Double Trouble: New collaborations from the world of Eurovision

There’s always something special when stars of the Eurovision come together and collaborate outside of the contest. Through the years, we’ve had iconic duets between Sakis Rouvas and Sirusho (Greece 2004, 2009 and Armenia 2008) and Dima Bilan and Nigar Jamal (Russia 2006, 2008 and Azerbaijan 2011).

And already in 2018, we’ve have efforts from JOWST and Kristian Kostov (Norway 2017 and Bulgaria 2017) and Serhat and Helena Paparizou (San Marino 2016 and Greece 2001, 2005). But that’s not all. Listed below is a selection of even more collabs from the world of Eurovision and national selections.

Stella Mwangi feat. Alexandra Rotan “F.I.L (Fall In Love)”

They originally came together for Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix last spring. And while Stella Mwangi and Alexandra Rotan had to make do with bronze on that occasion, they’ve clearly realised that their partnership is gold.

Just two days before the selection, the pair dropped “F.I.L (Fall In Love)”. It’s less brash and more mainstream than “You Got Me”. The Eurovision 2011 favourite raps the verses while Alexandra serves cool pop on the chorus.

Liis Lemsalu & Ott Lepland “Süda taob”

She’s the four-time Eesti Laul popstrel, and he’s the stoic balladeer from Eurovision 2012. In April, Liis Lemsalu and Ott Lepland came together for “Süda taob” or “The Heart Beats”. Liis and Ott’s differing styles fuse together surprisingly well on this upbeat number which deals with themes of love and forgiveness.

Elina Born & Jüri Pootsmann “Jagatud Saladus”

They both had very different Eurovision experiences. Elina Born glided into the top ten with “Goodbye To Yesterday” in 2015, while Jüri Pootsmann finished bottom of the pack one year later. Given the pair’s close friendship, we presume Elina didn’t gloat, not even a tiny bit.

That same friendship was put to good use during the summer with the release of a duet between the two, “Jagatud Saladus”. Translating to “Shared Secret”, the relaxed number charts a friendship (or possibly a love affair) from the initial high — “paradise together” — to an eventual demise “We had to let go / Because freedom cannot be denied”.

Frankie Animal feat. Jüri Pootsmann “Funny”

And Jüri’s been hanging out with more than just Elina in the recording studio. Earlier in the year, he joined forces with yet another Eesti Laul favourite – Frankie Animal. The 2018 national finalists roped in the “Play” crooner for “Funny”.

As with his song for Stockholm, the current track also belies its title – this down-tempo affair is certainly not funny! There’s a communications breakdown “You gotta talk not listen / Talk, don’t listen”. The band’s lead vocalist Marie Vaigla harmonises beautifully with Jüri, as they both try to work out each other’s thoughts “And if I were to tell you I like u / Would you say that you like me too”.

Benjamin Ingrosso & FELIX SANDMAN “Tror Du Att Han Bryr Sig”

Benjamin Ingrosso might have won this year’s Melodifestivalen, but it was runner-up FELIX SANDMAN who emerged victorious on the singles chart. Thankfully, there’s no animosity between the Swedish duo. In fact, the pair are in the throes of a blossoming bromance. So much so that they released a collaboration during the summer, “Tror Du Att Han Bryr Sig”.

The track may sound familiar, and well it should. It’s actually a Swedish language re-working of Benjamin’s 2017 release “Do You Think About Me”. Then we described it as “a smooth piece of R&B pop with modern electronic styles” which delivers “a perfect summer groove”. FELIX’s presence adds a new dimension, transposing the song’s focus from a romantic relationship to a platonic friendship. And fans clearly approve. The original only hit 87 in the charts, whereas the new version peaked at seven.

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