For months Polish Eurovision fans have been talking about The Voice winner Krystian Ochman and his song “River”. Ochman, who has been heavily rumoured for Eurovision over the past two years, has now made good on all the buzz. On Saturday he won Tu bije serce Europy! Wybieramy hity na Eurowizję — Poland’s national selection — and with it a ticket to Eurovision 2022 in Turin.
Tu bije serce Europy! Wybieramy hity na Eurowizję 2022 voting results
The result was determined across two stages. In the first round, three acts were selected by a 50/50 public and jury to go to the superfinal.
First round of voting
We don’t know the percentages obtained by the Top 3 in the first round of voting. But the remaining acts earned the following…
Kuba Szmajkowski – “Lovesick” 4%
Karolina Lizer – “Czysta woda” (Clean water) 3%
Ania Byrcyn – “Dokąd” (Where) 3%
Siostry Szlachta – “Drogowskazy” (Signposts) 3%
Karolina Stanisławczyk & Chica Toro – “Move” 2%
Lidia Kopania – “Why does it hurt” 1%
Emilia Dębska (Mila) – “All I need” 1%
Superfinal voting results
- Krystian Ochman 51%
- Daria 39%
- Unmute 10%
Who is Krystian Ochman?
Krystian Ochman — who performs as the mononym Ochman — is most familiar in Poland as the winner of the 2020 series of The Voice Poland. He auditioned with Labrinth’s ballad “Beneath Your Beautiful”, impressing Polish Eurovision stars Michał Szpak and Edyta Górniak, before eventually selecting Szpak as his coach.
Over the weeks, Ochman gave impressive performances in both English and Polish and eventually won the series grand final. From that point, fans started to call for him to represent Poland at Eurovision.
Krystian Ochman comes from a musical background. His grandfather is the acclaimed Polish tenor Wiesław Ochman, and it seems clear that a talent for singing has been passed down.
Plagiat
To all readers who are worried about poor staging in “River”. It has already been confirmed that the staging is going to be different in May.
I would pick Karolina Lizer “Czysta woda”, but Ochman is of course also good. I would personally drop the high notes, they are unnecessary.
First impressions: Strong song, serious Dotan/Duncan Laurence/Lana del Rey vibes and he has a fantastic soulful voice. I wouldn’t mind the falsetto and electronic elements being toned down a bit. Staging is truly dreadful, from the colour scheme to the completely unnecessary violinists and drummer. Reminds me of the worst of 2000s ESC cliches. HOWEVER – all of that is details and luckily for Poland, they’re the easiest things to change. The song and performance is good enough for top 5 if well presented, I just hope they get someone with good taste to tackle the staging because I think… Read more »
I have some great news for you. It was confirmed that the staging will be different in May.
His falsetto sounds a bit whining and almost cabaretish. imho, Duncan’s falsetto was much more palatable and definitely more pop-sounding and radio-friendly. Otherwise, he has a pleasant voice in the mid-range.
There are different types of falsetto my dear. Mahmood has got a terrible falsetto but not Ochman.
super happy that Poland have a great voice this year! Maybe Turin Italia will bring a luck to Kristian Ochman
Great singer, solid song, staging needs a lot of work. I’m seriously bothered by the camera work which focuses on everything but him. But well, that can be different in Turin. On many levels, this is probably the best entry from Poland in years.
Good vocalist with an average song and zero charisma. Staging is hidious, his suit should be unconstitutional and the man in charge of the drums is a disagreeable joke, we’re not in 2005.
By far the BEST song so far. I love the Lana del Rey vibes and he is an excellent vocalist. Personally I would tone down the drums to put the melody more in the forefront. Hope it would be Warsaw 2023. On his looks: firstly, not that great secondly, come on guys/girls! Is this really important?…
Something about the lyrics bother me but I cant really put my finger on it
true the lyrics are not the best… but actually he also co-wrote the song
Poland Top 3 in Turin
Good luck Krystian
Yes, the song is well made, but it doesn’t evoke any emotions in me. Kinda wish it did, cause it is definitely a great song. Just not for me.
I feel like this is a bit overrated. In such a weak year though, it’s understandable why people enjoy this
First of all I must say, I like the song and I like him. He has a wonderful voice, great songs with good lyrics and is very handsome. So I wish him all the best. But he represents POLAND so keep it real please. The juries will not allow Poland to win Eurovision. Especially in Germany, the UK and Ireland. They will put him last or second last, because they will be “afraid of” diaspora giving him 12 points. And above that, if some Czech or other jury member just “coincidencly” reverse his/her points in the Semi-Final like 2019 he… Read more »
I didn’t say, he shall win the jury voting. But there is a difference between winning and puting someone last or giving any points to him. And as sad as it is, I still think, he will get no points from German, British and Irish juries. But I repeat… I hope, I am wrong, because I like him and his entry and it would be my pleasure to give you right at this point. But wait till May and we will see. By the way… It is not politics. The fact, that some judges reverse their votes is more about… Read more »
I mentioned these 3 juries, because Germany, Ireland and the UK are the countries with the biggest Polish diaspora. And juries are also there to provide a counterweight to the televoting results. That is why. And that could be one reason, Poland will not make the final.
The other one is reversing the points though some juries members in other countries. I didn’t say Germans, Brits or Irish do that. I want to say this both circumstances together can make it hard for Poland to get to the final.
You are not 100% correct. The problem with Belarusian voting in 2019 was, that EBU dismissed the jury and use some system to count jury points from Belarus and there was someone, who screwed up and so Belarusian Jury “gave” its points to 10 last countries. I can recommend a video on wiwibloggs about Eurovision crimes 2019. It is well explained in it. And also in 2019 some Czech jury member reversed her points in the Semi-Final so Belarus get to the final instead of Poland and similar in the second semifinal … Denmark instead of Lithuania because of some… Read more »
Well… In my first comment I said… Poland could be this year a crime and not a winner. Like Michal Szpak 2016. The difference between jury and televoting points was the biggest in the history of Eurovision. That shall be an answer to all those winner-allerts and hype about this entry.
And under some circumstances Poland could even get stuck in the Semi-Final. That would be also a crime because Ochmann is one of the best Polish entries ever.
Than we discussed the circumstances. I hope, now you know what we were talking about
Who cares about the 3 worst countries in ESC? Ireland will not even qualify,. . Of course juries will eat Ochman up and rank him very high and he will win televoting on one leg.
I find it very similar to Arcade, especially when he says “carry, carry me…” and the “aaaaAAAAAAaaaah” part. In my opinion, I would really like a cheerful, uplifting song to win Turing 2022. The world is living really hard days. They say “River” is about suicide, I wouldn’t be liking that with the high suicide rates in many countries (especially by very young people). So depressing. Anyway, if there have been so many “Fuegos” since 2019, why can’t we have another “Arcade”?
I love this song,
wouldn’t recommend it to listen for anyone suicidal though…
Btw. The biggest crime for this entry is Cinan and Suzane reaction 🙁 hard to watch 🙁
Is it of any importance?
some people are here to get information, some people to get entertainment… I am here for both…
Reviews are my favorite part of wiwibloggs, hence it brings importance for me, I think we all got used to certain level of quality: content, narrative, advancement, diction…
We didn’t get much from this one.
Made it through all the comments… wow! Definitely a song that people (or Poles) talk about 🙂
Already a success. Also his song from yesterday to today hot 1.6 million views, from I believe 300k few days ago…
Poland do well in Turin!
Wouldn’t be surprised if this NQied like Tulia lol
Poland will win this on one leg. Ireland is a sure NQ in that SF.
before saturday it was 1.5 million views
The song is interesting though not as strong as Arcade. The singer is a very attractive guy 🙂
The slower parts are nice, but the rest sounds like something that would finish 5th in Vidbir.
Finally something great from Poland. He could win Eurovision. The beginning reminds me a bit of “mad world”
Exactly! Like a Mad World…..
Great voice and the song is not bad at all.
I want to like it but that chorus feels so disconnected from the rest of the song that is just jarring to me tbh
Poland ??: better choice out of the 4 countries tonight choices (????????).
Clear victory for Krystian Ochman and his ”River” but this song doe not impress me that much. A kind of ballad that we already heard a thousand times.
My favorites songs were : ”Dok?d?” as one and ”Paranoia” as two. But I can live with this decision and can understand Krystian’s incontestable victory.
Not my choice and won’t vote for him.
Song is decent and vocals are good but I think this is not a winner song but top 10 material.
I like this song. Currently sitting in my 8 points position behind Spain and Italy.
I suspect it will slip in my ranks due to staging issues.
I deeply suspect that is the ONE song that will be the surprise bad position in final on May. Trust me. Every year we have a song that during results we think oooo soo lowww??? I think will be Poland 😉
No chance, this is Polands year, there’s no other country or song anywhere as close to being as good as Polands so far this year. Very poor standard this year, but the suprise bad position you mentioned will be Spain, the song is repetitive and it sounds like that norweigen wolf murdering a herd of sheep ? baa ba baaaaa!!!!!
This is Poland’s year? Based on what? Still 22 songs have to be released so, calm down.
Based on the 19 songs already chosen so far, I don’t see anything else in any of the other national finals that can compete with this at the moment.
Maybe it’s Polands year, maybe it’s not, but let’s wait for Greece and Cyprus, whatever these countries send, there is always a hype. Plus Australias almost all songs are beautiful, and not forgetting Sweden….
Poland will win ESC or be in the top 3.TRUST ME. And the song that will end up very last again is IRELAND; like always. How can a country be this bad?
That’s not how you stage this song but live and the song itself is really great…
Is it about suicide?
It seems… i don’t Like it.
Still needs to grow on me but this song will definitely qualify after three years of non-qualification. It looked somewhat empty on stage, but probably they have some ideas for the Turin stage in May.
The song is high-quality, his vocals are good, this is one of these Eurovision-style entries. That said, I think right now it’s too overrated and I’d suggest having more active staging, because him standing on the stage… I just didn’t understand the staging, is the focus on him, or on other people who play instruments? That said, it does have potential, and we always have songs like that that generally do well in rankings and final results. I don’t really understand the hype, as it definitely feels like the song has parts of many other songs.
Unfortunately this bland song is going to be in the top 10. Stay strong fellas. The results this yeat will be completely opposite from the public opinion. 2021 was a bright exception.
Get a life mate
Can’t you tolerate someone who has an opinion different from yours? Grow up!
In a year like this with 90% of pure c**p so far no difficulty for a song who would have finished in the bottom 3 in a normal year to finish top 10 in the grand final of 2022
So as i said before if Poland selected Ochman he would be a potential esc winner with Alina too, but Alina is not here anymore so Ochman’s song is the only potential winner so far, congrats Poland for that. BUT if River is a potential esc winner, Ochman not yet, I mean his voice is perfect, but stage presence wise and emotions it’s not yet on point at all, he delivers the song perfectly but nothing more, if he wants to win Eurovision he has to transmit something but here I have nothing, this fabulous bridge is the wow moment… Read more »
Really good strong song ..I really like it..best so far I think
Ohh Lord this song is so bland, it definitely lacks originality and uniqueness, but his vocals are great though, juries will probably like this, televoters not that much 😀
I’m not saying your wrong but we are here talking about Poland. Poland has always done very good with the public and always awfully with juries(they never been in top 10 for juries in the semis), so I see this year more as where juries and public agree on Poland more.
Otto, have to disagree… I could say a lot about this but bland is not the word, quite opposite.
Ok song, sound little like Arcade , but so overrated now in betting odds. i Don t see Poland in TOP 3 .
So far this is in my top 2, very close second to Brividi! Well chosen, Poland!
Good song but too early to predict how high it will score.
Stunning. It’s a beautiful song.
not bad. wouldn’t have stood a chance against “tout l’univers” and “voila” last year, but this year, so far almost without a ballad, a top 10 is quite possible.
Most definitely one of the best entries so far!
Best song in ESC so far this year. Well done Poland!
The chorus is extremely strong. And the whole composition is professional and captivating. Ochman will surely be fighting for victory and this is the first song of the year that made me get such vibes. Straight to my top 2. However please fix this staging!
I actually really love this to pieces. Top 3 material for sure. Well done Poland
I loved DARIA and that was my favourite out of all the confirmed entries for Eurovision and all the national finals. I loved DARIA SO MUCH. But Krystian Ochman still is a good choice & I think Poland will do well with this. He has a powerful voice and I do enjoy this song. I hope Poland makes the finals in 2022.
This can be a jury winner easily. Not my favorite song so far but it has something
A snow will fall down in August before Poland wins jury voting. It even never happened in JESC despite three Top 2 finishes.
Best voice of the year this far. This song is precious. Well done, Poland!!!!
I feel like listening to the song over and over, it has THAT! so far the best song chosen!
Let’s be honest. The Polish national final had so many good songs in it that they couldn’t really go wrong. Most of the songs would’ve gotten Poland their best result in a long time.
Having said that, it was this or Paranoia for me…and although I like the latter more, I think this has the potential for the better ESC result.
Good job, Poland! Good luck in Turin!
Great ballad and voice. Ochman has a cute face that writes well on camera. Polish diaspora will be behind him in Turin and juries will eat it up.
What i did not like is the fact that he remained neutral during the performances, no emotions at all. He needs to improve it.
I think Poland can win in a year full of mediocre entries.
All those „no emotions at all” in his performance are due to the fact he is sick for more than a week (he had to cancel a concert and some appearances in numerous shows) and still did not recover. After the victory, he kindly gave some interviews and decided not to participate in afterparty. Just watch his other performances, Ochman is emotional as…and is able to give you chills 😉
This is exactly what I was thinking while watching. Beautiful voice, but there’s a disconnect between the emotion of the words and the way he’s singing them. If it’s because he had to power through being sick, then I hope we get a more representative performance prior to May. The staging didn’t help either. The camera should’ve spent more time in tight on his face so he could connect with the audience. But he’s got a solid song and elevates it quite a bit with his vocals. It’s about making smart tweaks now. And maybe use those water features at… Read more »
The beat in this part,
“Bury all of my things, bury me in my skin, all that I’ve done oh Lord, I’m done, who’d wanna be king pulling too many strings? All that I’ve done oh Lord, I’m done”
really takes me out of the song and makes it feel like an overhyped mess, because that beat really does make it a mess without a clear direction. Makes it loose that epic feel, ya know? But hey, amazing voice so kudos to Krystian.
But they weren’t going for an epic sounding song just so you know, more of a modern ballad.