Wiwibloggs: The Eurovision Podcast

Eurovision Review 2020: Estonia - Uku Suviste "What Love Is" | WIWI JURY

In Estonia's Eurovision 2020 song, Uku Suviste asks "What Love Is". The sweet — some might say sickly — ballad captures the transformative power of love with lyrics like: “I couldn’t have told you what blue is till I looked into your eyes...or how soft the feel of a cloud is till I was touching your skin.” The song has a throwback quality that reminds many of Philipp Kirkorov earworms of yesteryear. We review the song — to many, a surprise winner of Eesti Laul 2020. 

INTERVIEW: Gjon's Tears at Switzerland's Eurovision 2020 artist reveal press conference

On March 4, Switzerland confirmed Gjon's Tears as its Eurovision 2020 singer with his song “Répondez-moi”. Our blogger Oliver attended the press conference shortly after the announcement and spoke with Gjon about his song. "Everyone asks themselves why exactly are we here, where do we come from and where are we going?" Gjon told us. "These are key questions, particularly for people from a migrant background. My parents are from Albania and Kosovo. I grew up in Switzerland and it’s my home, these are questions that I think about a lot." This is our interview from the day. Full video available on our YouTube channel. 

Eurovision Review 2020: Switzerland - Gjon's Tears "Répondez-moi" | WIWI JURY

Gjon's Tears was a favourite to win the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with his French-language song "Répondez-moi". To our William, it's something of a masterpiece. He writes: At times “Répondez-moi” sounds like a prayer — it’s deeply personal and at times you almost feel uncomfortable listening. But naturally, you do, drawn in by Gjon’s visceral delivery and pure vocals. The song progresses in so many ways — melodically and emotionally. It all builds to that note — as if heaven is answering his prayer.

Eurovision Review 2020: Ukraine - Go_A "Solovey" | WIWI JURY

Our Eurovision jury reviews Ukraine's 2020 song "Solovey" by Go_A. Performed in the traditional "white voice" folk style, it's mysterious to some and screechy to others. Speaking of their song, whose title translates as "Nightingale", the band said: “Life is an experience, but it tends to differ. It is most important to not lose optimism and be able to sufficiently leave from every situation, even while being in love with something. After all, it is not important what happened, but how you dealt with it.” The main character in the song — lead vocalist Kateryna — wants to be with her lover. However, she knows that an angry mother will not approve of her love. Instead, she tries to meet him at night and begs the nightingale to not sing early and wake up the world.

Eurovision Review 2020: Norway - Ulrikke "Attention" | WIWI JURY

"Attention" — Ulrikke's Eurovision 2020 song for Norway — is a masterclass in elevating the typical Eurovision ballad. The key change is the perfect Eurovision moment, and it comes with pyros falling from the sky and lights igniting the stage. And while some may call it formulaic, it comes with a thoughtful message on the cliché subject of love. As Ulrikke told us during Melodi Grand Prix: "The song is actually a question I ask myself and all of you: Why do we do stupid things for love to get the attention of another person? Sometimes love hurts and we do it all over again." In the opening bars a series of sporadic booms are reminiscent of a heartbeat — no wonder so many of us are getting the feels. 

Eurovision Review 2020: Poland - Alicja Szemplińska "Empires" | WIWI JURY

Poland's Eurovision 2020 star Alicja Szemplińska highlights some of the world's crises in her song “Empires”. Men build great empires through their work and toil. But it’s these same people who can actually tear it down through their indifference to the environment, and each other. Some have called this a modern Bond anthem and others an epic and dramatic ballad. We review all the chatter and share our thoughts.

Best Nordic entry at Eurovision 2020?

Our William, Deban and Angus reveal their TOP 3 Nordic entries at Eurovision 2020. Which Nordic country has the best song this year? We choose from Denmark: Ben & Tan - "Yes"; Finland" Aksel Kankaanranta - "Looking Back"; Iceland: Daði & Gagnamagnið - “Think About Things”; Norway: Ulrikke Brandstorp - "Attention"; and Sweden: The Mamas - "Move".

Eurovision Review 2020: Georgia - Tornike Kipiani "Take Me As I Am" | WIWI JURY

The message Georgia's Eurovision 2020 song is that we should be loved for who we are rather than what’s en vogue. It reverberates across borders and time thanks to Tornike Kipiani's raspy voice and his unique swerve on old school rock. The video is black and white, but the song moves through many more moods and textures: languid rock verses, a more assertive pre-chorus and an explosive chorus where pained screams carry a strange beauty. 

Eurovision Review 2020: France - Tom Leeb "The Best In Me" | WIWI JURY

We review “The Best in Me” (Mon alliée) — France's Eurovision 2020 song from Tom Leeb. He premiered the song while standing on the Eiffel Tower. The song was composed by Thomas G:son and Peter Boström, who are perhaps best known for writing Loreen’s winning Eurovision song “Euphoria”. In February, the French Minister of Culture Franck Riester said the song “broke” his ears.

Eurovision Review 2020: Bulgaria - VICTORIA "Tears Getting Sober" | WIWI JURY

Bruises, scars, wounds, sugar — they’re not words that typically come in a bunch. But with “Tears Getting Sober” — Bulgaria's Eurovision 2020 song — Victoria brings them together in a package that’s at once sweet and dark, uplifting but laced with melancholy. It’s a twisted and indeed slightly jarring offering — but one you can’t help but dive into again and again. Victoria’s delicate voice — which trembles as much as it roars — has a captivating quality. Eerie, haunting, mysterious — each layer compels another spin. It’s a shame Covid-19 robbed us of Eurovision 2020. This could have been Bulgaria’s year.