It’s been a good 24 hours or so for Laura Tesoro. Not only did she win Eurosong, but her song “What’s the Pressure” has shot straight to number one on the Belgian iTunes chart. Listening to the song in this version has got us wondering, though: does the studio recording show up issues with Laura’s live version? Not only that, but a third version Laura recorded prior to winning Eurosong presents the song in an entirely different light. Does the Belgian delegation need to make a decision about how to present the song in Stockholm?
Laura didn’t seem to be too concerned about such decisions though the morning after her win though, talking about her victory on radio MNM. Laura revealed that she’d only got three hours sleep and that her victory was only just beginning to sink in. Laura confirmed that there’d be a “bigger” stage performance in Stockholm than we saw in the national final.
She also talked about wearing a jacket in the colours of the Belgian flag to “make the audience remember” her. We have to say that, Laura honey, that sounds Dex-worthy already! Laura also talked up Ireland’s “Sunlight”, but what about her own song? Laura did not mention any real changes to be made there, but with the following choices on offer, Belgium could do something entirely different.
“What’s the Pressure”: National final version
Our team weren’t exactly loving Laura’s performance at Eurosong, as you can see in our reaction video. Still, Laura has been holding her own in our favourite act poll so far. The staging certainly gives life to the performance, but is that the most important part?
“What’s the Pressure”: Studio version
https://youtu.be/ROMgnx7OxXg
With the studio version of the song now available, it certainly highlights where Laura has some problems in the live version. Laura’s a little bit more comprehensible here and you can see it being a big hit in the Euroclub. Should Belgium rethink the staging a little bit to give Laura a better chance in Stockholm?
“What’s the Pressure”: Piano version
Of course, there’s also a third recording of the song that sounds mighty different to the previous two as well. Prior to winning the national final, Laura had previously visited the MNM studios and performed a piano only version of the song. Ignore the fact that it seems she recorded it in an elevator – this one might just be our favourite of the bunch. Laura sounds her best here vocally, with the drawback being that the song loses some of the energy from the other versions.
Which version do you like the most? Should Belgium make changes to “What’s the Pressure”? Let us know in our poll and in the comments section.
Vote: Which version of “What’s the Pressure” do you prefer?
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Photo courtesy of MNM.be
I don’t like the song and I think I never will. But to be honest, Albania and Ireland are even worse.
staging was absolutly perfect on sunday’s final. this can be a dark horse or fail miserably but i think her charm and the lovely staging and backing singers will be amazing on eurovision
The reason people are being unusually critical is because this is only the 3rd country to decide, and a lot of folks supported Tom. The criticism is reasonable, but the emphatic nature of the criticism is a bit much. What else is new from the ESC fan world, though?
Regarding the betting odds, I have to agree with Callum. I don’t see how the generic song from Ireland or the entry from Albania (as much as I think it has potential) could excite either the judges or the audience more than this one.
The NF version
“I don’t know why everyone is being so cynical.”
Because if you’re “not the best vocalist”, you can’t win this contest!
“Im so confused how this has hit last place at all betting agencies, even though 41 songs haven’t been properly confirmed, how on Earth does anyone think this will be the worst entry?”
It doesn’t mean that it will be the worst entry overall. It just means it doesn’t have a snowball’s chance of beating Ireland and Albania. In other words, they think it’s the worst CONFIRMED entry.
Im so confused how this has hit last place at all betting agencies, even though 41 songs haven’t been properly confirmed, how on Earth does anyone think this will be the worst entry?
I don’t know why everyone is being so cynical.
Sure, I understand that Laura is not the best vocalist, but the song itself is a great tune…
@padraig
She sang an even worse version on Flemish tv last night. For your torture:
http://www.een.be/programmas/van-gils-gasten/laura-tesero-whats-the-pressure
I prefer the Andy Abraham version which was released in 2008, then called Even If.
Her voice is just WAY too mousy to sing this kind of music.
The studio mix is deliberately adding distortion to her voice track, to try and make her sound more soulful. It’s an old trick, and it usually works. It didn’t here.
The only way she’s going to make it to the final is if they have one of her “backing vocalists” do the actual singing while she lip syncs. Wouldn’t be the first time …
great song stay great in all of its version
and whats the pressure is a great song
None of them.
“Raspy” is just a euphemism for a weak voice. It’s painful.
Padraig’s comment XD! I like this song.. but it is nothing compared to Belgium last year with Loic! This will probably still make the final!
The only thing that makes this entry even a tiny bit enjoyable is the performance. It’s Laura’s smile and charming attitude. The other versions fall flat immediately without it. This proves 2 things. 1) Laura is an amazing performance and 2) this song just isn’t very good. That’s why I voted for the national final version.
Let’s hope she at least sings better in the semi-final without having to lose any dance or performance during her act
The term “you can’t polish a turd” comes to mind.
It’s a nothing song, always going to be painful to listen too.
I am worried of Laura’s raspy voice in the national finals version. But I want her to keep the dance moves. It may not look cool and memorable as Loic’s dance moves last year but she is oozing with funkiness from it.
The piano version is a never ending torture. Just no!
The song itself it’s not amazing, she has a limited voice that you can hear on her performance, but Eurovision it’s not the “Voice” so I prefere that she brings to Stockholm her “Show” to sell it to Europe. She has now months to prepare herself to bring a great performance but I have doubts about Belgium’s options to pass to the final…
A jacket with the flag from Belgium? That doesn’t sound Barbara Dex, that sounds fricking awesome!