Friday, May 11, 2007

Eurovision funnies


Over the last week or so, the Great British public have discovered two things:

1. The Eurovision song contest is round the corner
and
2. The British entry sucks

However, not everyone has grasped both points - there are some who think that if we end up with nul points on Saturday, it will be because of the war in Iraq, or because no one likes us, or in fact any other number of reasons, none of which have anything to do with the quality (and I use the word loosely) of our song.

I kid you not. Here's what I read in the London Paper this afternoon:

“Some countries vote for each other out of loyalty rather than the merits of a song, with Cyprus and Greece being the obvious example. The smaller countries like to gang up on bigger countries like Britain. They don’t seem to want to hand a musical accolade to a country which has a nuclear arsenal and the world’s best city – London.”

So the reason hardly anyone votes for us these days is because we've got nukes, and also because they're jealous of London (Parisians, eat your hearts out). If it wasn't for that, millions of people across the Continent would be admitting that Flying The Flag is God's gift to music - worth a musical accolade, no less.

I wonder whether the person who made this statement has actually seen the song performed. I think not.

At least the paper was free. I'd be horrified if I'd paid 40p to read *that* kind of twaddle.

12 comments:

Margarita said...

Maybe the British are just jealous that they don't have a 12 point buddy like the Greeks do ;)

Bike Drool said...

Is this like "American Idol", only better?

Tinsie said...

Hehe you could say that ;-)

It's an annual competition which has been taking place every year since 1956. The participating countries each submit a song to be performed on live television, then cast votes for the other countries' songs. The country with the most popular song gets to host the event the following year. Practically every European country takes part (except Italy) so it's quite a big event.

It's fun to watch on TV, but it's even better to see live, as there's a whole party culture associated with it. The problem is that tickets sell like hot cakes. The final often sells out within *minutes* of the tickets going on sale, so you have to be VERY quick.

Anonymous said...

OK I admit that Greece and Cyprus vote for eachother but apart from this little alliance we don't have much support elsewhere.I haven't heard booing when Scandinavian countries vote for each other.The same goes for the former Eastern block countries.As for the British song?I am disappointed.The country that produces the best music in the world for decades now allows that song to represent it? Come on!
Eurovision isn't about war, nukes and intimidation. It's about having fun.And I am sure that whoever watched the competition will agree that many of the songs were fantastic.If you want to win Eurovision, then get people who actually watch it to choose your entry.

Tinsie said...

Well, said, Kathy! Couldn't agree with you more :-)

Tinsie said...

Marg, Malta gave douze points to Scooch last night, so it seems even the UK has a 12-point buddy ;-)

Anonymous said...

Do you like the Serbian song? I quite liked it.It's different to what is usually chosen.I think it was time for a change. Expect more ethnic ballads next year :-)

Tinsie said...

When I first listened to the songs on the CD, the Serbian song was one of a handful that stood out. When I watched it last night I thought it wouldn't do very well because the performance was very low key, but I'm really pleased it won.

Fancy going to Belgrade next year?

Anonymous said...

Malta is my new favourite country :)
So what (apart from the next Eurovision song contest) is in Belgrade or should I buy a guide book or two?

Tinsie said...

No idea - we'll have to check it out before we go.

Anonymous said...

Serbian song isn't like others songs. It's full of emotions and it deserved to win this year.I watched on TV when Marija Serifovic was coming to Belgrade and 70.000(!!!) citizens was on the square that night. I hope that Belgrade will make a great sensation next year...

Tinsie said...

I hope that Belgrade will make a great sensation next year...

I hope so, too. Especially since I'm planning to be there :-)