Noahspike

Just left the barbers so did not need that extra scalping today. <_<

Yup, that’ll teach me to log into Buzzjack more (and link my mailbox to an email account I actually use) as I didn’t realise there was an artist clash until scouring the semi lists for Desbuanda yesterday! :/ :\ :/ :\ :/ Was a little heart-breaking but it’s my own fault and I’ll likely listen through anyway and just pretend I’m involved... B-) Here’s my Rihanna/M.I.A.-esque afro-reggae would-be entry anyway, if anyone’s interested. Also love Florina’s pick so I’m glad to see Shungudzo represented well! 8viEmqXfLz4

ABW5HBHN?@SJWU£&ABWH!AOQ Guys, I’ve waited 3.5 years for another top 10 and you dangled a win in front of me throughout the show before relegating me to 11th ahead of the deciding votes reveal, only to bump me back to safety BY A POINT. I followed live and have never experienced BJSC related stress like that haha (though did have a similar situation recently with ‘Take Back Time’, so thankfully history didn’t repeat itself there). SAVEUS proving an entirely apt artist name. :magic: Nah, only 22 points separate #3-#15 (!) so I feel extremely grateful to be one of the lucky ones. As has been said, the two non-voters could’ve massively changed that top tier, so thanks sooo much to everyone who gave Desbuanda points - they all clearly counted!!! Always awesome to hear some people made a discovery too, regardless of the result. It was also a (pathetically) thrilling ride being top two for a while with Harmonica of all nations, having our dark horse gospel/Christian entries nipped at the hooves heels by heavyweights like Aeroche and Cor Lupus... a scenario akin to my wildest BJSC fantasy*. <3 To indulge myself even more on this (as I’m on a roll now and who knows when my next post will be :’)), I find it hilarious that I initially vetoed this song on encountering it several months ago, as I thought the choir was a surefire BJSC kiss of death (not that near-certain failure is known to discourage Desbuanda :cool:). I only revisited it on deadline day this time round as I had nothing else, and promptly agreed with Jordan that it was another ‘low expectations month’ for me as well... Blows my mind that this caught on more than anything I’ve sent since Eves The Behavior! As I said in my votes, this stands out to me as an extremely diverse contest, and it’s great to see that reflected in the higher placings, particularly the likes of Land Of DW and Utopia unexpectedly storming it. And my highest pointed Harmonican entry ends up being their biggest smash, after years of me stanning their flops, slay. Very pleased too with the winning song. It was my favourite straightforward pop entry of the contest and certainly a keeper on my playlists, even if I’d have preferred Daniella got there with ‘Shade Of You’. Big congrats to Cody - definitely looking forward to next month if your last turn at hosting is anything to go by. Huge thanks to Rob for all your work behind the scenes (and for your 18)! *no but seriously they’re all exactly like this

I couldn’t have asked for much more than a SEMI RUNNER-UP predicted to come bottom 10 by the consensus to boost the ‘underdog’ narrative Desbuanda’s been peddling all these years! Brings me right back to the ‘Graveyard Whistling’ glory days of odds upsets that I don’t even care this turned out to be a relative flop. :wub: Interesting you have the song down as a grower though given the apparent drop-off in interest from its semi fans (not helped by an absence in the final of a top-scorer)! And also, it was so instant for me I’d actually sent the confirmation by the time the final chorus had played on my first listen haha. Anyway, thanks guys - I think that’s my best ever semi result, given I couldn’t vote the time Eves would’ve won.

Well my nerves are shattered after that. As innovative and thrilling as Pete's new format was, it was NOT kind to Desbuanda :drama:... I can definitely relate to Jade's experience of a frustratingly cruel trajectory! Went from maintaining a (surprise) jury top 10 to teetering for an age around the top 15 (something I haven't actually secured in over three years, so a big deal!), before the song finally landed on its lowest position throughout the entire reveal. I'm just so relieved that it still scraped the top half though, and provided a unique finishing position of #18 as a bonus, especially with all the bottom 10 predictions and typically woeful odds. Also so happy to just about stay ahead of Taahino (nothing personal, Lindsey B-)) as 'Bedroom' has been a continually (and inexplicably) neglected potential of mine for almost a year, so it would've been an extra kick in the balls to see it overtake in literally the final minute! Anyway, can't complain overall - I both adore and had a lot of confidence in 'Take Back Time' so it's very pleasing that it did become a hit of sorts despite the poor Plug reception etc. Many thanks to all who gave it love, particularly Jonjo and Cian for the top points! <3 Aaand I'm extremely satisfied with that winner - congratulations Frank! Lyrically and emotionally it stood out a mile from the pack, and as Leww said, it's one of those inherently special tracks that I think anyone can appreciate and respect on some level, even if the style or genre doesn't appeal. Funnily enough I don't imagine I'll seek it out much despite it being my clear 18-pointer as it doesn't have strong replay-value for me, but its whole delivery is so arresting that I'd still consider it the contest's best. Was also exciting to see Quintessa dark horse it with an inspired entry, and glad that FSR Rontvia and St. Burbia followed through on their hype to achieve top 10s. Big thanks to you, Pete, for a wonderfully hosted contest and captivating final!

Ah, multiple predictions for a third consecutive bottom ten. Beautiful. And here I was convinced FAUX would deliver another hit to Desbuanda following a 3+ year drought. 🙃

But, when I heard the song I didn’t pick up on it inherently relating to a heterosexual relationship either (without wishing to investigate the singer’s/songwriter’s sexuality of course!). It comes off as an unspecific, universal song about love and heartbreak that lends itself to the listener’s interpretation. And is it not a good thing that we’ve now reached a time where a gay couple being featured in a video for such a vague song can feel just as fitting as a straight couple? Same-sex relationships are so commonplace in (most of) Europe now that I don’t feel this translates as an attempt at novelty or to target a niche, especially in the context of Eurovision... whereas maybe it would have 10+ years ago. I don’t know, I get your point about it all possibly being a very strategic move to please Eurovision fans (which I don’t think is particularly problematic in itself as the execution is subtle and respectful), but I’d also like to give it the benefit of the doubt and be content that non-heterosexual relationships are continuing to be casually depicted in various forms of media. (That’s not to say I totally disagree with you though when you take into account the lack of inspiration among the Irish delegation!)

Your song got 7/15 woots (6 if you wooted yourself), no? Hardly a no-hoper, especially as plug stats have been way off before... or have you really reached Cody levels of pessimism?! :P (Meanwhile the Desbuandese are clutching their rosary beads and praying for a miracle after that plug bellyflop :cry:)

This thread casually exposing the extent of my flop form... <_< But yes, I’d say I had a stronger reaction to Zola Jesus’ 16th placing last year than Eves’ silver haha. Not that I tend to enter songs based on their hit potential, but the drought’s been real. And don’t think I haven’t noticed those +15s Mattias!!! Still holding out for that elusive top-pointer but the steady support’s very much appreciated. :D (I predict an Aeroche win x)

Aw YAY, thanks guys! Felt particularly nervous about ‘Sympathy’ as it feels like the most polarising Desbuanda entry possibly ever, and I was just really hoping it’d find enough biggish supporters in that semi draw. It totally floored me on first listen (40 minutes prior to the deadline after struggling to fully back any of my potentials :arrr:) and I knew from a minute in that I had to send it... so this serves as some nice validation for that very impulsive decision :D. Januarys have so far been good to Desbuanda as two of our previous entrants (Sofi Tukker and Sylvan Esso) not only qualified against the odds, but were nominated for Grammys later that year, so fingers crossed for Est-Her to follow suit! Happy with the rest of the semi’s outcome overall, with Dobago being my big loss. Confused about that one as really thought it’d sail through, but plenty of surprise qualifiers to compensate. Thanks Leww for a flawlessly presented show as ever!

Three 'Glory Days' singles in their top 5, and all four in the top 10... what a campaign for them! And with those sales differences, it'd seem 'Reggaeton Lento' will be joining all those singles very shortly (albeit at the expense of their career best: 'Move' :cry:).

Spotify (and YouTube/Soundcloud links for those unavailable). Belated thanks to Dan and anyone else who's compiled those playlists over the last while - makes life a lot easier!

Absolutely! I really don't get it. At worst I'd say she comes across as a bit of a busybody and overly desperate to win, but overall I think her competitiveness, assertiveness, and huge passion for what she does are traits to be admired. Like, it's kind of refreshing to see a contestant be so eager to please during judgings and have a little celebration to herself when her bakes turn out well, rather than the standard humble, unassuming British reality show embodiment of 'likeability'. I get that she isn't a beacon of natural charisma like Liam and Kate, but she always seems friendly and good-humoured and sociable, and everyone on the show seems to get on well with her...so I'm really struggling with this supposed 'nastiness'?! I'd actually say with Liam gone ( :cry: ) she's my favourite remaining (though she'll never win), as I also like her ambition every week and refusal to play things safe, always opting for OTT creations, even if she often falls short on the execution. Also love the way she's a sweaty mess on the verge of explosion every time the judges taste her bakes. :lol: Fully agreed on the rest of your post too. Sending Liam home definitely felt wrong when Kate's been scraping by for weeks - I thought she was so lucky to stay over Yan last episode, and now this. Liam (the poster!) made some good points above re: the showstopper being weighted higher etc. thus arguably justifying her being saved, but when you're watching someone clearly out of their depth for weeks and appearing to give up at points, e.g. carelessly smushing her pizza into the oven and offloading her lattice onto her pie, before immediately declaring everything another "disaster", it's frustrating to see those efforts valued higher than someone with consistent skill and ingenuity and attention to detail. I guess the show's judging format isn't kind to a contestant who simply has an off-week, but Kate was also undeniably weak so it still seems like an undeserved elimination. She's lovely at least so I can just about get over it, but Liam's a huge loss both as a competitor and TV contestant.

Did you not get my votes? (Desbuanda)

Bah, I'd totally convinced myself that Arca was safe from the veto...but then I really had no idea it was THAT well publicised in the blogosphere so blocking it is fair enough I guess. Makes me semi-regret opting for 'Trees On Fire' over it last month when it was marginally less known, as I spent ages deciding between them and that way I could've sent both (maybe). Ah well, at least my cheap hoe-ness is offset slightly by yet another Sofi Tukker attempt re-affirming Desbuanda's trendsetting. B-) B-) B-) And luckily I was able to reconfirm straight away (despite being internet-less for most of the day) with another potash from last month that's steadily grown in my affections, so all good. Looking forward to this getting underway!