What’s a girl to do? Lithuanian songstress Monika Marija entered national final Eurovizijos Atranka with two songs, expecting that surely one of them would get eliminated along the way. But both “Criminal” and “Light On” have proved enduring favourites and are still in the race.
After Monika’s “Light On” topped the first semi-final vote last week, she now faces performing “Criminal” in the second semi-final tomorrow. If “Criminal” makes the top four in its semi, Monika could end up having to perform BOTH songs in next week’s grand final.
However, Monika has a plan. Earlier this week she pleaded both with viewers and the show jury, asking them not to vote for “Criminal”.
While Monika has decided that “Light On” is the song she wants to but her efforts behind, not all her fans agree. Supporters of “Criminal” would rather see that song go to the grand final.
Earlier in the month, we asked wiwibloggs readers which song you preferred. The results were close: 56.17% of you preferred “Light On”, while “Criminal” was the favourite for 43.83%
But what do you think now? Which song should Monika take to the grand final? Listen to the two songs and vote in our poll. Remember, you can only vote once, so make it count.
Monika Marija – “Criminal”
Monika debuted the dramatic ballad “Criminal” at the third semi-final of Eurovizijos Atranka. As well as impressing viewers with her vocals, she also made an impact with a dramatic red gown and wearing an alarming hairpiece in the shape of a spider web.
The song received ten points from the jury but only eight points from the televote. This gave her an overall placing of second and ensured she qualified for tomorrow night’s semi-final.
Monika Marija – “Light On”
Monika first performed the deeply personal and uplifting anthem “Light On” in the fourth heat. It was a clear favourite, picking up 12 points from both the jury and televote, ensuring it would qualify for the semi-finals. At last week’s semi, it was another case of 12s across the board, securing “Light On” a place in the grand final.
Being the winner of semi-final one, it seems like a clear favourite to win Eurovizijos Atranka 2019 and take the ticket to Tel Aviv. But if “Criminal” is also in the final, could it split the vote and result in another song taking the win?
What song should Monika Marija sing in the grand final of Eurovizijos Atranka?
[polldaddy poll=10240952]What do you think? Should Monika perform “Criminal” in the national final? Or is she better to stick with “Light On”? Tell us your thoughts below!
I must admit, that i’m not informed about all her motivations etc. but the idea of entering a 2nd song just as you please has a rather decadent appeal for me. Other artists in Eurovizijos Atranka revealed their songs just days before their first performance, so it probably wouldn’t have hurt to simply cancel “Criminal” in favor of “Light On”, but on the other hand the two Songs generate a nice little hype that she (or her management) might have bargained for. So i agree that it’s her own fault if both songs enter the final and stand in each… Read more »
BTW reading all these MM-articles on wiwibloggs makes it look like MaNNazz, Jurgis Br?zga, Jurijus Veklenko, etc. were no match at all, which feels very unfair to me (and yes, i’m having a hard time not becoming a Monika-hater).
Criminal is a very pretty song. Light On is not, and it’s staging is tragic. Criminal makes the impact.
I don’t like her songs. But if I have to choose I’ll pick Light on.
Lithuania should avoid this drama and only let submit 1 song by artist. It’s so confusing like this
It seems cheeky enough to have 2 songs in a competition but to then say you don’t really want people to vote for 1 song must be at least slightly irksome to the performers who didn’t get a spot in the Semi Finals, and disrespectful to those performers who potentially won’t be in the Final because Monika Marija is (most likely) going to have two spots.
She was teling in the coments (befor esc) when her fan ask are she goin with light on shes says no i will go with the other song wich i love even more. And now she says that cos of jury and ppl here in lithuania
Lithuania should do whatever Lithuania wants to do. An anonymous guest on a freak!ing website commenting on what a nation should do is a bit sad to say the least
Both of them are pretty boring to me
Criminal all the way
I don’t like either one of them, actually.
Light On. She prefers it.
She was teling in the coments (befor esc) when her fan ask are she goin with light on shes says no i will go with the other song wich i love even more. And now she says that cos of jury and ppl here in lithuania
Both songs are obviously good but, come on, Light On is clearly the better and more lyrical of the two. Her voice shows well in Criminal but it is a bit basic tbh
I think Light On is more cliché, so I prefer Criminal. But both are good
Both songs are very beautiful but I prefer “Criminals”. Good Luck in the final!!
Definitely Light On as that’s the one she wants to sing
Both are great but she’ll do much better with a song she feels more
I don’t know :3
I actually get emotional from both of them
She is shooting herself in the foot. I feel as if “Light On” might be in a lot of top 10s but almost no ones #1. I think “Criminal would be low with a lot of people but others, like me, would consider voting for it.
Better to pick up votes from every country than top points from just one…
people do not call in and vote for their #10, you need to have a song that people want to vote for…
Actually, in a strong year, they might even if:
A) Only 3-5 out of their top 10 are in their semi.
B) Not all songs placed higher got through the semis, and there is only 5-6 of them in the GF.
Personally, I voted for my remaining top 8 in 2018, but it was a really strong year. Also, Light On would likely be in my top 3 if picked.
A) I am only talking about the final, seeing as it might be a weak year they are bound to qualify with either one.
B) Yes, but only if all the other songs wont make it. “Criminal” is more impactful in general where as “Light on” is more likeable.
I voted for about 5 or 6 different songs last year.
Across everyone at my party, we must have voted for 10 different songs/countries.
I bet, she’d be entering the top 10 in Tel Aviv with Light on. Goosebumps.. Masterpiece..
Light On sounds like a sleepy hit.
I think some people don’t really know what a sleepy hit is…
Do you mean sleeper hit?
yeah, lol
Light On. Criminal is ok, both would easily qualify.
Criminal is the best option if she wants to win the Barbara Dex Award tho.
I honestly prefer “Criminal”. “Light On” is like an Adele ripoff.
Adele doesn’t need the light leaving on though. Maybe her’s would be “leave the latch off for me”.
Just leave the latch off for me,
Just leave the latch off for me,
Just leave the latch off for me,
Because I’m going out,
And probably be home around three
i prefer criminal (better vocals n melody & more drama) but she wants light on so
It’s not her choice. She submitted both song and now it is up to the public and juries to decide. I hope they both ignore her request.
She already said she would prefer singing Light On. Why is this a debate now? The other option is Criminal getting through as borderline anyway and she singing both. But she will sing Light On regardless.
Fair enough. However, it will accentuate dissatisfaction of those who prefer Criminal. I love both songs, but she had to make a hard choice, and judging by their heat points in EA, I think she made the more prudent one.
same as all Melodifestivalen songs so far
Both of her songs would be rejected in Melodifestivalen. The only one good song in lithuanian selection is Jurijus-Run with lions.
Lol, the song that was on soundcloud since February and deleted as soon as people noticed. No thanks!
By February i mean February 2018.
There was already a poll about these two songs, why make another one?
Both songs are stunning, and amazing performances. I want both!
Am I having a deja vu? I’m sure there was a poll like this one before.
Yes, there was indeed a former poll called “Which MM song do you prefer?” a few weeks ago.
Essenyislly, this poll is a test for those who previously voted for ‘Criminal’: do you want Monika to be happy or yourself?
Melodifestivalen tease!