2003 - 01 Iceland

Iceland! Yay! Iceland 2003 was just a beautiful time in the world.

The Actual Icelandic National Final (called Söngvakeppnin or Song Contest) took place on 02/15/2003 and was comprised of 15 Songs. In the Actual National Final, the winner was decided by a single round of Televoting, which Segðu Mér Allt sung by Birgitta Haukdal, won by a mile (With over twice the amount of votes as the 2nd Place Song). Birgitta quickly secured her spot as the ideal Icelandic Eurovision Diva. She decided to sing her song as "Open Your Heart" at Eurovision and because a HUGE fan favorite. Many believe that if she didn't have the bad luck of performing first in a field of 26, she very well might have top 5ed. 

Anywho, the Icelandic NF this year had more than a few good to great songs, although "Segðu Mér Allt " has always been my winner. 


Anywho, of course i used  a different method to select my winner. First, I divided the 15 Songs into 3 Semi Finals. In each SF, I listened to all 5 Songs and awarded "Televotes" to select my 2 Finalists. After the 3 Semi Finals, I listened to the 9 Non - Qualifying Songs and Selected 2 Wild Cards. 



Semi Final 01 -
Number - Title (Translation) - Televote - Place
01 - Hvar Sem Ég Enda (Wherever I End Up) - 1 739 Votes - 5th
02 - Ferrari - 5 274 Votes - 1st

03 - Þú (You) - 3 617 Votes - 3rd

04 - Sögur (Stories) - 2 068 Votes - 4th
05 - Í Nótt (Tonight) - 3 499 Votes - 2nd

Semi Final 02 -
01 - Með Þér (With You) - 1 340 Votes - 4th
02 - Engu Þurfum Að Tapa (We Have Nothing To Lose) - 4 468 Votes - 2nd
03 - Euróvísa (Eurovisia) - 1 945 Votes - 3rd
04 - Segðu Mér Allt (Tell Me Everything) -  6 817 Votes - 1st
05 - Ást Á Skítugum Skóm (Love In Dirty Shoes) - 792 Votes - 5th

Semi Final 03 -
01 - Sá Þig (Saw You) - 2 695 Votes - 2nd
02 - Mig Dreymdi Lítinn Draum (I Had A Little Dream) -  1 458 Votes - 4th
03 - Tangó (Tango) - 4 002 Votes - 1st
04 - Allt (Everything) - 2 392 Votes - 3rd
05 - Þú Og Ég (Er Ég Anda) [You And I (As I Breath)] - 1 007 Votes - 5th

Final -

In the Final, I chose my winner in 2 Rounds of Voting. In the First Round, I listened to all 8 Songs 4 times. After each listen, I awarded each song between 01 and 10 Points. The top 4 Songs advanced to the Second Round, where I awarded "Televotes" to chose my Winner.

Round 01 -
Number - Title (Translation) - Vote 01 - Vote 02 - Vote 03 - Vote 04 - Total - Place
01 - Tangó (Tango) - 06 - 06 - 06 - 08 - 26 Points - 6th 
02 - Þú (You) - 05 - 07 - 05 - 06 - 23 Points -  7th
03 - Ferrari - 07 - 10 - 08 - 08 - 33 Points -  3rd

04 - Engu Þurfum Að Tapa (We Have Nothing To Lose) - 08 - 09 - 10 - 09 - 36 Points - 2nd

05 - Í Nótt (Tonight) - 06 - 08 - 07 - 08 - 29 Points - 5th

06 - Sögur (Stories) - 04 - 05 - 05 - 06 - 20 Points - 8th

07 - Segðu Mér Allt (Tell Me Everything) - 10 - 09 - 10 - 10 - 39 Points - 1st

08 - Sá Þig (Saw You) - 07 - 08 - 07 - 08 - 30 Points - 4th

Round 02 - 

Number - Title (Translation) - Televote - Place

01 - Ferarri - 10 594 Votes - 2nd

02 - Engu Þurfum Að Tapa (We Have Nothing To Lose) - 5 041 Votes - 3rd

03 - Segðu Mér Allt (Tell Me Everything) -  21 964 Votes - 1st

04 - Sá Þig (Saw You) - 3 853 Votes - 4th


Iceland did an absolutely brilliant job of translating  "Segðu Mér Allt" into english....and because the English version is of much better quality, I am proud to announce my First Song of Eurovision 2003 - 


Open Your Heart - Birgitta

Here, you can download all my finalists of the Icelandic National Final of 2003

Iceland 2003 

Comments -
Birgitta has always been my winner, since the moment I heard her. When I first heard the songs, my top 4 were "Segðu Mér Allt", "Þú". "Í Nótt" and "Ferrari"...but over time, "Þú" has fallen WAAAAY out of favor with me. I'm a bit surprised that "Sá Þig" has knocked "Í Nótt" out of my top 4, but so it goes. I was all ready and set to have "Engu Þurfum Að Tapa" get 2nd, but I just can't help myself..."Ferarri" is better. It's just so mellow, smooth and catchy.

Something to get everyone jazzed about Eurovision 2003

So here's a little taste of what's to come. "Genom Eld Och Vatten" is by faaaaaaaaaaaaar my absolute Favorite song of Melodifestivalen 2003, and is quite simply one of the best Melodifestivalen entries ever. Anywho, I've spent a lot of time listening, loving, dancing and singing to it, and over time, i've created my own English version.  Here it is - (Comments would be treasured) -

Song -

Swedish Lyrics with English Translation -

Jag har inte silver och inte guld

I have not silver and not gold

Inget du kan få

Nothing you can get

Det jag äger ligger blottat för din syn

What I own is exposed to your sight

Mina händer är tomma men hjärtat fullt

My hands are empty, but a heart full

Av nåt du inte ser

Of something you do not see

Så jag har nånting som är mera värt ändå

So I have something that is worth more anyway

För om du tappar modet och faller ner på knä

Because if you become discouraged and fall down on my knees

Kan du vila här hos mig

Can you sleep with me

Som en klippa i stormen att luta dig mot

As a rock in the storm to lean on

Och jag sviker aldrig dig

And I never betray you

Jag ska följa dig genom eld och Vatten

I will follow you through fire and water

Över land och hav

Over land and sea

Jag ska älska dig tills hjärtat slutar slå

I will love you until the heart stops beating

Från det högsta berg till den djupaste av dalar ska jag gå

From the highest mountain to the deepest of valleys, I will go

Genom tid och rum ja alla mina dagar ska du få

Through time and space so all my days you get

Och när vindarna leker på vidderna, dansar jag med dig

And when the winds play on the plains, I dance with you

Om solen bränner svalkar jag din hud

If the sun burns my cool skin

För om du tappar modet och faller ner på knä

Because if you become discouraged and fall down on my knees

Kan du vila här hos mig

Can you sleep with me

Som en klippa i stormen att luta dig mot

As a rock in the storm to lean on

Och jag sviker aldrig dig

And I never betray you

Jag ska följa dig genom eld och Vatten

I will follow you through fire and water

Över land och hav

Over land and sea

Jag ska älska dig tills hjärtat slutar slå

I will love you until the heart stops beating

Från det högsta berg till den djupaste av dalar ska jag gå

From the highest mountain to the deepest of valleys, I will go

Genom tid och rum ja alla mina dagar ska du få

Through time and space so all my days you get

Jag ska följa dig genom eld och vatten

I will follow you through fire and water

Över land och hav

Over and land and sea

Genom tid och rum ja alla mina dagar ska du få

Through time and space all my days you get

Genom tid och rum ja alla mina dagar ska du få

Through time and space all my days you get

My Song - 

Oh, I don’t have silver, I don’t have gold

Your love I cannot buy

But I’ll be your treasure if you will be my guide

Oh, my hands are bare, but my heart is full

It’s all to do with you

So I have nothing but a heart to give to you

And when you lose heart, wanna turn around and run

I will keep you safe with me

Like a ship at sea, You can always count on me

However lost you may be

And I’ll follow you through fire and water

Over land and sea

I will love you til my heart beats it’s last beat

From the highest mount to the deepest sea, wherever you may roam

Just look to me and my heart will always guide you home

And though winds may blow and storms may come, I’ll always dance for you

And when you get hot, my love will cool your skin

And when you lose heart, wanna turn around and run

I will keep you safe with me

Like a ship at sea, You can always count on me

However lost you may be

And I’ll follow you through fire and water

Over land and sea

I will love you til my heart beats it’s last beat

From the highest mount to the deepest sea, wherever you may roam

Just look to me and my heart will always guide you home

And I’ll follow you through fire and water

Over land and sea

Just look to me and my heart will always guide you home

Just look to me and my heart will always guide you home

Eurovision 2003

Eurovision 2003.

This is where my Eurovision journey all began. I'll never forget that day in early November of 2003, when (Lord knows how), i stumbled across something about Eurovision. Curious, I visited a few sites. I thought it sounded interesting, so I downloaded the Eurovision 2003 songs....and fell head over heels in love. I listened to the 26 obsessively and scoured the Internet about it. I found out that there was something called the National Finals Song Contest, which was contest between songs that had competed to take part in Eurovision 2003 for various nations and failed to make it. I remember downloading the 24 songs that reached the Final of NFSC, thinking "What can this hurt?"...little did i know it would introduce me to a whole new world of amazing music. Over the course of the Month, i downloaded each and every song that took part in any National Final of that year. I was introduced to Melodifestivalen, Dora,  Operación Triunfo, Melodi Grand Prix, A Song For Europe, Eurolaual and just oh so many other Eurovision National Selections that i've come to obsesses over and follow year after year. I mean, it's hard to believe that 9 years ago, i had absolutely no clue what Melodifestivalen was! I joined esctoday.com's forum and found other Eurovision fanatics, who just couldn't wait to discuss every minute detail of ESC 2003.


And what a great year to start of with! Honestly, i've listened to the 26 Songs from Eurovision 2003 the most by leaps and bounds. I mean, i've been listening to them for 9 Years! And i can honestly say, there simply isn't a bad song in the bunch. I mean, i have a special place in my heart for each and every one. I remember when Croatia and Israel were in my top 5! I mean i bought Lior Narkis' album! I remember when I hated Sweden, thought that Portugal was completely boring and couldn't give two shits about the United Kingdom....Man how things have changed. I specifically remember a moment when I thought that every song got exactly the spot it deserved...but it was just a moment.  I love going back and re - listening to the songs from ESC 2003 just to see how much my taste in music has grown and changed and matured. Portugal was the first ballad I learned to appreciate and Austria was the first completely ridiculous song i bopped along to (This took time of course). It's also interesting that over the years, even though my tastes have grown and matured and changed, my top Two and my bottom Three have always remained the same.

Eurovision 2003 was a pretty interesting and important year. For the First Time, Turkey won (Becoming the very First Song to ever secure a Victory performing 4th), and Sertab is credited with ushering the "Ethnic Revolution". Prior to Turkey's Victory, "Ethnic" songs tended to do poorly at Eurovision, with Pop songs and Ballads faring much better. Turkey got the top spot in the closest top 3 Points wise to this day (Turkey got 1st with 167 Points, Belgium got 2nd With 165 Points and Russia  got 3rd With 164 Points). "Everyway That I Can" went on to sweep the European Music charts by storm, cracking the top 10 in 5 Nations (Belgium, The Netherlands, Greece, Spain and Sweden). This was pretty awesome because it was the biggest Eurovision Winning hit since the United Kingdom in 1997, and proved that a Eurovision song could be a popular hit....and thus many nations began to actually put an effort into their Eurovision entries.

The biggest surprise of the Contest was Belgium's 2nd place. "Sanomi" was sung in a completely imaginary Langauge and before the contest, was barely even thought about (In the Pre - Contest Fan voting, it only got 19th).

Russia was a big favorite to win, mainly because of it's entrants. To represent Russia, t.A.T.u., fresh off their international hit of "All The Things She Said", was selected. The duo quickly became the bookie's favorite and was almost universally booed by the Eurovision community. They were also the subject of a great deal of controversy before the contest. They threatened to perform naked and kiss on stage. Then, during rehearsals, Yulia refused to sing, claiming she had a sore throat. However, the evening of the show, they both performed without any drama.

Other notable facts were that the home team, Latvia, despite being a pre contest favorite to do well, maybe even win, only placed 24th. The United Kingdom placed dead last with the dreaded "Nul Points". The Brits were quick to call foul, claiming that all the other nations specifically did not vote for them due to the United Kingdom sending Military troops into Afganistan with the U.S.A.

The big pre - contest favorite was Spain, who was almost universally declared to have the best Song and would absolutley win in a perfect and just world (It won the Pre Contest Voting with 1 352 Points, a full 302 points above the 2nd place song, Turkey). However, because it's Eurovision, of course it disappointed. It managed to get a respectable tied 8th place (With iceland). Eurovision Fans blamed it on a vocally "Lackluster" performance, but that's just them trying to find an explanation. In truth, her performance was absolutely flawless and one of the absolute best of the evening.

For me, my top Two songs have always been Turkey ("Everyway That I Can") and Spain ("Dime").  At first, it was a struggle to chose between them...but after a couple months, I decided Spain was clearly better and haven't looked back since. 

And so, over the next few weeks, i'll be posting about Eurovision 2003. I'll post my National Finals, comments, thoughts and such, culminating in my Final Ranking of Eurovision 2003.


I hope you enjoy reading/listening/commenting as much as I enjoy taking a walk back to my First Eurovision...which is also one of the Best Eurovisions ever.


Enjoy :)

Hey All!

Hey everyone! I know that my blog has been somewhat absent...but honestly since ESC 2011 is over, i feel like i needed a break. This post is just to let you know to check back soon, because i've decided to blog about some past ESCs, starting with ESC 2003! I've got 4 posts almost ready, just putting the finishing touches on them, but i didn't want you to think i was purposely depriving the world of my thoughts! :)

Get ready, cause Grant's take on ESC 2003 is about to begin!

My Top 16 Songs of Eurovision 2011 - Short Version

Ok...so here's the short version. The Long version has points, comments, how i came to this results, bitching,  celebration, more bitching, thoughts and such. I'm working on that...it'll be posted soon. But in the meantime, here are the results -

16 - Denmark - New Tomorrow - A Friend In London
15 - Israel - Ding Dong - Dana International
14 - Estonia - Rockefeller Street - Getter Jaani
13 -  Germany - Taken By A Stranger - Lena Meyer - Landrut
12 - Switzerland - In Love For A While - Anna Rossinelli
11 - Russia - Get You - Alexey Vorobyov
10 - Azerbaijan - Running Scarred - Ell And Nikki
09 - Serbia - Caroban - Nina
08 - The United Kingdom - I Can - Blue
07 - Austria - The Secret Is Love - Nadine Beiler
06 - Sweden - Popular - Eric Saade
05 - Ireland - Lipstick - Jedward
04 - Hungary - What About My Dreams - Kati Wolf
03 - Croatia - Celebrate - Daria Kinzer
02 - Slovenia - No One - Maha Keuc
01 - Norway - Haba Haba - Stella Mwangi

My Review Of The First Rehearsals Of The Finalists Of ESC 2011

11 - France - Sognu - Amaury Vassili

Comments -
- Great Voice
- Unique And Dramatic
- Awesome Hair
- SOO Professional
- AMAZING VOICE!

Song - 13 Points
Remember Ability - 08 Points
Vocals - 10 Points
Choreography - 06 Points
Interpretation/Expression - 09 Points
Staging - 08 Points
Overall Performance - 15 Points
Vocal Bonus - 03 Points
Total - 72 Points

12 - Italy - Madness Of Love - Raphael Gualazzi

Comments -
- Smoooth
- Nice Piano
- Generally nice feel
- Nice language transition
- Love the Piano

Song - 09 Points
Remember Ability - 06 Points
Vocals - 10 Points
Choreography - 07 Points
Interpretation/Expression - 09 Points
Staging - 08 Points
Overall Performance - 13 Points
Piano Bonus - 02 Points
Total - 64 Points

14 - United Kingdom - I Can - Blue

Comments -
- Awesome start!
- GORGEOUS Singers
- Pictures of cute men as the background? Do they know their audience or what?
- Love the costumes
- Classic Boyband
- Great
- In love!
- UGH! LOVE when they "Go Crazy"!
- So Hot!
- LOVE IT!
- LOVE EVERY SECOND!

Song - 20 Points
Remember Ability - 10 Points
Vocals - 10 Points
Choreography - 10 Points
Interpretation/Expression - 10 Points
Staging - 10 Points
Overall Performance - 20 Points
Boy Band Bonus - 08 Points
Hotness Bonus - 05 Points
Costume Bonus - 01 Point
Total - 104 Points

16 - Germany - Taken By A Stanger - Lena Meyer - Landrut

Comments -
- Great Start
- Amazing Dancers
- LEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNAAAAAAAAAAA
- She's the best
- Can i just say that even with a mediocre song, Lena brought her A Game, and her A Game is the best sort of A Game!
- Great Host Entry
- Dark and dramatic
- GOD! She's so PERFECT! Is there anything she can't do?
- In the hands of any other person on Earth, this song would have been a fail...but i'm loving it as long as i'm watcher her perform it!
- LOVE
- She. Is. The. Definition. Of. Perfection.

Song - 12 Points
Remember Ability - 08 Points
Vocals - 10 Points
Choreography - 10 Points
Interpretation/Expression - 10 Points
Staging - 10 Points
Overall Performance - 18 Points
Lena Bonus - 08 Points
Total - 86 Points

22 - Spain - Que Me Quiten Lo Bailao - Lucia Pérez

Comments -
- I immediately fall in love with her.
- So Fun
- Great Arms
- Love the dancing
- LOVE her!
- She makes this song
- She's having the best time on stage
- I adore the "Party" Atmosphere

Song - 13 Points
Remember Ability - 06 Points
Vocals - 09 Points
Choreography - 10 Points
Interpretation/Expression - 10 Points
Staging - 08 Points
Overall Performance - 16 Points
Fun Bonus - 04 Points
Total - 76 Points

My Reactions to the First Semi Final of ESC 2011

Ok...so the First Semi Final of Eurovision 2011 just happened, the 10 Finalists have been announced and here's my thoughts and reactions.

All in all I think it was a Fantastic Show. The stage was gorgeous! Just Gorgeous! I thought that technically it was just a perfect show! Great! The webcast was the best maybe ever! As for the Results, the following 10 Songs passed into the Final (In the random order in which they were announced) -

Serbia - Caroban - Nina
Lithuania - C'est Ma Vie - Evelina Sasenko
Greece - Watch My Dance - Loukas Giorkas Feat. Stereo Mike
Azerbaijan - Running Scared - Eldar And Nigar
Georgia - One More Day - Eldrine
Switzerland - In Love For A While - Anna Rossinelli
Hungary - What About My Dreams - Kati Wolf
Finland - Da Da Dam - Paradise Oskar
Russia - Get You - Alex Sparrow
Iceland - Coming Home - Sjonni's Friends

Of these 10 Songs, only 6 were in my top 10...which makes this my worst prediction year since 2008. My highest placing Qualifying Song is Hungary, which i ranked third. 3 of the Qualifying Songs (Greece, Lithuania and Georgia) ranked as my LAST THREE! Ugh. Terrible. Anywho, you will notice the absence of NORWAY! Norway was/is my winner of the First Semi Final and a strong contender to be my favorite song on ESC 2011 and it DIDN'T MAKE IT INTO THE FINAL! ANGST! I don't know why or how that happened but i think it has to be a mistake! It just has to! I mean of course i'm upset that Croatia didn't get through, but i knew it might be just a little too cheezy to get into the final, but Norway? In what world does "Haba Haba" not place in the top 10 of any song contest?! UGH! I don't understand Europeans sometimes! The only thing i can think of is what's known as "The Curse Of Last Years Host"...which is a little bit of ESC lore that states that the Nation who hosted the contest last year is doomed to do poorly in the current year. But i was sure Norway was strong enough to beat it! I was wrong :(

I am kinda stoked that Turkey didn't get through. I mean Turkey (until know) was basically considered almost like the big 5 because there are just massive amounts of Turkish people who are living all over Europe and usually they vote in such strong numbers that Turkey can't help but get through and top 10...but i guess that's over! Which is a little awesome because now maybe they'll start trying again and we'll be returned to the days of the Glorious and Eternal Sertab (Winner of 2003).  I'm completly surprised Armenia didn't get through...as they kinda always do. And their song was cute and they had a great performance. Sadness.

Lithuania was a big shock to me...as was Georgia. I mean Lithuania's had a solid performance throughout the rehearsals...but i just always thought the song was a little boring and old fashioned to actually do anything. Georgia's had TERRIBLE rehearsals so far...but they did have a kinda magic tonight and actually performed really well. Awful song, but I'm glad they stepped up their game performance wise. It's still a little bit "Fuck You! We're being different and NOT having a typical Eurovision song" for my tastes and i sure will be in the bottom 10 on Saturday.

Greece was terrible and just made me want to vomit. When they were called as a finalists, i did the biggest eye roll i've done in years. I don't know what it is about Greece, but it seems like they could send a guy taking a dump onstage and as long as there was fire and a little bit of Greek dancing, it'd get through. Ugh. BRING BACK KALOMIRA AND HELENA! Please!

I don't know what's the story with Iceland getting through....but i do have some theories -
1) Everyone made a big deal about how this song was being sung as a tribute to the original author/performer...who died before he could perform it in the National Final and they got the Sympathy vote.
2) Europe's got a thing for vests
3) Sandwiched between the glorious, fast paced and awesome Croatia and Hungary, this song stood out.
4) People can't tell the difference between voting for the 13th song (Croatia) and the 14th song (Iceland)
5) This song has a very specific audience that all the other songs failed to capture so their votes were split (Like i'm sure Norway, Croatia and Hungary all split the "Awesome and somewhat Ethnic Vote and Finland, San Marino and Lithuania split the low key ballad vote)
6) The original performer was sacrificed to the Eurovision Gods in an Icelandic Satanic ritual to secure their spot in the final.

Anywho....i'm sure they will be swiftly forgotten on Saturday.

Azerbaijan just had a gorgeous, sincere and beautiful performance with no tricks. They simply brough a good song and great performers and it showed. Everyone knew they'd get into the final...and actually i think they might have Won the Semi Final....I'm sure it'll top 10 on Saturday and might even win. Baku 2012? Yeah that might just work out. Personally i think it's an Okay song...but that performance? GOD! Absolute perfection. When he brushes her face and then they join hands....even i got a little choked up. While not my favorite song, it'd be an admirable winner...mainly cause it's show that a good song performed well can beat all the fire and costume changes and key changes in the world (Although i adore all three of those things too)

Switzerland. :) SWITZERLAND! YAY! This is quickly becoming a fan favorite and i'm totally on board. She gave a SPECTACULAR performance. Just out of this world awesome! She was sweet and wholesome and charismatic...ugh i adore every second. Songs like this are why watching the Rehearsals can be tricky....all the rehearsal videos are shot from the audience and don't show the correct camera angles...and MAN! Did she work those Camera Angles! She twirled and smiled and made eye contact with the voters the whole time and that's an amazing thing! She warmed her way into the hearts of the Audience and when her name was called...i SCREAMED AND CHEERED! My reaction can only be compared to my reaction in 2004 (My First Live ESC) when Albania qualified....when i screamed and freaked out so much i literally scared the bejeezus out of Georgia's grandmother. I'm completly happy with them getting through and just ever so proud of her! I hope it does decently in the Final...but even if it doesn't look for this song to be performed at every Eurovision Karaeoke night for years and years to come. It was just such a wonderfully simplistic performance...it was very much "Hi! I'm just a girl with a song and a dream and a sparkly red dress....vote for me!" and they did. And I Smiled :)

Finland. I had a feeling about Finland the moment he started singing. I mean again, when  i watched the rehearsal videos i thought he looked boring and lonely, but those cameras did it again! Just like Switzerland he was very "I'm just a boy with a song and a dream and a guitar...can you spare a vote for me?" It was very cute and just adorable performance. He looked cute and sincere and fresh and young and it totally worked for him. He didn't over perform this song (which the Finns have a tendency to do) but kept it simple and clean. Great vocals too! I knew he was gonna qualify the minute i saw that huge Earth appear in the background. I'm okay with it's qualification...were there songs that were more deserving? Of course! But he did a nice job and i think he got into the final because he earned his spot. And that's more than i can say for some people (Stares daggers at Greece)

SERBIA! YAY! I adore this song and every single second of this performance. I mean once again, they simply put forth an AMAZING Song and a OUTSTANDING Performance and were rewarded for it. I adore this song. I love that Serbia didn't send another Ethnic Ballad. I'm so happy that they got through and i have high hopes for this song in the Final. This "Modern Retro" song is right up my alley and when it was announced as a finalist, i had this brief moment of "OMG! Maybe this year will go exactly according to my plan!" But then Lithuania was called and i returned to reality. Nina gave just a stellar performance. She had great energy and it showed that she was truly happy to be there and i think that's what won people over. She did a fantastic job and i'm just supremely excited to see her again on Saturday! Well Done Serbia!

Russia. Oh Russia. How can i describe his performance in three words? Awesome. Perfect. Amazing. I mean there was never any doubt in anyones mind that He would get through to the final. I mean not only did he sing a great song and do just a fantastic performance...but it's Russia! And they always get through. Maybe it's those years of intimidation and fear instilled in their neighbors from the soviet days...but Russia always gets through. Always. But this year they actually deserved it! Best. Russian. Song. Since. 2007. And that performance? Forget about it. It was so perfect and professional and awesome, there's no way he wouldn't have gotten through. I actually think he might have won this SF! And i'm sure he'll do well on Saturday. I mean the only thing that could be a problem is if Sweden gets through on Thursday (which they will) and they perform next to each other. They have very similar songs, performances and feels...but that's moreso bad news for Sweden than for Russia. I'm sure Russia will top 10 on Saturday, pretty sure they'll top 5 and i wouldn't be at all surprised if they won and brought the contest back to Moscow (Which would be awesome because no one puts on an ESC like the Russians....no one)

YAY! HUNGARY! I've been extremely worried about them. Not only are they a huge fan favorite (which in some years has been the kiss of death) but in rehearsal...she's seemed a little cold and just very uncharismatic. Her performance tonight wasn't spectacular....but it was adequate. Although i think a lot of Europe would be surprised to find out she was born a woman and isn't a drag queen and she had this STUPID flower ring on that made me want to leap through my computer and RIP IT OFF! I think she got into the final moreso because she has an amazing song, performed later in the running and well is from Eastern Europe than gave a truely memorable performance. If she plans to win on Saturday...she needs to STEP.IT.THE.FUCK.UP! I mean she's not Lena last year (who had pretty much the only good song). She'll be competing with the United Kingdom and hopefully at least 5 great songs from the Second Semi Final. I don't think she won tonight, but if she steps up her game (i mean...common...just give the Gay ESC fans 20 minutes with her) she could very well win on Saturday. Fantastic song. Just Fantastic.  Get it together Kati! That being said....i'll keep worrying until the votes start coming in. I mean Sweden 2008 got through on the jury vote and i'm having flashbacks. Mannish blonde woman singing a fantastic song but giving a less than ideal performance? UGH! so much worry! I hope it does well...but after years of ESC results....i'm not allowing myself to "Know" it'll do well. But i LOVE IT!

I'm a little surprised Poland didn't get through...she had an inspired performance. And i'm head over heels shocked that Norway didn't get through. The only thing i can think is that Poland, Norway, Albania and Armenia were all upbeat, ethnic songs and they split those votes so none of them got through.

Norway was just perfection. I can't understand why she didn't sweep the Semi Final. Amazing Song. Brilliant Performance. But i mean...maybe it's my fault. There always had to be one song i completly adore and "know" will get through that doesn't (See Slovakia and Sweden 2010, Montenegro 2009, Slovenia 2008, Cyprus 2007, BELGIUM 2006!, Iceland 2005...the list goes on and on). I mean is it me? Am i cursed? Man i hope not.

Anywho, props to Poland, Norway, Armenia and Croatia....you all deserved to be in the Final. Also...if i am cursed...i officially hate Sweden, Israel, Slovenia and Ireland this year.....they are terrible and in no way deserve a spot in the final....was that believable?

Anywho, i think that the First Semi Final was won by either Azerbaijan or Russia. I think that Lithuania, Finland or Georgia got the 10th spot...mainly because of the Juries (Although i fear it might have been Switzerland...which would break my heart if the JURIES had to put it through) I think that Serbia, Greece (gag me) and Hungary made up the top 5.  I'd be completly shocked if Switzerland, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Georgia or Greece won and if Russia got the 10th spot, i'll shit a brick.
All and all i think the winner's gonna be from the Second Semi Final or the Final...the only two countries i can see maybe winning from tonight are Russia or Azerbaijan. Yes Hungary has a great song, but her performance was unimpressive. I think that her drawing so early in the final was her kiss of death.


Anywho the running order for the Finalists so far was just announced -

Opening the show
Finland! (SUCKS for them!)
4th - Lithuania
5th - Hungary (UGH! Sucks for them!)
9th - Greece (Eh...a pile of shit is a pile of shit no matter when it's performed)
10th - Russia (Eh...they could pull it off!)
13th - Switzerland (Oh No! The Shit Spot! The Shit Spot is an ESC term for the song performing 13th. Basically, traditionally, the broadcast takes a Commercial Break after the 12th song and everyone runs to the bathroom...and then they take too long and miss the 13th song and therefor don't vote for it)
19th - Azerbaijan (Great spot for them! Great! Late enough to be remembered but not so late that everyone's already made up their minds)
21st - Iceland (Eh...common!)
24th - Serbia (YAY!)
25th - Georgia. That's fine. The last song is notorious for doing poorly...everyone's tired and their minds are already made up. I'm totes ok with this song going last.

Anywho, as the Final stands at this moment...here are my rankings -

15th - Greece
14th - Georgia
13th - Lithuania
12th - Italy
11th - Iceland
10th - Finland
9th - France
8th - Spain
7th - Germany
6th - Switzerland
5th - Azerbaijan
4th - Serbia
3rd - Russia
2nd - Hungary
1st - The United Kingdom

I mean with Norway out of the running....it's looking more and more like it's gonna be London 2012.