EUROVISION

2023

THE RECORD BOOK

MOST CONSECUTIVE WINNERS NOT SINGING IN ENGLISH

Over the decades, the European Broadcasting Union has shifted a few times regarding giving countries the freedom to sing in any language they wish. In 1999, the restrictions were lifted again. Since then, any entry may be performed in any language. The majority are sung in English. Since 1999, only 4 winning songs have not included lyrics partially or wholly in English. 

The last 2 winners have been performed in Italian (2021- “Zitti E Buoni”) and Ukrainian (2022- “Stefania”). This was the last back-to-back non-English language string of winning entries since 1990 and 1991.

In the event of another song not sung in English extending this winning streak, it would be the first time since 1986. Among this year’s 5 strongest favourites are 2 songs without any English lyrics. They are performed in Finnish (“Cha Cha Cha”) and Spanish (“Eaea”).  

THE 2023 EUROVISION SONGS RANKED IN ORDER. This post: #2. Concludes: tomorrow. 

EUROVISION 2023

THE 37 SONGS

(in order of preference)

 

The number of competitors for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest has decreased to 37 with the absence of Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Montenegro. This year, the ESC will be held in host city Liverpool, England in May. Caffè Lattè has ranked all of the entries in terms of sonic quality, as it does annually. The higher the ranking, the better the song.

*Note that a live performance and the on-stage presentation may alter the overall impact of a song.

ROMANIA GERMANY LATVIA CZECHIA ARMENIA CROATIA

ALBANIA NETHERLANDS SPAIN GEORGIA AUSTRALIA

SAN MARINO GREECE UKRAINE MOLDOVA LITHUANIA

SLOVENIA MALTA ESTONIA SERBIA DENMARK BELGIUM

CYPRUS ICELAND ISRAEL SWITZERLAND IRELAND

AZERBAIJAN POLAND AUSTRIA FRANCE ITALY

PORTUGAL NORWAY FINLAND UNITED KINGDOM SWEDEN

 

#2   

 

 

I WROTE A SONG

Mae Muller

United Kingdom

The UK often struggles at Eurovision. It must be said that at times its entries don’t reflect the undeniable influence of British music on pop culture and music. There has been an improvement in recent years and that remains the case in 2023. “I Wrote A Song” is a catchy song that could be heard on the radio. As one of “The Big 5” countries, Mae Muller has pre-qualified for a spot in the Grand Final. She co-wrote the song and deserves to be successful, especially as the UK is hosting the Contest on behalf of Ukraine.

THE TIME CAPSULE: TRUE COLORS. More retro tomorrow.

<<<THE T⏳ME CAPSULE<<<

TRUE COLORS

Cyndi Lauper

1986

U.K. - #12; U.S.A. - #1

Trivia:

Cyndi Lauper's second album was entitled 'True Colors'. Its title track was penned  by Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg. The two men also wrote the #1 singles "Eternal Flame" (The Bangles), "Like A Virgin" (Madonna), "Alone" (Heart) and "So Emotional" (Whitney Houston). Lauper co-produced "True Colors".

Check out all the songs that have been featured in this daily segment on Spotify, including today’s retro track.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1fw40hqEA0Fgh4cq4yoXD0?si=BYCiWGK3QRim_FaIIkAIdg

spotify:playlist:1fw40hqEA0Fgh4cq4yoXD0

 

EUROVISION

2023

THE RECORD BOOK

LONGEST PARTICIPATIONS WITHOUT A WIN

While Ireland and Sweden can be proud of their respective 7 and 6 wins at Eurovision, some long-term participating countries are still eagerly eyeing their first elusive Contest victory. 

The nations that have been waiting the longest are: Cyprus (with 37 participations), Iceland and Malta (both have competed 34 times). 2023 will reveal if the long wait for any of these 3 countries will finally end with its first win. Cyprus will compete with its 38^th entry “Break A Broken Heart”. Iceland will be represented by its 35^th song “Power”. Malta’s entry is “Dance (Our Own Party)” for its 35^th attempt at a win.

THE 2023 EUROVISION SONGS RANKED IN ORDER. This post: #3. Continues: tomorrow. 

 

EUROVISION 2023

THE 37 SONGS

(in order of preference)

 

The number of competitors for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest has decreased to 37 with the absence of Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Montenegro. This year, the ESC will be held in host city Liverpool, England in May. Caffè Lattè has ranked all of the entries in terms of sonic quality, as it does annually. The higher the ranking, the better the song.

*Note that a live performance and the on-stage presentation may alter the overall impact of a song.

ROMANIA GERMANY LATVIA CZECHIA ARMENIA CROATIA

ALBANIA NETHERLANDS SPAIN GEORGIA AUSTRALIA

SAN MARINO GREECE UKRAINE MOLDOVA LITHUANIA

SLOVENIA MALTA ESTONIA SERBIA DENMARK BELGIUM

CYPRUS ICELAND ISRAEL SWITZERLAND IRELAND

AZERBAIJAN POLAND AUSTRIA FRANCE ITALY

PORTUGAL NORWAY FINLAND SWEDEN UNITED KINGDOM

 

#3   

 

 

CHA CHA CHA

Käärijä

Finland

Any of the Top 7 ranked songs deserve to taste Eurovision victory. “Cha Cha Cha” is one of the strong favourites to win in 2023 and deserves to be in such a favourable position. It is modern, part rap, part metal, part pop and the catchiest song to ever represent Finland. Käärijä will perform the song in Finnish during Semi-Final 1. It is placed last in the running order which will further enhance its chances. The singer co-wrote his entry, which should easily qualify for the Grand Final.

 

THE TIME CAPSULE: SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL. More retro tomorrow.

<<<THE T⏳ME CAPSULE<<<

SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL

Grand Funk Railroad

1974

U.S.A. - #3

Trivia:

Grand Funk Railroad shortened its name by dropping the third word in 1973. As Grand Funk, they scored 2 US #1 singles: "We're An American Band" and "The Loco-Motion". In 1974, the group returned to the Top 3 with "Some Kind Of Wonderful". The song was covered by Huey Lewis & The News in 1994.

Check out all the songs that have been featured in this daily segment on Spotify, including today’s retro track.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1fw40hqEA0Fgh4cq4yoXD0?si=BYCiWGK3QRim_FaIIkAIdg

spotify:playlist:1fw40hqEA0Fgh4cq4yoXD0

 

THE 2023 EUROVISION SONGS RANKED IN ORDER. This post: #4. Continues: tomorrow. 

EUROVISION 2023

THE 37 SONGS

(in order of preference)

 

The number of competitors for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest has decreased to 37 with the absence of Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Montenegro. This year, the ESC will be held in host city Liverpool, England in May. Caffè Lattè has ranked all of the entries in terms of sonic quality, as it does annually. The higher the ranking, the better the song.

*Note that a live performance and the on-stage presentation may alter the overall impact of a song.

ROMANIA GERMANY LATVIA CZECHIA ARMENIA CROATIA

ALBANIA NETHERLANDS SPAIN GEORGIA AUSTRALIA

SAN MARINO GREECE UKRAINE MOLDOVA LITHUANIA

SLOVENIA MALTA ESTONIA SERBIA DENMARK BELGIUM

CYPRUS ICELAND ISRAEL SWITZERLAND IRELAND

AZERBAIJAN POLAND AUSTRIA FRANCE ITALY

PORTUGAL NORWAY FINLAND SWEDEN UNITED KINGDOM

 

#4   

 

QUEEN OF KINGS

Alessandra

Norway

This year, Norway should cruise smoothly from Semi-Final 1 into the Grand Final.  “Queen Of Kings” punches away while simultaneously empowering the audience and should entice many voters to express their appreciation. This is the type of Scandinavian banger that is popular at the Contest. Alessandra Mele is of Norwegian and Italian descent and co-wrote the strong entry.

 

THE TIME CAPSULE: ALWAYS THE LAST TO KNOW. More retro tomorrow.

<<<THE T⏳ME CAPSULE<<<

ALWAYS THE LAST TO KNOW

Del Amitri

1992

U.K. - #13

Trivia:

Del Amitri formed in Glasgow in 1982. "Always The Last To Know" became one of the group's biggest chart hits 10 years later.

Check out all the songs that have been featured in this daily segment on Spotify, including today’s retro track.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1fw40hqEA0Fgh4cq4yoXD0?si=BYCiWGK3QRim_FaIIkAIdg

spotify:playlist:1fw40hqEA0Fgh4cq4yoXD0