Last week, in a bid to overcome our PED (Post Eurovision Depression), we launched the inaugural Wednesday Wishlist. If you missed it click here. The premise is simple – for the next few Wednesdays our correspondents from across the world will be bringing you their ultimate choices for Austria 2015. As this is all fantasy, we’ll also be taking a look at absentee countries, both long and short term. Because in our dream contest everyone comes to the party! To make sure that no one gets left out, we’ll be working through countries in alphabetical order, this week we’re looking at Cyprus through to Hungary.

Cyprus: Valando Tryfonos

BillyLynda Woodruff asks “why can’t Cyprus win the Eurovision Song Contest?”. Well the answer is easy – the Cypriots simply don’t send their best singers. However, they could break this bad habit by selecting Valando Tryfonos. Born in Nicosia in 1988, she participated in the Cypriot national final in 2006 with the song “After You”, but didn’t manage to represent her homeland. Her profile has increased significantly since she won the “Greek Idol” series in 2010. She took part in the 2011 Greek national final with the wonderful ballad “The Time Is Now”, but once again she failed to make it to Eurovision. At this year’s Cyprus Madwalk she joined Freaky Fortune on stage to perform their summer hit “In A World Without You” and a cover of Sia’s “Chandelier”. It was a spectacular show! (Interesting fact – she was once a member of the European Youth Parliament).

Czech Republic: Verona

Patrick: The Czech Republic at Eurovision – not really a very successful country. But why? Hmm… maybe because they don’t seem to put a lot of effort into their music. It’s hard to find a well-known Czech singer, but after much searching I eventually found one band who make decent music – Verona. The duo consists of singer Markéta Jakslova and composer Petr Fider. They started off in 2006, and since then they have released a bunch of tracks, in both Czech and English. Their biggest hit is “Hey boy”, which earned them international prestige. But I decided to introduce you to their beautiful ballad – “Ztracená bloudím”. It really touches my heart, even though I don’t understand the message at all (unfortunately my language skills don’t extend to Czech). Listen and maybe you’ll see why I think a Eurovision audience would be similarly touched.

Denmark: Ida Corr

Mike: I first discovered Ida Corr back in 2007 when she released the single “Let Me Think About It” with Dutch DJ Fedde Le Grand. Seven years later and it’s still on my playlist! Ida has not had many more hits in the international charts, but last year she released a new track which I fell in love with – “Jungle Fever”. Great music accompanied by a fabulous video! I don’t know how well she’d do at Eurovision, but if any performance is as good as her taste in hot naked guys, she is already one step ahead of the rest.

Estonia: Jaan Lehepuu

SoponEstonia’s niche, by far, is lounge ballads. Which is fine if all they want to do is showcase their beautiful language, but if they want to win Eurovision… well they’re gonna need so re-assess matters. One option could be to go down a dancier pop route. After all, Estonian pop is very catchy. Jaan Lehepuu would be the perfect man for such a job, and he’s well capable of bringing home another top ten placing for Väike Eestimaa. His hit, “Üksinda (Alone)”, makes him Estonia’s answer to Calvin Harris. It’s a hip-hop, pop, house, and electro hybrid, and despite the mish-mash of genres, everything melds together nicely. Something similar could work wonders in Eesti Laul 2015.

Finland: Laura Närhi

Chris: Finland’s Eurovision success may still lie pretty much with Lordi, but their music scene is amongst the very best in Europe. One of those spearheading the surge in quality is Laura Närhi. Formerly of the group Kemopetrol, Laura originally balanced her band duties with a blossoming solo career, but decided to try it on her own properly in 2012. Her latest album, “Tuhlari”, has some really incredible songs which show off a wide variety of styles – all driven by her impressive vocal. She moves effortlessly from the haunting “Hetkyn tie on kevyt” to the country-tinged duet “Siskoni”, recorded with fellow Finn Erin. But it’s the title track where she really stands out; a simple beat that’s ridiculously catchy. It’s no surprise that she’s been racking up the hits in Finland, and if the country wants to get serious with a legitimate act for Eurovision, then I can’t think of anyone better.

France: Mylène Farmer

AngusFrance have never really recaptured the supremacy they enjoyed in the ancienne concours. Even Patricia Kaas, a chanteuse cast in the mould of the greats, only scraped into the Top 10. Star-power made France in 2009 and they need to go big again. Anggun was a one-hit wonder, Amandine a failed reality star and TwinTwin an embarrassment. Mylène Farmer on the other hand is everything France should be putting forward to the Contest. She is a HUGE star, with more number ones than most ESC artists (ABBA and Celine excepted…) will amass in their lifetime. Mylène, more than any others France 3 might field, has the distinctive artistry to catapult France back up the leader board. The likelihood of Paris sending her is slim but it’d be remarkable if they did choose her.

Georgia: Katie Melua

PadraigFor many Katie Melua is the quintessential British songstress – sophisticated, safe and inoffensive. But there are two things worth remembering. Firstly, Katie was actually born in Georgia, only moving to the UK when she was eight. Secondly, she has on occasion ventured outside her “Closest Thing to Crazy” and “Nine Million Bicycles” template, most notably in 2010 when she released the slightly bonkers (well by her standards) “The Flood” and “Happy Place”. Unfortunately, these underperformed and she soon returned to her usual formula. However, were she to take such risks again, she would make a very exciting prospect for Eurovision. And where better than the land of her birth? She is still a big name in the country and recently appeared as a guest judge on their version of the X Factor. After the horrors inflicted on us by the Shin, the Georgians owe us some quality

Germany: Mandy Capristo

ZachWith her sultry vocals, infectious beats, and drop dead gorgeous looks, who wouldn’t want Mandy Capristo to represent Germany at Eurovision? The extremely talented Mandy would surely bring a pop gem to the Eurovision stage and capture the voters’ attention instantly. Her stage presence is wonderful, vocals on point, and she sports enough sass to remain in your memory long after her performance is over. Germany dominated the World Cup, and Miss Mandy would dominate the Eurovision scoreboard!

Greece: Eleni Foureira

Colin: Greece has been one of the most successful countries in recent Eurovision history. But over the last three years they have had a shakey record. One singer who could change that and bring the contest back to Greece is Eleni Foureira. This fashionista tried to represent Greece in 2010 with Manos and Giannis Pirovolakis, but lost to Opa! Maybe she would shine brighter on her own! She has edge and could bring something different and new to the Eurovision stage!

Hungary: Linda Király

JuditHungary has reached the Eurovision final for the last four years, with ByeAlex and Kállay-Saunders doing particularly well. But their quest for that ellusive first victory continues. I believe that Linda Király would be an ideal choice to take up the challenge. You may already know her from A Dal. In 2012 she sang “Untried” with her brothers Viktor and Benjamin, and in 2014 she tried again with her solo effort “Everything”. She started her career when she was 16, and after she moved back from the US nothing could stop her. This lady’s voice is simply brilliant and she already sounds like an international superstar. She has had a lot of hits in Hungary, but her latest is the best. “Runaway” is all about painful love, and is a perfect combination of vocals and music.

What do y’all think? Have we chosen the best of the best? Or would y’all have chosen differently? As always let us know below. And check back next Wednesday to read our choices for Iceland through to Monaco.

26 Comments
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Diamantis
Diamantis
9 years ago

georgia NEEDS to ask Katie Melua!!!! And Katie I swear if you say no, i wont listen to your music again. for a day. okay a minute

Hebbuzz
Hebbuzz
9 years ago

For Estonia I would love Hannah to bring a sweet typical soft Estonian ballad.

Hebbuzz
Hebbuzz
9 years ago

Many rumour Helene Fischer as the next German entrant….
In The Netherlands people call for Miss Montreal….

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
9 years ago

And for Finland, they seem to do very well with hard-rock or alt-rock. Softengine remind me of the multitudes of alt-rock bands that hit the big-time in North America in 2001 and 2002. I say send them back for more, or send another young alt-rock band.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
9 years ago

I know I’m late for the party on this one, but if Medina wants in on this show, the Danes might want to consider sending her.

Ranting Ruby
Ranting Ruby
9 years ago

Mylene Farmer’s been releasing the same song for the past 20 years – thumping disco beat in a minor key with her tiny breathy voice agonising over something terribly DEEP and painful, usually in (or out of) her underwear, all very ’80s … but you never know, that freak-out mud bath with live wolves might just do it for Eurovision!

Huh
Huh
9 years ago

France: Indila!!!!!
Belgium: Stromae!!!!!

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
9 years ago

Now, I have heard of Katie Melua, but this is the FIRST time I have heard one of her songs. I must say that, if she expresses an interest in singing at ESC next year, I think it’ll be one ugly food fight between the U.K. and Georgia. It’ll come down to where she is likely to get the most points from, and which country is most likely to get more points and have a better chance of winning; and I think the greater prospect of Tbilisi 2016 will lead her to sing for Georgia.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
9 years ago

@D: When I heard Linda’s “Runaway” last summer, I thought it was a shoo-in for 300 points, and wondered why she and her producers didn’t put the song in a vault and wait until October to record it, when it could have been eligible for ESC 2014.

CY2015
CY2015
9 years ago

Cyprus has a wide variety of choices. From Nikki Ponte to Ivi Adamou. BUT, the BEST choice for Cyprus this year is ofc Maria-Elena Kyriakou(The Voice Greece 2014 Winner). Her voice is magical and she has also said that she is VERY interested in ESC. So, we can’t do anything better than hope that Maria-Elena will compete in the Cypriot national final!

alex
alex
9 years ago

As far as Cyprus is considered, i was wondering all these years why Cypriot artists opt for Greece and not Cyprus. Also, RIK keeps picking the wrong artists (except 2012) while there are tens of brilliant talented Cypriot artists.

The Voice Greece winner (she’s Cypriot) and the rest of participants are probably interested doing Eurovision.

alex
alex
9 years ago

katie melua should do eurovision for uk, not georgia although georgia would KILL to have her with their colours. France: Indila. She’s the big name right now and her voice captivates you immediately. She’ll win for France if they pick a good song. What a shame France 3 didn’t ask her this year! Zaz would be another awesome choice but i haven’t heard any new songs from her since Je Veux. Spain: Monica Naranjo would set the Eurovision stage on fire. But she said she would never do Eurovision 🙁 Portugal: They should ask Brazilian artists (who want to break… Read more »

deli
deli
9 years ago

I think Jenni Vartiainen and Chisu would be much more interesting for Finland than Laura Narhi.

Basil
9 years ago

I am French and people in France do not like Mylène Farmer… :/

Marco
Marco
9 years ago

HELENE FISCHER FOR GERMANYYYYYYYYYY! (Or Russia)

Nikos
Nikos
9 years ago

@F, no Eleni is actually half Mexican

Ranting Ruby
Ranting Ruby
9 years ago

Cyprus – I nominate Yiorgos Panos Panayotiou – better known as George Michael (eligible because of his Cypriot parents). How good would it be to see something like THIS at Eurovision:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RV7eq52dOc

sopon
sopon
9 years ago

D, agreed for Jenni. I love Junat ja Naiset!!!!!!!!!

Sillä junat ja naiset ovut luotaja kulkemaan!

F
F
9 years ago

@D Eleni Foureira was born in Albania and raised in Greece.

Jak
Jak
9 years ago

Next up is Ireland I guess and I very hope that see Hozier in your Wednesday wish list!

HE IS JUST AMAZING.

Calvin
Calvin
9 years ago

Katie Melua? Oh god yes!!!!! I was just thinking about how great it would be if she represented the UK last week!

Stefan
Stefan
9 years ago

Maarvi Vallaste for Estonia 🙂

DR
DR
9 years ago

I love “La Musique Française”, for France, I would like Zaz who is a massive jazz star, with songs like Je Veux, and On Ira. Or a newcomer who’s only realesed a few successful singles this and last year in L’Héxegon, called Indila. Her songs Dernière Dance, and Tourner dans le vide, are beautiful, contemporary, very French, and would give the opportunity for amazing staging.

D
D
9 years ago

And Kerli for Estonia.

D
D
9 years ago

Also, Jenni Vartiainen must represent Finland.

D
D
9 years ago

I completely agree with Eleni and Linda. “Runaway” could’ve won the contest no doubt. If the Czech Republic returns I’d love Lenka to represent them. She’s Australian but her father is from the Czech Republic.

Also I’ve always wondered this, what ethnicity is Eleni? Her first name is Greek but I don’t believe her last name is, it sounds and looks Portuguese. And her complexion is rather dark. Maybe some sort of ex-Portuguese colony in Africa or Brazilian?