The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 37 competing songs in Eurovision 2023. Next we review Netherlands, who have chosen Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper with “Burning Daylight”.
Did we see the light? Read on to find out!
Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper – “Burning Daylight” (Netherlands Eurovision 2023)
Review: Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper – “Burning Daylight”
Renske: “Burning Daylight” is one of the most forgotten entries at this year’s contest. It is a power ballad in classic Dutch singer-songwriter style. The lyrics, although coined to be a bit depressing, speak of hope for a better future. Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper are not an obvious duet due to their different styles, but their energy and natural harmony makes the song worth your full attention for three minutes. Will it be able to stand out? Well, if the Common Linnets could, why wouldn’t they?
Score: 7
Deban: Quality background music. “Burning Daylight” is inoffensive, somewhat restrained and remarkably uncompetitive. When it comes on, I don’t skip it. And when it stops playing, I don’t miss it. Sandwiched between the genres of pop and serious singer-songwriter radio fare, this year’s Dutch entry is decisively unmemorable.
Score: 5
Lucy: I can’t be the only one that made incorrect judgements when that awkward photoshoot of Dion and Mia came out right? Like ohhhh gosh what is this going to be like? Turns out, it’s going to be beautiful! I fully expect a Common Linnets surprise-staging-perfection moment, to really lift the anthemic cries of “goodbye, old life” in the arena. Their voices mesh together so well on “Burning Daylight”. It’s the best ballad this year.
Score: 10
Rick: Well, this is a quality entry. I like the combination of their voices and the production behind it – BUT it’s not a brave entry. It feels like the Netherlands didn’t take a risk with this, and musically this is not exciting at all. I’m satisfied but not passionate about this song unfortunately.
Score: 4.5
Luis: “Burning Daylight” is an amazing example of a radio-friendly sad song, with two seemingly competent performers. It is yet to be seen whether they have the chemistry and the poise to elevate this song. The comparison with The Common Linnets’ journey is inevitable, but also proof that the Netherlands can build a legendary entry from any normal song. But actually, even if Mia and Dion don’t do as well at Eurovision, this is already a very nice tune to listen to.
Score: 7.5
Netherlands 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:
|
Antranig: 8 Cinan: 6 Dayana: 4.5 Diego: 7 Forrest: 7 Jonathan: 7 Kristín: 7.5 Oliver: 4 |
Pablo: 6.5 Ron: 3.5 Ruxandra: 10 Samuel: 8 Simon: 8 Tom: 7.5 William: 4 |
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 3.5 and a high of 10.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 6.61/10
What do you think of the Netherlands’ Eurovision 2023 entry? Share your own score and review for Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper’s “Burning Daylight” below!
The song is decent. However I didn’t understand the concept of the duet or the sudden change in feel of the song in the last third. The only live performance of them I’ve seen was awkward. Despite the good semi slot , I’m worried.
Semi:8-12
Overall: 15-22
It’s a decent and pretty song and I liked it but –unfortunately, it doesn’t stand out much, and that’s a big issue in SF1. Also, what I’ve gathered about their live performance isn’t a good omen :/
My country’s entry this year is a bit bland if I gotta say so. It’s becoming redundant to see our internal panel choosing the same depressing “tries to be hopeful in the end” kind of entry ever since Arcade, with 2021’s being the only exception since. While the song itself is alright, it takes veeeery long to get really interesting, and I don’t think this will qualify, nor do I think that it should over other songs in the first semifinal that are straight up stronger. It’s a 5/10 for me. I hope that next year our entry will finally… Read more »
As a fellow Dutchie, I whole heartedly agree! I might’ve even give it a 4/10 Cse I hope a NQ lights a well needed fire underneath the selection committee ‘s A$$. And dares to go for totally different genres and artists like Kovacs or Lakshmi
First time since 2019 that Netherlands is not in my Top 10. The song is beautiful, but not enough for me. I feel it stays in the middle of the emotion, the concept, the voices… It seems a bit forgettable.
This has Duncan written all over it ( and it should, of course)- it’s going to poll high with Jury- it’s a quality song… and it’s a grower….. watch out for this one…. could well be the dark horse of the final. …… if it makes it to the final…. like Australia, another example of an entry at rush because of the public only voting semi’s .
As much as I loved last year entry and I love dark songs I can’t connect at all with the song. I don’t know if they are lacking chemistry or maybe the song isn’t capable oftranslate what they are looking for but I’m not feeling it at all. In fact, it seems to last longer than it actually is. Not bad either, I mean it has quality and you can tell Duncan Laurence had a part, but if a song like this fall a little to in the middle it may be overlooked by both the viewers and the jury… Read more »
I really liked this beautiful entry. Sadly, I don’t play it much, because there are several entries I like a lot more (Sweden, Czechia, France, Portugal, Italy, Spain).
And I think that’s Mia & Dion’s problem this year. In a fairly strong year (and certainly in a very strong semi-final), they’re struggling to stand out. I hope they make it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t qualify.
It’s a beautiful song, well written and the production is very high quality. I’m happy that my home country seems to have “quality” as its niche. That being said, I must say that my first reaction was “oh no, we’re sending yet another song about sadness and depression…”. And where “De diepte”, “Grow” and “Arcade” did hit me hard, this song fails to do that. It’s beautiful, but it leaves me rather indifferent. I don’t hear a lot of buzz about it here either: it gets some airplay and I think it has charted, but I have seen Mia and… Read more »
it took me a while to remember this song, which is why i doubt the public will connect with this enough to vote. this needs beautiful, breathtaking staging to qualify imo. i eventually started to like this song- although ‘burning daylight’ is dangerously close to being another generic or boring ballad, the production thankfully helps the song stand out! 7/10
It’s a great song. Slowly climbing up my ranking for 2023 BUT… I watched their performance in Madrid. Not impressed. Ok, sound problems etc. but for example, Teya and Selena slayed, while others did not.
I wish the Netherlands all the best of luck! Hope to see them in the final.
The moment they were announced I had big expectations. I thought I could even place them in Top10 easily. Was expecting something similar to “A Monster Like Me” or “Calm After The Storm”.
Sadly, Duncan Laurence has sunken into mediocrity. This is so uninspired, basic and cheesy. Doesn’t help that they had a bad live in the pre party of the weekend. This doesn’t deserve to qualify in a hard semi. Unfortunately, its running order is very good and Switzerland is far away from it too.
Rating: 3.5/10 (30th)
Duncan himself not exactly, saving the bops for himself and stitching Mia & Dion up with this song, i would’ve rather wanted JW Roy as their composer, more experienced too in both dutch, english language songs, i don’t get why avrotros never asked JW before to come up with an entry for someone
Nice song, radio friendly, nice voices, if the staging and everything is on point and with their already good running order, they have high chances to qualify imo, not among my big favorites tho but I would be happy to see them in the Grand Final.
“Burning Daylight” is actually a pretty track. A slow burner one, for sure, but one of those where everything moves gracefully. The harmonies on the chorus are gorgeous. What went wrong then? I’m afraid this entry has problems with its concept and that the execution can exacerbate its flaws. Making it a duet was really necessary? Were Dion and Mia brought together organically to this project? Or the Dutch delegation just thought the juxtaposition of their images would look cool? Will they have the chemistry to sell it on stage? The answers to this question will seal its fate. 7
This song is no where near the quality of Common Linnets.
Certainly not a bad song. I really like it…but…live it will have to be better than what I’ve already heard…
I agree with Deban. Not a bad song, but nothing that makes me feel excited. I won’t judge their Madrid performance. What they have to do is make sure their ESC performance is 100% perfection. I do believe they can surprise us. They have a professional team that knows how to handle songs like this. I predict a final spot for them. Jury could push them into top 12.
It’s decent enough, but this song is nowhere near Calm After The Storm and they’re not performers to match Ilse and Waylon either, so don’t really expect anything remotely close to the success Netherlands 2014 had.
3/10. They would have to be remarkable and make an impact comparable with Alika to have a solid result, but they are not even close. Even next year nobody will remember this song. Even though they are in Semi 2 I would be surprised if they qualify.
I mean to say even if they would be in Semi 2, not 1, I doubt they would make it.
Yeah, this is not going to be my ballad of the year. The obvious comparison for me is to “Bridges,” another song about personal change, but one that understands that change is difficult work, shows admirable maturity, and just feels more organic. The big problem here is that abrupt and unearned ending. Perhaps the song is even fixable if you extend it by another minute and shoehorn another verse in there to bridge the emotional gap. But as it stands, it doesn’t work for me, and honestly even irritates me a little. 3/10
This one is gunning for the most pretentious song of the year award.
Very likeable song, I hope they rank as high as possible!
I’ll be nice first. “Burning Daylight” is a well-written three chord song. It uses nice verse melodies and the melismas on “highs” to express the emotion of the shared story, which then all comes together in the Outro at the end when both singers reach their loudest point. However… Three chords for three minutes don’t excite me very much. I like the melismas and the emotional climax at the end, but I can’t help but feel that the Eurovision occasion might be too exciting for this song. It’s is a “slow burner” for me (pun intended). Also, I wish I… Read more »
This moved from my indifferent list, to ‘I rather like it’ after a few listens and then to complete disappointment after watching it performed live. No charisma, no chemistry, nothing at all to keep my interest for 3 minutes. I can still enjoy the studio version although is not staying in my playlist.
It’s a 6.5/10 for the studio version and 26th in my list (but a 3-4/10 for the live performance). It has to improve dramatically to have any real chances to qualify and in the unlikely case it does, it’s a lock for bottom 5 in the final.
27. Mia and Dion – Burning Daylight (Netherlands) – 5.5/10 – a promisingly gentle opening sinks into a more predictable chorus with a slightly irritating hook (hi-hi-hi-hi-higgghhhhssss). The song doesn’t really build into anything that makes me want to listen to it again.
At first, I felt indifferent towards the song. Then, it slowly clicked on me. Soon enough though, little by little, I got over it again. And as for the cherry on the top, their Madrid live killed whatever warm feelings I had towards the entry. I still do like the studio version but I cannot connect with the ballad anymore, their cooperation wasn’t great live. Listenable but that’s it. And the “Goodbye old life” line just feels forced. My #24.
Liza Minelli and her voetveegje. Bad decision. Netherlands start with a melodies Festival as in Sweden Please ?????
I like the song, but I’m a bit confused about the “best ballad” comment – are they saying it’s better than Italy, or do they not count Italy as a ballad?
Loreen’s surely is the best EDM Power Ballad, Loreen is basically every music genre
no one can beat Sweden like ever, Sweden rules the world! nothing can ever go wrong for Sweden
i’m definitely voting Loreen, even if i have other faves i say let my own faves flop so hard in favor of the fandom’s precious Queen Loreen, female johnny logan
Loreen is going to do well regardless if you like the idea or not. Being bitter about it is hardly going to bring you or anyone much joy.
How about just getting over it?
After Madrid, I am doubting on a “Common-Linets-Effect. Crossing my fingers, they ll manage to deliver and build up a magic chemistry that is necessary for that Song.
A pleasant song, but entirely dependent on flawless vocals in order to succeed.
It is pretty mediocre for dutch esc standards, but it’s ok, above average imo
It’s a very safe and boring song confected for Eurovision. What a contrast with “De Diepte”…
Netherlands 7/12
When I said in 2019 that Duncan Laurence still had great songs in him, I might have spoken too hastily. “Arcade” was beautiful and so was the other ballad that circulated at the time and was rumored to be his entry, “I miss you”. But since then, he has descended a little into mediocrity. “Burning Daylight” is not an unpleasant listening experience, I could see this being played as background to a scene of inner turmoil in some drama series. But as a standalone song, this just passes me by, the most interesting bit is the fact Skiwalko has already… Read more »
Duncan’s “Skyboy” is good, you should try that if you haven’t already. Much better than this.
I think I have listened to everything Duncan issued since 2019, I even went to see him live before the pandemic hit. And I don’t think anything was awful, it’s just that nothing came even close to the magic I heard in those first two tracks.
It’s such a shame that that other track wasn’t officially released as a single 🙁
?
I feel this could lend itself to really creative, impactful staging that’ll elevate the whole package, and it’s unlike anything else competing with it. We oughta work to ensure a visual treat.
NETHERLANDS – The country continues their streak of thoughtful, well-produced ballads with layered lyrics. Seemingly low key, this develops into a really pleasant and memorable entry. The message is actually quite relatable. Presented in a gloomy way, yet surprisingly lively. What might be less ideal is the lack of context. If this was a song within a musical in which two characters live through similar dilemmas, the ”united in music” approach could come off as a natural progression. This way, we might be left wondering why there’s two vocalists here. Their live chemistry would have to be really strong to… Read more »
I guess we won’t be more in sync during WiwiJury than today, just 0.25 of difference. I don’t have the time to post many comments this year. But I’m here reading the reviews from the whole gang whenever I can. Too bad the timezone makes me arrive late to the party.
Not only that we have virtually the same ratings for both of today’s shows, but we also pointed out the same issue, and the same question for Netherlands – Can the live performance explain the decision to include two singers? I’m looking forward to your reviews and comments. As many as you have time to write, I can take time to read.
Tbf, and as much as I don’t care for this song, the issue of there being two singers and how they make that decision justified can be easily accomplished through staging, and I actually think it’s one of the entry’s most overcomeable (not a word!) problems. I think it does have immense staging potential if they do go down that “Lost In Translation” route that Skiwalko mentioned below. Potentially, doing so, will make that final minute even cheesier than it already is…but, at least the two minutes before that could work.
It is not a secret that for the past few years the Netherlands have been trying to replicate Duncan’s achievement through multiple ways. One was to give the artist a free hand, which didn’t really work result-wise. Another was to select a song that vaguely fit Arcade’s profile, while staying true to the artist’s repertoire, which worked a bit better. And now we get “Burning Daylight”. It’s easy to write this song off as inauthentic, given Duncan’s involvement and the inorganic way in which the duo came to be. I mean, why is it a duet? There’s not much interaction… Read more »
We are on a similar page here. This is a good song, yet it feels like Netherlands wants to re-create something instead of creating it. It still can turn out well if their performance in the semi is actually good, and not like the one they had in Madrid.
I absolutely love the link to “Lost In Translation” and that did not even occur to me but now you’ve pointed it out, I cannot believe I did not pick up on it!
Staging that tapped into that could really help this song out.
6th place: THE NETHERLANDS: I like how introspective most Dutch songs are. ‘Burning Daylight’ is a really nice song. I really like the verses melodically and the voices of the two singers. The chorus isn’t as strong and impactful as it should have been and sometimes the song seems to drag on for more than it should. The final part is better than the chorus though it enters a bit abruptly: an instrumental bridge between the last chorus and the climax to make it more cohesive would work better in my opinion. Nevertheless, it is still a very beautiful song… Read more »
I like the song but that live at Madrid Pre-Party was indeed a mess. Lot of work to do if they want to go to the final.
That opening vocal from the Preparty ES in Madrid was a hot mess. That better get cleaned up or no one’s going to vote for it. I’d be happy for it to not make it to the Grande Final instead sending Latvia or even Malta.
20) The Netherlands – When this first got released I was pretty fond of it, but as time went by it slowly became one of the songs I forgot about constantly. It’s a nice tune with a good melody but I think it could be in danger of not qualifying, especially when it’s wedged between Czechia and Finland in SF1. 6.5/10
will standout perfectly the ethnic and quirky (Czechia) and craziness vocal violence of (Finland)
a moment of pure classy music
I dunno. Hopefully they have the full package that would indeed make it stand out, but I can’t help but think they might end up a similar position as Azerbaijan (ie. being in the middle of two “big” songs). It’s good that they’re the penultimate song of SF1, though.
This one grew on me. It’s now my tenth ,and surprisingly ,it was the first Eurovision 2023 song that i heard in a public area.
Best ballad this year? Hardly think so, next to Marco’s Due Vite.
My number 17 with no chance of climbing up.
That’s a song I’ve tried to like and connect to since it’s release and it still fails to grab me. The melody is pleasant and I enjoy Dion’s voice but that’s about it. I’m not exactly sure why it doesn’t click on me at all. I have a hard time finding this genuine, or finding a purpose to the duet. And while I’m not gonna judge the whole act on Madrid’s preparty performance (there were a lot of sound issues), one thing it highlighted was the complete lack of chemistry between Dion and Mia on stage. And that worries me.
This is a nice song but it’s a bit forgettable. With no juries in the semis this could be left behind
This is probably my most skipped song of the year. I find it incredibly difficult to get through the full three minutes of this and, I don’t know, it just doesn’t come across in any sort of authentic way to me. Lyrically, some of the word choices are bizarre and almost “tryhard”, which kinda fits in with the vibe I get from the two artists themselves. There’s just this sort of pretension that comes across that makes it difficult to connect with them or the message of this song. As hard as it is to get into, I definitely find… Read more »
I like this song, and I gave it full 3 points more than you did, yet I fully understand your issues with it. I feel like there’s just *something* try-hard in it, and I can’t put my finger on it. I like the melody, the lyrics, and the harmonies, but I feel like Skiwalko has a point of Netherlands being reluctant to stray from ”a Duncan” path too much. S10 managed to do so in a completely unique way last year, while Mia and Dion are somewhere in the middle. I feel like this will either really rise or really… Read more »
When it comes to the current approach from the Netherlands, with this hipster, kinda-indie radio station vibe that Duncan put them on…I don’t know if they had fully committed to that as a longterm strategy but, I can only imagine, that 2021’s result really had them doubling down on this format and they’re probably going to stick with it until they get that NQ. It can work when done well but, I do think it’s dangerous for a country to keep revisiting that well and think that they can just rinse, wash, repeat, with just changing the faces behind it… Read more »
all time best entry of Netherlands <3 Dion his vocals are great but am such a fan of Mia’s style (also her daddy is rich so we have to stan obviously, a lawyer and party for the animals politician)
easy qualifier, especially up against some questionable acts (Finland, Serbia, Portugal, Norway) and a unnecessary returnee (Sweden)
9.5
Hahaha…I was just about to write in my review that they give off this kind of “eco-protester” vibe but thought I was being too harsh. Didn’t know that Mia’s father was a member of the Party For The Animals. That’s so weird!
yes a well respected politician too Peter Nicolai
Peter Nicolaï – Wikipedia
he worked as a lawyer for various environmental activist groups, so that kinda makes sense then, this eco protester vibe
It’s a nice song, I love Dion’s voice… 6/10 in my top.
This is only my favorites, that doesn’t mean other songs aren’t good…
I feel like this will qualify if only because you see people throwing around 10’s at it, and with televote only it’s about affecting the most people the strongest.