc.

OK, now I understand what you mean :) I'm sorry, if I've sounded rude or smthng.

You've also made your point, but you're wrong - it's not a POLITICAL vote; on the Balkans we share a common taste in music, so if our neighbours support our songs, it's mainly because they like them and just feel like voting ;)

 

I agree with this point :D just like the UK votes for catchy pop songs of Sweden, Greece etc...because that's the music style that we like...we didn't give any points to Molitva last year, not because of some political hatred to Serbia, but because we don't like Balkan ballads here...Water and probably DJ Take Me Away are dance songs (to an extent) and did or will receive votes from the UK because we listen to dance here...

Most of the neighbourly votes are caused by diaspora voting imo - Croats in Serbia voting for Croatia, Serbs in Slovenia voting for Serbia etc.

 

Lithuanians in Ireland voting for Lithuania :heehee: not that 4Fun didn't deserve 12 points :wacko:

I just want to add something regarding this comment: :)

 

Over to Bulgaria who had their first truly brilliant song last year with Elitsa & Stoyan's Water

 

I don't think Water was the first decent song we've chosen to represent us. What about Mariana Popova? I think she was brilliant, too! (It's just an opinion.)

 

Edited April 19, 200817 yr by Ina

I just want to add something regarding this comment: :)

I don't think Water was the first decent song we've chosen to represent us. What about Mariana Popova? I think she was brilliant, too! (It's just an opinion.)

 

 

I thought that song was ok...but Water was the first 'truly brilliant' Bulgarian entry in my opinion

Poland: Isis Gee - For Life

 

Polish-American Isis is big in her home country and scored a top 3 album there last year. Poland haven't exactly lit up the Eurovision history books since debuting in the early 90s and this song is unlikely to change that. It's a power ballad in the Celine Dion mould and while its not bad, its only after about five or six listens that it becomes memorable, and even then so, not outstanding. It is better than their entry last year but Ich Troje's 2003 and 2006 entries remain their standouts for me in this decade. I can't see it reaching the final but with an ever increasing diaspora population in many countries, particularly Britain, it should pick up a fair few points...

 

Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NREXPzXC4M

 

Semi-Final Prediction: 11th-13th

 

Final Prediction (if it makes it): 21st

France: Sebastian Tellier - Divine

 

A song that's caused major controversy in France for being sung largely in English, Sebastian is huge on the French electro-dance scene and produced his recent album with one half of Daft Punk. In reality, its a brave step for France to actually submit a song from an artist and a genre who are reasonably successful in their homeland rather than the tried and tested power ballad. After last year's joint 2nd to last disaster they will be hoping to improve on that, and whilst this is a good song for its genre, its a sound that hasn't been tested in Eurovision yet. Safe to say, if it was Bosnia-Herzegovina sending it, it would finish top ten, but as its France, bottom five once again is a near certainty.

 

Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh_b8Q39Bj0

 

Semi-Final Prediction: N/A

 

Final Prediction (if it makes it): 23rd

Albania: Olta Boka - Zemren E Lame Peng

 

One of the first songs selected for this year, the Albanians had a great debut in 2004 with Anjeza Shahini who finished 7th with the brilliant pop song The Image Of You. This song, which is in their native language, is yet another atmospheric ethno-ballad obviously trying to emulate the success of Molitva. It's like a less powerful version of the Portugese song however, and for me, doesn't stand out in any way whatsoever...its been unlucky enough to be drawn in the second semi-final too and is going 6th, while the Portugese perform last...doesn't sound like a qualifier to me...

 

Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18Djh_Mc-c0

 

Semi-Final Prediction: 17th

 

Final Prediction (if it makes it): 22nd

'Water' was an absolutely fantastic song - so unique and just the sort of thing the Eurovision needs tbh. Deserved top five (?) placing. ^_^

 

And I'm in agreement with you mostly again Rich, France won't do very well... nor will Germany or the UK!