The end of 2021 is fast approaching. And that means one thing — the return of Team Wiwi’s annual Top Tracks countdown.

As usual, the team from wiwibloggs have voted for their favourite new songs released in 2021 by Eurovision stars.

A few notes before we begin:

  • Songs that were selected for Eurovision or competed in national finals were excluded (they’ve been analysed to death in our jury reviews)
    • However, the other new songs VICTORIA released as potential Eurovision entries were made eligible for voting since it wasn’t a formal national final (and they were not included in our top national final songs countdown)
  • At least one singer of the song must have competed at Eurovision as part of the main act to be eligible
    • Acts who had been chosen for Eurovision 2020 but were not reselected for the 2021 contest were still included in the voting

After reviewing more than 1,000 songs over the course of the year, we finally settled on our top 50 – it wasn’t easy. And now we’re ready to share it with y’all. We’ll publish ten tracks daily through to New Year’s Eve as we wrap up the year.

Which song will enter our Hall of Fame?

Let the countdown commence!

Team Wiwi’s top songs by Eurovision artists in 2021: 50 to 41

50. Maxine Pace (feat. Destiny, Michela & Gaia Cauchi) – “Skin Deep”

What we said: Despite being one of the smallest countries in Europe, Malta still has an abundance of musical talent. And now four of the island’s young female singers have come together for a mega collaboration. Maxine Pace, a finalist of Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2017, first released the single “Skin Deep” in August this year. An emotional ballad about self-love, Maxine has now released a new version alongside Destiny (Eurovision 2021, Junior Eurovision 2015 winner), Michela (Eurovision 2019) and Gaia Cauchi (Junior Eurovision 2013 winner). The four young women question whether their lovers will stay with them forever, even as their bodies go through changes with age. But these questions can also be asked to ourselves and the the song is an important reminder to love yourself regardless of what your body might look like. (Jonathan)

Previous top tracks, Michela: “Cannonball” (#22 in 2019)

49. Francesca Michielin – “Nei tuoi occhi”

What we said: Francesca Michielin’s new single has been created for the Italian film Marilyn ha gli occhi neri (Marilyn has black eyes). “Nei tuoi occhi” (“Into your eyes”) layers the Eurovision 2016 star’s light and airy vocals over an almost ethereal production that makes it feel as if the listener is floating. Francesca sings of the power her lover gives her to speak up: “You give me a voice everyday / So I can scream them all / Like a flare that bursts in my heart / You give me the voice to say / That all is to be done”. (Jonathan)

Previous top tracks: “MONOLOCALE” (#32 in 2020), “Bolivia” (#44 in 2018), “Tropicale” (#48 in 2018), “Vulcano” (#2 in 2017), “Un cuore in due” (#46 in 2016)

48. Amaia – “Yo Invito”

What we said: Amaia’s fans got the chance to hear her new single slightly earlier than planned, after the music video for “Yo Invito” (“I Invite”) was published a day before the official release. Rather calm in the verses, the chorus and outro brings in more atmospheric production, including strings and backing vocals. The lyrics see Spain’s Eurovision 2018 star wondering where her life will go following a break up: “I no longer know what will become of me / But I know that today I say goodbye to you / I’m going to make you cross and line / I feel free but weird”. (Jonathan)

Previous top tracks: “El encuentro” (#27 in 2020), “Un Nuevo Lugar” (#26 in 2018)

47. VAL – “Пауза”

What we said: Eurovision 2020 contestants VAL have returned to release their first bit of new music in about twelve months, bar the NAVIBAND collaboration on the single “Volnyja sny” earlier this year. The Belarusian duo have treated us to more than just a single, they’ve released their second EP, titled Пауза (Pause). In this EP, they return to their more ambient dance style, similar to their first EP, В моей комнате, and their Eurovision song “Da vidna”. (Renske)

46. Anna Rossinelli – “Forevermore”

What we said: Swiss band Anna Rossinelli have released the single “Forevermore”. The Eurovision 2011 group deliver a solid pop track. The verses have a slightly more downbeat feel to them, but the chorus takes things in a more uplifting direction. This change in feeling goes along with the lyrics. During the verses, vocalist Anna discusses how she used to hide away from her problems. But in the chorus she decides to let her voice be heard: “‘Cos it ain’t over / Until it’s over / But I break out and shout / I won’t be silent forevermore / Oh, I’m not waiting / I don’t need saving”. (Jonathan)

Previous top tracks: “Speechless” (#31 in 2016), “King Mustafa” (#43 in 2016), “Broken Hearted” (#49 in 2016), “Bang Bang Bang” (#50 in 2015), “Shine In The Light” (#26 in 2014), “Let It Go” (#11 in 2013)

45. Iveta Mukuchyan – “Mets Haykakan Harsaniq”

What we said: Weddings are a time of love and commitment between two people. But when it comes to the reception, they’re also a time for partying — and it’s that feeling Iveta Mukuchyan taps into for her new single. “Mets Haykakan Harsaniq” (“Great Armenian Wedding”) is an upbeat ethno-pop song fuelled by post-chorus brass instrumental sections. For the accompanying music video, Armenia’s Eurovision 2016 star leads an all-female wedding band who perform for a room of male mannequin dolls. This is interspersed with clips of actual weddings. (Jonathan)

Previous top tracks: Hayastani Axjikner” (#1 in 2018), “Rich Bitch” (#23 in 2018), “Depi Nor Irakanutyun” (#9 in 2017), “Hayastan Jan” (#22 in 2017)

44. VICTORIA – “phantom pain”

What we said: “It tells a painful story,” VICTORIA’s team says. The lyrics suggest the song is about a break-up and the anxiety found in the aftermath. As she sings: “Sick of wishing I would understand why you would leave, now all I know is you’re my phantom pain.” The video gives us visuals showing smudged make-up and physical effects of the pain she’s suffering. Whilst wildly different to “Tears Getting Sober” from 2020, “Phantom Pain” holds onto that atmospheric yet subtle sound that fans loved so much last time around. (Lucy)

Previous top tracks: “alright.” (#21 in 2020)

43. Blind Channel – “Balboa”

What we said: Blind Channel are reminding the world that their success with “Dark Side” was far from a fluke as they release the music video for “Balboa”. The name references Rocky Balboa — the title character of the iconic Rocky film series that charts the rise of a fictional working class Italian-American boxer. The song treads common pop ground thematically — this is all about standing up for yourself and using hate as fuel to slay. But the guys give that theme a glow up by dirtying the sound and the lyrics: “Every time you see me bleeding out, it’s one step closer to my crown.” Yas, kings! (William)

42. Natlia Gordienko – “High Heels”

What we said: While “Sugar” was more cheeky and playful, “High Heels” has a darker, sultrier tone aided by much more aggressive production. Deep house beats thrust their way through the chorus overcut by a swirling electronic production, while Natalia’s sensual vocals complete the mood. All that time working with the Dream Team has really paid off in creating slick pop bangers! Lyrically, the song is dripping with confidence. Natalia sings about her intense self-assurance and belief. In this, she uses her beloved footwear as a metaphor for her power: “These high heels feel like I’m flying”. (Natalie)

41. Daði Freyr & ÁSDÍS – “Feel The Love”

What we said: “Feel The Love” is a collaboration between Daði Freyr and fellow Icelandic singer ÁSDÍS. She may be familiar to fans of Söngvakeppnin — as Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir, she made it to the Icelandic grand final in 2014 with “Amor”. New release “Feel The Love” is a fun piece of synth-pop with an uplifting message. ÁSDÍS addresses those who are “Left on read / But no-one’s reading you”. Like a supportive fairy godmother, she sings “Tell me why you ain’t shining / When you’re covered in diamonds”. The music video features Daði and ÁSDÍS in a quirky control room, watching over a forlorn janitor who slowly gets his groove back. It’s an enjoyable single that shows off the further talents of Daði Freyr. (Robyn)

Previous top tracks: “Every Moment Is Christmas With You” (#41 in 2020)

Our Top Tracks of 2021 ranking is determined by independent votes from a panel of wiwibloggers. They are Jonathan, Renske, Oliver, Robyn, Tom, William, Cinan, Mario, Padraig and Josh.

Which songs do you think should feature on our Top Tracks countdown? Are you surprised by our choices so far? Let us know in the comments.

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Sapphire
Sapphire
2 years ago

Feel The Love is such a bop