Tonight ten acts will battle it out in the Operación Triunfo Eurovision Gala to decide who will represent Spain at Eurovision 2019. But only one act can win. The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — have been listening to the songs and have decided on their favourites.
Pablo
1. Miki & Natalia – “Nadie se salva”
To be honest, there ain’t a lot of options in Spain, and these full versions sound a bit… dented. But nevertheless, I’m still going to put faith in the snippet I enjoyed the most. Natalia’s attitude-filled vocals balance with Miki’s wholesome factor, and the lyrics are pretty addictive. If this one is selected and worked on, we could have a smash hit in our hands. Spain needs to send an upbeat, well-produced track, and the key (pun intended) is this one duet.
2. Miki – “La venda”
3. Natalia – “La clave”
4. Noelia – “Hoy vuelvo a reír otra vez”
5. María – “Muérdeme”
Robyn
1. Miki – “La venda”
There’s something very likeable about Miki. During OT, his best performances were the big entertaining numbers where it felt like he was really getting the party started. “La venda” is one of those songs. It’s a fun bop, it’s distinctly Spanish, and brings an infectious sense of joy. If this works live (and there’s no reason to suspect it won’t), it will be a very good choice for Spain to take to Tel Aviv.
2. Marilia – “Todo bien”
3. Natalia – “La clave”
4. Noelia – “Hoy vuelvo a reír otra vez”
5. Famous – “No puedo más”
Antranig
1. María – “Muérdeme”
I may be in the overwhelming minority but the full version of “Muérdeme” met all my expectations and more. This is the first Spanish song I’ve been remotely interested in since “La vida sólo es una” and María has attitude and sass for days. It’s rare that Spain can stick to its roots and come up with such a refined, high quality product. However, that balance has certainly been achieved here. “Muérdeme” also becomes my favourite song title of all time. Bite me, honey.
2. Natalia – “La clave”
3. Miki & Natalia – “Nadie se salva”
4. Marilia – “Todo bien”
5. Carlos Right – “Se te nota”
Jordi
1. Miki – “La venda”
Spain’s doesn’t seem to want to see a change of its fate in the contest. But Miki’s “La Venda” is the freshly proper joy dose among the underwhelm. This is an instant party boost with a truly Mediterranean festive sound. And not without the same feeling as La Pegatina’s signature rumba sound. Beat by beat, the song vibrates to never-ending wilder, uplifting and positive feelings, all mixed out in one piece. On the main stage, this calls for drums, lights, a party mood… and drums! However, the new arrangement is still a little difficult to get used to. While I might differ from the bridge, this song succeeds in grabbing the attention.
2. María – “Muérdeme”
3. Marilia – “Todo bien”
4. Noelia – “Hoy vuelvo a reír otra vez”
5. Famous – “No puedo más”
Florian
1. María – “Muérdeme”
This song was my favourite ever since the very first snippet that I got to hear. While the full version isn’t completely living up to everyone’s expectations, it still has all the potential. This song has to go to Tel Aviv so María can show how it’s done. “Muérdeme” should finally get Spain out of the dreadful bottom slots and secure them a great result in Israel this May!
2. Natalia – “La clave”
3. Miki & Natalia – “Nadie se salva”
4. Marilia – “Todo bien”
5. Noelia – “Hoy vuelvo a reír otra vez”
Bernardo
1. Miki – “La venda”
Charisma and uniqueness. The truth is no other country will ever send something like “La venda” to Eurovision. We have to rely on Spain, and in this case on Miki, to channel something that is Iberian in its essence. Three minutes of fun that don’t come across as fabricated. You just get a smile in your face. Add that to a likeable person such as Miki and you have gold.
2. Miki & Natalia – “Nadie se Salva”
3. María – “Muérdeme”
4. Famous – “No puedo más”
5. Noelia – “Hoy vuelvo a reír otra vez”
Izhar
1. María – “Muérdeme”
This is so catchy and original and if well preformed, it can do really well in Tel Aviv. I also like Maria’s vocals and can imagine her sassiness when she will sing it on stage. The Spanish elements give the song the unique vibe that it needs to stand out. If Maria can turn her “negativity” (i.e. unwillingness to go to Tel Aviv) into something positive and artistic, then this can really work for Spain. It would be something special, given this is a symbolic year for Spain, having won the contest for the first time exactly 50 years ago.
2. Noelia – “Hoy vuelvo a reír otra vez”
3. Sabela – “Hoy soñaré”
4. Carlos Right – “Se te nota”
5. Miki & Natalia – “Nadie se salva”
Julian
1. Miki – “La venda”
Miki’s “La venda” just has to be my number one. While many have “Muérdeme” as their first, I find “La venda” to be the catchiest song in this selection. It is a happy song, and everyone can dance and smile even without understanding español. Between all those power ballads and songs that wait to win Eurovision, this “La vendo” could be outstanding with its fun and non-serious context. If Miki brings the right staging, it easily could jump in the Eurovision top ten and could be a televote favourite. This is what I expect from Spain and I love it.
2. María – “Muérdeme”
3. Marilia – “Todo bien”
4. Natalia – “La clave”
5. Noelia – “Hoy vuelvo a reír otra vez”
Oliver
1. Natalia – “La clave”
Upon listening to the snippets, I was ready for María’s “Muérdeme” to snatch the victory and travel to Tel Aviv. However, the full version was a massive let down for me, leaving me without a favourite for the time being. Nevertheless, there are still some gems to be found in this selection and the one which shines the brightest for me is “La clave”. While it may not have been my initial choice, Natalia is bringing a modern entry enthused with attitude and fire. If staged well, with dancers and smooth camera angles, I could see this doing well at Eurovision proper thus breaking the string of bad results for the Iberian nation.
2. Noelia – “Hoy vuelvo a reír otra vez”
3. Marilia – “Todo bien”
4. Miki & Natalia – “Nadie se salva”
5. María – “Muérdeme”
Luis
1. Miki – “La venda”
“La venda ya cayó” means ‘the blindfold already fell’ and oh how I wish I could say that about my fellow Spaniards. Miki’s song is the only real option for Spain to do well in Tel Aviv. It’s three minutes of pure fun, it’s got some hooks and it screams FIESTA! Miki oozes charisma and the song feels tailor-made for him. “La venda” is such an obvious choice for Spain, that it’s even painful not seeing it leading the odds and the tops.
2. María – “Muérdeme”
3. Marilia – “Todo bien”
4. Famous – “No puedo más”
5. Julia – “Qué quieres que haga”
What do you think? Who is your favourite in the OT Eurovision Gala? Who should represent Spain in Tel Aviv? Share your thoughts below!
That’s surprising considering that while their live stream is blocked globally for most days of the year, anything OT related, I’ve been managed to catch. Today though, they unlocked the stream during the news that came before.
Update: Okay, so apparently, TVE did stream the show worldwide, but on OT’s Youtube channel. 🙂
The best choice. It will be 3 minutes of fun and party in Eurovision. At least, it will be unique on its own. And I really like Miki, he has charisme, uniqueness and nerve. Go Miki
Liked the bit I heard. Nice job, Miki!
Already, I’m seeing comments from naysayers saying that Spain will come last. It’s not even their go-to “it’s another ballad” excuse but they still wanna drag it down. Petty.
It was never about being “tu cancion” being a ballad, it was just a bad song and it did not do well at Eurovision. Even though a lot of people hyped Almaia here on Wiwibloggs when it won.. Lo Malo would have been top 10 had it won instead.. La Venda wont be top 10 either
There’s a checklist to see what Eurofans will say to justify their dislike towards a song, whether it’s the genre, the singer or the song itself. It’s all very subjective but the excuses have always been the same every year, especially consideirng Spain is never consistent with its entries but everybody predicting them to not do well (at least they got one right but that’s a whole other discussion): A fun tropical pop song in 2011, an emotional ballad in 2012 and 2014, happy fun Celtic-inspired pop song in 2013, an epically dramatic ballad in 2015, a uptempo English pop… Read more »
The checklist goes:
1. It’s dated (19xx /2xxx wants it’s song back)
2. It’s boring (excuse for any slow tempo song)
3. It’s cheap (excuse for most uptempos)
… and my personal favorite:
4. It’s (insert song here) 2.0. – With thousands of songs being involved in ESC at some capacity, it’s likely to make some similarity with something. However, accusing it for being a copy is often excessive, accompanied by a silly prediction that the voting will be exact as with the song associated with.
Possibly the same that were already saying this will be a bad Eurovision when we had ONE selected song. Some people love the drama, not the contest itself.
Those naysayers got it actually quite right in 10 of the 14 latest years, with Spain ending in a 20+ position…
I would love to have reasons to say the opposite, but for that to happen Spain needs to send quality singers with quality songs, not this mess
It’s all subjective at best. Naysayers can have their time to shine after the votes are sent and tallied in May, but right now, it’s too early.
Alfred is rocking that turtleneck.
At least muerdeme didnt win… but Nadie Se Salva really should have won, bad decision from Spain again, not surprised
Yaaaay !1st and 3rd. That’s almost half the votes. Miki is on fire!
Miki wins
Yes Miki!!!
Fair enough. Miki a Eurovisión with “La venda”!
So I have just tuned in very late. (Sunday night always clashes with work. 🙁 )
I’m guessing that they are waiting for results?
Yeah looks like a result is happening.
Ah, so “La Venda” won it. Well done Miki. 🙂
I was pleasantly surprised. Miki was a revelation all season so this was a good way to cap his OT journey.
Playback performances makes me sad. Eleni, please don’t 🙁
Can we give “Muérdeme” to Eleni?
lol last year’s winner Amaia couldn’t be bothered to come? But Alfred seemed very happy alone.
She did appear in the season finale last year so that kinda counts, I think.
I am still between Miki (the happiest song) and Noelia (the most emotional song). I also very much enjoyed Miki and Natalia together, Natalia Solo, Carlos Right and Maria. Julia also killed it live. IDK, I’d be fine with many options.
I guess Noelia still has good chances, since all those uptempo songs will fight for the same votes.
I’d be really happy if Noelia wins, but I also think that Nadie se salva, La venda and Muerdeme are really good.
I’m team “Miki a Eurovisión!”. He showed how much he wants it and that he’s the right man to the job (it could also be Famous, but they gave him an uneventful song). I like “Nadie se salva” better than “La venda”, but the later one seems to be more popular, so I would be fine with that. I wonder if Noelia still can benefit from all those uptempo songs dividing votes.
Okay, why are the voting numbers in a different orders than the actual performances? RTVE’s weirdness knows no bounds.
It’s probably based on the corresponding letters of the songs’ titles.
Ex: 1-800-NOTA
Okay: I would choose Miki because he was simply the best. If not him, I would choose Noelia because her song is the most well-written. If not her, I would choose Maria because of her “bite me”- attitude and because if it ain’t Miki, it will be hopeless anyway. 😛
I’m also “team Miki a Eurovisión”. He showed how much he wants and that he’s the man for the job. It could be Famous also, but they gave him an uneventful song. I like “Nadie se salva” better than “La venda”, but the second seems more popular, so I would be fine with that.
I honestly think going to Eurovision with that song wouldn’t do any favors to Famous.
I agree. He wants so much to be in Eurovision, he deserves to go when he has a chance to get a good result. Next year we won’t have OT as a selection (as long RTVE doesn’t change its mind about i), so maybe he could try again.
Oh, did they cancel it? I really didn’t care for OT. Only watching the Eurovision gala. But I am really enjoying this show and its contestants.
Right after this season ended, they said they want to give the format some rest and that we wouldn’t have another season in 2019. But let’s wait and see, because this is the kind of decision that can easily be dropped.
I don’t know if it’s just me, but I felt, like the whole performance Maria was about to say “OK, can I go already?”
Absolutely. It was so obvious. Probably why they gave her so many dancers.
It’s not a coincidence that Maria got to perform last, is it? It also seems they put the most thought into her staging, by far.
I haven’t understood that “park garage” theme they picked for the entry… Anyway, since the beggining I was on the fence about María performing this song and her attitude hasn’t helped either. It would be useful to see Natalia or Marília (a nice surprise today) singing it, so we would know the real power behind “Muérdeme”.
Actually, many of these songs lived on stage. Not a bad performance on sight.
“Nadie se salva” worked like a charm. It mixed Miki’s energy and likeability with Natalia pop diva’s skills. It was very entertaining to watch them together. It’s not as uplifting, but it’s less repectitive and better structured than “La Venda”. I would pick this one.
Muérdeme is the best!!!
Miki for the win please!!
So the problem is, that I watch OT Gala Eurovision and I do a couple of other things at the same time. And although all the songs sound nice, none of them arrested my attention, so that I stopped what I’m doing and just watched the performance. And that’s not a good sign.
I can see how Spain would be a great country to host Eurovision in. Such a cheerful crowd.
Ibiza 2021.
I hope Miki’s two entries don’t split his votes. He needs to go solo, if he goes.
Carlos. Now there’s another very sweet guy who deserves a much better song. I love how they are all making those most of it.
*the most
I’m in Ireland and am watching it live – not a great standard.
It’s on twitch.tv by the way
Okay. I was rooting for Noelia and Miki, but I think I have to put Miki first now.
Noelia was of course reminiscent of Pastora which I love and you can’t fault her, but I felt that judging from her facial expressions she had to concentrate extra hard to hit those notes, which is of course understandable. It go better towards the end. But Miki seemed liberated from the start.
In any case, I want one of those two to win.
Noelia’s song is the best written of the bunch, but I also noticed that she was too concentrated on reaching notes and hasn’t had much space to breath. I still think this could improve a lot if she had saved her full voice to the climax.
“La Venda a Eurovisión”. There was a “Famous a Eurovisión” too, but Miki got a bigger reaction.
Really hoping Spain chooses “La Venda” tonight. I think it’s the only song that would give them a decent result
Miki is fun! Not sure about that marching band, but hey, it wouldn’t be RTVE if they staging were any good. But Miki is really good.
I finally got why so many here want “La Venda” in Eurovision. Between a bunch of average songs, we have something that’s uplifiting and fun, without trying too hard to be anything. As I commented in the one of the OT’s posts, Miki fits the Eurovision spirit very well. He’s friendly, his face is distinctive (you’ll remember him after 26 artists) and he has the energy to repeat this song a dozen times in a week without getting bored or boring.
Totally! He is a go-getter. The kind of guy people are still rooting for, no matter how bad RTVE is.
I don’t think he would win, but with creative staging it can do very well with the televote. If he wins, RTVE should take a note from Moldova’s last entries… also Romania’s yodeling.
It’s galactically far from being an Eurovision winner.
“Qué quieres que haga” is not something that would normally do well in a song contest, but I think it’s a great single to launch Julia’s carreer. Can’t wait for a album from her, she became my favorite of this OT’s season.
RTVE is pathetic. Spaniards outside Spain are not allowed to watch the show??? Really… when you think they can’t go more down…
“La clave” has that problem that many songs written with Eurovision in mind share: it could last one minute, because the rest of it is to repeat the chorus until it sticks on your brain. Natalia was effective as usually, but I think her best chance will be the duet with Miki.
Pastora is looking fierce, though. She can give those young chicks a run for their money any day.
the straight side of me would choose her.
Once again: chance of Spain ending higher than position 20 is less than 0. Not a single song stands out even a tiny little bit. I have no need to ever listen to any of them again.
My dear Spain, why are you doing this to me over and over again?!
RTVE needs to learn a lot from other broadcasters around Europe… Check this link, it’s working so far: https://www.twitch.tv/ota_3
“Hoy soñaré” was beautifully performed. I almost forget the song’s weaknesses.
Unfortunately, this ain’t the case with Famous: he really does nothing wrong here, but what is he supposed to do with this song?
I refuse to believe they couldn’t find a better song than this one to Famous. He did what he could to make it work though.
it amazes me how nice he is to his songwriter. I’d be like: “Why are you doing this me?”
They don’t want the world to witness that mess.
Very ellegant performance by Sabela, it’s a pity that I just can’t like her song. If María doesn’t want to go to Tel Aviv, maybe they could give “Muérdeme” to Marília, because she really showed how much she wants it.
RTVE is not working here, anybody has a link?
I just came to say the same thing. The damn page just reloads and drops it over and over again.
Found this one. Don’t know if it will keep working, but it’s better than nothing for now: https://www.twitch.tv/ota_3
Thank you. Hopefully it will.
Thanks a lot.
thank you
Thank you very much. Works like a charm. RTVE’s not at all, unsurprisingly.
La clave or Nadie se salva
Kudos to y’all for coming up with a top 5. I couldn’t come up with one single song I like from this selection, it’s like it’s a search for this year’s last place.
What about Latvia? Unless you are talking about finals only.
EDIT: Sure, Latvia has 3 decent options, but majority is very weak and they will probably pick either Markus’ mediocre song or Samanta Tina’s mess.
They will pick Markus. He almost won the televoting last year with a weak song and much stronger opponents. This year there’s no competition to him.
I’m all in for Noelia! Powerful ballad sung by incredible talented young lady with powerful vocals! Spot on! I get chills every time i listen her song. Alex Ubago knows his job and his good at it! Fingers crossed for NOELIA! Go get it!
She’s my favourite too
Eurovision spain live here: https://youtu.be/HBVlx3XlWtE
That’s not the show
Can we watch somewhere the show?
I would take the ten options down to five: Miki, María, Famous, Noelia and Miki&Natalia. One of them will represent Spain.
By the way, María’s rehearsal has been a let down, no attitude breathy vocals, tacky staging. Famous has no staging at all. Just two black back-vocalists. Hope there’s something I’m missing because I really want to see Famous giving an impressive performance.
I think Noelia is the best vocally and she reminds me of Pastora Soler. Hopefully Spain does not screw it up like France.