In the first verse of Belgium’s Eurovision 2017 song “City Lights”Blanche sings of being alone in the danger zone. But it seems that the danger is for her competitors in the contest. Last night her song leaked early on Spotify and sent shockwaves across the betting agencies, catapulting her odds to win from a dismal 100/1 to as low as 3/1.

Now that Blanche’s hurricane is beginning to settle, the official video has dropped. It’s dark and artistic, bringing visual intrigue to the captivating lyrics and sound. Together it all suggests we can expect magic and ambition on the Eurovision stage in Kyiv. 

It’s a murky evening in a Belgian woodland, but Blanche has come to shine her light. The video opens with a ball of light floating through an abandoned building complex. We soon see Blanche singing along with minimal emotion – almost as if she is mesmerised by the levitating luminous testicle.

She plays a minimal style game, wearing H&M street fashion and understated make-up, and allowing her naturally wavy hair to sway in the breeze (well, wind machine).

As she follows this ball of light throughout dark corridors and dingy stairwells, we see the building slowly light up. She even manages to light up trees – Kasia Mos’ flashlight doesn’t stand against this woman!

Can we infer anything about Belgium’s stage presentation from the music video? Well, we can assume that she will be dressing down for Kiev. This is a true rarity at Eurovision, and indeed in the genre of electropop, but we’re trusting in RTBF’s successful track record of late.

Their task to make a subtle song stand out may be resolved by the song and the video’s overriding theme of light. The question is whether Blanche will bring us some Måns-style magical light effects — or something akin to Valentina’s IKEA lamp.

“City Lights” Lyrics – Blanche (Eurovision 2017, Belgium)

All alone in the danger zone

Are you ready to take my hand?

All alone in the flame of doubt

Are we going to lose it all?

 

I could never leave…you in the city lights

I could never beat…the storm in your eyes,

The storm in your bright eyes

 

All alone in the danger zone

Are you ready to take my hand?

All alone in the flame of doubt

Are we going to lose it all?

 

Looking in between…the space in the city lights

All we ever seen is stars in your eyes

The stars in your dark eyes

 

All alone in the danger zone

Are you ready to take my hand?

All alone in the flame of doubt

Are we going to lose it all?

 

Let’s put some light in to our lives

Light keep us down until we rise

They threw some light in to our lives

 

All alone in the danger zone

Are you ready to take my hand?

All alone in the flame of doubt

Are we going to lose it all?

 

All alone in the danger zone

Are you ready to take my hand?

All alone in the flame of doubt

Are we going to lose it all?

To lose it all?

To lose it all?

 

What do you think? Are Belgium playing it too safe? Could Blanche finally bring the contest back to her homeland? Leave your comments in the box below!

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64 Comments
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Avis coupons
6 years ago

You could definitely see your skills in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.

Emma
Emma
6 years ago

This song remind me a lot of ÉCLAT – Alexe Gaudreault , but also of Here With Me – Susie Suh x Robot Koch

LercyLicious
LercyLicious
7 years ago

Amazing song. For me the winner for this year. This song got me instantly. I love everything about the song. 12 points from the Netherlands.

Hi
Hi
7 years ago

This gonna be Boring on stage

Alex
Alex
7 years ago

Agree, my best wiwies are Edd and Tobias. Would love to see both of them in forthcoming videos from Kyiv.

filip
filip
7 years ago

I love that song. Warm low voice and then surprisingly her nice high voice in the end. No doubt about it : She’s my winner!

Jerem
Jerem
7 years ago

The most problematic is I had same problem last year with Laura Tesoro song really close to Fleur East’s Sax !

One time, it can happen, 2 consecutive times, it’s problematic !

Please Belgium, not a third time !

Jeremsback
Jeremsback
7 years ago

Oh my god, just listened “Éclat – Alexe Gaudreault”.
You right Natalia Kazankina !

Clear Plagiarism !
Too Bad

Natalia Kazankina
Natalia Kazankina
7 years ago

PLAGIARISM ALERT!
ÉCLAT – Alexe Gaudreault
Sorry Belgium! Out of my TOP10

heja heja
heja heja
7 years ago

MY top 30:
now with BELGIUM AND ISRAEL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3XbkqDT4jo

ManU
ManU
7 years ago

Denisse didn’t liking a song from Belgium… what a surprise!

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

Did someone mention octaves? 🙂
That upper octave is a bit weak on the track, but at first I thought it was because it was just the supporting octave from the backing singer. I didn’t realise it was actually Ellie until I heard it the second time through!
I don’t know if the higher octave should have more “thunder” unless there is a mood change in the lyrics to match. It might work live though.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
7 years ago

The problem with this song is that you’re waiting for her to go one octave up and lay the thunder on us as the song approaches its climax (and stay on the upper octave), and she never does. She stays on that same key throughout, except briefly, from 2:08 to 2:30, without any thunder in her voice. If she does that on the ESC stage, she may risk failing to qualify. But if she goes for the higher octave and pours on the thunder, she might finish in the top-half, as did her 2 predecessors. Excellent video, though.

Graph
Graph
7 years ago

It’s not bad but I think this could be another Albania 2015 or Malta 2016 situation, where a song becomes a pre-contest favorite on the basis of being “contemporary,” but scores below some fans’ expectations at the actual contest. Sometimes the general public is not as desperate for a “contemporary” song as the Eurovision fandom is.

@Chessguy99, I agree, this could qualify predominantly via the jury.

Natalia Kazankina
Natalia Kazankina
7 years ago

“All alone…” ten times in just 3 minutes… The song starts with the refrain, immediately reveals the best … Another mistake easily detectable.

Belgium has a song very monotone, repetitive with a poor lyrics and will receive very few votes from the jury.

chessguy99
7 years ago

This reminds me of Belgium 2015. The song was cutting edge, but I thought it would lose something in the live presentation. Some innovative staging and choreography and Rhythm Inside took 4th. I think we’ll have the same thing here with City Lights. With some very creative staging this could be top 5, but if the staging fails this will qualify just on jury points, but fall mid-pack in the finale.

DyGh
DyGh
7 years ago

I would say Brussels 2018 but sadly Brussels doesn’t have a place to have the contest. Antwerp 2018 then?

Philipinho
Philipinho
6 years ago
Reply to  DyGh

Never heard about Palais 12?

Victor
Victor
7 years ago

Meh.

Kris
Kris
7 years ago

Although more typical of some other violaceous user……..
Hugs @Nebi San 🙂
Know that our moms are always present in spirit with us and she would always want you to be happy. 🙂

sarel
sarel
7 years ago

God, how could this win lol? :O It’s so monotonous, flat as a pancake, doesn’t lead anywhere… Not feeling this song at all 🙁 2/10

Green screen
Green screen
7 years ago

Sounds like one republic, if I lose myself

Amor A.
Amor A.
7 years ago

@Nebi San. You’ve touched me with your comment. I’ve never expected someone to say this. I’m really happy you’ve found solace in this song and I am really sorry about your mother. I believe people never truly leave us and are always watching. Your mother is always there. I hope you have a good day!

Ern
Ern
7 years ago

I think this is more likely to win than Italy.

Brussels 2018 is a real possibility, provided the live performance is good.

Sylvia Night
Sylvia Night
7 years ago

Finally something that sounds like 2017!

Nebi San
Nebi San
7 years ago

@Armor A. Thank you so very much for posting the link to the NAVIBAND retweek. They fixed the ending which was their only week spot. On a personal note: my mother died this week and I’ve been profoundly sad. Listening to this song you linked lifted my spirits like nothing else did this week. Thanks again.

Anton
Anton
7 years ago

Sorry to say, but it sounds derivative. A gentle rip-off of several other pop songs. I like the way it sounds though

Denis
Denis
7 years ago

Very captivating song! Cool choice. I think it could win. All depends on the staging, it will make or break it!?

Elijahhawaii
Elijahhawaii
7 years ago

NOT a fan – the vocals are monotone and the music is repetitious. I cannot even understand the lyrics for that matter. The vocals are so melancholy and the music is upbeat – so disjointed. Can she put on a stage presence that captivates the jury as much as everyone else seems to like it?

Milla
Milla
7 years ago

I see this doing worse with the televote and better with the juries! This song is for people with a significant taste. Like many esc-fans have. No wonder they go bananas:D I find it very repetetive. And nothing happends. Just the same and same and same… It’s not a song for the masses.

Lars
Lars
7 years ago

This is my absolute favourite song this year! Finally a really good song that has personality and character, unlike pretty much anything this year (including Italy imho which sounds like any other radio song and has this kind of forced cool vibe to it) .Maybe they can implement the orb into the performance.

my oh my so boring
my oh my so boring
7 years ago

The song sounds like a typical soundtrack played on Belgian designer’s fashion show…

Sasha
Sasha
7 years ago

I can’t see this song having the stage presence needed for the jury to vote for it. It may finish first with the public but maybe 5-7th with juries like in the previous years.

Amor A.
Amor A.
7 years ago

By the way, Belarus tweaked their song. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMsJ2U6Nj4k

Joyce
Joyce
7 years ago

Stranger things realness. The music video is not impressing me despite the song is not that bad. Can take the cake on the final if she is as good as the studio version, but I think she will keep her essence and will do something minimalist and not effective.

Noone
Noone
7 years ago

Romania is much better. Everybody vote for Yodel It!

Werka
Werka
7 years ago

Belgium saved ESC !! TOP SF1

1. Belgium
2. Cyprus
3. Poland
4. Finland
5. Latvia
6. Australia
7. Moldova
—————– UNQUALIFY
8. Albania
9. Georgia
10. Portugal
11. Slovenia
12. Czech Republic

Gokhan
Gokhan
7 years ago

Superb!
So far Italy, Belgium and Portugal has a charm.

AngieP
AngieP
7 years ago

Belgium brings a different flavour in the contest!
I don’t love it! But it’s really good compared to the other songs we know so far. I like it!

We haven’t heard sth like this so far.
In the beginning I was totally into the song! I love her voice, it’s sth between Lorde and Lana del Rey. I didn’t expect such a beautiful voice.

However I have to say it’s flat, it doesn’t have a peak, but I believe there is room for ideas about the presentation. We can see sth beautiful!
Good luck Belgium!

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

This has potential to be amazing live, but in studio it doesn’t really impress me. Needs more power.

peaceman
peaceman
7 years ago

don t cry if I don ‘t have the same opinion as you, that’s life, HONEY lol

peaceman
peaceman
7 years ago

fikri your comment is useless so who is the spam here? HONEY

fikri
fikri
7 years ago

@peaceman: yes, yes… we heard you the first time you don’t have to spam the comment section a thousand times, honey. 🙂

Amor A
Amor A
7 years ago

We all slept on this girl and now she’s punishing us for it. This song is great and is one of the best this year. My only concern is that it gets a little boring after a while and I wonder how they are going to stage it. The last and only time Belgium won was with a teenage girl, so I wonder if it will happen again.

peaceman
peaceman
7 years ago

purple mask a pure odds victim

oli
oli
7 years ago

Such a good song! I never had Belgium in my Top 1 before, but this year will be the first, and I am very glad about it!!! Bruxelles 2018 would be amazing

My top so far:
1. Belgium 2. Portugal 3. Hungary 4. Italy 5. France 6. Spain 7. Latva 8.Israel (if it sounds as good as the snippet)

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

I laughed so much when I read this article! 😀 Thank you Edd! An infamous analysis.
The Belgium entry is very good, and the video works really well. It’s the only full challenge to Italy at the moment.

PP
PP
7 years ago

Wiwibloggs delete comments with TOP 10 list, or you delete my list only last day.

peaceman
peaceman
7 years ago

odds are really not reliables, italy is on lead since the beginning of the selections this year, lol why??? and I know i m not the only one who don t agree with that, it doesn t give the envy to vote for the little protected singers and songs of the odds.

Swede
Swede
7 years ago

Wiwibloggs, REALLY? I know your writers are thirsty maneaters but referring an orb of light to a TESTICLE? Wow.

Other than that, I live this song and wouldn’t mind it winning the whole contest.

peaceman
peaceman
7 years ago

belgium sent a very pretentious song this year that I like a little bit not that much than odds lol but how doing to good stagging with that to not bored the audience, good question.