Eurovision 2019 Song Ranking Part 6

15. Switzerland

Luca Hänni - “She Got Me”

This song wants to be Despacito 2 but is actually Despacito Junior. The Latin American influence is hard to take seriously. For a song allegedy about “dirty dancing” the lyrics are remarkably tame, and few for that matter. There’s nothing sexy about “when she go low/she go so low” and “getting rowdy rowdy.” As with those examples, there is too much repetition in the lyrics, and for that number of syllables the writers missed the opportunity for some more vibrant imagery, showing not telling said dirty dancing. The melody is super catchy and it’s well produced, which is why it’s this high, but every time I listen to this song I wish I was listening to Despacito. This song has no mature eros and just makes me feel old.

14. Poland

Tulia - “Fire of Love (Pali sie)”

Their vocal style may be an aquired taste, but I think their dark intensity loops back around to being charming. This is the closest thing we have to a rock song this year and I love that it’s by female vocalists in such an unusual style. The combination of traditional folk vocals with alternative rock is genius. Side note, their cover of Enjoy the Silence is amazing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PqleeOdXGo.

13. Sweden

John Lundvik - “Too Late for Love”

The rare Swedish entry that is better live than recorded, the live version has a magical warmth that the overproduced and autotuned ecorded version lacks. This is yet another easy walk into the top 5 for Sweden, but instead of neo-schlager or generic Spotify, it’s a gospel-tinged love song. And that ending! The buildup and charisma leaves you answering, “no it’s not.”

12. Croatia

Roko - “The Dream”

Maybe it’s country bias or bad taste but I love this song. I loved “My Friend” and while this doesn’t hit those ridiculous heights it’s a dramatic balkan ballad with an angelic voice. Even the cheesy lyrics (“I have a dream/A dream as beautiful as it is extreme”) are amusing, although the Croatian part is better.

11. Malta

Michela - “Chameleon”

Fresh, youthful radio pop from a country who doesn’t usually bring it. This tropical pop song is the best Maltese song in a really long time. It’s surprising what they can do when they go internal for song quality. The only downside is the drop after the chorus and in the bridge loses just a little too much steam, but it makes up for it by the last chorus.

Eurovision 2019 Song Ranking Part 5

20. Albania

Jonida Maliqi - “Ktheju tokës”

The melody and intensity is very Albanian entry but it almost has an anime opening theme quality. You can hear the pain and desperation in her voice and in the intense drums and strings. This is one of their best entries this decade.

19. Israel

Kobi Marimi - “Home”

This year’s perfectly musical theater ballad. The lyrics are pretty awkward but the melody is so beautiful, simple yet powerful, with a commanding vocal. A little bonus for the Xbox fans with that Halo theme opening.

18. North Macedonia

Tamara Todevska - “Proud”

This is the Balkan ballad of the contest, with a beautiful and inspiring empowerment message. Tamara is singing to all of us giving us the pep talk we need.

17. United Kingdom

Michael Rice - “Bigger Than Us”

If any country deserves a participation trophy for not tripping over their feet it’s the UKoGBaNI, but this, this is really underrated. Yes it’s a Melodifestivalen reject but sometimes they need to be free to fly. It’s the right time for them to just send a soulful love ballad with no political undertone at all. If it was sent by Sweden this would do pretty well.

16. Netherlands

Duncan Laurence - “Arcade”

This is definitely an unconventional choice given this is the overwhelming favorite. I admit it’s beautiful and emotional. It’s almost too vulnerable, especially that wailing falsetto in the chorus, that it doesn’t do much for me emotionally. I get a sort of Sufjan Stevens sensitive vibe, soft and mournful. I get why it’s doing well but I need more intensity.

Eurovision 2019 Song Ranking Part 4

25. Greece 
Katerine Duska - "Better Love"
If country names weren't attached, you would never guess this was Greek, but it's refreshing. Katerine has a unique and powerful voice. The song is really mainstream and sounds like it's destined to be featured in romantic comedy trailers, but it just doesn't connect with me.

24. Hungary
Joci Pápai - "Az én apám"
His first entry two years ago was very underrated by me and came alive on stage with his heart bared to the world. This year's entry still has the same emotional power as a ballad. There's something so chill about the melody, especially the "na na na" chorus.

23. Russia
Sergey Lazarev - "Scream"
This was hard to do. It's Sergey, I would gladly put him #1, I stan, but his song isn't worth it. It's  more new Sergey but not among his better work. The song's structure and lyrics are unusual, but it looks like it could have a touching performance. Definitely a song to be seen rather than heard.

22. Estonia
Victor Crone - "Storm"
Victor looks and sounds like Måns' younger brother who wants to tell you about craft beers. The song is catchy but meaningless (I think the gist of the chorus is basically "everything isn't okay but actually it is"). It's over before it begins. It's really pleasant to listen to, but super generic Swedish pop.

21. Moldova
Anna Odobescu - "Stay"
This point in the ranking is where the "cheesy but I still like it" stuff starts. "Stay" is the kind of power ballad I love that frequently populates Moldova's selection and rarely wins. This is like "Fight" from 2007 but with the guitars removed (maybe it could have benefited). This is really unpopular so far but how could you not love that epic key change?

Eurovision 2019 Song Ranking Part 3

30. Denmark

Leonora - “Love is Forever”

Every Dansk Melodi Grand Prix has one song that overflows with saccharine on top of that Danish blandness, but they never win until this year. Leonora and her song are much more charming than the others. The multilanguage lyric with a rare appearance of Danish is a nice touch. Also she’s a figure skater, how cool is that!

29. Serbia

Nevena Božović - “Kruna”

The Balkan ballad of the year. She has a fantastic voice. Normally I love these, but it’s too drawn out and slow to get started for me.

28. Australia

Kate Miller-Heidke - “Zero Gravity”

I absolutely love the verses, such a good message and builds up tension for the chorus. The operatic chorus took a while to grow on me but it did. This could be higher if not for the repetitive “nothing holding me down” last minute.

27. Finland

Darude feat. Sebastian Rejman - “Look Away”

10 years ago Finland sent a EDM song whose biggest hits were in the late 90s and I loved it more than any other song and definitely more than most people since it came in last. Of course this year Finland is sending their biggest EDM export. It doesn’t stand out as far from the pack this year, but could have been a bigger contender 5-10 years ago.

26. Latvia

Carousel - “That Night”

Edging back towards the mid-decade coolness of Latvia. This is smooth and chill like a refreshing beverage. It’s subtle and simple, and I can’t find anything wrong with it.