Of the 43 songs competing at Eurovision 2016, only three will be sung entirely in a language other than English. That’s the lowest number since 2002 — when there were just 24 competing countries. France and Italy — who traditionally sing 100% in their mother tongues — have opted for bilingual versions this year, whilst Spain has controversially gone entirely in English. Nevertheless, we still have three strong candidates who will fight tooth and nail for the coveted title of best non-English song of Eurovision 2016.
Austria: Zoë with “Loin d’ici”
This year Austria decided to send a song in a language other than English for the first time since 2012, when the Trackshittaz came last in their semi-final with their Mühlviertlerisch rap. If that doesn’t sound like big enough a risk, instead of sticking to her national language, Zoe will sing en français – a first for Austria.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Deen & Dalal with “Ljubav je”
For their return to the contest, Bosnia & Herzegovina have stuck to what they do best – a Balkan ballad in their national language, Bosnian. Their choice is proving successful, as they topped one of our pre-contest polls.
FYR Macedonia: Kaliopi with “Dona”
After two years of singing in English and two years of non-qualification, FYR Macedonia is back in the game with a song sung in their mother tongue. Kaliopi will hope to repeat her magic formula, which earned her thirteenth place in Baku back in 2012.
Which is your favourite? You can vote for as many acts as you’d like, but you can only vote ONE time. Be sure to click the box next to each act you want to support before pressing submit.
The title of the article says 100%, it’s not a hard concept to grasp! Even just one chorus in English changes a song e.g it cheapened Italy’s entry for me a bit when I realised some of the lyrics are about shining together or something cheesy.
I rank them 1. FYR Macedonia 2. Bosnia & Herzegovina 3. Austria. I don’t dislike the Austrian entry but I just can’t see viewers actually voting for it. A bit like Switzerland last year.
Where’s Ukraines Jamala? I lover her song!
VOTING -http://tummiweb.com/scorewiz/rsvp/147379/UhGcs
RESULTS – http://tummiweb.com/scorewiz/scoreboard/view/147379/eurovision-2016-semi-final-1-voting
*english, i mean.
‘Dona’ completely, ‘Loin D’Ici’? Really? it’s an ok song but seriously, it’s not the best out of the three completely non-enlish songs on ESC this year.
@TheOnlySaneOneHere
Well, if you spoke Bosnian, you couldn’t overlook generic lyrics, cheesy tone and out of nowhere rap part of Bosnian song. I guess it sounds exotic to non-speakers.
I actually love Austrian song. I know lyrics are not very innovative, but the whole package seams cute and charming. Makes me happy.
If you speak French, you’ll understand how horribly terrible Loin d’Ici really is – it is a dated, boring, and awful song.
France! … Oh, I meant to say Austria.
I like Macedonia and Austria equaly, maybe Austria is bit better but also bit more chessy, while Macedonia is bit old-fashioned, which made me bit (yeah, bit) sad since I don’t expect good result of song.
I really hate Bosnian song. Its kind of ugly, depressive and mess. I honestly hope it will stuck in semis.
And most the Italian entry is in Italian as well…
France should be included …. the bigger part is in french.
My top 3 :
1.Austria
2.Bosnia & Herzegovina
3.F.Y.R Macedonia
@Je ne comprends pas,France has well a song with English lyrics
And France?
12 points to… Ljubav je!
all of them are great
Bosnia & Herzegonina is my 3rd
FYROM is my 4th
and Austria is my 8th
1. ???????? Austria
2. ???????? Macedonia
3. ???????? Bosnia & Herzegovina
oxyk
Better song for me in 1994 had Russia, Hungary from eastern Europe.
http://eurovisionparty.lv/sanja-vucic-zaa-serbia/
http://tummiweb.com/scorewiz/rsvp/146760/Wd4xV
Who will win in Eurovision 2016 ? vote now
3 great songs
austria is my third
macedonia is my seventh
and bosnia is my 12 place
“You will win for sure with a song in English”. That’s obvious, if 40 forty songs out of 43 are in English, how are non-English song supposed to win? Ugh
Both France and Italy (now) have some English lyrics included in addition to the French/Italian lyrics, although Francesca could still change her mind and sing in Italian. Zoe wins this selection though without Italy there.
Someone get Kaliopi some donuts!!
all of the 3 deserve a slot in the final
You forgot to put France & Italy in the list
All 3 are not bad.
1. F.Y.R Macedonia
2. Austria
3. Bosnia and Herzegovina
I love Austria and Macedonia this year, as soon as I heard Dona, I was hooked, and love a nice song in French, who would’ve thought that Austria sends a better french song that France.
L’Autriche !
Austria, not a doubt.
FRANCE
Austria, of course!
For me it’s a dark horse because it stands out. Modern, catchy, charming and in beautiful French.
Very disappointed in Spain this year and Italy and France could have been more courageous as well.
Austria, by far.
I didn’t realize we only got 3 completely non-english entries, that is sad 🙁
Not Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nothing personal about them but contest-wise, it’s too plain and outdated.
best non English song for me dated to 1994.
Edyta Górniak – To nie ja
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL5rmmpiHp8
what can be compared to it this year? 🙁
1. Bosnia
2. Austria
3. Macedonia.
The three are in my lower half. Don’t hate them though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDBaZxH21mU
Damn, it’s sad there’s only 3 100% non-English songs.
Austria easily
1. Austria
2. Macedonia
3. Bosnia & Herzegovina
Kind of sad we have only 3, right?
Austria
BiH
My dog barking out of tune
FYrom
Slim pickings.
Bosnia and Herzegovina are the only good one for me.
I love non-English entries cause they always stand out from the pack (this year, especially). Can’t wait for Portugal to come back next year and bump these numbers up.
ZOË’s brilliant should carry her through to the grand finals like it did for San Marino in 2014. She has nothing to worry about.
In 2015 Serbia and Israel first time sing in english, this year Spain. Maybe next year France or Italy or both.
1.Macedonia
2.Bosnia
3.Austria
I actually like them all!! So I would vote for all 3, but what is the poin in that? 😉
All of them are bad.
Frankly, I like them all
Austria, by a country mile.
None of these even make my top 30. Zoe has the worst entry this year (and will not budge from that place in my rankings), B&H is forgettable and TOO MUCH, Kaliopi is a letdown and her ballad is dated lacking any oomph.
DONUT DONUT DONUT DONUT DONUT