It’s the ongoing drama that has replaced the Eurovision pre-party season as the thing to occupy the later weeks of March. The issue of songs from Eurovision 2020 not being allowed to be reused for the next edition of the song contest has flared up again.
This time former Czech Republic Head of Delegation Jan Bors has had his say on the matter, weighing in with a differing opinion.
Following the wiwibloggs article on prolific Eurovision songwriter Borislav Milanov’s recent comments on the 2020 songs issue, Jan Bors expressed his thoughts with a long Facebook post.
WTF WE HAVE HERE?We have some problem here with songwriters in Eurovision. Curiously looking into that situation which…
Posted by Jan Frost Bors on Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Bors takes a different stance to Milanov, saying that “We have some problem here with songwriters in Eurovision.”
He criticises the attacks on the Eurovision Reference Group’s decision to not allow delegations to reuse their Eurovision 2020 songs.
Bors explained, “This happens when you write universal songs literally for everyone. Some of their songs could represent more different countries. I know that well as I was [on] juries for few of them and that made me laugh.”
But the former Czech HoD didn’t hold back when criticising the songwriters themselves. He wrote:
“There are some songwriters [who] feel bitter right now – of course, it is their business and they do music mostly for business. [They s]ee Eurovision as a chance and don’t see for some reason that such a song is already alive and if it’s great, it will work even without Eurovision. Nothing against but that attitude then makes them look silly in my eyes.
“And this is what is the shady part of the contest. It became song business for some and that is why you sometimes feel the lack of originality, generic music and just-for-Eurovision made songs.”
Eurovision vs the Olympics
Also joining the debate is “Cleopatra” songwriter Greig Watts. In a comment on wiwibloggs, the UK songwriter compared Eurovision’s cancellation with the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games. He explained,
“Everyone understands that the competition can’t take place in May, no one is arguing that, but the Olympics are postponed and everyone will be allowed to compete again. If this decision stands, these songs are just cast aside, songwriters dreams shattered.”
Jan Bors also addressed this, saying that like Olympians, Eurovision singers will also be allowed to compete again next year. (Though it should be noted that at this stage, the IOC has not confirmed if athletes will need to requalify for next year’s Games.)
Bors wrote that singers can compete again with a new song, saying “That makes sense on so many levels. It is not about disrespect, it is about following what is Eurovision. Always not so old songs, new ones.”
Long-time Eurovision production manager Ola Melzig also replied to Bors’ Facebook post. He wrote:
“Well……. it IS a song contest. It IS the song that competes. Not the artist. And that is simply why this years songs are not allowed to compete next year, since they have all been published now. Sure, it sucks for everyone involved. But as you say, it feels like we have a bit bigger problems to deal with right now. Stay safe!”
And, indeed, Bors ended his post with a call for perspective. He concluded:
“There are much bigger concerns right now than you can’t use the old song again. I am curious if some of them would complain last year if this happens. Who knows. Only what matters now is to stay safe and stay positive (not on Covid pls :))”
Jan Bors served as the Czech Republic’s Head of Delegation from 2016, guiding his country through its Eurovision renaissance. He stepped down as HoD in October last year, but offered supportive words for the acts comepting in the 2020 edition of the Czech national final.
What do you think? Has this conversation gone on for too long? Or are there things still left to be said? If you have more to say, tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.
This guy contradics himself. First he is pointing out the problem of “generic songs” in Eurovision, and then he is saying “if the song is good enough it will make it outside Eurovision”. Sorry but as generic as Eurovision is, it still didn’t become as generic as radios are. Radios are only playing the music that sounds all similar (pop and club), so in order to make it on radios, a song MUST be generic. In Eurovision luckily there is still a place for songs of other genres, although it’s true not many countries are willing to do this so… Read more »
I think he is completely right. ESC is today a business and finally someone says this out loud
He’s not very diplomatic, but I completely agree with him. Especially about the mercenary song writers, though I think Milanov has contributed some fine songs to the competition.
I’m glad that despite the abundance of generic industrial pop songs we’ve had over the last few years, the last four winners – like them or not – were all unique and original enough, and were written by musicians from the countries which they represented. Hope this trend continues.
Jan Bors is 100% right with this!
Benjamin Dolic I totally disagree with everything that Jan Bors is saying. I personally, like many other artist that I know would love to perform the current songs on the Eurovision stage! I don’t think the decision of the Reference Group was quite fair. I also remember that Jan Bors called me when we were searching for the right staging concept, saying how much he likes the song and how he would love to do the staging with his team. I guess he would have been talking differently now, if the NDR and Boris gave him the chance ? I… Read more »
I blast “violent thing” on loud volume in my car every chance I get. It’s my number one of the year. Such a banger. <3
Isn’t that the guy who trashed Benny Cristo in his tweets? So much for his sentence ”motivate musicians to compose, to be authentic to produce something which will go into the Eurovision as well as anywhere else ” Lol
As far as I know, he did not trash Benny Cristo. I believe you are twisting what he actually tweeted!
Personally I’m not fan of Milanov’s songs, but he has fully right to express his opinion and disappointment. I don’t get what mr. Bors is trying to say in his confused post, except for totally unnecessary conformity to this decision which no one asked from him anyway? What his personal attack on Milanov has to do with EBU decision? I don’t know who looks more silly and ridiculous here tbh. This contest can survive without heads of delegations, but I’m afraid without songwriters and singers it won’t. And it’s not Milanov’s fault why delegations decide to take his songs anyway,… Read more »
You know it’s hilarious that those who criticize Boris are fans of a festival that Thomas Gson, Bobby Lundgreen, Fredrik Kempe, Peter Boston, Joy Deb, Linnea Deb etc often have more than 3 songs in every melfest. Spare us the lecture,music lovers.
P.s G:son is the new Ralph Siegel and everyone knows that
New? U gotta be kidding. He already was the new Ralph Siegel in 2010.
Melzig, a member of the Swedish mafia pointing the finger on someone who sayed something against ebu’s decision. Say no more. Nobody has the right to lecture anyone who lost hours of work and money just for his song to end up on youtube and not in front of millions of people. I get that he and his friend Bjorkman feel they own the contest but news flash: They don’t.
Frankly, I can think of some other shady parts of the contest.
The EBU’s lack of transperancy in everything, but most of all the voting system. The injustice of their own rules, for example San Marino’s fake televote. The way they disregard their own rules whenever they want. The entitled fandom on the ground acting like they own the competition. Just awful. When I was part of a delegation a couple of years ago, I couldn’t stay away far enough from that circus and even though the artist of course played nice, in private, they agreed with me. Very much.
I don’t have opinion who’s right and who’s wrong but all the drama shows how bad is the situation at EBU when the broadcasters or people connected to Eurovision are discussing internal issues through Wiwibloggs. One could think that should happen in the Reference group or whatever is called but obviously is not working at all. I think the situation just shows something obvious – the decisions at Eurovision are taken by a bunch of people at their own discretion and everyone else is left behind. I can’t explain otherwise the need of the German HoD and others to go… Read more »
Oh of course Ola Melzig has responded, the swedish agenda is to skip this year songs. If they have sent Dotter they would go crazy but as always, they are doing what benefits them.
Finally someone said it. Eurovision is about the SONGS and songwriting. I’m quite disappointed by the fact that songwriters can apply for multiple countries at the same time, which increases their chances of winning. We wouldn’t like seeing artists represent multiple countries either, do we? So why do songwriters get to do that? About the songs not being able to be reused: I understand their decision, but I also understand that people are sad about it. I just think most people would’ve gotten tired of them next year anyway and wanted something fresh. Personally, I just feel bad for Iceland,… Read more »
Oh god! I am so sick and tired of some random dude coming up and telling us WhAt ReAl MuSiC iS! There is nothing wrong with generic and ‘made just for Eurovision’ songs! Jesus, I hate it when people try to control the cultural discourse because they think they know better. Who are you to decide what type of songs should be composed and performed at Eurovision? We all know that songwriters have every right to be disappointed about that silly decision by the reference group. I don’t know what this guy is on but pretty sure he’s trying to… Read more »
sorry but that’s so not the point of what bors says. genuine eurovision fans would actually fear it becoming a generic competition, which is exactly what it’s been for a while now, with only few exceptions. fast songwriting is very harmful to the contest and to the quality of its music, + having someone composing one song and submitting it for iceland then san marino then sweden then moldova then azerbaijan is also kinda annoying, if you ask me. it doesn’t take a musical expert or anyone who “thinks they know better than others” to realise this.
No. It’s neither this guy’s or anyone else’s job to police who composes for which and how many countries. It’s a free world, anyone can write as many songs for as many countries as they want. If countries are willing to get those songs, then it’s nobody’s business. If people find it annoying, they are free to be annoyed. That just doesn’t give them the right to trash other people’s efforts labelling them as ‘generic’ and such.
idk man if you appreciate generic work you’re obvs free to do so but that doesn’t make it any less generic. plus why are yall triggered when someone states facts, bors describes a mechanism that has been very real in the show for a long time now, it just is what it is
I’m torn on this.
Like I don’t like seeing the same names every year.. behind many countries or NF.. and yes it turns Esc to something generic and yes about money and buying.
But songwriters are so important at the same time. Milanov will be back but some other songwriters won’t, just like some singers.
Jan Bors totally agree with you. 2021 is new contest. All 2020 songs are known now. Nobody wanted this, but the world is facing the biggest crisis after WW2. Boris and the others are just selfish nothing more. They have a chance to make better songs for next year. And after the rehearsals maybe somebody else would become a favourite to win. We will never know this.
As if all the songs were written by Milanov, Barker, Kirkorov, etc. Artists who wrote their own songs are also not allowed to use their songs next year. Using covid-19 as a way to silence people is a fallacy. A pandemic doesn’t mean you can’t talk about anything else. Bors just wants your attention. Oh, the crazy things he says.
You know what? I don’t care about the discussion whether one songwriter (or -ing-team) wrotes for multiple countries. It is a song contest and I enjoy the songs that I like. This said: Bulgaria 2016 was my 2nd place, Bulgaria 2017 my winner and an epic masterpiece, Malta 2019 my 5th place and Germany and Bulgaria both in my Top 10 2020. So Boris is doing an excellent work and I am looking forward to Symphonix’ songs in the next years…
do you think it’s fair for one songwriter to be able to enter multiple songs every year? It is a song contest is it not? How come songwriters get multiple entries, but singers do not?
I totally disagree with Jon but honestly, he can have any opinion he wants and express it in bad and hasty english all he wants. As a matter of fact jon can stomp me with his boots and I would still be ok with it.
I was gonna like your comment until I read that “bad and hasty English” part. Downvoted.
He is right.ESC is being treated as a business by many writers and Borislav is one of them. He doesn’t care about ESC, he cares about his songs getting heard. And he does write songs anybody can sing. No wonder he has like three songs every year and next year it probably will be the same. He is so generic anybody can use his songs. ESC should be a combonation of right singer with right song and none of his songs are that .. It’s that cynical approach to ESC which is troublesome . Borislav should realise good songs have… Read more »
Who wants popcorn?
He’s mixing two completely unrelated issues together. Songs being generic and written by the same people has nothing to do with the fact that EBU disrespected all the hard work artists, songwriters and producers put into their entries by not allowing the same songs to compete in 2021. Multiple artists have expressed that they are bitter about this decision, so it’s not just Boris Milanov and not just particular songwriters. He should also remember that this is SONG contest, not singers’ contest and not broadcasters’ contest. Not allowing songs that were chosen to compete and won in each country is… Read more »
EBU is a broadcasters organisation after all so it has to put the members interest first. Remember officially it is the broadcasters competing with each other..
Jan Bors is HOT!
Sorry…
Continue..
but, but it’s all about the $ongs….
Jan Bors has always been sharp as a tack. Really wish he was still the Czech HoD.
The songs will be a year old by the next edition, the CD is still being released and the singles are already available. There will be no sense of anticipation and freshness about the entries. It makes more sense to give some momentum back to the shows after this heart ache of a decision with new songs. Good songs have a life beyond the conrest so use the time to promote the artists using this year’s song and start writing for next year.
Jan Bors’ comment is bullying Boris Milanov. Song Contest is a contest for songwriters, not for singers. The songwriters put their hard work and effort into it. For singers it is much more like, if you got a song to sing, you can sing most anything.
Boris loves Eurovision, his track record is amazing, all his songs have high production value and mostly don’t feel generic (except for “In too deep”). Czechs don’t have him, they can’t afford him. They had someone who revamped his songs for the worse twice. So please back down.
Milanov has no problem blaming “Sweden” for this decision. Besides, there are lots of countries that don’t want to buy songs from his factory.
https://www.facebook.com/wiwibloggs/posts/3021828394534670?hc_location=ufi
Sweden tanked in the odds and they have the most to say. So, it already occurred to me that Swedes were gonna cancel it for us all. They would be pissed if Milanov ends up having 3 songs in the Top 10, and even a winner, Sweden zero.
It is so easy to blame Sweden for everything that people feel is wrong in the contest. There are no Swedes in the reference group and there was zero Swedish involvement in the organisation of the contest.
Seems your username is appropriate
What does this have to do with the discussion?
At least Boris doesn’t send outdated cliche songs from 1990 and corrupt the national selections and give his songs paid victories. I mean look at Bulgaria and Germany this year they are in two different genres and could do well at ESC. I do love bot Jan and Boris as they are two succesfull persons in their own businesses but Jan should’ve said these to some others.
I applaud and support him! It disgusts me the way Eurovision has been going for years. The usual names that write songs for so many countries. A clique that is gaining ground even though outside the contest has no value and following. They need to go. Eurovision lacks originality, it lacks uniqueness, because many countries rely on second-hand goods.
Thanks Jan Bors for having the balls to finally tell the truth!
Everything correct in this post.
I understand both of them. But I agree with Jan on something particular. These songs in 2020 didn’t go to waste, they came alive imo, I et all the songs got more views than they would without Esc 2020. Amd u know Borislav will probably get another chance next year with Malta and Bulgaria for sure, maybe even for Germany and others, so I don’t think he should be sad, now he gets even more songs with which he can make profit. I also heard he is prepared to write a song for Spain.
Where’s the popcorn?
Jan Bors is saying “tout haut ce que tout le monde pense tout bas”. I agree 100%
As much as I disagree with the songs being scrapped. I do understand the logic in a purely technical sense. The contest has been cancelled NOT postponed. Thereby using this logic all songs are null and void and we start again as if this year didn’t happen. I don’t agree but that’s what has been decided so let’s move on.
yes all songs are outdated for next year honestly