Czech Republic, Martina Barta, 1 [ELIMINATED]

Ahoj Cesko! The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has arrived in Prague. After wandering around Stare Mesto, the old town, we gathered to discuss the Czech Republic’s act for Eurovision 2017 — Marta Bárta with “My Turn”. Will we want to wait for her turn to come, or would we rather jump the queue? Read on to find out!

Martina Bárta – “My Turn”

About Martina Bárta

Martina is a jazz musician based in Berlin. A vocalist who plays the French horn, she’s part of a jazz band called 4 to the Bar — which makes sense given how intoxicating her voice is. She is currently participating in Sinatrology — a swing gala night that lets her show off her smooth jazz stylings. Relatively unknown in Czech Republic, she was internally selected for Eurovision by Czech broadcaster CT anyway and has been serving sunshine, optimism and positivity ever since.

“My Turn” reviews

Antony: It’s evident from “My Turn” that Martina is a seasoned singer with a wholesome and beautiful voice. However, singing a gentle jazz song runs the risk of being overlooked in a dance-pop and pop-ballad-infused contest. It’s a pity because the Czech Republic had found their momentum in the contest by qualifying for the first time for the grand final last year.

Score: 3/10

Chris: Quirky piano jazz can sometimes work, perhaps not at Eurovision though. Martina Barta comes to the fold with an entry that must be respected for being true to her style. Not only that, it’s reasonable to expect that this will be one of the most competent live performances. At its heart, though, the song is lacking. There’s little hook and the lyrics generally feel uninspired. Any song that opens with the word “very” three times isn’t reaching for much.

Score: 3.5/10

Deban: Despite the fleshy awakening in Martina’s music video, she still manages to put me in a deep slumber. This entry is positively depressing! I can appreciate the merits of Miss Barta’s jazzy vocals, but 170 million viewers won’t be missing out on much if this entry slipped by.

Score: 2/10

Jordi: Where’s there’s a piano, there’s a good song. But I’m afraid to say that “My Turn” isn’t an excellent one. Martina’s soul and jazz drives me into a relaxing and calmly state. Her song flows smoothly and it’s not screamy, being so sweet and slow. But maybe it’s too slow to stand out in Eurovision. There’s strong ballad competition in this year’s edition, but “My Turn” isn’t really turning it out. 

Score: 6/10

Mikhail: Somehow “My Turn” is able to stand out among the sea of ballads and proves to be among the better ones. It has a point of difference and manages to maintain my interest throughout. Its melody is so calming, like the ocean, and it doesn’t need any energy boost, because that’s not what it represents. The end of the song always arouses a small smile from me, because it’s just so pure. I am happy that it’s in the contest.

Score: 7.5/10

Rezo: From the very, very first time I listened to this song, I realised that this was an anthem between two people — and one full of power. It’s such a beautiful, deep and high quality product. Yes, it’s your turn now, dear Martina. Hear your calling in May!

Score: 7/10

Robyn: The Czech broadcaster has done with Martina what they did with Gabriela last year — they’ve selected a skilled, experienced singer and given her a bland song that doesn’t play to her strengths. “My Turn” is a nice song. It’s very pleasant, very sweet. It’s just not very memorable.

Score: 5/10

William: Yes, it is another ballad. However, ballads don’t come in black and white, but instead in shades of grey and this definitely has its own hue and sense of light. The song flows smoothly and tenderly — it’s not shouty, nor does it rely on sheer vocal power to make an impact. It opens up slowly and sweetly, and draws strength from Martina’s soulful jazz delivery. Unfortunately, it doesn’t open wide enough or big enough to make a lasting impact. It fades from memory just as quietly as it started.

Score: 3.5/10

In our Wiwi Jury, we have 38 jurors but only room for eight reviews. The rest of our scores can be found below:

Anastas: 4.5/10

Andy: 7/10

Angus: 4/10

Anthony: 5/10

Antranig: 4.5/10

Bernardo: 5.5/10

Bogdan: 2/10

Dayana: 5.5/10

Edd: 3.5/10

Erdi: 5.5/10

Forrest: 4.5/10

George: 5.5/10

Jacob: 5/10

Jason: 6/10

Josh: 5/10

Jovana: 6/10

Kristin: 6/10

Luis: 5.5/10

Marek: 6.5/10

Matt: 6/10

Natalie: 6/10

Padraig: 6/10

Patrick: 3.5/10

Renske: 5.5/10

Sami: 5/10

Sinan: 9/10

Stanislav: 6/10

Steinunn: 6/10

Tobias: 2/10

Zakaria: 3.5/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before calculating the average score, the highest and lowest scores are dropped. This is to remove outliers and reduce potential bias. We have removed a low of 2 and a high of 9.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 5.06/10

What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!

See our current Eurovision 2017 reviews and rankings

35 Comments
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eciju
eciju
6 years ago

I love Czech song for three years.

Pablo
Pablo
6 years ago

It’s just… there. Trying to replicate their sucess from last year and pin a song to an artist with a much more different style that is almost alien to them, they now pair a jazz singer with a utmost bland and inoffensive offering. The lyrics are not that great (I dislike how it describes all the positives of this person… then just ends with an anticlimatic “now it’s my turn”), and there aren’t any memorable moments. For the next time, try letting artists’ be, Czechia. More risky than playing by the numbers, but in recent years, going off-kilter proved to… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

I think the kindest thing I can do is NOT review this entry. I wish Martina Barta all the best.

Hi
Hi
6 years ago

This is sooo mutch better then Portugal, Romania and Italy

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

Ughhh! That’s too high. I really liked Czechia’s last attemp wih Gabriela, but listening to this song it’s something very boring. I don’t have more to say as I have listened a couple of times.

Czech Republic won’t qualify and probably will get a bottom place in its semi.

Czech Republic is currenty my 37th. 3.5/10

cheesecake
cheesecake
6 years ago

I do like this, but it still doesn’t manage to reach my top 20.
Sadly, I would be surprised if this made the final.

Digital Style
Digital Style
6 years ago

In my opinion, this song is slightly overrated. It’s really boring and lacking in any emotion, which is sad because I know what a capable and talented singer Martina is. The video is also really badly filmed and edited and does not suit the song in the least bit. Whilst I don’t hate this song, I realistically do not see it doing well, and rightly so.

(#I Stand/Hope Never Dies)
(#I Stand/Hope Never Dies)
6 years ago

Czech’s song is pretty nice ballad. I adore its beautiful videoclip <3 (10/10) I might want Czech to qualify to the Final but i really don't think so that we will see dear Marta going through from the SF though.. 🙁 But wishing to her & her country good luck anyway.. ~~~ My Grade: 7/10 – My Rank: 18th/42 — — — *My Scoreboard* — — — ~ {8,0}: Israel(5th) – Latvia(7th) ~ {7,5}: Poland(9th) – UK(10th) ~ {7,5}: Iceland(11th) ~ {7,0}: Malta(12th) – Denmark(13th) ~ {7,0}: Slovenia(14th) – Czech(18th) ~ {6,5}: Netherland(20th) – Greece(24th) ~ {6,0}: Montenegro(25th) – Serbia(32th)… Read more »

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
6 years ago

With THIS color scheme the last place is in sight, grey and beige are bland colors just as this song. I really love her and her voice, but a jazz song would have been SO much better, as we don’t have one this year. Lat year the Czech Republic was my fave before live and second after live, but this is in my bottom five, it’s just there, it’s not bad but it goes nowhere and wil geth no more then just 5 televoting points from Poland or something, and juries won’t really like this either. SF1 will be a… Read more »

esconly
esconly
6 years ago

Are you kiding me?? This is perfect!
Her voice amazing the song really good and the whole atmospere such amazing! She touche me with her song every time I hear it!
Mark:9/10

M_K
M_K
6 years ago

Personal rating:

I don’t really know why, but I really love this. The chorus has stuck in my head since the first time I heard it. It’s so relaxed, heartfelt and indeed different from most of the other songs in the contest.

8.5/10

Prediction:

First I thought this might be a surprise qualifier, but I guess that it won’t be able to make people vote. If they keep the beige colour scheme, it will make the whole act look more bland than it actually is.

What I expect: Botto, 5 in the semi final.

Ian
Ian
6 years ago

This song is very “nice.”

But “nice” gets left behind in competitions.

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago

Ballads this year like Czech Republic, Slovenia, Malta and Georgia will depend on how they stage the song if they do it right they even might qualify. Czech’s song is nice, she has such a warm and inviting voice. For me it’s a but better than Slovenia’s and Malta’s entry(give them 5) so Im giving Martina a 5,5/10. And as I said for slovenia these ballads don’t deserve a score under 5 just because they are ballads

fikri
fikri
6 years ago

this song was released alongside macedonia, serbia, azerbaijan and other strong entries which made it look even worse than it seems. last year effort is far superior and it got 0 point from televoters. if this song somehow end up in the final, it will probably get like idk -100 points or something.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

The thing is that I remember that I like the song and I find it pleasant when listening to it but…I cannot remember anything specific about the song when it is not on, no tune, no lyrics, not even her voice.
It is the very definition of forgettable and is going to get completely lost come May.

as i lay
as i lay
6 years ago

forgettable
non-qualifier

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

Last year, perfection! Good song, good singer, good presentation! I hoped they would get through, even if the odds were against it.Thank God they qualified! (mostly because of the jury)

This year… I don’t feel so confident. Martina is a very good singer! But the song does nothing for me. It’s a ballad with no peak. I struggle!

I’ll give it a 5!

CC
CC
6 years ago

Musically one of the best entries this year. If there was any musical justice in this it should be in the Top 5!

Bgc
Bgc
6 years ago

It’s not the strongest song this year but it is still a very nice entry and it at least deserves a higher score than the tacky OTT entry from Montenegro, the unoriginal cheesy entry from Greece and the bland entry from Poland (at least two of which will prpbably qualify for the final, sadly). =( Martina has one of the best voices in ESC this year, her tone and lower range are gorgeous and she doesn’t need to belt out or be screechy. I don’t expect this to qualify from what is a very tough semi final but it will… Read more »

ESC Croatia Fan
ESC Croatia Fan
6 years ago

Seriously?
Ya’ll bashing on poor Martina over here while wetting yourselves from Robin and praising his godawful cheap pop song.
Martina’s song is amazing and I can definitely see this in the final this year. 10/10

Lukewarm
Lukewarm
6 years ago

Martina’s incredible control of her voice makes this a very pleasant song to listen to. The song isn’t very bold itself. Even though the song is supposedly to have a jazz influence, it feels like they wanted to play safe and only committed halfway. The verse starts very early which makes it quite a challenge to stay awake through the entire song. Good song for sleep but not for Eurovision. 4.5/10 02 NOR | 04 UK | 11 SRB | *12 SWE* | 14 DEN | 16 POL 19 LAT | 20 ICE | 23 GRE | *24 CZE* |… Read more »

Eve
Eve
6 years ago

I really, really would like to love this song, listen it many times and force myself- go girl, you can do it…but, no, sorry.. generous 5 for me. Guess after all my shallow mind prefers gorilla and 50 shades of Robin 😛

azaad
azaad
6 years ago

Not great but I’d say it deserves at least a 5.50…and to be honest I prefer it to at least 15-20 songs in the contest. Although nothing from the Czech Republic can top their 2015 effort, which should’ve finished in the top 10.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

It has a beautiful meaning but that’s it. The song isn’t right for her voice, as demonstrated by her appalling performances. I’d give it to a stronger vocalist.

Leo M
Leo M
6 years ago

Boring ballad that has not a hope of qualifying

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

It’s a nice, sweet song. The problem is, it barely builds-up and doesn’t stick as much in my head. Unlike ballads from Malta, Ireland or UK, the power doesn’t go up as the song climaxes. However, the feeling behind it is apparent.

9 – UK, POL, BLR, NOR
8 – MAL, LAT
7 – DEN, NET, ICE, SWE
6 – GRE, CZE, SLO
5 – ISR, SER
4 – GER
3 – SPA
2 – MON

jowncarlo
jowncarlo
6 years ago

Of all the “ballads” and the “underrated” (odds not in their favor), Czech Republic is my favorite and I really hope Martina will be able to sail through to the final. I will not be surprised if My Turn fails to make it, but I will probably tear up a bit if it does. I remember supporting Cyprus in 2015 and John reached the final. So I have faith that Martina will receive enough support and votes in May.

jerry
jerry
6 years ago

When I wake up in the morning I remember this song, its better than Gabriela G last year.

Zebb
Zebb
6 years ago

I enjoy it but I’m not keen on this type of smooth ballads. I know it pretends to be jazz but it too smooth and her vocals can’t raise through the song which I would love to hear. I have doubts ‘My Turn’ will survive 1st semi but who knows though. Video is very elegant and drives you in atmosphere, maybe song could be helped that way on stage?
My 21st. | 22. Izrael | 24. Iceland

Andrea
Andrea
6 years ago

I don’t expect it to get to the final (although I hope I’m wrong!), but the song is quite meaningful lyrics-wise, as well as simple but still beautiful in the melody. It became one of my favorites.

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
6 years ago

I like Martina as a person. She has a unique voice. However, she deserves a way better song. This is just a boring and bland ballad that will get lost among stronger ones. I was so happy when Czech Republic made the final last year and I’m really sorry because this year it ain’t happening again.

4/10

James
James
6 years ago

Not a lot of fans for smooth jazz from what I’ve gathered here.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  James

Not smooth jazz (which is closer to what Gina Kanizsa brought to A Dal this year), but the James Taylor kind of pop, something you would have also expected from Seals and Crofts in the early-to-mid-1970s. Big mistake waiting until the very last part of the final chorus to bring in the drums, with the song about to end. That’s a sign of poor arrangement.

Should the Czechs send a rock band next year?

anonymous91
anonymous91
6 years ago

another song what doesn’t really stand out for me, last year i loved Gabrielle Guncikova’s I Stand, Martina seems to me like a passionate singer, this song is a nice ballad, but nothing what really makes it a wow song

it’s better than a few countries for me, but i give this a 5.5/10, it’s just a bit too safe, i like things more edgy but that’s me personally 🙂

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

5.5/10