She’s the Eurovision 1992 winner who’s never shy to spill the tea. Whether she’s responding to a Petra Mede jibe or taking on an “odious man”, Linda Martin rarely holds back.
And the “Why Me” singer remained true to form when asked her opinion on this year’s Eurovision and the subsequent calls for Ireland to boycott it in 2019 following Israel’s victory.
While full of praise for Ireland’s Ryan O’Shaughnessy – “the dancers were superb, I thought the whole setting was lovely actually” – she wasn’t a fan of Netta and “Toy”.
Appearing on the teatime chatshow The Six O’Clock Show, Martin branded the entry “nonsense”.
“It’s one of those songs and one of those acts that makes people sneer at the Eurovision”, quotes The Irish Sun. “I think when a novelty act wins it really knocks it back and people again start sneering. Put it this way, I would have no wish to buy a ticket to go and see that artist.”
Her sentiments echo those of Portugal’s Eurovision 2017 champion Salvador Sobral. Just days before handing the glass microphone over to Netta, he called her song “horrible”.
The reigning Eurovision queen is unlikely to be fazed by either’s comments. The official “Toy” music video recently became the most watched clip ever on the Eurovision YouTube channel. The song itself charted all over Europe, becoming the most commercially successful song contest winner since “Heroes” in 2015.
However, while Linda may not be a “Toy” fan, she is firmly against Ireland withdrawing from next year’s contest in protest.
“We send footballers to World Cups they won’t win, so we need to keep sending our singers. I would be really disappointed if we pulled out of it because we have to enter everything possible.
If you have somebody in a football match and they don’t score a goal, you don’t sack them. Let’s be honest about it, we are never going to win the World Cup but we enter every year and that’s the way it should be.
We have athletes who go off and maybe they don’t win but they are in among the champions, and I just think it’s credibility for the country.
We should be in everything possible.”
But not all of Ireland’s Eurovision personalities agree. Speaking on Irish radio in the immediate aftermath of the violence in Gaza, 1994 winner Charlie McGettigan called for the seven-time victors to boycott the event.
“I think they need to make a decision, but if they don’t, I think we need to make the decision not to go. It was dreadful… seeing Netanyahu and the Trumps celebrating while people are dead.
It’s a chance for the whole of Europe who are involved in Eurovision to make a statement and sort of say, ‘Look, we don’t agree with this’.”
It was like Nero in Rome, [he] fiddled while Rome burned.”
What do you think? Do you agree with Linda or Charlie? Do their opinions matter? Let us know in the comments below.
I have to agree with Linda that Ireland should NOT boycott the contest. As for Charlie McGettigan and anyone so “bothered” with Israel winning and hosting Eurovision, where was your outrage about Baku 2012!? So far Ireland, Iceland, Sweden, and the UK have all seen some calls to boycott, citing “human rights violation”. However, all 4 countries were more than happy to participate in Azerbaijan!
Agreed. Azerbaijan literally swept poor people out of their homes to build the Crystal Hall. Their “victory” was totally stolen. They have questionable “democracy” and a poor human rights record. They should not be participating in the contest at all.
Also if Iceland can take part in this years FIFA World Cup held in Vladimir Putin’s Russia, they really can not claim any moral superiority with regard to Jerusalem 2019. Was there a petition to withdraw their soccer team?
Linda with “L” like “Loser”
I don’t understand why wiwibloggs went from supporting Netta to only being disappointed that Eleni didn’t win and sending more critical than positive reports about her and her win… I would have thought, they must feel the connection to Netta: “I understood that people are afraid of that which is so different from them:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PWb9_YsWiE
The song, the video, the performer – are still strong. Commercial but strong, with a story about very talented Netta behind it all.
Blues by Mrs. Versatile https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfxWMuzmJX0
I hope she is not going completely commercial and will still do some of her creative avant-garde stuff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk4RVTYNQ8w
Is she sure about sneering. What about all the attention this song get’s? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLMuZ-__k6w
Netta in the USA? WOW! A dream of every Eurovision artist to break into the American market, what brought both ABBA and Celine Dion to global stars status. Signing also a deal with a NY based music label (BMG) are little steps but seems very promising future career to Netta. RESPECT!
Do you prefer Latvia’s “I Wanna”?
Nope Erik, factually – You and Linda sees it as the minority of people….. “Toy” did WIN the contest (remember?) – especially being N° 1 in the TELEVOTE!! Hence – with all due respect Erik – the reality is that you are in the minority….
Why is she always so angry?
Linda, I am an Irish Eurovision fan for many years and really think you’re out of touch. ‘Toy’ is a very interesting, contemporary song. Really delighted that Ireland did well this year but think this was more down to Ryan than RTÉ. Hope we can bring something a bit different to the competition next year given the enormous musical talent we have in the country. Oíche mhaith.
Three words: Dustin the Turkey
Because Linda supported that act?
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/linda-martin-dustin-destroyed-the-eurovison-for-us-and-its-time-to-ditch-the-late-late-29877706.html
I have no idea who she is.
A winner of Eurovision… dah…
Linda Martin knows Eurovision as much as she knows Euphoria’s lyrics.
Another Old Fashioned persona talking about 2018 music…. Who cares?? Just looking for some attention Linda? It’s as Engelbert Humperdinck would review Nicki Minaj’s Anaconda…. (btw – would love to see that for real. Lol 🙂 )
she’s following salvador’s method of staying relevant a.k.a making headlines by insulting others
Salvador is the most relevant ESC artist of this century. Much more than chicken Netta will ever be
Your POV only Heli…. I like BOTH Salvador and Netta – Indeed two different products – still well worthy ARTISTS (each one in his own genre). They both deserve RESPECT!!
Salvador is far more talented than Netta and her gimmicks, no doubt – but most talented artist of this century??? Maria Serafovic might have a few things to say about that. So might Dami Im. And Guy Sebastian. And even Alexander Rybak despite this years less than stellar entry.
Even Didrik Solli-Tangen can’t be dismissed. They sent him with a weak song but his voice is second to none.
“relevant” – the favourite word of music snobs
I think Linda misunderstood the calls for boycotting. It’s not because Ireland continue to get bad results, it’s because of the controversial policies of the Israeli government – maybe somebody should point that out to her, it seems from reading this article she is missing the point entirely. Also Toy is nowhere near a novelty song. To take her World Cup comparison further – it would totally hypocritical for any country who takes part in this year’s World Cup, held in Vladimir Putin’s Russia, to then go on to boycott Jerusalem 2019. At least Israel won the right to host… Read more »
I’m on Linda’s side. Irish performers shouldn’t be left out anyway. 🙂
Perhaps she should go back to singing about Terminal 3, flight’s on time. Is she for real?
And wiwi? So much negativity…
Oh, Padraig , so your favorite didn’t win… Wiwi you guys are getting so boring it’s ridiculous.
This comment is ridiculous. If you cared to actually read the article, you would see where I specifically said that Netta has the most watched video ever on the ESC YouTube channel and is the most commercially successful winner since Mans!
Thank you! Padarig, i really appreciate your response. (you’re one of my favorite wiwiblogger!)
However, While there are facts in favor of Netta in the article, it seems that since she won the blog mostly highlights the negative side of the win. I’m sure there are many Eurovision winners who have nice things to say. The headline is also very, very negative. There must have been a better way to say that she thinks Ireland should participate…
Thanks, really!
Well wiwi is highlighting the negative parts because there isn’t much positive things to say…
Of course there is: Netta continues going global:
https://variety.com/2018/music/news/israeli-eurovision-winner-netta-signs-s-curve-records-bmg-1202823718/
Not such a big thing. Besides, classifying it as a “quirky electronic tune” doesn’t seem to me such a positve thing.
They are so stupid that they left netta to cyprus…..I think too that Wiwi you guys are getting so boring it’s ridiculous.I dont like to watch them any more! so wiwi favorite didn’t win… all of them are so disapointed
They are so stupid that they left netta to cyprus…..I think too that Wiwi you guys are getting so boring it’s ridiculous.I dont like to watch them any more!
the queen of boredom is talking against creativity…
My grandma is 80+ and she also thinks that Toy was the best. She even said, she really can’t stand those ballads like Germany etc.
No one really expects their gran to appreciate modern upbeat music do they?
Linda you got your old dreary ballad last year love don’t you remember. Poor thing, minds not what it hard to be
If I had to choose one Israeli song to win the ESC in 2010s, I would personally prefer ”Golden Toy” or ”Same Heart” to be the winning ones.
I shall boycot Eurovision 2019 too. Such as Austria in 2016 winnered Concitha. This is parody, no serious nice music.
Netta learned from the BEST !! She learned from IRELAND !! (Dustin the Turkey, Lipstick (Jedward), etc. – Such profound Irish music given to the world and to be inspired by 🙂 Lol
It is very sad that the Irish would even consider boycotting eurovion 2019. Separate politics from the arts and sports and secondly, Israel is an incredible country fighting those that just don’t want piece, but rather seek to destroy it.
People tried to separate, but then Netanyahu came along claiming the whole thing to be his victory.
90Israel deserved to win in 1978, and to win in 1983, 1991 ,2005 ,not in 1979,1998,2018
Why is everyone in Ireland so pressed whenever a song that isn’t an old-fashioned ballad wins?
Oh yeah cause one person’s opinion represents the whole country. Linda doesn’t like it, she is not everyone.
Agree 100% with Linda Martin
Agree 0%
WTF you want Ireland to boycott???
Agree with Linda. And this is the third time in Eurovision I regret that Israel won. Besides the song is horrible, attitudes of fans are disgusting against who do not like the song.
Try the attitude of the fans who don’t like the song is disgusting
Thanks for correction. Next time I will try my best.
Keep regreting lol
Israel won becouse it was the best and the most original.
Deal with it..no one cares about your regret!
Michael, I am from Azerbaijan. I don’t hate Jews. I just despise the winning song. That’s all.
Agree on Ireland not boycotting, disagree on her opinion of “Toy,” not butthurt that she doesn’t like a song I like. Simple as that.
Linda Martin is a woman in her 70’s who won Eurovision with a traditional power ballad, she obviously has a more conservative perception of the contest and that’s fine.
However I think Toy’s victory can only do good for the competition. The performance was indeed messy and too gimmicky, but the song itself is so original and contemporary and does incredibly well in charts all over the world.
My hope is that the last three winner help prove that buying a formulaic Melodifestivalen reject from Sweden can’t beat a unique song by local artists.
Every year Eurovision has a different kind of winner, so I suppose the next year is going to be the year of Swedish formulaic pop coming back on top. May I remind you that ”Take Me To Your Heaven” won the last time we had Eurovision in Israel
Maybe, maybe not.
I don’t mind another Swedish victory if it’s with a song that possesses originality and authenticity beyond a slick staging.
Another victory of an uninspired manufactured song would take the competition back IMO.
Israeli commentators below, she is entitled to her opinion, she doesn’t have to love “Toy” or Beverly happy that it won. Just because she didn’t like the song doesn’t mean she’s I still anti-Israel or an antisemite. C’mon people, get with it.
My mom (in her early 50s) hated ”Toy” and ”Fuego”. However, she enjoyed ”Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente” the most, saying that Italians are the experts when it comes to sensible music.
She also liked ”O Jardim” and, of all the songs, ”Hvala, Ne”.
Oh another post about Netta, why should I be surprised lmao
ESC season is over so at least post sth related to JESC, where there are already tons to report about (e.g. Wales will debut, France returns, Russia already released their NF entries, and Georgia already chosen the artist)
Isn’t jesc for kids?
No more than the ESC.
who the hell cares about JESC
JESC was lit last year, and in 2016 too. Like sure it’s a kids contest but those kids are talented and prove that you don’t have to give children awful songs and have them still be age appropriate.
JESC became a travesty since the language rule was dropped and there are no age restriction for the songwriters (during the first editions they should have been kids as well)
If you care enough to ask the question I’d say: at least 1 person.
And who is Linda? Never heard of her so why would her opinion matters. I’m sure this artist is just one of those swimming in the sea of copycats & wannabes. She will never be near equal with Netta as to talent & brilliance. She will never be remembered the way Netta would be many more years from now. Not only because she is corky & unique but because of the message she (Netta) delivered accross the world and modeled.
She’s a middle aged woman who has already won Eurovision so she is hardly a wannabe. Secondly why would her opinion matter less than anybody elses
I don’t agree about Toy. It was a worthy winner.
I do agree about the rest. I never though about the World Cup association and it makes perfect sense. A lot of countries will never win, but everyone wants to take part. No one gives up just because they don’t qualify. They try again next year.
Also…. Eurovision shouldn’t be about politics. No countries should boycot Eurovision’19 just because is being held in Jerusalem or Israel.
Again all this salty ppl in the comments trying to dismiss anyone who doesn’t like toy. Get over it !!! lots of ppl don’t like the song and you cannot change their opinion being annoying like that.
Yes everyone has different opinions on music, I also do. But what I think why people are “dismissing” those who don’t like Toy is because the majority tend to focus on the artist rather than the song. After Netta’s win, people don’t like Toy are making abusive comments like she is “an obese chicken” or “she should die because she and the song looks like a chicken” while before her win they are like “StoP CybERbuLLying” which is double standards. Actually, for me I think both sides are equally annoying and salty so people should stop this fight between this… Read more »
A lot of people on Wiwibloggs, don’t know that you have right to your opinion, as long it’s not insulting. And Linda wasn’t insulting, she didn’t insult her as an artist, she just said that she would never go to a concert of an artist like her, I also know many artists which concerts I would never go to, that doesn’t mean I insult them. And people have different taste in music, if she thinks it’s horrible or anything it just is to her, why should she lie about this?!
It was made to be a novelty act. Netta could have composed the song herself, drop that chicken nonsense and sing a ballad about not being a toy. A #MeToo ”dance anthem” seems to be a bit weird.
Well I agree, I don’t find Toy as a novelty act, but some people do and I kind of understand why, but that’s their opinion and it’s fine..
Zieben Zieben Not Your Toy
Stupid Boy Eins Zwei
Zieben Zieben Not Your Toy
Eins Zwei Drei
That is how the casual viewers at home saw ”Toy”.
If everyone was as careful as that would that not make it impossible to distinguish between songs you dislike and songs you can’t stand and songs you really hate? Or can we not hate songs now? Or is it just ‘Toy’ – the Song we can’t hate. Again, I think Netta is a wonderful person and if she releases her own songs I’ll listen to them with an open mind and probably download/buy an album, she strikes me as an original, unique artist with a great personality upon whom a terrible song (which she did try to improve) was inflicted… Read more »
Welcome to 2018
Dance tunes doesn’t have to automatically be a novelty acts
Dance tunes like ”Golden Boy” or ”Euphoria” are not novelty, but this chicken-bling-bling is the ultimate novelty winner, it has less meaning than ”Baila El Chiki Chiki”
She’s entitled to her opinion, though clearly the majority of Europe disagree with her and rightfully so. Toy is a great song, it’s fun and refreshing. And again with the boycotting nonesence, this is getting old
the majority of Europe didn’t vote for ”Toy”. If we combine the votes for 25 other finalists, surely their number will trounce the number of ”Toy” voters.
Are you serious? If you have combining the votes from 25 other finalists as the argument, then the number would have trounced the number of like all the winners in ESC (including the likes of Salvador, Mans and Loreen), so your argument is pretty much invalid.
It doesn’t matter, it still won
It is interesting why wiwi does not write more important news, such as Netta signed a contract with with one of the largest labels in the world.
Then you write about it. Make your own blog and write about how netta is the best at everything.
Actually if you read the post they did about herhaving the most viewed video on Eurovision YouTube it DOES MENTION the global record label….and PS this story is newsworthy. Linda Martin sang at Eurovision more than once and she won and worked with Johnny Logan. So yes indeed GIRL BYE
at least Netta got the support of ordinary people in Europe – Linda only got the support of t he jury 🙂
Who is Linda?? Who know her…Atleast Netta get support from Gal Gadot Holiwood star who has 20 millions folowers…
Also Robi williams, J.k roling, and more..Netta sign a contract with
Big American label.Keep envy poor linda!
I like Netta, but I also like Linda, and just because someone gets praised by someone famous doesn’t mean he’s better or anything. That’s nonsense. And not every artist wants to be famous hope you know that.
Every other Eurovision winner had a contract with the big label and got dropped as soon as the interest died out, like Loreen or Emmelie De Forest.
Envy!!!!
Lots of fans also know Salvador Sobral. And does his opinion still count for you? Will you stop attacking people and learn some critical- logical thinking?
Who is Salvador sobral??
he is a musician who win a singing contest using just is voice and vocal habilities without gymnastics and other artfacts, not a typical eurovision winner but won the jury and public votes, sometimes quality wins
Stop commenting on everything!!
What are you obsessed or something?!
You are making “bushot” boba to all us Israelis
“Capara” maybe you shame all Israelis here “bushot” is shame in english if you did not know that..
But majority of Europe thought otherwise. and I guess that is more relevant and important.
I understand this comments if she herself did not produce nonsense songs. LOL
It’s good that you did not interview anyone from Greek mythology. If you do not have someone who is current, familiar, whose mind really counts and interests people, then do not. It’s pathetic to interview someone like that for provocation.
This is from a woman who sang “Terminal 3” which is full cliches and gimmicks!
Linda is so right. It is hard to believe there are people who can’t accept that Toy is a novelty song. It sure has set back Eurovision. Juries were supposed to stop trashy songs but they failed.
”Toy” would fit perfectly for Verka Serduchka.
What a load of nonsense. Toy is original and unique. That’s why Israel won. The song stood out in a sea of generic pop songs that has already been commercialized by Hollywood.
Give me an example jPod: Albania? Italy? France? Estonia? Serbia? Germany?. The only generic pop songs were those of Israel, Cyprus and Sweden and they did fine. Which is a pity. On the other hand they are being ignored in the US, so I don’t really understand your ‘Hollywood’ reference.
Although I don’t agree with her about Toy (I doubt she ever heard of Lily Allen’s Hard Out Here or the fact that people thought Van Gogh was deemed crazy back when he was alive), I have to agree with her about Ireland’s participation for next year. Ireland shouldn’t withdraw, especially when they just managed to qualify this year.
Are we really comparing “Hard Out Here” to “Toy” now? Lily Allen actually knows how to write about the theme “Toy” supposedly is about.
Thank you Leanne for some sanity. I was so stunned when I read Escphbelgium’s comment I am still not sure it’s meant to be taken serious. Van Gogh is from a different Art btw and yes he suffered both from mental illness (depression seems to be the modern medical consesus) and the stigma attached to it by most people than and by Escphbelgium who thinks Van Gogh did not have those issues and thinks “crazy” is OK to use because it’s an insult. No wonder songs like Switzerland’s and Malta (and even to an extent Finland) failed. I guess songs… Read more »
Her reason why Ireland shouldn’t boycott doesn’t really make any sense but ok…
Coming from someone who want to boycot Israel lol im sure you have no other opinion!
Llila – you have to admit she didn’t address the point. She said Ireland shouldn’t boycott just because the Irish keeps losing every year. But thats not why people want to boycott the 2019 ESC. She didn’t address the political question at all.
if Ireland boycot its there problem, Ireland not do any favor to Israel!
i still did not like her comment about Netta , she not like the song its ok.. but to trash Netta as an artist?? does she know Netta’s work to say such thing? its pure envy! any way i really dont know her so her opinion means nothing
Clearly it does though if your feeling salty about it.
Yes it does, what she is trying to say is that Ireland should keep participating regardless of the circumstances of the host country
Okay, she hates Toy. She better go stand in line together with the rest of the haters who are still salty of Netta’s victory.
Linda who? I don’t know her
Eurovision 1992 winner…..
Please stop with those articles!
I’m feeling Wiwibloggs and Eurovision are becoming more and more hateful 🙁
The backlash that Toy is getting reminded me of Germany’s winning song Satellite in 2011. It was fun and quirky with a unique vibe but ppl dragged the then 19 old singer Lena left and right. Netta’s a grown woman and I’m sure she’ll be able to hold herself against all this criticism.
Lena won in 2010, not 2011.
Thanks linda from Israel…i did not like your boring song either.
Atleast “TOY” is the most watched song from the winners of all times lol.
Linda – as a woman you should support TOY massage..and Netta as an beautiful and talented artist..but i guess you have old fashoind tatse..
Not everyone has to like Netta. I’m a woman, but I don’t even like Toy, though she seems nice. I don’t like Linda Martin’s song that much either, and I get the message and idea behind the song and the chicken noises, but I still don’t like it. I find it somewhat hard to take it seriously because of the chicken noises, though I get the message behind them. I would’ve preferred Netta to enter with her own composition instead of the one those men wrote.
Toy’s message? Don’t insult serious issues by implying this light-weight fluff has any message. Take your Pikachu home!
Escaddict
Look at the mirror before u insult Netta..
Toy has a good and important massage like it or not.keep envy ..you only write here hateful comments against Israel and Netta..so your comments means nothing really.
TOY THE MOST WATCHED VIDEO OF EUROVISION EVER!!!!
”Occidentali’s Karma” still has more views than ”Toy”
No you worng dude..at the official eurovision channel toy is the most watched!
the respected acts have their own VEVO channels and don’t mess with the ESC account.
“Light weight Fluff” atleast Netta not look like like a monkey like you!
It’s a massage of empowerment but in a fun way, nothing wrong with that. Other people got that massage so…
”Toy” is the most watched for all the wrong reasons, people are laughing at this cringefest.
Keep envy!!!
Why her?