Earlier today, the Wiwi Jury – our in-house panel of music unprofessionals – took a break from sightseeing, and helped ourselves to hearty portions of Irish stew (or goulash as it is to you) as we listened to Kat Mahon’s “Anybody Got A Shoulder”. Did we think it was truely memorable or instantly forgettable? Read on to find out…
Louis: I am a sucker for this song, great chord progressions and a soothing voice. However, it’s just not Eurovision 2015, maybe Eurovision 1980. Saying that, it does have a chance of standing out and being different, it would be nice to see Ireland win with a song like this again.
Score: 6/10
Angus: Basically every Irish entry from the 90s. Pretty, twinkly and distinctly unimaginative Celtic string-backed ballad.
Score: 3.5/10
Robyn: This is Ireland partying like it’s 1995. The song has a great melody and Kat sings it with tenderness, but it also has a very old-fashioned sound. I find it all a bit boring, but this simple style could be an advantage against all the bold lady anthems being entered this year.
Score: 6/10
William C: It starts quite nicely, popping up some interesting questions. I just wish there was more variation in the song. However I love the serenity, it makes me feel at peace. Would’ve done great in the 90s but maybe not in ESC 2015. I love Kat’s voice and “Anybody Got A Shoulder” suits her vocals perfectly. It’s all very niece. I just hope that she is this good live!
Score: 6/10
Mike: Thanks Charlie McGettigan for making me cry with the thought that this has a twenty percent chance of going to Eurovision. “Anybody Got A Shoulder” is good, but not for Eurovision. Kat meet Belgium’s Axel Hirsoux, he will be your duet partner on a cruise ship somewhere far away from Europe.
Score: 4/10
Padraig: Kat is lovely! And I’m certain she’d charm the press and media if she makes it to Eurovision. However, I doubt “Anybody Got A Shoulder” could be as effective. I must say the song has grown on me – A LOT! But that was only after several listens. Does it have the immediacy to win over the public within the allocated three minutes? The Eurovision world is all BANG, BANG! This is more a polite tap, tap.
Score: 6.5/10
William: I love the strong Celtic identity and think that Kat has a lovely voice. But didn’t Ireland win Eurovision with this exact same song at some point in the 90s? It’s great atmospheric music — I could hear it in a film score — but this isn’t centre stage material. That is not a criticism, just a question of fit for Eurovision.
Score: 6/10
Mikhail: Kat asks for a shoulder, but, basically, this makes me want to find one of my own to cry on. If you want to cry, then you need some emotions. Then show those emotions, so listeners can understand, feel and believe them. Touch our soul! Sadly this song is just some childish crying that nobody cares about.
Score: 3.5/10
Denise: This is the kind of song that Ireland won with all those times many many years ago. I really like her voice. It suits the song perfectly and it’s really sweet and vulnerable. The song on the other hand is just mweh… It’s not really bad so I don’t want to grade it lower than five, but it isn’t good either.
Score: 5.5/10
Kristín: I think I just stepped into some sort of Andrew Lloyd Webber off-Broadway musical. She’s sitting on stage in rags, with fake rain pouring down, begging someone for a shoulder to cry on, and in the background there is a lonely chimney sweeper doing an inprov dance number. End scene! Nope, it’s a nice song and all, but this would fall completely flat on its arse in Eurovision. And then Kat would REALLY need a shoulder to cry on.
Score: 5/10
THE WIWI JURY VERDICT: 5.2/10
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Photos: Kathleen Mahon Facebook
I recently figured out that this song reminds me a bit of the Patsy Cline style of country music, and I happen to like that unique style and sound. Kat Mahon’s voice on this song gives a sweeter kind of effect. I do understand though that it’s a song that belongs in the previous century, and that most listeners would prefer something more modern. It probably won’t be selected on that basis, but it’s still a beautiful song and performance nonetheless. 🙂
She can really sing but this song is really boring. 🙁
Cheering for any of the other three queens <3
I think the chorus and melody were the most memorable parts of the song. If I’d put this up against the currently song entries right now it can definitely stand out but Kat would need a great staging as well.
Erika Selin is still my favourite
Lets face it, this song is only in the National Selection Final because Charlie McGettigan wrote it…. Stupid RTÉ rigging the selection again….
@Eugene ESC UK
I think the reason why RTE go for a selection method is because it brings in a lot of public interest and much needed revenue from the televote.
Beautiful & essential ballad.. 🙂
My 4th most liked song from the bunch but it can grow on me more.. 🙂
6,5 /10 { The same rate with Padraig <3 I always tend to fully agree with him about numerous songs! 🙂 }
It’s really meh, to me. Nothing stands out, it’s much weaker than Molly’s ballad, I’m afraid.
3.5/10