Chameleons change their colour and Ira Losco is poised to change her Eurovision 2016 song. TVM dropped the news this evening, writing that “Ira Losco, her manager and PBS are in intense activity to find the right song for the Eurovision Song Contest, which needs to be presented within three weeks.”
The response to “Chameleon” was decidedly mixed. When we asked our readers whether she should replace the song, they got very emotional, with many complaining that the song lacks a strong hook — or even an identifiable one. Many fans commented that Ira should sing the runner-up song “Golden” from Brooke instead (nothing is official, but one rumour suggests that Brooke’s team said no to an alleged request). In recent weeks, as new songs have been introduced, “Chameleon” has also slipped down the wiwibloggs Eurovision 2016 Tops videos.
In any event, TVM’s report makes it seem that Ira and her team are listening. They have reportedly prepared a new version of “Chameleon” and are considering nine other songs. From tomorrow an international panel of music professionals, along with local experts, will help Team Losco figure out the best way foward.
Are you pleased with the news? Do you think that a revamp can solve the shortcomings of “Chameleon”? Let us know in the comments box below!
@PP I understand, you seem to be suggesting that the EBU intervene and prevent Malta from changing the song? The thing is, the EBU has no say in the national finals for any country. A country can select a song in whatever method they like, as long as it is submitted by the March deadline. The national finals are completely seperated from Eurovision. Ukraine and Belarus changed the entire song AND artist a few years ago. It might not seem fair but the EBU doesn’t get involved as long as the final submitted song meets their rules for time limit/publishing… Read more »
The current Chameleon is doomed to fail. Malta needs to give it a serious revamp (including the lyric) or replace it.
Duh, of course singing Golden would be better than Chameleon. But I don’t blame Brooke’s team for refusing. They should have chosen Brooke winner in the first place. Besides, in my opinion it isn’t fair at all sending a singers who have already represented their country. You’ve all had your chance. Move over. It’s time for someone else to enjoy their chance.
Brooke’s golden was much better than Chameleon, so was the live performance. If Ira wasn’t already so well known then she wouldn’t have won. I’m happy Malta made this decision, its for the best. I don’t like the Maltese entry yet, but it is standing on my 4th place, because this year sucks xD for now.
James
I don t like to see , to country change the song, only because with chosen song they have not chance to win or go to final. What we have, if every country all 43 decide to change their song or singer or singer and song one day before EBU meeting in middle of march ..
I also want Ira to win ESC this year, so please find the perfect song
the competition was just to find the singer, with the right voice
Chameleon wasn’t really a good song
and people relax even if it’s a different song, it will still be written by Ira
fingers crossed for the perfect song, but she’ll have my votes anyway from the Netherlands, finally i can get my revenge for last year
Ira is a good songwriter, i liked 7th wonder, and she needs a song like that
As for an internal selection, Malta might have kicked around the idea of choosing Ira internally. It would not have surprised me if she rejected the idea, and wanted to earn it in open competition. But then again, who green-lighted the admission of 2 songs from her? Again, they should have considered accepting another song (from someone else) in this matter, to fill the roster of 20 contenders.
@Eugene: I almost forgot: Daniel Testa, who got 30 points from the jury, would have had to get less than 26.7% of the televote to lose to Jessika. And De Bee, who got 38 jury points, would have had to get less than 23.9% of the televote.
@Eugene: Given how lopsided the MESC scoring procedure weighed heavily in favor of the jury, the televote certainly was close to irrelevant. Consider how Jessika won the televote in 2014, but was tied for 12th (out of 14) in the jury vote (6 points), and wound up 8th (18 points). 4 of 5 in the jury decided for Firelight, who were 4th in the televote (7+56).
If the MF scoring procedure had been used, and Jessika had grabbed 35 percent of the televote (102 points), and Firelight grabbed less than 17.7% (<52), Jessika would have won with 108 points.
Are we going to listen to the 9 songs?
I don’t like her song “Chamelion” at all…I think it is very stupid with bad music … so it would be good if they change it 🙂
@Rita: In which case, once again, if they keep the song and tweak it, they must employ an entirely new stage presentation. For some people, standing alone on stage works, depending on the song, the visual effects and the dramatic effect; for others, not so much, especially if the dramatic effect isn’t there to do the song and the performance justice… …Which brings me back to Ben Rafter’s comment: “Wow, people these days. Everyone loved it but then on stage they hated it?! Wth?! Keep the song Ira, it’s just your vocals that need working on.” I didn’t hear that… Read more »
@EugeneESCUK: If the scoring procedure had been exactly like MF’s, and it were a 50-50 split, Ira still would have won with 174 points. From the jury, 290 points are available to all of the contenders (12+10+8+7+6+5+4+3+2+1, multiplied 5 times because there were 5 jurors), for which she got 58. On the televote side, 40 percent of the vote (and therefore 40% of 290) amounts to 116 points. The MF procedure would have given her 174; and assuming Brooke got 25% of the televote, she would have finished with 121.
I love Chameleon! I will be dissapointed if they change it! Ira Losco is my number one at the moment. Maybe revamping could be a better option!
@Eugene I totally agree, it’s so frustrating to have the televote mean so little. For Ira and Amber I guess it didn’t matter, but when they sent Firelight , that was not the televote winner (Jessika won the televote). Firelight was winning with juries from other countries. I don’t understand the logic in using international juries to provide such a massive influence, surely if the country wants to win themselves, they are not going to choose the best song for another country. Have maybe one international jury to help find a song people would like abroad, but not giving them… Read more »
@PP I’m not sure I understand, if Malta do change the song it will be within the time. As long as they decide before the cut off, any country can do whatever they like beforethat. It was in Malta’s rules that the song could be changed, so whether people like it or not, there’s no rule concerns.
@CookyMonsta Well they don’t have to test it on the Maltese now, they can internally select a different song that would do better at Eurovision, and the Maltese will have to put up with it I think that this may have been the plan all along, put in 2 songs (one ballad, one more upbeat) and see which gets the best feedback , not only on the night but in the press beforehand etc. Win the final with a song suitable for Malta (they are not used to having contemporary modern songs in their final but had they put something… Read more »
Yes it’s a slap in the face to the Maltese public who voted for it but let’s be honest, there’s nothing amazing about it.
Change could be great but it’s Malta and as previously mentioned it’s all about image which they try to be too polished and they loose the personality of the performer and the song. They go safe and clean too often and that will never win.
EBU must change the rule for Eurovision, to country only can change the song if song is published before time and break rule of EBU , or song is plagiat of other song.
I don’t really like the news…I have Chameleon as my number three now. It sounds good. If they want to change something, a revamp would be the way to go but you gotta be really really careful and actually make sure the revamp makes the song better (Nina’s Warrior) and not worse. Changing the song is even more risky unless it really is better (and it must be better since people have been listening to Chameleon all this time).
BTW What was the televote? I’m not hating on Malta being controlling but I’m curious what the ppls opinions were.
@James
That’s how they roll!
TVM always ALWAYS puts a lot of control over the song and performance. Look at Chiara on Eurovision and Chiara in real life. Chiara is a freakin’ badass white trash woman on real life but next to classy Susan Boyle on the Eurovision stage. Image is a lot to Maltese producers and Ira Losco will maintain that.
@James: Interesting you mention “Haunted By Love” sounding like “Running”. But again, if she were to send another song, she would have to test it with the opinions of the Maltese, and then have a stage performance fitting for the song, like András did in 2014… …But you have to wonder; would we be having this conversation, about changing the song or keeping it, if she had lost MESC? Quite probably not. Because she’s been here before, and many would like to see her do very well. Winning is going to be an immensely tall order for her, obviously because… Read more »
Robyn has a good point. A little bit ‘ol country, a little expensive pop.
Ira Losco = Maltese Taylor Swift? Nah. If Malta wanted that they’d send MAXINE with Young Love lovey luh love.
TVM (or her song writers) must’ve had other songs for her before the two she sent. Either they’ll remaster and use one of those or quickly whip up some brand spanking new ones.
I have faith in her team and TVM to beat or match Gianluca in 2013.
*Of course I meant Hungary 2014 not 2013.
@Robyn Totally agree , no one will know or care who Ira is, and we have seen many many examples of previous Eurovision success acts coming back and not doing well , because the current audience doesn’t care that they were in it before. Normally they come back with a lacklustre song and seem to think they will get through purely on their name. (Niamh, Dana International, Charlotte, Selma to name just a few). With a poor song, Ira could easily stay in the semi. For me, Chameleon is too cheesy lyrically (same old believe in yourself stuff) and unless… Read more »
If I were them, I’d go with the revamp. It worked for Nina Sublatti, when Thomas G:son was brought in to make an already-ferocious “Warrior” even more ferocious, and earned her perhaps another 10 places in the final standing (11th). Not only that, the ferocity of this song forced Amber’s producers to revamp her “Warrior”, and it backfired… …Which is to suggest that, if they submit a revamp of “Chameleon”, I hope they turned up the ferocity in places where it needs to be ferocious (without overdoing it), and have a more well-defined bridge to the climax. I would not… Read more »
This is just so typical of fans… All of you writing she should stick with Chameleon, then poor Ira ends up last in her semifinal in Stockholm and where are all who wrote on here? Gone with the wind…
@Xoão: Me too! If she chooses an even better song, and I really hope it’s a great one, Malta could really be a strong contender to win this year.
I love Chameleon but it does need a revamp to really pack that punch in the final minute or so, but unless one of these other songs is that much better I’d leave it as the revamped Chameleon.
I think that is a mistake. Chameleon was voted to Stockholm. it is a good song……. stupid
This is good news, Ira is an amazing singer and “Chameleon” is way below her standars.
@MMs: That’s great. Coincidentally, I like each song you mentioned as well. I guess we have some of the musical taste in common. 🙂
Maybe visual background was not great, but song is good. If they will change song for worse, I hope EBU will suspend Malta for ESC 2017.
I want Ira to win this ESC so bad. I truly hope she finds the right song to do so!
they better change it because as it stands their current song is bland af
@Colin: Yes, most of the songs you named are amazing 🙂 I love Quedate Conmigo, Crisalide, Molitva, Grande Amore, Rak Bishvilo, Na Inat, Lako Je Sve, Kuula, L’Essenziale, Dime etc. Yeah I have favorites in English as well as like you said it depends on the emotion it portrays but I think that songs in ‘foreign’ languages are better, sometimes, to display the emotion. Hey we agree a lot even on the English songs haha.
Wow, people these days. Everyone loved it but then on stage they hated it?! Wth?! Keep the song Ira, it’s just your vocals that need working on.
Chameleon it’s not a bad song. I like it, but it’s obviously not better than 7th wonder. So If she wants to do better than last time, she should replace it or make a new version of it.
I’m not a fan of “Chameleon” and a new song might actually be better, BUT why then hold a national selection on television? Changing the song would be unfair.
Aw I liked Chameleon and I listen to it daily. But I get why they are doing it.
IS SHE CRAZY ? NINE SONGS IS A JOKE
THEY LOSING MY RESPECT
@MMs: Thanks 🙂 Yes, Molitva is awesome. Some of my favorite ESC songs are non-English (Crisalide, Molitva, Algo Pequenito, Quedate Conmigo, Grande Amore, Eg A Lif, Noubliez Paz, Bistra Voda, ect.) Some of my favorites are in English as well (Never Forget, Sweet People, Undo, Running, Silent Storm, Monster Like Me, Calm After The Storm, Birds… ect.) So, it actually depends on the intensity of the song, the meaning and the performance and it can be achieved in many languages.
If Ira and her team couldn’t be bothered to find a suitable song In time for the national selection with suitable research then it shows a level of complacently and lack of respect in my opinion. The mere hint of approaching another artist to use here song (Golden) is kind of wrong. If viewers wanted Golden they should have voted. I’d love this girl not to make the final just for her stupidity. It’s kind of not really fair to replace a song after its chosen. OK, so Malta voted for its singer, then why present songs of all new… Read more »
My advice would be to use a revamp of Chameleon.
@Colin: Haha you’re right and you’re very lucky it sounds very beautiful as a language. I accept diversity, on all levels,and plus my most favorite songs in Eurovision actually are not sung in English. Molitva <3 Haha. Well I can understand that without knowing the meaning of a single word 😛
Excellent news. Ira Losco is one of my favourite European artists of all time, but “Chameleon” simply isn’t a good song. She needs to something fun and upbeat – that’s what we all know she does best. I hope they make the right decision!
To MMs: I can understand it 🙂 And isn’t the beauty of this kind of contest some diversity too? Anyway, that’s what Google translate is for.
Waiting for Bosnia and Herzegovina to reveal their entry haha. Don’t they know we can’t understand a single word?
Come Malta, we just hope you come up with the perfect song that Ira deserves. Come on ppl be positive.
I get it, Chameleon is a nice song to listen to, but gets easily forgotten listening some new songs. However, I said it last year with Albania and I will say it again: Changing the song chosen by the people is CHEATING. Like it or not, stick with what you were chosen for. Even translating the song after it’s chosen is not professional IMO. One thing is if the song was chosen by internal jury and we never had contest, but this is failing people’s expectations. Someone spent their money to vote Chameleon the representing song. And whoever said that… Read more »