In January Germany’s NDR held a three-day songwriting camp to kickstart the songwriting process for Unser Lied für Lissabon — its Eurovision 2018 selection.

And today the broadcaster revealed that the songs for the six finalists have now been selected, revealing their titles on the Eurovision.de web site.

You won’t be able to hear the actual songs until 20 February — just ahead of the 22 February selection show.

Fourteen songwriters were invited to the camp — and a three of the songs written there have made it to the German final.

There are some names familiar to Eurovision fans in the writing credits. Axel Ehnström is a Finnish songwriter, better known in Eurovision circles as Paradise Oskar. He represented his country at Eurovision 2011 with “Da Da Dam”, but has since established himself as a successful European songwriter.

Thomas Stengaard is a Danish songwriter with a Eurovision win to his name. He was one of the co-writers behind Emmelie de Forest’s “Only Teardrops” in 2013. He has also written for a number of high-profile German acts.

Swiss songwriter Ricardo “Richy” Bettiol, Canadian songwriter Martin Gallop, Dutch songwriter Loren Nine Geerts and German songwriters  Nisse IngwersenNina MüllerJaro Omar and Joe Walter also have credits on the songs.

Unser Lied für Lissabon: Song titles

Xavier Darcy — “Jonah”

Music and lyrics: Xavier Darcy, Loren Nine Geerts, Axel Ehnström, Thomas Stengaard

Singer-songwriter Xavier Darcy might be from Munich but he has French and British ancestry. Earlier this year he released his debut self-titled album Darcy. The album made it to the German iTunes top 50 chart. Darcy has toured extensively, including many appearances at festivals, and has made an appearance on the popular late night show Inas Nacht.

Ivy Quainoo — “House On Fire”

Music and lyrics: Jörgen Elofsson und Ali Tamposi

Ivy Quainoo is one of the best-known artists in the selection. She made a name as the winner of the very first season The Voice of Germany. Back in 2012, she won the show by a landslide and five years later you can still hear some of her songs on German radio stations. Ivy was born and raised in Berlin and her parents are Ghanaian. She currently lives in New York, but for the last few months, she was touring Germany. Her song title suggests she’s ready to make a big impact and burn the house down.

Ryk — “You and I”

Music and lyrics: Rick Jurthe

Upcoming singer-songwriter Rick Jurthe performs under the name Ryk and previously performed as FOXOS. The newcomer may be familiar as one of the many artists who entered into San Marino’s 1 In 360 contest. There his talents weren’t overlooked — he was one of the 69 acts shortlisted for the fan club vote. He didn’t make the cut of San Marino’s ten finalists, but, one could argue, performing in Unser Lied für Lissabon will surely give his German career a bigger boost than the San Marino national final would.

Michael Schulte: “You Let Me Walk Alone”

Music and lyrics: Michael Schulte, Thomas Stengaard, Nisse Ingwersen, Nina Müller

Michael Schulte was also a contestant on the first series of The Voice of Germany. He made it to the grand final, and while Ivy Quinoo won the series, he placed a very respectable third. In the grand final, he performed a duet with the then-upcoming UK singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. Since his time on The Voice, Michael has released a number of singles in a folk-pop style and has built up a substantial YouTube following.

Natia Todua: “My Own Way”

Music and lyrics: Loren Nine Geerts, Ricardo Bettiol, Martin Gallop, Jaro Omar

Natia Todua is the most recent winner of The Voice of Germany, winning the seventh series. The Georgian-born singer had previously tried her luck on The X Factor Georgia and The Voice Ukraine — without much luck. Her fortuned changed when he entered The Voice of Germany, after working in Germany for a year as an au pair. The soul singer with a big voice has built up a fanbase in Germany, but fans have pointed out that being a Voice of Germany winner was no benefit to 2015 winner Jamie-Lee Kriewitz who placed last at Eurovision 2016.

voXXclub — “I mog Di so”

Music: Merty Bert, Mike Busse, Philipp Klemz, Lennard Oestmann
Lyrics: Joe Walter, Philipp Klemz, Martin Simma, Merty Bert, Mike Busse

voXXclub bring something different — singing and yodelling in Bavarian! Known for combining their endearing attitude with a modern yet traditional folk music sound, their fanbase is huge. VoXXclub’s song “Rock mi” even counts more than 19 million YouTube views. These five guys are more than ready for Eurovision and were often considered by German fans in the past.

Read more Germany Eurovision news

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Anna
Anna
6 years ago

I don’t like titles that have the word FIRE, I expect the next lyric to end in DESIRE (Kasia Mos). Also because is an overused metaphor for suffering, ambition, etc.
Hope for voXXclub.

Arizona
Arizona
6 years ago

I don’t know girls, butt I think Levina was kinda Lucia Perez: nice sweetie girl, a little bit boring but who sings well…sort of, but singing the worst song on Earth. Sad. But funny to think.

Kinie
Kinie
6 years ago

Im already rooting for the song in bavarian.

Étoile
Étoile
6 years ago

So next Tuesday it is, bring the songs! Good luck neighbours. :3

My Name
My Name
6 years ago

Natia said that the song’s gonna be unexpectedly contemporary, modern and pop-ey, yet having something special and relying on her voice!!! Sounds promising, a bit like what Belgium did last year 😀

Rich
Rich
6 years ago

I wouldn’t rule out VoXXclub. I am sure they have a sizeable following.
It certainly would be an entertaining spectacle seeing them on the Eurovision stage. VoXXclub could well be my guilty pleasure this year for sure with the right song. To date I have enjoyed their previous work so i am looking forward to see what they have to offer.

NickC
NickC
6 years ago

Germany is so bad recently that it is good. I guess we all have bit of schadenfreude….

up!
up!
6 years ago
Reply to  NickC

Wow, what a disgusting thing to say. I can tell you that as a German ESC fan, it’s a hard thing to go to the final every year with no hope at all for a decent result and what’s even worse, without any will to back your own entry. Despite of that, I think that most of us take it as it is without complaining too much about the fact. It’s generally not a bad taste-thing of the voting audience, it’s the incredible incompetence of the national broadcaster. Anyway, I never wish any country per se bad luck, but obviously… Read more »

Nickc
Nickc
6 years ago
Reply to  up!

It was a joke mate, relax. I do not wish Germany bad luck, but I enjoyed Jamie Lee very much although the majority did not. So I do not mind not so mainstream entries getting the ticket fuer ihre Vaterland. Ich hoffe alles ist jetzt klar.

DasEurovision
DasEurovision
6 years ago

You have to note that Ryk’s song “You and I” won’t be the same version we already know. Ryk already said that he revamped it and it now has a more “orchestral” sound.

Besides from that, I’m really excited about Ivy’s and Michaels song, there seem to be great songwriters and according to inside information Michael’s song is VERY good.

irish esc
irish esc
6 years ago

i am looking forward to all the songs but the one i am really interested in is ryks song could be a masterpiece who knows???????? : )

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago
Reply to  irish esc

Ryks song ”You and I” came out in September last year, so most ESC fans in Germany already know how it sounds like. Some would consider it a masterpiece, some say ist boring. It was taken down from YouTube, because it’s the song he’s gonna compete with, but maybe you’ll find a reupload if you look it up ^^

Geo
Geo
6 years ago

Hope it’s a male, after so many females representing Germany (Cascada, Elaiza, Anne Sophie, Jamie-Lee, Levina). And also with a great song, not a flop like 2017 (“Perfect Life”). Good luck this time!

Melli
Melli
6 years ago

Ivy has with Elofsson the same songwriter like Mariette this year. Hope he wrote a great song for both of them ?

awef
awef
6 years ago
Reply to  Melli

Yes, he might make a double

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago

I’m German and I actually knew 4 out of 6 candidates, including Ivy, Michael Schulte, Natia Todua and voxxclub. But I really want Ryk to go for some reason… His song was available on Youtube since September or something, they took it down now. I can tell you that in my eyes it’s a beautiful, magical song and he has a stunning voice. I’m open for every candidate… It can’t get any worse right? This is the perfect time for us to send something polarizing and while I think that sending these german cliche called voxxclub is not quite the… Read more »

Anna
Anna
6 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

For Germans, voXXclub might be ”German cliche”, because you know the genre very well, but for Europe can be exactly what it wants to hear. People are waiting for something they don’t have in their own country. If Romanian yodel could be 7th (5th in televote) you can see that Europe likes songs that are different. Just sending the next ballad will not impress anybody.

Esra
Esra
6 years ago

I have a feeling that “House on Fire” also has some anti-terrorist message. But of course it’s just an assumption.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
6 years ago
Reply to  Esra

If that’s the case 3 out of 5 big 5 countries would send a song with a refugee/ terrorist theme…

vvv
vvv
6 years ago
Reply to  Esra

What gives you that impression? House on fire is an English saying that means you get along well with someone.

Crystal
6 years ago

I took the time to check out voXXclub after the finalists were announced, and while them being selected would seem a little gimmicky at first, I think they would be quite refreshing for a German Eurovision entry as well. Looking at its list of entries, Germany hasn’t sent a song with any sort of German in it in 2007. And to send one in a regional dialect on top of that? It’s worth the risk, especially after finishing at or near the bottom for the last five years running. They have a very lively performance style (that includes the traditional… Read more »

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

House on Fire? Wow, Sia is really huge in Germany, isn’t she!

germanperson
germanperson
6 years ago

she isn’t

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago
Reply to  germanperson

Are you sure, you’re from Germany…? She is indeed a very well-known Artist here, maybe you’re living under a rock.

vvv
vvv
6 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

Never attempt sarcasm with a German, especially over the internet.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago
Reply to  vvv

You don’t seem to know Germans, we are the kings of sarcasm. we’re so sarcastic that it’s not funny anymore lol.Another rule: Never act like Polegend Godgarina is saying anything NOT sarcastic. ^^