Reports emerging this evening suggest that only 47 songs were submitted to Moldova‘s national selection for Eurovision 2016.
Ukraine’s Eduard Romanyuta controversially won the 2015 edition of O Melodie Pentru Europa with “I Want Your Love”. He failed to bring Moldova to the grand final in Vienna, and now it seems his legacy continues. Submissions are down from the 68 received last year. However, TRM has announced that they need to verify some e-mail entries, so the final number is subject to change. Meanwhile, let’s take a look at some of the stand-out names from the entry list.
Sasha Bognibov
Perennial trier Sasha Bognibov has entered two songs — “Alone” and “Insane”. Yeah, we know, the jokes write themselves, but the latter is worth a listen. It sounds better than the emo/shoegazing “Alone”. However, with lyrics such as “We will fight against corruption”, which we misheard as “We will fight against the Russians”, Sasha’s second bid will probably be disqualified for breaching EBU rules which state that “no lyrics, speeches, gestures of a political or similar nature shall be permitted during the ESC.” Too bad. But 12 points from us for his “quixotic valiance”!
Felicia Dunaf
She’s tried twice before to represent Moldova at Eurovision. Could it be third time lucky for Felicia Dunaf? It’s certainly her best effort so far. “You And Me” has all the ingredients to be a winner, in Chisinau at least. The only question mark? “You And Me” feels like the twin sister of Naughty Boy’s “Runnin’ (Lose It All)” — or is it just us?
Sandy C
As we predicted, Sandy C entered the Theory-produced “Weak For Love”. However, a recent performance on Moldovan TV was (ahem) weak. Hopefully Sandy polishes it up before the live auditions on 19 December – that is if she makes it through the jury cut on 10 December.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUyEodD_WzY
Rafaella
Newcomer Rafaella’s entry resembles a Christmas carol (does she know that Eurovision is broadcast in May?). Saying that, her vocals on “Hours Lost” are reminiscent of ABBA’s Agnetha Fältskog. They have a crystal clear quality which, if reproduced at the live auditions, could be enough to propel her to the semi-finals.
Andrei Ionita
Andrei Ionita was a sensation on The X Factor Romania, receiving rapturous applause from both the audience and judges for his performance of the patriotic “Canta cucu”. He is trying to recreate the same success with “Lie”, but the fact that the song is an adaptation of existing folklore and not an original creation should see him disqualified. Not to mention the rap parts, which are virtually unbearable if you don’t speak Romanian.
Doinita Gherman
Doinita Gherman, always a finalist, but never a winner, returns with “Irresistible”. The dynamic number mixes a modern pop sound with traditional elements and is a shoe-in for February’s final.
Lidia Isac
Fellow 2015 finalist Lidia Isac is back with “Falling Stars”, a powerful song written by the team behind Polina Gagarina’s “A Million Voices”. The Swedish-Russian production aims to steal the show and is also a certain qualifier for the final.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2UwQN92APk
Katherine and Litesound
This year, foreign artists are not allowed to compete by themselves. However, duets with foreign artists are permitted. Eurovision 2012 stars LiteSound from Belarus have teamed up with Katherine (Ecaterina Cojocaru). Their ballad for peace, entitled “Imagine”, isn’t a bad effort and we can see it advancing beyond the O Melodie semis.
Valeria Pasa
And last but not least, the 2015 runner-up Valeria Pasa. “Save Love” is a very strong ballad and, we suspect, the most likely to win outright. Channelling a younger Polina Gagarina, Valeria seems set to make amends for last February’s defeat to Eduard Romanyuta.
Other known names include Natalia Barbu (who represented Moldova at Eurovision in 2007), Pasha Parfeny’s pet project DoReDos, tenor Vitalie Todirascu, Rodica Aculova (finalist in Romania last year), and Valentin Uzun. The list of candidates is available on the TRM website.
Before the live auditions on 19 December, an expert jury will internally select the songs that will qualify for that stage. Only 24 will advance to the semi-finals.
I personally think Valerias song is the best, i don’t know why there are so many dislikes on her song 😛
che md with “voda e cu noi” is my favourite <3
I really don’t see how Sasha’s lyric sounds like “Russians” particularly when the misheard word is actually part of the title of the song. You can hear the “p” in corruption and your ears are led to hear that knowing that word would be in the song before listening. It is not the same at all as “We Don’t Wanna Put In”. The very title of that song appeared to be a reference to Putin (the lyric makes no grammatical sense on it’s own) so even without hearing the song at all, it looked like a political reference. In addition,… Read more »
I think Lidia or Dointia should win O Melodie Pentru Europa. I think they can manage to send Moldova to the finals next year.
The entries this year are much better than the previous xD in Moldova hahahahaha. Idc who wins atleast change the winning song a bit ;p
Not a strong bunch 😛 Is the political situation in Moldova maybe a reason for the reduction? The not very very bad ones: Valeria Pasa – Save Love. This isn’t very good, but it’s by far the best. Felicia Dunaf- You and Me… is it just me or is there a lot of autotune in this? Perfectly acceptable if she can actually sing it though. Lidia Isac – Falling Stars. Well it’s definitely no “A Million Voices” but it wouldn’t embarrass Moldova on the stage as much as some of the rest. Sasha Bogniboc – Insane. I actually don’t mind… Read more »
I think it’s time for DOINITA!!!
Bogdan Honciuc I think if Georgia send song “We Don’t Wanna Put In” in period after 2012 from 2013.., EBU wouldn tdisqualified song and reference group and host broadcaster produce wili be gave them spot to sing last in semifinal , or from 20 to 26 in final. In 2003 EBU forbiden T.A.T.U to maybe kiss at stage , at eurovision tv you can read Russia appointed the world famous duo t.A.T.u. to represent them in Riga. The two girls, still pretending to be lesbian, announced to kiss on stage, but didn’t after the EBU threatened to disqualify them, 10… Read more »
Good luck guy to them 47 isn’t bad compare there population with Frances who had 280.
I actually really like Lidia and Doinita’s songs. I’m hoping they both sing well live so one of them can win! I think either of these songs would help Moldova get back to the final!
“You and Me” can compete on the ESC stage, if you ask me, as was in the case with “Heroes” of Sweden. If EBU doesn’t allow (if that songs wins in Moldova), that we’re going to have a clear view how EBU works. Now, for the others – these are OKish bunch of songs that are even better than some of the National Finals in other countries. Sandy C & Lidia also have interesting songs. But, lets be honest – it will win the song/singers that will offer the highest sum of money in order to win. So, whoever have… Read more »
Yeah Sasha, thanks for your clarifications and I am sorry that I misheard “We will fight against corruption” as “We will fight against the Russians”. However, the same way my team and I misheard that lyric, a lot of people will mishear it as well. It’s the same case of Georgia in 2009, whose song “We Don’t Wanna Put In” was disqualified for very obvious reasons.
Nonetheless, I wish you good luck. “Insane” is, in my opinion, as I already said, a good song.
@CookyMonzta – the deadline expired at 16:00 CET today. I wrote this in the article but the editor deleted this info, thinking everyone knows by now I guess.
I’m gonna need Sandy to work on those vocals, or hire 3 back up vocalists to hide her messy vocals coz her song is really good and has to be picked.
The apparent winner of the Eurovision 2016 Earlybird Contest, Sasha, who on Sept. 9 posted perhaps the first song (“Alone”) intended for the ESC; and all they have in Moldova now is 46? When is the deadline for song submission there? If there is still time, more songs might come flooding in at the very last week. If the deadline came and went, this might make it easier for the public and judges to choose the finalists.
Sasha Bognibov – Insane (Against Corruption) Don’t you ever sell yourself, my God, Even if money takes control! And when the lie is against the truth, We don’t give up our dreams believing in a chance. We are insane, We are, we are insane. We rock the world, We rock, we rock the world. We are for peace, We are, we are for peace. We are for justice, We are, we are for justice. We don’t hesitate to make a change, And a great weapon is our voice. If you give up, your children will be next; Don’t let this… Read more »
Sasha, I don’t think anyone is that interested. 🙂 I can’t wait to see what plagiarised tracks you come up with for next year’s selections after this year’s tracks get shockingly turned down.
Stiu ca esti vorbitor de romana. Iti traduc. Sasha Bognibov – Insane (Against Corruption) Aceasta piesa e impotriva corup?iei si venalit??ii, pentru apararea depturilor omului si dreptate. Sa nu te vinzi niciodata, Doamne fereste, Chiar daca banii sunt la putere! Si atunci cand minciuna e impotriva adevarului, Noi nu renuntam la visele noastre, crezand intr-o sansa. Suntem “nebuni”, si vom clatina lumea, Suntem pentru pace, suntem pentru dreptate. Noi nu ezitam sa facem o schimbare; Vocea noastra e o putere enorma. Daca renuntati, copii vostri vor fi urmatorii care vor renunta; Nu permiteti acest lucru! Suntem “nebuni”, si vom lupta… Read more »
lidia isac’s song is just alright
and that’s the best one out of those listed, which is unfortunate for Moldova
also @Sasha your message is still technically political a la 2011’s ‘a luta é alegria’ which nearly was banned from the contest sooooo idk what they’re going to do with yours
There aren’t words like “we will fight against Russians” in my song. I sing “We will fight against corruption”. Don’t misinform!
There aren’t words like “we will fight against Russian” in my song. I sing “We will fight against corruption”. Don’t misinform!
I think it would be better for moldova to go with an internal selection, that way they can focus on getting one great song and artist.
PP, you’re right- Hora Din Moldova is a TUNE!
Heikki
I dont agree . Moldova sent good song in 2005,2007,2009,2011,2012,2013
For me TOP 3 songs from Moldova are
1. 2009
2. 2013
3. 2012
Today I was cycling and I was thinking about how much songs Moldova had received. For some reason I thought 46, so it is actually pretty close to what I expected.
I do think a place in the final could boost the entrees for Moldova next year.
What’s happening in Moldova? The last good song they sent was in 2013, since then they’ve tried so hard to reach the last place… Come on Moldova, I believe in you
For some weeks ago, there were only 5 songs submitted, so comparing to now, there are many
It doesn’t matter… Moldova always send bad songs…