Producer Jonny's Not So Expert Guide to Eurovision #1: Duets

When Rob asked me to do this, I looked surprised, but willingly decided to take up the challenge. In the weeks leading up to Vienna’s wonderful contest I’ll be providing an ‘alternative’ look at some of the components of this continental bout – alternative in the sense that I come from a classic rock and indie loving background, with a bad pronunciation of European names. So, enjoy…

TWO TO TANGO?
With the UK’s entry announced on Saturday, you’ll have noticed that Electro Velvet are composed of two singers: Alex Larke and Bianca Nicholas. Now their track ‘Still In Love With You’ has drawn across a variety of opinions (I’m holding out hope), but it coincidentally brings us to a topic of interest: Duets Yes? No? Should we, could we take the risk? All of the thoughts crossing the musical minds of our continent. Well my expert friends and average music lovers a like, have a look at these and maybe you’ll find an answer to those dilemmas…

1. SING, LITTLE BIRDIE – PEARL CARR & TEDDY JOHNSON (UNITED KINGDOM, 1959) Placing 2nd all the way back in 1959, this is not your typical Eurovision entry! Pearl and Teddy show how all things Euro have changed over the years. No ferrets, Irish twins and silly violins – just good old swing. One to tap your foot to…



2. DUETTT – ELIZABETH ANDREASSENN & JAN WERNER DANIELSEN (NORWAY, 1994) Now I know what you’re thinking….we don’t actually know what they’re singing (Norwegian translators speak now!). BUT embrace this please – its not often that a country sings in their own language. Its passionate, vaguely romantic and soppy. Good old cheese ain’t so bad once in a while, ey?



3. JAN JAN – INGA & ANUSH (ARMENIA, 2009)
 Everybody must be ready…. Apparently. A more modern entry, Amernia’s Jan Jan shows of the characteristics of the delightfully vibrant Inga & Anush. I see the song as a case of marmite – personally I find it difficult, but no doubt someone will embrace the craziness, and those endlessly spinning dancers.



4. IN A MOMENT LIKE THIS – CHANEE & N’EVERGREEN (DENMARK, 2010)
In a week where Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams’ Blurred Lines was found to have copied a famous Marvin Gaye track, I can’t help but notice the similarities in this track’s catchy riff with The Police’s classic ‘Every Breath You Take’. But, despite that, this has to be my favourite. Yes, slightly cheesy, pyrotechnics everywhere, but a good job from the Danes….and its in English, hooray!



Got a duet you’d like to share? Drop us a tweet @TheEuro_Trip and stay up to date with the latest Eurovision news. I’ll be tweeting the odd bit about the contest on my personal twitter too, that’s @jfreeman_93.

I’ll be back with another alternative guide soon, on goodness knows what, but for now I’ll let my expert presenter resume normal service. Jonny