Over the past few years, it has predominantly been songs coming from national finals that have come out on top at the Eurovision Song Contest — Emmelie de Forrest, Jamala, Loreen, Salvador Sobral and so on. However, last year it was the internally selected entries that undeniably came out on top. The three highest ranked countries (Israel, Cyprus and Austria) all selected their entries behind closed doors, reminding us there is no real “best recipe” to choosing an entry.
This year, 15 countries have selected their songs internally. That’s up one on last year. Please note that while Israel and Malta chose their singers publicly, their songs were chosen internally — thus allowing them to compete in our poll.
Some countries, such as Switzerland and Armenia, ditched their televised national finals this year and put the fate of their entry entirely in the hands of the broadcaster. Will that move prove to be successful? Only time will tell.
Others, such as Russia, Azerbaijan and the Netherlands have a very credible track record of internal selections and have been using this method for quite some time now. Russia has produced multiple top 10 results with their internal selections as well as two top 3 finishes with Polina Gagarina and 2016 returnee Sergey Lazarev. Granted, they may have had a slight blip with Yulia Samoylova last year, but they seem to be back on track with their decision for 2019.
The current favourite to win the contest is none other than Duncan Laurence, whose entry also appears on this list along with second favourite Sergey Lazarev. Other acts in the top ten of the betting odds who have gone internal are Switzerland, Greece, Malta and Cyprus, who are aiming to do one better than last year with the same format that they used in Lisbon.
A few others to look out for that have not been mentioned yet would be Belgium, Armenia and North Macedonia. Belgium have undergone a major revival since 2014 and have definitely become a heavyweight in the contest, pumping out solid internally selected tracks from the likes of Blanche and Loïc Nottet. Armenia, who abandoned Depi Evratesil after only two editions, have returned to what they do best — sending a powerful pop diva to deliver a professional track coupled with pristine vocals as well as distinct Armenian flare.
Finally, just sitting outside the top 20 is North Macedonia, who have been using internal selections the past few years. While they did deliver astonishing studio cuts, the live performances left us rather disappointed. With the Balkan republic enjoying their highest place in the betting odds for some time, hopefully they can pull off a good live show and do their internal selection justice.
Of course, this is all just a prediction and everything could change drastically by the time we get to Tel Aviv. For all we know, Sweden or Italy could clinch the top spot and return the crown back to the nationally selected entries after Israel won it for the internal entries last year.
We want to know what you think about this year’s bunch of internally selected entries. So without further delay, be sure to listen to all 15 songs down below and leave a vote in our poll. As usual you can vote for as many options as you like, but you can only vote once! Don’t forget to comment down below once you’re done.
Malta . best song best video cute singer .deserves the trophy .
A
Internal selections have been amazing this year!
My favourites are:
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Cyprus
Russia
Switzerland
The Netherlands
For me, Tamta is a ‘copy-paste’ of Eleni. However, that’s not a bad thing, for I love that sound. Tamta should do well, just as Eleni did. Ironically, both of them are not born in Greece or Cyprus, but in Albania (Eleni) and Georgia (Tamta). One should really check out their previously made music; it’s pure pop-heaven. Check out Eleni’s “To Xo (Pom Pom)” or Tamta’s “Fotia”. What’s got my attention, though, is: Greece and Cyprus keep exchanging each other’s artists for some time now. It feels like they are not betting on the same horse, and spread their chances… Read more »
Hello! Here is mum that just have listened to esc songs tonight. And Israel comes up! Ok, it’s suturday night and I admit. I have had some glasses of wine.
BUT!!!! I like Israel’s song even better this year than last year.Så det så! : )
Israel! If you don’t give him a better stage showe than the video I will get upset. Love the song when I hear it, but not when I see the video, although I like him so much.!
Good night Israel… good luck from Sweden ….. ; )
You are most probably an israeli.
My top 3:
1. The Netherlands
2.Sweden
3. Cyprus
The Netherlands is overrated. Its still ok for top 5.
But it is a bit boring. (Im not a person who hates beautiful ballads, I love Salvador Sobrals song very much)
Well that’s your opinion, a lot of people don’t think it’s overrated, it’s all a matter of taste..
You guys remember Isaura from last year’s Portugal? A bit off topic, but I found her new song, and it’s AWESOME! What do you think? Here’s the link https://youtu.be/1y86Arl69ig
She isnt portuguese, she is from Ghana
1 Netherlands
2 Switzerland
3 Greece
4 Malta
5 Cyprus
6 Azerbaijan
7. Armenia
8. Austria
9. Macedonia
10. Israel
11. Russia
12 Belgium
13 Ireland
14 San Marino
15 Poland
greece for the win. you can see it on odds too that greece is doing very well today!
The Netherlands and Greece.
I predict that the WINNER is among this bunch.
The Netherland
Where is Slovenia?
Slovenia wasn’t internally chosen. It was picked through televoting and juries at EMA, winning over nine other songs. Belarus and Albania would fit the bill better, as it was 100% juries, but as the songs were presented earlier and it was televized, they don’t count either.
I almost wanted to copy and paste the geography of Slovenia section from wikipedia.
So many good internally-chosen songs ! I love the ones from Azerbajanjan, Belgium, Greece, Malta, Poland and the Netherlands. The other songs are good too.
She Got Me and Truth
The Israeli media starts to be more and more hostile to Kobi’s Home. and rightfully so. Even though Kobi wasn’t my favorite (Kitria/Shefita were) he is still a good vocalist. the national committee chose a song that in their opinion will turn out to be a “dignified loss” (meaning we’ll loose, but we’ll get a top position) It clearly backfires at them – as it turns out “Home” is loosing the bets, 80% of the Israeli audience don’t accept the song and being very vocal about it, and the media criticism starts to build up. I said it and I’ll… Read more »
And also :
“Moshe Datz* about Home : didn’t move me for a second, will reach the 20th place”
https://www.mako.co.il/music-news/local/Article-7c1c5ffae8b6961006.htm
* one of the Katz dou/ Kan 1991
Geez, tell us how you really feel.
For real, though, it is interesting hearing a perspective on the home entry from the home country. I feel bad for Kobi having to deal with all this since it isn’t his fault the song isn’t as good as “Toy,” but the Israelis also deserve a song that represents them best. Wasn’t there originally a plan to have a TV special where the HaKokhav HaBa winner sings a few songs and the viewers pick which one represents them? Wouldn’t that have made more sense?
Idan is right! No one should vote for Israel. It is a terrible entry. Everyone, remember – ISRAEL 2019 – Last Place! That’s what Idan wants. So do as he says.
Don’t vote for Israel. Thanks, Idan…
you welcome.
Kobi Marimi is handsome, tall, good looking , a splendid voice, the Israeli replica of Andreea Bocelli and Moshe Datz is…not.
I will put the song on the 5th place.
There are many good songs here, but The Netherlands is the best for me. Russia is currently my second favorite I.S. song.
Malta for the win .
That would be nice for a change
Switzerland was technically a national final for juries of 3 broadcasters fun fact
but ofc King Duncan, closely followed by daddy Chingiz for me 🙂
Wiwi bloggs, you re a scam. You re tampering with the scores and what you ve done with the Romanian voting for who to represent at Eurovision shows that you re racist and disregard the people’s vote. Shame on you!
Must you really bring this up again? It’s been over a month since that happened. Get over it.
Most of these songs are among my favourites, except Azerbaidjan, Greece, San Marino, Russia, Cyprus, The Netherlands and Malta. The rest are absolutely great all.
My top two are both from internal selections (Netherlands and Poland). And of course, San Marino.
I encourage national finals more than internal selections since I like people having some degree of power about who gets to represent them, but also juries are smart and people can be stupid (sometimes the other way around but not always), and the immediate effect it’s had on the quality of Switzerland, Malta, and Poland’s entries is really something to behold.
Amsterdam 2020. It’s a done deal.
You can’t say that yet when the contest isn’t in another two months yet
bill rejected
Malta <3 Switzerland <3 Greece <3 Austria <3 (underrated art, see you in May)
Netherlands (by far) followed by Greece, Azerbaijan, Belgium and Switzerland.
Truth and Home
🙂
My top 3 are all from the national selections so they aren’t here but as far as the internally selected go:
1. SWITZERLAND
2. AZERBAIJAN
3. RUSSIA
4. ISRAEL
5. CYPRUS
6. MALTA
7. NORTH MACEDONIA
8. GREECE
9. ARMENIA
10. BELGIUM
11. SAN MARINO
12. THE NETHERLANDS
13. AUSTRIA
14. IRELAND
15. POLAND
Lol so basically you hate all the countries that are in the top of this list. Well done.
my 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th are poland, cyprus, switzerland n ireland
Such a tough decision – it really depends on my mood. More peaceful and reflective one – Netherlands, Israel and Austria right away. When I’m tired and and need some banger to wake me up – Azerbaijan, Cyprus and Switzerland for sure. Relaxing and nice to listen to while working – Ireland, Greece and Belgium. When I’m in the mood for some drama – North Macedonia and Russia no doubt. There are some that suit every situation – Armenia, Malta and (to my surprise) Poland. And when I’m sad and lonely, I sure know who to call *wink*.
5 of my top 6 are internal selections with Italy the exception
1. Switzerland
2. Italy
3. Netherlands
4. Belgium
5. Azerbaijan
6. Greece
Who is this sexy next to Serhat?
I guess you’re talking about Kobi Marimi (Israel).
No the female one
It’s DUSKA, Greece’s entrant.
lol why did someone downvote?
For me the best are Greece, Belgium and Netherlands, but honestly all the songs are pretty decent, the quality of production is high this year.
Off topic : anyone knows how to post gifs on this site?
Thanks
Obviously Malta and Greece…
Netherlands
Switzerland
Greece
These are the 3 best entries, which by the way I think they will do incredibly well and get one of the best results for their countries
6 of these are in my top 10 and 9 of these are in my top 15
The two best internally selected songs are Greece and the Netherlands!Great songs!I don’t mind if one of these two wins!
I got Austria on replay since Monday. No scientific explanation, it was just beautiful. Oh yeah, love Greece, North Macedonia, Malta, and Armenia, too (eventhough I’m still bugged for the latter, it’s an awesome song).
Most stands out Poland
Bravo Poland
My top 10 is
1 North Macedonia strong song
2 Netherlands magic
3 Poland orginals
4 Belgium modern
5 Switzerland solid
6 Izrael unique
7 Greece beautiful
8 Azerbaijan sensational
9 Russia interesting
10 Cyprus contemporary
Good luck all the best
Gotta go with my lord and saviour Duncan Laurence of course. <3 But man, the internally selected songs this year are awesome, so many good decisions have been made behind closed doors. My faves (in brackets: the overall rank):
1.Netherlands (1)
2.Russia (5)
3.Switzerland (7)
4.Belgium (8)
5.Armenia (9)
6.Greece (10)
But honestly, I love almost all of these songs.
The Netherlands (it’s still early to claim we have a winner, but I would personally love to see this on top of the scoreboard in may. Beautiful, humble, simple and completely different from last year’s Netta)
Greece (after several weak years, they’re back and they deserve to reach the top 10 again)
Austria all dayyy. It’s so underrated and i know it’ll do a lot better than what people expect.
Tomorrow’s poll: Will hate prevail? |Yes| |No|
this year internally selections gave us a real gems , my fav is Netherlands of course 🙂
Cyprus
Replay THE SLAY
So many good songs in the poll, i mean not even really bad one,
But i prefer more The Netherlands, Malta, Israel and Belgium
You forgot to add Belarus…(it basically counts)
Duncan of course
Belgium 🙂