Thursday, December 13, 2018

Italy - Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente - Ermal Meta & Fabrizio Moro

Eurovision version DRI
5 - 308 pts, not in semi

Ermal Meta & Fabrizio Moro won the 68th Sanremo festival with their song Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente. The song is written by Ermal Meta, Fabrizio Moro and Andrea Febo.

With the Sanremo victory the wond the right to go to Lisbon and they took the ticket.

The Sanremo winner was released as a limited edition vinyl single on Februari 28. See below for all vinyl releases of this years Sanremo entries. A second batch of the vinyl was expected in April, but it seems there's nothing yet.....

The Eurovision version (edit) was released as a digital single on March 30. A 1-track promo cds with the ESC version was made.

Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente can also be found on Ermal Meta's new album Non Abbiamo Armi (out now on Mescal records on CD and LP) and on Fabrizio Moro's new "best of" album Parole Rumori E Anni. (RCA CD and 2LP). The latter also includes Moro's Sanremo songs of 2007, 2008 and 2017 as well as his own version of the Noemi song Sono Solo Parole from from Sanremo 2012. (see Chi sono... below).


The live album
Non abbiamo armi - Il concerto
A live verion will be released in Januari 2019 on a CD/DVD box set Non abbiamo armi - Il concerto
More details later....

Versions
Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente - Eurovision version
- digital release, promo cds, Lisbon 2CD
Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente - single version
- various albums, vinyl single
Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente - instrumental version
- b-side vinyl single
Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente - Eurovision karaoke
- digital on the official karaoke album
Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente - Live
- forthcoming CD/DVD Non Abbiamo Armi - Il concerto

Digital release image
Chi sono...
Fabrizio Moro has released 11 albums since 1996. His first Sanremo was in 2000 with the song Un Giorno Senza Fine (13th in the newcomers section).
In 2007 he still had to go through the newcomers section (now named Sezione giovani) and ended at #1 with the song Pensa, which became a #1 hit in the Italian charts.
In 2008 he finished 3rd in the Big section with Eppure Mi Hai Cambiato La Vita. In 2010 his Non è Una Canzone didn't make it to the final 10 and 2017 he ended 7th with Portami Via.

Moro also participated in Sanremo as a songwriter. He wrote Sono Solo Parole for Noemi in 2012 (3rd place) and Finalmente Piove for Valerio Scanu in 2016 (13th place).

Ermal Meta first competed solo at Sanremo in the 2016 newcomers section Nuove proposte) with the song Odio Le Favole placing 3rd. But his earliest Sanremo appearance was with the band La Fame Di Camilla. With their song Buio E Luce they entered the newcomers section (Nuovo generazione) but didn't proceed to the final four.
In 2017 he ended 3rd in the big artsist Sanremo with Vietato Morire.


The Sanremo 2CD
The Italian Sanremo festival took place from February 6 to February 10.
Some familiar names were in the contest: Riccardo Fogli (Eurovision 1983), Luca Barbarossa (1988), Decibel with Enrico Ruggeri (1993) and Nina Zilli (2012)

The 2CD with all Sanremo 2018 songs incl. all songs from the new artists section (Nuove proposte) was released on Februari 9. (RCA)

Sanremo Vinili
Last year the Sanremo contest produced six vinyl 7" inch singles for the collectors. (Including the winner by Francesco Gabbani) (list here)
It must have been a success as this year there are many vinyl Sanremo singles on the calender. Will the winner be among them?
Most are limited editions on coloured vinyl. All release dates between Februari 9 and Februari 28.

Ermal Meta & Fabrizio Moro - Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente (Columbia)
Red Canzian - Ognuna Ha Il Suo Racconto (BMG)
Mudimbi - Il Mago (Warner)
Diodato e Roy Paci - Adesso (Carosello records)
Renzo Rubino - Custodire (Warner)
Noemi - Non Smettere Mai Di Cercarmi (Red Sap)
Roby Facchinetti & Roccardo Fogli - Il Segreto Del Tempo (RCA)
Decibel - Lettera Dal Duca (RCA)
Ornella Vanoni - Imparare Ad Amarsi (RCA)
Mario Biondi - Rivederti (Columbia)
Ron - Almeno Pensami (RCA)
Annalisa - Il Mondo Prima Di Te (Warner)
Enzo Avitabile - Il Corraggio Di Ogni Giorno (RCA)

And then there's another interesting vinilo out now, the 1958 Italian classic entry Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu get a limited edition 60th anniversary re-issue. Read more about that here at Eurocovers.

Website Altro Spettacolo has a list and lots of info on all Sanremo artists new albums. Find it here.

Charts
Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente climbs the Italian charts to #2, pipped to the post by Sanremo's #2 Una Vita In Vacanza by Lo Stato Sociale. Non Mi Fatto gained platinum status in Italy.
Italy top 20: 19, 2, 2, 7, 11, 15, 20, -
Switzerland top 100: 16, 65, -
France top 200 (Ifop): 134
Spain Physical+Digital sales top 50: 33

Links and sources
Ermal Meta: Facebook, Page at Mescal records, Instagram
Fabrizio Moro: WebsiteFacebook, Instagram
RAI Sanremo pages.
Altro Spettacolo
Italy's entries since they came back from a very long break: 2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011

Sunday, October 7, 2018

Sweden - Dance You Off - Benjamin Ingrosso

Digital Release Image
7 - 274 pts, 2 - 254 pts in semi 2

Benjamin Ingrosso won the 17th edition of the "modern" Melodifestivalen.
His song Dance You Off is the Swedish entry for the Lisbon contest.
Dance You Off is written by Benjamin Ingrosso, MAG, Louis Schoorl and K Nita.
The song was released as a digital single on February 24 and can also be found on the Melodifestivalen 2CD (see below).

The Litek Remix was released on May 4. (digital release).
The Galavant mix was released on May 11
The extended version (also on the promo) is released on May 18 in the digital stores.

A promo cd has the Eurovision version and the extended version.

Identification
Dance You Off is also out on the Benjamin Ingrosso album Identification. CD out on October 19.
The digital version was released on September 28.
There's also a vinyl LP but that appears to be promo only.

Dance You Off was Ingrosso's second MF entry. In 2017 his Good Lovin' ended 5th in the final.

Benjamin is only 20 but he's been a singer and recording artist for over half his life. In 2006 he won Lilla Melodifestivalen (kids MF) with Hey Sofia and in 2007 he had a No. 2 hit with Jag Är En Astronaut, a coverversion of Ricky Wildes (Kim's bro) 1972 single I Am An Astronaut.
He starred in several musicals but decided to focus on his solo work in 2014.

MF entry Good Lovin' was a No. 10 hit in Sweden and he scored two minor hits after that.
Benjamin Ingrosso is a prolific songwriter and he wrote most his singles himself.  (and a few for other artists as well).
An album is in the making and is planned for release later this year.
See below for his singles discography.

Of course we have to mention the family ties here because we, the Eurovision fans, love that kind of trivia. Benjamin's mom is Pernilla Wahlgren who entered the Swedish Melodifestival five times, but never made it to the Eurovision stage.
Her Piccadilly Circus (MF 1985) became a Swedish classic. Pernilla currently has a real life TV show Wahlgrens Värld (Wahgrens world) where Benjamin drops by from time to time.
Dad is Emilio Ingrosso, songwriter and dancer. Sebastian Ingrosso (of Axwell Λ Ingrosso) is his cousin and Charlotte Perrelli néé Nilsson is (or rather was I guess) his aunty.

Remix DRI
Versions
Dance You Off - Eurovision/MF version
- Melodifestivalen 2CD, digital single
Dance You Off - extended
- promo cds, digital release
Dance You Off - Litek remix
- digital release
Dance You Off - Galavant remix
- digital release
Dance You Off - karaoke
- digital on the official karaoke album
The official videoclip has a longer intro.

Charts:
Swedish top 100: 17, 7, 2, 3, 7, 10, 16, 19, 47, 50, 44, 11, 32, 50, 65, 79
France top 200 (Ifop): 78, -
Spain Physical+Digital sales top 50: 7, -
Spain top 100: 69, -

Melodifestivalen 
You know the recipe by now, four heats and a second chance round all in different cities culminating in a final on in Stockholm. 28 songs in all.
The Melodifestivalen 2018 2CD with all songs was released on February 25.

The official Melodifestivalen album has been the #1 selling album of the year in Sweden every year since 2007 but the 2016 edition got stuck at #3 and it got even worse in 2017 when it ended at #7. 
In 2004, 2005 and 2006 it was #2, in 2003 it was #4, in 2002 it was #13.
At the end of this page you can find statistics of all the chart activity of MF entries since the 'modern' MF was introduced.

Links and sources:
Thanks to Johanna and Therese at TEN records
Benjamin Ingrosso: FacebookInstagram, Page at Ten Music Group
SVT Melodifestivalen pages.
Charts at Sverige Topplistan.
Find out more about these Swedish entries: 2017 -  2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

Benjamin Ingrosso Singles Discography
2017 hit Good Lovin' (DRI)
2018 Dance You Off (MF winner, #2 on the Swedish charts)
2017 One More Time (#79 on the Swedish charts)
2017 Do You Think About Me (#87)
2017 Good Lovin' (MF 2017, #10)
2016 Love You Again
2015 Home For Christmas
2015 Crystal Clear
2015 Fall In Love (#56)
All the above are still available at your favorite digitessen and streaming services.
and the early ones...
2007 Jag Är En Astronaut (cdsingle, #2 hit in Sweden)
2006 Hej Sofia


MF In the charts
So Melodifestivalen is big business and it makes Lotta Svenska Kronor, but it's good to see a good part of money going to good production of both the TV shows and the records. And a large part of the often recordbreaking televoting revenue always goes to charity, åååååh....

Below are the chart results of Melodifestivalen and Eurovision hits in the Swedish top 60 since 2002, when the 32 song MF was introduced.
In a sudden change, 2010 saw only a few entries released on cdsingle, and it showed decline in the number of MF hits.
Since a few years downloads are the main factor in  the Swedish charts so several Eurovision hits chart without being released on cdsingle. Some only chart one or two weeks just after the contest.

Melodifestivalen (and Eurovision) in the Swedish charts
2018 top 100: 21 MF hits - 7 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 1 Eurovision hit
2017 top 100: 21 MF hits - 6 top 10 hits - 0 #1 hits - 9 Eurovision hits
2016 top 100: 26 MF hits - 9 top 10 hits - 2 #1 hits - 12 Eurovision hits
* 2016 Digilistan top 60 - 17 MF hits - 9 top 10 hits - 2 #1 hits
2015 top 100: 19 MF hits - 6 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 6 Eurovision hits
* 2015 Digilistan top 60: 22 MF hits - 9 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 14 Eurovision hits
2014: 17 MF hits - 5 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 6 Eurovision hits
* 2014 Digilistan top 60 2014: 22 MF hits - 10 top 10 hits - 2 #1 hits - 18 Eurovision hits
2013: 22 MF hits - 6 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 4 Eurovision hits
2012: 17 MF hits - 7 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 4 Eurovision hits
2011: 18 MF hits - 7 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 2 Eurovision hits
2010: 28 MF hits - 10 top 10 hits - 3 #1 hits - 9 Eurovision hits
2009: 28 MF hits - 12 top 10 hits - 2 # 1 hits - 16 Eurovision hits
A record breaking 15 Eurovision hits in the week after the contest, most on downloads alone
2008: 30 MF hits - 14 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 9 Eurovision hits
2007: 28 MF hits - 10 top 10 hits - 2 #1 hits - 7 Eurovision hits
2006: 23 MF hits -10 top 10 hits - 3 #1 hits - 6 Eurovision hits
2005: 23 MF hits - 9 top 10 hits - 4 #1 hits - 3 Eurovision hits
2004: 22 MF hits - 8 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 3 Eurovision hits
2003 : 17 MF hits - 8 top 10 hits - 3 #1 hits - 2 Eurovision hits
2002 : 13 MF hits - 4 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 3 Eurovision hits

* 2014: The official charts in Sweden have gone a bit crap, with Spotify and other steamers as a much too infuential source. This list is still the 'official chart' but we'll feature the digilistan as well.
The Digilistan is now the main (digital) sales based Swedish chart.
Changes in 2015: The MF has only 28 entries and the official charts have gone up to a top 100.
Changes in 2016: The method for the official Swedish charts has changed again, now it is almost the same as the digilistan.

You can check your Swedish charts weekly at Sverige Topplistan

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Greece - Oneiro Mou - Yianna Terzi

Digital release image
14 - 81 pts in semi 1

Gianna (or Yianna*) Terzi (Γιάννα Τερζή) represented Greece in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest.
A National Final with five songs was planned but after two disqualifications and two not paying the contribution only Terzi was left.

The song is Oneiro Mou ( Όνειρο μου, My dream) written by Aris Kalimeris, Dimitris Stamatiou, Mihalis Papathanasiou and Gianna Terzi herself.
Listen here at Panik records Youtube

Oneiro Mou was a released as a digital single on Februari 16.
*The digital stores use the name Gianna, her own website and FB say Yianna.

A promo cds was issued, it features the Eurovision version, karaoke and instrumental.
The digital release writes the title as Oneiro Mou, the promo reads Oniro Mou.

An English version, Eternity, was released on June 6 as a digital single.

On june 16 a Remix pack with seven remixes was released through all your favorite digital sources.

Remixes DRI
Versions
Oniro Mou - single version
- digital release, Lisbon 2CD
Eternity - English version
- digital release
Oniro Mou - karaoke
- digital on the official karaoke album
Oniro Mou - instrumental
- promo cds
Oniro Mou - AzeR remix
Oniro Mou - Jasmin's Club mix
Oniro Mou - PADE Remix
Oniro Mou - DJ Piko & Giannoussis remix
Oniro Mou - Pilarinos & Karipidis remix
Oniro Mou - T-Bat deep mashup
Oniro Mou - V Koutonias - DJ Pitsi remix
- all remixes are digital releases. 

English version DRI
Links and sources:
Thanks to Frederick
Yianna Terzi: Website, Facebook, Instagram
The recent entries from Greece are here:
2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Czech Republic - Lie To Me - Mikolas Josef

New version DRI
6 - 281 pts, 3 - 232 pts in semi 1

Lie To Me by Mikolas Josef is the Czech entry for the 2018 contest. He wrote the song himself.
The original official video is here at MJ's Youtube.

Lie To Me was released as a digital single on November 19.
The lyrics are pretty raunchy and contain the occasional F-bombs so I'm pretty sure we'll see another version for the Eurovision contest and CD. (current lyrics at Musixmatch)
The videoclip has the F-words faded out a bit, but doesn't leave much to the imagination...
On March 11 the Eurovision version was released, fixing all the explicit issues.

A Spanish/English version was revealed on July 20, it was released as a digital single on July 27. You can listen here at Mikolas' Youtube channel.

No cdsingle or promo cd was issued. For promotion a USB stick with a pair of glasses was used. The USB features audio (Eurovision version), video and info.

The Czech Republic selected their Lisbon entry through an online National Final thingy.
The songs were voted for for two weeks (until January 22) with the official Eurovision.tv Voting app. The final reveal, including a jury vote, was on Januari 29.
You can listen to all six finalists here.

First Digital release image
Versions
Lie To Me - new single version / Eurovision version
Lie To Me - Original single version (Explicit)
Lie To Me - Instrumental
- digital releases
Lie To Me - censored version of original
- videoclip only
Lie To Me - Spanish/English version
- to be released, audio-video already out now

Charts
Sweden top 100: 21, 24, 51, 97, -
Germany top 100: 29, 61, 83, 96, -
France top 200 (Ifop): 122, -
Austria top 75: 9, 14, 24, 23, 50, -
Spain Physical+Digital sales top 50: 19, -
Spain top 100: 39, 58, -
Portugal top 100: 82, -

Links and sources:
Thanks to Frank
Mikolas Josef: Website,  Facebook, Soundcloud, Instagram
CTV Eurovision Pages, Facebook
Some more Czech Eurovision efforts: 20172016 - 2015 - 2011

Sunday, July 8, 2018

Austria - Nobody But You - Cesár Sampson

promo cds
3 - 342 pts, 4 - 231 pts in semi 1

César Sampson's Nobody But You was the winner of the jury in the Lisbon final.

Already in December ORF introduced Cesár Sampson as the singer of the Austrian Eurovision entry for Lisbon.
Singer and songwriter Sampson already had a little Eurovision experience: He was a backing vocalist for the Bulgarian entries of 2016 and 2017.

Nobody But You is written by Boris Milanov, Sebastian Arman, Joacim Persson and Johan Alkenäs.
Milanov and Persson were also behind the Bulgarian entries of 20182017 and 2016.
(Arman was a co-writer in 2016 too)

The video was revealed on March 9, the digital single was released on March 10.
Karaoke and instrumental were added on March 28.
Watch and listen here.
Remixes will be released soon, watch this space.....

A promo cds is issued. It has the original, instrumental and karaoke versions.
The picture discs offered at e-bay are counterfeit, unofficial, without permission, illegal etc. Don't buy them.

Nobody But You - The EP
A digital EP was released on June 29. It has three previously unreleased versions plus the original karaoke and instrumental.

Digital Release Image
Versions
Nobody But You - single version
Nobody But You - karaoke version
Nobody But You - instrumental version
- digital releases, all on promo
At the contest the intro was cut and it opens with the vocals.
Nobody But You - blues version
Nobody But You - acoustic version
Nobody But You - DJ Burlak remix
- digital releases


Charts
Austria top 75: 64, 1, 13, 41, 45, -
Sweden top 100: 55, -
Germany top 100: 93, -
France top 200 (Ifop): 97, -
Switzerland top 100: 45, -
Spain Physical+Digital sales top 50: 16, -
Spain top 100: 80, -

Alternate Digital Release Image
Links and sources:
Thanks to ORF for the prize!, Thanks to Marek.
Cesár Sampson: Facebook, Instagram
Austria's Eurovision glory: 20172016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 2011

At the end of the 2014 Conchita post at the Copenhagen Collection you can find a list with all charts results of Austrian entries in the home charts. (1965 to 2017)

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Boarding essentials: The Handbook for Lisbon

The Handbook For Lisbon
Like every year, OGAE have published their yearly guide to the Eurovision Song Contest.
If you want to find out about all the artists of the Lisbon contest, this is the book to get.

The full colour 160-page, A5 size handbook is a wonderful companion to your Eurovision nights and beyond.
You'll find backgrounds on all the artists and their songs and the National Selections and other many of them had to conquer to get the ticket to Lisbon.
All is illustrated with pictures of the artists.
The foreword is by Jon Ola Sand.

Special thanks to Ivor Lyttle.

The 160 page booklet is also available here through BeaRecords.

Contact your local OGAE club: List of OGAE NationalFan Clubs.

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Belgium - A Matter Of Time - Sennek

Digital Release Image
12 - 91 pts in semi 1

Sennek a.k.a. Laura Groeseneken represented Belgium in the 2018 contest. This year it was the Flemish broadcaster VRT who took care of the Belgian Eurovision entry.
The song, A Matter Of Time was leaked before the official reveal.
Listen here at the VRT news site.

A Matter Of Time is written by Alex Callier (of Hooverphonic fame) and Maxime Tribeche.
A digital single was released on March 6.
An acoustic version was released on May 25.

No physical release or promo was made.

Here's a nice clip of Laura performing her (English) version of the 2017 winner Amar Pelos Dois on Flemish TV.

Versions
A matter Of Time - single version
- digital release
A Matter Of Time - acoustic
- digital release
A Matter Of Time - karaoke
- digital on the official karaoke album

Charts
Belgium top 50 (Flanders): 33, 26, 19, 23, 24, 24, 27, 23, 11, 13, 9, 46, -

Links and sources:
Laura Groeseneken/Sennek: WebsiteFacebook, Instagram
More Belgium in recent contests: 20172016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Slovenia - Hvala, Ne! - Lea Sirk

Promo cds
22 - 64 pts, 8 - 131 pts in semi 2

Lea Sirk won EMA 2018 and represented Slovenia in Lisbon with the song Hvala, Ne! (Thanks, No!).
The song is written by Lea Sirk, Anej Sirk and DJ Tomy DeClerque.
Watch and listen here at the EMA youtube channel.

All songs in the EMA were performed in Slovenian and Hvala, Ne! was performed in Slovenian in Lisbon.

A digital single was released on March 2.
A promo cds is made for Lisbon, it has the single version, karaoke and instrumental.

A jazzy version featuring the Tomi Purich Trio was released on May 14.

2018 CD
on 12-12-18 Lea Sirk released her CD album 2018. It includes Hvala, Ne and 9 other tracks (Sazas)

Slovenia selected the 2018 Eurovision entry through the 2 round EMA 2018.
16 in the first round from which eight proceded to the final on February 24.
The line up included previous Eurovision singers Tanja Ribič (1997) and ManuElla (2016)

Digital Release Image
Versions
Hvala, Ne! - single version
- digital release
Hvala, Ne! - Eurovision karaoke
- digital on the official karaoke album
Hvala, Ne! - Eurovision instrumental
- all on promo cds
Hvala, Ne! - TrapJazz version ft, Tomi Purich Trio
- digital release
The Eurovision version is different from any of the released versions. Obviously there's the break, but also the intro is cut and some beats are changed.

Picture from Lea Sirk's Facebook
Lea's EMA's
Lea Sirk attempted to get to Eurovision on three previous occasions but she didn't get very far:
2009 Znamenje Iz Sanj (Sign of dreams, 9th)
2010 Vampir Je Moj Poet (The vampire is my poet, 10th)
2017 Freedom (4th in semi final)
In 2014 Lea was a backing singer for Tinkara Kovač at the Copenhagen Eurovision.
So far Lea Sirk has released one album, Roža from 2014.



2014 CD Roža 
Links and sources:
Thanks to Marek.
Lea Sirk: Facebook, Website (new), Instagram
EMA Evrovizija Facebook
Slovenia in recent Eurovisions: 20172016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Australia - We Got Love - Jessica Mauboy

Cd single cover
20 - 99 pts, 4 - 212 in semi 2

Jessica Mauboy represented Australia in the 2018 contest. It was the 2nd time we saw her on the Eurovision stage: She performed her single Sea Of Flags in Copenhagen (2014) when she presented Australia in the interval of the 2nd Semifinal.

The song We Got Love is released as a digital single on March 10. (Sony)
A cdsingle is out now (May 11). The single version is longer than the Eurovision version. (see versions below).
The cdsingle is still available at BeaRecords
(Sony Music Australia 19075837742)

7th Heaven DRI
Four remixes were released (digital) on May 18, see versions below.
A Video edit of the 7th Heaven remix can be found here (video only)

We Got Love is written by David Musumeci and Anthony Egizii (both of DNA Music) with Jessica Mauboy herself.
Musumeci & Egizii also wrote the Australian songs of 2016 and 2017 so they're fast becoming the Ralph Siegel or Thomas G:Son of Australia.

Jessica Mauboy scored 25 times on the Australian charts (9 top 10 hits) since her debut in Australian Idol in 2006.
She currently stars in the TV series The Secret Daughter for which she also recorded two albums with music from the shows. The first Secret Daughter album reached No. 1 in the Australian album charts, the 2nd one got to No. 2. Both albums feature mostly coverversions of well known hits.(but no Eurovision tune in sight).

Tobtok remix DRI
Versions
We Got Love - Eurovision edit
- official Lisbon 2CD
We Got Love - single version (3:22)
- digital release, (forthcoming) cdsingle
We Got Love - 7th Heaven remix 
We Got Love - Tobtok remix
We Got Love - Glammstar remix
We Got Love - Country Club martini Crew remix
- remixes digital releases, all are radio edits
We Got Love - 7th Heaven remix *
We Got Love - Tobtok remix *
We Got Love - Glammstar remix *
- * these three remixes are the full mixes only distributed to DJ's
We Got Love - karaoke version
- digital on the official karaoke album
A Video edit of the 7th Heaven remix can be found here (video only)

Charts
Australian top 100 (Aria): 47, -, 31, -
Sweden top 100: 86, -
France top 200 (Ifop): 148, -
Spain Physical+Digital sales top 50: 44, -

Digital Release Image
Links and sources:
Thanks to Marsman and to Frederick
Jessica Mauboy: Website, Facebook, Instagram
More Australia: 2017 - 2016 - 2015 - (2014)

You'll find details on all Eurovision remixes made by 7th Heaven at the end of the 2017 U.K. post about Lucie Jones

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Denmark - Higher Ground - Rasmussen

Second DRI
9 - 226 pts, 5 - 204 in semi 2

Higher Ground by Rasmussen was the 2018 Eurovision entry for Denmark. The song is written by Niclas Arn and Karl Eurèn.
The song is sung in English but there's one line in Icelandic sung by the backing vocals: "Taka stökk til hærri jörð, taka" (Take a jump to the higher ground, take...)

Higher Ground has been released as a digital single along with instrumental and karaoke versions.
On May 9 the Acoustic version was released along with it's karaoke, instrumental and acapella.

Four remixes were released on May 15 under the tantalizing title of Higher Ground Remixes Vol. 1. (digital release, see versions below)

A counterfeit, fake, illegal cdsingle has been spotted, don't buy it. No physical release or promo was made.

Acoustic versions DRI
Jonas Flodager Rasmussen a.k.a. Bon Jonesy is the lead singer of rock cover band Hair Metal Heröes.



Versions
Higher Ground - single version
Higher Ground - karaoke
Higher Ground - instrumental
- first digital release.
Higher Ground - Acoustic
Higher Ground - Acoustic karaoke
Higher Ground - Acoustic instrumental
Higher Ground - Acoustic acapella
- Acoustics are digital releases (May 9)
Remixes Vol 1 DRI
Higher Ground - Renegade remix
Higher Ground - 5&Dime remix
Higher Ground - 5&Dime remix extended
Higher Ground - Dany Comaro remix
- above 4 remixes digital in Remixes Vol. 1 (May 15)
A Matt Pop remix and its instrumental have been made but have not been officially released. They have been on the tube but are gone now.
Charts
Danish Tracklisten top 40: 9, 15, 30, -, 10, 40
Sweden top 100: 29, 74, -
Germany top 100: 89, -
France top 200 (Ifop): 65, -
Switzerland top 100: 43, -
Austria top 75: 49, -
Spain Physical+Digital sales top 50: 50, -

DMGP
Denmark announced their list of hopefuls for the 2018 contest on January.
The songs are released on February 5, the final is on February 10.
It seems most are now available outside Denmark. Higher Ground is available worldwide, but the Sannie song isn't.

One of the contestants was Sannie, the artist formerly known as Whigfield. I have so many fond memories of her 1994 hit Saturday Night. She didn't make it to the final three.
The full list is here at DR.


1st Digital release image
Links and sources:
Thanks to Marek and to Marsman (see comments) and to Frank
Rasmussen: Hair Metal Heröes Facebook, Bon Jonesy Instagram
DR Eurovision / MGP pages
Denmarks recent entries: 20172016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

Monday, May 14, 2018

Moldova - My Lucky Day - DoReDoS

Digital Release Image
10 - 209 pts, 3 - 235 in semi 2

DoReDoS won the Moldovan  National Final O Melodie Pentru Europa on the 24th of February.
Their song My Lucky Day is written by Russian Eurovision star Philippe Kirkorov and Swedish songwriter/producer John Ballard.
Listen here at DoReDoS Youtube

A new version of the song was revealed on March 13. It's here.
The digital single was released on iTunes on March 23 and on Amazon on April 6.

The promo cd has nine versions, see versions below. It also has a bonus track Constantine and a video of MLD.

A Russian version is recorded (video) and a Romanian one may follow, watch this space.....
Remixes of the English and Russian version were released on May 11.
The Russian version was released as a digital single on May 18.

DoReDoS are Marina Djundiet, Eugeniu Andrianov, and Sergiu Mita.
They have two more Eurovision attempts to their name.
In 2015 they ended 6th in the Moldovan final with Maricica.
In 2016 they ended 4th with Funnyfolk

DoReDos composer and mentor Philippe Kirkorov is a bit of a Russian legend. He participated in the 1995 Eurovsision himself without much success but he has been involved with Eurovision on many occasions as songwriter, producer, jury and all round uncle. He co-wrote the Belorussian entry in 2007 (Work Your Magic by Koldun) and the 2008 entry for Ukraine (Ani Lorak's Shady Lady)
He also recorded many Eurocovers (coverversions of Eurovision songs), I'll see if I can get into that later....

John Ballard co-wrote several Eurovision entries: Azerbaijan 2013, Russia 2014, Russia 2016 and Greece 2017.
He also entered in the Swedish Melodifestival (as a singer) in 1983 and 1984.
In the 90's he wrote and produced several hits for Ace Of Base

Remix DRI
Versions
My Lucky Day - Eurovision version*
- On the Lisbon 2CD
My Lucky Day (a.k.a. Мой Счастливый День) - Russian version
- video
My Lucky Day - Shantel remix
- DoReDos youtube
My Lucky Day - Russian Shantel remix
My Lucky Day - Remix by Ra
My Lucky Day - DJ Katya Guseva remix*
My Lucky Day - DJ Katya Guseva remix (Russian)*
My Lucky Day - Shantel remix karaoke
My Lucky Day - Karaoke Instrumental *
- all above on promo cds, versions marked * have been released digitally
My Lucky Day - First version
- DoReDos youtube


Picture from DoReDos Facebook
Links and sources:
Thanks to DoReDos
DoReDos: WebsiteFacebook, Instagram
TRM
Moldova's greatest bits: 20172016 - 2015 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

Friday, May 11, 2018

Lithuania - When We're Old - Ieva Zasimauskaitė

Digital Release Image
12 - 181 pts, 9 - 119 pts in semi 1

Ieva Zasimauskaitė represented Lithuania in the 2018 contest with the song When We're Old written by Vytautas Bikus.
Lithuania selected their entry for Lisbon through I don't know how many rounds. 48 songs and the final on March 11.

Ieva also recorded the song in Lithuanian as Kol Myliu.

Here's the videoclip (studioversion) and the Lithuanian version.

Both version were released (digital) on March 15. A remix by Jovani was released on April 19 (and revealed earlier on Ieva's facebook). The remix of the Lithuanian version was released on May 4.

A promo cdsingle is issued for Lisbon. see versions below.

Lithuanian version DRI
Ieva Zasimauskaitė participated in the Lithuanian selection a few times:
2013 I fall In Love (duet with Gabrielius Vagelis) 5th 
2014 As a singer, didn’t get to the stage with the participating songs.
2016 Life (Not That Beautiful) 4th

Versions
When We're Old - English version
Kol Myliu - Lithuanian version
- digital releases
When We're Old - Jovani remix
- digital release
Kol Myliu - Jovani remix (Lithuanian)
When We're Old - karaoke
- digital on the official karaoke album
- all except the Lithuanian remix are on the promo
At the contest Ieva sang one line in Lithuanian, this "version"was not released.

Remix DRI
Links and sources
Thanks to Frederick
Ieva Zasimauskaitė: Facebook, Instagram
LRT Eurovision pages
Lithuania's Eurovision attempts: 2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

Macedonia - Lost And Found - Eye Cue

Digital Release Image
18 - 24 pts in semi 1

Macedonia (F.Y.R.) entered the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest with the song Lost And Found by the band Eye Cue. The song is written by band member Bojan Trajkovski.
The song was revealed on March 11.
Watch and listen here.

A digital single has the Eurovision and karaoke versions. (Effective records).
A 1-track promo cd is issued.
A remix was released on May 11.

Eye Cue currently are Marija Ivanovska, Bojan Trajkovski with drummer Ivo Mitkovski (who is in the video but not on the release image).

Versions
Lost And Found - Eurovision version
- promo, Lisbon 2CD
Lost And Found - Going Deeper Remix
Lost And Found - Karaoke
- all digital releases

Pic from Eye Cue CD Само Сакав! from 2015
Links and sources:
Thanks to Krzysztof
Eye Cue: Facebook, Instagram
MRT announcement
Macedonia's Eurovision adventures of 2017 -  2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009