The songs that have made it to Eurovision 2017 aren’t the only gems we’ve discovered in recent months. So yesterday we kicked off the countdown of our top 30 national final songs of the season (covering numbers that failed to get out of their country’s selection process). Today we take a look at the acts who finished from 25th to 21st place, including two acts from Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix.
25. “First Step in Faith (Oadjebasvuhtii) — Elin & The Woods (Norway)
Sami singing star Elin Kaven and music producer Robin Lynch (who produced Margaret Berger’s “I Feed You My Love”) teamed up on this joiking extravaganza at Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix. With plenty of smoke and a number of Sami singers in traditional dress, the duo finished a solid third at and stood out in a very good way. Reindeer horn realness!
Wiwi Jury: Incredible. This is the perfect blend of traditional and modern sounds. It’s on a higher plane. Elin serves ethereal Sami realness and it slays. (Chris)
24. “Wrecking Crew” — Ammunition (Norway)
Our countdown takes us from third place at MGP to second. Ammunition — led by Wig Wam vocalist Age Sten Nilsen — sought to end the NF season on a rockier note. But plenty of pyro and some girls in jumpsuits weren’t quite enough to win over Norway. Even so it still makes some of us want to throw the horns up and rock out!
Wiwi Jury: Yes, yes, good God, YES! This is pure gold. The whistling part in the beginning immediately pulls you in, and then it’s just full power from there. Ammunition might not be as theatrical as Wig Wam, but the attitude is still there, y’all. Like, love, adore. (Kristin)
23. “Vietato morire” — Ermal Meta (Italy)
For the first time ever, a song from Italy’s Sanremo makes our list. Whilst Francesco Gabbani remains the bookies’ clear favourite to win Eurovision 2017, there was a time it looked like he might not even make it to the contest. Both Ermal and Fiorella Mannoia pushed him hard throughout the contest and finished in the top three. Ermal, who won the Mia Martini Critics award, goes on to reach #23 on our list to boot!
22. “All I Know” — My Radiant You (Latvia)
Returning for a second shot at the Supernova crown, husband and wife duo My Radiant You changed their name and sound for 2017. One thing remained a constant though: their great live performances. “All I Know” really came to life on stage and whilst they didn’t win, there’s little doubt they will have their moment at Eurovision eventually.
Wiwi Jury: My Radiant You were my clear favourites last year, which meant there were high expectations when I clicked play. It has a “feel good” vibe to it which makes for pleasant listening, but it was not made for the Eurovision stage. (Antranig)
21. “Unstoppable” — Brooke (Malta)
Never underestimate a Faniello. Despite being our Jury and poll favourite, Brooke Borg missed out yet again on the Maltese spot at Eurovision to a more seasoned veteran in the form of Claudia Faniello. “Unstoppable” might not have been quite on the same level as “Golden”, but it goes to show just how talented this girl is!
Wiwi Jury: Headlight, spotlight, hold tight? No, Brooke — jump into the LIMELIGHT because it is YOURS. Living up to the “Unstoppable” in her song title, Brooke soars with this electro-ballad. Clearly engineered to show off the many qualities of her voice, it moves from sexy and mysterious opening to powerful and thrusting chorus. (William)
What do you think of these five songs? Would you have ranked any of them higher in your lists? Shout out your thoughts on the wiwibloggs app, or in the comments section below!
Ermal Meta should be top 3! That said, if you guys have Loreen win it all, all will be forgiven. 😀 I didn’t like how you had Loreen win that one time with “We Got the Power,” but OH MY GOD SHE DESERVES IT FOR STATEMENTS. Statements is sublime, it blew away all my expectations and then some. I can’t see anyone else claiming the top spot; it may be predictable, but it’s only right.
Only 23 for Ermal Meta ?? Wanted that song for San Marino.
Ermal Meta deserves a better ranking vietato morire is top 10!!!!!
guys watch out this video of Portugal entry, I love this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tuNtjfiKAU
Really glad you included a Sanremo contestant! One of my favourites songs of the festival! “Vietato morire” is such a beautiful song! I love it!!
Also, my beloved “Wrecking crew” from Ammunition is here too! I expected it to be later but it’s ok! Love it!!
@Cooky
Any of these 3 would have challenge Francesco XD
I agree Loreen might win the wiwi top. They are predictable.. specially if there’s a big name
@CookyMonzta
I totally agree, Janice and Gabi were absolutely amazing.
@Betty, (J)ESC Fanatic, Ramon: I have no doubt they put Loreen’s “Statements” at or very near the top. But consider the reaction that Janice Mangion brought to the MESC stage once she started singing “Kewkba”. She actually brought tears to the eyes of some… …And let’s not forget Gabi Tóth’s “Hosszú Idök”, which was undoubtedly thrown under the bus at A Dal (she was assigned the first spot in the final, to start with). If any song definitely deserved to be in Kyiv, it is certainly this one. If all 3 of these songs were there, Francesco (at the moment… Read more »
@Betty
I know, it’s always a problem whan you have a country that value so much lyrics but no one except you can understand and appreciate them. For us the lyrics and the meaning of a song matters a lot, we spend the entire Sanremo week (our – sort of – National final) talking about them in every single national tv program.
For a foreinger it’s obvious to value our songs only for the sound and the vibe, and it’s not that I can fault them, I think it’s natural. 🙂
I hope to see KEWKBA shining bright from the Maltese selection! Best song this national season BY FAR! 😀
@Betty
No, it’s for Emma.
…oh yes, the first place is for the pretentious lady from Sweden.
Out of these five, I only like Brooke and Ermal Meta. I really hope you guys include at least Shiu and/or Mos Harro from Festivali i Kenges.
Thank you Gippa. Don’t understand why this song Vietato Morire is only 23. Should be first. But maybe first place is for the likes of Mirela. Bleah.
Mostly good songs. “Wrecking Crew” is one of many great rock songs during this year’s NF-season. Let’s hope for more of them in the top 20.
If someone is interested, this are Ermal Meta’s “Vietato Morire” lyrics translated in English.
http://lyricstranslate.com/en/vietato-morire-forbidden-die.html
Honestly I love “Vietato Morire” and I love Ermal Meta. It’s nice that for the first time ever a song from Italy is in this list (and I’m very happy about it because it’s Ermal), but I think it should have been ranked higher. Ermal is an artist amid many performers, he writes his own music and lyrics. A lot better than some other songs that will probably be ranked higher.
Idk I’m not trying to be bitter, but I just want Ermal’s talent to be appreciated.
@Betty Yes, the translation is correct. It’s a beautiful song with amazing lyrics that talks about domestic violence (and violence in general, and it’s personal: it’s written as he was his child-self and he is saying things from that point of view and things that his mother – who were submitting violence – told him, all in a very delicate way). It’s very powerful and very beautiful. I’m glad he didn’t win Sanremo (not because he doesn’t deserve it – I loved all the top three songs) but I didn’t want this delicate, personal, almost secret diary page to be… Read more »
The real question is…..where is Vlad Max?
“Unstoppable” is an absolute masterpiece and Brooke’s vocals are amazing. It’s my #1. I also love “Vietato Morire”. Elin & The Woods and Ammunition were nice as well. My Radiant You’s song was bland and overrated.
“Vietato morire” is a masterpiece.
Should have been 1, or not be included in this list.
It’s even insulting that Unstoppable is ranked higher than Ermal Meta.
Ermal Meta – Vietato Morire is great.
Is it ”Forbidden to die” ???????????
All 5 of them boring. Brooke’s “Golden” was quite good, unfortunately it was submitted in the wrong year (2016), the same year with Ira Losco (the network’s favorite to win, I mean she had 2 songs in the national final). If it was 2017 for “Golden” she would have represented Malta 100%. But do not worry, Brooke! You’ll be revenged, as Faniello’s song won’t pass the semifinal, it’s a boring ballad… Many of us will use it as a toilet break during the 2nd semifinal.