Following in the footsteps of FYR Macedonia, Georgia has decided to merge two artists through an internal selection process.

It was a drastic decision. Democracy doesn’t always bring about good results. Anri Jokhadze, who won the public vote last year with ‘I’m A Joker’, ended up being the biggest joke at Eurovision. He landed at the bottom pile during his semi-final, and failed to advance to the grand final on Saturday night.

However, if there’s one lucky charm the Georgians have, it exists in the form of any female singer named ‘Sopho’. Yes, that’s right. For the fourth time in Georgia’s short history of six participations, they’ve managed to find another female singer named Sopho (last name Gelovani). They are packaging her as one half of a duet. Completing this package is male vocalist Nodiko Tatishvilli, a talent who came to prominence after winning a popular TV music show ‘Geostar’ in 2009. (See cheesy photograph at right).

So how have the other Sophos fared? Let’s have a quick look at their performances.

Georgia made its debut at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007 with the internally selected singer Sopho Khalvashi. She ended up dropping her last name for the show, and sang “Visionary Dream”a tweaked version of a song that was originally titled “My Story”.  She made her way to Helsinki and howled this song into her mic. I was in the audience snoring away! When the votes were counted, she advanced from the semi-finals and reprised her number for the final show. In the end, she finished in 12th position.

The following year, Georgia adopted peace as its mantra. No Sopho was involved. In 2009, it withdrew altogether due to their perception that Russia, the host country, didn’t want peace. No peace, no Sopho.

Sopho returned in 2010. Albeit in the form of Sopho Nizharadze. Perhaps Georgia’s best entry to date, she sang ‘Shine’. It was a beautiful ballad crafted by a winning team of Scandinavian song writers, and sung by a stunningly attractive girl. The result? Georgia’s highest-ever finish of 9th place. In my opinion, totally deserving.

In 2011, Eldrine won the chance to represent Georgia in the ESC. The lead vocalist was Sopho Toroshelidze. She screamed the whole way through her song, and bagged a Barbara Dex award, as well as maintaining Georgia’s peak of 9th position. Last year, things took a nosedive and Anri Jokhadze gave Georgia its worst placing to date.

But can this Sopho turn things around? Sophie Gelovani is a music graduate, and the winner of the TV musical project Morning Star. She achieved first place at the international musical contest Do-Re-Mi in Armenia in 2000. With the added luster of her male partner, this makes them suitable candidates for the Eurovision Song Contest. The song is still being crafted, but if luck would have it, they’re hoping to better their best result of 9th position. Never count out a Sopho…

Deban Aderemi is a London-based correspondent for wiwibloggs

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Nathan
Nathan
11 years ago

I’m so Sopho’ed up right now after reading this article, Deban – you rock at giving information!

2010 was awesome whomever that Sopho was

Zolan
Zolan
11 years ago

@Anthony. Yes, I saw that.
I was joking about it being too safe and reliable, while also acknowledging that it doesn’t make the _style_ predictable, because he does different things.

“Quedate Conmigo” is actually the example that convinces me he’ll compose something that suits their talents.

Anthony
Anthony
11 years ago

@Zolan. It’s been confirmed on the official Eurovision website yesterday.
Thomas G:son has done wonders with Spain last year, so he is capable of composing top notch ballads.

Zolan
Zolan
11 years ago

@Anthony. Where’s the fun in that? ;p
Seriously though, I don’t know what that would imply for the song, but I would have expected (hoped) they’d go Georgian all the way.

I am a bit concerned that I’ve only heard Nodiko performing various low key ballads so far, whereas I’d rather the duet be at a level more comparable to Sopho’s performance of “Vacanze Romane.” ( watch?v=s0N_W-WAY2Y )

Oh, the anticip

Anthony
Anthony
11 years ago

I’ve heard today that after their decision to choose Nodiko and another Sopho to represent the country, Georgia has decided to go all gung ho and hire the legendary Thomas G:son to compose their song!

Zolan
Zolan
11 years ago

Funny, we have opposite tastes in Sophos. “My Story” (studio & video version) is a fave. But I predict we’ll find common cause in Sopho G.

There’s also a YouTube video of them together, titled:
Nodiko Tatishvili & Sopo Gelovani – chemi ocnebis caze dafrinav
(link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvlNX0R3bbc)

It’s all down to the song.