The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 37 competing songs in Eurovision 2024. Next we review Germany, who have chosen ISAAK with “Always On The Run”.
Are we impressed with Germany’s choice? Read on to find out!
ISAAK – “Always On The Run” (Germany Eurovision 2024)
Review: ISAAK – “Always On The Run”
Tom: ISAAK, the German Rag’n’Bone Man. Husky, gravely and satisfying. It’s a lot of fun playing this at full blast on the motorway on a warm spring day. However, I just wish it went somewhere else. I feel the track lives on one level and I am left wanting more of something else. It’s just a tad too repetitive to grace Germany with a left-hand-side scoreboard finish.
Score: 6
Sebastian: To preface this review, this is a harsh score that in no way is a reflection of ISAAK’s very commendable vocal ability. This is, however, a banal song of the highest order. Any comparisons to Rag’n’Bone Man should be left in 2017 where that music started, soared, and ended. A country with a rich tapestry of musical ability and actual commendable singers, we especially fail to see it in ISAAK’s song. Why are there elephant noises throughout? Can you be trapped in your own identity if your song lacks identity? ISAAK clearly had a lovely story to tell, but it’s trapped in beige.
Score: 1
Lucy: Straight out the gate, I want to say people are underestimating how well ISAAK can do at Eurovision. One of the best voices of the year and a song which can be pretty universal, especially (and this is important) to casual viewers. Where Eurofans are looking for an ‘edge’ or ‘quirk’ to make it stand out, there’ll be plenty of Garys and Susans looking for a pleasant song to vote for, and this is it. ISAAK seems kind and personable, and “Always On The Run” has a catchy hook and great sing-a-long ability. Is it going to be Top 10? Maybe not. Is it going to be a third last place for Germany in a row? No, I don’t see it. Go surprise people, ISAAK!
Score: 8
Tomas: I feel that ISAAK doesn’t get that much credit for his incredible performance of “Always On The Run”. He’s very passionate and truly a great vocalist. It’s a good pop song. However, as per usual, it’s missing something, just like the German entries of recent years. Although it’s a radio-friendly song and will get more plays than many more entries that finish higher than ISAAK, I do not see this performance ranking highly with either juries or televoting.
Score: 5
Germany Eurovision 2024 ranking
In the Eurovision 2024 Wiwi Jury, we have 17 jurors but only have room for four reviews. The remaining scores are below:
|
Antranig: 7 Cinan: 5.5 Deban: 5 Georgia: 5.5 Jonathan: 5 Pablo: 6 Ron: 3.5 |
Ruxandra: 7.5 Scarlett: 4.5 Simon: 3.5 Suzanne: 4 William: 3 Youyou: 6.5 |
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 1 and a high of 8.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 5.17/10
What do you think of Germany’s Eurovision 2024 entry? Share your own score and review for ISAAK’s “Always On The Run” below!
Gernany just stopped giving s***!?
This is this year’s worst.
Credit where Credit is due. His voice is amazing and for me this songs lies in around #20 out of 37. Not bad
it’s just another non-competitive song from germany, nothing new to the esc community
I don’t understand why people don’t like this song. Musically, there is a lot to like here. The key of darkness, B-flat minor, resonates throughout this song. The Verses, despite being quite high in Isaak’s vocal range, are actually deep and poignant when played on piano alone. Like so many ESC songs this year, this is another one that sounds really good when played on piano. The Choruses are not meant to be part of the lyrical story, they are instead the underlying expression of the music in this song. On piano, the Choruses are the loudest parts of the… Read more »
That’s a stretch. As someone who can only explain it in simple terms: It’s simply non competitive, the chorus is borderline annoying, the music is bland and mediocre, doesn’t stand out with anything esc bubble wise or general music wise.
Thanks for explaining. (And, “ouch”.) 🙂
A clear contender for the last place in the final and not because it is bad but because it doesn’t outstand in any category. A song that is just there, average, I wouldn’t skip it if it comes on Spotify but I wouldn’t go searching for it either. That’s the worse thing one can bring on the Eurovision stage where you are competing against 25 other songs. The song is weak and Isaak can make more of it, though I don’t dislike personally. Most of the audience will think it’s cute but won’t vote for it. Same story as always… Read more »
GERMANY – What to say that hasn’t been said before? And said for entries I consider much more impactful, yet which tanked hard in terms of results. Germany never seems to learn that being just pleasant doesn’t get you far in Eurovision. Always on the Run (a full title which I, an ESC enthusiast, had to look up for) starts with the lyrics ”I’m nothing but the average”, which sadly pin-point it more than they realize. In almost every aspect, apart from Isaak’s voice, which is indeed stellar, this song feels average. The lyrics, the melody, and the instrumental are… Read more »
“Always on the Run” – I think this song is a little better than average. However, I agree that the lyric about being average is rather… unfortunate. 🙂
Sometimes a weak song can be carried by exceptional political circumstances. Given the souring of German-France relations over the past year (France looking to rekindle it’s old love affair with the UK – Le Pen wants that and Macron will imitate to try to co-opt her votes) and Berlin dragging its feet with supporting Ukraine, I don’t think political support will apply here. Germany is going to really struggle this year. Depending on the semis and who gets into the final, Germany may well come last. He can sing though. I think Germany should just all out next year with… Read more »
The song is not bad but nobody puts it on 1
A bit like Black Smoke perhaps
I still love Black Smoke.
Sad to say, but I do think Isaak is being given poor marks, at least in part (and perhaps subconsciously) because he doesn’t have a typical ‘superstar’ look but a ‘guy from my math class’ look.
And its a shame. In a year of weak to mediocre voices, he stands out as one who can actually sing.
In my bottom 5 because it’s more annoying than pleasant to listen to. Other than that it’s really really bland.
Germany closes my top 10 this year. The song is not extraordinary, but the music is good and his voice and presence are great. The only one this year that’s giving me Disney cartoon vibes in the bunch of trash music, so I hope it will surprise you, haters.
So you’re putting this in your top 10 because it’s okay and because others don’t like it. Okay
Since I really love no more than 4 songs this year, I prefer to fill the gap with “okay” songs represented by quality singers better than outdated trash music represented by dancers.
I’m quite intrigued by this, as I love so many songs this year. Care to share your entire top 10?
22nd place – Germany I have to say this is definitely not bad at all and I don’t understand why so many hate on it. Also Sebastian giving this a 1??? Like come on, don’t be ridiculous. The song is something not that interesting and we’ve heard similar things before. The staging wasn’t well done either and the chorus felt underwhelming. However! His voice is amazing! He sings very well and I think if they try with a better staging, then they can have a chance of not placing last this year. Yes, it’s not the best song but I… Read more »
Again ” I am sorry zero points.”
why would anyone give the song a score of 1? Like come on, you’re not being fair. It’s a very strong modern song with excellent vocals and lyrics. It wasn’t my number one song to win the national final but it’s nice. I don’t think this is going to do well obviously but i wouldn’t rank it last.
It’s definitely geared as mainstream, with a catchy chorus. It might however be a little bit safe, and formulaic, like it’s been heard before. But that is the same with a lot of songs generally. I’ll listen to it, but not intentionally.
Score 5.5/10
One of my favorites. It’s a good song. We always suspect Germany will be last or near last. I believe they can collect 80-100 points this time, not only thanks to juries.
That would be a good result for them
I think its underrated. Its a very radio friendly popsong, sung very well. I really like it. I hope and think it will do better than most of us expect. Good luck Germany!
He has a great voice, but with just 10 voting slots available on the night it’s hard to see this mustering many votes. He deserves a more interesting song.
As a German I think we should go back to an internal selection for a bit (and by that I mean something like Ben Dolic, not Jendrik), try a few different things. Maybe going the Australia route, send people who were in the national final but didn’t make it (Ryk of course comes to mind, but maybe from a few years ago, I think in 2019 were some promising acts). The problem with our selection is that the songs don’t become hits in Germany, and so many acts probably feel like there’s nothing to gain, but everything to lose. So… Read more »
Ben Dolic, not Hendrik haha ?
Good song but i dont think it will make the top 10 in anyones final voting. Wish Germany had sent RYK.
Me too – Ryk or Galant
Nah 1? 3? Y’all rated this lower than Latvia? What makes Hollow such a great song to get a 7 overall? Just as regular as this one, but with Isaak being a better singer…
I’m sorry, zero stars.
Germany 3/12
Antananarivo, are you here?
Yes it´s me
I would not underestimate him tbh. I believe Germany might be able to pull out of the bottom 10 this year.
On eurovoix.com, there is a poll named “Eurojury”, where Eurovision-affiliated artists vote for their top 10 songs of a year, and this year Germany is in the top 10 of almost every single country. It’s genuinely intriguing.
Some one put ‘This Is Me’ though AI software. That’s what it sounds like to me. It’ll be in the 20s with the UK and Spain.
Amazing catchy song and great voice!
Negative points are staging (need to be lifted to a higher level) and there is something about his mimics that doesn’t do it for me. But could be a dark horse
Dead on arrival.
Underrated af. You have no idea what you’re doing, Europe: this guy is getting a better result than you think. I agree with Lucy on that.
We should be voting on the song, not the guy.
That’s what people said about Lord of the Lost and Mae Muller and they both got the right and expected result.
10TH PLACE: GERMANY: Germany this year as well does what it does best: they send a middle-of-the-road track to Eurovision. Nevertheless, it’s a song that’s right up my alley and I actually enjoy it a lot, especially the final climax, never skip it when it’s on and find it a pleasant, easygoing and emotional song to listen to. Isaak has a really nice, distinctive voice and his interpretation is always on point. Yet in Eurovision, whether we like it or not, sometimes the worst trait a song can have is not standing out. I really hope Isaak does better than… Read more »
I do like the song, it is the kinda music I listen to but it’s just not competitive for Eurovision. Another last place probably for Germany
21) Germany – Solid song! This one has definitely grown on me over the last few weeks, and the NF staging was pretty good. Isaak has a good voice, but after last year’s depressing last place, I’m expecting another last place finish even though I think there are far more middle-of-the-road songs than this. 6/10 (I really want to know what a song has to do to warrant a score of 1, though. A 1 for me is basically unlistenable.)
This should not come last. He’s a great singer and although he doesn’t seem 100% comfortable on stage, this is far better than many other songs in the contest this year. If this was any other country than Germany would there be so much last place speculation?
Switzerland perhaps?
The revamp really helps the song and in fact we get a completely different staging I’m faithful for Germany.
We also see Germany doing really well on the Eurojury.
I don’t see the audience going with this, however I see it getting 40-60 jury points.
So I don’t think it will come dead last but it won’t do much better than that.
Maybe 23rd?
Still the best result since 2018 but nothing to be proud of
He sings very well, but the song is completely middle-of-the-road and I’m afraid it won’t stand out. Still, I can see the juries not blanking it out completely, and Germany finally escaping last place.
From all the underrated songs this year – this is the most underrated one. But then again – that’s my opinion and I love the song. Is it quite simple? Yes. Is it a bit basic? Yes. But doesn’t mean these two characteristics are bad. Isaak’s performance is unforgettable and I hope that on the Saturday night I won’t be the only one to vote for him. At least juries could send him some point so he won’t place last.
Let’s hope he does not draw “Producers Choice” and is lumbered with spot # 2
On that, it’s going to be interesting to see if the “Producer’s Choice” is used to fill spot #2. I suspect that the producer would not dare do that. He’ll put a first half drawer there.
Unless of course the first half drawer is not one of the favourites – and/or may undermine Sweden who will have just performed. Do you think starting position of home country should not be revealed so early to avoid “conspiracy theories” such as you can now start voting straight away? Perhaps we should draw up a potential shortlist for #2; Albania, Czechia, Latvia, Malta…..
Let me tell you something: I like this song better than France’s. I don’t understand why we (the eurofans, the Eurovision juries and the Eurovision audience) are always so unfair with Germany. They did not reserve last place last year and they don’t either this year.
‘They’ don’t deserve it, but this song does.
I’m with you. The French song is far more clichéd and basic than and yet gets all the love. Why?
France has had several good songs in the last 10 years. Not all of them, of course. Fans want them to win finally.
Agree with this 100%
“Can you be trapped in your own identity if your song lacks identity?”
Hmmm… Yes. What a random comparison.
A great voice wasted on a very mediocre song. Once again, bottom 3 for Germany. 2,5/10
31. Germany – Isaak – Always on the Run – 5/10 – unfortunately Isaak sums it up in the very first sentence. It is a universal message but gets lost in this universality such that there is scant unique value to get deeply invested in. Points are awarded for the prominent bass in the second verse and I like that Isaak sincerely thrusts himself into the song. He has undoubted vocal talent, he just needs a better song.