and now...to 2008! Happy New Year!

Well, having spent Christmas with Dana in Dublin, we're back at Eurovision Express HQ for one night until we head off again.

Whilst we were waiting for our flight back, we flicked through a plethora of Eurovision related books in Dublin airport - autobiographies by Dana (IRE 70), Dickie Rock (IRE 66) and even Daniel O'Donnell all mention the contest. Cosy Daniel, reminiscing about 1997, thought that 'Marc Roberts had it in the bag right up to the end, until Catriona(sic!) and the Waves snatched victory'. We don't quite remember it this way! Wasn't it the biggest winning margin ever at that point in the history of the Contest?

So, we're off to celebrate New Year in the U.K's party capital (we'll let you guess where) so who better to sing us out of 2007 and wish us all a Happy New Year than ABBA.




HAPPY NEW YEAR! We'll be back soon.

Merry Christmas from Eurovision Express!

We're celebrating our first Christmas here at Eurovision Express HQ...and look who's dropped in to sing us a Christmas Song.....?
Why, it's the one and only DANA

Altogether now...."It's gonna be a cold cold Christmas without you...."



Merry Eurovision Christmas to all!

Now where did I put that Egg-Nog?

Shayne Ward for the UK in 2008?

The news team at Eurovision Express were out last night, attending a Maltese spectacular in....Birmingham! The event clashed with a Celine Dion TV special - so we taped it. Would Celine refer to the Contest? The answer was an emphatic YES!



First up came Louis Walsh, former manager of 1992 winner, Linda Martin. Now better known as an X Factor judge, Louis said he remembered Celine's win in Dublin fondly, and went on to ask her something else....heh ho! At least the Contest got a mention!

But we then fell off our seats when Louis' protegee and X Factor winner, Shayne Ward, asked Celine specfically about winning the Contest? Would Celine deny everything like Julio Iglesias once did? Not at all!!!

In an audience that included 1970 winner Dana, and 1998 presenter Ulrika Jonnson, good old Celine said that her song (Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi) was amazing, she sang her heart out, and that the win 'started my career so well'. Good for you, girl!

Eurovision Express is now wondering whether Louis is grooming Shayne as the UK's representative for 2008, or maybe - just as Celine did - he's thinking of putting Shayne forward for another country. Maybe Shayne will be singing Mr Gary Barlow's song in next year's MYMU.....if that happened we really would fall off our seats!!!

Bye Bye Helsinki...Hello Belgrade

As we leave 2007 behind, let's look back on what was an eventful 52nd contest . Highlights included:

UK finishing 2nd last!
Ireland finishing last!
No Western countries progressing to the final!
Olivia Lewis from Malta crying herself to sleep in her dress!
A non-English language ballad winning the whole thing!
A great host country!
The return of Edsilia from the Netherlands!
Some madness from France! Tres bonne, merci!
A bizarre 12 points to the UK from Malta! How did that happen? ;-)



Could 2008 be as interesting....?
Roll on May! 2 semi finals and 43 countries! And numerous national finals and semi-finals!

Hurrah! Bring it on!

Barlow Back For Britain?

Apparently the BBC has asked Take That frontman, Gary Barlow, to write a song for the 2008 Making Your Mind Up. But the boyband themselves won't be performing it - and who can blame them? In an Eastern dominated Contest, it's unlikely that even they would win.

But heh, let's hope Barlow gives us a ballad belter like Patience or Back for Good. Don't get too excited though. If we remember correctly Gary had a go at writing a Eurovision winner back in 2004 - we can't be sure, cos the songwriters' names weren't revealed. The song that he probably wrote (we think it was something for Haifa) was average to say the least. So Barlow, no B sides please - just a soaring ballad!

Eurovision Express is pleased to hear that, so far, X Factor finalists, Same Difference, have not been asked to take part in MYMU. Let's hope it stays that way!

A Ballad to Belgrade for the UK please!

The visitors to this blog have voted that the UK should send a ballad to Belgrade if they want to stand a chance of doing well at next year's Eurovision Song Contest.

The poll results were:

42% Ballad
33% Pop
21% Rock
4% Rap

Could a ballad help the UK's recent depressingly low placings? Maybe! When was the last UK ballad (apart from Cyndi in 2007 who so should have gone to Helsinki instead of those Ryanair rejects)?...Oh Yes! That would be Jessica Garlick! Ah...those were the days, a top 10 placing for the UK.

So please, UK, no trashy tackiness next year, put a "real" song in! It couldn't do any worse than recent efforts!

Aussie Euro hit show comes to the UK!

Following it's successful run at the Edinburgh festival, a Eurovision-style stage show is making it's way around the U.K.

Join the cheering, flag-waving, clapper-clacking crowds as ten countries compete live on stage for the golden trophy in a glittering glamour-fest of satin and shiny white teeth. Text in your vote on your mobile phone* and decide the winner every night!

This award-winning musical has taken Australia by storm and is only a handful of sequins away from whipping up a frenzy in the West End.

The "EuroBeat" show is currently on tour throughout the U.K., so it may be coming to a venue near YOU!

Visit the website here for details of the tour

Norway says No-way to outsiders

The songs and songwriters for Norway's upcoming MGP have been announced. And this year Norway has decided to keep it in the family. After much criticism in the past the national broadcaster, NRK, has only allowed Norwegian composers through.

So there'll be no Thomas G:Son, who wrote last year's Norwegian entry, Ven A Bailar Conmigo, and no other Swedes either!

Eurovision Express is quite excited to see Anne Takle listed as one of the songwriters. Anne is featured on the new Secret Garden CD, Inside I'm Singing, where she provides vocals for an expanded version of the 1995 Eurovision winner, Nocturne.

Good luck Anne, and Good luck Norge!

Boom-Bang-A-Bang in the North and Schlagerparty in the South

Looking for some Eurovision action early in 2008?

Well, why not get the new year off to a great start with a Eurovision event or two? On 31st January, Boom-Bang-A-Bang takes place in Manchester's famous Canal Street. The event is one of many regular Eurovision-related events that take place in Manchester during the year.


If that isn't enough Eurovision, you could always hop on the Virgin train the next day from Manchester to London for the Schlagerparty in the Loom Bar on the 1st February. Another regular event on the Eurovision calendar, it promises to be a very popular evening!


For details on the Boom-Bang-A-Bang Manchester event click here.
For details on the Schlager Party in London, click here

And first up...it's Andorra!

Here at Eurovision Express we've been debating whether Andorra or San Marino is the smallest country to take part in Eurovision. But whichever it is, Andorra has not only announced its singer -Gisela- and song title -Casanova-, but a snatch of it is already on the web! Long gone are the days when we didn't hear the songs until a couple of weeks before the Contest itself!

Anyway, Casanova is a fabulous piece of Europop, which would probably sit very happily in any Scandanavian national final.

EurovisionExpress expects Casanova to be a BIG fan favourite, and massive in Belgrade nightclubs come next May. In other words it has all the ingredients to do a Kate Ryan, and end up nowhere, despite a guaranteed 12 points from Spain. Let's just hope sense prevails and Gisela makes it to the Final, and does Andorra proud.

Link to song here....
Andorra 2008

She's holding out for a HERO!

She's back! Charlotte Nilsson-Perelli is back in the Swedish MelodiFestival and with a song written by Fredrik Kempe and Bobby Ljunggren, it's bound to be one of the hot faves. It's called "Hero".

There is a fly in the ointment though...in the guise of E-Type/Poodles which will probably get the popular Swedish vote!


Interesting MelodiFestival season beckons!

"Nocturne" now has more than 24 words!

Eurovision Express has just received the marvellous new CD from 1995 Eurovision winners Secret Garden.

Secret Garden, of course, produced one of the Contest's most controversial winners - Nocturne. With only 24 words some questioned whether it could legitimagely qualify as a song.

Well the critics can now be silenced, as the first track on the new CD - Inside I'm Singing - treats us to a fully-worded version of the 1995 winner, performed by singer/songwriter Anne Takle.

Petter Skavlan and Rolf Lovland have completed the story of this song from the original 2 dozen words, adding another verse and two choruses along the original theme of night into day.

This theme of adding lyrics to previously-released Secret Garden material continues throughout the CD, with one of the performers being none other than Ms Barbra Streisand! Other notable contributors are Elaine Paige ,and former Eurovision contenders Tommy Korberg, Bryan Kennedy and Niamh Kavanagh.

Congratulations Belarus!

Hooray! We're celebrating here at Eurovision Express HQ. It looked like we weren't going to win any money tonight on Junior Eurovision...until the last set of votes. We had put money on Bulgaria and Belarus to win, and it looked like the favourites Armenia were going to take the prize.......

....and then, Belarus stepped up to the voting and snatched victory for themselves...by 1 vote! Fab! We got it at 25/1 so drinks on Belarus tonight.... Philip Kirkorov - take note - this is how to win Eurovision!

Time for champagne!!

Junior 2007 - Poll Results - Double Dutch?

Thank you to the many visitors to this blog who have taken the time to vote in our Junior ESC predictor. You have decided that the top 5 should be:

1. Netherlands
2. Belgium
3. FYR Macedonia
4. Greece
5. Romania

So a home win is predicted. We've still got a soft spot for the Bon Bon group from Bulgaria, and for Romania, FYRoM and Belarus.

The contest is about to start, so let's see who will win!!!

Bon chance!

Junior 2007 - Keep on Voting!

We have had over 90 votes so far on our Junior Eurovision Song Contest predictor. Thank you to all of our visitors for taking the time to participate in our vote.

Voting will close 1 hour before the contest begins.

So far, it looks like our own particular favourite, Bulgaria, is lagging behind somewhat. Visitors to this blog have decided that the host country, Netherlands, stands the best chance of taking the 1st prize....but it's not over yet!

So, if you haven't yet voted, please do so.

Junior Eurovision - The Betting!

An internet betting site has the latest odds on tomorrow's Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Whilst we have thrown our weight behind Bulgaria's "Bon Bonlandia", Armenia appear to be the favourite at 7/2 followed by Russia at 5/1.

Full list of odds:

Armenia 7/2
Russia 5/1
Ukraine 11/2
Netherlands 13/2
Georgia 7/1
Bulgaria 15/2
Serbia 15/2
Romania 10/1
Belgium 14/1
Cyprus 16/1
Malta 16/1
Belarus 16/1
Sweden 18/1
Greece 20/1
Lithuania 22/1
F.Y.R. Macedonia 25/1
Portugal 28/1

Junior Eurovision 2007 - Our Prediction - It's BON BON for Bulgaria!

Junior Eurovision is almost here. Eurovision Express predicts BULGARIA to win with ROMANIA in a close second.

The Group BON BON with the song Bon Bonlandia has all the catchiness and simplicity that should see Bulgaria romp home. This is despite the fact that they are in last place in other polls. Hey Ho! What would Eurovision be without the difference of opinion?

Unfortunately, TVEi won't be broadcasting the contest this year so for some of us in Europe, we will have to rely on the internet to watch the contest.

It all kicks off at 1915GMT tomorrow night.

Bonne chance a tous!

GO BULGARIA!

Best of Junior - No.1 - THE WINNER - Little Sakis does it for Greece!

We have arrived at what we think is the best Junior Eurovision song of all time....and ironically it was the very first Junior song performed back in 2003! It is, of course, the adorable little Nicolas and the girls from Greece with the fantastic Fili Yia Panta which translates as Friends forever. Aah!

When Nicolas took to the stage , all 2ft 4 of him, holding what looked like the world's biggest microphone, we knew that Junior Eurovision was going to be very different! And so it proved. The lack of nerves, the professionalism, and the sheer talent of these youngsters was amazing. This song, with its built-in rap, won the hearts of Eurovision Express (who were in the audience to witness this phenomenon).

Congratulations Nicolas and Greece. Helena Papawotsit...no, Nicolas is the true Greek Eurovision star!

Keep voting on who will win this year's contest on this blog. We will reveal our "top tip" for Saturday's contest and will be throwing a few shillings on it!

Bonne chance a tous!

Meanwhile, let's hear Nicolas and the girls one more time!!

Best of Junior - No.2 - The Runner-Up....Mother Russia!

Well, what can we say about the Tomalchevy Sisters? When they did their Jazz-meets-Annie little ditty in Bucharest in 2006, we knew it was a sure-fire winner. Vesna romped home to take the crown for the little darlings and for Mother Russia. Catchy song, fabulous outfits, marvellous routine. A few "senior" eurovision entrants could learn from this!

Altogether now, ba-da-do-daaaa-ba-da-do-daa-daah...bah-bah-doo-daah!

This almost made it to our top spot, but was pipped at the post! Find out our no.1 Junior Eurovision Song tomorrow!

The Best of Junior - No.3 - Spain Again...!

Eurovision Express just can't get enough of all things Spanish in our rundown of the best songs to have graced the Junior stage.

Picking up our bronze medal is another Spanish song, again from our favourite year, 2003. Obviously we really wanted the UK's Tom Morley to win the first Contest, but our fingers were also secretly crossed for Sergio and his fabulous ballad Desde El Cielo, which was dedicated to his late mum. Bless him!

Of course Dino from Croatia took the big prize in 03, but there's no denying Spain had made a strong impression, and, as we've already seen, wouldn't have to wait long before they took the ultimate prize.

Why can't Spain send songs like this to the adult contest?

The Best of Junior - No. 4 - UK in Top 10 shocker!!

Remember when the UK used to do quite well in the Eurovision Song Contest? No, nor do we! But we've had far more success with the Junior competition.

In 2004 Cory Spedding was the runner-up with The Best Is Yet To Come. But Cory just misses out in our Six of the Best countdown. Edging ahead, and coming in 4th, is the UK's first entry from 2003 - Tom Morley and My Song For The World, an ode to global peace and harmony.

It seemed that all was fine and dandy for the UK in Junior Eurovision land, but in 2005 Joni Fuller's How Does It Feel left Europe decidedly unimpressed, and that was that. The UK withdrew from the Contest.

A return to the competition seems highly unlikely, but we'll always have Tom's tune to remind us of how well the UK can do when it tries.

The Best of Junior - No.5 - Y Viva Espana!

In at Number 5 in Eurovision Express' countdown of the Best of Junior comes Spain's winning song from 2004 - Antes Muerta Que Sencilla, which jollily translates as Better Dead Than Normal.

Quite whether the uber-confident performer of the song, Maria Isabel, should be suggesting it's better to kick the bucket than be a regular kind of kid, is pretty questionable. But Spain went crazy when they came out on top, and why shouldn't they? Their last Eurovision win was way back in 1969.

Spain's record in the Junior Contest is highly impressive (one win, two seconds and a fourth), so it all came as a bit of shock when they decided to pull out of this year's Contest. Apparently some big cheese at TVE thinks the whole thing's a bit inappropriate....

Oh well, get your fans out and relive a bit of high drama, but remember being 'normal' is nothing to be ashamed of!

The Best of Junior - No.6 - Danish Delights

Here we go! Eurovision Express' run down of the 6 best songs to have graced the Junior Eurovision stage.

In at number 6 is Denmark's first entry from 2003 - Arabiens Drom, sung by Anne. Eurovision Express was convinced the Danes would walk away with the inaugural Junior crown with this oriental flavoured ditty. But it wasn't to be. Anne came in 5th.

The first Junior Eurovision was the idea of the Danes, but, just like the UK, they pulled out after the 2005 competition. Shame.

Oh well, let's rewind to 2003. Altogether now - Shaba-di-ba-da! Shaba-di-ba-da! Ai-ai-ai-ai!