Months can go by where nothing happens. And then a week goes by and you’ve got the first two acts for Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool.
Poll: Who is your favourite Eurovision 2023 act so far?
Ukraine: TVORCHI with “Heart of Steel”
Ukraine was first out of the gate, staging its highly impressive Vidbir in a metro station. TVORCHI emerged victorious with their pop R&B number “Heart of Steel” — an ode to both personal and national endurance as Ukraine continues to fight off the Russian aggressors. They were low-key and under-the-radar headed into the competition. But their sleek graphics, which included nuclear warning signs, stirred the audience and the jury at home. Have they landed at the top of your rankings?
Albania: Albina & Familj Klemendi with “Duje”
A few day later Albania kicked off its four-day long Festivali i Këngës 61, which featured some of the country’s most established stars and hottest newcomers. In the end the jury and the public were split. The professionals chose Elsa Lila – now a three-time FiK winner. But the people, who this year were given the power to choose the Eurovision act, went with Albina Kelmendi & Familja Kelmendi (the jury’s runner-up). Her song starts with a major note before launching into an ethnic number filled with fierce rhythms and a message about a family fighting to stay together.
But which do you prefer? Who tops your current Top 2? Vote above and comment below!
The best song for Eurosong 2023. is Croatian song Mama Š?.
The best song for Eurosong 2023. is Croatian song Mama Š? ???? !!!
It’s official. Duje will get revamped, but it will remain in Albanian.
Of these two, Ukraine has by far the more powerful package.
Or it could be a record company (not necessarily a Moldovan one) who can sponsor it.
Well, I didn’t expect this. We actually got snippets of all 40 (well, 39) songs for Malta’s national final. Here’s the playlist: https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLckGCpdFj2M53rLKvWYc8NMNyd4OysUlJ
I think this is it for eurovision in December, but let’s look for to what we’ve got in store for January: The UMK artists will be revealed on January 11, and then we’ll have the song selection for the next few days after that. While there’ll only be one song chosen from a national final on the schedule for January (Belgium) And maybe the song from Cyprus Could be released then to make it two songs, January is not an idle month. Norway will be revealing their artists on Jan 4th and the songs will be released on a weekly… Read more »
Does anyone know, will it just be Ukraine who draw their starting position early for the Grand Final? Or will it be both them and the UK, as hosts?
Good question. I think that both should be considered host entries, but I’m not sure how it’s officially labeled.
Yeah, I didn’t think of that. I don’t know what they’ll do, but I think Ukraine and United Kingdom should both Have their grand final running slots be randomly selected. I also don’t know who’s going to be the last one to reveal their jury results at the grand final Since they started organizing the juries from the first one being the country that hosted last year to the Current host since 2016. Obviously, Italy will be the first country jury because they were the last host, But will it be Ukraine who closes out the voting because they won… Read more »
These are not good songs.
I don’t like either of them. They’re not the ESC 2023 winners for sure. I normally like Tvorchi, but this song is not good.
Not much choice to choose just yet. On the bright side , at least we know what is the first and last track on the official ESC Album. I hope they have another vinyl in 2023.
United kingdom will be the last track on the ESC album alphabetically wise, not Ukraine. UKR goes before UNI.
United Kingdom’s international code is GBR so it’s always on the first half of the album. Ukraine (unless they’ve taken a year out) are always last on the album.
Love Ukraines song, the best choice was the best from national selection as I did not like the others. Don’t like Albanias choice, had to turn it off after few seconds.
worst eurovision start ever….. semi for albania, pitty final for ukraine but not very high in the final.
It’s not always how you start, but how you finish. Let’s hope the finish is better than the start.
We only have two songs so far and I’d say they are already more promising then the first 10 we were introduced to last season.
Hahaha what did the public vote drink in Albania?? Semifinal again
Lots and lots of Albanian wine. But I think it’s way too early to guess if a country has a chance to qualify or not when you’ve literally only got two songs out, one of which is already pre-qualified to the final. I know Albania is already being written off this early, but don’t underestimate the appeal of ethnic sounds by the televote. How else did Moldova finish second with the televote in both semifinal one and the final?
Neither are particularly great, went for Albania, if they sort the stageing out could work at Eurovision as song is allright. Ukraine looks great but song is a bit forgettable.
Both disaster
I personally prefer Ukraine’s song a bit more because it sounds more polished, but even then… It should be relatively easy for other countries in the upcoming months to come up with something better. What we have now isn’t bad, but it’s not particularly great either.
These two having a mid off. Whata bad start with two garbage songs :/
Surprised the poll is so close. I feel like Albania is clearly better.
I felt so too… before reading the lyrics. They’re not far off to me, though, and I suspect neither to finish in my top 20.
why are you guys so negative? great start to the year in my opinion, both songs are great in their own way. Ukraine doing something different from their past three attempts and it’s a great effort. Albania is giving us an ethnic moment with an amazing message, and i’m sure they will give this song an amazing revamp.
I am Albanian and the message is anything but amazing.
They’re both as bad as each other, but in different ways.
Not a great start to the 2023 season.
Was it ever a great start? Patience…
The Eurovision season sometimes starts off a little weak and then it gets better as time goes on. I don’t know if this is the case every year at this time, but it is unfortunate that we’re starting off on a slightly shaky foot for 2023. I think it will get better by March.
It will definitely get better. Last weak was looking pretty bleak too, until February or so
oops, *year
Yeah, I think stronger and better songs are on the horizon. It will be interesting to see who will be a contender by mid March when all the songs have to be released by then. Will it be a country looking to add another trophy to their collection or could we have somebody gunning for their first victory ever for the first time since 2017? I won’t lie, I’d really like the latter scenario to be the case. But it’s all going depend on the songs.
Interesting how the poll is running close. I prefer Ukraine’s song.
Well this is the reason public shouldnt decide about final results in 100%. I am not Albanian and don’t wanna judge their taste but it is not a banger (diplomatically speaking). I hope EBU will keep 50/50 voting system to avoid kitschy, creepy entries from early 2000s.
I would expect much more from a country that sent “Suus” to Eurovision. Not a fan of the song.
Wait people like “Suus” unironically? She just shouted into the microphone with matted hair glued to her chest. I thoght it was a meme. “Duje” at least actually has a melody.
There are plenty of people who consider it Albania’s best ever and an all-time great entry. As they should.
Suus did get Albania’s best result to this date, fifth place, which it hasn’t surpassed or matched yet. It did something right.
Veering off topic for a moment, this just in from Spain: Rosa Linn’s Snap will be this year’s Christmas #1 in the Los 40 radio chart.
Just curious. Will you listen to everything as it’s released or wait for everything first?
I can see the appeal of waiting, but I’ve given up even trying.
I did it on 2019 and i think i’ll try it again. I mean i’ll check who was picked and watch Polish national fina? but that’s it. No comparing songs, no top lists, no odds. Until every official video is released
Or how about a third option— Take a break and get yourself distracted with something else during the lull period. Unless Something will be announced soon, there’s gonna be a two week break in new songs/artists relating to Eurovision 2023 so let’s do something else.
I feel like I’m the only one who actually likes both songs a lot! But I think Ukraine is slightly better.
I think both songs are ok, not great, but listenable. I voted for Albania though since it seems a bit more interesting to me from those two.
Not a fan of either, but the ones I really liked, the highlights from the first month of the season were:
Marina Krut, OY Sound System and Tember Blanche – Ukraine
Robin Juhkental and Meelik – Estonia
Blanca Paloma – Spain
Gala Gardot – Belgium
This is more fun than the question posed. The most pleasant surprise for me is how deep and durable the Estonian field is. I’m still listening to some of those songs a lot.
Kills me that Krut didn’t make it. Ukraine discarded a potential all-time great.
Gala Gardot is just so overrated, Cherine’s song is so much better
I like Cherine too. Why not this time in French ?
I need Sweden, Cyprus and Israel to save this year.. ASAP!
Israel for sure will be a banger, this is israel’s year i believe
Ukraine, if I’m forced to choose, but both will be left in the dust rather quickly.
Wiwibloggs, can you add the option None of them?!? 🙂
I am honestly baffled how patriotic Albanians are and are saying what a masterpiece our entry is. Almost as if they dont have ears. As an Albanian this is another wasted year and destined for NQ
Finally an Albanian with common sense. And then Albanians will be attacking everyone online when Albania stays in the semi-final.
I defended last year’s entry because overall package was something new for us. But Ronela went on to destroy it. Well, what a pity.
This year is also another wasted year. I just find the song chaotic, messy, and it gives a bad message.
”Who on Earth could participate for Moldova?” Here’s the expected line-up: A revamp of his last two entries by Tudor Bumbac, who’ll add flute this time, and stomp his feet on the beat. An upbeat pop song by Sasha Letty or Ala Zasmenco with lyrics so bad you’d think a pre-schooler wrote them, but then they’ll stuck with you the whole week, and you’ll sing along. Two or three ethnic festival songs heavy with harmonica, trumpets, and accordions, most likely containing the words ”lele”, ”hey”, and ”woo”. Someone just got married, and this is the celebration. A girl group that… Read more »
I like both for different reasons so I voted both, it’s a good season start imo. These two songs need a revamp to make them more competitive for Eurovision but these are two good songs.
Moldova needs to select internally.
TVORCHI by a mile, sorry I’m not in the mood for a soppy screaming diva.
Who would you send for Albania instead of Albina in your opinion? (If you had the chance to listen to the entries)
My choice would have been Urban Band personally, I found their song very cool.
Either Vanesa, Erma, Elsa, or Enxhi in my personal opinion. (I’d also prefer Sergio and Fifi to Albina as well)
Elsa
None! I listened to all of them live and it was torture to say the least. And the orchestra thing is not doing it for me, it sounded like a mess in the making.
I prefer studio versions to make the first impression, I’m not sure why they did not release them beforehand.
Sood and XOOOD are my username, bit on different devices if you’re wondering.
https://youtu.be/HW1Oj9-QeoY?t=11
Good to see so many loyal supporters in the comments. I hope Wiwis don’t post new polls in the future. Everyone knows they are not changing their opinion, and we shouldn’t, either. Can someone open the voting lines – we have our winner!
Moldova is only just opening their submission period Now? Most countries are done and dusted with that and are just revealing their artists/songs. Is Moldova behind the eight ball?
This poll is cursed
Not cursed, just pointless.
Well at least Albanian bots are working hard on this one. But they always do. Remember when “Karma” was winning every poll for months lmao
Was it actually? LOL.
Hey, I voted for the Albanian song and I have zero connection to the country.,
You are kidding me right? I am Albanian and Karma is another embarrassing ethnic screaming diva.
This comment is.
Well, two songs down, 35 to go. Unless somebody releases a song between now and January 14 from the internally selected artists, we’re probably going on a 2 to 3 week break until the next national final scheduled in Belgium.
The month of January will likely be very Norway oriented. I’m happy with how they’ve revamped their selection with 3 heats, no auto Q’s and only one month of action.
True!
Well, there’s actually a lot of action in January. Yes, Norway’s artists and songs will be released and the heats will be scheduled in January with a February 4 Final date but Estonia will air their semi finals on January 12 and 14; Malta will start their quarter finals on Jan. 13; Lithuania will begin PIN heats in late January; Portugal will release their songs; Spain’s Benidorm fest will begin on the last day of January. And, of course, we will get the Belgian act on the 14th of January. Right now, we’re gonna have a break over Christmas until… Read more »
I’m hoping Lithuania has a great selection of choices, but I don’t want to be disappointed so I’m keeping my expectations at neutral level.
For now Tvorchi are my favorites, but I’m not really hyped over either entry.
Ukraine but only because I find Albania really not good.
This one is originality over mediocrity for me. Albania.
The song from Albania is vomiting
funny poll!
ukraine propaganda train is coming.
at wiwi this train is very long. 😀
Nah, it’s just that Albania’s entry sounds like a choir of hospice patients.
Oops, did not realize Albania has really old people as back vocals. Now that you say that it does sound insensitive.
I’m sorry this comment offended you…
well, albania is a mess and cringy, so i ain’t voting for them.
ukraine is a good song, yeah not mind-blowing but still very credible.
I’m laughing at ALL OF YOU. I’m the Joker.
I’m kinda glad folks like you comment on this website and leave such outrageous comments for the rest of us to feel better about ourselves.
Despite criticisms, BOTH have really good lyrics. Heart of Steel is actually a masterpiece in disguise because not only is it good musically and staging wise (from what we’ve seen in Vidbir) but ALSO in terms of what some people have been saying the lyrics are ACTUALLY about. But the song can take many personal meanings. You can interpret it as being about strong in the face of adversity, freedom of expression or EVEN about a certain part of the war, namely that nuclear power plant. If the latter is true, then THIS is how to write a war song.… Read more »
I don’t even start my top lists before at least 5 entries are selected. Add the fact that Albania will likely have a revamp. (Seriously, what’s the last Albanian entry without a revamp, taken as it was performed in FiK???) However, so far, I prefer Albania. It might be a bit messy and overdramatic, but it’s interesting and feels like there’s a lot of passion in it. The hook in the chorus is quite good. Ukraine… It’s okay. It’s well-produced, competent, slick. Just not very captivating IMHO. Knowing how most of my lists in the last couple of years go,… Read more »