It’s the penultimate edition of our countdown of Team Wiwi’s favourite national final songs of the season. We’re now in to our top ten and this is where things get really close. Our nerves are on edge looking at these votes, y’all!
With five different countries making up our top ten, it’s time to see who made the grade:
10. “Contigo” — Mirela (Spain)
Where to begin? Mirela’s “Contigo” was quickly seen as a favourite to represent Spain, a pop dancefloor filler that just screamed “Spain at Eurovision”. Whilst there were some who saw that as a bad thing, plenty thought otherwise. But at Objetivo Eurovision, the infamous “Eurodrama” saw Mirela easily beat Manel Navarro in the televote — but the resulting tie saw the jury swing in Manel’s favour. A twitter campaign, petition and even a parliament investigation couldn’t send Mirela to Kyiv though. Let’s hope she tries yet again for her country soon.
Wiwi Jury: “From the cheap refrain of baila-la-la-la to the image of beautiful Mirela with her abs out to the use of the phrase “Mi corazón,” this oozes Eurovision clichés. It’s completely disposable and somewhat generic. But it’s also utterly fun and uplifting and the three minutes speed by faster than Edurne’s cape during her Eurovision 2015 dress reveal. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure — and I feel richer for having this in my life!” (William)
9. “En värld full av strider (Eatneme gusnie jeenh dåaroeh)” — Jon Henrik Fjallgren feat. Aninia (Sweden)
We knew what to expect with the return of Jon Henrik Frallgren to Melfest. What we didn’t expect was just how good it would be. Bringing Aninia on board, Jon Henrik’s joiking was brought to life alongside her vocals. Once again, the Sami superstar made his way to the Melfest final and a very well deserved third place overall. He doesn’t quite reach that in our poll, but the top ten is a great spot regardless!
Wiwi Jury: “One word springs to mind when thinking about this entry – breathtaking. Jon Henrik was an inspired talent back in 2015 but his song lacked power and came across as repetitive. Combining his traditional Sami style with Aninia’s powerful vocal in “En värld full av strider” is such a phenomenal move. The song builds into such a strong finale that it moves me emotionally. This song is inspired.” (Josh)
8. “In or Out” — Elina Born (Estonia)
The return that didn’t quite pan out for Elina Born. Without Stig Rasta on the stage (albeit he penned the song), Elina was easily one of the big names going in to this year’s Eesti Laul. Her sultry performance of In Or Out included Elina straddling a giant “O”. It won over fans outside of Estonia, but the country didn’t quite think so, placing her last in the final televote.
Wiwi Jury: “We all know that Elina can sing and I have no doubt that she will deliver. This song is well produced with a cool sound and a damn good saxophone. The wild lyrics coupled with Elina’s inevitably strong stage show will ooze passion.” (Patrick)
7. “Circle of Light” — Emma (Finland)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=matU6RIsmHM
Oh, what could have been. Emma went in to the UMK final with a lot of expectations on her shoulders. After crushing the competition in our poll and Wiwi Jury, perhaps it was all a little too much. A combination of nerves and technical difficulties meant her live performance of “Circle of Light” truly suffered on the night. What remains otherwise, however, is a clearly strong song in the studio version — one that many would still consider a Eurovision contender.
Wiwi Jury: ” Rakas, we are fine. Emma — slayer of spiritual out-of-this-world bangers — has a chance of making the top ten in Kyiv. It’s the first song that’s made me feel this way this year. Her strong and compelling vocals combined with a well-crafted instrumental make me feel like I’m safe in her circle of light. It gives me life.” (Bernardo)
6. “Wild Child” — Ace Wilder (Sweden)
Did Sanna Nielsen pass on her Melfest curse to Ace Wilder in 2014? It wasn’t to be third time lucky for Ace, as she once again made her way to the final but failed at the last hurdle. With Thomas G:Son and Peter Bostrom on her writing team, Ace seemed much more comfortable and happy on stage this year. Let’s hope she finally breaks through to Eurovision soon.
Wiwi Jury: “Oh, Ace, I should never have doubted you. I was honestly worried when I heard the snippet of “Wild Child”. In full and on stage though, Ace kills it yet again. She seems so much more at ease on stage and has a great performance to go with it.” (Chris)
Elina is sooo hot
I just love JON HENRIK FJALLGREN FEAT. ANINIA. After I saw the performance, I immediately searched for all his other music. Both inspiring & relaxing
Waiting for Kerli.
Circle of Light <33
Hope that Loreen will be on #1 <3
I even like Statements more than Euphoria!
You really think Emma’s old-fashioned song was better than BQL’s modern pop song “Heart of gold” or Gabi Toth’s evergreen “Hozzsu Idok”?????
Coming from an Estonian, Elina’s song was the best. I voted for her. The performance was boring though, that’s why she didn’t get higher.
Jon Henrik Fjällgren feat. Aninia the best in the whole Eurovision 2017 year.
This is a great 6-10. Wouldn’t put Jon Henrik and Aninia here, but the rest are great.
Back in January I actually thought Contigo was a decent song, but listening to it now, as a Spanish speaker, it’s one of the dumbest I’ve ever heard. Do it for your lover is just as bad though.
I’m so glad Emma crashed and burned, the song is so simple and repetitive. I believe that even if she had pulled off her performance perfectly, Blackbird would have still won.
Jon and Ace were my favorites of Melfest, I hope they keep trying to represent Sweden in the years to come.
I actually find “Contigo” very overrated. Cheap schlager, disugused as latino. Dubious result or not, I think the actual winner was very better.
If Emma hadn’t crashed at UMK, I believe she would’ve been one of the favorites this year.
You should have used Emma’s rehersal video, on that one she shows she can be very good live!
@Padraig
Yea, one LOL
@Paul D: Emma’s “Circle Of Light” was perfect for Eurovision. The problem with it was that (1) the stage presentation didn’t interpret the song with the thunder and activity that it needed to have to make both the song and the performance stand out, and (2) she got lost in the 2nd verse and crashed and burned, and ended up 3rd at UMK. Methinks Jon Henrik and Aninia clearly belonged ahead of Ace. Though Ace’s performance was the most mature of her 3 performances at MF, her chances were slimmer now due to (1) the competition that showed up, and… Read more »
Mirela 10th? o_O What about LeKlein?
Oh dang, it’s painful to watch really cool swedish-saami entry below screaming sex 0. I believe estonians really felt being fed up by the same songwriter and producer over 3rd year, having amazing national selections. About finnish entries, I really liked their winner and a lil bit ‘Reach Out for the Sun’, though it was almost lifeless when sung live. ‘Circle of Light’ is also another good thing, just a bit over tailored.
As usual, there will be some countries left… Romania’s Mihai Traistariu had a great song, he sang perfectly in the national final. I doubt he’ll be in this
Team Wiwi’s Top National Final Songs of ESC 2017…. As usual, some countries benefit for preferential treatment (from Sweden 3-4 artists) while from other national finals no runner up in this chart…. Shame….Only some countries get articles and are included in the exquisite taste of the Wiwi team…. Just like EBU preferres countries like Russia, Sweden and the Big 5…. The small countries present less importance, so it seems….
Everybody is so sure that Loreen will win, that I remember all the hundreds of tops I’ve seen in my life, and all had the same pattern : the one you are so sure will win is placed second, to make you be curious till the end (I’m thinking about TV strategies).
All these were amazing. To be honest, I expected Emma to come first because she got the highest score of them all. But it’s probably Loreen or Tayanna.
@Padraig: oh we hope so :p
I think we all know Loreen will win …..
If Emma beats Loreen, Wiktoria, and Mariette (my guess for no 1) then this list loses all credibility for me 😉
Not a chance!
Dear No Name, I believe Jon Henrik Frallgren is a man.
Yay, the list is making a comeback! The last few entries were truly dire, but things are picking up in the final stretch! I’m not a fan of the trashy “Contingo” or “Wild Child” (despite liking Ace Wilder), but every other song is pretty good. I still reallllly love “Circle of Light,” despite the hilariously bad performance. Sad that Anni Sakku’s “Reach Out for the Sun” probably won’t make the list, that would be in my top ten with Emma’s song.
Jon and Aninia were amazing!!
“Contigo” is a radio friendly song, I can easily have it on my playlist and enjoy it! I wasn’t overwhelmed by the song I have to say!
Elina’s song captivated me from the start! However, the more I listened to it the more I lost my interest! It became repetitive!
Emma has a great song, but unfortunately not a matching good performance. Mirela’s song is a guilty pleasure, actually. It’s really simple, but catchy as hell. Jon Henrik feat. Aninia have a masterpiece. I really hope Wiwi team includes Rasmus Randvee and Wiktoria in final five.
My guess for top 5 :
5. Fiorella Mannoia – Italy
4. Nano – Sweden
3. Egine – Armenia
2. Wiktoria – Sweden
1. Loreen – Sweden
Emma? Gimme a break!
Ace Wilder should have definitely won Melfest ! Robin deserves credit for stage presence and presentation, but Wild Child was a much better song
I like no.10 and no. 6!!
The others aren’t bad by any standards!! But they don’t sound that good to me 😐
Why only female acts on this list ? what’s wrong with men
Circle of Light is the most overrated piece of crap I’ve seen in some years LOL