Irrelevant to some, indispensable to others, the tiny principality of Andorra left Eurovision in 2009 following six straight appearances. The tiny landlocked country in the Pyrenées never qualified for the final, but they came close in Helsinki when Anonymous asked y’all to save the world. And how can we forget the likes of Gisela, in all her feathered glory, and Susanne Georgi, who kindly encouraged us all to “Get a Life”?
Now, after six years of absence, we are dreaming of Andorra getting back on track and coming to the party in the future. Here are six proposals we think should give the broadcaster hope that if they return they can return with a bang. And, please, don’t be mean: These are not the only six singers in the country.
1. YSQS
Take Tom Dice, dye his hair black, add some sugar to that voice and you get YSQS. A young singer-songwriter, Carles Martínez Illescas (that’s his real name), has the look, the guitar and a sufficiently interesting voice to take Andorra to the final. He might seem amateurish, but is that always a problem at Eurovision?
2. NICK GAIN
There’s life after Anonymous, and Nick Gain proves it. Andorra’s favourite blond singer has gone electronic and changed his name. The result is a much more international vibe. He’s kept his thoughtful lyrics and now he needs something to detach him from his computer (just listen to the song, y’all). Trust me Nick: if you do Eurovision again, you won’t have time for Twitter and Facebook for a while!
3. LANDRY RIBA
OK, Landry is not a singer, but there aren’t there thousands of vocalists out there? Landry’s music is very Andorra. It invites you to stay at home with a cup of coffee, next to the fireplace watching snow fall (I’m writing this at the end of July in Valencia, Spain, where it is 30ºC AT NIGHT, so I could use some of that). Cozy, laidback, warm, and overall beautiful, one of Landry’s compositions would be amazing for an Andorran comeback! Plus you could put pretty vistas of nature on the LED screens!
4. LLUÍS CARTES
Lluís Cartes was almost Andorra’s last representative at Eurovision: He finished second to Susanne Georgi in Andorra’s 2009 national final. Since then, Lluís has been a bit silent, although his song ‘El Teu Tresor’ featured in The Red Band Society’s original series (Polseres Vermelles). Lluís mixes rock with pop to get a sound between road trip and garage band dressed with a bit of melancholy. He understands maturity, y’all!
5. PERSEFONE
Perhaps Andorra’s most famous band, Persefone has taken their progressive metal international. They’ve played France, Italy, Japan, China and Taiwan, and they have earned major popularity amongst fans of the genre. Is progressive metal suitable for Andorra? Why not? That’s how you make an impression y’aaaaaaaaghghhghghghhghgg(metal gutural sounds)jghghfhfhfhll!
6. MADRETOMASA
Andorra’s road network may not be very extensive, but Madretomasa provides the perfect soundtrack for every bend and curve. A U.S.-inspired garage band, they’re a true one-off in Andorra. Their sound would represent a new type of entry for Andorra, and it just might work!
BONUS! ANDORRA
Yes, there’s a band called Andorra, and no, they don’t appear to have anything to do with the principality. They come from Philadelphia and I doubt they speak a word of Catalan, but what better than Andorra representing Andorra at Eurovision? Or wait, much better, Andorra wins with one of the previous singers and then Andorra represents Andorra in Andorra-La Vella! Has your head Andorrexploded yet?
These are our suggestions for Andorra. It’s garage, it’s rock and it’s self made, but hey, it’s all authentic!
Do you know any other Andorran singers? Would you like to see Andorra back at Eurovision? Tell us below!
@Sparrow: Luxembourg is one of the richest countries in the world; their GDP per capita is the highest in the world well ahead of the likes of Norway, Qatar and Switzerland. They don’t need sponsoring, they just don’t want to participate because they know they would never get their former glory back. They would probably be humiliated every year like France and the UK, except that they would remain stuck in the semis.
I like almost all song from Andorra at Eurovision.
My TOP 3 are 2008,2005,2006
2006 they ruined their chance with garderobe of back dancers and singer.
If we had juries in that years, I think Andorra would be quilfied for final in 2007 and maybe 2005.
Instead of wasting money on four irrelevant hosts, why can’t bigger countries sponsor smaller countries like Luxembourg or Monaco or Andorra. That to me would be the spirit of Eurovision.
And I love Get a Life. Bring Andorra back.
Well, Czech Republic initially said they won’t come back. But they surprised everyone by coming back.
So anything can happen.
ANDORRA ? I would love if Andorra along with Luxembourg and Monaco would return ??
@Alex
Why do you want San Marino out?
Unfortunately Andorra will not return. And it’s official. 🙁
Bring back Andorra and kick San Marino out.