The votes have all been cast and the results are finally in. Over the past month, our wiwibloggers have been deciding just which of the hundreds of national final songs in 2016 were truly the best. We’ve gone through our top forty and now it’s time to reveal the Top 5. But which song has come out on top? Find out below.

5. “Never Alone” — Anja Nissen (Denmark)

We were excited to hear about Anja Nissen’s participation at DMGP this year, partly because “Never Alone” was penned by Emmelie de Forest. It turned out that Emmelie had done more than just write it — she had also performed it. After flirting with disqualification, Anja kept her resolve and very nearly stole the show at DMGP. With a great live performance that screamed “winner”, she seemed set for Eurovision. But Denmark opted for Lighthouse X. We’ll just let that one sink in a bit more…

Wiwi Jury: “If Denmark wants to win for the third time in Sweden they have to send Anja to Stockholm. I am in love with Anja and “Never Alone” is our love child. The chorus is amazing, and when you think it’s over it only gets better. I think Anja could show the Aussies they made the wrong choice by sending Guy Sebastian to Vienna instead of her.” (Mike)

4. “Laika” — The Hungry Heart ft. Lisa Dillan (Norway)

“The streets of Moscow, with my girlfriend.” With that opening, how could we not love “Laika”? This song about a Russian dog sent in to space came with a WTF performance, featuring inexplicable lasers and a people carrier driven on to the stage. “Laika” split people down the middle: you either loved it or loathed it. For that reason alone it deserved to reach our top five. Now sit back, relax, and let yourself be taken in by three minutes of Norwegian lesbian community goodness…

Wiwi Jury: “This isn’t just a tribute to the Soviet space dog — it’s a touching and poetic look at isolation, lost love and our never-ending journey to nothingness. The Hungry Hearts use accents and intonation to great effect, taking us to the Cold War and back, all the while making us want to dance. And when we do it’s with love and nostalgia and an acute awareness of our missed opportunities and disappointments. I just love this.” (William)

3. “Heart Shaped Hole” — Simone (Denmark)

Oh, poor Simone. In her third attempt at representing Denmark, Simone seemed to finally have the winning formula: a great song in “Heart Shaped Hole” and the story to boot. The battle lines were quickly drawn, with fans turning to either Team Simone or Team Anja. Perhaps it was that split that allowed Lighthouse X to take the victory. Arguably the purest song of DMGP, with an almost Sia-esque twinge to it, “Heart Shaped Hole” was let down slightly by an out-there staging concept. For the third time, Simone finished third at DMGP…and that’s exactly where she finishes on our list too. It’s almost poetic, really…

Wiwi Jury: “Dark, sassy, powerful — ‘Heart Shaped Hole’ combines awesome production with a compelling voice and thoughtful lyrics. It’s my favorite this year and screams Eurovision. I have a feeling Simone is going to give a stellar performance live and conquer Denmark. Well done!” (Bernardo)

2. “Don’t Worry” — Ace Wilder (Sweden)

How could we not have been excited to see Ace Wilder back at Melfest? After “Busy Doin’ Nothing'” came so close to victory, there was a lot of hype and expectation regarding the follow-up “Don’t Worry”. Ace’s performance in the first semi final disappointed some people, and she went from a favourite to win to an outsider in the final. We still loved her though and Ace reminded us exactly why: “Don’t Worry” practically stole the show at Friends Arena and won top jury marks from four countries. Never doubt Ace Wilder, y’all!

Wiwi Jury: “It feels like Ace lost the anarchic charm that made ‘Busy Doin’ Nothin” such a smash in 2014 and has instead returned as an entirely polished pop professional. That being said, staging is tdf and nobody does earworm nonsensical lyrics better.” (Angus)

1. “Cool Me Down” — Margaret (Poland)

Was there ever really any doubt about this? We were excited when TVP revealed that Margaret was entering Krajowe Eliminacje. That excitement reached a fever pitch around Europe when “Cool Me Down” was released and then…well, things got a little out of control. Poland miraculously reached the top of the overall betting odds with the assumption that “Cool Me Down” would go on to win Eurovision. It received the highest Wiwi Jury score of the year. And then…Margaret lost to Michal Szpak.

Yes, her live performances were average at best (to the point that, suspiciously, all audio is muted on her Krajowe Eliminacje performance videos). But putting that to one side – the song itself is such a tune. It was modern and cool, and everything that you’d want to hear in a Eurovision winner. The hype was very much real and to this day many of us still curse the fact that this isn’t going to Eurovision. You might not be winning Eurovision, Margaret, but you’ve won our hearts and the top spot on our national final song list!

Wiwi Jury: “It’s cool, it’s fresh and yet it doesn’t try to be a Eurovision winner, in the likes ‘Only Teardrops’. An instant crossover hit, I genuinely believe that if this goes to Eurovision — and so long as Margaret can wholly commit when performing it live — this would go straight to number one. Near enough to pop perfection.” (Chris)

There you have it: Margaret joins 2015 winner Eric Saade at the top of our charts in our favourite national final songs of the year.

Do you agree that “Cool Me Down” was the best, or do you think one of the other songs in the top five should have won? Where did your favourite place? Let us know via the comments section below or through our Twitter page!

Check out all of our top national final songs posts here

69 Comments
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mohi
mohi
7 years ago

Cool me down is not interesting live…I’m very glad that Michal Szpak Won…He’s song is amazing…

mawnck
mawnck
7 years ago

That’s what I like about you guys. You REALLY don’t give a tinker’s dang whether performers can sing or not.

The streets of Moscow
The streets of Moscow
7 years ago

Margaret can’t sing, how she got the 1st place? Srsly. Do you have ears?

Fafefifo
Fafefifo
7 years ago

Both “Laika” and “NEver ALone” are REALLY AWFUL!

And where are the rock songs in this list? none! Most songs are standard “ESC-sounds”. Few alternative songs. And I esp. miss rock!

Sorry – but I don’t agree with this list at all!

Gloria
Gloria
7 years ago

Here is a link to Margaret’s live version of Cool Me Down. Do you still think this would go straight to number one????
http://przeambitni.com/2016/02/27/afera-z-wystepem-margaret-w-swiat-sie-kreci-o-co-chodzi-z-fala-hejtu-porownajcie-nagrania/

Alex
Alex
7 years ago

Agreed with the result. Cool Me Down was quite good and it was a shame to see it not make its way to ESC.

One snub from the list that I would’ve liked to have seen is “Ain’t Got No Time For Boys” from the Finnish semi. Also “Dias de Alegria” from the Spanish final, and that crazy song “Parmupillihullus” from Estonia’s selection.

Daniel
Daniel
7 years ago

Very surprised that Edyta Gorniak did not make the top50. Alongside Margaret she had the best song in the Polish NF.

Mick
Mick
7 years ago

Guess, who is in Stockholm now! Margaret! ;D

Griffin
Griffin
7 years ago

Lol there’s no comment box on Czech review, i thought this site is just getting more silly. I’ll move to other eurovision fan site ????

Tommy
Tommy
7 years ago

OMG, WHERE IS EDYTA GORNIAK OR KASIA MOS FROM POLAND, THEY ARE NOT EVEN IN THE TOP 50?? This site is so stupid and shallow, can’t believe it… And the reviews for Szpak are also very underrated, the same as The Netherlands in 2014 (4.3 on Wiwi, 2nd place in Eurovision, lol). Get better gays…

NL
NL
7 years ago

1. Don’t worry (Sweden)
2. No fear (Finland)
3. Heart shaped hole (Denmark)
4. Now (Spain)
5. Supersonic (Estonia)

Very dissapointed in Sweden, Finland and Denmark by what they could’ve send. All 3 countries could’ve won this year by picking the right song. Still if my top 3 would actually be in the contest then Finland would’ve took the first spot in May! Sadly enough they might not even be in the final.

Sara
Sara
7 years ago

Still can’t get over that Margaret didnt win 🙁 <3
Hoping that she goes next year!!!!

DJ Tiggeh
DJ Tiggeh
7 years ago

Absolutely shocked Bianca’s Shine a Little Light was not included in this selection when the poorly performed track by Darline made it.

Andresito
Andresito
7 years ago

Poland selected the right song. It would have been kind of disappointing seeing a cold country girl going tropical with this Rihanna low cost copy song.

Micha? is 10 times the artist this girl is. His emotional song will reach a lot of people. People still appreciate pure meanings, not dummy songs no matter how good they sound.

Österrike
Österrike
7 years ago

This top 5 was so foreseeable, but it is still utterly ridiculous. The Danish divas with their old-fashioned schlager, for that no one outside the Eurovision bubble would care about and on top of that Margaret “I have no clue how to sing live without my producers fixing it for me”. It is so laughable. Anja Nissen had the most gut-wrenching entry of the entire season, so happy Denmark did not pick her. And Michal Szpak is a relief too. His song is pure passion and emotion, incredibly well delivered. Thank God, Poland chose wisely. There have been a bunch… Read more »

Tom L
Tom L
7 years ago

The problem with Heart Shaped Hole is that there is such a disconnect between the song and the performance. The lyrics are about liberation from heartbreak and everything on stage should have reflected that. Instead we were saturated in sweetness, from the giant heart on stage and purple lighting to Simone’s pageant dress, hair and smile. As much as I liked that song (and still do), it was bizarre to watch.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
7 years ago

@Cece: Where did you read about that? Who else qualified for the 2nd-Chance OGAE contest? I hope Laila from Norway did with “Afterglow”, as well as Mikael from Finland with “On It Goes”. I hope they went completely off the grid in Switzerland with Elias’ “Elephant”.

Nicky91
Nicky91
7 years ago

@georgekirkas

well Simone would have been better than Lighthouse X, but the boys are surely not bad singers, but more Take That 2.0

irish esc
irish esc
7 years ago

margaret true winner of nf in poland no god damn you poland i am still mad at you for not choosing her

PhysalisFranchetti
PhysalisFranchetti
7 years ago

OMG Wiwibloggs, you have stirred up the hornet’s nest again. Truth is that Eurovision is an unforgiving environment – you have to sing live and without all the usual adornments like auto-tune. Worst of all, if you don’t deliver a tremendous performance at Eurovision, it is recorded in many places on-line to be replayed once a year for decades by avid ESC fans and there aint no muting that. Personally, I can’t imagine why anyone would be crazy enough to agree to perform at Eurovision because it can be career-limiting…..did you spot that all the UK stars with a current… Read more »

georgekirkas
georgekirkas
7 years ago

I still can’t get over the fact that neither Simone nor Anja won DMGP! Simone is my favourite and Anja my second favourite this year! Margaret is my third favourite! The rest are really good, but not favourites of mine.

Jan
Jan
7 years ago

WIWI is Prejudiced!!!

Daniel
Daniel
7 years ago

No mention of Avantasia at all?

GEF
GEF
7 years ago

Somehow the WIWI jury shows what they actually like. Female Europop. Apart from this, half of the songs of the Top30 non qualifyers is from Sweden, Denmark or Norway. It just shows that there is no space for variety. Why isn’t there any other kind of song/singer in the Top 10? Avantasia is not even mentioned…

Katherine
Katherine
7 years ago

Fortunately “Cool Me Down” will be available worldwide on this Friday (22 April) 🙂

https://www.facebook.com/MARGARETMUSICONLINE/videos/1061897307202130/

John
John
7 years ago

I agree with You! Margaret is amazing artist <3 I'm so happy that "Cool Me Down" will be available worldwide on April 22nd! 😀 I hope it will be a big hit on all the world and Poland will regret their decision.

Jan
Jan
7 years ago

WIWI is biased.. Does not let people comment CZECH WIWI JURY… WHYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!???? 🙁

Daniel
7 years ago

the barbie Q barbs

Thiefo
7 years ago

It’s probably the one time we agree on a top 5 Wiwi 😛 possibly just in a slighly different order, but I also like all these acts, being my absolute favourites Ace, Margaret and Simone. If only Simone would’ve won! We could be seeing Denmark winning after Sweden a third time!

Daniel
7 years ago

Simone should of won. Amazing.
Oscar Zia and Wiktoria too
And finally the shock shock of the year
Margeret

oooops
oooops
7 years ago

Niki, my favourite in the national final season is Avantasia from Germany with “Mystery of a blood red rose”

Nicky91
Nicky91
7 years ago

@Skandar

Tom Frantzis, he was my favourite at Eurosong, i really liked his song, reminds me of Bastille ( i don’t know if you know that band)

Héctor
Héctor
7 years ago

My god… Ace Wilder is always here! Come on, I can understand you like it, but how in the world can be the 2nd best non-qualifier??? Her song is so bad I can’t listen it entire, her voice is awful as well. The only good things are her dance moves an her facial expresions, but this is a song contest. She could be shouting in the middle of the stage and some of you would still want her to win… About Margaret, the song was very good, but it wasn’t her style, an artist has to be true to herself.… Read more »

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
7 years ago

Simone.
Enough said.
Would have won Eurovision.

How the hell is Ace Wilder no.2?

Skandar
Skandar
7 years ago

Well, I love the way you guys put top 5 here. I especially appreciate you to put Don’t Worry at #2 because it’s f***ing awesome.

But I wish Tom Frantzis’ “I’m Not Lost” is placed higher here

Alex
Alex
7 years ago

who cares about margaret when we can listen to one of the greatest singers ever – Michal Szpak himself?

Nicky91
Nicky91
7 years ago

@Niki

Margaret wasn’t a good live singer, her live singing was plain awful

otherwise good top 10

Niki
Niki
7 years ago

Now I would like to reveal my Top 10 with some comments. I know that most of the songs would have failed in Stockholm. 😉 1.) Ella Endlich – “Adrenalin” (I just love German schlager! ??? And I know tit would’ve been a bed choice sending her to Eurovision. ;)) 2. Laura – “Supersonic” (Much better than “Play”!) 3. Margaret – “Cool Me Down” (THIS IS A WINNER!!!! Nothing more to be said about it!!) 4. Dolly Style – “Rollercoaster” (Either you love it or you hate it! I ? it! I know it’s very cheap, but that’s what I… Read more »

Nicky91
Nicky91
7 years ago

@mad-professor

well i’m glad poland chose Michal, he’s the best live singer in eurovision this year, his song reminds me a bit of a good 70’s or 80’s ballad, i’m being positive about this 🙂

mad-professor
mad-professor
7 years ago

All five of those are bad, especially Cool Me Down.

Dona
Dona
7 years ago

Ace Wilder is higher than Oscar Zia? You must be kidding!!

Chain
Chain
7 years ago

No Masters Of Chant?

Selene
Selene
7 years ago

1. Mick Pedaja – Seis (Estonia)

Everything else is inferior to that.

Nicky91
Nicky91
7 years ago

Margaret was rubbish live, Michal is a way better singer

Michal is more touching than this Rihanna wannabe

my ranking

1. Simone – Heart Shaped Hole

2. Anja Nissen – Never Alone

3. The Hungry Hearts ft Lisa Dillan – Laika

4. Ace Wilder – Don’t worry
.
.
.
5. Margaret – Cool Me Down ( i didn’t understand the whole hype about this song)

oooops
oooops
7 years ago

But I think Michal’s song is better, and relaxing and touching, in a way like “Håll mitt hjärta hårt” which did participate in this years melfest. And it is 2nd in your ESC-poll. So let’s say that the favourite didn’t won, but the eventual winner is good and it could have been worse.

oooops
oooops
7 years ago

When will we know the finalists in the alternative contest, plus the big 3 and Sweden(Or big 5 if you let “Until tomorrow” participate for UK and “Mystery of a blood red rose” for Germany, if that happens, I’ve got 3 favourites so far… Germany, Hungary and Belgium, and if you’ll select “Who’s da man” for Sweden, I think I’ll vote for Frans too.

MirkoJoshua
MirkoJoshua
7 years ago

Margaret’s song was billion times better than Micha?’s one

Anouska
Anouska
7 years ago

I’m still devastated Ace didn’t win Melfest. 🙁
She would have had the crowd (and me at home) in a singing, dancing frenzy at Eurovision.

EF0912
EF0912
7 years ago

Heart Shaped Hole only coming 3rd is my biggest NF disaster – even more so than Cool Me Down losing. 🙁

oli
oli
7 years ago

I love Laika!! What a pleasant surprise to see it in your Top 5!