Over the past month the Wiwi Jury has listened to, reviewed and rated all 43 42 of the songs in Eurovision 2016, and in the end one song has come out on top: Russia’s Sergey Lazarev and his entry “You Are The Only One”. Amir and Poli Genova closely follow in second and third place.
Sergey’s schlagertastic number prompted high scores from the jury, resulting in an average score of 8.7/10 for Russia. Jury member Padraig gave this review:
Send a star to Eurovision and you get star quality in return. It’s really that simple. Sergey’s been banging out pop belters for years, and “You Are The Only One” is no exception. This is music at its manufactured finest and I’m completely on board. Slickly produced, the track works Sergey’s natural charm and charisma to full advantage. When he sings “thunder and lightning, it’s getting exciting”, the electricity is palpable. Also, major kudos to Sergey for sticking with what he does best. The pressure of representing Mother Russia hasn’t dulled his flamboyant styling in the slightest. Bravo! 9.5/10
Closely following in second place was France’s Amir, whose upbeat song “J’ai cherché” earned an average of 8.59/10 from the jury. Kristin was impressed, giving this review:
I always like French entries, but this time I love it! This is my other absolute favourite this year. An upbeat, catchy tune, combining everything I love about France. And don’t get me started on the huge bundle of charm that is Amir (I totally do NOT have a crush on him, shut up! *giggles*). But seriously, if Europe gives France the cold shoulder this year, like so many times before, I’ll cry. No joke. I plea, nay, I demand that France finally gets the respect they deserve in this great contest. If not now, then when? Europe, I’m counting on you. 10/10
And in third place was Poli Genova from Bulgaria and her contemporary pop track “If Love was a Crime”. The jury awarded her an average of 8.51/10, and juror William was feeling the love:
Ethnic but not off-putting, “If Love Was a Crime” manages to think locally while translating globally. The opening verses build steadily and confidently, leading to a pre-chorus that is all kinds of amazing. The chorus itself could be a tad bigger, but the Bulgarian lyrics and turbo-folk feel make it sufficiently special to carry the song. The lyrics are clever and the nod to the criminalisation of homosexuality is truly daring for a singer from a conservative country. Breezy, catchy and feel-good, this is easily Bulgaria’s best Eurovision entry ever. 9.5/10
Down at the other end, Montenegro came in last place with the jury only awarding an average of 2.2/10 for Highway‘s song “The Real Thing”. The former X Factor boy band’s mix of rock and EDM evidently did not impress the Wiwi Jury.
The Wiwi Jury reviewed the original 43 songs of Eurovision 2016 in March, based on studio recordings, music videos and live performances, where available. The Wiwi Jury rankings are not intended as an absolute prediction of the eventual results in Stockholm, but rather it’s what our favourites are.
Wiwi Jury 2016 – final results
- Russia: Sergey Lazarev with “You Are the Only One” (8.70)
- France: Amir with “J’ai cherché” (8.59)
- Bulgaria: Poli Genova with “If Love Was a Crime” (8.51)
- Iceland: Greta Salóme with “Hear Them Calling” (8.37)
- Croatia: Nina Kraljic with “Lighthouse” (8.12)
- Australia: Dami Im with “Sound of Silence” (7.92)
- Ukraine: Jamala with “1944” (7.88)
- Spain: Barei with “Say Yay!” (7.83)
- Malta: Ira Losco with “Walk on Water” (7.8)
- Cyprus: Minus One with “Alter Ego” (7.51)
- Italy: Francesca Michielin with “No Degree of Separation” (7.47)
- Azerbaijan: Samra with “Miracle” (7.46)
- Latvia: Justs with “Heartbeat” (7.42)
- Estonia: Jüri Pootsmann with “Play” (7.29) *
- Armenia: Iveta Mukuchyan with “LoveWave” (7.29) *
- Norway: Agnete with “Icebreaker” (7.09)
- Hungary: Freddie with “Pioneer” (7.05)
- Germany: Jamie-Lee Kriewitz with “Ghost” (6.96)
- Czech Republic: Gabriela Guncikova with “I Stand” (6.91)
- Austria: Zoë with “Loin d’ici” (6.76)
- Lithuania: Donny Montell with “I’ve Been Waiting For This Night” (6.7)
- Serbia: ZAA Sanja Vucic with “Goodbye (Shelter)” (6.59)
- Netherlands: Douwe Bob with “Slow Down” (6.57)
- Sweden: Frans with “If I Were Sorry” (6.29)
- Bosnia & Herzegovina: Dalal & Deen with “Ljubav je” (6.11)
- Israel: Hovi Star with “Made of Stars” (6.09)
- Ireland: Nicky Byrne with “Sunlight” (6.01)
- United Kingdom: Joe & Jake with “You’re Not Alone” (5.88)
- FYR Macedonia: Kaliopi with “Dona” (5.75)
- Switzerland: Rykka with “The Last of Our Kind” (5.68)
- Denmark: Lighthouse X with “Soldiers of Love” (5.61)
- Finland: Sandhja with “Sing It Away” (5.51)
- Belgium: Laura with “What’s the Pressure” (5.09)
- Moldova: Lidia Isac with “Falling Stars” (5.01)
- Poland: Michal Szpak with “Colour of Your Life” (4.86)
- Slovenia: ManuElla with “Blue and Red” (4.53)
Romania: Ovidiu Anton with “Moment of Silence” (4.41)- Greece: Argo with “Utopian Land” (4.34)
- Belarus: Ivan with “Help You Fly” (4.32)
- Albania: Eneda Tarifa with “Fairytale” (3.58)
- Georgia: Nika Kocharov & Young Georgian Lolitaz with “Midnight Gold” (3.33)
- San Marino: Serhat with “I Didn’t Know” (3.14)
- Montenegro: Highway with “Real Thing” (2.2)
Does this promise good things for Sergey in Stockholm? Who were your favourites? Share your thoughts below!
This is a pretty good list from the Jury. The only three exceptions I have are Iceland and Croatia at No 4 and 5. I think they are way overrated, especially Iceland. I don’t think it will make it out of SF1. And the last exception is Poland at No 35. This song should be in the Top 10. One of my favorite songs on when I first listened to all 43 songs. And then to watch him sing live in London with such strong vocals (not an easy song to sing live and stay on pitch) and then to… Read more »
@Miki, I think it’s because Sweden usually does so well in Eurovision that the odds are skewed for the benefit of the doubt. I agree, the song is woeful and would not be surprised if it misses top 10.
The only thing I really can`t understand is why is Sweden so high on the bookies lists? It`s such a boring song, if we can even call it a song. He`s just mumbling something into the microphone. It`s just demeaning to the other artists who actually sing.
Only the song:
1-France
2-Bulgaria
3-Spain
4-Australia
5-Italy
6-Malta
7-Hungary
On stage (just my imagination when listening the song):
1-Spain
2-Poland
3-Russia
4-France
5-Iceland
6-Croatia
7-Czech Republic
None of these ranks are meant to give my winner. To think of it, I should consider geopolitics, neighbouring and all that stuff, which I’m not doing.
Have fun in Russia then – But don’t bawl around when the things that just happened to Hovi will happen to you as well.
@Monique
yeah also very good for Michal 🙂
good luck to him as well
For god sake, views don’t mean anything. “Heroes” wasn’t the most watched video last year.
Talking about Youtube views –
Poland Micha? Szpak: 3,485 million views (Eurovision Official video) plus 5,9 million views (Vevo). Isn’t that more than Sergey or Amir? But Wiwi people don’t care – it’s 35th / 42. In May LIVE VERSION of all contestants will prove how wrong they were, not only about Michal. Have a nice Sunday. 🙂
There is so much ignorance on this site, I can’t even handle it.
@Anton
Why would gay people only like other gays? Haha! You seem to be very prejudiced.
Anton: this means that gays have good taste
Strange thing. Sush a support from the gay community, but Amir is not gay! I don’t understadn this…
@Anton
why do you want to know?
and a update on YouTube views
Amir has 2.8 Million views
Ira has 2.6 Million views
i know it doesn’t mean anything, but it’s a lot of views tbh
Lol, married, sorry
@Anton, No Amir is not gay, he married his wife last year and say he wanted 6 kids with her !!!
@Anton, he’s marr
I am just curious, is Amir gay?
@power.b
and good luck to your favourites as well 🙂
@Nicky91 great, thanks ????
@power.b
doesn’t matter mate, anyway i like your opinion 🙂
@Nicky91
I forgot about Sweden. But their odds are drifting all the time. Maybe Frans will manage to finish at top 5 or something.
@power.b
thank you for having such faith in some of my favourites 🙂
Taking all polls and odds in consideration my prediction is: Russia will win (handsome guy, catchy tune, no doubt great visuals will be involved). It’s actually the favorite to win first semi, so no surprises if Russia will win the whole thing. Australia will end up at #2. There must be a proper pop ballad with amazing vocals. Dami is fav to win second semi for the moment. And just like Polina Gagarina she will score enough to become a runner up. France will be third. Oh I love France, really! But. I guess it’s gonna be the same situation… Read more »
@karminowe.usta
Ira can sing this chorus better live, and i hope she skips that high note, that was just a high note which only MPH can sing
I prefer her live version from studio version 🙂
I don’t know to what extent polls like this, betting odds and diaspora will influence the results. But last year I watched the full show for the first time without knowledge whatsoever about the entries and Eurovision. The only artist I knew was Guy Sebastian. But, based on stage performance alone I managed to get the top 5 (not in order) right except Poli. So, if the song is good and the staging is good and somewhat has impressive factor, then you don’t really have to worry. I think the audience would be 80% right all the time but of… Read more »
Well,Iceland is TO HIGH!! Cyprous a little bit underated,and Estonia Armenia are very very low…Also Greece is so underated this year and I dont know why….
For me…
1.Estonia
2.Bulgaria-Croatia
3.Ukraine
4.Armenia
5.Greece
Well, I definitely don’t agree with this ranking. But I’m not particularly surprised, either. On the one hand, bravo to the jury for not letting politics get in the way of the ratings. I do of course personally feel that there are better songs than Russia’s. This is essentially what happens when the ballads are lacking… there’s no Monster Like Me or Undo to join the rankings of the truly epic Eurovision songs this year I guess. And You Are The Only One stands out as the most epic of the entries, which it is. It’s unfortunate that the jury… Read more »
@charles Usted lo que tiene que hacer… Te haces una buena pella de gofio, en forma de croqueta de pescado bien gruesa y de formas redondeadas, cojes tu pandero levantas con suavidad , dicha pella separas la tapa de la izquierda y con la misma suavidad separas la tapa de la derecha, lo introduces por absorcion pasara solo un mimuto, y te encontraras levitando te moriras de gusto y hasta te correras por ina vez en tuvida sin dejar de obserbar el Teide en frente de Agaete, en ese momento cerraras los ojos, y oiras aquello de doce puntos son… Read more »
This list is a NO. Quite messed up.
But I quite understand. Some songs have great staging potential, others not as much. This is not considered. Studio versions is all what is talked about here.
@Charles being on the spot mean that I agree with their rankings. If you don’t agree is only your problem. In the end of the day… your life doesn’t depend on it…. reight? So smile and enjoy your life :):):) Cheers!
According to oddschecker, Russia is still in the lead, but France is coming very close now. If the trending continues, they will pas 1st. Australia is third.(http://www.oddschecker.com/tv/eurovision/winner) According to http://eurovisiontops.com/, France is a clear leader. Russia 2nd. After more than 1100 votes. http://tummiweb.com/scorewiz/poll/results. with about 2500 votes, France is a clear leader and Russia 2nd. Australia 3rd. But can Russia win with the politics, and the kinda “hate” they have from all over europe (the booing the last 2 years) ? Can France win even with the anti-Big-5 we have these years ? Can Australia win even if it’s seems… Read more »
YES! I knew it!
Sergey will always be my number one! I do agree that the song is dated but it has something about it that makes me want to listen to it over and over again. It also has a winning anthemic vibe towards the end which I absolutely adore.
OHH YAASSS! Thanks wiwibloggs for the first place.:D Greetings from Russia)))
@El Rosario de Raquel: Rechazas a la lengua inglesa del modo más típico que solo un hispanohablante sabe hacer … pero llamar a alguien de “torpe” que no ha hecho el esfuerzo de entender tu lengua cuando tu mismo no lo haces con las lenguas de los demás es una hipocrisia. @Thiefo: Hopefully you’re kidding and not confusing this with any rubbish episode or Ru Paul’s Drag Race reality crappy TV show. Loving something for the wrong reasons is why people bash Eurovision. So … seriously? @Gr8: Being on the spot and being stuck in 2008 is the same thing… Read more »
Bella, if Sweden win with that song something is very wrong! If we want to be very honest, I also think Russia won’t win because the song seems unfinished.
If France don’t at the very least crack top five this year, something is very wrong with the voting system and they should give serious thought as to whether they continue to participate.
This is funny…I dont get why pages are so obssesed with rating Russia so high. Number one? Really? This is called alienation, when I talk to ppl they dont normally rate them so high, not even in their top5 but media always want to have it (at least) in top3. This is not obviously a political issue, it is an artistical issue…but what abouy Serbia? Ukraine? Czhec republic? Spain? Are u sure u are talking about art, message and so on or is there something else? I dont buy this. Sorry.
@Loo: I heard Amir’s new song and I love it! I pre-ordered his album from Amazon France a few days ago
I hope juries won’t be under the influence of the betting odds when they make their judgement on May. Sorry but I don’t see Russia’s song entry being successful across Europe if it wins. Its dated and cheesy. That’s my opinion.
Trev .Loo have said once that svt saidthat they aim Is the seventh win .
Also, usually the same “concept” never win twice in a row. People attend to vote for different things every year.
The thing is that I don’t think Russia won’t win because of politics. It’s because the song itself isn’t good enough. Sergey is the ultimate winning artist, but the song isn’t. He may win, but it’s far from a certain thing.
We still have to see the live performances and how they are going to be staged.
However, it’s a pretty good bet that Russia will win.
I do think Iceland is a bit overrated.
@Alec
Its not about peace and unity. Its about having the best song and winning.
It’s pretty obvious Russia is going to win this year, probably by a landslide. The other singers can no way match up to him. No one is going to vote for France or Spain despite the hype.
Sergey is a very talented singer and very good performer. For a contest that’s all about peace and unity there are so many of you that doesn’t want Russia to win because of politics. A bit hypocritical don’t you think?
One thing I have to agree with the jury is about ranking Poland. And frankly, I find the amount of people complaining about it in the comments to be highly disturbing. Ok yeah, Michal may be a good singer, but the song is so atrociously boring.. And the lyrics are so cringe-worthingly cheesy they almost make me wanna puke. O -O – O – O – tell me black or white What color is your life O – O – O –O – try to ask your heart Who you really are Really? I mean c’mon. Yeah the lyrics of… Read more »
https://open.spotify.com/track/6xe6HNmm1Cuhq6r1YR1xBg
Amir released a new song today 🙂 Everything he does is such pure pieces of art. A star is born!
It’s going to be either Sweden or France I believe. Russia will do really well and may well win, but I believe somewhere that it won’t happen. I just don’t think it’s going to be that simple. Amir is really working it and will soon move ahead of Sergey in the bettings.
Czech Republic, Israel and especially my country Poland are so underrated!
Russia overrated as f**k!
In my opinion, there is a clear top 4. These are the songs that are memorable, essential for votes.
France
Poland
Australia
Russia
Sweden must not want to win. That song wouldn’t make it through the semi if they weren’t defending champions…