The Eurovision season is hotting up. And over the course of the next few months, we will all fall in and out of love with scores of new national final and Eurovision entries. But that doesn’t mean we forget about the artists from past contests.
Contrary to the commonly perpetuated myth about the song contest killing careers, we’re always thrilled to report that singers and performers associated with both Eurovision itself and the various national selections are thriving.
Here is a selection of just some of the songs and music videos released in the last week or so.
New music from Eurovision artists: 2020 | Week 6
Netta – “Ricki Lake”
Eurovision 2018 winner Netta returns with the new two-minute-long single “Ricki Lake”. Ricki Lake references the American actress, who is best known for playing Tracy Turnblad in the 1988 film Hairspray. Continuing along the food theme after her last single “Nana Banana”, the accompanying music video features plenty of sweet treats as the Eurovision winner “dances to [her] own damn drum”.
Dami Im – “Marching On”
She appeared at Eurovision: Australia Decides 2020 and threw her hat into the ring for the 2021 competition. In between all of that, the Eurovision 2016 runner-up also found the time to release her new single “Marching On”. Beginning as a piano-driven ballad, a drum beat comes in for the second half of the song, giving it drive and power.
Måns Zelmerlöw & Dami Im – “Walk With me”
It’s certainly been a busy week for Dami Im. At Eurovision: Australia Decides 2020 she also teamed up with Eurovision 2015 winner Måns Zelmerlöw on a new rendition of the song “Walk With Me”. The original version was sung by Måns and Melodifestivalen 2020 finalist Dotter.
Jamala feat. alyona alyona – “Жалі”
Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala and Ukrainian rapper alyona alyona have certainly got a strong working relationship. Following their recent song “Забирай”, the duo have again teamed up for the new single “Жалі” (“Regrets”). The track perfectly blends the two artists’ musical styles together, and the combo results in a dynamic yet emotional song.
Ana Rucner – “Uvijek vjerni”
In 2016 she was part of the quartet that represented Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now, cellist Ana Rucner has released a new music video for the song “Uvijek vjerni” (“Always faithful”), which she originally released with Razni Izvođači in 2003. A dramatic Balkan ballad, the track naturally features a strong cello melody running through the song.
Michal David & Kristína – “Na dlani”
Representing Slovakia at Eurovision 2010, Kristína failed to qualify to the final with “Horehronie”, but has remained a fan favourite ever since. Now, she’s teamed up with Czech pop singer Michal David on the new duet “Na dlani” (“In the palm of your hand”).
Sirusho – “Yare Mardun Yara Kuta”
Sirusho’s fourth place finish at Eurovision 2008 remains one of Armenia’s best ever placing at the contest (joint with their 2014 entry). The singer’s new song, “Yare Mardun Yara Kuta”, is much slower than her Eurovision entry. A simple ballad with traditional instrumentation, Sirusho’s vocals have the space to shine in this track.
Ralfs Eilands feat. VIŅA — “Pilnmēness Parīzē”
Ralf Eilands was a part of Latvia’s Eurovision 2013 act PeR. For his latest release he’s teamed up with VIŅA on “Pilnmēness Parīzē” (“Full Moon in Paris”). A mid-tempo track, it’s full of brass and trumpet instrumentation.
Nina Badrić – “Ratujem s tugom”
Croatia’s Eurovision 2012 representative Nina Badrić has released the music video for her latest song “Ratujem s tugom” (“I’m fighting with sadness”). The star delivers an emotional Balkan ballad. The accompanying music video sees the singer driving around the streets at night, only illuminated by the street lights.
The Fizz – “Winning Ways”
The Fizz – three quarters of the UK’s Eurovision 1981 winning act Buck’s Fizz – are aiming to get back to “Winning Ways” with their new track. It’s an unashamedly old-school pop track with a guitar solo in the middle. Meanwhile, the music video is centred around a black and white colour scheme.
Jacques Houdek – “Teret”
At Eurovision 2017 he had a duet with himself. Now, Jacques Houdek is sticking with one side of his personality for the new song “Teret” (“Burden”). This new single is a pop-rock song that shows off the power of Houdek’s voice.
Jamie-Lee – “Auch wenn es gelogen ist”
After representing Germany at Eurovision 2016, Jamie-Lee is beginning to evolve as an artist. Her latest release is the moody pop track “Auch wenn es gelogen ist” (“Even if it’s a lie”). The video sees the German singer painting in an abandoned warehouse.
Sick Individuals feat. Tim Schou – “I Could Use A Friend”
Danish singer Tim Schou fronted Eurovision 2011 band A Friend In London. Since then, he’s gone on to release a steady stream of solo singles. Most recently, Tim has featured on the new song “I Could Use A Friend” by Dutch electronic-dance-music act Sick Individuals.
Michel van der Aa and Kate Miller-Heidke – “I Think of Fire”
Kate Miller-Heidke passed over the baton of Australia’s Eurovision participation to Montaigne yesterday. In the meantime, she’s continuing her collaboration with Dutch composer Michel van der Aa. This time, she features on the song “I Think of Fire”.
Alyosha & Vlad Darwin – “Торнадо”
At Eurovision 2010, she brought the environmentally-themed song “Sweet People”. Now, the Ukrainian singer has teamed up with Vlad Darwin for the new song “Торнадо” (“Tornado”). The track has a rock-vibe to it with a strong drum beat running throughout. Meanwhile, the music video sees the two singers searching for each other in the desert.
Natalia Lacunza and Pol Granch – “En Llamas”
A participant of Spain’s Operación Triunfo Eurovision Gala 2019, Natalia Lacunza is continuing on the journey to find her sound. This week, she released “En Llamas” (“On Fire”) alongside French-Spanish singer Pol Granch, who reached the final of X Factor Spain season three. The accompanying music video sees the two singers being experimented on by scientists who want to understand their special abilities.
Agnes – “Goodlife”
Swedish singer Agnes is best known for her worldwide hit “Release Me”. However, the Swedish Idol winner also participated at Melodifestivalen 2009 (after being disqualified from the 2007 contest) and performed as the interval act of Eurovision 2013 semi-final two. The star has recently started a comeback to the music industry, and her latest song is “Goodlife”.
Darin – “En säng av rosor”
Darin was another interval act at the second semi-final of Eurovision 2013, and had previously competed in Melodifestivalen 2010. The Swedish star has achieved seven number one albums over his career. Now, he’s released the ballad “En säng av rosor” (“A bed of roses”).
Which song is your favourite? Have we missed out on any? Do you have any artists you want to shout out to? Let us know in the comments.
Jamie-Lee is such a good artist
Agnes participated in Mello in 2009, while Darin participated in 2010
Kate Miller-Heidke is such an interesting artist, imho. Her music so interesting and I love her voice. I love this song. By the way, thank you for this category and the work you are putting into it.
Small note, Jamala’s song title actually means “regrets” or “greafs” 🙂
At first, I thought Ricki Lake was super weird, even for Netta
Now I find myself singing along all day long xD
The ricki lake show was broadcasted in Israel daily from the late nighties to the early two-thousands. Everybody watched it as cheap entertainment. I even caught my dad once watching it LOL.
as for the song itself, I was a bit harsh on it at the beginning but now I love it. youknow, the usual stuff from Netta.
Man, it brought so much nostalgia while writing this. I remember coming from school and watching this with my sister and mom. every episode had to include at least one man throwing chair at another participant and one American cheating on his girlfriend, then proposing to her trying to fix the situation while the audiance cracks up. not to mention the iconic “Go Rick! Go ricki! Go Ricki”
Man, that was some time! I can totally see why Netta used her as a reference.