Whilst last year we had just one bilingual entry, this year has seen a mega bilingual revival, with five countries opting to sing in English as well as a national language. The bilingual song has seen diminishing success over the years – the last win being Ruslana’s “Wild Dances” back in 2004. Can any of 2016’s multi-lingual entries reverse the trend?
Bulgaria: Poli Genova with “If Love Was a Crime”
Poli failed to make the final with her Bulgarian-language ballad back in 2011, but is hoping to become Bulgaria’s second ever qualifier with English-language hip-pop, teamed with a killer Bulgarian hook.
France: Amir with “J’ai cherché”
France is one of the few countries to have never sung an entry entirely in English. “Jai’ cherché” will be the first French entry since 2012 that will not be 100% in the French language — a move that appears promising judging by the betting odds. France is currently the top-ranked nation of the Big 5.
Greece: Argo with “Utopian Land”
Greece is the only country this year that’s sending a song in three languages – English, Greek and a début language Pontic Greek. Since 2012, Greece has sent three entries entirely in English, finishing 17th, 19th and 20th, respectively. Their two bilingual entries, however, finished in a far more respectable sixth and seventh place. Will this year’s multi-lingual entry continue the trend?
Italy: Francesca Michielin with “No Degree of Separation”
Italy joins France in having never sent a song entirely in English. Furthermore, 2016 will also be the first year since 2012 where we will hear English from this Mediterranean nation. Michielin is hoping to lift the song in the final chorus with an English translation of the lyrics.
Ukraine: Jamala with “1944”
For the first time since 2007, Ukraine will field a song in a language other than English. Jamala will controversially sing in English and Crimean Tatar – the language native to one of Europe’s most politically sensitive regions at the moment, Crimea.
Which is your favourite? You can vote for as many acts as you’d like, but you can only vote ONE time. Be sure to click the box next to each act you want to support before pressing submit.
@EugeneESCUK; I never cared and never will care for what everyone else thinks of this year’s Russian entry … it is pure desperation for a victory and not an authentic music moment worth of winning whatsoever. Then I have never been politically correct … never will. I can go from one extrem to the other for as long as I speak honestly what I feel. If that is so upsetting … not my problem. But thank God you understood which song I really believe in and the ones I hate to death. This is a song contest as fas as… Read more »
Bulgaria is definitely one of the greatest songs in this year’s contest! Very well done for a country that has an insignificant past in Eurovision.
However, my absolute favorite this year is CROATIA! The drama, the depth… sigh!! Just as surprising as the Bulgarian entry given Croatia’s musical history in the contest.
Other favorites in random order:
-Serbia
-Czech Republic
-Spain
-Iceland
-Germany
-Australia
I forgot to mention that I don’t technically consider the Italy entry as “billingual” since it only includes a translation of the existing Italian lyrics, not NEW lyrics in English.
In other words, it’s translatable to either language, but knowing both languages doesn’t add any extra meaning to the song, unlike others in this list. Feel free to debate that point though. 🙂
I like all of these mixed language songs for different reasons. My favourite is probably France, and the mix of the two languages doesn’t feel forced – my cousin said to me that it works because “one language doesn’t feel superior to the other.” I agree with that.
Even with Greece, the song is passable even if the English is somewhat ropey. Diversity in music is good. 🙂
Bulgaria — the best of the 5 songs.
France — an OK song. Nothing special.
Greece — not very good, but it is NOT the worst song of the contest.
Italy — would be better if it were 100% in Italian. The English part is bad.
Ukraine — good live performance, but terrible song.
Bulgaria – Great voice , great song , its modern but very ethnic also – a masterpiece
umm…Bulgaria 2011 is not a ballad. Don’t me.
1) France
2) Ukraine / Bulgaria
4) Italy
5) Greece
France, I love Amir and his song. I wish he could win (with Israel, Bulgaria or Cyprus as runner-up).
@dutchie People is underestimate Sweden’s chances, not the hit potential. Sweden is the frontrunner atm whether the ESC fans like it or not 😉
Amir is doing quite well on spotify viral as well 🙂 It would be so great to see France win again!
4 of them are great…. Bulgaria and France are my top 2 and I can’t decide which I prefer, Italy is my number #4 and Ukraine my number #8 but Greece I don’t like!
@loo
No one is questioning the hit potential of If I Were Sorry. It’s simple, easily accessible, it borrows the vibe of another hit, and it’s performed by a cute boy who will appeal to teenagers. How he will fare with other demographics or with the juries is a bit of a question mark though.
original and favourite one : FRANCE 12 points !!! potential winner
Italy
Hmm….all of them are good (besides Greece).
@Maya G
I agree. While I love the Italian song, it is obvious that other four songs were written as bilingual, while this one is written in Italian and then English lyrics were added.
People, this poll is about “THE MOST ORIGINAL BILINGUAL ENTRY” ,not your favorite entry.
Just look there are 3 entries that are in my top 5 (France, Ukraine, Bulgaria).
France is my favorite, But the Most original by far is Ukraine, For it’s musical compound, the excentricity of the composition and Jamala’s performance are unique this year.
I have voted for Bulgaria, France, Italy and Ukraine because all of them are in my top 10, and I think Greece is one of the worst song this year and don’t deserve to be in the grand final
France BY FAR. Top 3 song this year.
I find Greek song terrible and probably one of the worst this year. They don’t deserve to qualify for the final this year, it would be a shame.
All of them are really good, But Ukraine is my favorite.
In 4 of the 5 the language mix sounds like a justified, authentic choice, the 5th being Italy were the English chorus sounds forced and inorganic to the rest of the song.
Ukraine
France
Bulgaria
Italy
Greece
BULGARIA! Poli FTW!
All but Greece are amazing!
France
by far
1. Bulgaria
2. France
3. Italy
4. Ukraine
5. Greece
Italy and Ukraine for sure
Ukraine, France and Italy. All in my top five, three of the strongest entries this year and all could deservingly win in May.
All of them are really good and among my favourites!
France’s song is reeeeeeeally good and can very possibly win. Sweden is still the frontrunner though, Frans have had about 400,000 plays on spotify (outside Sweden) only within the last 24 hours. ESC fans tries to deny Frans popularity, but you will all be sorry on May 14. But I’m not sorry, no. 😉
@dutchie
No, both Frans and Poli have it right.
If *I* were
If *It* was
Shouldn’t it be “If Love Were a Crime”? Either Frans has it wrong, or Poli does 😉
Anyway, for me the clear winners in this segment are Italy and Ukraine. I prefer the fully Italian version of Francesca’s song though.
Ukraine “1944” absolutely the best. Bravissima very intense interpretation…
@EugeneESCUK: Russia can only do great with the juries, unless the juries don’t mind being well paid to give Sergey the top spot underservingly … And televoters will fall for the Russian trap if Sergey show off his torso and everyone decides to have one or two more drinks than one should … it may not work for Sweden’s Samir and Viktor but in Eurovision Russia’s desperation for attention has no boundaries. Music as often plays no major role in such game …
@William Lee Adams
Am I blind or you delete the video of your reaction to Krajowe Eliminacje 2016 songs from your YouTube acc? It was almost the most watched video ever on wiwibloggs 🙁
Italy, France and Ukraine … and not specifically due to their bilingualism but because these are 3 remarkable songs and the very few best worth praising this year …
1. France
2. Bulgaria
3. Italy
4. Ukraine
5. Greece
France FTW
Italy is beautiful
Ukraine is nice
Bulgaria..meh
Greece, don’t even bother booking your flights
Muy top:
1.France (1st)
2.Italy (4th)
3.Ukraine (10th)
4.Bulgaria (15th)
5.Greece (somewhere between 27th and 35th)
France – my 10’th
Ukraine – my 12’th
Italy – my 15’th
Bulgaria – my 30’th
Greece – my 37’th
Of course it’s my man of ESC 2016, Amir Haddad! I love his song, his voice and him! Trés Bien Français!
My second favourite is Bulgaria! Poli’s song oozes ethnicity and modernity! I love it! Playing both songs on repeat, non-stop!
Will you do a video with your opinion about this? Pleaaase, do it!
BULGARIA!!!! Then France, Italy, Greece, and Ukraine.
My top
1.GREECE
2.ITALY
3.FRANCE
4.BULGARIA
5.UKRAINE
BUT I WILL EXPECT LIVE PERFORMANCES.
Without the slightest hesitation,Bulgaria!Probably top 10, possibly top 5!Why not winner of 2016 ESC!
my top 5 of the best bilingual song of Eurovision 2016 :
1.France – J’ai cherché
2.Italy – No Degree of Separation
3.Bulgaria – If Love Was A Crime
4.Ukraine – 1944
5.Greece – Utopian Land
Ukraine, France, Bulgaria, Italy, Greece. The first 3 are amazing while Italy is good and I don’t like Greece. Keep posting wiwibloggs 😀
In last few day Ukraine jump on betting odds , did some people know something, running order….
1.Ukraine
2.France
3.Greece
4.Bulgaria
5.Italy
Italy was so much better in 100 % italian language
France. Without any doubts