Horror Scene

Kelly Clarkson was a no-brainer of a choice for season 2 in my mind. Like Avril, she dominated parts of my childhood: I consumed Breakaway and All I Ever Wanted endlessly back in the day, plus she had some popular/great hits outside of those two eras so was not short of material (shamefully I didn't give My December much attention until this contest/researching Kelly but needless to say WHAT AN ALBUM and may explain why I maybe over-repped that era)! In fact, my first draft of song selections looked very different to the finalised choices: and then subsequent draft: (I don't know why I assumed there would be a 3-song final... maybe XF lol) I was originally intending to represent All I Ever Wanted a lot more and My December a lot less but, having deep dived back into her back catalogue, the latter aged a lot better imo. Shamefully, I wasn’t too familiar with either ‘Judas’ or ‘Haunted’ but damn they’re up there with her very best for me. : I know Don’t Let Me Stop You was considered a bit of a fan favourite back in the day (same with Cry) but I wasn’t confident on how non-Kelly/non-pop fans would take to those. Likewise with ‘Already Gone’, as much as I love it, I thought maybe alt voters wouldn’t like the Tedder-by-numbers production? Whereas I thought maybe the songs on My December had more crossover appeal in comparison. I was also going to begrudgingly use Stronger as I fell into the ‘it was a hit so it’s popular on Buzzjack’ trap. So thank you to that Number 8 singles rate for making me realise this forum isn’t too keen on it either. (sorry Spiceboy) I totally underestimated how much ‘Piece by Piece’ is loved on here: it was off my list of potentials for a bit of a while lol. But I knew it would represent another era of Kelly’s so opted for that over ‘Beautiful Disaster (live)’ in the end. Now in defence of People Like Us. I foolishly assumed the flop had to have been a single released in the UK which ruled out my would-be option ‘Sober’ (in actual fact before the rules for the flop round were announced I planned on sending Catch My Breath). So I thought People Like Us was the best out of a… not so good bunch. That said, very grateful to those of you who voted for it. If had used 'Sober' in the flop round, I probably would've sent 'Breakaway' solely for the nod to Avril (not too keen on it myself and I didn't think it was really a massive fan fave but could be wrong ) or Addicted/Beautiful Disaster (so sad I never used either of these in the end but she has so many gems! ). ‘Behind These Hazel Eyes’ and ‘Because Of You’ were always going to be saved for the SF/F with ‘Since U Been Gone’ the obvious choice for the dreaded battle round. ‘Sober’ wasn’t always going to be in the line-up but thought it’d make a cracking winner’s single in the end: a firm fan-fave and also an album track a la last year’s ‘Take Me Away’. Alas, it didn't have as much appeal as I'd hoped. Songs I snubbed: Miss Independent - really was never too sure on this song's popularity (among Kelly and non-Kelly fans alike) despite liking it myself but the Pop Princesses rate guided me away from it. Stronger - as mentioned above Underneath the Tree - honestly was toying with playing this at one point because it's clearly loved but equally could've gotten some form of protest vote against it for being cheap and seasonally inappropriate lmao. Also, I probably should have delved more into her 2010s/2020s/non-Breakaway/My December tracks so I'll consider being a bit more diverse eras-wise for season 3!

3rd it is! Thank you Calum for yet another incredible season! Your commitment and hard work is so appreciated. Last year was a blast but somehow this one even tops that. Love the fact so many got involved this year. Maybe next season we will have to have more slots. This is without a doubt my favourite thing on this forum and long may it continue! ❤️ P.s After two seasons of repping my 00s pop-rock girlies, my plan for season 3 is much different! (Kelly post incoming)

Congrats Julian!! You played a blinder. ❤️

Shameless plug

It was on my provisional song list for the live show rounds but it’s performance in the recent Number 8 single rate put me off. Plus I don’t like it.

Hi My long-winded post about my game plan with Kelly is on my laptop so that will have to wait but relieved to talk openly about it finally! People Like Us will be addressed! I honestly thought Wardy or Addy were ABBA (at different times ofc) so well done Julian for masking yourself so well! Would never have guessed Joseph was Lily either! I thought you were for sure the Kittens or a twink!

I’ll allow that comparison just this time.

Good luck to my competitors! I just wanted to make the last stage again so happy wherever I land tonight! Looking forward to seeing the SF and F.1 votes also!

I love these. We can add More Like a Prayer too.

We get a part 3.

For a hot sec I thought you meant Cheiron. We are pleased the obscure land of Cherion is kept well away!

Preach!! Anyone even attempting to ruin the enthusiasm of this contest for others should be permabanned.

We like pavibet.

Hopefully! I can hear JADE's voice on Midnight Sun and it works so well in my head.

When are my predictions ever right? Let's be real.

Mine was more an MNQ tbf.

Calm your lil toaster

Domino for me. Not usually a fan of her voice on record but that one is the exception.

🤷‍♂️ Harmonica - In Color - Headlights Danæviia - Lux Terminus - Electrocommunion Freidland - Pegassi - MOAA Kathaldazia - Ignez - Lunfardo Zanmatony - herCULES & DEV - BITE BACK Jadakissnia - Le Belladone - NYMPHE Lookylion - Arlissa - NOW!! Utopia - Brigitte Calls Me Baby - Slumber Party Ojnoj - Naomi Scott - Cherry Ennea - KOMPROMAT - I LET MYSELF GO BLIND (feat. Vimala Pons & Sonia DeVille) République d'Áskorza - Hanna Ferm & Junie - Välkommen Åter Pestolia - Goochems - barrel of soil Cheiron - Midnight Generation - Energy Mothertopia - Nichola Holt - The Game (7" Radio Mix) Deandria - KHOIBA - HOW THE EYE Aelandor - Lights - SURFACE TENSION Kluminican Republic - Michael Medrano - DANSE Lotunia - Orange - Em Nên Yêu Cô Ta Pagasa - Model/Actriz - Glassman Dalisska - Internet Islands - Kelpie FSR Rontvia - Frances - Don't Worry About Me (Live) Yehesi - Emei - Night At The Opera Elëdan - Jerobeam Fenderson & Hansi3D - Function Summericia - Ella Boh - STARLET The Spodic Empire - Leprous - The Flood Bøtanikkä - 2charm - boyfriend Taahino - panicbaby - get naked Hendinia - Babe America - Kiss Rn Baleghde - Polo & Pan - Nanã

Also guaranteed a new nation winning - either Sweden, the USA or the UK!

I think they’ve spelt JADE wrong somewhere.

Can’t wait for this era though I’m sure it’ll be a while til it starts!

I love all these cryptic voting posts even if they do make me a tad nervous.

Voted! Can't say I massively loved that semi on a whole but there were at least 10 songs I wanted to give points to so there's that.

I’ll take 25/1 as my opening odds! 😎