Eurovision 2023 Highlights

My favourite Eurovision song this year, Like an Animal by Piqued Jacks (San Marino) did not make it to the finals, so I was rooting for Finland’s Käärijä to win. But alas… Sweden won, a song and performance I struggled to like, even though I love Euphoria, Loreen’s previous Eurovision winning song from 2012.

Despite getting the most public votes, Finland lost to Sweden because of the high number of jury votes, a breakdown of the votes per country can be seen here. It’s been great to see the outpouring of love and support for Käärijä, and he’s been very graceful in interviews about getting the 2nd spot. I’m certain we will see and hear more of him.

For the first time in Eurovision history, voting was open to the rest of world, so I was happy to get a chance to vote for my favourite acts. There were a few surprises landing in the top 10 this year, but overall it was another fun year of Eurovision.

I’ve been listening to the songs since the competition ended, most of which I like, some are catchy as hell, and some are just better to listen to than watching live, like UK’s I Wrote A Song by Mae Muller, Australia’s Promise by Voyager, Germany’s Blood and Glitter by Lord of the Lost.


My favourites from this year’s competition, all photos are credited to Sarah Bennett/EBU:

 

3 from my favourite top 5 that made it to the finals:

Finland | Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha (Grand Final)
A stand out performance. It starts off dark, hard and broody, and transitions to joyous camp. Translated lyrics:
I head towards the dance floor
Like a cha cha cha
And this world ain’t making me scared no more
Like a cha cha cha
When Champagne all over myself I pour

“It’s crazy. It’s party.” Indeed.


Slovenia | Joker Out - Carpe Diem (Grand Final)
Another song about dancing.

We danced, loved, and played all night.
We lived as if there was no tomorrow

 

Songs I cannot stop listening to:

Moldova | Pasha Parfeni - Soarele şi Luna
Folktronica. Good stage costumes too.


Belgium | Gustaph - Because Of You (Grand Final)
I like the music more than the lyrics, but this song is pure ear worm. Also reminds me 1990s dance music.

And when the world got me going crazy
See I will carry on
And it’s because of you
Because of you
Because of you

 

Songs I liked a lot more after seeing them performed on stage:

Austria | Teya & Salena - Who The Hell Is Edgar?
About how little songwriters get paid - 0.003 is a reference to Spotify's $0.003 royalty rate.
About how women are overlooked as writers.
Great backdrop too.

Zero dot zero zero three
Give me two years and your dinner will be free


Czechia | Vesna - My Sister's Crown
About sisterhood and female empowerment. Great backdrop here too.

My sister's crown
Don't take it down


Norway | Alessandra - Queen of Kings
Girl power.

Her name is
She, queen of the kings, running so fast, beating the wind.
Nothing in this world can stop the spread of her wings
She, queen of the kings, broken her cage, threw out the keys.
She will be the warrior of north and southern seas

 

Favourite ballads:

Lithuania | Monika Linkytė - Stay

Čiūto tūto
Čiūto tūto
Čiūto tūto
Finally my heart is beating


Estonia | Alika - Bridges

There is always time
To get back on track
Tearing down the walls
Slowly every step
Now I see myself
Building up a world of bridges


Italy | Marco Mengoni - Due Vite

Se questa è l'ultima
Canzone e poi la luna esploderà
Sarò lì a dirti che sbagli, ti sbagli e lo sai
Qui non arriva la musica

Also, handsome fella.

 

Songs I wish made it to the finals


San Marino | Piqued Jacks - Like An Animal (Second Semi-Final)
This performance needed the same energy and attitude seen in their music video.


Latvia | Sudden Lights - Aijā (First Semi-Final)
Solid song, but maybe if this too incorporated some of the elements from their music video, one of the best from this year’s participants, I think it could have earned more points.


Greece | Victor Vernicos - What They Say (Second Semi-Final)
I didn’t know Victor was 16 till I saw this performance. All along, I thought Denmark had the youngest participant, but turns out he’s 25 going on 16!

A 16 year old who wrote this song and with this voice should’ve resonated with more people. I hope we see and hear more from Victor in the near future.

Well you know what they say
Lost souls make sure no one loses their way
Hurt ones can’t stand seeing others in pain
Oh I am both now I got too much on my plate
And I save all the others cause for me it’s too late

Crushing.


Georgia | Iru - Echo (Second Semi-Final)
This song feels epic and had the potential to be an even more epic performance on stage. Maybe it needed more wind machines.

 

Flag Parade

Chemical Brothers’ Hey Girl Hey Boy transitioning to GoA’s Shum is…chef’s kiss. And it is always good to see GoA singing this song.

 

Interval Acts

I didn't like most of the interval acts this year, but it’s always a delight to see Iceland’s Daði Freyr. Intervals in Turin last year were much better.


Daði Freyr - Whole Again, part of The Liverpool Songbook (Grand Final interval)

 

Eurovision Presenters

The three presenters, Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham and Julia Sanina, plus Graham Norton at the final did a good job, Hannah Waddingham (whom I was not familiar with before Eurovision) was the stand out.
But they were not as fun or delightful as last year’s presenters Alessandro Cattelan, Laura Paucini and Mika.

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