Romania‘s Selectia Nationala 2017 reaches it grand climax on Sunday, March 5. The jury picked ten finalists last week. But now power shifts to the Romanian public who will vote for their favourite songs and choose the winner. That’s right: No professional intervention.
As we count down the days until the final, wiwibloggers William and Deban watched the Selectia Nationala finalists and filmed their instant reactions. Candid and uncensored, they don’t hold back – and they definitely don’t agree. Want to know who their winner is? Let’s do this!
William and Deban’s reactions to Selectia Nationala finalists tend to differ, but the two seem to agree as far as Ana-Maria Mirica and Eduard Santha‘s songs are concerned. “Spune-mi tu” and “Wild Child” failed to grab their attention and the singers’ angry style of performing put them off.
Both wiwibloggers appreciated Cristina Vasiu‘s voice and performance of “Set The Skies On Fire”, but would have liked for the song to take a more upbeat turn. As William puts it, is has ruul potential, but it’s not quite there.
In the case of fan favourite duo of Ilinca feat. Alex Florea, “Yodel It!”, William was unabashedly fan-girling, while Deban was having none of it. Whereas William found the song instantly memorable and catchy, Deban found the yodeling gimmick in poor taste. While he admitted that Ilinca can yodel and Alex can rap, Deban says these are two ingredients he didn’t need in his sandwich. Meanwhile, William was devouring it whole.
Moving on, the two liked the harmonies in Instinct‘s “Petale”, but didn’t love the song as a whole. They were not impressed with Maxim‘s “Adu-ti aminte” and made fun of the traditional panflute, which reminded them of “Love Love Peace Peace”.
While William’s jam is “Yodel It!”, Deban is obviously a fan of M I H A I‘s voice on “I Won’t Surrender”. William admitted that the ballad had a vintage quality in a good way, but says it doesn’t reach the heights of Ilinca feat. Alex Florea’s banger.
Both William and Deban found Ramona Nerra‘s “Save Me” contemporary and Eurovision-ready. They agreed that the Ramona can belt out a tune and hold her ground in the final. They also appreciated her look and the overall package.
Tavi Colen & Emma‘s “We Own The Night” convinced both wiwivloggers. They appreciated Emma’s voice and look, as well as the chemistry with Tavi Colen. William says that the song is vintage/borderline dated, but both singers are selling it successfully. Deban appreciates the fusion of sounds and wouldn’t mind if it won Selectia Nationala.
The last finalist, Xandra, failed to grab their attention with “Walk On By”. Despite Xandra’s great voice, power and control, William considers the song a little boring. Deban says it’s a good effort, but too many similar ballads sung by similarly competent ladies are already on their way to Kyiv and “Walk On By” would get lost in the mix.
Who are the best Selectia Nationala finalists?
Deban’s pick is M I H A I’s “I Won’t Surrender”. The singer has already made Romania proud and would be bound to do the same if selected.
William’s number one, on the other hand, is “Yodel It!” by Ilinca featl. Alex Florea. It’s happy, catchy, memorable, different, original, and fresh.
William and Deban share the same runner-up: Tavi Colen & Emma with “We Own The Night”. According to the two wiwivloggers, the song has appeal, it’s contemporary and fresh, without being as divisive as “Yodel It!”.
What do you think about our wiwibloggs stars’ reaction to Selectia Nationala finalists? Did they get it right? Who should win on Sunday? Sound off below — and don’t forget that you can also still vote in our Selectia Nationala finalists poll!
I’ve found out an interesting fact: people are tempting to consider that ‘Yodel It’ would work great with the public, but bad with the juries. I’m tempted to say that I expect Romania to reach a higher place with the juries, than with the public, if ‘Yodel It’ will participate in Kyiv. It is commercial, for sure and the juries are usually pointing this aspect. Obvious exemple: the Romanian jury gave an unanimously 12 points to them. So I don’t get why people are considering it wouldn’t do well with the juries.
As if yodel it is like tinie tempah. William is reaching. But it’s true that the song would do well on the main show
Has to be Yodel It. And if it doesn’t get the ticket to Kyiv it will be the great injustice of the 2017 season. It’s great pop, good hip hop, great R-n-B and great yodelling. In 3 minutes. Genius!
However, if Yodel It were to beat Occidentali’s Karma for victory in the Grand Final I will be gutted. Second place would be perfect 🙂
I usually agree with Deban. But not this time! Here is why… “Yodel It!” has so much good music and theatre in it when you look past the yodelling. There is the seductive context of the song – she is leading him on, and he is mesmerised. It’s specifically about an office romance, and in that respect, it is very theatrical. (The concept actually reminds me of a scene from a Handel’s opera “Rinaldo.”) The rapping is not just in spoken word, it forms part of the melody and is actually more and more IN KEY with the music as… Read more »
Yodel It! is such a BOP!
I’m with Deban this time, I’m glad he picked quality (MIHAI) instead of radio trash (Yodel it). Yes, I’m from Romania and I totally dislike Yodel it… This Sunday I will vote for MIHAI! I’ll send as many sms votes for MIHAI during the televote until I won’t feel my fingers! I won’t surrender until I’ll be sure I cast enough votes for M I H A I !
Yodel is not my taste , but I don’t care. The only thing I want to say is that she looks awful with that fur. If this song has a chance, that fur will ruin it. Ruslana won Eurovision with a dead animal on her, but I don’t think that worth the risk in 2017.
Yodel It to the finals. Bucharest 2018
Romania is due for a win. Tornero and Playing with Fire are two of the best ESC songs in the last 11 years
Yodel it! is the only reason why Romania is in Top 7 in the betting odds. It is the ONLY CHANCE Romania has this year.
They key is who will the televoters support? Does Yodel It have broad appeal? I’ve shown this song to ten people and eight loved it and two hated it. I don’t think there is neutral ground but I also believe the population breaks heavily in it’s favor.
”vintage/borderline dated”
This is so funny……vintage / borderline dated…
I think nothing is ever dated, but those words……
About this selection I agree with Deban, M I H A I is my favorite too.
“Yodel it” is a song that can do great with the televote but really bad with the juries.
I’m not a fan.
On the other hand, I love MIHAI’s song. Deban, I’m with you!! Great song, great voice! He’s amazing!
*need
Please, you neee to listen the instrumental of “Nova Glória”…Like Tina Turner would say:”simply the Best”
Leo M You can dream that ,but it wont gonna happen.Yodel it is the only song who stands out big time in Kiev if it wins NF.
why does deban hate fun????
I agree with Deban. I don’t get the hype around Yodel It I think it is awful and would fail to reach final if Romania send it to Kyiv
@Deban….you will come around to liking Yodel It better. I have and now, like William, it is my favorite. Mihai’s first half of the live performance has a lot of bad notes and pitchiness, which are very offputting to my ears. The second half he is much better, but the first half just ruins it for me. I will probably like the studio version, but the live version is a mess.