German broadcaster ARD has internally selected popular German R&B singer Xavier Naidoo as Germany‘s act for 2016. The traditional national final competition will be replaced with Unser Song für Xavier, where the public will vote on the song Xavier will perform in Stockholm.
The last we heard from Germany, their new Head of Delegation was planning to ditch the Clubkonzert component of the 2016 national selection, but it was implied that there would still be some sort of national final. Now Eurovision.TV has confirmed that Xavier Naidoo has been internally selected by broadcaster ARD, with a national final to choose his song.
Unser Song für Xavier
Some of Germany’s top songwriters and producers have been invited to submit songs. On 15 December, a panel of three music experts, including 2010 and 2011 representative Lena, and with input from Xavier, will select a shortlist of six songs. From them, input will be sought from film and art students on ideas for staging.
On 18 February Das Erste will broadcast Unser Song für Xavier, where Xavier will perform the six songs and viewers will vote, with the winning song becoming Germany’s entry for Eurovision 2016. Germany previously used a similar format in 2011 when Lena performed 12 songs, and on a smaller scale in the finals of 2010 and 2012.
Xavier Naidoo is a hugely successful artist in Germanophone countries. Since the late 1990s, his music has regularly charted in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He’s a major star in Germany, though he is also known for his unusual political views and belief in conspiracy theories.
In 2011 and 2012 Xavier was a judge on The Voice of Germany, where he mentored Iveta Mukuchyan. In 2012, as part of the duo Xavas, he won the Bundesvision Song Contest with the song “Schau nicht mehr zurück” (“Don’t look back”).
This reported change is yet to be confirmed by ARD or NDR, but it follows Germany’s double trouble earlier this year. During the live national final of Unser Song für Österreich, Andreas Kümmert – who had won with a landslide 78.7% of the vote – dramatically announced that he did not want to participate in Eurovision 2015.
The honour instead went to runner-up Ann Sophie. However her song “Black Smoke” did not go down well in Vienna, scoring a disappointing nil points along with Austria. With that result, it seems that the traditional Unser Song für… format was in need of a shake-up and this change could be what Germany needs.
Is Xavier Naidoo a good choice for Germany? What sort of song should he sing? Should ARD go back to the traditional Unser Song für… format? Share your thoughts below.
And if they were so concerned about the public choosing the wrong song entry then they should’ve hired a panel of juries and got their votes..
What a shame. Their Unser De Fur format had potential to be as big as Sweden’s Melodifestivalen. It was a great platform for the country’s artists & music. Instead they do internals again…
WORST DECISION EVER, I’m so disappointed on germany because even though their national selection doesn’t attract to many spectators, it’s one of the best ones.
2015 they had Farenhaidt
2014 they had Madeline Juno
how can this unkown face top it all? I’m just predicting a very weird Happy-like number, and I know they are in for failure
Oh, people are still dragging up the old Måns Zelmerlöv is a homophobe- stuff from last year?
That was proven to be just media speculations. And even if he is homophobe, did it affect his result in ESC in any way? Did it tarnish his reputation?
If the politics Inpact as much as they so then Sweden and germany have no chance. France will get sympathy votes from the UK and that’s really it
@jonas well just these lines from the comment that Eric made. and i ve read it. 🙂
“In 2014, Der Spiegel came out with an article entitled ‘From Popstar to Populist’ and the German version of The Huffington Post had an article entitled ‘Nandoo Defends his Nazi Concert Participation’.”
thank you.
There is desperation from Germany’s part to end up sending on the country’s biggest and most successful artists since the 90s with his rnb style … and there are political undertones with this choice … hopefully, music will outshine the rest if fans and people alike are willing to let the music speak louder … if the chosen song is worth such validation.
To the previous poster, would you like to back that up with some facts? Or links? Or specific details?
I heard that he made in previous interviews some very…homophobic comments. hello mans zelmerlow 2, wait until journalists find out about what u said. ohhh eurovision season again
“If there is political trajectory in Eurovision, then Germany is on a trajectory to victory again. The bold refugee policy might have an impact there. ”
Lmfao, yeah because the Balkan counties and many in western Europe are so grateful to Germany for flooding their countries with violence.
In reality they might get 12 from Sweden and that’s it.
The most interesting story line is he will be competing against his mentee from the voice, Iveta from Armenia….that’ll be cool to see and definitely I hope gets mentioned in interviews for both parties.
I think we have another flop for Germany at Eurovision 2016.
As a Swiss I know him quite well and although I don’t like his songs I gotta admit that he has a killer voice. The song will probably be sung in German which could be a disadvantage, but let’s see…
If there is political trajectory in Eurovision, then Germany is on a trajectory to victory again. The bold refugee policy might have an impact there. We are also living in darker times since the last Eurovision, Europe has become more dangerous and is targeted by terrorists. A sincere song by a sincere singer like Xavier Naidoo looks like a winning song as of now for me. I also want that there is a German speaking powerhouse in Eurovision in contrast to the Nordics and the Russians. I don’t think a silly song about dancing with demons in our minds could… Read more »
Xavier Naidoo is really really really big in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. I see 12 points incoming…..
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xavier_Naidoo/Diskografie
I loved his music a lot, I have all his early albums…….
My favourite tracks are “20.000 Meilen” and “Alles”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0ZX4wWU2oE <3
"Wenn du glaubst, dass das alles war, bist du vom Glauben abgekommen und dem Abgrund so nah. Was dir entfallen ist, ist der zwischen uns getriebene Keil, eine Lüge ist eine Falle, weil jedes verdammte Detail alles ist"
Recently there were some controversies about his political views. He does not believe in mainstream media and therefore made enemies.
Why don’t they do what they did before and copy your country needs you. That gave them lena and a win that’s all they need to do!
Could go both way really. German isn’t a sucesfull language since the language rule was abolished and the style of is songs seems to be old, like Electro velvet this year
But he does seem to have the experience and exposure and could do well based on the performance alone, we know it’s an important factor.
Anything is better than last year. But if he sings in German it won’t fair much better either.
Good Luck!
@Mario: That is probably what they were afraid of, and as a result they did not want to take the chance that another Unser Song winner will decline the invitation.
I will wait for the song to pass judgment. I had my horse money on Madeline Juno being better prepared this time. If not her, then perhaps Oonagh, or even Fahrenhaidt taking another shot.
I’m dissapointed 🙁
I really enjoy Germán national finals, they usually have great artists (who get wronged and lose to amateurs)
@Robyn – There are plenty of respectable German media outlets reporting on Xavier’s Nandoo’s rhetoric and affiliations…and Google Translate is not a conspiracy theory software unlike Nandoo’s documented rants and biases.
In 2014, Der Spiegel came out with an article entitled ‘From Popstar to Populist’ and the German version of The Huffington Post had an article entitled ‘Nandoo Defends his Nazi Concert Participation’. There are Youtube clips from ARD with Naidoo’s ramblings about ‘We are not a free country: we are still occupied”…by whom you ask? the answers are out there.
@Robyn – There are plenty of respectable German media outlets reporting on Xavier’s Nandoo’s rhetoric and affiliations…and Google Translate is not a conspiracy theory software unlike Nandoo’s documented rants and biases.
Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.de/2014/10/09/xavier-naidoo-npd-zugehen_n_5960182.html (Xavier Nandoo defends his Nazi concert)
Der Spiegel:
http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/gesellschaft/xavier-naidoo-auf-montagsdemos-ueber-deutschland-und-paedophile-a-987539.html (From ‘popstar’ to ‘populist’)
I’ll laugh if at the end of it he says ‘You know what… I’ve decided I’m just not ready’ LOL. This is obviously their way of getting round last years predicament, in my opinion. Shame, as I really enjoyed it last year.
“Xavier Naidoo is a 9/11 truther , blames the Rothschild family and is part of the Reichsbürgerbewegung.” Nice.
it’s interesting that he will go against his mentee, iveta tho. i’m looking forward to who has a better song and result. 😀
i kinda dig his musical style. not sure how he will fare in may next year but i’m sure it’ll be better than whoever represented germany this year…
Good and quality singer with interesting style. I keep my fingers crossed for Germany and for choosing good song for Xavier.
First of all, I really like the singer and 2nd, I like that we can choose out of songs thisctimw!
I really wasn’t expecting this, but this isn’t my style of music at all so I don’t think I’m gonna end up liking the song. Germany switching their selection process isn’t a good idea imo, I wish they just removed the club concert and kept everything else.
Wow, i wasn’t expecting this news xD i guess they’ll send a german song this year then. but ii think it would be a wise decision if he lets his conspiracy theories out of esc…
I dunno guys, I loved guy since he wrote the song himself and was all about the groove, I am not impressed with Xavier’s songwriting chops on his youtube channel, he sounds boring to me, Lena was exceptional and unique, And Mans was the hottest guy around with a great song to boot
Don’t know whether it is good or bad choice because I have never listened to this singer. But I have a bad feeling that Germany will once more fail to get a high result. Good luck anyway and of course the most important thing will be the song. So let’s wait.
And the golden years of Germany came to an end.
They only need Stefan Raab, it’s obvious.
As long as his political views don’t cause any disruption, then he should be able to get a decent result. I don’t really see Germany winning next year though