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Life looks better for Eurovision hopefuls
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CyprusTHE VOTES are in and Cyprus' entry in the 55th Eurovision song contest has been chosen.
On Sunday night, CYBC voters and a panel of music judges chose their favourite song, "Life Looks Better in the Spring", performed by Jon Lilygreen and The Islanders and composed by Nasos Lamprianidis and Melis Constantinou. The song is a guitar led ballad with a gospel backing group.
"Angel", sung by Zeno Zintilis and composed by Konstantinos Christoforou came second, and in third place was "Goodbye", performed by Hovig Demirjlan. Out of 75 initial entries, 10 were short-listed for the final on Sunday night, when CYBC viewers could cast their votes.
This reporter’s favourite song, "Island of Love" by Soulthrow came fourth with seven points, and featured an eclectic melange of ska-punk, hip-hop and a man in traditional Cypriot clothes playing a bouzouki.
The competition has been fierce and not without controversy. One band withdrew and was replace on January 26th, while another was disqualified by CYBC for releasing their record before the final, leaving only nine entries on the night.
"Play" by Miglena Staneva which was due to be performed by the Bulgarian electro house group, Deep Zone Project, was uploaded to file sharing websites and YouTube.com before to the night of the final.
According to reports, the files were quickly removed from Youtube.com and the file sharing sites, but a CYBC appointed special committee decided to disqualify the song since many fans had already downloaded them. This was met with disappointment by fans who considered The Deep Zone Project to be contenders and who have left comments on Eurovision web forums.
It is noteworthy that all of the finalists' songs were performed in English, except for one which was a mix of English and Greek. According to his MySpace page Jon Lilygreen comes from Newport in Wales. Despite his strong voice and solid performance, some commentators on the Eurovision contest's news website, esctoday.com doubt if it is unique and exciting enough to win the competition, and in contrast to CYBC viewers’ 12 points, many have given Lilygreen zero.
The 55th Eurovision Song Contest will take place on May 25th, 27th and 29th in Oslo, Norway. Cyprus' entry will perform in the semi final on 27th. The event is organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
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jonathan from wales comments:
if you think jon lilygeen is not talentet - it's best to keep your thoughts to yourself and avoid publication...for your own sake!
I need say no more -
thanks...
Joe Citizen from Limassol comments:
The ESC is now a vulgar staging of pop mediocritity ands has become a major yawn. If Cyprus doesn't want to join in this mediocrity, it will never score anything. Stay away.
Mike comments:
I started watching the local contest and coudn't believe the low standard of persformers. I eventually turned off the TV when the eventual winner was performing, saying to myself "I can't take any more of this awful crap!"
Vicky from Limassol comments:
I agree that for years now, the ESC has not been worth watching. It seems to get worse by the year. And Cyprus has done so badly, and though I liked this years winner, it is not likely to get that many votes - I doubt if it will pass to the ESC final.
It is indeed a waste of public money to still participate in the ESC.
Andreas comments:
Why are we still participating in that trash competition. It's a waste of public money! Cyprus out of the Eurovision NOW!
Kareem from Nicosia comments:
I don't get all the hate. It's kind of forgettable but at least it's not offensive to the ears. Need I remind you of "Why do the aaaangels cryyyyyy", "I'm the king of the night", and Evridiki yelling at us in French?
I'm sure the juries will like it. Though I would prefer Cyprus to be represented by a Cypriot or at least someone that actually lives here and not just on holiday.