Our top 40 list of our favourite national final songs from Eurovision 2016 has already seen 15 songs take their spot in the honours book. Finishing between 30 and 26 were the likes of Christabelle and Darline, whilst songs from Sweden and Estonia also received a nod. This time…well, there’s more songs from Sweden and Estonia, along with entries from Austria and Norway. Check out who made the cut below!

25. “I’ll Be Around (Bounce)” — Elly V (Austria)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wNuYRJGrnw

Whilst Zoe was a fan favourite going in to “Wer singt für Österreich?”, she certainly had her share of competition. To many Elly V’s performance of “I’ll Be Around (Bounce)” was just as stunning as Zoe’s. Incorporating the video wall with a dance routine, she really stood out. Will Austria give her a second chance next year as they so often do? We certainly hope so.

Wiwi Jury: “Elly is channelling Ellie Goulding circa Delirium with shrewdly calculated verses and a chorus that explodes out of nowhere. I can’t help but wish this song was representing Armenia instead. This is the only one with a chance of qualifying at Eurovision, especially with Armenia and Austria in the same semi and sending her an easy 12 points. Home girl SLAYS!” (Antranig)

24. “Seis” — Mick Pedaja (Estonia)

Remarkably haunting and again, so very Estonian. Mick Pedaja’s performance of “Seis” was easily one of the most divisive national final songs of the entire season. Either people “got” the song and loved it, or they dismissed it as being completely unsuitable for Eurovision. That debate still rages now, but Mick has done enough to earn himself a place on our list this year.

Wiwi Jury: “Is ‘Seis’ a right song for the Eurovision? No, not at all but… who cares? I could have said exactly the same thing for ‘Love injected’ last year but it became one of my fave Eurovision entries ever so I’m here to support Mick Pedaja and his song, pure eargasmic emotion.” (Cristian)

23. “Kizunguzungu” — SaRaha (Sweden)

Where Mary N’Diaye failed, SaRaha did so much better. “Kizunguzungu” wasn’t your standard Melodifestivalen song; we’re used to Swedish and English, but Swahili was something else. A huge star in her native Tanzania, SaRaha definitely made a lasting impact around Europe with her song — even managing to knock Isa out of the contest in the process!

Wiwi Jury: “This crossover tune, which successfully fuses the best sounds of native and contemporary cultures, is SLAMMING! The beats bite, and SaRaha stings with pizazz. For a debut outing, this is outstanding! I want every mix of this track.” (Deban)

22. “Feel Da Rush” — Freddy Kalas (Norway)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzKcOL9Q-IA

There’s always something that catches you by surprise in Melodi Grand Prix. There was no pizza this year, but instead Freddy Kalas gave us reggae-inspired dance pop, ably performed by a middle aged white Scandinavian man. Freddy might not have even made MGP after his initial song was disqualified, but some minor tweaking saved him. One thing is true: you can’t deny it’s catchy…

Wiwi Jury: “I absolutely love this song. It makes me happy, it makes me dance and it sticks in your head and won’t leave you for days. Freddy’s accent is a bit funny, but it fits the song. I would love to see the audience jumping up and down for this in Stockholm.” (Sami)

21. “Bada nakna” — Samir & Viktor (Sweden)

From the outside, you’d have been forgiven for being shocked at Samir & Viktor finishing dead last in the Melodifestivalen final. After all, they had topped the charts in Sweden week in, week out after their performance of “Bada nakna” in the semi finals. They slayed the Dolly’s in Andra Chansen and were given the final slot in the final. But considering they even told us that they shouldn’t go to Eurovision, maybe Sweden decided that whilst “Bada nakna” was great fun, it wasn’t quite right for Eurovision. No matter how many clothes they ripped off.

Wiwi Jury: “There’s whistling, there’s an EDM post-chorus, and watered down six-packs – it’s heaven. The fun that they have on stage brings me joy – and I think it’s about time Sweden sent something fun. And could you get more Swedish than a blonde and an Arab guy singing about skinny dipping?” (Edd)

We’re reaching the top twenty now and it’s getting ever tighter at the top. Are your favourites still in the mix? Let us know in the comments and make sure to check back over the weekend as we continue our countdown.

Check out all of our top national final songs posts here

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Bella
Bella
7 years ago

Bounce is good but Loin D’ici is just so much better!! Really like all the other entries in this part of the list (Expect Mick’s -_-)

My Name Is Feminnem?
7 years ago

I hope for some rock songs in the remaining list. every year, there are lots of great rock songs in the NF / ESC proper. But none here. So far – that is! 🙂

AM Casablancas
AM Casablancas
8 years ago

seis – mick pedaja
we don’t need anymore bullsh*t that’s totally my jam!

My Name Is Feminnem?
8 years ago

Austria had a great final. As usual. Picking a bad winner. As usual….But I agree, “I’ll Be Around” was very good.

“Seis” from Estonia – such an atmopsheric and special song. Almost “art-ish”. Love it!

6th sense
6th sense
8 years ago

Bada Nakna is a really bad song.

jowncarlo
jowncarlo
8 years ago

Ukraine’s SunSay with Love Manifest, Finland’s Saara Alto with No Fear, Israel’s Nofar Salman with Made of Stars, Sweden’s Molly Sandén with Youniverse, Italy’s Lorenzo Fragola with Infinite volte (I know, I know, Sanremo is not an NF), AND BELGIUM’S TOM FRANTZIS WITH I’M NOT LOST!

Dutch
Dutch
8 years ago

1. No Fear
2. Don’t Worry
3. Heart Shaped Hole
4. Youniverse
5. Helpless

Lots of Melfest songs yet to come

Yuri Kus
Yuri Kus
8 years ago

TheHardkiss – Helpless, Pur:Pur – We Do Change, Dorota Osinska – Universal, Kristel Lisberg – Who Needs a Heart – my favourites from NF`s.

Robert
Robert
8 years ago

01 Poland – Edyta Górniak – Grateful
02 Ukraine – The Hardkiss – Helpless
03 Sweden – Molly Sandén – Youniverse
04 Poland – Margaret – Cool Me Down
05 Finland – Mikael Saari – On It Goes

Diane
Diane
8 years ago

Why all of my favourite songs from the national finals have never went to Eurovision? I really adore “Hunger”, “Cool Me Down”, and “Seis” and all didn’t win in their respective country this year. While last year I really love “Unriddle Me”, “I’ll Be Fine” and “Feathers” and none of them went to the international contest 🙁 But I like the fact that “Sing it Away” get chosen to represent Finland because that is one of my favourites since the Finnish nominations were published.

Pavel
Pavel
8 years ago

Seis is my number 1 out of all national finals, a unique song that oozes brilliance

Adam
Adam
8 years ago

I think we all know Cool Me Down will get the #1 spot lol

JonathanUK
JonathanUK
8 years ago

Heart Shaped Hole for Number 1!!!!!!

Rokko
Rokko
8 years ago

Estonian “Seis” is amazing!

Ralph
Ralph
8 years ago

Listen other Michael’s Szpak songs (POLAND)

Its great! ROSSANA is best

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1Ahrb-bJ3s

Doreo
8 years ago

KIZUNGUZUNGU is horrible song . ISA’s song ” I Will Wait” is by far more beautiful. If Swedish people voted for ISA, they would probably be one of favorites on ESC this year.Your music choise for Sweden National Final is so strange

J UK
J UK
8 years ago

The Hardkiss must be in the top 5. Ukraine is my favourite this year and yet I believe they didn’t even choose their best song. Their NF was just so strong.

John
John
8 years ago

These are all horrible apart from I’ll Be Around.

Antonio
Antonio
8 years ago

The winner is going to be between: Cool Me Down (Poland), Victorious (Spain) or Heart Shaped Hole (Denmark)

Ben Rafter
Ben Rafter
8 years ago

Cool me down was the best song in all of national finals, it has to be no.1.

Bhrister Cjorkman
Bhrister Cjorkman
8 years ago

Icebreaker is not a bad song, just not as durable as EDM. I have had Freddy’s “Pinne for Landet” in my main playlist for over a year now and it never gets old.

steve
steve
8 years ago

Samir and Viktor- love them! They were fun and entertaining- Eurovision has become too serious!!!!

Travis
Travis
8 years ago

Number #1 is Margeret anyway^^ (I guess…)

KV
KV
8 years ago

SaRaha yaaas

Marc
Marc
8 years ago

I still don’t understand why Norwegians didin’t vote for Feel da rush which is a huge hit in Norway while Icebreaker is flopping and nobody care for that song.
Also really like Seis ans Bada nakna.

irish esc
irish esc
8 years ago

yay i am glad bada nakna is on the list i hope oscar zia or mikael saari is no 1.

Emils
Emils
8 years ago

I think that “Cool Me Down” and “Afterglow” will be 1st and 2nd.

MarioMario
8 years ago

Samir and Viktor better than Mick Pedaja? WIWI is in serious trouble.

Steven
Steven
8 years ago

Hope a load of Ukraine entries are going to pop up! My fave NF this year