Following a slower than normal start, the Eurovision 2018 season is finally in full flow. In the space of just eight days, the number of entries has increased six-fold!
Two of the bunch have landed within the last 24 hours — Malta’s Christabelle with “Taboo” and Switzerland’s Zibbz with “Stones”. Can either act knock Spain’s Alfred & Amaia off the top spot? Or could one of the other three chosen acts bounce back?
It’s time to choose your favourites!
You can listen to both new tracks and watch our video reactions below. Then vote in our poll. Choose wisely, you can only vote ONE time. Voting ends at 23:59 CET on Tuesday 6 January — just ahead of the UK selection on Wednesday.
We will then relaunch the poll to include the You Decide winner, as well as any other songs which might drop in the interim.
Eurovision 2018: Top six
Malta: Christabelle “Taboo”
It was fourth time lucky for Christabelle Borg when she swept to victory in Malta’s MESC on Saturday night. Dealing with the theme of mental health, “Taboo” struck a chord with both the international juries and the viewers at home, receiving top marks from both constituencies. However, fans with long memories are already comparing the track unfavourably to her past hits like “Rush” and “Kingdom”. Of course, Eurovision viewers watching at home for the first time won’t be familiar with either, but will the song’s message resonate with them in May?
Switzerland: Zibbz “Stones”
Earlier tonight, brother-sister duo Zibbz won the Swiss selection in a similarly emphatic fashion. Corinne “Co” and Stee Gfeller beat out five other acts with “Stones”. They bring a more alternative sound to Europe compared to Switzerland’s most recent entries. Are they just what the Alpine nation needs to make its first final since 2014? Or are they destined to go the same way as Timebelle and Rykka?
1albani, 2italy 3grece.
Haters goona hate! Albania & Eugent forever.
Totally agree! I love Albania best.
It’s funny how you accuse albania of “invading” when it’s clearly the country with the least support & promotion in esc.
I voted for Spain, the song isn’ t too strong or original but Alfred and Amaia are super sweet and adorable…Let’ s what they can do in the stage in the final…
My favourite song so far is still competing in its National Final, unfortunately.
Out of this current list, France gets my vote.
Voted for France and Czech Rep.
France is the underdog this year, thier song is very relevant given all that’s happening right now with immigrants around the world, the beat is unique, the girl can perform, and the song has a soul searching side to it as well as an upbeat side to it. Reminds me so much of jamala’s 1944, if only can do a revamp where she holds a note at the end while back up singers (maybe a choir) sings the “mercy mercy” at the end, the song will be an instant winner, for now it’s definitely going to be in the top… Read more »
Again Albanians trolls the poll and the only reason is Eugent put (again) the link on social medias asking to vote for him, and I am sorry, but this is just stupid and childish ! The only interest of these poll is to see which “momentum” have each song and how they are “welcomed” by the audience, not by fans, there are nothing to win ! So please albanians, grow up !
Oh man, I love it when people get furious over some stupid poll that won’t make any difference.
First of all, Eugent didn’t ask anyone to vote, he just linked the poll on his fb.
Second of all, wiwibloggers say that any participant is welcomed to do so, it brings new readers!
Third of all, not only Albanians vote. I did it too and I am Norwegian.
So why don’t you grow up instead?
You are Norwegian as I am Estonian.
My top so far:
1. Czech Republic
2. Albania
3. Switzerland
4. Malta
5. France
6. Spain
I find first 3 songs as decent, I don’t like the other 3, no major entry so far. However, speaking of chances, I would say that France is the only one with hopes for a high result from all of them, even though I doubt it is a top 10 entry. Czech Republic and Albania are definitely deserving a final this year and while Czech Republic has its chances, I expect Albania to be robbed.
I love Albania?
“Mall” is the best sog I love “Maska e madheshtis” too
Eugent ?????
1 albania
2 switzerland
3 france
4 malta
5 czechia
6 spain
My ranking:
1. France ( voted)
2. Czech Republic (voted)
3. Albania (voted)
4 Spain
5. Switzerland
6. Malta
Ly fron Albania?
From* ?*
1. France 10/10
2. Spain 9/10
3. Czech Republic 8/10
4. Albania 8/10
5. Switzerland 7.5/10
6. Malta 6/10
1) France
2) Spain
3) Albania
4) Switzerland
5) Czech Republic
6) Malta
1 france
2 albania
3 malta
4 czech republic
5 spain, it’s the worst
What about Switzerland?
Everything is ok except for France, which I really really like, but all of the songs are just ok. I can’t find anything outstanding and better than the rest, I hope for Sweden to come and do stuff, because now it’s pretty bad.
1)Switzerland
2) Czech Republic
3)France
4) Spain
5) Malta
6) Albania
1.Albania(I love it!)
2.Czechia
3.France
4.Spain
5.Switzerland
6.Malta
1. Albania 8/10
2. France 7.5/10
3. Spain 7/10
4. Czech Republic 7/10
5. Switzerland 6/10
6. Malta 4/10
1.Switzerland
2.Czech Republic
3.Malta
4.Albania
5.France
6.Spain
Albania is the best by far ???
1. Spain
2. Albania
3. France
4. Switzerland
5. Czech Republic
6. Malta
How can i vote ?
France and Spain got my votes. I also like Albania. Switzerland and Czech Republic are just ok and I don’t like Malta.
Looks like a huge surge in votes for Albania since I last checked this poll. Same thing happened with the last poll. Hmmm…
eugent posted this in his facebook soo the votes are from his albanian fans. im from albania so i voted for him ?
That‘s pathetic
it’s just as pathetic as all the OT fans from Spain voting for Amaia and alfred.
It’s just a pity that it skews the poll, making it harder to gauge the wider public’s favourites. I think he went from 5th to 2nd place after the surge of votes from his FB followers.
+1000
I think ESC singers need to be more proactive on social media, especially when it comes to monitoring ESC-related websites. I think Eugent will not be the only one to promote Wiwibloggs polls as the season progresses, so when other acts inevitably start doing it he would be left behind. It’s better that he stays engaged like this, maybe other acts will wake up and do the same.
Hey, part of the fun has always been seeing Eurovision participants show some love to the Wiwi team! Going in, it feels like they all know William and co. very well, which makes the interviews a lot of fun.
1. France 9/10 (voted)
2. Spain 8.5/10 (voted)
3. Albania 8/10
4. Switzerland 7/10
5. Czech Republic 5/10
6. Malta 4/10
1./2. Czech Republic and France – the more I think about it, the more I just can’t decide which one I like more.
3. Albania – I love the live version of the song, but I’m worried about the revamp
4. Switzerland – it wasn’t my favourite from that nf, but it’s still a good song
5. Malta – ok song
6. Spain – too dull
1. Czechia
2. Switzerland
3. Albania
4.France
5. Malta
…
43. Spain
Can’t stand spanish entry this year, overly sugary and boring.
1) Albania – 8/10
2) Malta – 6/10
3) France – 6/10
4) Czech – 5/10
5) Spain – 4,5/10
6) Switzerland – 3,5/10
1. France
2. Spain
3. Switzerland
4. Malta
5. Czech Republic
6. Albania
Can’t wait till 7th as its my countries turn to pick, just hope Asanda can do an amazing live performance as loving Legends
Surprisingly, still Spain. Sometimes, very rarely, kitsch works for me.
It has worked for the last two winners. Wont work again with a cheap copy.
It matters so much the overall trend, and if anybody stands out. It can be a year like 2011, and to have winner like Ell and Nikki, meaning simple and nice.
1. Mercy (France)
2. Lie To Me (Czechia)
3. Taboo (Malta)
4. Mall (Albania)
5. Stones (Switzerland)
6. Tu Cancion (Spain)
I actually don’t dislike any song although the only thing saving Spain’s is the singers themselves. Still think Mercy is the best however the live performance and staging can make or break a song.
When half of the Spanish fans haven’t come to know of a new poll and Eugent hasn’t asked his fans to vote for him yet!!
Seriously he did that ??? ??? well i guess its the only thing both spain and albania can win so lets them be happy with that???in may they will cry again ??? allez la France !!!
He didn’t. He just shared a wiwi article.
Haha I thought exactly the same thing
Oh so only your mother is Albanian? Father is Russian? Or opposite?
How about none?
Czechia (10), Albania (9.5), France (9.5), Spain (8.5), Switzerland (7.5)
….
Malta (3.5)
1. France
2. Czech Rep
3. Albania
4. Malta
5. Spain
6)SW what is this try-hard mess, make this noise stop
4-5)Albania/Spain: zzzZZz
3)FR not bad, but i find it kinda boring and i dont like this overdramatic theme with the refugee babies
2)CZ Dancable and radio friendly feel-good song
1)Malta decent song creative staging and good voice imo
1. Spain
2. France
3. Albania
4. Switzerland
5. Czech Republic
6. Malta
france… by a mile.
6. Czech – it represents everything I hate about the music of nowadays. 5. Spain – cute, but kinda cheesy and the performance was pretty awkward. 4. Malta – very generic and a mix of a lot of songs from recent years. Nothing original, but still kinda nice. 3. Switzerland – Very nice rock song, but the singer needs to improve her vocals. Couldn’t really reach those high notes. Overall pretty pleasant and enjoyable. 2. Albania – A song with a lot of potential, delivered by an amazing singer (imo the best singer so far). Very original, emotional and anthemic… Read more »
Can’t wait for Esamiba to be part of this.
YESSSS esamiba and don’t forget La forza also !
1. Switzerland
2. Czech Rep
3. France
4. Albania
5. Malta
6. Spain
MY TOP 6, (SO FAR…)
1. Spain
2. Czech Republic
3. Albania
4. Switzerland
5. France
6. Malta
France and Albania, in terms of quality, have them all beat by a mile. Regardless, this is the most promising start of the season in recent memory, none of the selected songs are actually bad, they all have something going for them in one way or another. I find it curious that out of 6 songs (a very small pool) already 3 are in their national languages and 3 are performed by duos, two things that are somewhat unusual. Spanish fans are already hyping up Tu Canción to the stratosphere and I can’t help but think its gonna blow up… Read more »
Spain can be the dark horse like Jacques Houdek. His song My Friend had the same kind of comments : ”unbearable cheesy”, ”he will be nowhere near top 10”, and he was 13 (with more points from televote I guess)
Yes, but he went full-televoting appeal. I don’t think Spain will do the same.
I dunno. Even without watching OT, the fact that they’re a couple is pretty obvious (and their video already has a ton of views on the Eurovision YT channel).
I’m talking about the staging.
We will have more couples than the spanish one. The audience has seen tons of love acts since always. Spain wont be a darkhorse, it’s getting way too hyped, it will be another country that no one is paying attention, as usual.
13th is still pretty low to me tbh
Also, My Friend was a troll entry – Tu cancion is meant to be taken seriously- which is pretty much the problem with it. Every time I try to watch it, I end up in a fit of giggles over the stupid doe-eyed faces they’re pulling at each other.
Switzerland is my favorite by far, 2nd is Malta, Christabelle did an amazing performance and 3rd is Albania, that is also being criminally underrated this year! But it seems like everyone is up on the Overrated Club (France, Czech Republic and sometimes Spain), shame though!
same winner
1. Czech Republic
2.Malta
3.France
4.Switzerland
5.Albania
6.Spain
Albania has best song so far, just due to France seems to have lowered the bar a bit this year and Mercy isn’t my style.
Spain’s is by far the worst and I’ll be shocked if they get anything other than 26th in Grand Final, it’s flat and goes nowhere, the romance is kinda cringe-worthy and honestly Alfred’s vocals sound kinda odd (it’s like he’s slurring or something) but it’ll win the poll because the Spanish Eurofans can’t be objective and just overrate ever entry e.g. Edurne (which all I can remember of that song is the e-yeah-e-eh’s)
Hopefully their hype will slow down in april. I hope for a flop. Cyprus will be the underdog and reach a good place.
Apart from Jessica Mauboy who is known internationally, Eleni is the most established and famous star competing so far. Cyprus is not an underdog this year.
Spain will get 24 points from Portugal this year!
So Germany needs more than 25 for Spain to not be last
Also I think Spain will get a few points from the juries!
I’m afraid this year, esc will not have a giant like Occidentalis Karma, I guess because in the end it was 6th, probably countries don’t know what to think anymore. I know there are still 37 songs to be revealed, but this is what I feel now.
I voted for Spain.
I feel this way also because all national selections are weak, and I don’t think Russia will stand out. It will be a balanced year.
There are giant songs to come soon :: Armenia (Poison and You & I) , Poland (Isabell Otrebus- Delirium), Estonia (Elina Netsajeva – La Forza), Norway (Rebecca- Who We Are). Also Sweden and Bulgaria can probably send giant entries
Imagine thinking Poison is ‘giant’ lmao
As long as it isn’t Kamil I’ll be satisfied. We only need one Verka Serduchka…
And Delirium… let’s not. Michal Szpak is back to the selection isn’t he? Now that’s something we should care for.
I haven’t heard any of the Polish songs. Apparently they got more submissions than ever this year, which gives me hope. They’ve done alright for the last few contests (haven’t missed a final since they returned in 2014) so fingers crossed for them to keep it up.
I think the selections are decent but the internally chosen acts have a lot of promise this year as the names are sl big. To have Jessica, Saara, Eleni and Waylon in the same year is a treat. Plus SENNEK and Cesar will probably slay.
The internally-selected ones give me a lot of hope. I’m less sure about Waylon as other folks seem to be and Ryan’s is a major “what-if” (either he breaks the streak or maintains it, knowing neither the song nor his music leaves me neutral), and Iriao could go in any number of directions. The rest I feel very good about, most especially most of the ones you listed. Saara and Jessica in particular have me excited – talent and name value make for a powerful combination in modern Eurovision.
Wtf… occidentalis Karma is anything but a ”giant”. It was a ridiculously average Pop song with good lyrics. That’s all it had… It had good lyrics. The rest was nothing special at all.
Oh, but we have another giant overrated this year, Mercy!
Mercy? lmao no it’s Spain thats overrated.
They should think to put an effort on the staging and live performance too. Cause ‘Occidentali’s Karma’ looked much weaker on stage than in the studio version. And especially after you create a good impression, a bad staging will be considered a dissapointement, which will bring you down.
Sixth place is nothing to sneeze at, but that’s why I make no predictions about the actual contest at this stage in the game. Another fourteen entries or so and maybe it’ll start getting clearer for me but no way in hell can I truly predict how things will turn out right now.
Occidentalis Karma didnt look weaker before he performed in ESC.
Sanremo version of O.Karma was better than studio version and ESC version.
Live Sanremo version was the ultimate.
Agreed. The orchestra helped.
La forza says hi.
I know what my #1 will be if that wins. Estonia, you guys, if you know what’s good for you…
I wasn’t a great fan of the first few songs and I was hoping for the better but… Now they’re on my top. Songs from Malta and Switzerland are pretty disappointing in my opinion.