The so-called “Big Five”—France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom—receive automatic bids to the grand finale. That’s because they pour the most money into Eurovision every year, along with the host country. Fair enough. If you dropped millions into a party you’d want a guarantee of an invitation too! In recent years the Big Five have made the most of their ticket direct to the final. Italy’s Raphael Gualazzi placed second in 2011. And Germany’s Lena won in 2010.
But what will happen in 2012? If you believe the bookies, then four of the Big Five have a serious shot at winning. As of March 30, Italy, the U.K., Spain and Germany were all listed among the eight countries with the lowest odds of winning. France’s Anggun, on the other hand, was ranked down around #20.
You can watch all five of the Big Five’s official videos below, and then vote in our poll. You can vote for as many countries as you would like, but you can only vote one time. Be sure to click on the box next to every song you like before pressing “VOTE.”
[polldaddy poll=”6094764″]France: Anggun with “Echo (You and I)”
Germany: Roman Lob with “Standing Still”
Italy: Nina Zilli with “L’amore è femmina” (Love is female)
Spain: Pastora Soler with “Quédate conmigo” (Stay with me)
United Kingdom: Engelbert Humperdinck with “Love Will Set You Free”
Go Humpy. relax and Soar on the wings of your golden voice because our love has set you free.
UK really??? o_O I mean he is like 100 years and the song …… in a lack of words ancient?? Every year is the same with UK, like they dont get the mainstream music and what people would like. They come last every year. Everybody else of big five seems to have learn their lessen, when Lena won two years ago and have sent some good songs this year but not UK. Why is that?? My vote goes for Germany this year, it is nice song. To be honest this year is poor altogether. I like Denmark too.
Romania is No 1 !
SPAIN ,OBVIOUSLY IS THE BEST BALLAD THIS YEAR, AND PASTORA THE MOST CARISMATIC SINGER , SPAIN BRING REALLY HIGH QUALITY THIS YEAR, AND SWEDEN IS VERY OVERATED , THE SONG IS NOT THAT GOOD , AND I DONT SEE LOREEN HAVE MUCH CARISMA, THE TRUE COME 26 MAY, MORE THAN ONE EUROFAN GO TO BE VERY DISAPOINTED WHEN SEE SEWDEN NOT WINNING ,
MY CHOICE IS NONE OTHER THAN THE KING OF ROMANCE. ENGELBERT. THIS SONG IS JUST SO ROMANTIC. HIS VOICE IS NON- COMPARIBLE TO ANYONE.SO SOOTHING. WHOOT WHOOT ENGELBERT!!!
ENGELBERT IS MY CHOICE. NO OTHER COMPARES WITH THE SOUND OF HIS MELODIC VOICE. YOU CAN EASILY FALL IN LOVE JUST LISTENING TO IT. WHOOT WHOOT FOR ENGELBERT
oh boy” how can ANYONE VOTE ANYBODY BUT ENGELBERT. LOVE WILL SET YOU FREE IS SUCH A GORGEOUS SONG SUNG BY A MAN WITH A NON-COMPARIBLE VOICE. YOU COULD LISTEN TO THIS ALL DAY AND STILL NOT HAVE ENOUGH. THE WORDS.THE MELODY AND OF COURSE THAT MELODIC VOICE. GOD YES ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK ALL THE WAY
Engelbert all the way…..no other can compare to what he has done so beautifully for the past 45 years and still is doing for all his fans around the world! He is Loved, Respected, and Appreciated! There is no other who can sing a song the way he does….it comes from his Heart and Soul and his every emotion and is just for us…everyone hears him singing…but yet he sings to us individually. Enge and “Love Will Set You Free” and the UK for the win!
Engelbert all the way! No one else even comes close to what he does and has done for 45 years…and still giving to all his fans around the world! He is Loved, Respected, and Appreciated by millions!
Italy and France ,the best !!!
Spain horrible ! Germany too boring ! UK ,,,,,,,,,,!
Anggun, France obviouslu so far
Italy and UK 🙂
Italy – the best,UK and France – GOOD LUCK ! Spain – awful .Germany ,boring …..
Romania vote for France and Germany!!!
I wish that Malta wins but from the big five i obviously choose Pastora Soler .. Spain :))
Goodluck
All big five is cool! but the most unique and cool is France (Anggun)
UK and ITALY !! – the best BIG 5 songs
France – nice song
Spain and Germany – sucks
Definitely Engelbert !! His song “Love Will Set You Free” showcases his magnificent voice with feelings of emotion and love that draws the words and music directly into your heart and soul. He is the perfect representative for the UK.
Pastora, very talented and nice Lady , and she can sing soooo good live,12 points for Spain
veel geluk engelbert met die mooie stem van je kan het niet anders wij gaan voor nr 1 grtjes uuit belgie
ENGELBERT NOBODY IS BETTER!! HE IS JUST A FINE GENTLEMAN AND SUCH A TALENTED PERFORMER!!~ I JUST LOVE THE GUY!!!
Enge, The Eagle is soaring above all. Way to go Humpy
This is the year of Spain, the songs of the Big 5 is very commercials! Go Pastora.
It’s just great to see all of them submitting such strong entries.
Nina Zilli by far!
Anggun, Anggun is the best 😀
Spain is really best ballad this year , Denmark please , that is boooooring , Italy also nothing special , is clear just Pastora , and she is soooo good in live, lovely
My vote is for Engelbert. I think the song is fantastic, and such a sad story it tells, yet there is hope ~ it relates to so many people, sometime in their lives, and of course ~ sung by Engelbert, with just a guitar, not too many singers would attempt that. When Engelbert steps on that stage, in Baku, as the very first contestant, he will have everyone in awe with the way he will present this song…….No one following stands a chance, no way!
Spain’s song is something we here almost every year in ESC , too boring -Spain in 16 place not in top 5 !!
I love UK ,Denmark ,and Italy song’s !Good-luck !! 🙂
Of course Anggun, yeah anggun, she is not only popular in europe but also in ASIA, she is really hard-working woman, we all asian apreciate her for all her achievement, Anggun is truely world diva… Strong voice, a good song, and performance
VAMOS ENGELBERT !!! EL HOMBRE QUE CANTA EL AMOR CON MUCHA SENSUALIDAD !!!
VOTING FOR E AND LOVE WILL SET YOU FREE!
VOTING for the ONE AND ONLY E AND HIS MAGNIFICENT SONG: LOVE WILL SET YOU FREE! Beautiful man, beautiful song! I predict him the WINNER!
Without doubt Spain , Pastora is pure magic
By the way, how long had it been since all Big 5 (or 4) entries had been this good?
UK and Spain are the weakest of them… and they’re still pretty good.
By all means Engelbert shall bring victory for UK!
Definately Anggun – she got everything – the voice, the beauty and a great video
Roman is hot and has an awesome voice, but the song doesn’t suit him.
Pastora is the best, a wonderful power ballade, and her voice is so pure and perfect
I would have said with confidence that Italy was easily the best of the big 5 but after they changed the lyrics and made most of it in English I don’t really care for it as much anymore. Spain is really good, Germany sounds professional (but nothing out of the ordinary), Humperdinck isn’t my cup of tea but I appreciate him, and France is decent.
SPAIN! Pastora’s voice is strong and his song is so beautiful…
Engelbert should win hands down. He is the most talented “gentleman” ever born.
SPAIN! Pastor’s voice is strong and his song is so beautiful…
Over all, Big 5 has great choices. But I think France’s Anggun is gonna stand out as one of the strong act in Baku.
Good luck to Big 5, bravo!
Roman is one of the best singers who ever took part in the esc. There is not much to discuss 😉
Anggun of course. The most complete package, beauty, good song, and obviously the hardest worker of esc 2012 contestants ;).
Germany, easy. The others aren’t *bad*, but Roman is just that good. Grows on me with each listen.
Germany for all the package, song, melody, voice. and the package.
Italy too but depends my mood.
Torn between Engelbert Hunperdinck and Nina Zilli *annoying*