After putting on our tightest pair of lederhosen and trekking through the Alps, the Wiwi Jury stopped in Zurich to review Takasa’s Eurovision song “You and Me”. Did the Salvation Army band fill us with the holy spirit? Or were we hoping to drown them in some holy water? Read our reviews to find out.
Bogdan: People seem to love this song! I am not one of them. I understand why it’s a popular entry – it’s supposedly anthemy and uplifting and positive and the grandpa is endearing. But the melody is repetitive, the lyrics are childish and the stage performance does not look like a winner. “Sailing on a stormy sea, we’re together you and me”? Sorry but I’m seasick and I would rather be eaten by sharks than listen to your aaah’s one more time. *Jumps ship*
Score: 3/10
Vebooboo: The Swiss public has clearly forgotten its history. Sending through an act which features SS-esque uniforms and a synchronised arm salute does not bode too well for the good cheer that Eurovision is meant to spread. But with the EBU stepping in and forcing the group to abandon its original name (Heilsarmee) and its Salvation Army uniforms, maybe this song has a chance of passing through to the Final. Good singing throughout, even though I’m not exactly sure what the hell they’re singing about. Can’t we pump up the volume just a bit, though? A single voice doesn’t go very far.
Score: 5/10
Deban: Takasa are a funny bunch. They trump the fact that they’d be breaking an ESC record by having the eldest performer (aged 94) on stage. Yet upon victory they hide him from view with studio lights and clever camera angles. You and Me is a simple pop song with a folk tint. It’s catchy enough to sustain your interest, and uncomplicated enough to garner decent airplay particularly in non-Anglophone countries. Everyone loves the fact that they beat Her Royal Highness Lys Assia to Malmö, but if truth be told, her song was just as good. The major downside to You and Me is that everyone else’s version is likely to resonate stronger than the original. If you doubt what I’m saying, put it to the test. Most punters would prefer your very own singin’ in the shower version. This is by no means Switzerland’s finest moment. However, if Eurovision is also about being memorable, then, this song nails the brief.
Score: 6/10
HK Dick: It’s a shame that they have been told they can’t wear their Salvation Army clothes, as I quite like a man in uniform. Regardless of what they decide on (policemen, firemen…) this song is a triumph and they should be marching straight through to the final and a top 10 finish. But this is Switzerland, so nothing is guaranteed. It’s simple, melodic and my song to hum in the shower.
Score: 9/10
Alexander: Despite the controversy surrounding the Swiss entry due to the Salvation Army’s religious affiliation, I am going to purely review the song and performance itself (Heilsarmee have changed their name to Takasa and won’t be wearing their original outfits in Malmö anyway). While the song can be a little repetitive and flat at times, it is overall a decent entry from Switzerland. The verses are gentle and well written, and the “Ah” in the chorus is powerful. A special shout-out goes to Emil Ramsauer, who is participating at the age of 94! Maybe he had a crush on the Russian grandmas last year…
Score: 7/10
Mr Häggkvist: This is OK. I don’t hate it, but I’m not crazy about it. Switzerland sent this type of rock band in 2009 and 2012, and in the end it’s just forgettable and flat.
Score: 4/10
Wiwi: People keep telling me that the old man in the group hates gays, and I’m not down with that. But putting his potential homophobia aside, and judging this song on its own merits, I really think it deserves a place in the final. I love its anthemic qualities, but I wish it built to something—anything—a bit more memorable. I need a climax, not a bunch of foreplay. In any event, it’s a weak year so this manages to be above average. I’m fairly convinced the escalator in their music video is a veiled reference to Stairway to Heaven.
Score: 5/10
The Wiwi Jury Verdict: 5.57/10
You can read the latest reviews and see the current standings on the Wiwi Jury page. You can also listen to all 39 entries on our contestants page.
Why? Salvation Army and escalators? I just wanted to know how the guy with the double bass would manage when he hit the ground – but we never found out. Failed to get the message – whatever it might have been.
i love this song i think it will be in top 5
I love it. The song is simple, catchy, with lyrics that most can identify with. Icing on the cake is the creative video. I think it will appeal to a lot of voters which is the bottom line.
You and who? No thank you. *yawn*
A lot of the songs this year lack climaxes. Take Lithuania, Estonia, Albania, and Spain for example.
Love it, love it, love it!!!
They are my fifth choice for the trophy. The song is instantly adorable and even though it lacks a climax, it’s amazing the way it is.
Don’t like it, mate. It’s just a bit too Old Skool for me.
Catchiest melody in the contest; in the chorus, that is. They’ll need to improve on the languid act they presented in the national final, though. And that’s the main issue they face. It’s still one of the best songs in the contest this year, and maybe the jury will really like it. Add some liveliness, some choreography to the performance and they ought to be able to qualify.
Hmmmm. I thought it was an OK entry when i first heard it. Gutted Alysa Assia did not make it as im still listening to it and cringing and lovig it at the same time. However this… well… it is forgetable… i mean its OK… but it really does not go anywhere. Im sure it will be like if it hits the final. Cute lead singer. Not really interested in holding the record for the oldest contestant… Id rather there be some boundry pushing and risk taking then ‘old, safe and literaly Standard’ So my score… 4.5 on a bad… Read more »