Hey Mamma! After the humongous success of the beloved band SunStroke Project, who deservedly scored third place on their comeback at Eurovision 2017, many expected to see a tidal wave of song submissions for O melodie pentru Europa 2018. However, the trio’s victory did not have the desired effect, with only 28 songs entered in the competition for Moldova‘s ticket to Lisbon. That’s not a typo, it’s twenty-eight songs.
Public broadcaster TRM announced today that 28 acts entered Moldova’s national selection for Eurovision 2018. Given the fact that it’s one of the smallest countries in the contest, this should not come as a surprise. And anyway, given Moldova’s track record in the contest, it’s quality they’re always giving.
The lower than expected turnout may also be caused by the fact that international acts must team up with a Moldovan band or singer in order to be eligible, as rules clearly state that foreign artists are allowed to enter, so long as they do not exceed 50% of the act on stage. Moreover, artists are not allowed to have entered their song(s) in other national selections for Eurovision. So no 1in360 dropouts, for instance.
The 28 acts and their songs are:
Sasha Bognibov | Love |
Anna Timofei | Endlessly |
Che MD | Inima-n stinga |
Codreanu Maria | Zambeste soarelui |
Ruslan Taranu | Come to life |
Doinita Gherman | Dance in flames |
Sandy C & Aaron Sibley | Once Upon a Time |
Tolik | Glass |
Dima Gaitur | Ona maya |
Vera Turcanu | Black Heart |
Formatia 5 Stele | Maldavian dance |
Tudor Bumbac | Numai pentru tine |
DoReDoS | My lucky day |
Bostan | Fratica |
Felicia Dunaf | Alien |
Nicoleta Sava | Esencia del Sur |
Lavinia Rusu | Altundeva |
Marina Cudalb | Bianco e nero |
Denny Feyton | Maybe it’s love |
Laura Bagrii | Da Bucuriei |
Anna Odobescu | Agony |
Ilia Sorocean & Dasha DaGro | Minds & Veins |
Bella Luna | Moments |
Pelageya Stefoglo | Let’s start together right now |
Shvets | The world |
Saidy | Beauty song |
Cobilean Constantin | Numai Tu |
Viorela | The gates of love |
We already knew that Sasha Bognibov entered a song called “Love”. The relentless singer, who marks his 12th national final participation with his 19th entry, hopes that 2018 will be his year.
However, over the past week we learnt that the mighty Philipp Kirkorov teamed up with DoReDos, and we wouldn’t be surprised if 2018 were their year. The title of their song “My Lucky Day” already sounds like a winner!
We’re happy to see other familiar names, like Felicia Dunaf, Doinita Gherman, Che MD, and Sandy C, and an (literally) old favourite — Tudor Bumbac. Bring on the live auditions!
At the live auditions in front of the jury, 16 songs will be selected for the semi-final, to be held on 22 February. Ten songs will make the National Final, to be held two days later, on 24 February.
The jury will be revealed at the National Final. At the semi-final 50% of the decision regarding the 10 finalists will be made by the jury, and 50% by the viewers via televote. The same method will be used in the national final to decide the winner of O melodie pentru Europa 2018.
Like last year, viewers will only be allowed to vote from one phone number once per song, in order to avoid vote corruption, although they will be allowed to vote for as many songs as they wish. The winner will go on to represent Moldova at the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon.
Back in May 2017, SunStroke Project scored Moldova’s best record at Eurovision — third place — with their engaging song and passionate performance “Hey Mamma”. Their victory came after three years when Moldova failed to qualify for the Grand Final, which made it all even more exciting.
Who do you think should represent Moldova at Eurovision? Does the small Eastern European country have what it takes to win the contest one day? Sound off in the comments!
Well… “artists are not allowed to have entered their song(s) in other national selections for Eurovision”… but Pelageya Stefoglo auditioned with “Let’s start together right now” also in Belarus – and failed. Is she really allowed to participate in Moldova?
She will most likely be eliminated from the selection for breaking the rules.
Bianco e nero? A song in ITALIAN? Whew, we have a winner, ladies.
“La Esencia del Sur” is the trashiest, kitschiest, most FUN song I’ve heard in the contest so far. A total instant favorite. Hope to be dancing to this in the Euroclub in may.
https://youtu.be/2igokV7d8pg
Isn’t it obvious that Doredos (or Kirkorov) is going to win? :p
It isn’t the 18th attempt of mine. It can’t be, because Moldova participates for the14th time. It is the 12th participation with the 19th song, because from time to time i submitted 2 or 3 songs. Here is the list: 2007 – I Don’t Know Why 2008 – I Love the Girls of 13 Years Old 2009 – 1) Knocking on Julie’s Heart , 2) In 2 Days 2010 – Do You Like My Sexy Lips? 2011 – 1) Nothing Else 2) Do You Know I Love a Girl? 3) I Need You (?? ??? ?????) 2012 – 1) Against… Read more »
“I Love the Girls of 13 Years Old”, “My Lesbian Girl”….
Those are the song titles? For real?
Wtf??? This must be a troll.
Thank god we didn’t have Wiwibloggs in 2008.
‘Moldova: Sasha Bognibov serves us paedo realness with his slaying performance of “I Love the Girls of 13 Years Old”’
BTW, can somebody introduce Sasha to this guy that’s fapping to all those former JESC contestants? There’s some friendship potential there.
2013: Sirota (Orphan)
Polyna, the foollowing song is for people like you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1Pk2P9jb_E
*following
In any case Sanyok Bognibov is much more talented than Kirkorov.
One name – Philipp Kirkorov and everyone know who win
Thank you, Robyn
Woah! Anna Timofei competed in the Israeli X Factor and won the 3rd place. She is a very talented opera singer, it surprised me that she prefers to represent Moldova since she made an Aliyah to Israel few years ago…
DoReDos will win.
> Moreover, artists are not allowed to have entered their song(s) in other national selections for Eurovision.
Not even to Melodifestivalen two years later? Shame.
shots fired
Could it be that some famous producer from another country will give money to judges? 😀 It wouldn’t be the first time in Moldova.
Yeay, Sandy C is back!!! Looking forward!