gooddelta

And here's where my annual betting money has gone: Slovenia to Q from Semi 1 - £5 at 6/4 (I've always thought this will happen so have to put my money where my mouth is) Portugal to Q from Semi 1 - £1 at 5/2 (if not Slovenia then one slower song is going through, I'm sure...) Denmark to Q from Semi 2 - £2 at 11/10 (rooting for her, wouldn't be a big win financially but I have to support her) Slovenia top 10 finish - £2 at 10/1 (this relies on it being a shock jury/Facebook Mum vote fave, I know it's unlikely) Germany top 10 finish - £5 at 5/1 (go on then Raab, don't let your top ten record slip now - this is banking on Tynna having had singing lessons, but either way it is the most contemporary/chart sounding hit in the mix so I hope that counts for something) United Kingdom top 10 finish - £4 at 9/2 (unlikely I know, but willing the juries to support that talent) Italy top 10 finish - £3 at 13/8 (I just can't buy that they will miss the top ten when sending a man) Albania top 5 finish - £5 at 11/2 (the southern European votes have to go somewhere and this is the best option from the region by a mile) Germany outright - £1 at 150/1 (I've got to have my one ridiculous wildcard) United Kingdom outright - £1 at 66/1 (ok, two ridiculous wildcards and a dash of blind hope) Netherlands - £5 at 12/1 (the numerous esteemed betting analysts and 'experts' online are saying it's a two-horse race between France and Netherlands, so I'll be coming for them if they're wrong) France - £5 at 15/2 (ditto - I have reservations about this on the public vote but maybe her staging could be impressive enough to win people over) Sweden - £1 at 10/11 (and my annual bet on my favourite song just because I have to, but there's really no money to win here)

A bit late to be starting the odds thread oops but here's the current state of play on Oddschecker as of the morning of 3 May, two weeks out from the final and pre-rehearsals.

That performance is insane, there’s too much hate for this song in fan circles. It’s a fun track sung incredibly well. The second verse in particular is wonderful. Sure I can see why people find it disjointed but it’s basically like a song from a musical as Jonjo says, and not really a chart song, so I guess it depends on how many theatre fans are watching/among the juries. It’s not like I’m expecting big things for it, and the public vote could well be minimal, but if the juries ignore it then I don’t get that with the evidence presented in that performance.

Michael Gray. Aww, I love that Alphabeat song, so joyous, and such good uni memories with it. Will's song is sublime with a charming video so I'm leaving that, and I love Up a lot.

Razorlight for a fourth go.

Bastille, I used to like that a lot. Sunblock was very much just on diminishing returns by this point.

That Cliff song is on my Christmas playlist along with his others, although it's weaker than the two Christmas No.1s he had. Having said that, I'd much sooner listen to it than Satisfy You, which I'd happily forgotten until opening this thread (how many more songs are going to use that same sample Luniz used?).

I think for me personally, it's nice to have them all together on streaming partly for sharing playlists with friends and family and being able to show songs you love to other people in an easy way. Also, when I upload MP3s as local files to Spotify (which I still do a lot - I use my iTunes still about the same amount as Spotify), the volume level is a lot higher - it can probably be adjusted but I'm not sure how. So if I have them shuffling on a playlist there can be volume jumps, which is annoying. It's also just aesthetically nicer within the Spotify app for me to have it properly uploaded than to have loads of local files in the playlist that come up with larger fonts and sometimes grainy artwork. My top 100 of 2001 playlist always annoys me for that reason. As No.2, 4, 6, 8 and 11 I have uploaded from local files and they come up with that bigger font size on the album name, and I can't click to search by artist on local files etc. Clearly, it's not a huge issue, just a niggle, so I'd love to see these tracks available. No.2 and 8 are just songs from free magazine CDs so are never going to get uploaded but Will I, Love You Anyway and Everybody are surprising songs not to be on streaming. Also, I always think it's a shame that artists have songs missing that could rack up thousands or even millions of streams potentially, and they are missing out on the chance of a song becoming a sleeper retro hit. I know it's a very unlikely thing to happen, but if something is on streaming then people can include it more easily in their TikTok videos etc, and make it easier for others to add the track to their playlists etc, and there's a chance stuff could pick up mini viral steam. When Pop Music Activism managed to get Australian Popstars' winners Bardot's back catalogue onto streaming, that was fantastic for me, as I have the debut album and a couple of their singles at home in boxes, but I have no idea where, so I was more able to easily listen to these songs again and also share that great pop album with people, and was able to listen to remixes etc I hadn't heard before from single EPs, whereas it would have cost me a lot of money to get hold of those CDs from Australia. So it's especially useful for niche releases from other territories. Having said all that - I will never let go of my iTunes library, at least not until the program ceases to exist. At the end of every year I make a top 100 playlist of that year, and download every song on it from iTunes so that I have a hard copy. Because I've been burnt so many times before with old favourites just disappearing from streaming. Good point on the weather, it's such a summer track. I can't remember if I ever heard the Mirwais version, it doesn't ring any bells. It feels like if not a hit at the time, it should have become a cult classic, but then it's not really ever going to get that opportunity if it's not available on streaming services. It wouldn't be the first time I've vastly overpredicted a summer dance anthem to huge success only for it to limp into the top 40, another example being 2005's Little Love by Lil' Love!

I prefer Azizam too and guess this is just intended as a more personal/introspective instant grat kind of song like Visiting Hours. I'm not sure it will be a big hit myself. I find it a jarring listen because it has quite a bouncy tempo in the chorus which gives it a singalong/crowd swaying arms type of feel, but then the sad chorus 'conversations with my dead friends' etc doesn't really fit a crowd singalong anthem, as it's too personal.

Yes, I've noticed that generally if something is on iTunes then it's usually also on Apple Music, so they do have a lot of songs/radio edits Spotify don't have (the opposite is probably true too in some cases although can't think of any right now).

Rontvian update after 174 finals: 1. République d'Áskorza 627 (+2) 2. Altyr Muunilinst 602 (+8) 3. Aeroche 504 (+5) 4. Hendinia 465 (+7) 5. Danæviia 420 (+10) 6. Cor Lupus 388 (+9) 7. FARC 381 8. Summericia 37 9. New Lexico 350 10. Kluminican Republic 323 11. Quintessa 317 12. Bøtanikkä 308 (+4) 13. Fljótavík 296 14. Ramrynia 286 15. Ojnoj 251 16. Séyetana 250 17. Tartford 234 18. Numayania 231 19. Kathaldazia 228 20. Qärenfanghoney 227 21. Jadakissnia 226 22. Lookylion 211 23. Greenfroze 209 (+11) 24. Terra Avium 208 (+3) 25. Espen 198 26. Unovia 197 27. Hushkanukia 196 28. Dobago 193 29. Cumulonimbia 182 30. Land of DW 178 31. Trifoski 178 32. St. Burbia 176 33. (The Actual Republic of) Bellamia 173 34. #00274E 168 35. Yehesi 163 36. Vülkyria 158 37. Jupiterdonia 156 (+18) 38. Bhangra 156 39. Helgon 156 40. Kylienips 156 41. Persephonia 155 42. Elëdan 152 43. Singerpurear 147 44. Thelonia 147 45. D'yermak'er 145 46. Zanmatony 144 47. Cadelicia 143 48. Skall 142 49. Daehun 139 50. Oslol 137 51. Caerfyrddia 128 52. Lotunia 125 53. Mdiče 120 54. Tinnmark 119 55. Utopia 114 56. Mulgracia 114 57. N DNTN 107 58. Suedeonia 105 59. Ultraviolenceland 104 60. Wholune 104 61. Harmonica 100 62. Aelandor 100 63. East Rukahavian 100 (+1) 64. Rolloland 98 65. United States of Jack 97 66. Herzebania 90 67. Aquafina 88 68. Beaverdonia 85 69. Pupok 83 70. Holland-Oats 80 71. Xanaga 76 72. Sovarasma 72 73. Torchwood 71 74. Bignia-Zaragovina 70 75. Batidas 69 76. Niceland 68 77. Sangria 67 78. Angelicland 65 79. PRoJ 64 80. POPHub 63 81. Republic of Adonia 63 82. Isconia 59 83. Aesthetica 56 84. B.a.N.G 56 85. Pestolia 55 (+15) 86. Neliönoir 54 (+13) 87. The Spodic Empire 53 88. Kyriatine 53 89. N-Lazone 52 90. Ben's Sanctuary 50 91. Kingdom of Shadow 49 92. Sandebörg 48 93. Yuxhaaq 48 94. Eastovka 45 95. Avalonia 45 96. Medhelnia 45 97. Kingdom of Horanius 43 98. Florina 43 99. Nonsuch 43 100. Quotosibb 42 101. Zechonia 42 102. Ingermanlandia 41 103. Triangledonia 40 104. Desbuanda 39 105. Scherzland 38 106. Flynnonda 38 107. Scotland 2 37 108. Taahino 36 (+6) 109. Bronzil 36 110. FNT Nickodonia 36 111. Land of Jack 36 112. Ajanaeda 35 113. Deandria 35 114. Sandénia 34 115. Lorikeet 31 116. Dalisska 29 117. Simondly 29 118. Buzzjack Mountain 28 119. Sergeistan 27 120. Lotopialand 26 121. M.K.L. 25 122. Abeltesfayeton 24 123. Yobnedorica 21 124. Cowtermont 21 125. Triodopolis 21 126. Rivandia 20 127. UnoShake 20 128. Varakë 19 129. Ethanola 19 130. Tapatilandia 19 131. Macromia 17 132. Brechtoria 17 133. Greenland 17 134. Azure 16 135. Järkangel 16 136. Cheiron 15 (+12) 137. Liechenstaan 15 138. Cascadia 14 139. Alteria 13 140. Joedonia 13 141. Euphoriffith 12 142. Farahtyn 12 143. Umiiruka 12 144. Hinterlandia 13 145. Bokia 11 146. Frandoot 11 147. Phlumptopia 11 148. Zaminton 11 149. Britmasu 10 150. Juranabaijan 10 151. Conoria 9 152. Arcodesia 9 153. Fervorosia 9 154. New Caprica 9 155. Faztickle 8 156. Frahliso 8 157. Jayrusalem 8 158. Lievant 8 159. Palmyra 8 160. Tyronosaurusland 8 161. Astoria 7 162. PoisonVine Bay 7 163. Pagasa 6 164. Aprogonia 6 165. Jamora 6 166. New Alba 6 167. Priceville 6 168. Budtar 5 169. Jukianië 5 170. Enty 3 171. Spila 3 172. Camdonia 2 173. Inner Massivia 2 174. Llewandia 2 175. Herbilore 1 176. ChrIseland 1 It’s a good month for all of my favourite countries, with all six sending strong entries on a very high quality month. 2 points for République d'Áskorza extends their lead, but 8 points for Altyr Muunilinst means they finally join the 600 club too! Aeroche’s 5 points, meanwhile, means they pass the 500 barrier while Hendinia, with 7 points, are not exactly miles away either. But our gold medal this month went to Jupiterdonia, whose lovely Fleetwood Mac-esque single from The Ting Tings was a welcome reminder of a duo we used to enjoy, and Jupiterdonia duly move into our all-time top 40. Meanwhile, contest silver and bronze medallists Neliönoir and Pestolia also came second and third on our national vote, albeit in reverse order, both with absolute dance bangers, while we also voted for the contest winner, Bøtanikkä, with 4 points awarded.

Thanks for the silver at the end Josh, what a treat to get from the host <3 I qualified reasonably comfortably in the end after the DNQ predix but wasn't exactly ever going to smash, I thought it might have more appeal to more pop voters when I confirmed it but this contest was too strong for it. I'm happy though, didn't expect to get out of the bottom ten with at all! Thanks to all the voters and commiserations <3 I think my brief foray back into pop is over though, I'll leave it to the pop experts for now. Addy chalking up another win high in the sky! I do like the track a lot and voted for it, I think it was my second favourite of the three Debbii songs entered and she was due a win I suspect with the amount of people trying to enter her recently (and smashing each time). So very huge congrats and we look forward of course to returning to Bøtannikã. Amazing 2nd and 3rd, my 15 and 13 pointers doing so well! My 18 from The Ting Tings on the other hand finishing in the bottom ten, not that I expected much more for it sadly but it was a lovely discovery. Sorry to Hendinia for overpredicting poor Mae, I really thought it would resonate a lot more with people - I guess it was only around 100 points from victory, the field of huge contenders ended up so close together. At least it had a glow up from its semi projection, eek! Cheiron and Altyr are probably the two big WTF positions for me, the former really might as well have been a Chappell Roan track, but then it's worth remembering Chappell was sent four times to BJSC and never made the top ten, and huge No.1 Pink Pony Club was a DNQ here (sure, because of a deduction but it wasn't about to smash either way). Altyr - no idea what happened, too much good pop to choose from is the only reason I can think! Thanks Josh for stunning hosting, it's been such a great contest and it's had effortlessly brilliant hosting, you're a star!

I think this contest was always destined to go down to the wire and the last vote. Rooting for Debby as it's a huge banger. And more inspired than Debbii, who could probably do with a bit of a BJSC rest now. Amazing top three musically though.

Those Yehesi votes were worth the wait! Thanks Tim and Rob!

Thrilled to get over the 100 mark, thanks Lex! Three great songs battling it out, I'd be happy to see any of them win.

Always amazing to see an 18 from the other half of FSR Ashvia, thanks Phil! ❤️

Extremely surprised at Altyr being so low, I thought it would be pop voter catnip but it’s hardly registering with them 😮 Greenfroze deserves way more, such a unique entry. It grew on me so much too from the semi to the final.

Oops. Yeah hasty edit as I misread the country name in my tired state ha! Delusional from the high of getting our first 18 in a while.

Omg at the 18, thanks Aesthetica! Thanks for the 12 too Cody, so very appreciated!

Baleghde <3 Not surprised at Dan contending, I was surprised it wasn't being more talked up (and especially that it even had some questions raised over its potential to Q in the first place) as it had all the hit ingredients - banger, crossover appeal, a distinct recognisable voice.

Thanks Wardy and Mothertopia, chuffed to make it into any votes at all this month with how insanely strong it was.

That Pestolia entry is such a banger, glad it's in the lead so far, deserves to be one of the main contenders. I know The Ting Tings are unlikely to be a big contender but that was such a lovely find and I had to throw my full weight behind it. Very chilled, Fleetwood Mac vibes which I didn't expect from them so thanks Jupiter!

Ohh thank you so much Jack+Mack for getting us off the grid early.

My entry has had almost Nada hype or discussion, multiple DNQ predix and not appeared in the odds so anything above last (where I’ve already been once this year) will be a victory! Looking forward to seeing who wins, I love the majority of the contenders and … didn’t care much for a couple.

I got Now Dance 2008 cheaply today and the massive banger that is Can't Stop Moving by Sonny J is on there, and I thought 'wow, I haven't heard this in YEARS'. Turns out it's not on Spotify of course. What a song, it feels like they pushed it a couple of times and it had good airplay and got used on a lot of TV shows, yet never did anything beyond scraping the top 40. I don't see how its style is a million miles away from, say, Afraid To Feel by LF System, so maybe it was just pushed in the wrong era.