Through an internal selection process, Cyprus chose “Ela” by Andromache.  Cyprus will perform in the second semi-final. Ursula’s Thoughts: Of the female soloist entries, I think Andromache’s “Ela” compels me the most. I like the song and the music video. We will have to see about the staging. Christa’s Thoughts: I love the song and … Continue reading Cyprus’s “Ela”

In a very early national final held December 2021, the Czech Republic chose We Are Domi and their song “Lights Off.” The Czech Republic will be the final performance in semi-final two. Ursula’s Thoughts: I like this song! It has grown on me as I have listened to it these past few months. It has … Continue reading Czech Republic’s “Lights Off”

Through a national final, Denmark chose Reddi’s song “The Show.”  Denmark competes in the first semi-final. Ursula’s Thoughts: For a group with such a fantastic vibe, it’s a shame the song is so bad. The only part of the song I enjoy is the transition from piano ballad to rock song. Denmark, with one of … Continue reading Denmark’s “The Show”

Through a national selection process, Estonia chose the Western themed “Hope” by Stefan. Stefan commits fully to the Western theme in the song’s twangy sound set to a music video in an arid desert (in contrast to Estonia’s maritime, wet, moderate forests) featuring horses, guns, cowboy hats and an onstage duel that happened during his … Continue reading Estonia’s “Hope”

Remaining consistent with their image, Finland chose the rock song “Jezebel” by The Rasmus through a national selection. Finland is known for consistently sending rock and heavy metal entries to Eurovision. The most famous example being Lordi with “Hard Rock Hallelujah.” In 2006, Finland won Eurovision with Lordi's "Hard Rock Hallelujah" Finland performs in the … Continue reading Finland’s “Jezebel”

France chose “Fulenn” by Alvan & Ahez through a national final. “Fulenn” is sung in Breton, a language with Celtic roots still spoken in Brittany. (This is the first Eurovision contest ever that does not have a single entry from any country sung in French.) As a Big 5 country, France is guaranteed a performance … Continue reading France’s “Fulenn”

Through an internal selection process Georgia chose Circus Mircus and their song “Lock Me In.”  Circus Mircus has a wild range of music on their YouTube channel and definitely exists on the weirder and more experimental end of the music spectrum. Georgia performs in the second semi-final. Ursula’s Thoughts: I fully enjoy “Lock Me In.” … Continue reading Georgia’s “Lock Me In”

After a rough national final where one of the other contestants completely forgot her lyrics, Germany chose Malik Harris’s “Rockstars.” As one of the big 5, Germany is guaranteed a spot in the final. Ursula’s Thoughts: I feel like I should appreciate this song and Malik Harris as a musician, however it’s just not a … Continue reading Germany’s “Rockstars”

Greece chose Amanda Georgiadi Tenfjord to represent them with “Die Together” through an internal selection process. Greece will perform in the first semi-final. Ursula’s Thoughts: This song runs into the issue of getting lost in all of the other female soloist entries. It does seem like Amanda Tenfjord is doing a better job than many … Continue reading Greece’s “Die Together”

Through a national selection process, Iceland selected “Með Hækkandi Sól” by the group Systur, which, you guessed it, is a group consisting of three sisters. Iceland performs in the first semi-final. Ursula’s Thoughts: This song feels timeless in the it-could-have-been-released-in-any-of-the-last-5-decades sort of way. I like it. It’s groovy and folksy, but it doesn’t have the … Continue reading Iceland’s “Með Hækkandi Sól”