Like the other 25 non-first place finishers of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, Germany is struggling to come to terms with not winning. Natalie Horler—the front woman of the dance act Cascada—brought the house down with a glittery, skin-tone dress and a clubby dance extravaganza that was more than a little reminiscent of last year’s thumping winner “Euphoria”. Pundits thought that “Glorious” would live up to its name. Instead, Germany received votes from only 5 countries—Austria, Israel, Spain, Albania and Switzerland—and finished in 21st place.
Now Germans want an explanation, and public figures are diving into economics, politics and even sport in their search for answers.
Peter Urban, Germany’s commentator at Eurovision, struggled to explain the poor results to the German audience: “It was a great performance and a good dance song … Maybe it’s decided based on different criteria than we think.”
Could it be politically motivated anti-German backlash for the harsh fiscal austerity measures imposed in the euro zone? Thomas Schreiber, the TV coordinator of the main German broadcaster ARD, seemed to think so: “There’s obviously a political situation to keep in mind – I don’t want to say ‘this was 18 points for Angela Merkel’, but we all have to be aware that it wasn’t just Cascada up there on stage (being judged) but all of Germany.”
He failed to mention that Spain and Austria, both euro zone members, gave points to Germany.
In an interview on ZDF, Urban suggested that Cascada’s fumble may come down to jealousy related to Germany’s success on the football pitch. “There will be two German soccer teams in the Champions League final next week ,” he said, “and maybe people didn’t want Germany to win Eurovision too.” He may have been joking, but with humour there’s always a little bit of truth.
Hmm. It’s doubtful that there’s a great deal of overlap between Eurovision voters and Champions League viewers. (We can’t imagine someone downloading the karaoke version of “Satellite” and then guzzling beer with Bayern Munich fans in a parking lot.)
Natalie Horler tried to remain positive in a post-show interview: “The arena had fun, we had fun – you can’t explain it.”
Maybe Eurovision voters just thought one “Euphoria” was enough.
What did you think about Cascada’s performance and placement? What went wrong?
i thinkthat the situation with germany and sweden is that simply the public forgot them.
I think there should be a true winner. I personally think everyone’s vote should count as 1. You can vote as many times as you want. But I don’t think the jury’s of other countries should be voting for their people. I know a lot of people were shocked that Cascada was not in the Top 10. And so what if Nat was ahead of the music. She’s human, too. Accept it. Like Hannah Montana said, “Nobody’s Perfect” and “Everybody makes mistakes”. Nat actually messed up at the final in Germany when they were choosing the song that represents Germany.… Read more »
I think Cascada’s performance went really well! I loved it! I actually thought that they were going to win. The crowd went insane with their performance. Only Teardrops sounded like I Surrender by K-Otic. If anything, Denmark should have been disqualified. Listen to it, you’ll see what I mean. People say Cascada’s song was a copy of Euphoria, but there were only similarities. Denmark’s was a total copy! They shouldn’t have one.
ok the song was good but did no one notice that the rythem sounded like swedish house mafia’s song?
I think the song was great and could have done very well, however on the final night it was a complete car crash. You only have to look at the playback, the backing singers were out of tune and so was Natalie some of the time – nothing went well and it never comes across well on TV when a performer shouts ‘come on’ or ‘here we go’ etc. It was one of worse performances of the evening on TV. I suspect she would have been mortified watching it back. But there is always a risk with live performances! It… Read more »
she was amazing, the song was upbeat brought down the arena and it was the biggest song and made a difference after the string of boring ballads and generic midtempos. I do not get why Germany failed, Cascada have a big fanbase in UK but they received nul! Even Nordic countries ignored the song and Suisse gave only 1 point wtf.. Probably juries ignored Glorious in voting… and Natalie wasn’t out of tune, she missed one note but almost all of the ESC acts are singing out of tune.
@Eurovision Mafia. IF this contest was rigged, it wasn’t for Denmark, and certainly not for Emmelies album. That was released before the contest, not as you state, at the end of this month.
And why would we rigg it? We had in the bag anyway!
I believe it’s a consequence of the new format that Germany used this year, not that the format itself was bad, but they need to work out a few kinks. The format allowed international Eurofans way to much control of the national final, and as a result, Cascada won on fame and a decent, but not spectacular, song. Many better songs were overlooked (Blitzkids mvt., which had my all-time favorite song of this year; Betty Dittrich; Lieblingslied; etc.), and as Eurovision has shown again and again, fame is not enough to carry an act to a good place.
@Wiwi Bloggs
I hearby allow you to use the phrase “I was hoping for the tATu affect and not the Jemini one” wherever you see fit to use it.
I am happy I made you laugh.
@ HANK JAN I AGREE WITH YOU THAT DIASPORA VOTING IS GOTTEN RID OFF. BUT LISTEN YOU ARE BLIND FOR NOT SEEING THAT AZERBAIJAN CONTROLS THE VOTES AND CORRUPTS THE JURY THEY HAVE CONTROLLED THE SYSTEM FOR 6 YEARS. THAT IS WHY DIASPORA VOTING AS GOTREN RID OFF. LISTEN STILL EVEN IF THERE IS DIASPORA VOTING THE BEST SONG WILL WIN BECAUSE DIASPORA VOTING KINDA EQUALIZES AND GIVES EACH COUNTRY SOME POITS AND THAT IS A GOOD THING … BUT STILL THE BEST SONG WILL ALWAYS WIN… IF FRANCE, UK, SWEDEN HAS A GOOD SONG A COUNTRY WILL VOTE FOR… Read more »
I am NOT going to sign the petition, because this new voting system is perfect! It does something about diaspora voting. Expert votes don’t always match what televoters want. That’s the whole thing: viewers and listeners are not experts. So, this is the perfect mix! 50/50. Perfect.
I don’t like these conspiracy theories. Last year Loreen won with a songs that actually sounded quite the same. Now we didn’t vote on it. Juries maybe neither, because it wasn’t something different.
I didn’t vote on Germany either. I voted my ass off for Farid Mammadov from Azerbaijan, for Roberto Bellarosa (Belgium), Krista Siegfrids from Finland (LOVE HER NEW ALBUM <3) and Margaret Berger from Norway. I so agree with the outcome of the night!
@ Eurovision Maffia: (Votes from Italy, Azerbaijan and Montenegro were either drastically changed or altered as confirmed by their delegations. Montenegro even sent an official protest to Eurovision officials but still got no reply because the jury awarded Ukraine 12 points in final but got one big, fat zero even though it was awarded with 12 points in the semis) Couldn’t it be that Ukraine just got a really low televote in the final? I’ve heard that the televotes from all over Europe are processed and counted by a German company. Does anyone know how that works? Do calls and… Read more »
Very simple, she sang out of tune.
And to those who are saying that Natalie wasn’t in time with the song – PALEASE! If you listen to the song on the album, she’s ahead of the beat. If you listen to the song that was performed at ECHO and Unser Song For Malmo, she’s ahead of the beat. I mean even I sang before and after the beat to the karaoke version – just to see if she wasn’t in time. And guess what? Those who are claiming that Natalie isn’t in time with the music is wrong. The only thing that was proven was that I… Read more »
Germany deserved to have been in the top 10. It was a flawless performance, despite a few scratchy notes. It definitely was the most energetic performance of the night. I mean just listen to that crowd! Cascada received the most support in the arena than anyone else that night. Everyone I know was in shock – the votes were off. No one expected her to win, but we expected her to be in the top 10. And doesn’t anyone find it odd that the accusations against Cascada happen right after they won the national final? I mean “Glorious” was released… Read more »
I ASKED ANGLA AND THE ANSER IS AZERBAIJAN GOT MAD AT HER LAST YEAR THAT IS WHY THEY PREVENTED GERMANY FROM BEING IN THE TOP …. CAUSE THEY CONTROL THE VOTING
Cascada not a big name? That’s pretty ridiculous. Natalie’s the only performer who’s been in the contest in recent years who is still capable of charting in the United States.
@Tiggeh: Essentially correct. Natalie was ahead of the beat for the first minute, but that only added to their problems. I must admit, this was a good song. Unfortunately, like “Everytime We Touch”, in the eyes of millions, they had to answer for several elements in the chorus parts of this song (Loreen, Swedish House Mafia), and the people were not going to give them a break so easily, because their career was built on a river of remakes, Corona (“The Rhythm Of The Night”) being one of their latest victims.
@William Lee Adams: The charm that is being felt in the hall not always translates to charm felt by TV viewers. I am a bit….sceptical of watching Eurovision from the hall. Actually, so far I have refused to go with my colleagues to Eurovision. Because Eurovision is foremost a TV event, that can be watched much better from the sofa, with a good glass of Catalan wine and Dutch Old Amsterdam cheese :-). And being in the hall, also kind of cloud my predictions. San Marino and Germany have been huge fan favourites from day one. But let’s face it:… Read more »
Why are people always looking for answers. I mean, I am Dutch. I have seen The Netherlands ending outside the TOP 10 for 14 consecutive years. And we were not in the final in the past 9 years. You can’t always end up in the TOP 5 or TOP 5. In a contest there are huge winners and huge losers. Finally Netherlands came in 9th this year. But sjee, dear neighbours from Germany…….you have won the contest in 2010, you came in 10th in 2011 and another 8th place in 2012. Be happy with such a legacy. Just choose better… Read more »
Common sense will take you far. Cascada, by no means is a big name. They are known for their cheap euro-sound that gives them minor hits every now and then. Glorious, also known as Euphoria 2 was a really bad song, and her stage presence gave me chills. She looked constipated and uncomfortable. That’s why.
Germany wanted to play fair, thats what happened. Germans didnt pay juries, televoters, EBU members… Etc etc.
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/european-broadcasting-union-release-full-split-results-now-for-all-countries-in-eurovision-2013?utm_campaign=twitter_link_action_box&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=share_petition
Sign a petition! We want split of jury and televoting.
She was fine in the arena, she was fine on the TV. But she was going after two would-be top-10 entries in Malta and Russia, and on top of that, I think the jury really killed her (just like Italy’s jury killed the 12 points that the televoters gave Romania). As another note, Tooji had a similar draw last year (12th rather than Cascada’s 11th) and we all know how well he did.
I loved her. However, I loved a lot of the other acts too. One big problem with this year is that I think most people had 12 acts they would be happy to see in 1st place. And another 6 in 2nd.
That means some really good acts got lousy scores. Not because they weren’t good, but because this year so many of the acts were incredible.
The Finnish commentators strongly pointed out that some people had claimed Cascada’s song was too similar to Euphoria (which is not true – jus ask Thomas G:son who wrote Euphoria). I think emphasizing those lies could have affected the voters in Finland resulting in us giving no points to Germany. I myself voted for Cascada and was very surprised to see that no points went to Germany fron Finland. But if commentators in other countries had also pointed out those false claims then that might have scared people and resulted in less votes for Germany. I think it’s very unprofessional… Read more »
I have an answer for you! Ask Merkel…
It’s easy to explain: the singer was out of tune and the dress was not classy, and some parts of the song reminded last years winnner. Traditionally, voters do not respond well to those things, that’s the way it has always been in Eurovision. Only if the performer would have been younger looking, she could possible have gotten away with a bad song voice, but that was not the case here. There is no point in accusing the competition of being rigged or manipulated just becase a song you like did not do well. Only one song can end up… Read more »
Sorry folks. I never liked the song. I think that it starts well, the backings are good but the chorus which is supposed to be the payoff really screeches to a halt. I was always puzzled by why people were so in love with this song. Throughout, my tastes have been diametrically opposite of the dominant views on this page. But at least this year the voters were with me. I loved this year’s Eurovision btw. I think it was one of the best since 2000.
She couldn’t hit notes or the timing during rehearsals either, which is so strange because she’s a real pro. Some countries would tear their act to shreds afterwards if they sent someone who screamed out of key and whose stage show consisted solely of walking down a flight of stairs. With Germany, it’s “why don’t they like us?” Haha. It’s a good song, though. The David May remix is quite incredible.
Germany should send an act called Eurovision Mafia next year. Vote vote vote vote vote for the winners!
Obviously …. but the thing is Azerbaijan got bad at Germany last year “…Europe is watching you Baku” lol so Azerbaijan who controls the votes… ha ha ha did this to Germany do doubts and all the other reasons said in the article
Who knows – but there is always a question of why a song – or songs didnt do welll. Wait to see the jury votes and tele votes posted. Did everybody think Cascada and the likes would get lots of votes – so it wouldnt hurt if they voted for another song – to give it a little boost – could happen. But – dont worry – we will be discussing similar things after next years comp too – some things dont change. I was surprised Cascada finished so low – I had them in my top 10. But –… Read more »
Almost every country this year seams to be upset about the results…everybody think their country must have done better!
I must say as I saw it on tv, Cascada was not great, she was singing offtune I heart it to you guys!
This years eurovision seems to be a BIG nightmare if you ask me…-:))
Will Wiwibloggs cover Montenegro issue because I feel it’s the best evidence so far the votes were altered? Their jury publicly announced they gave Ukraine 12 points in the Semi-Final and Final. Ukraine got 12 points in the semis but ZERO points in the final. Montenegro delegation asked Eurovision officials for answers and televoting results but got none so far. The article can be read here:
http://www.portalanalitika.me/drustvo/tema/101752-eurosong-sporno-sabiranje-pobuuje-sumnje-nepoznata-struktura-glasova-publike-iz-crne-gore.html/
Same can be said for the UK and all the other bad losers out there: You want to do better? Stop whining and start sending better songs!
@eurovision mafia. thank you for clarifying. the ebu seriously needs to address these issues. it’s unfair to cascada. it’s unfair to europe. #lame.
Why does everyone compare Euphoria with this song and with the Danish ones? They aren’t really alike…
@Kiki: Votes from Italy, Azerbaijan and Montenegro were either drastically changed or altered as confirmed by their delegations. Montenegro even sent an official protest to Eurovision officials but still got no reply because the jury awarded Ukraine 12 points in final but got one big, fat zero even though it was awarded with 12 points in the semis. To make it short, you take few votes here, few votes there, make sure votes don’t get wasted on Sweden, Finland and Germany (which were all popular and even contenders at some point) and you got yourself a win and promotion for… Read more »
“He failed to mention that Spain and Austria, both euro zone members, gave points to Germany.” True, but I believe this points may come from German tourists voting for their home entry. The Spanish isle of Mallorca is often labelled as “Germanys 17th federal state”… But it’s true what Tiggeh said: Natalie sung ahead of the music at the beginning. Also the stair didn’t look particularly glorious. And her strutting over the catwalk was a little bit reminiscent of that German conductor back in 1975 (another perfect example of a fine entry finishing poor). Still, I feel her result was… Read more »
Cascada clearly deserved at least a top 10 finish. Their preparations for Malmö, shortly after winning Unser Song für Malmö, clearly didn’t get off to the best of starts and I think all those plagiarism claims with Loreen’s “Euphoria” may well have a knock-on effect on Germany.
wait, i’m sorry? how was this rigged for the scandinavian countries?
*Germany instead of Denmark
It has nothing to do with not being able to translate… The vote was rigged. Denmark, Finland and Sweden got low points and the expense of Denmark.
@Tiggeh
You hear dthat singing ahead too? Thank God I thought I was the only one! I couldn’t believe my ears taht this could happen to such an experienced and established artist like her!
I was so out of it when it happened, that I did not pay attention to the rest of the song anymore..
At the beginning Natalie was singing ahead of the music and the arrangement wasn’t as good as on the official Eurovision CD.
I loved Germany to bits this year, but Natalie kinda blew it…I was hoping for the tATu affect and not the Jemini one.