The Wiwi Jury—our in-house panel of music unprofessionals—has spent the past several days listening to the finalists for Die Grosse Entscheidungsshow, Switzerland’s national selection for Eurovision 2014. Earlier today we gathered to review Yasmina Hunzinger‘s song “I Still Believe”. Did she make us a believer? Or did we lose all faith in Swiss music? Read on to find out….
Angus: Yasmina’s song is unbelievably dated. “I think the world could be together as one,” she croons, but I’m entirely unconvinced. I think you’re just saying the message cause you think it’s cute and will make people vote for you. Well I hope Switzerland don’t send this because it’s rubbish. Abominable, actually. I may come from the UK, and we’ve sent some terrible stuff, but at least we make no pretence at sending cute songs about sugar, spice and everything nice. Dismal.
Score: 1/10
Bogdan: I’m afraid that Yasmina Hunzinger, Switzerland’s Dina Garipova, is a lesser singer than “the Voice of Russia” winner, and her song is, like “What If”, very formulaic but less memorable. I struggle to find any qualities to a tune that was made following the most basic rules of songwriting and nothing else. Sadly for Yasmina, we don’t believe in her effort.
Score: 2/10
Padraig: There are many ways to win Eurovision. Ripping off Russia’s What If and adding country stylings is not one of them. Yasmina has a fine pair of lungs but sadly there’s not much she can do with such a saccharine and do-goody song. I suspect even Ned Flanders may find the message overly cloying.
Score: 4/10
Anthony: Out of a rather unconvincing line-up this year, Yasmina gets my vote on this one. Yes, it may not win any contests in terms of originality, but let’s not go there without having to trigger another copycat claim. The melody is pleasant enough to listen to and it is a song which certainly suits Yasmina’s vocal abilities. It even has a key change thrown in for good measure towards the end, which is very reminiscent of Estonia’s entry last year.
Score: 7/10
Deban: Elocution aside, Yasmina Hurzinger delivers this simple ballad beautifully. Although comparisons with Malta’s Chiara are impossible to resist, Hunzinger is her own woman. Her voice carries the audience on a journey- a journey that requires unison through collaboration, faith and trust. It’s borderline ‘Miss World’ but not quite there. The moment of truth is when Hurzinger hits the bridge. She steadfastly holds on to the note, leaving other contestants in the dust.
Score: 8/10
Wiwi: Haaaay Dina! What if we all opened our arms? What if we came together as one? What if we aimed to stop the alarms? What if we took all of Switzerland’s cheese, every gooey sentiment we could think of, and shoved it into a boring ballad that distracts you from Yasmina’s amazing voice? Needs to go.
Score: 2/10
Wiwi Jury Verdict: 4/10
You can read all of our reviews and rankings for Die Grosse Entscheidungsshow by clicking here. You can also keep up with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following the team from wiwibloggs.com on Twitter @wiwibloggs and by liking our Facebook page.
Photo: Yasmina Hunzinger
yep, Dhani, the songs have matured so much, they’re on the verge of going moldy.
The only thing that appeals me to this song is Yasmina’s voice 😀
Wow. This song really is boring 🙁 Switzerland will be eliminated in the semi-finals this year no matter who they choose!
haha i love how everybody on wiwibloggs hate all the swiss songs. because they are very mature and adult-sounding and all songs not are performed by unmature 20-year old popchicks with another boring dance song. like that terrible gosia-song everybody loved. that was a really cheap piece of crap and it got what it deserved!! all switzerlands songs are great this year and you would know, if you have a good and mature taste in music! i love all the swiss songs but i think yasmina hunzinger or christian tschanz should win. i believe all the song could make the… Read more »