It’s been a long road getting there, but finally the six competing songs have been released for Germany‘s national final Unser Lied für Lissabon. But who should represent Germany at Eurovision and hopefully break the five-year streak of disappointing results?
The process started back in October when broadcaster NDR revealed its plans for the 2018 national final. They started out looking for singers — not songs — and recruited a panel of German Eurovision fans to help narrow down the potential artists.
From there, the six selected acts took part in a songwriting camp and worked on potential songs for Unser Lied. And now those songs have finally been released.
We’ll hear them live at the grand final this Thursday. But who should win? Listen to the six songs and vote for your favourites. As always, you can vote for as many songs as you like, but you can only vote once — so make it count!
Hi there Eugene, what’s going on, I’ve missed you ?
All I can say – Natia Todua with “My Own Way” !
If Natia wins the German National Selection then Germany will become definitely a very big and serious contender for this years ESC in Lisbon.
From the betting market perspective, the odds for Germany are tumbling in a free fall currently at 20/1 since the started with 40/1 a month ago.
My advice – Keep that in mind !
My opinion on songs (hyped for tonight, btw):
House on Fire – What a strange expression! At first, I was sure she was singing about a turbulent, hot/cold relationship, and not something perfect. The metaphor could get lost with foreigners. Ivy sings beautifully and the song leaves a lot of potential for a strong visual images on stage. It’s definitely not a type of song we haven’t heard yet, though. It’s playing it safe and I am unsure Germany can afford that, like Sweden could.
You Let Me Walk Alone – It evokes really strong emotions. It’s genuine and heartfelt, as well as melodic and memorable. It would be my personal pick by far. I only wonder would there be too many songs going in the deep compared to funny or even relaxed ones. Anyway, this is so beautiful!
My Own Way – At first, there are a lot of Levina associations, regarding the topic. However, this feels a lot more authentic. Knowing her story, this is actually very inspirational, as well as catchy.
You and I – It takes time to take on, but when it does, it creates goosebumps. Ryk sings beautifully and the song creates a really lovely atmosphere.
VoXXclub looks like my favourite for the overall win – and, well, Germany won’t be the only Big 5 country to sing in a foreign language, makes a long time we haven’t heard some German in Eurovision…
But, for real, I’d prefer Ryk. Some kind of “Birds” feeling for me.
Finally I got to listen to these song! Well, all of them sound good, even Voxxclub’s entry. They are really well-produced, but most of them wouldn’t achieve a top 10 as they don’t stand out too much. However, there are some entries that could place Germany on the left side of the scoreboard again! These are my thoughts: Ivy Quainoo – “House on Fire”. Ivy was my fav before the songs reveal, but this song leaves cold. While it isn’t bad, I feel like it’s very plain and repetitive. Its start is very promising, but then nothing is happen until… Read more »
VoXXclub for Deutschland (Natives Language). Not English.
For me, it’s Michael who made the biggest impact. The song is really beautiful, meaningful and touching. It pulls just the right emotional strings. Instant top 10.
I like Natia Todua’s song verses but the chorus disappoints!
Okay, so it seems most people who hate Voxxclub are German themselves. However, a lot of others likes the song anyway. Here are 2 points to consider: 1/ Germans cannot vote for themselves 2/ Voters cannot down-vote ==> it could be a smart move to send Voxxclub to Eurovision, to show another side of Germany in the contest. Who knows, the fun, laid-back, and craziness of it might attract a lot of votes. Take The Sunstroke Project last year as an example. Germany tends to end up bad in the contest, so why not just do something really special sometimes?… Read more »
William, a non-German, disliked it. Watch the video.
People who seem to apparently love the song are simply glad about something “different” and fun and sung in the native language (although it’s not even that but a horrid dialect). The song itself probably doesn’t even matter here.
Sunstroke Project was on a completely different level. It was cliche but the act had swag, and it was those opposite that made it special.
Voxxclub is and has always been annoying, and I’d hate to see them hop around the Eurovision stage.
@Vinni: I agree with you about Voxxclub`s chances. And I know we`re not famous for our humour and friendliness, but actually some of us Germans are really funny! 😉 Don`t forget we sent Guildo Horn and Stefan Raab to ESC and they were quite successful. Greetings from Germany!! 🙂
Am I the only one who really likes “Jonah” by Xavier Darcy? It’s so catchy!
No, you’re not! I like Jonah from the first listening 🙂 I voted for Xavier and Ryk.
Jonah is a brilliant song! I’m shocked, well not that shocked but disappointed that it is last on the poll.
I was a bit frightened to listen to Voxxclub`s Song, because usually I can`t stand this kind of music at all – BUT after listening I have to say I really liked it. 🙂 This is so typical for German music in a good way, it represents Germany individually, it`s likeable, positive, fun to listen to and I think people might like it and vote for it no matter if they understand the lyrics or not. It just fits perfectly for ESC – all aboard? Come as you are, you`re perfect like this! 🙂
1. Michael Schulte
2. Ryk
3. Ivy Quianoo
4. Xavier Darcy
5. Natia Todua
6. voXXclub
You can say whatever you want, but the level of this year’s German national final is surprisingly good. By choosing any from my top4 Germany could easily reach the top 10.
Nadia’ song is just not my cup of tea, but she’s got really interesting voice.
I will not comment my last place…
From Germany: I never would have thought I would like Voxxclub´s song, but I really enjoy it and I think it would at least give people what they think Germany is like, and that´s a good thing for a change, plus I love the “secret” message of everyone having the right to be who and how they want to be. I like Ivy´s and Natia´s songs the least, even though I still think they´re good, to me they just sound very Eurovision-y which I personally have heard enough of. I like Xavier´s song, although I think it needs time to… Read more »
”I don´t remember any song ever being about being grateful to your father, feel free to remind me though”
Richard and Joe – Song for Dad, it was in this year selection in Malta, it came 2nd I guess
You know when I said I’d randomly talk about Greece on the German post?… I was kidding.
Ryk for the win in Germany. 🙂
Once again it’s gonna be a strong battle between germany and spain for the last place
Yikes… don’t really like one of these songs and I doubt they will do well at Eurovision :/
Xavier Darcy at least is special and has a nice voice – not too mainstream and forgettable. Voxxclub might be distinctive but I just don’t like their music.
Telling by our national finals in previous years, it is most likely an act with a strong lobby will win this. I bet one of the singers from The Voice will come out on top.
I for myself would like to see Jonah or You And I in Lisbon. Especially the latter has caught me shivering. I hope the staging won’t be too cliché. And I especially hope Ryk can sing this live.
I really hope that voXXclub will represent us!! ?
I can’t stop listening Voxxclub, please save me 😀
Send them and have fun, what can you loose, you are already in final 😛
It seems that Georgians shared the link, and now Natia Todua is first. This poll is not relevant. VoXXclub or nothing.
I was just wondering in what parallel universe she’s leading this poll 😀
hey you can also share your favs link ?
ryk ftw : )
Voxxclub or bust!! The others are forgettable, cliche, boring…right side scoreboard imho. But, when did Germany vote beyond the mediocre?
Voxxclub is either very good or very bad, and since Germany usually ends up badly no matter what song they pick, it’s surely better that they pick a high risk song like the voxxclub one. Surely not Natia because that song is far too cliche (like last year’s) and won’t do well.
The funny thing is… my favourite songs in Eurovision season so far are Italy, Albania and France. And in the French selection my personal winner was actually Igit. And with all this baggage, do you know which is the only song in the German selection that I am listening to on repeat? It’s the Voxxclub. It is soooooooo much fun! Even though I do not speak German, I could get the plot thanks to ‘polka dancing, carnaval in Rio’ and there was something about ‘tango Argentina’. Simple but catchy, easy-to-grasp and not too cheesy. It would stand out on the… Read more »
I agree with you that voXXclub is the right choice, but Germans will not understand what gem they have, not even if God will tell them in person.
I´m German: I think the thing is that a lot of Germans just don´t want to hear “their” music in the ESC, because for example here in northern Germany we are absolutely nothing at all like Bavaria and i reckon a lot of Germans dont want to be labeled as the Nation in Lederhosen, simply because we´re not. I also never thought I´d like the song, but it´s actually great, and finally something different for Germany for a change. Not my personal fave, but I´d love it if they won, because I usually enjoy rather “native” songs from the other… Read more »
I am sooo with you!
I will call for them tonight soo many times as often as I can.
I just cant stop listening to it!
We can take a risk, because we cannot place lower so why not?:-D
Love love LOVE “Jonah”! Really reminds me of Mumford and Sons (maybe a bit too much? Not complaining though!). “I mog di so” is also brilliant, would really bring some much-needed fun in this contest so far!
This year’s preselection in Germany is not that bad for me. There are some quite good songs. voXXclub have a “love it or hate it” song. Personally I like it. It’s fun without being a joke act. Looking forward to their live performance.
I also like Michael Schulte. Nice melody, beautiful voice. I enjoy listening to this one.
“You and I” is a really low tempo song. I appreciate the vocals and the song can come alive live. But for now it’s not my favourite.
For now I’m rooting for voXXclub or Michael Schulte.
Yes, VoXXclub and Michael are the only options. The other ones are so boring that will even be punished more than they deserve.
I’m glad that you also mentioned Conchita, because I was asking myself if I was crazy for his vocals reminding me of her. If he has her charisma also, it’s a done deal.
I also hear it and I love it
Vote for Ryk, if you ever want to see the left side of the board.
Beautiful, might actually become my favorite next to Dotter’s Cry and Delirium.
Things haven’t worked out for Germany the last few years so they need to send something different and take a risk. Voxxclub for the win. Especially when everyone else might be going down the ballad road.
I can’t believe so many people want Natia to win. It is literally “Perfect Life” 2.0
Ivy is great but will get lost as well. Xavier is just forgettable, no thanks.
Michael, Ryk and voXXclub are amazing and would definitely escape bottom 5.
Ryk and Michael are potential top 10 candidates, I’d send voXXclub though just for the fun!
Yes, Natia is ”Perfect life”, and Ivy is boring too. Are you people trolling when you say Natia or Ivy should win? Christer Bjorkman and Iveta Mukuchyan were trolling France, now some of you are trolling Germany.
1. Voxxclub!!!!
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Everyone else
In my opinion, I mog Di so has a deeper message other than the typical love song
Michael Schulte have to win with “You Let Me Walk Alone”. I love this song and I think that people don’t appreciate this jewel enough.
What is this song about? Is it about a father who left his family?
No, his father died early
So is about the father’s death? This is what he means by You let me walk alone?
Yes, it is. Michael Schulte has another song, “You Said You’d Grow Old With Me”, which also deals with his father’s early death. Today in the press conference, Michael mentioned that his father died 13 years ago. Michael was only 14 years old back then.
Reading the comments on this thread, I notice that VoXXclub is a love or hate song. Some people have it as number 1, for others is last. This is what brings votes, a love or hate song, not a middle of the road song. Haters will not be able to downvote, but you can see that many also love it enough to make it their number one, therefore to vote on May 12.
Yes
True so. Send it or lose it.
Voxxclub all the way!
OMG I LIVE FOR VOXXCLUB
such a fun song <3
Germany, please don’t send another dull song this year
Anyone but Voxxclub, please.
I can take a lot, but their entire act is just too annoying.
Oh wow, the one in Bavarian reminds me of the dark horse that was Austria 2003!
#TeamVoxxClub
Can anyone know which song producer is Paradise Oscar(fin2011)
Hi AtteFIN:
Paradise Oskar help writing Xavier Darcys Song ‘Jonah’.
I’m from Germany and usually the Germans don’t get it right….but when I heard Ryk I was speechless!! I didn’t know about this guy..but Damn!!! The song, the arrangement and that Voice!! This song would a moment at Eurovision….but I’m afraid Germany won’t get it right again….:-(
Would * be 😉
He has a lovely vibrato but the melody was a bit meandering for my tastes. I was literally forgetting it as I was hearing it
Why Germans are hating their own traditions? Other countries don’t know how to squeeze the folk genre, and bring balkan, grecian, vikings, whatever, but Germans are making such big deal about the dialect. Are you aware that all countries have dialects?
this is only the dialect of a small group of people in Germany. The most germans cant understand the lyrics. I’m from Berlin and we have a another dialect —-> we are Prussions (Preußen) hehe. We dont like Bayern an the tradtions.
“A small group of people”? There are nearly 13 million people living in Bavaria and you talk about it as if it was a little Native American tribe.
And as for “We don’t like Bavaria and their traditions” – was that really necessary? As a Bavarian, I can tell you how annoying it is to get all the snide remarks and the hateful grudge from the Northern regions. I have sometimes problems myself with the humour of the “Prussians” or their way to talk, but you don’t see me walking around and telling it at every occasion…
I just hope that they don’t send again a woman with a mediocre song that will again end last.
If Germany wants to be back in the top 10 send: Ryk – “You and I”. Best song and best vocalist of the bunch. The others will lead them to the bottom of the scoreboard. Voxx Club is potential NIL points in my opinion both from the jury and the televoting.
Ok, so I listened to all the songs a couple of times before deciding which ones I like best. Here’s what I came up with: 1. Michael Schulte – I can’t stop listening to this song. It gives me all the feels. His voice is everything and the live performance is going to be amazing. 2. Xavier Darcy – I love his style, the song his great, too. Wouldn’t mind sending this to Lisbon. 3. Ivy Quainoo – I am unfortuantely a little bit underwhelmed with this song. She could do so much better. Still, it is a decent song… Read more »
Jamala-”1944”, Sobral-”Amar pelos dois”, voXXclub-”I mog Di so”
These 3 songs have something in common : they can’t represent other country but their own. These songs can’t be interchangeable between countries, you can tell are not rejects from somewhere else.
For God’s sake that song is a joke. It reminds me of France’s 2014 entry. ._.
It reminds me of Alex Florea climbing a cannon,and it was 7th last year.
Please do not send Bavarian circus music sung in dialect, ok?
Yes, please. Any other song is a better choice.
My top 6: 6. Michael Schulte – “You Let Me Walk Alone” – while it’s not a bad song and sound sincere it leaves me cold and unimpressed 5. Natia Todua – “My Own Way” – song somehow gives me Perfect Life vibes, Natia’s voice is unique, but the song isn’t 4. Ivy Quainoo – “House on Fire” – very strange song, but I’m in love with her voice, it’s quite possible she’ll be much better live 3. Xavier Darcy – “Jonah” – love his voice and the song 2. Ryk – “You and I” – there is only a… Read more »
And better than Malta , and U.K., and Albania ,,,,,,,,,
Nothing insteresting here, sorry.
If Germany don’t want to stay again on LAST position … send Natia ! this is very motivated song and not boring
Typical eurovision fans voting for the most upbeat songs. LOL Ryk is going to win. 😉
He surely has to!!!