Chez Wombat

I guess it's easy to see in retrospect now but it seems like the Democrats fell into the trap with just assuming that Trump is a laughing stock and (rightfully) completely unelectable and saying how worse it could be under him, but not actually making it clear why them. Through misinformation or otherwise, the average American has not been happy with the current administration and there's no promise of change, they have an option of change so they'll take it, no matter how internet-popular and celebrity-endorsed the alternative is. That may work in the likes of California, but the swing states work a bit differently. Having said that, it did seem like this was always coming as the polls were almost completely static throughout and the swing states were just unsatisfied with how things were so while Biden definitely should've never ran for re-election in the first place and they should've made it clearer that there will be changes, they had an uphill battle whoever they picked, especially with the double standards in the media (the amount of furore over Biden's suitability due to age compared to Trump's is ridiculous) It'll be a tough four years with full Republican dominance for at least the first two (really worried about Ukraine in particular) but silver linings and all that - he'll do about as well as last time, the world will still be turning and then he'll finally be gone for good (no way the term limits thing is going to be altered, that is steeped in their constitution and could start a civil war if that were changed, and I can't see any of his family having the same impact, he's a once in a generation candidate that we'll hopefully look back and one day sign in relief that we survived it).

FFS America really…..

So I know this entry wasn't exactly inspired (even with just the minor Buzzjack noise, he had quite a following and I did discover it through 6Music), but it was one of my favourite songs of the year which I really felt compelled to share, that first listen was just complete goosebumps and it's stuck with me so well over a fairly difficult few months for me personally, so I'm really pleased to see it resonate so much, and I hope it was a discovery to a few of you and if not, you have great taste anyway :D With how long it took my first win to come, I certainly didn't expect to see the second one so comparitively soon after! Commiserations to Rob, that was a photo finish! Admittedly more of a fan of the bottom 5 of the top 10 this time, all were in my votes and fantastic in particular to see Sovarasma and Trifoski do so well and I wouldn't have called that. 18th is a good position for GSY!BE, pleased it got top half. Could've done with a few of my other big pointers a bit higher x Excellent hosting Leww (despite almost killing me xx), thank you for promoting this brilliant film and sticking to the concept so well (Demi Moore for Oscar campign starts now). Not sure how I'm going to follow this and it's not the best timing, but I shall persist so watch this space (once we've had a bit of a recovery from song contest overload x)! (hooray at breaking the YTD top 20, this was previously looking like a fairly unspectacular year before the last few months)

Democracy being ahead of Economy is rare (even 2008 had that as first priority), really hope that's a good sign. Don't envy you people staying up, but may not be able to sleep much myself, here's hoping to not waking up to doomsday xx

saved yourself from a ban there xx (full comments later when I recover but thank you all omg <333)

Buzzjack going slow in direct contrast to my heartbeat xx

oh my gosh :drama:

Yeah, definitely think I'm losing that lead with the remaining nations voting, but a great haul indeed <3

Ooh this is looking better :cheeseblock:

Underperforming, kill me now, delete the forum etc. (:kink:)

Well I can't think of any other hugely important event to await other then whether I'm able to win, bring it on :o (I don't think I will for the record, think this is a very alt-heavy final so got to be a pop winner, my money's still on Aeroche)

I reserve the right to ban odds and predictions if that's wrong xx

Best America - A Horse With No Name Carly Simon - You're So Vain Don McLean - American Pie Stevie Wonder - Superstition The Temptations - Papa Was A Rollin' Stone Frankenstein and The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia were also good discoveries x Worst Donny Osmond - Go Away Little Girl Michael Jackson - Ben Melanie - Brand New Key Feels a bit harsh to Brand New Key compared to the other two, but those vocals were really painful at points.

Eminem a very easy first bin, pretty good list otherwise!

Even if the Iowa poll is within margin of error, that was a State he won comfortably in 2020 and the fact there's doubts in what should be an easy win for him doesn't look good for the trends in the swing states at all. That's the first bit of optimism I've felt in a while, although still cautiously so. I'm worried about the aftermath either way, while I'm sure there'll be preparation he won't accept a loss, he wasn't exactly punished for it last time so who knows what he or his supporters could do :/

John Denver - Take Me Home, Country Roads Marvin Gaye - What's Going On The Moody Blues - Nights In White Satin Tom Jones - She's A Lady

Kemi Badenoch wins the vote and is leader of the Conservative Party. Lots of culture war nonsense to look forward to, yayyy :nocheer:

The overdramatics from this budget from the media is quite something, I'd be interested to compare it to the last Tory budget (bar the disastrous Truss one)

Meet Me Halfway took me ages for some reason, I think it was the whole uncanny valley vibe of it, took me a while to click they were peas! Lulu was genius though, quite surprised that got so many given it's not a universally used term, but I suppose it couldn't have been anything else! Hooray at getting the bonus points, just about keeping me top half, you're all too good at this x Congrats to Dandy & jim on a full house and thanks Mango for another fun round of these B-)

In general, a pretty decent budget (though I'm certain the Telegraph/Tabloid rags will declare it's the worst ever), was very pleased to hear about the amount going into SEN and education in particular. The lack of investment in public transport is more of a shame.

I had Style in mind for Taylor Swift, thankfully remembered there was another item of clothing she had a song about x Chemical Brothers took me forever, especially as it looked like they were talking to each other and the boy and the girl were in the background!

Well thank you for being generous! That's where my lack of current chart knowledge comes in x (and didn't think of Steps either, although I did wonder why All Rise didn't have court representation). There goes one of my bonus answers as I was misled into Buzzjack logic for a wrong answer :drama:

So that's what #6 was, blast x Was confused by the birds and I kept focusing on songs with 'Well' in it. Oh Well was my best guess cos the person was wearing a Mac.

I was slightly unsure with Q2 because of the forest animals (Fox on the Run by The Sweet was a consideration), pleased they didn't seem relevant in the end x