Eurovision Song Contest / The Betfair Contrarian / 19 May 2010 / 8

Tthe Contrarian will have his giant popcorn bucket (salted not sweet) to hand to follow the Eurovision Song Contest on May 29. Watching an overhyped favourite get put in its place is often the highlight and this year devastating national anti-climax awaits Azerbaijan. Here's why he's opposing them at [2.74]...

The Azerbaijani entry is nothing special

While it's true that ballads have become fashionable again in recent Eurovisions, putting dance music and the occasional dash of heavy metal (remember Lordi?) back in their place, Azerbaijan's attempt, Drip Drop by Safura Alizadeh, isn't in the same league as the last three winners. The excessive repetition of drip drop, drip drop cheapens it and pushes it closer to generic pop territory, and each of the three recent victorious ballads had far more gravitas: Fairytale last year because of the violin and upbeat folk sound, Believe in 2008 thanks to production by Timbaland and Molitiva in 2007 courtesy of the fantastic vocal performance of Marija Serifovic.

Safura's vocals aren't great

There are doubts over whether 17-year-old singer Safura Alizadeh is a strong enough live performer to do the song justice after several shaky renditions, such as this one. She has also, rather harshly, been attacked on some Eurovision fan-sites for her pronunciation of some of the English lyrics.

The first-time winners' streak is over

Alexander Rybaks Fairytale success for Norway last year ended an eight-year streak whereby every Eurovision winner came from a nation that had never previously triumphed. Another statistic that doesnt bode well for 2008 debutants Azerbaijan is that only four countries whose first splash into the Eurovision ocean came after 1960 have won within five years of getting involved, so despite promising results at their first two Contests, it may be too soon for Azerbaijan to finish first.

Eastern bloc influence is waning

A new Strictly Come Dancing-style scoring system was introduced last year in an attempt to stop voters from simply favouring their neighbours, whereby the verdict of a jury of experts in each country holds as much sway as the general public. It was brought in due to discontent over Eastern European countries supporting one another and appeared to do its job, as none of the Eastern bloc reached the top two for the first time in four years, while only one made the top five. Even more shockingly, the United Kingdom's entry finished fifth, after six years of finishing outside the top 15, confirming that the Big Four countries (UK, France, Spain and Germany) are now able to compete.

Germany have decided to make an effort this year

The presence of Germany as second favourites at [5.8] is surprising, given some of the monstrosities they have forced upon the Eurovision family in recent years. Unusually for them, they've decided to enter a song - Satellite - that people like. Singer Lena Meyer-Landrut's take on the near-universal Eurovision language of English (winning tongue in 10 of the last 11 years) is far more authentic than Safura's and her chatty, colloquial performance in the style of Lily Allen and Kate Nash is certain to stand out. Voters will either find her unique accent charming or painful, but expect more thumbs up than down. Further proof of the song's popularity in Europe is that it currently stands 10th in Billboard's European Hot 100, ahead even of the ubiquitous Fight For This Love by Cheryl Cole. The other big boost for Germany is that Lena will perform fourth from last in the final. In each of the last five years, one of the last eight acts has won. Azerbaijan's slot has yet to be decided.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QSgNM9yNjo

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1. Paul Orbeta | 20 May 2010

   is all this really nessasary? saying negativa things about one song, seriously? ESC hasn't even started yet and your making hasty conclusions, you guys are idiots!

2. Elvin | 21 May 2010

   point of view of author is not fair.

3. JJ | 22 May 2010

   All the Eurovision songs have been available on their website to listen to for over a month now so anyone can listen to them all and make up their mind which they like best. I would agree that Azerbaijan are unlikely to win it even though they're favourites. I think Germany will win but you never know how the voting will go.

4. Jave | 27 May 2010

   This article is biased and prejudiced and envious. I think this article was either ordered or written by an Armenian author. As a matter of fact the previous article of the similar content was describing chances of Safura (Azerbaijani representative) while the photo was of Inga Anush, unsuccessful 2009 Armenian representative. I think all the funds spent for such envious articles are spent on waste. According to almost all betting agencies Safura is leading the bets. Her song and performance is outstanding. If you don't believe feel free to use your precious time to look through bets than earning money on such cheep and corrupt articles.

5. B. Gomes | 17 March 2011

   Haha, you know I love many things about this article. Once: that it was bull's eye = it really happened! Secondly, it slapped Jeve (commentator) in the face and proved him and other "old fashion" eurovisionistas wrong.

   i would looove to know who wrote this and i'd also like to know what the author has to say for the 2011 eurovision event.

6. anon | 14 May 2011

   ha, wrong

7. Anonymous | 14 May 2011

   hehe

8. Anon. | 23 August 2011

   Reading that there slot is to be decided makes me laugh because I think that they went first!!!
   It was really good and did really well. I cheered the country on this year and was so glad they won

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