Yesterday the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — headed to Germany and visited a manga store in Berlin to check out the latest in international pop culture. While we were there, we discussed Jamie-Lee Krievitz and her song “Ghost”. Were we haunted by her song? Or were we ready for an exorcism? Read on to find out!

Jamie-Lee Kriewitz – “Ghost”

“Ghost” reviews

Padraig: “Ghost” is easily Germany’s most accomplished song in the post-Lena era. Between Jamie-Lee’s vocals and the musical arrangement it possesses a melancholic beauty that’s utterly beguiling. And unlike other young performers, Jamie-Lee isn’t overwhelmed by the weighty themes. However, the staging needs to go! All illusions of heartbreak and loss are shattered by the sight of an anime cartoon character lost in a forest of cardboard trees and lasers.

Score: 8.5/10

Angus: Despite a colourful anime image, towering voice and creepy gothic staging, it is difficult to find “Ghost” anything other than bland. Jamie-Lee Kriewitz is a masterful performer and a cut above the average reality show winner, but her song oscillates between entrancing and boring. Once again Germany has the right performer and the wrong song.

Score: 6/10

Bogdan: Teenage Lana Del Rey, is that you? Jamie-Lee is clearly enamoured with the American singer, as “Ghost” has not just the same kind of melancholic, dark melody, but the exact same style of singing. For Eurovision, that may be unique, but as far as I am concerned, Germany’s entry is reductive and unoriginal. Also, I respect Jamie-Lee’s choice to get up on the stage as herself, but I’m afraid the wannabe Harajuku look may be distracting to the point of ridicule.

Score: 7.5/10

Robyn: I love the moody, gothic feeling to this song, and the random husky tones that Jamie-Lee throws in the song. I’m not sure about her manga-style wardrobe — yeah, she’s only 17, but her costume brings a goofy feeling to what should otherwise be a dark, seductive song. But if anyone can work that look at Eurovision, it’s Jamie-Lee. I’m expecting “Ghost” to do good things for Germany this year.

Score: 8/10

William: Jamie-Lee’s sexy Harajuku look doesn’t distract me from her song. That’s mainly because the song is so forgettable and bland that I don’t notice it in the first place. Like a chilly apparition haunting an old mansion, “Ghost” leaves me cold and somewhat dead to the world. While I feel the beat, I don’t sense a pulse. Her voice is stellar, but the song deserves to be in the bottom 5.

Score: 2.5/10

Deban: Haunting pop driven with angelic vocals. Jamie-Lee Kriewitz may be just a teenager, but in this competition, she holds her own. “Ghost” is subtle. It rings in the background, yet doesn’t fully take over. Crafted for radio success, this debut outing has had a successful chart run in Germany. It won’t embarrass juries, and it is likely to finish in Stockholm’s top half.

Score: 6.5/10

Josh: Something about “Ghost” doesn’t sit right with me. Jamie-Lee has a haunting voice which I find quite interesting, but the song doesn’t build into anything and the chorus sounds so monotone the entire time. I can’t see Europe getting behind this. Maybe Ann-Sophie 2.0?

Score: 5/10

Patrick: I don’t get the big fuss about Germany. Yes, it is quite different and to be fair she looks interesting and her voice is good enough. The staging in the selection was really questionable and not suited for the song. She needs a complete change of clothes plus hairstyle and then she is good to go. But a top-15 finish is not possible.

Score: 6/10

Tobias: All I think of when I look at her is a figure from Pokémon with that thing on her head. But I like that Germany, just like France, has stepped up in this contest. This song is actually good! I can see myself listening to it while I’m driving my car. The refrain is easy to sing along with and the melody is very sweet. I think Germany will do well this year.

Score: 7/10

George: Jamie-Lee’s ghost will haunt all of Europe … and Australia! The song seems to be a bit inspired by Lena’s “Taken By A Stranger”, but it’s still pretty original and strong. I really like the way it evolves from the first note to the last and Jamie-Lee surely knows how to deliver. I don’t know if it’s going to do as well as I want it to, but one thing is for sure — no nul points for Germany this year.

Score: 10/10

Mikhail: This ghost is anything but haunting. From the name I expect it to be mysterious, dark, and full of spirit. But what do I get? Just a boring tune that neither startles nor stirs…

Score: 5/10

Rezo: This is such an original and sweet song. Jamie-Lee has her own style, character and emotional manner which can help Germany to come out on top this year.

Score: 5/10

In the Wiwi Jury we have 40 jurors but only have room for 12 reviews. The remaining 28 scores are below.

Anthony: 8/10

Antranig: 9/10

Bernardo: 5/10

Chris: 7/10

Cristian: 6/10

David: 7/10

Dayana: 7.5/10

Denise: 8.5/10

Diego: 6.5/10

Edd: 6/10

Forrest: 5/10

Gökhan: 9/10

Jason: 5/10

Judit: 6/10

Kristin: 6.5/10

Liam: 8/10

Luis: 7/10

Marek: 9/10

Maria: 5/10

Mario: 7.5/10

Max: 7/10

Mike: 5/10

Renske: 7.5/10

Sami: 9/10

Sinan: 9/10

Steinunn: 5.5/10

William C: 10/10

Zakaria: 8.5/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The highest and lowest scores are dropped prior to calculating the average score. This is to remove outliers and reduce potential bias. We have removed a low of 2.5 and a high of 10.

WIWI JURY SCORE: 6.96/10

SEE OUR CURRENT EUROVISION 2016 REVIEWS AND RANKINGS

49 Comments
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georgekirkas
georgekirkas
7 years ago

This song is simple, yet really effective! It sounds really mesmerizing and Jamie-Lee’s vocals and looks suit it best!

8,5/10

georgekirkas
georgekirkas
7 years ago

When I saw that William gave this masterpiece a 2,5/10, I almost had a heart attack! However, it’s his opinion and I totally respect it!

Holden
Holden
7 years ago

It is going down in my top. 6/10

Juan
Juan
7 years ago

Like the lyrics and her voice. Probably the song has one of the nicest lyrics in the contest.

8 / 10

irish esc
irish esc
7 years ago

this song is hauntingly beautiful and jamie makes this song special with her memerising voice.

KV
KV
7 years ago

YAAAAAS JAMIE! SERVING ME SENPAI NOTICED ME REALNESS. I seriously love this song, it’s atmospheric, but not boring. It’s very simple to remember the chorus and sing it, yet does not seem like a simple track to produce. It’s complex, with elements from a lot of popular songs – but retains its own personality. I adore her voice, and I love her style so damn much. Maybe the style doesn’t go too well with the darkness of the song, but it’ll definitely get people talking.

Score: 9.5/10

Ben Rafter
Ben Rafter
7 years ago

I’d give Norway a 9/10, on her review I gave it a 7.5/10.
Anyway, I’d give this an 8.5/10. She has a great voice and the song is different. Her image is eccentric IMO, and that could affect her chances on getting a high score on the televote.

Anton
Anton
7 years ago

I still think it’s a very good song and I like it!

Ohi
Ohi
7 years ago

Verse good chorus dead

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
7 years ago

The song itself is actually not that bad, maybe a bit bland as William said but my main issue with it has been the live performance of it. Jamie did not really seem in control of her voice and put on some horribly over-accented notes at times. It made it difficult to take the song seriously.
It is not going to come last this year but I do think that it is going to be lost amongst the bigger songs. Should fight it out with the UK to not be the lowest-placed automatic qualifier.
6.5/10

WTF
WTF
7 years ago

@Anton: Far from a deserving winner though, just like Russia would be far from a deserving winner if it went on to win…

Random.sage2.5
Random.sage2.5
7 years ago

Russia has Dima Bilan 2.0 and Germany has Lena 2.0. I love it!

Rita
Rita
7 years ago

Germany’s song is okay my 19th. Nice vocals and nice overall vibe. I listen to it sometimes just on a whim. Nothing too spectacular though.

Anton
Anton
7 years ago

@Nicky91
Do you think «Rise like a Phoenix» was not outdated? But it won.

Colin
Colin
7 years ago

For me, it’s wonderful and one of the best ones in 2016. Best luck, Germany 🙂

Steven
Steven
7 years ago

Honestly a snoozefest. It doesn’t really go anywhere bar her squawk towards the end, and definitely not the best since Lena (Roman Lob & Cascada were both much better). Germany is usually one of my favourites in the competition but this doesn’t even crack my top 30. This is going to get SO LOST.

Nicky91
Nicky91
7 years ago

@Anton

Russia has got a dated, boring song, but it will qualify, because Russia Always qualifies no matter what song they are sending 🙁

Anton
Anton
7 years ago

Russia is not overrated, just the best among the list.

jacob
jacob
7 years ago

6/10 – It’s quite good, but nothing to fall in love with.

Nicky91
Nicky91
7 years ago

@Eigentlich, Lena was awful didn’t deserve to win, overrated

Jamie Lee has got her own style and flair

@Anton, thank you for backing my opinion 🙂

but i think the top 3 from this year will be:

1. Russia ( massively overrated)

2. Azerbaijan ( well Samra has got the looks and that’s more than enough)

3. Malta ( i hope so, because Ira is really a sweet lady, good singer fun song and cares about great causes, charities and other volunteering work)

Kielbasa
Kielbasa
7 years ago

Please make your running order predictions on YouTube ! It will be great to see this kind of video !

Love ya :*

Eigentlich
Eigentlich
7 years ago

Nooo way she can be compared with Lena. That girl was the most charming thing that ever stepped into a eurovision stage. A true artist.

This teenage girl comes across as some kind of pompous star, who wants to be above her own song. She wants to be THE star, THE voice, not making her song a winner song.

The song is good, although is a widely used music style this days. I fear it isn’t enough to make any kind of impact. Expect a top 15 result at best.

Anton
Anton
7 years ago

What’s wrong with you people? Probably the best German song since Lena’s Sattelite! Shame on you!

Jerome
Jerome
7 years ago

8.5/10
The melancholic feel in this song combined with her subdued vocals enable me to feel whatever the song emotes. That allows to at least remember the first lines of the chorus when I’m not listening to it but completely go along with it when I do listen to it. One thing I must recommend is PLEASE CHANGE YOUR OUTFIT!! There is absolutely no relation to the song whatsoever and you are NOT JAPANESE!!

oooops
oooops
7 years ago

Totally agree with Peter Griffin

Nicky91
Nicky91
7 years ago

Jamie Lee, the new Lena Meyer-Landrut, complete package

10/10

Travis
Travis
7 years ago

I really love her voice…I also followed her journey through the voice! And still William is right. Ghost is one of her weakest songs and she could do much better with a song that suits her.
Not even the best Singer could save this song from drowning…
I believe Jamie-Lee does her best to make this song interesting, but its pretty sad, since she could do much more with her voice. (Actually she has a pretty wide vocal-range =/…this song really disable her abilities to an extent that annoys me pretty much)

GEF
GEF
7 years ago

“Rezo: This is such an original and sweet song. Jamie-Lee has her own style, character and emotional manner which can help Germany to come out on top this year. Score: 5/10” Am I the only one who is of the opinion that the score and the comment do not fit together? I think we have sent our best candidate for ESC. The song is not bad at all, it is unique in a way that it presents a darker atmosphere and I really like the range of her voice which is amazing for such a young singer. The song will… Read more »

Peter Griffin
Peter Griffin
7 years ago

A mediocre entry that will be easily forgotten. I’m predicting another flop year for Germany and deservedly so. I mean, who decided to vote for her with Avantasia in competition? Typical safe choice…

oooops
oooops
7 years ago

This kind of pop is already sent by Australia.
I prayed for you to send Avantasia, but did Germany listen?

Tom
Tom
7 years ago

Look it’s not a bad song, the chorus is actually quite catchy. The live version has a bit more impact than the studio version which is a bit flat. Pleasant, but it’s also middle of the road, just like Anne- Sophie last year I think this is a big candidate for last place. Not because it’s bad, but because it’s too much of an easy listening radio song that lacks the punch to demand votes.

Bhrister Cjorkman
Bhrister Cjorkman
7 years ago

I like it. There is definitely a haunting atmosphere, albeit it has potential to be even better. If they improve staging and camera work she can get a very good result. I don’t think she will be able to pull a Lena though.

Digital Style
Digital Style
7 years ago

It’s an amazing song, and really haunting too. She needs to ditch the headpiece though – I get it’s her style, but she can put a bit of Harajuku into it without looking like Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.

fikri
fikri
7 years ago

@robyn: oh i see. can’t wait to see see the review on russia. 🙂

i love this song but it kinda left a bitter taste in my mouth when germany could’ve sent gregorian.

Azaad
Azaad
7 years ago

The fact that this sounds the least like a typical Eurovision entry and more like something Halsey or Lana del Ray would release will probably endear it to non fans who find the contest unsophisticated. It’s a clear improvement over 2015 (they won’t finish last in the final) and Jamie Lee, while not on the level of Sergey, has a fanbase. They’ll probably have their best result since 2012.

ct_greece
ct_greece
7 years ago

Bad live singer, wooden performer and a song that drifts aimlessly on and on for no reason at all. Is this a 7? No way! Next!

Angelica
Angelica
7 years ago

I still can’t believe how this bland and boring song with average singer won, the epic “Masters of chant”. Gregorian is band of amazing singers and their show was breathtaking. Not even in the top 3, what’s wrong with Germany?

#StopHauntingMe
#StopHauntingMe
7 years ago

I think she can keep her own style. Of course. We all have our own styles and we should not change them, because someone doesn’t like it. Anyway, the staging could be changed. I like the starts with only a shadow of her, but why does she has the trees with lasers, it doesn’t fit..

Antranig Shokayan
Editor
7 years ago

Amazing song – I just hope the staging and live performance in Stockholm is more powerful than what it was in the national final.

Tom
Tom
7 years ago

“Ghost” is my number 2 song this year (after Ukraine). The composition is a cross between Lana Del Rey’s “Born To Die” and Rihanna’s “Umbrella” — it’s haunting but still undoubtedly a pop song. For me what seals the deal is Jamie-Lee’s vocals. When she hits that long note at 2:29 in the live video, you can hear that she is no ordinary vocalist. There is definitely room for improvement here, however. I agree with all those who say that the performance needs to be drastically revamped in terms of visuals. I can appreciate Jamie-Lee’s personal style, but it detracts… Read more »

Gav
Gav
7 years ago

I’m sitting here trying to recall the ‘hook’ or something about the song… I can’t. Iv listened a few times a month or so back and kind of not inspired to revisit. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it on the night but it does not do anything for me really. Ghost? Kind of a faint vision.

fikri
fikri
7 years ago

uhh why do you guys review this song twice? didn’t you guys gave this 7.5+ back in february?

Comi
Comi
7 years ago

Well, it’s way better than ‘Icebreaker’ which you ranked higher than this one 😉

Darren
Darren
7 years ago

Germany, what have you done?? This is the first year since I started watching ESC that Germany hasn’t been in my top 10. The song is instantly forgettable but good job she has the anime image to carry her through, because that’s the only thing that will make people remember her.
If this song is drawn mid table, it risks a repeat of the Nul Point from last year. I also think her image doesn’t match her song, with an image like that, I would be expecting something up tempo, upbeat, and slightly k-pop.
4/10 sorry Deutschland 🙁

Mr.D
Mr.D
7 years ago

Average, boring and forgottable song. Germany again made a big mistake. They could have world famous Xavier Naidoo or Avantasia. Instead, they have mega-boring song again. I think, it will be 0 pts for Germany again. Nothing original or outstanding. Maybe her costume will help her. Oh Germany, don’t try to create new Lena. You have great male singers and bands (Xavier, Avantasia), so try to make it by this way. Because Ann Sophie and Jamie-Lee this year will be huge dissapointment for you again.

Racal
Racal
7 years ago

Bland and boring.

Anton
Anton
7 years ago

Cool ghost, really. She’s so cute.

JT
JT
7 years ago

8.5/10

The fact that she dresses like cartoon characters will get attention. The staging will be key, and if she goes for a dark, mysterious, eerie vibe, like in her performance video, she will get even more attention. Plus the song is actually good. Quite catchy, quite classic Euro pop, and it will stand out. Definitely better than last year’s Black Smoke, so this one should not be at the bottom of the scoreboard.

esc 2016
esc 2016
7 years ago

such an amazing song,voice,lyrics!!!
8.5/10