The vocal range? Baritone to soprano. The song? Inspirational ballad and operatic overture. The duet? Croatia’s Jacques Houdek…featuring Jaques Houdek.

The performance opens with Jacques staring into the camera, acting as a motivational speaker who preaches that each day can be lived like a miracle. The camera then pans out to reveal Jacques singing to Jacques — when he looks to his right he’s the balladeer. When he looks to his left he’s the opera star. Behind him we see images of Jacques on the LED. (Eurofans: It is not the airbrushed one that was circulating on the Internet recently).

The screens then display stunning images, including the sun rising from behind an almost mythical mountain and later a field of sunflowers. At various points pyro geysers erupt around the perimeter of the stage and fall in a shower from above. Toward the end of the song a rainbow appears above all of this — providing hope and inspiration that match the soaring sound.

Instrumentalists — violin player, cellist — and backing vocalists help fill the stage and they both get their own moments to shine. At one point the string players rush to the centre to deliver the manic and forceful transition that cranks the song into overdrive. And the performance ends with the camera fading to black while focusing on the violinist.

This performance is mad, but in a delightful way. It’s not always clear if the press room was laughing at Jacques or with him. But judging from the riotous applause they liked it either way. This act takes itself seriously but is so bonkers you struggle not to like it.

Jacques Houdek — “My Friend”: Reviews and Reactions

Croatia: First Rehearsal at Eurovision 2017

Croatia: First Press Conference 2017

Read all of our Eurovision rehearsal reviews

Read all of our Croatia Eurovision news here

Photo: Eurovision.tv (EBU)

19 Comments
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Bella
Bella
6 years ago

He really does sound like two different singers! 😀 I love it though and I think Jacques is amazing!

Richard
Richard
6 years ago

I’ve been so looking forward to seeing this performed and I’m not disappointed, it’s totally fabulous and crazy. I really want it in the final.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

Usually I don’t like too many things going on in the background. Here there are flowers, mountains, it was busy!
Jacques was great vocally! I like the concept where the one Jacques talks to the other Jacques.
I don’t know! Indifferent!

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

Only in ESC!

Eve
Eve
6 years ago

This is creepy, funny and enjoyable, lmao 😀

Lugosi
Lugosi
6 years ago

Is there anything al all you guys don’t like ?! I’ve been following your reviews and while they’re certainly fun and with lots of information, I’d like something more objective please. You’re just kissing everyone’s arse here.

Stormbolt
Stormbolt
6 years ago
Reply to  Lugosi

that’s not true. They say what they don’t like but they don’t offend people .

Stormbolt
Stormbolt
6 years ago

Although i don’t like the song 4 many reasons , I think one should try to be objective while analyzing the song’s chances to qualify . First of all he’s a great singer , secondly the staging seems eye-catching & the whole performance is memorable , thirdly he’ll get votes from Serbia, Macedonia . Croatia has a huge diaspora in Ireland , Austria . I think Italy is also voting in this semi-final . With that said I think he’ll do great .

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Stormbolt

Italy votes in SF1.

Stormbolt
Stormbolt
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

u’re right . Germany votes in semi final 2. There are 300000 Croatians living in Germany

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

It’s joyful, but Belarus comes after and Romania before. With Italy and Moldova in the Final it’s too much sugar.

Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago

Jacques is serving some dissociative identity disorder realness.

M_K
M_K
6 years ago

That’s brilliant, thank you! 😀

S@g@
S@g@
6 years ago

ROFL

M_K
M_K
6 years ago

The video has yet to be uploaded by Eurovision.tv, so my comment is just based on the description and the picture.

I still don’t like the song and I think there is happening too much in the backdrops. However, Nevertheless, I have respect for Croatia going all the way this year.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  M_K

Yeah it looks like someone lost Croatia’s video. (Perhaps someone just got fired. 😛 )

Jeana
Jeana
6 years ago

I don’t like it at all…. And hope it won’t qualify, it’s too weird…

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Amazing concept. The press have been reacting like crazy to this one so far. This could actually do very well because it has the strong vocals, bonkers concept and nice message. It’s the kind of entry that people I know at parties will vote for. 🙂

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

So is that already legendary backdrop with several faces of Jacques smiling real? That alone is worth the final (but really, I love the song).