We are continuing our series looking at why we like the countries currently competing at Eurovision. Today we swing by Tbilisi and check out all Georgia has to offer in its rich history of Eurovision entries.

Georgia debuted at Eurovision in 2007 and has competed 11 times (with one notable absence). They have made the grand final seven times and placed within the top ten twice, but have also come last in their semi-final twice. We take a look at 10 reasons why we love Georgia at the Eurovision Song Contest.

1. They debuted with an absolute bop

Georgia is one of the most recent countries to debut at Eurovision and when it debuted in 2007 it made quite a splash. Sopho performed the dramatic “Visionary Dream”. The song contains elements of electronica and dance-pop and a super catchy hook, while Sopho delivered expressive vocals, sometimes reminiscent of the Icelandic songstress Björk. The avant-garde masterpiece placed 12th and remains a fan favourite.

2. They made us oximated

Before the sublime Nina Sublatti, oximation was an organic chemistry term, only used by serious scientists in lab coats. But the Georgian gothic queen took it and made it her own. On stage in Vienna with “Warrior”, she snarled “Fighter! Oximated! World’s gonna get up and see!” and suddenly the term had a new meaning.

3. They never do the same thing twice

Some countries are known for doing well with certain genres of music. Georgia is known for everything. Since their 2007 debut, they have sent songs in folk-pop, peace ballad, nu-disco, pop, rock, Disney ballad, folk-jazz, synthpop, Britpop, R&B and ethno-jazz genres and… the wild extravaganza that was “I’m a Joker”.

4. They had a mammoth national final in 2017

For a country who had previously used small national finals or internal selection, Georgia surprised fans by holding a massive 25-act national final. It was essentially an audition for hosting Junior Eurovision 2017. And while Georgia proved they could hold an event of that scale, the “anything goes” entry criteria made for some very interesting acts.

5. They weren’t allowed to put in

In 2009, Stephane & 3G prepared to take their song “We Don’t Wanna Put In” to Moscow. But the EBU said no, no, no. It was felt that the key lyric of the nu-disco track sounded a little bit too much like “we don’t wanna Putin” and was therefore in violation of one of the core rules forbidding political song lyrics. 3G singer Tako “Tamara” Gachechiladze had another shot at Eurovision in 2017.

6. The lyrics and general life philosophy of “I’m a Joker”

I’m a slaker, trouble-breaker
Fortune-maker, caretaker
I’m a just a womaniser
Let me be your supervisor

7. They’ve even reached the top ten

In 2009, Sofia Nizharadze charmed audiences with her sweet, uplifting ballad “Shine”, the following year Eldrine rocked out with “One More Day”. Both songs placed ninth in the grand final and proved that Georgia can really shine at Eurovision if they make an effort.

8. The psychedelic indie rock freak-out that was the “Midnight Gold” staging

The question was how would an indie rock band named Nika Kocharov and the Young Georgian Lolitaz stage their Britpop song “Midnight Gold”. The answer: by throwing in all the cheesy video effects the production team had available. And it worked. The bold psychedelic show woke up audiences at the second semi-final and ensured Georgia qualified for the grand final.

9. They celebrated diversity with Diana Gurtskaya

Diana Gurtskaya is a blind Russian-Georgian singer and in 2008 she sang the love love peace peace anthem “Peace Will Come”. The performance didn’t make a big deal out of Diana’s disability and highlighted her talents as a singer. But the song did include the cutting lyrics, “While we fight for nothing, my eyes run dry / Are you still so blind to ask me why?” The song placed 11th in the grand final.

10. Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao, who are pure and precious and must be protected at all costs

  • They added “Ethno-Jazz Band” to their name so audiences would not be confused about their genre.
  • Founding member David Malazonia stayed behind to let six other band members perform — even though he has an iconic moustache.
  • Their song “For You” is Georgia’s only entry with entirely Georgian lyrics.
  • They came last in their semi but they still brought a sense of peace and wellbeing to the world.

What are your favourite things about Georgia at Eurovision? What musical genre should they tackle next? Tell us in the comments section below!

Read more Georgia Eurovision news here

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AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

A great debut. I loved this song.
Great vocalists, look 2007, 2009, 2011, 2017. So much talent!
They are not afraid to experiment. And that’s always a good thing.

Branko
Branko
5 years ago

In 2009, Sofia Nizharadze charmed audiences with her sweet, uplifting ballad “Shine”, the following year Eldrine rocked out with “One More Day”. Was in 2010!

Catherine
Catherine
5 years ago

Breaking rules is no reason to love something. It’s made everything worse.

Conor K
Conor K
5 years ago

I am forever thankful to Georgia for sending to ESC one of my favourite songs ever: I’m a Joker 🙂

Emily
5 years ago

The only ones I wasn’t much of a fan of from Georgia were their entries in 2012 and 2014. Midnight Gold was fantastic, For You was great (I remember being so gutted seeing them one from bottom overall :(), and I still adore Visionary Dream. I really hope one day Georgia have a shot at winning. 😀

Dame Tu Conchita
Dame Tu Conchita
5 years ago

I wanted Tamara to qualify in 2017. She was so great on stage.

Regina Phalange
Regina Phalange
5 years ago

Georgia has had many excellent entries (2015, 2013 and 2011 especially). I love the variety they offer.

Dave
Dave
5 years ago

1. Warrior 10/10
2. Shine 9/10
3. One More Day 9/10
4. Visionary Dream 8/10
5. Midnight Gold 8/10
6. Peace will Come 7/10
7. Waterfall 7/10
8. Keep the Faith 6/10
9. I’m a Joker 5/10
10. Three Minutes to Earth 3/10
11. For You 3/10

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

Midnight Gold was sooo good.

Kyna
Kyna
5 years ago

I still LOOOOOVE One More Day. I always get goosebumps whenever I hear it, especially her long notes. Ugh….such a gem <3

marcus (Day One)
marcus (Day One)
5 years ago

Visionary dream will always be my favorite.

I still remember it being late at night and watching eurovision with ny family and as soon as it came on I was hooked and have listened to it ever since.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
5 years ago

Georgia is ,in my opinion, the country that sends the most interesting entries. Every year, every freaking year they just send something nobody expected. And I LOVE that about Georgia. My two favourite entries by them in the last ten years are ,,Midnight gold” and ,,warrior”, which are both 10/10 songs for me. I just really appreciate that country…. ,,Three minutes to earth ” was a little weird, but you can’t say that they don’t try to send something new.

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
5 years ago

YES YES YES VISIONARY DREAM!!! IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD! Every year Georgia is one of the most interesting countries and that can be seen in their string of good entries: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2015. Whilst they aren’t the powerhouse they used to be they still send nice songs. Their 3 most recent entries are all quite nice and except for the disasters that were 2012 and 2014 they don’t send bad songs to the contest. I wanna see them finish in the top 5 soon.

Dani
Dani
5 years ago

‘For you’ gave me goosebumps the first time I listened to it. I’m still listening to it.

ovelha
ovelha
5 years ago

Except for 2012 and 2016 (which is funny because I love indie music), I like or love Georgia’s songs. As what happens with Slovenia, it’s another country that has an interesting track and I’m always looking foward to hear their offers. Also, their best placements (2010 and 2011) are my runner-ups of the respective year. I hope they can win at least once and make a great show in Tblissi (they’ve already hosted JESC 2017 [my first one] and I liked it). Meh!

mrflamboyant221
5 years ago

Georgia is one country that never plays it safe, but don’t always get their deserved results. They always send songs that are original and daring (most of the times). Here’s my ranking of their entries, with ratings in a scale of 1-10:

1. Visionary Dream (9.5)
2. Midnight Gold (9.5)
3. For You (9)
4. Warrior (8)
5. Three Minutes To Earth (7)
6. Peace Will Come (6)
7. Shine (5)
8. One More Day (5)
9. Waterfall (5)
10. Keep The Faith (3.5)
11. I’m A Joker (2)

Henrikh Mugosa
Henrikh Mugosa
5 years ago

Holy Cow! This almost could be my ratings!!! I’d change very little.

Veronica
Veronica
5 years ago

Nina Sublatti was my winner of Eurovision 2015! She slayed!!!

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

Poor Iriao. They and Jessika/Jennifer were much too pure for the harsh world of Eurovision. In any case, Georgia’s always a country that surprises me with how much I enjoy their entries. Just looking back at all of these, I’m surprised how many I remember enjoying. The best, though? Midnight Gold. My kind of music, my kind of performance.

KESC
KESC
5 years ago

Georgia is one of those countries that manages to surprise every year. Sometimes I adore their entries, and sometimes I really disklike them, but I always have a huge respect for them for taking risks and not playing safe.

Hope to see Eurovision in Tbilisi or Batumi soon.

Denis
Denis
5 years ago

I love that every single Georgian female artist is either Sopho or Sophia. Battle of the Sopho´s

Rose
Rose
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

What about Tamara Gachechiladze?

Nefelibata.
Nefelibata.
5 years ago

Everything apart from their 2010 and 2016 entries suck IMHO, but it’s nice that they always add some originality!

Breebroo1
5 years ago

3 Minutes to Earth and For You are both in my top 3 of 2014 and 2018 oops

N.G.
N.G.
5 years ago
Reply to  Breebroo1

??

Henrikh Mugosa
Henrikh Mugosa
5 years ago

Visionary Dream, Warrior, Midnight Gold & Sheni Gulistvis are my favourite Georgian entries. In this order. And I love it that they never do the same song!

Henrikh Mugosa
Henrikh Mugosa
5 years ago

OOOh my GOOOD!!! Finally i understand what “oximated” means. All these years later. Thanks for explaining!

pp77
pp77
5 years ago

For me best song from Georgia is song from 2010. They deserved to be with that song in TOP 5 that year (we had that small diference in points from 4 to 9 place, Denmark had 148 on 4 th place and Georgia was 9 th with 136 points). I also like song from 2007, 2015, 2017 they deserved to be in TOP 10 in final . They deserved to be in final in 2017 , and most underrated in points is song from 2018 and most overrated in points is song from 2011.

Stian Fikseaunet
Stian Fikseaunet
5 years ago

“Midnight Gold” is just A M A Z I N G !!!! My absolute favorite from Georgia, with “Visionary Dream” as a close second. I also LOVE ” We Dont Wanna Put In” – one of the best disco songs that has been chosen for Eurovision – So sad it didnt go to the contest. Can’t reply say i fancy many of the other songs though…

OrangeVorty
OrangeVorty
5 years ago

Totally Agree.

Pablo
Pablo
5 years ago

One More Day, Visionary Dream and Warrior are absolutely incredible. I just wish Georgia was more consistent with what they send, they are capable to rock the boat when they want, and one almost can tell when they take it DL.