Our top 40 list of our favourite national final songs from Eurovision 2016 has already seen 15 songs take their spot in the honours book. Finishing between 30 and 26 were the likes of Christabelle and Darline, whilst songs from Sweden and Estonia also received a nod. This time…well, there’s more songs from Sweden and Estonia, along with entries from Austria and Norway. Check out who made the cut below!
25. “I’ll Be Around (Bounce)” — Elly V (Austria)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wNuYRJGrnw
Whilst Zoe was a fan favourite going in to “Wer singt für Österreich?”, she certainly had her share of competition. To many Elly V’s performance of “I’ll Be Around (Bounce)” was just as stunning as Zoe’s. Incorporating the video wall with a dance routine, she really stood out. Will Austria give her a second chance next year as they so often do? We certainly hope so.
Wiwi Jury: “Elly is channelling Ellie Goulding circa Delirium with shrewdly calculated verses and a chorus that explodes out of nowhere. I can’t help but wish this song was representing Armenia instead. This is the only one with a chance of qualifying at Eurovision, especially with Armenia and Austria in the same semi and sending her an easy 12 points. Home girl SLAYS!” (Antranig)
24. “Seis” — Mick Pedaja (Estonia)
Remarkably haunting and again, so very Estonian. Mick Pedaja’s performance of “Seis” was easily one of the most divisive national final songs of the entire season. Either people “got” the song and loved it, or they dismissed it as being completely unsuitable for Eurovision. That debate still rages now, but Mick has done enough to earn himself a place on our list this year.
Wiwi Jury: “Is ‘Seis’ a right song for the Eurovision? No, not at all but… who cares? I could have said exactly the same thing for ‘Love injected’ last year but it became one of my fave Eurovision entries ever so I’m here to support Mick Pedaja and his song, pure eargasmic emotion.” (Cristian)
23. “Kizunguzungu” — SaRaha (Sweden)
Where Mary N’Diaye failed, SaRaha did so much better. “Kizunguzungu” wasn’t your standard Melodifestivalen song; we’re used to Swedish and English, but Swahili was something else. A huge star in her native Tanzania, SaRaha definitely made a lasting impact around Europe with her song — even managing to knock Isa out of the contest in the process!
Wiwi Jury: “This crossover tune, which successfully fuses the best sounds of native and contemporary cultures, is SLAMMING! The beats bite, and SaRaha stings with pizazz. For a debut outing, this is outstanding! I want every mix of this track.” (Deban)
22. “Feel Da Rush” — Freddy Kalas (Norway)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzKcOL9Q-IA
There’s always something that catches you by surprise in Melodi Grand Prix. There was no pizza this year, but instead Freddy Kalas gave us reggae-inspired dance pop, ably performed by a middle aged white Scandinavian man. Freddy might not have even made MGP after his initial song was disqualified, but some minor tweaking saved him. One thing is true: you can’t deny it’s catchy…
Wiwi Jury: “I absolutely love this song. It makes me happy, it makes me dance and it sticks in your head and won’t leave you for days. Freddy’s accent is a bit funny, but it fits the song. I would love to see the audience jumping up and down for this in Stockholm.” (Sami)
21. “Bada nakna” — Samir & Viktor (Sweden)
From the outside, you’d have been forgiven for being shocked at Samir & Viktor finishing dead last in the Melodifestivalen final. After all, they had topped the charts in Sweden week in, week out after their performance of “Bada nakna” in the semi finals. They slayed the Dolly’s in Andra Chansen and were given the final slot in the final. But considering they even told us that they shouldn’t go to Eurovision, maybe Sweden decided that whilst “Bada nakna” was great fun, it wasn’t quite right for Eurovision. No matter how many clothes they ripped off.
Wiwi Jury: “There’s whistling, there’s an EDM post-chorus, and watered down six-packs – it’s heaven. The fun that they have on stage brings me joy – and I think it’s about time Sweden sent something fun. And could you get more Swedish than a blonde and an Arab guy singing about skinny dipping?” (Edd)
We’re reaching the top twenty now and it’s getting ever tighter at the top. Are your favourites still in the mix? Let us know in the comments and make sure to check back over the weekend as we continue our countdown.
Bounce is good but Loin D’ici is just so much better!! Really like all the other entries in this part of the list (Expect Mick’s -_-)
I hope for some rock songs in the remaining list. every year, there are lots of great rock songs in the NF / ESC proper. But none here. So far – that is! 🙂
seis – mick pedaja
we don’t need anymore bullsh*t that’s totally my jam!
Austria had a great final. As usual. Picking a bad winner. As usual….But I agree, “I’ll Be Around” was very good.
“Seis” from Estonia – such an atmopsheric and special song. Almost “art-ish”. Love it!
Bada Nakna is a really bad song.
Ukraine’s SunSay with Love Manifest, Finland’s Saara Alto with No Fear, Israel’s Nofar Salman with Made of Stars, Sweden’s Molly Sandén with Youniverse, Italy’s Lorenzo Fragola with Infinite volte (I know, I know, Sanremo is not an NF), AND BELGIUM’S TOM FRANTZIS WITH I’M NOT LOST!
1. No Fear
2. Don’t Worry
3. Heart Shaped Hole
4. Youniverse
5. Helpless
Lots of Melfest songs yet to come
TheHardkiss – Helpless, Pur:Pur – We Do Change, Dorota Osinska – Universal, Kristel Lisberg – Who Needs a Heart – my favourites from NF`s.
01 Poland – Edyta Górniak – Grateful
02 Ukraine – The Hardkiss – Helpless
03 Sweden – Molly Sandén – Youniverse
04 Poland – Margaret – Cool Me Down
05 Finland – Mikael Saari – On It Goes
Why all of my favourite songs from the national finals have never went to Eurovision? I really adore “Hunger”, “Cool Me Down”, and “Seis” and all didn’t win in their respective country this year. While last year I really love “Unriddle Me”, “I’ll Be Fine” and “Feathers” and none of them went to the international contest 🙁 But I like the fact that “Sing it Away” get chosen to represent Finland because that is one of my favourites since the Finnish nominations were published.
Seis is my number 1 out of all national finals, a unique song that oozes brilliance
I think we all know Cool Me Down will get the #1 spot lol
Heart Shaped Hole for Number 1!!!!!!
Estonian “Seis” is amazing!
Listen other Michael’s Szpak songs (POLAND)
Its great! ROSSANA is best
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1Ahrb-bJ3s
KIZUNGUZUNGU is horrible song . ISA’s song ” I Will Wait” is by far more beautiful. If Swedish people voted for ISA, they would probably be one of favorites on ESC this year.Your music choise for Sweden National Final is so strange
The Hardkiss must be in the top 5. Ukraine is my favourite this year and yet I believe they didn’t even choose their best song. Their NF was just so strong.
These are all horrible apart from I’ll Be Around.
The winner is going to be between: Cool Me Down (Poland), Victorious (Spain) or Heart Shaped Hole (Denmark)
Cool me down was the best song in all of national finals, it has to be no.1.
Icebreaker is not a bad song, just not as durable as EDM. I have had Freddy’s “Pinne for Landet” in my main playlist for over a year now and it never gets old.
Samir and Viktor- love them! They were fun and entertaining- Eurovision has become too serious!!!!
Number #1 is Margeret anyway^^ (I guess…)
SaRaha yaaas
I still don’t understand why Norwegians didin’t vote for Feel da rush which is a huge hit in Norway while Icebreaker is flopping and nobody care for that song.
Also really like Seis ans Bada nakna.
yay i am glad bada nakna is on the list i hope oscar zia or mikael saari is no 1.
I think that “Cool Me Down” and “Afterglow” will be 1st and 2nd.
Samir and Viktor better than Mick Pedaja? WIWI is in serious trouble.
Hope a load of Ukraine entries are going to pop up! My fave NF this year