The first semi-final came and went, and with it 10 lucky acts qualified for the final. But what impact have these songs had on the iTunes chart? Let’s take a look.
The big winner with iTunes is Cyprus. Eleni Foureira’s “Fuego” has made an impression with viewers in 16 countries. The song is No.2 in Greece. It’s No.4 in Spain, and has made the top ten in Israel, Sweden and Portugal. In addition, it sits at No.1 in Cyprus’ domestic charts.
Next on the list is Austria, Cesár Sampson with “Nobody But You” has charted in 13 countries. It’s made the biggest impression in its home country, going straight to No.1 in Austria. Estonia is also lapping up Cesár, putting him at No.1.
The third most popular song in iTunes is Ireland’s Ryan O’Shaughnessy with “Together”. The surprise qualifier is charting in 11 countries, peaking at No.1 in his home market and No.2 in Estonia.
Next is Czech Republic’s “Lie To Me”. Mikolas Josef’s cheeky tune has charted in 10 countries, including top ten placings in the Czech and Austrian charts.
In joint fifth place is Lithuania’s Ieva Zasimauskaite and Bulgaria’s Equinox. Their songs “When We’re Old” and “Bones” have charted in eight countries.
Pre-contest favourite Israel’s Netta is charting in six countries, while Finland’s Saara Aalto is doing so in five.
Other artists charting in multiple countries include Belgium’s SENNEK, France’s Madame Monsieur, Switzerland’s Zibbz, Italy’s Ermal Meta & Fabrizio Moro, Estonia’s Elina Nechayeva, and Norway’s Alexander Rybak.
So what does all this iTunes chart action tell us? It’s important to remember that not all countries use iTunes as much as others do. In some countries other online music stores are more popular, in others streaming has taken over as the dominant form of consuming music.
But the reaction in iTunes charts around Europe is at least an indication of what songs made an immediate connection with some listeners. It shows us what songs inspired listeners enough last night for them to track down the song online and download it.
What do you think? Do iTunes charts indicate Eurovision success? Share your thoughts below!
Photo: EBU
I hope Cyprus charting well, shows that we are a huge threat this year, plzzzz vote Eleni the winner wherever you are, and hopefully we will see you in Cyprus next year, please vote the best song everyoneee plzzz
I Can’t Go On was bad and I couldn’t stand it. Fuego is leading in charts so make the difference
Switzerland equalized their worst series of results. 4 consecutive years without going to the final (2015-2018), same as 2007-2010. Imagine, I’m crying just to write this. I’ll be sad until May next year.
You had an amazing performer. Real star quality. The song was good but not good enough. Please send Zibbs to eurovision again. Their star needs to shine.
I like Fuego…I have read many negative comments, but when i watch it, it makes me feel like going out, flirting, dancing, smiling, being optimistic…it makes my day…
Sadness is not the only feeling in the world 🙂
What’s with all the pointless conflict? She is not the first Albanian-Greek person or celebrity, many even won medals at Olympics. She is not the first Greek to represent Cyprus or vice versa, they are one people and one music industry after all. And if she wins, she’s not the first with migrational background – hello Paparizou, Rybak, Loreen. Let her and all immigrants tell their own story.
Horrible performance full of kitsch, bad copy Beyonce.
A watchable dance act based on a plastic piece of music! Let’s get back to the song writing. Wiwibloggs seems to have forgotten all about it. Endless talk of skin colour, costumes, make-up and camera shots. Fine – but keep some focus on the songwriting now and then!
I think a win in ESC could help boost Cyprus confidence as a country. They have always felt a bit inferior to big brother Greece. If Eleni wins then they would be very pleased I can imagine
Yeah, keep saying that and bye bye 12 points to Greece every year.
I just watched the semifinal on Youtube (full show). Austria was awesome, he’s going for the Top 10 and possible jury winner, as I always thought.
It tells nothing.
Have you guys seen this? Almost all of the semi final 1 contestants getting down to ‘Fuego’ being performed live. What a great vibe and atmosphere. They all seem to want her to win. https://youtu.be/mGy3I7opKpE
I think that Austria went through primarily thanks to the juries. This fake gospel thing was even rejected by uk…
Oh how smart you are insulting women this way. In the press conference even Ieva from Lithuania said she is a really really nice person. She is sexy cause that is required by this particular song and that doesnt make her a w….She is also working really hard in order to put on a good show while you are being busy bushing people like a coward in the comfort of your sofa.
stop promoting fake beyonce please!!! its staring to be so ridiculous.
The site became a fan site to Eleni Foureira.
dont cry honey, may of 2019 is coming and nicosia is waiting for you
If you have a problem, we don’t care! Keep it for your self!!
This is a great site! Stupid kids…
And before i forgot it….Go Cyprus!!#winner
Cyprus is good but a song who is 90 % of AYE AYE AYE AYE AYE cant be the winner for my opinion
yes cos wild dances, every way that I can, running scared, satellite and I wanna, were all music masterpieces and suddenly everyone has a problem that a dance hit is doing so well again. At least this year this dance hit has the best staging than any other with the exception of Euphoria who was just as amazing.
You sound a little communist to be honest.
“Let’s not report who’s on top of the charts so as not to hurt people’s fee fees”
This all means the press, the odds, and eurofan sites like you are promoting globalized pop upbeat songs with hot ladies and harming our beautiful European cultures and local musical industry. And the herd following all of them of course. Buying what they want us to buy. What a pity.
Stop it, please. What’s wrong with people wanting to celebrate with one heck of a dance beat. Plus, “Fuego” takes inspiration from Mediterranean sounds and beats. What exactly do you like? Eurovision with 43 Salvadors?
Quality, originality, personal creation, own language, good lyrics…. even in a pop piece. Not the case. Ria is focused on her and not in her song.
Go to Broadway then
Thanks. Im happy giving muy opinion in a Song contest
on one hand, wiwibloggs complain of too many swedish songs. on the other – Fuego is absolutely OK for them… do not get it… anyway!
You aren’t giving an opinion actually about a Song Contest. Calling people who just happen to share a different taste from yours a “herd” is just pure discrimination.
The funny thing: THIS could have been Greece’s entry this year.
She tried for THREE years in a row to represent Greece, and had the door slammed in her face by ERT. The Greek broadcaster wouldn’t have even needed to pay anything, since Panic Records (a Greek record company) is footing most of the bill.
We’re still happy with Oniro Mou, thanks. One of the best songs this year -before the show but still. And we’re perfectly happy with Cyprus winning and Eleni making her dream come true. Plus, if she had to deal with ERT and its lazy PR and zero budget she wouldn’t be doing as well. Finally, Greece does not want to host and face public anger over spending. If Cyprus wants to host in Greece, they better pay for it too.
Greece’s failure to qualify is really sad. “Oniro Mou” really is a beautiful song, and Yianna does have a beautiful voice. She also looked stunning in that white dress. However, you cannot blame this on ERT. It really was the fault of Yianna’s team. They made some big mistakes when they decided how to present the song. First of all, Yianna was being criticized left and right that the stage looked empty. Thus, they should have flooded the stage with fog from the beginning of the song, and include the background singers on the stage with her. Also, she should… Read more »
Greece suffered a lot from high expectations. The performance just fell flat. Yianna isn’t ready for a huge stage like the Eurovision one, where you also need to be a good performer.
she hasnt perfomed in 10 years so yianna was also a part of the problem. She seemed like she was thinking something else, while she should have given her soul. I mean you have a song with such a deep meaning and in the instrumental part you look the camera like “oh hey lets smile its me on the spot now”. Together with no budget, no promotion, and countless techincal problems of the cheapest eurovision ever, lead to a non qualification….
Valid point about Yianna not performing in 10 years. That may have played a factor in her failure to qualify. However, I don’t think the lack of budget or promotion was a factor. She was already in the top 10 betting odds before the first semi, and her promotional video was very well received. Thus, the buzz was already there for her. Also, she didn’t need a lot of money to deliver a good show. Just a few minor changes could have made this a lot better. If they hired a dancer, it would have cost a bit more, but… Read more »
I will vote for her extensions, fake eyelashes, botox lip flip, high heels, nice body and good dance. That is enough “Beyonce wanna be” to win the hole song contest and grab the trophy from Salvador. I want to see how cheap music wins in front Salvador’s eyes. 😀
I hope that she will win. That way you people trying to act like musicians will finally shut up. No more crying. We need a summer hit song to win Eurovision. Lithuania and Estonia also will have a vote from me. Fun fact: Salvador said that Israel’s song was horrible. UNDER NO CONDITION no musician should downgrade another musician’s work. It’s disrespectful. The whole “Eurovision winner” thing got to his head. He thinks that he has revolutionized music lol. I don’t hate Salvador, but he was disrespectful. I hope that Eleni wins, so that she can prove people that music… Read more »
Another musician work…. I think the song is not hers. I think she is just the performer. Correct me in Im wrong…
She’s the performer of the song, the song is hers despite not having written it or composed it. Michael Jackson didn’t actually write or compose “Thriller” but you can’t deny it is one of MJ’s biggest hits. The same happens here, “Toy” was written by Doron but the song is what it is thanks to Netta.
Cyprus entry is swedish. Song, dancers, choreography. I find it annoying as a swede that Sweden helps other countries like this. They are a big part of the production in Lissbon as well. Get your own people! I’m not the only one complaining about how much influence Sweden has.. This is a reason why Sweden has to take a lot of negativity every year. And now Cyprus can win with something that’s “Made in Sweden” on top of it. Like Azerbaijan in 2011. But I have to say.. we are good at it 🙂 and we have broken Ireland’s record… Read more »
Humility is a virtue.
Well said. If he said “its not my cup of tea” i would be fine. But judging a song like that, and being rude doesnt make you a better artist. Salvador needs to stop taking himself so seriously.
It’s not really dance, it’s flipping hair, but it does look quite good I guess.
oooo wait…i haven’t heard the song of Salvador since last year. I also don’t have problem with Salvador, but lets not forget that there are many types of songs. If you don’t repsect them all, you don’t have a place on this blog . And we are waiting the next year final in Cyprus!!
I can’t see Eleni on any Spotify list in Sweden (top 50), However Netta is found on place 17 on the viral list. Sweden uses Spotify a lot. Fuego is a Swedish production so it could be possible. But the song is weak.
If Cyprus wins then it will be a summerhit here in Sweden. It’s that type of a song. I like it more and more now that the sun has arrived :).
It’s number 4 on itunes, sorry x
She is leading the charts. Who the picture are they suppose to have?
And once again, it comes to Greece… Vicky won for Luxembourg, Elena for Greece and Eleni sings for Cyprus. That’s all. Do Greeks feel forced to prove there are talented persons in their country? It’s not because Eleni does well that all Greeks are talented and it’s not because Yianna failed that the entire country is a failure.
That has nothing to do with Greece but with the connection between the 2 countries. It is well known in Greece that 9 to 10 Cypriot have amazing voice. If Eleni wins it will be considered as victory for both countries.
Yes but the victory would be for Cyprus and not Greece. It’s crazy how people don’t want to admit it! In 1988, Quebec didn’t say victory of Céline Dion was for them right? x) it’s stupid example I know. In Football, African continent don’t say anything if the French teams win. I’m kidding but I’m serious at the same time.
Greece already lost wtf… If she wins she will win for CYPRUS and maybe Greece, Sweden and Albania will also be proud of her victory. But she won for Cyprus. Greece denied her. Such a shame. It would 100% win if it represented Greece.
Just shut up bro … Don’t forget that all Greek people calls her Albanian and now she is a Greek … Wtf …
Neither Eleftheria Eleftheriou, Loucas Giorkas, Anna Vissi and so more have none relationship with Greece, but they represented Greece because all the Cypriots we are feeling Greeks. And it is time to respect that!!
But we don’t call Loukas Yiorkas’ 7th place on 2011 as a 7th place for Cyprus. Your nationality might be important but in Eurovision is the country you’re representing that matters.
If we see Spotify (what people actually use) the song that is in every European country as viral is Toy; then Fuego, and Bones. I have a feeling that as a song, Toy is having more likes, while Fuego is more about the performance. I was not a Toy fan, but I do believe Toy has a thing and it is bringing something new to the contest.
Waiting for the triggered Albanians. Like it matters if she is from Mexico or Greece or wherever.
Hold on, but she is Greek!
She was born in Albania, but her grandparents were Greek. In an interview she stated that she doesn’t even speak Albanian very well, and Greek is her primary language.
Lol.. She speaks perfect Albanian. She was 7 when her parents left the country! Her real name is Entela Fureira and she is from Fier. Obviously, she had to say that in Greece becomes her management could not take her on if she did say where she was from! That is The mentality over there. Only lately she had to admit her real origins. She did the eagle sign with her palms and ended up being nailed by the media over in Greece! She was in Tirana about 4-5 months ago and all time spoke in Albanian. Also, a few… Read more »
Her mom is 100% Albanian, but her dad may have had some Greek ancestry in him. It is difficult to say, but he has a name that is typically used in the south of the country (Kristaq), and some people living there are part of the Greek minority or Albanian-Greek mixes. Original family last name (before the tweak to Foureira) is Fureraj. It is an Albanian last name, but it should be noted that during communism all non-Albanian last names had to be changed to Albanian ones or be Albanianized, so who knows what the previous last name might have… Read more »
Eleni needs to make her fake t!ts larger.
You mean bigger. Also she needs to make her nose smaller. :D:D
Eleni have also bigger balls than both of you!stupid kids….
I have feeling that yesterday finalists were announced like jury voted :):) Maybe it is trick by EBU 🙂
After more than 16m views just on esc YouTube channel I guess not so many are left without this song so no wonder Netta is only 6th
I don’t get it!!! Eleni is great but the song is so incredible cheap!!!
That’s coz you got the first part (Eleni is great…) wrong. It’s a redlight district dance show.
Totally agree – this song sounds like something that finished in 10th place in 2004 Greek national selection. Yeah yeah, the onstage performance is electrifying, but not enough to make you forget about the song itself.
This year’s Eurovision is like some horrible nightmare, with so many bland songs and such horrible frontrunners. In most other years Eleni or Netta wouldn’t even make it from the semi-finals with such cheap songs.
Justice for Sakis and Shake It!
Sakis, the guy who pretended to sing with the real singer stashed at the back of the stage … This joke. Actually, Eleni can swirl her extensions for three minutes, she will be immediately forgotten the minute after. Because Beyonce Saturday, we have already seen by tens. When you look her staging you have the impression to make the rebroadcast of 2008 and 2009, when the majority of countries had girls all more (fake) blondes and vulgar ones than the others … Except Germany, as they had a singer, they had gone to get Dita Von Teese to do the… Read more »
SERIOUSLY WHAT IS YOUR OBSESSION WITH HER LOOKS?
Like she easily has probably outsold you so I wouldn’t come for someone that wouldn’t look out of place modelling for Balmain, Gucci or Saint Laurent, thanks.
He didn’t say anything bad. He just said the picture used for this article (and others before) is really not good (not to say ugly). There must be better photographies than this one.
People can’t relaxe nowadays… and you don’t have to defend Eleni. Her top 3 or even victory will be enough.
How the results went:
Juries (from the qualifiers):
1. Estonia
2. Bulgaria
3. Cyprus
4. Austria
5. Lithuania
6. Israel
7. Albania
8. Finland
9. Czech Republic
10. Ireland
Televote (from the qualifiers)
1. Cyprus
2. Israel
3. Estonia
4. Bulgaria
5. Lithuania
6. Finland
7. Czech Republic
8. Ireland
9. Albania
10. Austria
Where did you find these???
His dreams.
Same could be said for your significance 🙂
I should have put they were a prediction, sorry!
Bye bye wiwiblogs, I cant take the spamming of Eleni anymore… this was my limit.
Greek fanboys losing their minds because of the blind hate they have for Eleni… loving it haha
the gag is Cyprus clearly outsold. like that’s the fact
Hahaha you are so funny #not. You know that Eleni is the top in Greece/Cyprus, aren’t you?
Dont try to make ”Greeks hating Eleni” happen! Ain’t gonna work!
So funny how all the hate to Netta automatically switched to Eleni. I just knew it would happen. You people are a circus.
I was absolutely certain that Greece would qualify. Ireland, everyone I knew that was watching it thought the vocals were so bad. The vocal mixing for Azerbaijan was bad and therefore sounded odd. Netta’s camera angles looked weird and there was one shot you could just see pyro on your screen as an extreme close up for a good 3-5 seconds. Belgium was tragic in every aspect. Camera angles, vocals, staging, publicity and just song itself it was destined to struggle. Finland outsold. Estonia outsold. Cyprus kinda outsold but some of the vocals were off I must say the 3… Read more »
The Republic of Ireland led the way in the vote for same sex marriage.
Northern Ireland is in a totally separate country.
Sis, Ireland are still cancelled after Ryan O’Flopnessy. Arrogant swine
What are on about? Can you please go back into the hole you crawled out of? Ireland’s vocals were perfect. You and the people you know must be deaf. It’s coming from the Republic of Ireland by the way. RTE is the Irish broadcaster and Ryan is from Dublin.
Go back and watch the Greek entry. The staging was boring and her vocals got worse as the song went on. It’s not a bad song but it wasn’t good enough to go through this semi-final.
I am on about the fact that his vocals were so bad and 15 other people I know thought they were bad.
“Boring” staging is what Ireland specialises in, no exception this year sis!
This shot of Netta being behind the firework for whole 5 seconds was a great example of the general sloppy feeling of this year’s production. So many acts had a messy camera work, totally cheap transitions and those “virtual reality” effects were beyond horrible (as a motion graphic designer I can tell just how fast and cheap they actually are, there are PRESETS that can make those Azeri particles in a second). The stage without the LED is just a big bunch of flickering lights (that’s all they can do) as dull as 2010 just bigger.
Agreed! I am sorry but Azerbaijan was so off, the particles on screen were too over and then it made the whole scene look weird.
The only country that outsold with virtual reality was Lithuania, surprisingly, theirs looked so good!
I wonder why in top 5 (YouTube views from all first semi final countries) they are countries that didn’t make it to the Grand Final?
Juries probably dragged a song down and televote pushed it up (and vice versa)
I can wait to see the results from televoting and juries. Until now Belarus and Greece are getting a lot of views, more than other countries that have made it to the Final.
I’m pretty sure both are top 10 in televote but stupid juries choose boring Ireland and fake Gospel without visible background vocalists.
the gag is boring Austria would have been DRAGGGEEDDD by the televote but saved by juries. Ireland the snooze fest would have done well in both I think
better than the middle eastern piglet
Albania would never come top 5. Considering a lack-lustre shouty performance I would say that Bulgaria would have definitely come in the top 4.
To win Eurovision you need a common consensus from juries and televote your song was the best, Cyprus and Israel will not get that
have you heard of Jamala, second in jury vote, second in televote.
she was the only artist that year to place in the top with both, so that illustrates Aaron’s point
Glad someone understood what I was saying!
That’s what I said! You need a common consensus, I have heard of Jamala, have you heard of reading?
Well iTunes is kinda irrelevant in the streaming era, especially when it takes 3 sales in 24 hours to go #1 in countries like Estonia or Bulgaria. I’d wait for the Spotify receipts. Eleni is dominating on YouTube, so she was a clear favorite.
Eleni flopping in her own country in the charts is kinda the tea
What tea? It’s Eurovision week so she’s #2 behind Yianna. Since Yianna is out she’s bound to be #1.
She’s flopping? You sure about that? Cause on the spotify’s Greek top 50 she’s number 1
Oh absolutely – it’s highly likely from this performance that Eleni sells her body/sex in order to make a living! Seriously? If you don’t like something, just say so. Slut-shaming a powerful and/sexy woman is never big, it’s never clever and in this instance it highlights your complete and utter lack of intelligence.
OMG stop putting this horrible picture of Eleni x) She looks a bit like a horse. But what a woman. A well deserved place in final and top 3. For me, Cyprus, Israel, Bulgaria, Estonia, Czech Republic, Finland and even Ireland and Lithuania prooved there is no place for other countries in the top 5, even France. Can’t wait to see Madame Monsieur but I’m pretty sure it won’t be as good as fans expect.
Cyprus Cyprus Cyprus yesss, I really want to know if it charted in the Uk, and countries like Azerbaijan Armenia, or turkey, but yeah pleaseeee everyone keep voting cypruss, Fuego needs to win Saturday, and hopefully everyone gets behind Cypruss,
vote Cyprus 2019 Nicosiaaa
Am I the only one who thinks it sounds a little too much like If Love Was A Crime?
Sweety…how?
Yes!it is exactly the same!actually the song is mix of if love was a crime and wolves(by selena gomez )..but none can understand it..they are all “blind ” at this moment by the uniqueness of the song and the 00’s performance
Belgium was a clear Q with the televote, she’s charting higher than some finalists. I think that the Juries killed the song.
I do believe that, not only for Belgium but for other entries too. I hate Juries.
Well, the studio version was good but the staging was bad. Staging doesn’t come into play for the charts but it does in the live show.
Possibly. If it were up to the juries Blanche wouldn’t have qualified last year. On the other hand the song is chart and jury friendly so I really don’t know. The only thing everyone can agree on in this semi was how unpredictable it was
She’s not charting that well.
13 countries for Cesár? I‘m so proud of him right now. I hope this is an indication that he goes Top 10 in the final.
You mean Austria 2017 tease. they are the most overrated ESC country.