Eurovision

[schneefink]

This week Austria had student union election and I didn't go. It's the first election I was eligible for that I didn't vote in, and I feel a bit guilty about it. But I was sick the whole week and didn't have the brain to look at any of the party programs, so I decided to spare myself the trip. The union will survive.

I also didn't vote for a Eurovision contestant, though in hindsight I wish I had. I watched it with LB tonight, which we never did before, but it was a lot of fun. He usually almost exclusively listens to classical music, and my musical taste is most times "whatever's on the radio" and I switch stations three times a year, but we have surprisingly strong opinions about songs. Very important for both of us is that we want songs to have a good structure and not just repeat the same phrase all the time, which is why we're both very unhappy with Sweden winning :( The song was boring, 0815 pop lalala. Russia, on the other hand, had a very good song, and Gagarina would have made an excellent ambassador. Disappointing.

Other countries: I really liked Serbia's song, I was surprised she got so few votes. Her voice is fantastic. Australia had a flawless presentation and a good song. I really liked Romania, and also Montenegro, who both also got bonus points from me for using their native languages. Georgia had a good presentation, but should have tweaked the song just a little, same with Latvia. Israel and Italy were fun.
Countries I didn't like very much: Estonia (boring and repetitive), the UK (as the Austrian announcer said, wtf), Germany (terrible presentation), Spain (wannabe queen of the universe) and a few others were boring but I don't remember them.

I thought Austria did a good job with hosting. The short intros before each song were fun, and a Grubinger percusssion performance during voting was perfect.

Comments

[schneefink]

Australia and Italy had the most polished performances, it was obvious those guys were pros. Our commentators were joking about how convenient it would be if Australia won, because the next Eurovision would still be in Europe but Australia would have to pay ;)
I'm happy Australia didn't come last, I just hoped someone else would instead of us! (And Germany. At least that's something.)

[tielan]

Our commentators were joking about how convenient it would be if Australia won, because the next Eurovision would still be in Europe but Australia would have to pay ;)

Now I'm even more glad that we didn't win! :D

Funny story: my sis and I were watching/listening to Eurovision, and my sis had her back to the screen. When the Australians came on she said "this must be the song for Australia, I actually understand what they're saying". And when the Italians sang, she turned around, started reading the subtitles, and then turned back around again. "I prefer not knowing what they're singing; it sounds more magnificent, less soppy."

[schneefink]

Subtitles are probably smart, but it feels like cheating. Sometimes when I roll my eyes at how bad German translations of English songs or movies sound I wonder how much of that is because of the translation, and how much of it is that it just bothers me less in other languages.