The 50th Eurovision Song Contest

Jessica Garlick finished in joint 3rd in 2002 (or fourth if you're being nasty), Imaani however reached 2nd.

Ukraine (the host country) have chosen their song this evening and have chosen the band 'Greenjolly' with a... slightly... political song. Here is a translation of some of the lyrics:

Together we are many, we cannot be defeated.
Falsifications. No! Machinations. No!
'Little Understandings'. No! No to lies!
Yushchenko, Yushchenko is our President.
Yes! Yes! Yes!

We aren't beasts of burden, we aren't goats.
We are of Ukraine sons and daughters
It's now or never, enough of waiting
together we are many, together we cannot be defeated.

Right. The song actually does sound OK. Rapping - a bit like an ethic Eminem (I'm not actually eminem's fan at all really though)

Here's a link to the song: http://motor-rolla.kiev.ua/music.files/mp3/razom_-_nas_bagato.mp3

It would be interesting to see a Eurovision from Malta - being such a tiny island I wonder what kind of show it would be.

Being half Maltese myself, I'm always rooting for them along with the UK - and they have been, in recent years at least, consistantly putting in a better performance than the UK. Which is quite astonishing really - seeing as they have a population equal to about 0.7% of ours!

A fellow half Maltese, what are the chances of that happening hmm, hmm?

I'd love to see Malta win one year, they put a whole years worth of effort into it. As for hosting it, well building a large venue near the crowed tourist spots seem unlikely, so it would be very interesting to see what would happen. I'm sure they would also lean on the BBC for help in broadcasting the event. The BBC of course helped set up both radio and TV on the islands and still provided News to a number of radio stations.

As for Britain winning. Never mind the politically crap, Jemini were off key and deserved no points, James Fox was just bland. I do think Javine has more chance of helping us into the top ten or at less 15. Not a winner but a better entry then the last two years (of course she has to win MYMU first)

We need to get in there with some Europop rubbish I'm afraid... Jordan is competing you say? She'll fit in well. I won't be watching though.

Hi,
Here are some of best shows (in my opinion) from Lithuania contest:
Artas - http://s24.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2Y4EKI37OHDQE2JG0KV3XE2VTO (my favourite song)
V.Mataciunaite - http://s23.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=05F580MRBG1ZL1AF0SSP1CMT2H (song which imho had to go to Ukraine)
R.Kausiute - http://s32.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=39SVKA7EW1SKJ3ICKE2YPG5VY8
Eva & C.Gabalis - http://s11.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3THJ8NVBV12UO1SGED6E86Q9UV

And the winner, Laura & The lovers - http://s23.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2T1KLXFAK64ZP3B2OSCZYU0MXH

I had post these songs because i'm interesting in your opinion, and i'm waiting feedback By the way there were first year in Lithuania when the winner was chosen by people votes, but the telecomunications were't perfect because a lot of people couldn't call to vote etc... So we realy don't know real winner

Oh joy! Jordan is going to sing on Today with Des and Mel!!

Wow! I'm really looking forward to it. Think I even might record this special occasion

Though to be honest most of the winners over the last few years haven't actually been that "Europoppy" - the really Europop stuff (Xandee last year, Corinne May a few years ago etc.) has not done at all well.

Certainly the winning Ukrainian, Turkish, Latvian, Estonian and Danish entries weren't classic Europop - though Greece last year was pretty close (and rated very highly)

I'd say that Sweden in 1999 winning with "Take me to your heaven" was the last time that a really Europoppy song won - and Dana International the year before was Europoppy as well.

Generic "EuroEthnic" seems to be doing pretty well - ballads less so. (ISTR that it is very unusual for a male solo ballad singer to win...)

Javine performs her (great) song this Friday on TOTP.

I see the BEEB have dished another excuse to get the lovely Natasha Kaplinksy on our screens on Saturday night. She is back with Wogan to host Make Your Mind Up.

Hmm was the lovely Gina miming?

I don't know if they were miming or not but the sound (on the programme generally) was bloody awful.

Oh to be able to vote for 'None of the Above'