The Netherlands and Norway have similar track records at Eurovision in recent years. The Dutch are still hunting for their first victory in over forty years, while Norway took the contest nine years ago.
At Eurovision 2018, the two face each other in the same semi-final, and both are in the overall top 15 with the bookies.
Of course, for the purposes of this poll, we’re only interested in one commonality — they’re both sending returning artists to Lisbon.
Norway is fielding the 2009 record-breaking winner Alexander Rybak, while former Common Linnets member Waylon is togging out for the Netherlands once more.
Both men bear heavy burdens of expectation, given that they both did so well previously. While they are predicted to qualify, we should, remember that returning acts often enjoy mixed fortunes upon their Eurovision comeback.
Nonetheless, we asked you to pick a favourite, and y’all duly obliged. After counting 2,860 votes, we can confirm that Eurovision 2014 runner-up Waylon is your comeback king.
Interview: Waylon at Eurovision in Concert 2018
Many of our readers bemoaned the tough choice, with many liking either both or neither. It’s understandable, the pair bring two completely different songs to the Eurovision stage.
“That’s How You Write A Song” is a child-friendly, pop song with a message of believing in yourself. “Outlaw In ‘Em”, on the other hand, is an American-style country rock number which tells us that everyone has a little bad in them.
But in the end, the majority pegged their allegiances to the country crooner. Waylon received 1,720 votes, or 60.4% of all votes cast. Meanwhile, Alexander Rybak received “only” 1,140 votes, which makes up 39.6% of all votes.
Poll results: who is your favourite returning artist at Eurovision 2018?
Note, for the purposes of this poll we only included artists who had previously competed as part of the main act. Therefore, artists who previously participated as backing singers — such as SuRie, Lea Sirk and César Sampson — weren’t included.
[polldaddy poll=9982975]Do you agree with the poll results? Will Waylon beat Alexander when it comes to the real thing? Let us know in the comments below.
Poor Rybak. Both of them should collab soon.
Waylon’s song is better than 90% of this year’s entries, but there’s still something missing.
Just to say Sweden have gone to my 42nd place.
No excuse to criticise other songs
I didn’t expect that from him when I saw that, quite shocked tbh. Especially about FYR Macedonia and San Marino. There is a fine line between being honest and being really rude.
Me neither and I have supported him since Dance You Off! I guess he was intimidated by Macedonia’s song…
San Marino deserve to qualify imo
What happened?
just saw it.
Basically there was a video (taken down) of Benjamin recating to other contestant’s songs. Some of his reactions were childish and immature (about for example FYR Macedonia, San Marino, Albania, Hungary, Portugal). Instead there’s a video of nicer Swede reacting (Lukas Meijer) to the songs.
His immaturity is a turn off, for sure. But let people hate things if they don’t like the song.
Edit: I take it back. He does not express how he hate or dislike the songs after all for a reason. They were all blatant immaturity remarks.
The both song are much much better than overrated pop perkele Cyprus and Czech Republic (jaromir Jagr ?)
It‘s always such a letdown when returnees come back with weak material. And that‘s the case with Alex and Waylon. I hope they flop in their semi and let actual talent pull through as a reminder for them that it‘s almost impossible to top Fairytale and Calm After the Storm.
So negative.. their styles of music are very different this year, respect that! 🙂 They are both joining for fun, and want to express themselves in different ways. Negativity does not belong in Eurovision, it’s all good fun.
“actual talent” Their semi is weak to the point where both ARE among the best of them (well, Waylon at least. Alex to a lesser extent, but still good enough to make it in)
Name me ten acts in their semi that are better than both of them. You probably can’t name a full ten.
For me it’s the better of two not so great songs.