From colourful visuals to dark-themed ethnic vibes — this year’s music videos have it all. Earlier this month, we asked our readers who had the best music video at Eurovision 2019. More than 5,000 votes were counted and the results are in. With 12.72% (677 votes), Duncan Laurence topped the ranking with his inspiring video for “Arcade”.
“Arcade” — Duncan Laurence
The Netherlands’ entry is the favourite to win the competition ever since its release in March. In the video, impressive visuals come together with the song’s deep lyrics. In fact, the song is about lost love that doesn’t return. With the concept of the video, Duncan tries to convey the vulnerability of the human being. “Being completely nude leaves you all vulnerable in that massive water world, with the surface representing the hope and everything you long for. The struggle, the fight that comes with it to get there.”
Duncan sees support from former Eurovision entrant Ilse deLange, who will also be with him in Tel Aviv. And the odds seem to indicate great success for the Netherlands this year.
Our first reaction to Duncan’s “Arcade”
The rest of the pack
In second and third place, we find the edgy music video for Srbuk’s “Walking Out” and the visually stunning cut from Katerine Duska’s “Better Love“. They both follow closely behind the Netherlands, both amassing more than 10% of the votes each.
Armenia’s music video showcases Srbuk surrounded by a group of men knocking her around. Our girl isn’t having it though — she fights back and walks out on her tainted love. Greece plays things differently, with Katerine instead surrounded by many different women, showcasing different aspects of femininity. The well-produced music videos of both countries secured a spot in the top three.
The colourful “Chameleon” of Malta and the eclectic “Truth” of Azerbaijan rounded out the top five. Iceland, Italy and Cyprus — all among the favourites at Eurovision 2019 — appeared in the top ten.
Full results: Best music video at Eurovision 2019
- The Netherlands: Duncan Laurence – “Arcade” 12.72% (677 votes)
- Armenia: Srbuk – “Walking Out” 10.61% (565 votes)
- Greece: Katerine Duska – “Better Love” 10.18% (542 votes)
- Malta: Michela – “Chameleon” 9.51% (506 votes)
- Azerbaijan: Chingiz – “Truth” 8.92% (475 votes)
- Iceland: Hatari – “Hatrið mun sigra” 7.33% (390 votes)
- Croatia: Roko – “The Dream” 5.69% (303 votes)
- Italy: Mahmood – “Soldi” 5.49% (292 votes)
- Cyprus: Tamta – “Replay” 3.79% (202 votes)
- Albania: Jonida Maliqi – “Ktheju tokës” 3.66% (195 votes)
- Russia: Sergey Lazarev – “Scream” 3.36% (179 votes)
- Romania: Ester Peony – “On a Sunday” 2.95% (157 votes)
- Switzerland: Luca Hänni – “She Got Me” 2.84% (151 votes)
- Spain: Miki – “La Venda” 2.18% (116 votes)
- Slovenia: Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl – “Sebi” 1.54% (82 votes)
- Poland: Tulia – “Fire of Love (Pali się)” 1.35% (72 votes)
- Czech Republic: Lake Malawi – “Friend of a Friend” 1.32% (70 votes)
- Norway: KEiiNO – “Spirit in the Sky” 1.03% (55 votes)
- San Marino: Serhat – “Say Na Na Na” 0.94% (50 votes)
- Israel: Kobi Marimi – “Home” 0.92% (49 votes)
- France: Bilal Hassani – “Roi” 0.88% (47 votes)
- Belgium: Eliot – “Wake Up” 0.85% (45 votes)
- North Macedonia: Tamara – “Proud” 0.36% (19 votes)
- Austria: PÆNDA – “Limits” 0.30% (16 votes)
- Georgia: Oto Nemsadze – “Keep On Going” 0.30% (16 votes)
- Hungary: Joci Pápai – “Az én apám” 0.21% (11 votes)
- Montenegro: D Mol – “Heaven” 0.21% (11 votes)
- Moldova: Anna Odobescu – “Stay” 0.19% (10 votes)
- Ireland: Sarah McTernan – “22” 0.15% (8 votes)
- Serbia: Nevena Božović – “Kruna” 0.13% (7 votes)
- United Kingdom: Michael Rice – “Bigger Than Us” 0.09% (5 votes)
Total Votes: 5,323
Are you happy with the results? Let us know in the comments!
A good music video isn’t just fireworks, bells, and whistles. The purpose of music videos is to integrate and elevate the song with imagery. That’s why Duncan won. It’s a very simple production, yet it still recreates that raw emotion without fireworks and explosions. Every little thing he does (his movement when the guitar strings come in, opening his eyes for the first time, swimming to the surface, reaching land, and ofcourse the tear when the violins come in) has a major impact. Yes, Greece’s video is pretty artsy, Malta has lovely vibrant colors, and Tamta has her explosives and… Read more »
When all effort and money are concentrated in one single person ( cute naked guy) and one single video instead of going through semi-final and final…MARKETING at its best! The song was shown in a Youtube amateur video before and nobody noticed it…if it was that good why didn´t it go viral? Actually, this reminds me a little bit of Madonna´s Medellin efect BEFORE the video…
But that having said, bravo for the great video!
The amateurvideo was a showcase at his school the rockacademie were he was a student and wrote it.. In the video were several songs.. Duncan was/is not famous in the Netherlands.. When Duncan was presented a lot people were saying “who??” Not only marketing.
Butt wins over powerful, meaningful video of Sergey and great video of Mahmood? Really? People just vote for any award where Dunkan is nominated!
And why should people do that?
Powerful? Sexist as hell.
Your nickname explains a lot…
Omg you’re too dumn to understand the meaning of this visuals…? I won’t explain to you what the meaning is of his video. Good night!
Best music video because he’s naked smh Soldi is my personal pick along with Scream
No it isn’t, but go off…
Greece is miles better than rigged top 2
Azerbajin, Itay and Croatia to me..
MALTA and GREECE!!!
Oh come on! UK last? With 5 votes? And lower than Ireland’s? That is quite the shame, the video clip is amazing.
OK no surprise to see the Netherlands first, I mean the song is barely in my top 10 but I gotta admit that the entry deserves all the praise, the video clip is very symbolic and deserves top 3! HOWEVER, I do get the impression that he has those butt shots to thank for this victory. (Just an impression)
Agree… its problem that people vote which song they like not which video has better storytelling.
Disqualifie that cheater !!!
Omg! What a comment…Please grow up.
Right? Some people really don’t understand the rules and don’t understand that Duncan didn’t commercially release Arcade until March 2019 so he did never break any rule
Ooh my the advantage duncan has.. A private non commercial video.. Filmed at a showcase at school the rockacademie were he wrote the song.. 500 or less watched it .. That’s a cheat alright…??
Hahaha another hater…
How the hell has the UK only got five votes? Tells a good story but yet a man swimming naked tops the poll.
It probably got put in the poll later because it was released so late.
Michael’s video is underrated. It tells such a sweet story. Also Mahmood is way too low. Soldi has outstanding MV.
If there weren’t lyrics, the winner would be Malta for sure. Anyway, we are used to see Duncan at any topic 🙂
We are used to see Duncan at any topic? LMFAO. (1) This was a poll, (2) he is a contestant – therefore included in the poll, (3) people all around the world voted on this poll, (4) a bunch people voted fore Duncan, (5) surprise surprise, he won this poll. Why the hate? I know y’all haters are agitated by the fact that he is currently the favorite, and therefore you get irritated when he pops up in blogs and articles. These channels, sites, and organizations are competing with one another, and being the one to publish a story first… Read more »
There is a glitch on the title “Arcade” is the best music video of 2017 and not 2019.
Wow stupid words! There was NO Music Video back in 2017! And again a jealous TROL!
Sorry bro, the VIDEO was created, produced, and released in 2019. Get your facts straight.
hahahhaha true song recycled
You keep screaming “recycled” over here. What the hell does that mean?! Odd choice of words….
Way to go Netherlands!
song recycled sorry is a losing game?
Sorry but no one can deny that Katerine’s video clip is by far the best this year. It’s different, modern, minimal yet powerful.
Arcade and Soldi both have an amazing vids, i also love Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Albania, Hungary and Greece clips, well done!
And Spain of course, such a fun 😀
Sis? Really? Capslock on to convince us that Netherlands won’t win? …..sooooo desperate…
song recycled sorry is a losing game?
Ooops! Desperate AND agressive… take a break Sis!
The Netherlands has a good song but the music video is just a naked man swimming around in circles? I don’t get it how it can be the best video anyone can create such a video easily lol. I think people voted for the song, not the video.
The power of gay men.
I like the song itself but don’ like the video. I am a gay man.
If you have seen the interviews Duncan did, you would’ve known that the surface of the water represents the love he is reaching for in his song and that he tries to reach it but isn’t capable to do so. And the naked thing, he said that he wanted to represent himself as vulnerable as possible and that is being naked. It’s not about who spends the most on a videoclip, it’s about who made the best videoclip in terms of meaning
Honestly, it’s quite obvious. One doesn’t need the interviews to figure this out. You just need an open mind. That’s probably why the majority of Youtube reactors are bawling their eyes out their first time watching.
A good music video isn’t just fireworks, bells, and whistles. Music is feelings, not fireworks – and Duncan delivered. This is a simple, profoundly well produced video with major attention to detail – the lighting, the vulnerability of his body, the eyes, the hands, the surface, the tear. Every image elevates the music – from the guitar strings to the violins.
A good music video doesn’t need explosives, motorcycles, fancy outfits, or pink veils. Simplicity is king.
Sis, why so desperate ? I feel sorry for you…
I love Arcade’s video. It’s beautiful but I hope we’ll see Duncan’s face perfectly in Tel Aviv. I guess staging will be very blue but I hope they won’t go too dark and people will see his face and connect with him and feel.
I think they’re trying to hide his buck teeth.
I’m pretty sure we can thank his “buck teeth” for his incredible voice.
#FreddieMercury
My favourite is Italy’s video full of symbols and with these beautiful images, like the red sun at sunset, the old car, the tatto that symbolize the bond with his father… in the other post I read there was the possibility to vote until may so I didn’t vote it yet…
But never minds.. the other video are beautiful too
I also like that what initially looks like a defiant fist turns out to be the mother holding her child. Clever.
Yes this image is amazing… and also the men and the child, the men representing the negative value of our society, greed for money, betrayals.. and the child who is pure.
We don’t have to forget mahmood’s father betrayed his mother many times, having also other sons from other women during their marriage…. the bond of mahmood and his mother is very strong.
I think this video is better than the netherlands, but maybe some persons didn’t understand it welll…. or maybe they voted the video of their favourite singer…
Beatiful song nice video full sensibility and emotions. Absolutely winner this year .
is a losing game?
Alessio trolling around…. feeling better now?
Get over it , its not hyped. When most people like something that is not the same as hyped. His performances at the Eurovision pre parties are also loved by most people.
I’m so disappointed that the UK have ended up rock bottom of the poll!!!! In my opinion the UK’s music video was more moving and inspirational!!!! Absolutely appalled by the UK finishing last in this poll????
I think the poll was done before the UK released its proper music video.
If that was the case, then it should have been exempt with a note saying the poll was created before it’s release.
The video is much more compelling than the song. But credit to Michael Rice for giving everything he’s got.
What’s interesting about duncan porno style video? He praised Mahmood to the sky would mahmood be interested in duncan naked in the water! !! Duncan looks like a dead frog going up the surface in the water. ..and what has that got anything to do with arcade lol.
He’s singing about lost love, based on the story of a friend of his who died with a broken heart. The nakedness represents the pain and vulnerability he felt in that moment
You and you’re closed mindedness ain’t no good for anybody. Get your higher education, develop some critical and creative thinking skills, and revisit Arcade when you’re done. You’ll see. And if you do your homework and get good grades, you’ll also figure out the symbolism behind the arcade reference.
Btw. Mahmood is a proper artist. I know he praises Arcade, just waiting for it to be caught on camera.
Malta has the best music video imo.