The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 37 competing songs in Eurovision 2023. Next we review San Marino, who have chosen Piqued Jacks with “Like An Animal”.
Were we feeling animalistic? Read on to find out!
Piqued Jacks – “Like An Animal” (San Marino Eurovision 2023)
Review: Piqued Jacks- “Like An Animal”
Lucy: For the record, I don’t enjoy this song lyrically at all, it mildly gives me the creeps. But melodically? It’s brilliant! I adore the tempo of “Like An Animal”, and it really reminds me of American indie, something I grew up with. I also love the vocal from Piqued Jacks’ lead singer. I know I said before I don’t like the lyrics; but he sells it well to give you a better effect than just reading them. I just wish it didn’t talk about chasing someone on the dance floor and snake eyes.
Score: 6
Ruxandra: There are some things that I really appreciate in this song. I really like E-King’s voice and I think that all the other members of Piqued Jacks have a good chemistry on the stage. Also, the chorus of the song is pretty cool, it got stuck in my mind and I find myself singing along to it each time I listen to this song. The lyrics are so-so, I mean I get the whole “animals” idea but the verses are a bit too repetitive. I have to admit that the studio cut brings improvements in the instrumental and integrates each segment of the song better, making the whole result coherent.
Score: 3.5
Antranig: “Like an Animal” is a really pleasant song but it is missing some peaks and troughs. After a minute, I feel like I’ve already heard it all. It’s far from being a bad song, but I don’t think it has enough to stand out either. I look at this as a genuinely enjoyable three minutes but not much more. I definitely commend San Marino for sending this entry to Eurovision, as it is very different from their previous entries. I can’t see this getting very far in Liverpool but I hope Piqued Jacks put on a great show and enjoy the experience.
Score: 5
William: The notion of smelling someone like an animal is rather unsavoury…and also a little gross. And that may explain why I struggle to get on board with this. However, the lead singer has major charisma — he clearly believes in himself and that goes a long way in making me want to get behind them. The high notes at the end (the waaaaaaaay) sometimes veer into car crash territory. But with good staging this could turn heads even as it pierces ear drums. Confidence goes a long way.
Score: 2.5
Dayana: I wasn’t a big fan of the song at first, but it’s becoming a grower for me. Piqued Jacks are being unapologetically themselves and deliver “Like An Animal” in style. A great mix of the instruments, catchy chorus, great vocals and, of course, the Italian energy – yep, I definitely won’t mind more of that. Kudos to San Marino for not being afraid of experimenting and offering us diverse entries each year.
Score: 7
San Marino Eurovision 2023 ranking
In the Eurovision 2023 Wiwi Jury, we have 20 jurors but only have room for five reviews. The remaining scores are below:
|
Cinan: 5 Deban: 4.5 Diego: 4 Forrest: 4.5 Jonathan: 5 Kristín: 5 Luis: 4 Oliver: 2 |
Pablo: 2.5 Renske: 4 Rick: 3.5 Ron: 2.5 Samuel: 6 Simon: 2 Tom: 5 |
We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 2 and a high of 7.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 4.14/10
What do you think of San Marino’s Eurovision 2023 entry? Share your own score and review for Piqued Jacks’ “Like An Animal” below!
The thought of sniffing someone freaks the fan queens off… But a fake orgy on stage by Ronela last year was the most amazing thing ever….
Hypocrisy, or what?
Say what you want but anyone that thinks this even has a melody is either deaf, drunk or really fkin silly
This doesn’t deserve the hate it gets. In fact, it deserves none at all. Musically, this is more than solid and reminiscent of the mid-naughties indie rock from UK.
Whoever says this song was bad in any way apparently still has to learn his share of things about music.
This is good music that happens to be not suited to my taste.
Well said, Mister. I salute you.
San Marino 2/12
I don’t like the song, but I think that the scores are like that only because is San Marino (2, 2.5, 3 are very low in my opinion)
Also, I’m still trying to understand the qualification of Serhat, the song was awful
Every year, someone has to finish last. This is inevitable in a competition, and there is no shame in that. “Like An Animal” is my number 37, but I wish the band well and the very best for the future. Enjoy Eurovision.
This is simply not good enough, but I want to give it a second chance and wait for the Liverpool performance to finalise my opinion, since the quality of the production of the Sammarinese national final was simply very poor. Unlikely to change my opinion much, because I don’t find anything from the production to the lyrics any interesting. The Piqued Jacks seem to be lovely guys though.
3/10 and 36th in my list right now. NQ expected.
Despite its dodgy lyrics, I liked the song and I really hope it qualifies
Man, San Marino is usually unlucky in that regard, Italy normally votes in the semifinal San Marino isn’t in
The ESC fandom: “The lyrics are so offensive. I’m very grossed out. Eww… smell me like a what!?!?”
Also the ESC fandom: “I have no clue what Iru is singing or saying, but I’m here for it. Slayyy Qween! Yasss”
Most fans tend to be much more forgiving to the lyrics in ”diva entries”, as much as they are in their shortcomings elsewhere. That said, instrumentally and structurally speaking, I find Echo to be a stratosphere ahead of Like an Animal.
It is not a secret.
Oh dear. The second year of quite possibly the most futile national final process ever conceived managed to fail once again, but in a completely different way to last year. Whereas, Achille Lauro’s “Stripper” emerged with little musical merit, but with star power and fanfare above the sea of nothingness that was last year’s lineup (Quickly, for one point, name that song that came second in the San Marino selection last year, I’ll wait!), this year, “Like An Animal” was chosen at the expense of a large number of surprisingly musically-acceptable entries in UVPSM. The fact that it did so… Read more »
Oh dear Briekimchi, we are poles apart on this one! I quite like it. I would rather have this than the sea of very average, forgettable entries that we have this year. They have character and personality from what I’ve seen so far.
This is my (current) last place. Have I been too kind? The last couple of days I have started listening to the other UVPSM songs, and while the are ones *so much better* than the winning entry, there are those *so much worse* too. So many 1/10 and 2/10 entries… Overall, I agree that it sounds cheap in production, that the lyrics are iffy, and that there’s a lack of variety in instrumental and depth. The good live performances and energy brings in up a bit in my rating. Still, I see no way this could or should qualify, even… Read more »
PS. I know that Aaron Sibley’s Pressure finished third, but for the love of all that is holy I couldn’t name who came second without Google. If I had to guess, I’d say an uninspired male soft rock song, but I have no idea.
Achille was so underrated last year, he’s one of the most iconic Italian artists. He has better songs, but I think that he would have deserved the qualification (even just for the performance budget lol)
I’m so uninterested by this entry, that’s even hard for me to write about it. I guess I haven’t felt this way since “Run with the Lions”. I dislike the lyrics, I think the melody is repetitive and the chorus completely fails me when trying to build a climax. I recognize the frontman does his best to make it fun to watch, but unfortunately I’m not a fan of his voice. In another year, they could benefit from being a rare rock band in Eurovision. This year, I won’t understand at all if someone prefers it to Joker Out or… Read more »
Thank you for taking part and safe journey home.
I want to smell the lead singer like an animal 😛
Everyone loved to hate Intention, but I believe this one’s worse.
At least the melody of Intention was discernible.. but the lead singer of Piqued Jacks at least has some charisma!
And not wanted in Spain.
Ah, I see what you did there! XD
You know you’re not a favourite when the best headline Wiwibloggs could find is “melodically, it’s brilliant” (talk about a backhanded compliment). “Like An Animal” is an eccentric result of an eccentric national final that’s neither incompetent enough to become a guilty pleasure nor competent enough to become a contender. Like “yep, it’s a rock song”. No robots, no mechanical bulls, no Turkish dentists. Just a rock song with some poorly written lyrics, at one point performed to a room of fancy dressed Sammarinese waiting for a three-hour long recital of Albano’s classics.
4/10
Awful
A definite non Qualifier
SAN MARINO – It’s always tempting to root for the underdog, and this enthusiastic microstate is the primary example of that. The song they’ve picked, however, doesn’t really draw that much attention. The core melody is not bad, but feels a bit flat. Musically speaking, there’s not much variety. The edgiest thing about it are its lyrics. The desire in them seems like something a werewolf imprinting on a woman he craves for would find relatable. Without a proper context, they can feel confusing. Other than that, the song would need a major selling point. The band, however, is trying… Read more »
I have to admit, the live performances have not done San Marino any harm, regardless of certain crowd reactions. I think they’ve performed above the song level, for sure. I also think that media appearances are going to help the boys out too.
At this stage, I’m hoping that they’re able to get some points in May. That would be an achievement and I think we’d all feel better about everything if they did.
I saw them live at BCN Preparty in March and it turned everything around.
I didn’t find an access before and then the show moved me and the energy they spread was mesmerising!
I told them exactly that, when I met them afterwards. (Maybe not those exact words)
I even got a pic with them and have to say they are extremely nice, humble and charismatic! Doesn’t hurt that they are all hot too 🙂
Best of luck in Liverpool!
13. Piqued Jacks – Like An Animal (San Marino) – 7.5/10 – strong guitar, drum and vocal work which is unfortunately spoiled by some hideously misjudged lyrics. A listener’s reaction to a centrally-important lyric should never be “eeeewww”. The verse-chorus song structure is a little too repetitious but musically-speaking this is nowhere near as bad as a lot of people have been saying and the singer gives off Brandon Flowers vocal vibes, which is nice.
I was willing to bet the house that you were going to enjoy this!
You know me so well!
Doing a random draw and prediction for tomorrow’s jury: Slovenia (an average of 8.01) and the United Kingdom (an average of 7.77).
I grew up with Rammstein, and if you know the lyrics and the video to “Du riechst so gut”, this isn’t really that creepy! I actually really enjoy this song, their live performances in the pre-parties were great, and the guys are actually super nice and cute and very humble. I don’t think it’ll do too well unfortunately because people love to hate them (I don’t get why), but I really enjoy their songs and them as a band.
Tbh, at first I was a little creeped out by the performance (especially the high/long notes) But it has gradually become a huge grower on me. I wouldn’t exactly listen to it on my own, but if it comes on I certainly wouldn’t skip it. I hope the esc performance will have some pyro and they qualify!!
I don’t care! They should qualify for the final! I love them!
There are 3 and 3/4 songs I couldn’t go thru this season, this one is one of them. I did read the lyrics tho, and no, no, no, they lost me at “snake eyes”, everybody knows that snakes “see” with their “tongue” and to add, snake eyes are ugly. And the “eyes” on the hood of some snakes is there to deter, not to allure. Talking about “inner thoughts deviation”. The lyric scenario is pretty much off-putting, I can see it with my non-snake eyes. Oh Lordi!
It’s as if they couldn’t care less really…..This is not a step in the right direct for San Marino- next year- please revisit your ‘fun factor’times San Marino- you are much better at this!
34th place: SAN MARINO: There is no doubt to me that this song is not good. Though it may not be terrible, it is still bad. The lyrics are a complete mess and musically it is not interesting at all and is rather bland. I don’t think it has any potential to qualify if Achille Lauro missed out. It’s not my last place because it has a small entertainment factor.
Sadly, San Marino and Georgia (not this year) seems to always find themselves at the bottom of rankings or odds at eurovision, and almost always struggle to qualify for the final.
Pheromones. That’s what this song is about. Humans produce them, there’s nothing really too disgusting about that. We are all animals. The “snake eyes” are like Kaa from The Jungle Book, used to hypnotize. Nature is not creepy.
This is miles above the likes of Serhat, both the song and performative skills. I hope it does respectably.
At last, someone’s thought about the lyrics & not simply gone “ewwwww!”. Taken at face value, yes they’re gross, but if you look at them closely it’s easy to see that they’re talking about how we feel an animal instinct about someone. No matter their personality, sometimes a certain smell, a way they look at you, or simply how their hair looks or voice sounds, we just have to be with that person. It’s not the best song this year but it’s a solid one. It seems that some people hear the lyrics & it switches them off. Also the… Read more »
Is it a good song? Not really….But to say this is one of the worst entries is going to far! Let’s just say it’s a mediocre song that deserves a little bit credit .
I guess it’s a matter of taste. If I try to be objective, this song is the worst with the one from Romania. A lot of people would say Croatia is worse but at least it’s different and well.. special. This song from San Marino doesn’t have anything interesting imo :/
In a year where we have several bands, unfortunately this entry does not stand out from the pack. Whilst there can be an argument made for the bands charisma and competent live vocals (aside from the high note which I do think can be somewhat grating) being a potential source for getting points (reactions ive heard from pre parties from those who attended have been fairly positive for this entry, the crowds have enjoyed it). I still think there will be a great struggle for this to qualify, particularly considering the competition from other bands in this semi (that appear… Read more »
To be fair, for San Marino levels this is definitely not bad. They’ve sent worse things for sure but the problem with this one is its approach. It’s just not something I can see to be connected with the masses. One reason is as I’m sure everyone already knows, the lyrics. At this point I have to ask. Am i the only one who thinks they’re lowkey sexually harassing?? I mean, if I got hit on like that in a bar, I’d call the police instantly. Vocally it’s for sure not bad but the song is a no. I can… Read more »
The main problem with this entry is that it is in the semi with all the other rock bands. And although Piqued Jacks are seasoned performers and their live performance was competent, I think we can safely assume that they will pale a little next to Voyager and Joker Out. I can’t say, that the song itself is terribly unpleasant to listen to, but I don’t seek it out and usually skip it, ultimately we’re deep in indifferent territory for me personally. I still have it as my borderline qualifier from semi two, if only just. San Marino takes my… Read more »
You must really hate semi 2, ahn? 😀
/
I assume Joker Out and Voyager will indeed devour Piqued Jacks. And they should.
Haha, no, I assure you! 😀 I really think this one’s just fine and that there is much worse in both semis.
This for me was one of a few pleasant surprises on the night in Amsterdam. Very professional and tight, great frontman. Sadly some less worthy acts will qualify ahead of this. They will probably be on my list of no-hopers for whom I will vote because I am a good person.
I found my first San Marino qualification experience to be largely an act of imagination, trying to find the good in the unpolished and under-resourced. They chose to pick the one that seemed ready to go, which is defensible. I think the best I can say about this is that it’s a song that I wouldn’t bat an eyelash at if it came on a rock radio station. The problem there is that the current state of rock radio has been dreadful for a long time. I guess it’s also nice that San Marino didn’t choose one of their truly… Read more »
San Marino basically uses the ESC as a platform to promote their existence, but merely being a micro-state, they can’t really provide much in return and these Piqued Jacks are unfortunately no exception. The track simply feels creatively bankrupt and (in true San Marino fashion) the lyrics definitely find themselves in meme territory, especially that chorus. Can’t really see any path towards qualification at all.
My 36th place. I like the main singer he’s got a great voice but the song is very forgettable. Anything but last place in their semi will be a success
Sadly I don’t and can’t find anything redeeming about San Marino’s 2023 entry. The “like an animal” lyric sounds scary and repulsive. Happy however to see San Marino in the contest.
My #36, with a 0.5/10 rating. Honestly, I have nothing positive to say about this entry. Neither do I like the old-school rock approach or the vocals of the lead singer (although, admittedly, he’s a very good singer, I just don’t enjoy his voice that much, same case with Marco Mengoni) . What’s throwing me off the most is the ATROCIOUS lyrics that this song has, they make me rather uncomfortable (“I can smell you like an animal”, yeah…). What shall I say, this might as well be my least favorite entry of all time coming from San Marino. But… Read more »
Forgot to add that I’m still ecstatic that Ronela didn’t make it and I would, in comparison, prefer these guys to participate all day long, lmao.
Ronela’s trashiness knows no limits indeed, it’s almost like an art form at this points when it comes to her.
Indeed! She made a fool of herself last year and it looks like it wasn’t enough for her lol
37) San Marino – I’m going to start with this: These guys do not deserve the horrible comments allegedly thrown at them. In fact, nobody does. These guys are a legitimately good band judging by the other songs I have heard as “research”, I just never come back to this song. The vocals and the relatively creepy (to me, anyway) lyrics are probably the most memorable part. I’m with William in regards to the “I can smell you like an animal” line… if I was told that, I would run away as fast as I can due to awkwardness. However… Read more »
I simply adore everything with them and the song!