Are France ruining their own chances of winning Eurovision?

Ever since Lisa Angell was announced as France's representative for Vienna this May with the song 'N'oubliez pas,' I can't help but rule out France's chances of taking home this year's Eurovision crown.

As a UK follower of the Eurovision Song Contest, I am of course in no position to declare I know what it takes to win Eurovision. I mean look at us, one top five place in the last ten years is nothing to shout about.

But take a look at that last ten years in question, and one statistic becomes more evident than any other. Nine of the last ten winner have sung in English.

Ever since the rules restricting countries to singing in their own language were abolished, the English language has reigned supreme at Eurovision. Only 'Molitva' and 'Wild Dances ' can claim to be exceptions to the rule this decade.

Don't get me wrong, I 100% respect France's decision to sing in their mother tongue, and why shouldn't they be proud of their native language, good for them! But I can't help but think they could be waiting a very long time before we head to Paris for European music's showpiece occasion.

There is good reason why singing in English proves a recipe for success for so many competing countries.

You only need to have been on holiday to a European destination once to understand English is understood and recognised across the continent. Viewers and jurors alike can relate to the lyrics, and who knows, even sing-a-long should they fancy.

Look at the French language on the other hand, where practically only the French nation itself can claim to fully understand its intimacies.

As I've said already, I wholeheartedly respect France's decision to continue singing in their mother tongue, I just don't expect to be catching the Dover to Calais ferry to a contest hosted by our near neighbours any time soon.

Listen to Episode 1 of The Euro Trip, out now!

After months of waiting...The Euro Trip is back!

Take a listen to the very first podcast, featuring new music from Italy, Germany & Norway, what's #1 and where with the European Music Chart, plus plenty of Eurovision chat.

Enjoy!
 

The Euro Trip : Episode 1 by The Euro Trip on Mixcloud

Get more Euro Trip!

With the very first Euro Trip podcast just a few days away, there are plenty of ways you can get involved...

Well done, you've found the first one! This blog will be the home of the Euro Trip podcast, you'll also be able to find opinion pieces from myself on European music & my thoughts on the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest.

On Twitter you can find us @Euro_Trip. On the account we'll be tweeting some of the biggest European tracks which we want to share with you, as well as getting involved with plenty of debate and news.

Instagram is the place to find all the latest images from the world of European music. During my visit to Vienna I'll also be uploading loads of pictures to help you soak up the atmosphere in the host city throughout Eurovision week. Find us at theeuro_trip.

In the future I'll be putting together some vlogs, sharing my thoughts on the latest European music releases. YouTube will also see plenty of awesome previews to forthcoming podcasts.

Last but not least, there's the Euro Trip Soundcloud! Here you'll be able to find all the latest Euro Trip episodes, including the European Music Chart, letting you know what is #1 and where across Europe.

So get following, listening and subscribing, and get on board the Euro Trip!

  

Eurovision 2015 Preview #1

With under 130 days to go till the Eurovision circus arrives in Vienna, I decided to take a look at the songs which have already booked their place in the Wiener Stadthalle. 

(Netherlands) - Trijntje Oosterhuis, Walk Along

A middle of the road pop song, I think it sounds very similar in style to Soluna Samay (Denmark 2012), but unlike that song this one is quite poor lyrically. I believe her voice will come across well on stage. Trijntje will find it very difficult to match Netherlands in 2014 and this MUST be staged simply. But the biggest crime of all... it's missing that key Eurovision component, the key change!
After two great years, sorry Netherlands, I don't have much hope of you making the final. I think this will fail to qualify. - 6/10

(Albania) - Elhaida Dani, Diell

I'm never really a fan of Albanian entries, and was pretty much scarred by their 5th place finish in 2012. This song would have benefited massively had the orchestra returned to the contest. I'm really pleased she is singing in her own language, but this will make it difficult for the majority of Europe to relate to the lyrics. She does have great stage presence and her time on the Voice Italy will mean she should be able to control any nerves. This will easily make it through to the final, and she reaches any high notes with ease.
Great vocal and it should really go down well with the audience, her voice will get a huge reception in the arena. Potential for a Top 10 in the final. - 7/10

(Belarus) - Uzari & Maimuna, Time 

An epic opening which could be dramatic and impactful if staged well. Uzari has a very distinct tone which works perfectly with the ethnic influence during the chorus. Much like the Netherlands the song has very simple lyrics. 'Time' should stand out if we have the traditional ballad fest in the semi finals, but they might miss their usual points haul from Ukraine following their withdrawal. 
I love an uptempo song at Eurovision, from a biased perspective I hope it does well. Could scrape into the final, 26-20th. - 6/10

(Malta) - Amber, Warrior

Warrior doesn't have the usual warm feeling which you get with a Maltese entry.  Amber's voice could be exposed by the large arena as I feel the song works better in an intimate venue - this means a lot will depend on the staging of the song. Amber attempts a number of very challenging notes during the song, much to her credit. The feel and tempo of the song improves with the introduction of the backing singers mid song.
In my opinion the chorus is quite painful to listen to, the backing track is also quite overbearing. Sorry Malta, no final for you this year. - 5/10

(Macedonia) - Daniel Kajmakoski, Lisja esenki 

I REALLY HOPE THEY USE A PIANO ON STAGE FOR THIS PERFORMANCE! The song won't work in English and I really hope Daniel sticks with his native language, it sounds beautiful. The song builds nicely, it doesn't feel like its racing to get to the chorus. 'Esenski Lisja' maintains a nice rhythm throughout. When writing this I'm realising how much of a foot tapper this song really is. Great work Macedonia, their best entry for years.
Daniel has great stage presence, his voice is calm but extremely powerful. 
Like a fine wine, this song gets better with age. I just hope he can make his impact on the night. 15-20th in the final. - 7/10

Please send me your comments and let me know what you think!
Tweet me @roblilley1 or @Euro_Trip.

What is the Euro Trip?

Hello! I'm Rob, I'm 22, and I love European music and the Eurovision Song Contest.

When I say I love European music, I really mean it, just ask my friends! All genres, all nations. This means that when it comes to showcasing new and exciting European music on this blog, you can expect a massive variety of songs.

I started the Euro Trip as a radio show during my time at University. Every Sunday evening at 9pm the Euro Trip would fill the airwaves. I would spend the week running up to the show selecting the songs which would be played, aiming to represent as many nations and genres as possible. As part of this I also began putting together a European Music Chart, a rundown of what was #1 in different European countries that week - this is something which will continue in the future.

Having graduated in the summer, I was fortunate that my show was nominated for a highly prestigious Student Radio Award, something which served as extra motivation to keep the Euro Trip alive.

So what can you expect to find on this blog in the future? To be quite honest, anything and everything to do with European Music and Eurovision. So that might be opinion pieces from me on different songs or artists, or indeed my thoughts on how the next Eurovision Song Contest is shaping up. (I'm lucky enough to be going to Vienna, and I'm very excited!)

The most exciting (in my opinion) part of all this is the start of the Euro Trip podcast, something which will begin at the end of this month! You'll be able to listen on here, and all comments are welcome.

Feel free to follow the Euro Trip or me personally on Twitter @Euro_Trip & @roblilley1 respectively.

In the meantime here's my Student Radio Award entry as an example of what you can expect once the podcast is up and running, enjoy!