After three heats, two semi-finals and two voting rounds in the grand final, at last Hungary has decided. Joci Pápai will return to Eurovision, after he won A Dal 2019 with his song “Az én apám” (My father).
The A Dal grand final result was decided from two rounds of voting. After the acts performed their songs, the expert jury voted and from their votes alone the top four acts then progressed to the super final. The four super finalists were: Joci Pápai with “Az én apám”, Acoustic Planet with “Nyári zápor”, Bence Vavra with “Szótlanság” and Bogi Nagy with “Holnap”.
This also meant that two popular acts had their A Dal journey end early. Gergő Szekér had been a favourite with his song “Madár, repülj!”, but he narrowly missed out in fifth place. Hungary’s Eurovision 2014 act András Kállay-Saunders missed out as part of his new musical project The Middletonz and their song “Roses”. They placed sixth. The jury vote ensure that both these popular acts would not face the public’s vote for the winner.
The top four acts then faced a second round of voting, determined entirely by the public vote. From that, the people of Hungary voted and decided they wanted Joci Pápai to be their act in Tel Aviv.
Joci Pápai returns to Eurovision
József “Joci” Pápai first won A Dal 2017 and represented Hungary at in Kyiv. The song placed eighth in the grand final and is Hungary’s third-best ever Eurovision result.
Joci’s 2019 song “Az én apám” is different to “Origo”. The 2017 song included a dramatic rap and violin, while “Az én apám” is a ballad, but with the distinct Hungarian ethnic sounds that Joci is known for.
Joci won’t be the only returning at at Eurovision 2019. He’ll be joined by the Russian star Sergey Lazarev who taking another shot at Eurovision glory, while Turkish crooner Serhat will again represent the microstate of San Marino. Tamara Todevska will also return to represent FYR Macedonia with “Proud”.
A Dal 2019 – first round results
- Joci Pápai – “Az én apám” (26 points)
- Acoustic Planet – “Nyári zápor” (22 points)
- Bence Vavra – “Szótlanság” (20 points)
- Bogi Nagy – “Holnap” (16 points)
- Gergő Szekér – “Madár, repülj!” (12 points)
- The Middletonz – “Roses” (8 points)
- Fatal Error – “Kulcs” (8 points)
- Gergő Oláh – “Hozzád bújnék” (0 points)
What do you think? Are you excited that Joci will return to Eurovision? Can he top his 2017 result? Have your say below!
I think it’s a good song, but not as powerful and memorable as Origo in 2017. He has great stage presence, though! Good luck to Hungary!!
Another returnee to Eurovision! I don’t know how he’ll do but the song is quite good. I like it.
Last time he was my and my eight year old doughters favorite in ESC. We listen to the song still! So diffrent to the music we hear on swedish radio! Realy like this! Good luck
Oh no….not him again. Could not stand him before, and now having to put up with him again.I will definitely be putting the kettle on when he comes on TV.
Good luck to him, but with all the returnees and common writers / producers / stagers, it does seem that Eurovision is eating itself.
Not a bad song!
funny, “Az En Apam” means in Hebrew “so there isn’t, this time”. maybe it’s a prophetic title? (“En” as in “En li kesef..”)
PLEASE NO
Agree….cannot stand his voice….and the song
Meh, not with this song
There is something wrong with Hungarian entries since 2011… Do you remember that Kati Wolf was a favourite (the song was good, with a potential of a hit), but when she appeared on stage with that…. hair, and ring, and dress.. and… “choreography” she barely qualified to the final…
It seems for me that Hungarians don’t want to win ESC. One time they really send something pretending to win was (still one of my favourites) “Kedvesem” in 2013… and after that… obvious non-winners (even if they had quite a good stuff to choose from).
Kati Wolf was a fanwank. Hungary has been sending great songs almost every year. They will win ESC soon, probably within 10 years.
Nothing wrong with “Running” 2014….was leading the scoreboard after 10 votes…
Hungarians made a mistake. His song Origo was special back in 2017, now his song this year… Well, not that memorable… He’s a great live singer, but the song is so generic, plus it’s in Hungarian. Not sure of the chancds to qualify, or if it does… to reach a good place in the grand final, like in 2017…
I agree. If juries didn’t stand behind “Origo”, then this has no chance with them. Whereas the previous song was energetic, angry, memorable, this one… is just there. Still, let’s wait for the staging and it’s great to have Jóci back.
This song misses that special chorus that his previous song had, which made it apeal to an international crowd . I like his stage presence but don’t believe this will go far unfortunately.
This entry really makes me proud to be Hungarian!
This entry makes me proud to be part Hungarian!
Let’s be honest here. Hungary was (once again) cornered into picking Joci Papai. Just like the juries eliminated his main competitor and fan-favorite Gabi and her Hosszu idok in 2017, they eliminated The Middletonz and Gergo Szeker now. From the start of this show and the elimination of Oliver Berkes and Rozina Patkai in the first heat, I have a feeling that they are messing us. Now I am sure those four people are either clueless of what good music is or malicious. Either way, if I were Hungarian, I’d demand some changes for A-dal.
All of that is entirely true. A Dal does need to change. Out of a 30 song selection, the public vote only matters when there’s 4 songs left.
I think the 4 songs that were left standing were good (as they were in 2017) but they were by no means, the best 4 songs in the selection.
Joci wins, I put him on my Top 10. It’s that simple for me.
I LOVE HIM! That voice is a special one.
Same, although it isn’t too difficult to get into my Top 10 at the moment.
Yes! Very well deserved! Congrats Joci for such a great song and a great performance. Congrats Hungary for sending quality!
Yes, the four songs selected tonight really turned it around for me. Joci sings with so much devotion and capability, it is touching me so much…
I like Joci a lot, his voice, the feeling… I loved Origo. Az én apám has a very promising beginning, but then the chorus is for me a bit too basic with the nanana. Nevertheless, it is a nice song to listen to and it has that local flavour I really appreciate in this contest, so I wish him the best of luck.
It’s an ok song, but I liked Origo more, it’s too similar, too soon. Hungary’s had a chance to send something different with Madar, repulj, too bad the jury’s messed up the superfinal, big time. I wonder if Joci had won if Szeker Gergo and The Middletoz were still in the competition, it seems like the jury’s made it very easy for Joci to win.
This year’s A Dal had weird results from the very beginning, and I still don’t really get why so many strong contenders were eliminated so early. Anyways, “Origo” was excellent, but “Az En Apam” to me is kind of a disappointment honestly. This song doesn’t really go anywhere for me, it’s very one-note. And then too much of the song is just that “na na na” part…
Sorry Hungary, but I have a suspicion this may be a (for many) surprise nonqualifier and end their good streak. :/
At first I didn’t really bat my eye at Joci this season, now after watching the performance I love it and love that he delivered it warmly and heartfully. I’m happy that Joci can again join ESC.
And, Bogi in the superfinal. Wow.
flip sake why do juries hate rap so much, middletonz should have at least reached public vote.
Most rap (not all) has only rhythm, and no melody. Without actual musical notes it has always been difficult to rate rap on a technical level, since it is Spoken Word set to music, rather than music itself. Does that make sense?
Note: This year’s Italy entry is a grey area, since it has a melody, yet people call it “rap”.
Didn’t Joci have a rap segment in his 2017 entry “Origo”?
and the juries shamefully ranked him in the bottom 10!!!
Such a bad vocalist and poor song!
It’s very different from Hungary’s song last year anyway lol. But I actually really like it. Especially when he goes ‘nanana.’ Best of luck Hungary! His vocals are spot on!
how good it was to see Awwsa again. Love them
#justiceforthemiddletonz
#justiceforszekérgergo
Yeahhhhh I am so happy, it was my favourite. That being said, what an awhful system with these juries having way too much power
Good choice. My favorite entry so far ( not difficult this year with so many bad songs)
This is like the 3rd NF song about the artist’s father but unlike Seemone and Laura Bretan, he won.
Mahmood sings over his father too!
Oh yea I forgot about it.
Lol but in a bad way
hungary has made the right choice – thank you for getting joci again – i love both songs from him.
and i still hope for leander kills in 2020 or later – this guy is so good.
Hope he improves the staging for Eurovision but I like his song a lot, it is very genuine and warm
Not as good as Origo (comparisons in the case of returining artists never work well in esc…), but I really like this song. It goes directly to my current top 5, still lead by Italy (San Remo confirmed as the best national selection).
The thing about returning artists is that they’ll naturally be compared to their previous efforts and sometimes it’s difficult for us to let the past behind and do what we objectively should: compare it with their current opponents.I love Joci, but I wasn’t rooting for him to win. It will be very difficult to top what he did with “Origo”. Almost impossible, I would say, unless they came with some surprising staging choices. But objectively, this is a very good song. The lyrics are beautiful and Joci’s performances are always hearfelt and carry the right amount of passion.
Meanwhile, Portugal SF2 is turning out to be really strong. Lots of art, and lots of heartfelt music. 🙂
NBC was particularly great.
He killed it!
A dal is starting to grow in Hungary. The top 4 got more than 100.000 votes, which is not bad if we see Ukraine a 4 time bigger country and there the winner got 167.000 votes.
If only they had actual judges instead of these four charlatans.
Viewing figures are lowering year by year
In 2014 almost 900k people viewed the 1st show
By 2019 it was only 200k
We don’t have enough power, so a lot of people don’t watch it. It will be lower after this year. Killing The Middletonz and Szekér Gergo was the worst jury decision ever in A Dal imo.
Agreed. They should have been included in the Top 4. I don’t understand the jury’s sudden love for Vavra Bence over Szeker Gergo at all.
I wouldn’t say it grows. Big names don’t compete anymore and viewing figures suffer.
Goodbye Hungary. See you next year. (Sorry but even though I truly enjoyed him the first time he participated, this particular song sucks. There were better contestants.)
Oh crap! I want a modern song from Hungary…Italy is still winning in my ranking. Ukraine is just okay and I don’t like her dodgy voice. Denmark is okayish…And Lithuania is sending a repetitive male ballad pop song . Semi 2 is not that stronger, either so far.
I love this song. Joci is back with a beautiful Hungarian gypsy ballad.
Well, after the top 4 were chosen, I thought that this is an easy win for Joci. Only The Middletonz, Fatal Error or maybe Gergö Szeker (even though I didnt like it) could‘ve challenged him in a public vote. But the other Superfinalists were simply to weak.
Still think that Joci could do well, even if Az en apam is weaker than Origo, but he has the feelings and he can transfer it to the viewer, even if they dont understand the lyrics.
meh, the juries sabotaged all the good songs anyway but i wish they’d sent someone else
I was worried that they might end up with something worse so am a little relieved.
His Music is absolutly amazig. First Origo and now this. Even we don´t have all the Songs, from my perspective: he can win. So let´s do this: BUDAPEST 2020
Greatings from Hamburg; Germany
Origo was so much better, I even voted for him back then. This song is just not good enough for the win, sorry.
Delusion, convince yourself.
I’ll comment only once, not to repeat myself. 2019 is a fascinating year. It’s worth studying, dissecting and debating around it’s phenomenon. It’s not only a terrible ESC year, but it’s love of mediocrity is beyond equal. It’s mind-boggling how NONE of the national finals managed to pick the best song. Some even picked the blandest one. In short – I am extremely indifferent towards the Danish, Hungarian and Lithuanian winners! They all had songs I was passionate about. So did Estonia, France, Romania and many others. I am angry and sad as I never was in my entire life… Read more »
No, both the public and juries voted for the king of mediocrity.
There are still more than 20 songs to go. WHat if the next 20 are great. I agree with all the lost potential, but there is still some surprises waiting to come.
This is the saddest comment I have ever read on Wiwibloggs. I just want to hold you, Colin. 🙁
Thank you. I means a lot that you are here. Hugs. 🙁
I agree National finals this year made terrible descions. The only countries that picked right are Italy, Slovenia and today Ukraine(also Denmark). So so far I only love these countries + France and Germany are also good. But we have 18 songs from internal selections to come, and I bet lots of them will be great. But yeah agree can’t wait for 2020, and I won’t watch any NF next year(except Melfest)
I’ll (kind of) agree with Italy, Slovenia and Ukraine. but coincidentally those were the ones I didn’t follow, so my pre-constructed passion for them isn’t there. But yeah, they are good. Denmark is okay-ish, but it had better choices. Most of them did.
Australia made the right decision too.
Dear Catriona, who you kidding?
Colin, I know where all these feelings are coming from. My heart had also been broken more than I was expecting during the last few weeks. But by the little I know about you, I think you’ll let these feelings behind when you have some time to grieve after your favorites loss. I can’t promise you’ll feel better about many songs, because some are indeed bland and also leave me indifferent. But there are some gems that will grow on you. Don’t let juries and televotes ruin some great music and talented artists for you.
Thanks for saying that, Sabrina. I know some of these songs are good. I have several of them rated an 8 or 8.5. It means I indeed like them. There are several sevens as well. However, there are more than a dozen songs I rated with more than a 9 and none of them won their respective finals. I have never felt so hollow following national finals. Indeed, there might be growers (Denmark, Czech Republic and Slovenia could go that way), but that’s not the same as if I adored the song from the very first listening. There is not… Read more »
I believe you will regain your joy or at least enough of it, Colin. I feel the curious thing about this season so far is that the weakest entries are better than the bottom entries from previous years, but the strongest are slow burners or still need adjustments. After March 10th, we’ll have some days “off” and we’ll be able to judge the entries for what they are and not for how they upset some of our original favorites.
This usually happens to me, Colin.
I just make a video of my own alternate Eurovision to make myself feel better. 😉 On the plus side, this year, my alternative Eurovision is AMAZING.
Alternative ESC will be epic! 🙂
If you ever make one, let me know…because THAT is something I would watch. 😉
We should all come to Colin’s house for the event. Call it: “Make ESC Great Again”.
I’m not wearing a cap….
So, whatever you want to win is the right choice, and if the country disagrees, they are wrong? Give it a rest. I’m s glad I’m actually enjoying this year so far, but the endless negativity is ruining it. The fans are the problem, not the songs.
Thanks, Tibor. Yes, I have favorites in Iceland, Portugal, Norway, even in Sweden. The thing is, I genuinely don’t have any hope for any of them to win. It’s like if someone says that you pick a hand. It might be gold, it might be a slap in the face. For the first 15 times it’s slap in the face. You lose any spark of hope.
Joci is amazing. I’m relieved for Hungary that they picked well after all those really strange jury choices.
Lithuania’s circus show of a finale ended. We’re sending Jurijus.
its very weak, can’t see that qualifying. what a stupid thing to do , Criminal was the best song to go to ESC and she shelved it. Crazy. she was punished in the end for her stupidity and ego.
I actually like it, finally I have something to put into my top 5 since it has been quite weak selection so far.
Let’s not put too much pressure on guy. Not many songs can beat “Origo”, but the fact is, that Joci is still bringing us some folk quality and third Hungarian-language song in the row.
Again? With almost the same sound as 2017?
Safe to say he won’t reach the same level he did in 2017
Until now a lousy year, but only 40% of all entries, 60% left:
1) ITA
2) HUN
3) UKR
4) SLO
5) AUS
6) ROM
7) UK
8) ESP
9 ) GER
10) EST
11) FRA
12) CZE
13)-16) who cares
I agree with others here that it’s not as good as Origo, but still a really lovely song and I hope it does well. 🙂
It hasn’t been my favourite this year, as compared to Origo it’s inferior. But I have to say in the final it was elevated live, and it was my favourite of the night.
The Hungarian national final was rigged again, gasp.
He might stay in the semi, but good luck.