Austria, Cesár Sampson, 1

The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — continues to rank and review the 43 songs competing in Eurovision 2018. Next we head to Austria where Bulgaria’s two-time backing singer Cesár Sampson has “Nobody But You”. Did he make us feel like the only one? Read on to find out!

Cesár Sampson – “Nobody But You”

“Nobody But You” reviews

Angus: Cesar can sing, gives the song real soul and the chorus is catchy. Unfortunately, on repeat listen, the track turns timid. When it should explode into a loud drum and bass number, it cocoons into comfortable but unremarkable plodding safe midtempo territory. Austria has form here: Natalia Kelly sang a similarly safe song and failed to advance from her semi-final in 2013. It’s difficult to not feel the same misgivings about Cesar’s chances in the first semi-final.

Score: 5/10 

Anthony: Once again, the songwriting trio of Boris Milanov, Sebastian Arman and Joacim Persson continue to deliver the goods with another quality entry. Blending pop and gospel with a serving of soul, the entire concept feels very Hozier — in a good way. Having worked wonders with Bulgaria, the attention now focus on Cesár to take the lead role and make his home country proud.

Score: 8/10

Cinan: Yaaas! I love the gospel motives in this song and I’m here for it! I love Cesar — he is a very good person and I’m happy that he is going to represent Austria after twice doing duty as one of the best backing vocalists for Bulgaria in 2016 and 2017. This one is going to do very well in Lisbon.

Score: 8.5/10

Deban: Straddling soul, gospel and pop — “Nobody But You” sets the quality benchmark. Cesar Sampson quietly triumphs with a song that builds and swells. Dark, yet not moody; confident, yet not cocky — this entry is modern, avant-garde and serves as a perfect debut for an emerging star.

Score: 9/10

Kristin: This is such a smooth song. Everything works here. From the very first second “Nobody But You” screams quality. Cesár gets to be the lead after being a backup vocal for the past two years and that man is going to shine. His voice is soulful and deep and embraces the audience, without being agressive. I see good things for Austria this year. This is straight-up top-ten material.

Score: 9/10

Padraig: “Nobody But You” is the best solo male effort in Eurovision 2018. Period. Of course, we’ve yet to hear César perform it live, so there’s still time for things to go horribly wrong. Can they pull off the gospel effect? How will the vocal layering work? But I refuse to be a doomsayer. The track is a carefully crafted pop-soul confection. Its influences are obvious – Hozier, Sam Smith, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man – but it never feels derivative. We’re taken on a proper journey with enough peaks and valleys to satisfy even the shortest of attention spans. And as César’s sublime vocals weave their magic, only one question remains – why has it taken this long for him to move from backing vocalist to headline act?

Score: 9/10

In the Wiwi Jury we have 20 jurors but only have room for six reviews. The remaining scores are below:

Antranig: 8.5/10

Bernardo: 7.5/10

Bogdan: 6/10

Chris: 8/10

Jonathan: 5.5/10

Jordi: 9.5/10

Jovana: 7/10

Luis: 8/10

Renske: 7/10

Robyn: 8.5/10

Ron: 8/10

Sebastian: 7/10

Steinunn: 7.5/10

William: 8/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 5 and a high of 9.5.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 7.78/10

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

See all our Eurovision 2018 reviews and rankings

124 Comments
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Davve
Davve
5 years ago

This could be this years sleeper success… No one expect this to do great but I think top10 is a likely outcome

Kat
Kat
5 years ago

I love the song, it’s beautiful, but they used the Gospel Improv 1 loop from GarageBand at 1:06 on the video. I notice those things too much, though, and I don’t think that determines the value of the song.
8/10

LCH
LCH
5 years ago

So… I kind of like the chorus. Verses are a little meh. It’s mid-tempo which is always tricky for me. But it’s pleasant, he sings it well… it just doesn’t blow me away. I am curious to what extent they will be able to recreate the gospel choir for this as I don’t think anyone has ever sucessfully pulled that off with the contest restrictions yet. It feels like jury fodder but you never know. I’m 50-50 on its qualification chances as its such a tough semi on paper. For me it’s middle of the pack but it might make… Read more »

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
5 years ago

This is a quality entry, I quite like it and it should fare Well. This I jury food and I predict a top 5 with juries, abd around 20th with televotes. I can see why people love it, its just not one of My faves, because I don’t really like the chorus. The rest is great. 7,5/10

Markusz
Markusz
5 years ago

This one is finishing in the top 10 for sure. Solid overall package. Not pretentious, just feel-good music with an adequate singer for this type of song.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
5 years ago

Once again, another feel-good song from Austria. It seems they’ve figured out what makes a qualifier ever since the Makemakes came up empty 3 years ago.

Is it just my imagination, or does this song remind anyone of Nano’s “Hold On” from MelFest 2017?

Colin
Colin
5 years ago

So, who’s gonna top Wiwibloggs list – Israel, Bulgaria, Belgium or Finland? My gut says Finland even if my brain says Israel.

Pablo
Pablo
5 years ago

See, this one can go either way for me There is undeniable quality in this one… but it leaves me feeling somewhat cold. It doesn’t really get into high gear until the bridge, and the gospel sound would be hard to really replicate on stage. When this song kicks off, it really soars, and I believe Cesar can pull this song off in his sleep. I am not sure about this one’s chances (I say it might fail to make it to the final), but I am sure this is a really credible entry for Austria. Well done for focusing… Read more »

Curve
Curve
5 years ago

Just top 10?

Miguel Lupi
Miguel Lupi
5 years ago

While the song is indeed great, the singer’s voice is just acceptable. Alesia Michelle in her YouTube review pointed this out and I think she is right. It’s the backgroung voices who make this great. So in my top its 23.

Darren
Darren
5 years ago

By far the best Austrian entry since Conchita! I loved this from the very firs time listen and I love it just as much now. It’s so contemporary and not unlike, Rag N Bone man, Aloe Blacc and Hozier! It’s brilliant and could easily have life after the contest. Such a catchy chorus too and damn has Cezar got a voice…not to mention the guy is hot as hell. Austria, I love love love this. 8/10

Héctor
Héctor
5 years ago

I didn’t expect Austria to be that high this year! This time I do agree with the wiwi jury. I find Cesar Sampson a good mix between John Legend and Rag ‘n’ Bone Human. Also, “Nobody But You” is one of the most radiofriendly songs this year. Austrian isn’t getting the attention it deserves, but it is going to be the dark horse of the edition. The juries will love it, I hope the televote appreciates it too. Austria is my 4th: 1. Germany (9)| 2. Albania (8.75) 3. Spain (8.5)| 4. AUSTRIA (8.25)| 7. Ukraine (7.5)| 9. Portugal (7.25)|… Read more »

Jo
Jo
5 years ago

Jury bait
6.0/10

Bgc
Bgc
5 years ago

This is the most underrated song in the contest this year. Right now nobody is speaking of this when they talk of potential winners, but if Cesár nails his semi-final live performances then it could very easily be the “Common Linnets” of 2018 and come from nowhere to being a serious contender for victory.

Ben005
Ben005
5 years ago

In one of the previous review video, William said they do these voting in cooperation with someone and I didn’t quite understand it. Can someone explain? I understand the part about wiwibloggers editors from around 20 countries worldwide give their votes, but who else? There was some talk why wiwibloggers actually can’t later change their scores. Thanks for your explanation.

Kyler
Kyler
5 years ago
Reply to  Ben005

Why was Edd giving scores on previous review videos but he isn’t part of the 20 wiwi jury members?

Ben005
Ben005
5 years ago
Reply to  Ben005

I see. Thanks a lot!

Solo
Solo
5 years ago
Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago

He was average, and so is his song. If you didn’t like it before you woudn’t have noticed it there! Albania, Hungary, Belarus, Ukraine shined. He was middle of the road. Just my opinion, cheers!

AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

Beautiful song! I love the chorus and the gospel influences! I hope it qualifies, though the 1st semi is tough. OMG, we all the songs I like are in the first semi?
7.5/10

Luks
Luks
5 years ago

Everyone knows that you hate the Czech Republic. Stop!

Marc
Marc
5 years ago

It’s a nice entry. And that’s the problem. Nobody vote for nice.
You need to be someone’s favourite to get votes from televote and not sure this is that kind of entry.
I’m sure nobody will hate this or think it’s bad, but I don’t see it being loved enough either. And you need passion to do well.

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Marc

I agree! You only vote for a crush! Who is able to be 200 millions’ crush?

Carlos
Carlos
5 years ago
Reply to  Marc

perfectly said!
i like this song and can’t tell anything bad about it, but i have another crush to vote…

Kris
Kris
5 years ago

Semi 1 Wiwi jury!! Qualified :1)AUT 7.78 2)CZE 7.72 3)EST 7.67 4)CYP 7.61 5)MKD 7.58 6)AZE 7.22 Not qualified: 7)GRE 6.94 8)ALB 6.89 9)SUI 6.50 10)ARM 6.39 11)BLR 6.36 12)CRO 6.19 13)LTU 5.83 14)IRE 5.67 15)ISL 3.83 Modified Score Qualified: 1)EST 9.25 2)CYP 9.06 3)AUT 8.75 4)MKD 8.69 5)CZE 8.56 6)GRE 8.56 Not qualified: 7)ALB 8.19 8)AZE 8.19 9)SUI 8.06 10)CRO 7.69 11)BLR 7.56 12)ARM 7.50 13)LTU 7.44 14)IRE 7.06 15)ISL 5.31 Total: Qualified:1)EST 16.92 2)CYP 16.67 3)AUT16.53 4)CZE 16.28 5)MKD 16.27 6)GRE 15.50 Not qualified: 7)AZE 15.41 8)ALB 15.08 9)SUI 14.56 10)BLR 13.92 11)ARM 13.89 12)CRO 13.88 13)LTU 13.27… Read more »

Rimig
Rimig
5 years ago

Come on, Laura. That is being really, really picky! The similarity is minimal, just a few notes. For every song you can find another one sharing that amount of notes

Kris
Kris
5 years ago

This is quite good! Very current and good production with the only song with the gospel vibe! The singer appears friendly and has experience and good vocals!
However I feel the song doesn’t have any great moment wherein the people randomly gossiping and having a drink will turn up and say I gotta vote for this. The juries though should get behind this! I’m still not a 100% sold on the notion that this will qualify.

An 8/10.

farrahMoane
farrahMoane
5 years ago

This year I only can think of the following countries as winners:

Israel
Estonia
Sweden
Spain
Belarus
Belgium (if she improves the live vocals)
Hungary (Lordi moment)

other than those I can’t think of another winner

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  farrahMoane

Are you Spanish by any chance?

Kirk
Kirk
5 years ago

In my opinion these are the potential winners (no particular order):

– Israel
– Bulgaria
– France
– Spain
– Netherlands
– Ukraine

I reckon Chezchia’ll get its highest position in the contest but don’t see it as winner, like Moldova last year. Sweden and Australia will reach top 10 for sure and Estonia can stay out in SFs or get a good place. Be careful with Denmark and Norway, then.

Kirk
Kirk
5 years ago
Reply to  Kirk

Eugene,

I’m not from there, put I see Melovin as a potential winner too. Neither Denmark nor Norway are my cup of tea, but I can imagine both in top 10.

KESC
KESC
5 years ago
Reply to  Kirk

Everything fine, but Netherlands? Really?

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  KESC

Mot in a million years, not that it’s bad, just bland and too american for Esc

KESC
KESC
5 years ago
Reply to  Yaa

Exactly haha no need for America at Eurovision.

Eve
Eve
5 years ago
Reply to  KESC

You do realize that you are writing on blogg which founder is American? 😛

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
5 years ago
Reply to  KESC

If it worked for Douwe Bob, it may work for Waylon. He is a dangerous contender with that song of his.

Carlos
Carlos
5 years ago
Reply to  Kirk

Good list Kirk!
i wouldn’t mind one of these winning, though i doubt it’s gonna be Spain, no hate here, i just find it a bit forgettable …

Ron
Ron
5 years ago

My one concern here is Cesar’s total lack of solo experience. He’s 35 years old but has no solo career to speak of and just has done a bit of backing singer work here and there. I thought he looked a bit stiff and awkward at the parties we’ve seen so far, rather than a hugely charismatic front man.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Ron

That’s a concern I also have. One thing that I’ve noticed watching music reality competitions is that some people who are very experienced as backing vocals need some time to get used to be the main attraction, no matter how much talent they have. I have no doubt that he can sing, but he’ll need to be also convincing.

Paul
Paul
5 years ago

He’s definitely the hottie of the year, but the song is not that good. It’s just OK

Anita
Anita
5 years ago

Did you explain somewhere this “as suggested”? I am interested to know what it means.

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
5 years ago

Austria, Belarus, Finland, Portugal, Spain, Greece and Cyprus seem like odd choices. I don’t see any of them going for the win. I would say Netherlands, Norway and Belgium are frontrunners, with Denmark a major dark horse.

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago

Norway??? This can’t be serious!

Anitaa
Anitaa
5 years ago

Hey you really identified what’s wrong with the song – indeed the chorus is much weeker (kind of boring) than the verses and and both parts could belong to completely different songs. Thanks.

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Anitaa

And for the good part, who do you think in Europe likes gospel? Get a grip!

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Yaa

Sorry, I really value your comments, you just said that you like the verses, with the gospel thing but not so much the rest. And I argue that maybe even the verses may not be everyone’s cup of tea. That’s all.

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Yaa

My comment about beying too american to win was about Waylon, not this one, just my opinion, nothing more.

Kim
Kim
5 years ago

Hi Eugene interesting what you’ve written. Have you had luck predicting winners previously?

Andrea
Andrea
5 years ago

-Stark contrast to last year’s feel-good song.
-Really good voice.
-Doesn’t offer much innovation, but has good backing voices.
-R&B influence.
-May not make it, despite the good reviews.

alex
alex
5 years ago

It’s really tragic and shocking how people think it’s not qualifying IT IS

Get a GRIP
Top 5 in Semi Final 1
Top 15 in the Final

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
5 years ago
Reply to  alex

Aye! After my first evaluation (song and video), he was 17th on my scorecard. He’ll make it to Saturday (May 12).

Rimig
Rimig
5 years ago

Loved it from the very first moment. Am really worried about the staging and the back vocals, though. Although César sounded great, his live performances looked a bit shy to me so far.
Hope Austria will do well this year because it’s definitely in my top 5.

Michael
Michael
5 years ago
Reply to  Rimig

Why should the song qualify because it is from Austria.
Austria is one of few countries who can not count on block voting or diaspora votes.
For many years Austria struggled to qualify due to bad songs.
If Austria qualifies (I am sure Cesár will) it is because of the quality of the song and it’s performance and not because it’s an Austrian entry.

Digital Style
5 years ago

This is undoubtedly one of my favourites this year. I’m not sure exactly what it is about it that makes it so appealing to me. Cesar has amazing stage presence and one of the best voices this year. It’s slick and really, really much better than I was initially expecting. I really hope this does well because it deserves to.

Mark Beckenbreur
Mark Beckenbreur
5 years ago

He was awesome in Amsterdam.

Anita
Anita
5 years ago

I am so surprised that everybody from wiwibloggs loves Gospel vibes – it’s the thing that puts me off. His voice is very good though. Maybe on first listen a lot of people will love it. Do you like this on a repeat button? I would have wished him a different song – Austria has no Gospel tradition and in comparison – Waylon has been a Country boy from early on in his live – and than it convinces me that the artist brings a culture on stage very different from his country. But that’s only my personal taste. To… Read more »

Mil
Mil
5 years ago

This is a difficult one for me. While I like soul, I don’t like gospels at all. I definitely won’t vote for it although I think it deserves to qualify. I would put it somewhere in the middle of a scoreboard. I think juries will respond to it and help it a lot.

Eve
Eve
5 years ago

Such grower, I’m addicted to this song now, it’s my second place and the most favorite from semi 1!
Love the rhytm, love the gospel choir, his voice is wonderful, with the right staging this has potential to achieve that WOW moment. Such a great potential here, strong entry. Good luck!

Bis
Bis
5 years ago

One of the best entries on offer this year. Great song and singer! 9/10

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

And I keep understanding “Lord, I gonna get some hot tuna!”. Thank you for those who contaminated my mind with that on the post from when this song was released! 😀

Timo1962FI
Timo1962FI
5 years ago

So you think all those 20 jurors should share your opinion and give Austria 3/10? Quite a big demand from one reader, megaLOL 😀

Safiya
Safiya
5 years ago

This is one of the biggest growers this year. It’s now one of my favorites! I love his voice, I love the song. I think that the lyrics are good, too. I’m just curious about the staging and how they are going to pull off the gospel effect.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

Austria has done quite well with the very likeable Zoë and Nathan (I would definitely watch a romantic comedy starred by them!), but it’s good to know they opted for something different this year. This is also a radio-friendly entry, but this time it’s not cute and optimistic, it sounds much more layered and sophisticated. As others have mentioned, Rag’n’Bone Man and Hozier seem to be inspirations for this one and I happen to like a lot both of them. The gospel hints are a very nice touch, bringing something we’re not used to have on the contest. The arrangement… Read more »

Colin
Colin
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Great review, Sabrina! Once again, I am the ”nice” one. 🙂 I loved Zoe and Nathan, and Austria continues in a good way IMHO.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Thanks, Colin! But according to Purple Mask, this time we were both the nice ones haha I loved Zoë from the beginning and Nathan had found his way to my heart too, but I like the fact Austria’s trying to join the “big players’ table” with this one. Let’s see if it will work.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Thanks Sabrina. Despite what Colin just wrote, I think you have been very “nice” to this song. I don’t remember exactly what I wrote about this one, but I remember it wasn’t very complimentary. Happily, other reviews and Colin’s feedback below are beginning to change my opinion of the song for the better. And Cesár was great in London too. 🙂

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

What’s your problem with this one, Mask? Too much things going on? I feel that it has a lot of interesting elements, but also a lot of things that they need to make work. The backing vocals for example, can make it sound gorgeous or help it sink.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Yes, there is a lot going on, and it puts me off slightly. Put simply, the Verses and Pre-Choruses sound slightly stronger than Choruses, in my opinion. (There are technical reasons for this which I won’t go into.) The final Reprise throws the electric guitar and high falsetto screaming at the song; it’s as if to say “let’s make so much noise that no-one will remember any mess before it”. 😀 The lyrics have no continuity, although Colin has done a good job at explaining this to me. I understand why people like this song; it’s catchy, well-produced and well-performed.… Read more »

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

It makes total sense to me. I wrote that this could be a mess but they kept under control, you just think they didn’t. Maybe when I watch it live I’ll change my mind about it, because I really think this is the kind of entry where a simple detail can start ruining the whole thing. So far, I give it a vote of confidence.

Eve
Eve
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Sabrina, I don’t think that lyrics means that he’s desperate to convince his lover to stay, it’s quite the opposite, he wants to end that relationship, to feel again free ”like in open water”, but simmply he can’t, he’s already ”in too deep” and at this moment he ”can’t search for someone new, when I really want you by my side” though he knows that search for someone new would be right thing to do. On-off relationship basically, therefore confusion in thoughts and different feelings 😉 I like that opening line, his kinda tiresome statement ”Oh Lord, I’m gonna get… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago
Reply to  Eve

@Eve: Thank you for that explanation. 🙂
So when he sings “oh Lord, I’m gonna get so high tonight”, is he being sarcastic?
Or maybe he’s thinking of turning to drugs?

Eve
Eve
5 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

haha, you can interpret in that way also, but I think that’s the metaphor- he wants to free himself from that relationship, to be in ”open water” also metaphor for freedom..

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Eve

It makes sense, Eve! I guess I haven’t paid enough attention to the “This is what I need and though I try to get you off my mind”. Maybe I read “thought” and this made the whole difference. Anyway, I still think that Cesár needs to be careful about the way he delivers it. He needs to get us to his side. Though I agree that if the lyrics have this meaning, he needs to sound a little desperate. But to get rid of this toxic love that’s consuming him. But I still think he wants to get hot tuna… Read more »

Eve
Eve
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Maybe both, LOL

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

I agree that backing vocals are key. But Sasha, who I believe will do the staging, doesn’t like backing vocals on stage… So let’s see how this will turn out.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
5 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

Oops… typo in my email

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

Since the backing vocals here are used to give that choir vibe, I hope Sasha will open an exception this time. Let Cesár take us to church, SJB!

T_T
T_T
5 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

Please get H-I-T by a truck – you and your close ones. With nothing but the W-O-R-S-T for the Portugese!

T_T
T_T
5 years ago
Reply to  T_T

*wish

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
5 years ago
Reply to  T_T

What is your problem?

Nickc
Nickc
5 years ago

My secondlast favourite after France. I find it very original, very deep, very spiritual. 9.5/10

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago
Reply to  Nickc

@DOW: That was rude and unnecessary.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Seriously everyone look at the reply above and then try to tell me there’s nothing wrong with this comments section. Unbelievable question.

Nickc
Nickc
5 years ago
Reply to  Nickc

I have a life, do not worry!

Nickc
Nickc
5 years ago
Reply to  Nickc

Btw, damn autocorreection. It is my second favourite. Not last, I love this song as my rating suggests.

Mark
Mark
5 years ago

Cesár is definitely a dark horse this year. He has a lovely voice and has shown in the pre-ESC concerts that he can deliver. Add to that 5 strong singers for the choir, then this can come alive big on the ESC stage. The song itself is modern and radio-friendly. A top 10 result is possible if he can suvive bloody SF1 and gets a good starting slot in the running order. This might be the biggest problem for Austria. Christopher Bjorkman has assigned two times the worst possible slots to Nathan Trent (nr 2 and 4) last year –… Read more »

esc freak
esc freak
5 years ago

Great melodies, a very fresh sound. Cesár is perfect live and the song is one of my favorites of the year. It manages to be accessible without being generic. Just brilliant.

8.5/10

Jj Cta
Jj Cta
5 years ago

I like this song, and I think it has an appeal that will help him win over votes from people hearing the song for the first time when he performs it on the night. His voice reminds me of Isaiah from Australia last year. The song progression sort of sounds like it as well, but the song extends upon this and his voice draws you in which is only a positive. I’d say this is almost a definite qualifier, he may even get top 5 in his semi if the staging is amazing, but should progress based on his voice… Read more »

Efraim
Efraim
5 years ago
KuhKatz
KuhKatz
5 years ago

I believe, that Cesar is one of the darker Horses this year. Almost no one is talking about him, there are several other Acts in Focus from semi 1. This could be his Advantage (same as Nathan Trent last year, who imo unexpectedly qualified but had a great Performance).

However, as most of the Ratings from Wiwijury are, this place is way to high for him and Austria.