The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 37 competing songs in Eurovision 2024. Next we review Denmark, who have chosen SABA with “SAND”.
Have we got a sudden urge to build a sandcastle? Read on to find out!
SABA – “SAND” (Denmark Eurovision 2024)
Review: SABA – “SAND”
Sebastian: From a song that’s been shopped around in other pre-selections for some years, “SAND” is a masterclass in pairing a somewhat generic track with an absolutely powerhouse vocal performance by SABA. Her theatrics suit the song to a t, and you can’t help but believe the strain and hurt she’s feeling throughout the performance. What really elevates this song, in particular, is the lack of similar power ballads in this year’s Eurovision — often a genre in oversupply at the contest. Paired with the beauty that is SABA — both visually and vocally — we have, what I think, is the strongest contender to surprise us with a Top 5 placement in Malmö.
Score: 9
William: Let there be no doubt: SABA can sing! I just wish she had a different vehicle to show off her talent. The sound that lingers for me is the electronic everything in the background — it’s a wall of sound that makes me feel like I’m being electrocuted. Even so, SABA’s power and connection with the camera is undeniable, and the lights are impressive. I won’t be mad if this goes through — but I think it’s an uphill battle.
Score: 4.5
Tomas: I have to declare that since the first listen I have been falling in love with “SAND”. It’s a really nice, contemporary entry from Denmark following a few years of weak submissions. It’s hard to say how SABA will do in the semi-final — this might be a quite forgetful entry if you don’t connect with it from the beginning. However, if SABA was to qualify for the final, we would see juries reward Denmark with high scores due to the strength of her vocal performance alone.
Score: 8
Georgia: SABA possesses a remarkable voice, and the song itself is undeniably beautiful; however, it does feel somewhat outdated and simplistic. While SABA proves herself to be a capable performer, the track fails to leave a lasting impact and struggles to stand out amidst the array of competing songs. Its lack of uniqueness, in combination with the very simple staging, hampers its ability to truly captivate listeners and make a memorable impression.
Score: 6.5
Denmark Eurovision 2024 ranking
In the Eurovision 2024 Wiwi Jury, we have 17 jurors but only have room for four reviews. The remaining scores are below:
|
Antranig: 6.5 Cinan: 6 Deban: 7 Jonathan: 7.5 Lucy: 8.5 Pablo: 8.5 Ron: 6 |
Ruxandra: 8.5 Scarlett: 3 Simon: 7 Suzanne: 6 Tom: 6.5 Youyou: 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 3 and a high of 9.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 6.80/10
What do you think of Denmark’s Eurovision 2024 entry? Share your own score and review for SABA’s “SAND” below!
NQ. And her look scares me
I don’t like her voice nor the bland song my #28
Is this the first instance of the capitalisation of both a Eurovision act and their song?
Haha! I have no idea. A Eurovision first?
I don’t live anywhere near a beach, but if I did, I might be tempted to belt out some of the hooks of this song. “Sand” is hooks, hooks and more hooks! As Adele once said about songwriting, “it’s all about the hooks”. I don’t think I need to explain them all in detail, but vocally we have “ooo-oo, ooo-oooo-oo-oh” and we have “SAND! Sa-aaa-aaand”. We also have repeated melodic phrases throughout, and even repeated four-note patterns in the Choruses. I also love how the “ooo-oo” hook is right there in the Intro at the beginning and never lets up… Read more »
Another year, another bland, insipid national selection from Denmark, completely devoid of original ideas. “Sand” wasn’t the worst option in that selection, but it certainly wasn’t one of the better ones either. Written by a predominantly-Swedish songwriting team, this isn’t the work of the top tier Melodifestivalen scribes, and that clearly shows in a composition lacking competence or any originality in any single facet. This is a song that would finish in sixth place in a Melodifestivalen heat. With most Melfest-reject type songs that get passed around other national finals, usually the production and the song structure are at least… Read more »
Oh have a day off
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I find it annoying and incredibly repetitive
Spot on analysis.
While I do like this song, I do agree that Denmark really need to kick it up a notch. At this rate they’ll never win again, which is sad. It’s been over 10 years now and I’ve really only liked two of their entries since Only Teardrops – TWO.
Oh dear. I always try to see the best in every song by playing them on piano (as you will read in my review). Yes I understand this one is formulaic, but I still enjoy it nevertheless.
Honestly can see her be a dark horse and do Tomara or Estonia last year. songs that were Borderline Q who actually smash the juries
It’s cozy, it’s familiar, yet unique and bombastic. It’s a step in the right direction for Denmark and hoping it’ll pay off.
I’m not very much into this kind of Scandipop but it is enjoyable. I can’t say anything really bad but I would’ve prefer something with more personality. Sadly, this is the becoming the norm for Denmark as it is for Germany too. Though Denmark manages to have an extra layerthat makes the song a little more competitive. A few people will have this as a favourite so I don’t really think it is getting many televotes. Though the SF2 is open, specially the last four remaining spots so Denmark may sneak in as a borderline qualifier. 6/10 1. Czechia (8.25/10) 2. Ireland… Read more »
DENMARK – When the contest was held in Malmo back in 2013, Denmark delivered their A-game and won the whole thing. As the history repeated itself, with the same woman again returning the contest to Malmo, many were speculating how Denmark might snap out of their NQ streak and send a serious candidate for the trophy once again. Based on this song, I would say that those speculations were premature. This is another entry from the mostly uncompetitive line-ups of the recent DMPGs. For me, this is nicer than their previous two entries, but perhaps it’s even less risky. Sand… Read more »
While I agree with almost everything you said in your reviews of both Denmark and Germany and while both these songs are certainly safe I still like them more than most people of the fandom (I have them 12th and 10th respectively). Perhaps the fact that this year I have less songs I love compared to previous years have made me like these pretty solid songs a bit more than I would in previous years. Anyways, 3 spots from my top 10 are yet to be reviewed: my 2nd place (more like second winner of mine that we’ve already discussed),… Read more »
Thanks for your kind words, Thanos. I perfectly understand, as I am myself sometimes totally in love with some mainstream songs that aren’t very original. Sometimes it just clicks. So far, it did not click in these particular cases for me, especially not with Denmark. But then again, I don’t think that they are bad. I appreciate that they have fans, and if they actually manage to qualify (DK), and avoid bottom 5 (DE), maybe the whole perception on what kind of songs can do better than expected changes in the fandom. Not impossible. As for my list, I still… Read more »
Ah, so this is where we diverge the most. 🙂
I havent had a desire to re-listen to this. For me is just a bit bland and basic, and she’s screaming about sand. Think it is going for metaphoric and dramatic… but is a swing and a miss for me. I dont remember it.
Score 2/10
Bronze star.
According to this “jury” this basic, featurless, pop tune is better than Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Georgia, Armenia, Ireland… this is why some another more respectable and knowledgeable esc fans platforms are getting more and more popular bc wiwi is in its own delusional bubble…. most of them
It’s literally just some people’s opinions. No need to have a hissy fit.
Because Georgia’s song isn’t “basic” lol
I love the SAND, SAAAAND part in the last bits. Extra point just for that. The melody is kinda nice, but the lyrics are not doing it a favor and and there’s not much to gasp at.
I can’t remember even a single Danish song at the contest that I’ve enjoyed. This is the first I kinda sympathize, but it’s still right after the middle in the full chart.
I can, but then I am old: Danesvise, Tænker altid på dig, Sku’ du spørg’ fra no’en, Alt det som ingen ser, Fly on the Wings of Love, Yes. This one isn’t quite in that league but it’s still growing on me.
Not even the legends Olsen Brothers?
I do like the song but it feels very X Factor. Much improvement needed in the vocals from the national final to stand any shot of qualifying
6th place – Denmark I literally become so furious of how many people are hating on this! This is just brilliant! Let me tell you I’m from those people who almost never like Denmark in Eurovision. They always send boring and uninteresting songs that are not my cup of tea. However this song is pure perfection and I was even surprised to find out it was Denmark who sent it! Her presence is on point, her vocals are heaven and the staging fits the mood well. The contrast of her dark skin and white outfit and staging just makes it… Read more »
Saba is a lovely person, but her song is unfortunately soulless manufactured pop like pretty much everything Denmark has sent this millennium. I don’t know a more boring country at Eurovision, and that includes the Netherlands’ ballad decade that has just ended.
Denmark 4/12
Borderliner NQ
Everyone is free to like any song they like but one of the jurors tipping this to be a surprise entry in the Top 5 is utterly mental. This might have had a chance at Top 5 fifteen years ago but it’ll will do very well to even make the final this year. This is not to denigrate anyone liking it. I’m well aware that some of my favorites won’t do well in the final. My favorite in the entire 2022 show was Circus Mircus and I was fine with knowing that very few others would share that opinion!
Very weak song. Sorry Denmark NQ
A pleasant and harmless tune which could go either way. I hope it qualifies. 6/10
Looks like melo reject song. Singer is good but song bland.
the fact it’s the best scandi pop ballad of all NF though…
maybe I’m biased but Saba is so underrated and she 100% deserve to be in the final
Germany sends a bland, radio-friendly song: ugh, garbage, we want something different, 1 point, waste of space
Denmark sends a bland, radio-friendly song: yass Queen slay, it’s so good, never heard anything like this before, here, take all of our points!
Look, I’m the first one to criticize a German entry, but the points here make absolutely zero sense? How is this song better rated than Serbia, Slovenia and Armenia?
“Queen slay, it’s so good, never heard anything like this before, here, take all of our points!”
I haven’t heard anyone saying that. actually the quite opposite 🙁
Neither Denmark nor Germany are among my favourites. Two of the uninteresting countries at Eurovision in the recent years.
I mean “not interesting”, sorry.
In the opposite, Slovenia and Armenia are among my personal favourites.
i am surprised this song got higher scores than Latvia!
SABA didn’t give us a strong vocal performance, the performance was cute but let’s not forget the Danish viewers placed it at the third place…
The song is radio-friendly and it sounds good but it’s giving German entries vibes…forgettable bland pop song.
If it wasn’t Denmark but Cyprus or Malta, it would have stayed in the final 100%. I still believe it won’t qualify or if it does it will be 10th.
Unpopular opinion. This is one of the songs in my top 3
Denmark in Eurovision after 2013: “Bits and pieces lying everywhere. BITS AND PIECES LIKE WE DIDNT CARE!” I’m expecting another NQ. Not because it’s the worst but because it’s just there being nice without much to do or say. Like Germany, only they pay to be in the final already.
Friend Germany pays so that other countries can participate. It is sad to see how there are people who turn the solidarity of some countries into something dirty.
As far as I know, everyone pays their fair share, or what EBU considers fair. Which probably isn’t fair. Would you find it fair for a country of 2 million to pay as much as a country of 90 million? Friends Germany and others competing in the semis like everyone else is fair. It would also make the semis more valuable shows.
Please find out, that is not true. The big 5 do not pay proportionally the same as the rest. Wouldn’t it be fair then if those countries that provide more than 80% of the viewers paid less? Wouldn’t it be fair for countries to pay for their per capita income? The richest countries like Iceland Switzerland Sweden Norway and some more
Bits and pieces like we’re standing square.
Bits and pieces like life isn’t fair.
Bits and pieces of Angelina’s hair.
Bits and pieces cut from our despair…
It shouldn’t be so hard to swim upon the water.
All you have to do is moo-oo-oove. 🙂
Yeah, we can parody this all day.
Disclaimer: Songwriters, thank you so much for this song “Sand” – I love all the hooks so much, and I also love parodying it as well. It’s not a bad thing, because it means I actually like it. 🙂
16) Denmark – It’s been a hot minute since I last liked a Danish entry, and this one has definitely broken the chain. It was definitely the strongest song in the NF, and it’s certainly a pleasant listen. Saba has a great voice, and the staging works pretty well with it. Unsure of Denmark’s chances of qualifying, but it would be nice to see them in the final again. 7/10
18. Denmark – Saba – Sand – 7/10 – universal, accessible and relatable in its presentation, lyrical content and production, this is easy-listening, safe, non-offensive fare. Saba delivers a suitably solid, central performance and emotes with class and professionalism. There is little of anything unique which would elevate this from the crowd but nonetheless it is an accomplished and well-delivered entry.
I love this track but I find the delivery of it quite dull. There’s definitely Uniqueness Nerve and Talent, but a lack of Charisma x
I actually agree with you Andrew. I love Saba and her song and I’m so proud that she will represent my country. I wish she could be more relaxed on stage and interact with the viewers better tho. She has hinted a little that she will be moving around a little more than she did in DMGP, soI’m excited to see that. She really deserves to be in the final and I’m crossing everything I have for that to happen.
I hope she makes the final too. Let’s hope she fully delivers on stage x
after 5 years without a Danish final, this year’s song is for it. a good stage show should get us back into the final
we deserve to be in the final again
It has to beat Georgia, Estonia and probably Austria to reach the final. This would be quite difficult but not totally impossible.
I like the final chorus. I think as a 3 minute package it doesn’t do it for me. But there’s a great 30 seconds in isolation for me. I think it’ll qualify.
There are a couple of songs this year that I skip.
This is definitely not one of them. I really enjoy this uplifting song, and personally enjoy it more than any other Nordic song apart from the incredible Norway.
I’m crossing my fingers for this to qualify.
Wiwi Jury Ranking
Belgium 7.4/10
Greece 7.27/10
Spain 7.20/10
France 7.17/10
Czechia 7.00/10
United Kingdom 6.93/10
Denmark 6.80/10
Poland 6.6/10
Serbia 6.57/10
Cyprus 6.53/10
Slovenia 6.50/10
Georgia 6.43/10
Luxembourg 6.40/10
Australia 6.37/10
Portugal 6.30/10
Armenia 6.27/10
Ireland 5.97/10
Israel 5.90/10
Latvia 5.77/10
Albania 5.50/10
Azerbaijan 5.33/10
Malta 5.17/10
Germany 5.17/10
San Marino 4.97/10
An odd one, in my opinion
12TH PLACE: DENMARK: “Sand” is all in all a harmless tune that is pleasant but also pretty basic and generic. It has the Scandinavian pop music feel, big vocal moments at which Saba does really well and a minimal but effective staging. Is it reinventing the wheel? Certainly not, but still it’s a pleasant addition to the contest. Harmless but solid and Eurovision-oriented, with a lot of parts with a sing-along value. Is it going to qualify? I believe it has got the potential to do it in a borderline way.