THE TIME CAPSULE: HE'S A REBEL. More retro tomorrow.

<<<THE T⏳ME CAPSULE<<<

HE’S A REBEL

The Crystals

1962

U.K. - #19; U.S.A. - #1

Trivia:

Gene Pitney wrote The Crystals' hit "He's A Rebel". As well as being a songwriter, he enjoyed success as a recording act in his own right. In fact, while the girl group was at the top of the US chart, his single "Only Love Can Break A Heart" was kept out of the #1 position, unable to go higher than #2. Darlene Love performed the lead vocal on "He's A Rebel".

 

Check out all the songs tha4t 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 EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: The 40 Songs Ranked.  #25-21.

EUROVISION 2022

THE 40 SONGS

(in order of preference)

 

The number of competitors for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest has decreased to 40 with the banning of Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine. This year, the 2022 ESC will be held in host city Turin, Italy 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. This post’s entries are a little better, but far from memorable Eurovision entries.

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

40- SERBIA; 39- BULGARIA; 38- LATVIA; 37 – GERMANY; 36- ALBANIA; 

35- NORTH MACEDONIA;34- IRELAND; 33- UKRAINE; 32- SPAIN; 31- SWITZERLAND

30- FINLAND; 29- MALTA; 28- CROATIA; 27- CYPRUS; 26- CZECH REPUBLIC

#25   

I.M

Michael Ben David

Israel

The Israeli entry may need to be performed from Israel instead of in Turin. It is hoped that obstacles can be resolved prior to Semi-Final 2. The song is upbeat and catchy but is unlikely to bring Israel a fifth Eurovision victory.

#24   

SNAP

 Rosa Linn

                                                                 Armenia

Armenia will be represented by a contemporary song performed in English. This entry will be featured last in Semi-Final 1. It deserves to progress to the Grand Final. The fact that there are many far weaker songs should improve its chances.

#23   

BREATHE

Vladana

Montenegro

Montenegro often brings interesting songs to the Eurovision stage. This entry is satisfactory, but will struggle in the second Semi-Final to qualify for the Grand Final.

#22   

 

HALO

Lumix featuring Pia Maria

Austria

With its catchy dance beat, the Austrian entry should progress from Semi-Final 1 to the Grand Final. The song will be sung in English. What it lacks in originality may be its advantage, in that it will appeal to voters that just want to dance.

#21   

SENTIMENTAL

Minka Liu

Lithuania

The Roop deserved its success in last year’s Contest. The 2022 Lithuanian entry is a quirky old school song. It will be performed in Lithuanian which actually adds to its appeal. The song definitely deserves to qualify for the Grand Final.

 

 

THE TIME CAPSULE: SOME LIKE IT HOT. More retro tomorrow.

<<<THE T⏳ME CAPSULE<<<

SOME LIKE IT HOT

The Power Station

1985

U.S.A. - #6

Trivia:

The Power Station was a side project that was comprised of Chic drummer Tony Thompson, Robert Palmer on lead vocals and 2 members of Duran Duran: bassist John Taylor and guitarist Andy Taylor. "Some Like It Hot" also reached Top 10 in Australia.

 

Check out all the songs tha4t 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 EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: The 40 Songs Ranked.  #30-26.

 

EUROVISION 2022

THE 40 SONGS

(in order of preference)

 

The number of competitors for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest has decreased to 40 with the banning of Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine. This year, the 2022 ESC will be held in host city Turin, Italy 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. This post’s entries are a little better, but far from memorable Eurovision entries.

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

40- SERBIA; 39- BULGARIA; 38- LATVIA; 37 – GERMANY; 36- ALBANIA; 

35- NORTH MACEDONIA;34- IRELAND; 33- UKRAINE; 32- SPAIN; 31- SWITZERLAND

#30   

JEZEBEL

The Rasmus

Finland

Hard rock helped give Finland its only ESC win, so The Rasmus is a logical song. But this is no “Hard Rock Hallelujah”. It is well constructed and has enough hooks to deserve qualifying during Semi-Final 2. The entry will kick off this heat.

#29   

I AM WHAT I AM

Emma Muscat

Malta

Curiously, Emma Muscat won the Maltese national selections with another song. She ditched that number for this upbeat entry. It has an inclusive and positive message but might be too stereotypical. It is competing in Semi-Final 2, which will make it more difficult for Malta to make the Grand Final.

#28   

GUILTY PLEASURE

Mia Dimšić

Croatia

With Semi-Final 1 dominated by weaker songs, this could prove advantageous for the Croatian entry. Should it qualify for the Grand Final, a win for Croatia is still going to be a remote possibility.

#27   

ELA

Andromache

Cyprus

Cyprus has offered some of the catchiest entries of recent Contests. Sadly, it is not the case with this year’s song lacks the energy of its predecessors. The entry is performed in Greek and English. One strength it possesses is its Greek musical influence, which makes it worthy for the Grand Final.

#26   

LIGHTS OFF

We Are Domi

Czech Republic

This entry will close the Semi-Finals. Performed in English against a dance beat, it will face tough competition against the other songs in the second heat.

THE TIME CAPSULE: LOVE IS THE DRUG. More retro tomorrow.

<<<THE T⏳ME CAPSULE<<<

LOVE IS THE DRUG

Roxy Music

1975

U.K. - #2; U.S.A. - #30

Trivia:

"Love Is The Drug" was lifted off Roxy Music's 'Siren' album. The model gracing its cover was Texan Jerry Hall. She would become romantically involved with lead singer Bryan Ferry and (later) Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones.

 

Check out all the songs tha4t 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 EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: The 40 Songs Ranked.  #35-31.

 

 

 

EUROVISION 2022

THE 40 SONGS

(in order of preference)

 

The number of competitors for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest has decreased to 40 with the banning of Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine. This year, the 2022 ESC will be held in host city Turin, Italy 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. This post’s entries are grouped together as the ‘Why bother?’ songs; i.e. they are below par.

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

40- SERBIA; 39- BULGARIA; 38- LATVIA; 37 – GERMANY; 36- ALBANIA;

#35   

CIRCLES

Andrea

North Macedonia

Despite having some strong entries in recent years, this year’s North Macedonian song is a drop in standard. It is forgettable and should struggle to qualify from Semi-Final 2. Andrea co-wrote the lyrics.

#34   

THAT’S RICH

Brooke

Ireland

 

Still leading the pack with 7 wins, Ireland will face tough competition in Semi-Final 2. The song is inoffensive and catchy to an extent, but is likely to be overshadowed by the other semi-finalists.

#33   

STEFANIA

Kalush Orchestra

Ukraine

This is the favourite to win the Contest for 2022. If that turns out to be the outcome, its triumph will only be due to the Russian invasion of the country. As tragic as the conflict and war crimes committed by the Russian forces, it is debatable if that should determine a winner. Under normal circumstances, many would dismiss this as a ‘WTF?’ entry. The song, performed in Ukrainian, will easily qualify from Semi-Final 1.

#32   

 

SLOMO

Chanel

Spain

Spain automatically pre-qualifies for the Grand Final, and just as well. This song lacks originality but is catchy. An energetic stage performance may add spice to it. The entry will be performed in Spanish.

#31   

BOYS DO CRY

Marius Bear

Switzerland

The Swiss entry is a valiant attempt at delivering a moving song. Competing during Semi-Final 1 will be an advantage and should help the ballad progress to the Grand Final. Then again, some may forget the song by the time voting begins.

THE TIME CAPSULE: U WILL KNOW. More retro tomorrow.

<<<THE T⏳ME CAPSULE<<<

U WILL KNOW

BMU (Black Men United}

1994

U.S.A. - #28

Trivia:

"U Will Know" is the only chart single by the one-off gathering named Black Men United. The song was featured in the Forest Whitaker film 'Jason's Lyric'. BMU consisted of some of the biggest names in R&B at the time, including: Boyz II Men, Usher, Brian McKnight, Keith Sweat, Gerald Levert, R. Kelly, D' Angelo, Silk, El DeBarge and Lenny Kravitz. The latter was featured on guitar.

 

Check out all the songs tha4t 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