Eurovision 2012

I had a good feeling about this Eurovision.  This year seems to be the year of Britons.  After a decade of political turmoil and financial crisis that has done nothing but slate the United Kingdom, we've finally made some kind of leeway.  Yes, we can pull down the covers, and put a foot out of our beds, because for once things seem to be going our way.

Our Eurovision Party

Consider last year, the epic event that was William and Kate's wedding.  A fantastic affair that had the whole country putting their miserable money problems aside to join in the festivities no matter how anti-Royalist you were.  Unfortunately following this was the dismal blemish of the riots.  A sordid affair that dragged the idiots from their caverns to reduce themselves to mindless robbery because they could.  But we bounced back.

Now in 2012 we have everything to be proud of.  We're hosting the Olympic games.  Despite the less than on par ceremony we put on at the close of the Beijing games, there is a general buzz of excitement for the games to be carried out in good old Blighty.

We have the Queen's Golden Jubilee in a couple of weeks.  And again if you're not a Royalist you still will appreciate the be merry atmosphere that it will create across the country.  It's a time to celebrate, if not a long reign from Elizabeth II, but to mark a historic event and a passing of the time.

We can also say, following Britain's Got Talent, that we do have exactly that, talent.  Even if it comes in the form of a little dancing dog.  But we do.

So it's with this information that I held our chances in Eurovision this year with high esteem.  Countries have to finally let the UK have their moment.  As it was we failed, and we failed bad, coming second to last.  Some might say this is a great achievement considering past performances and considering that not a single performance didn't get at least one vote.  It just shows the high calibre of it all.  But there were a number of things that really struck me:-

1) Englebert is an international star.  Alright maybe my age group may not know who he is, but I've heard of him and respect him as one of the Golden greats of a past generation, similar to that of Meatloaf.  He should have had some recognition.
2) It just so happened that by half way, all the countries lurking at the bottom of the scoring board were all bordering us or near-to us.
3) Countries seem to stick by their neighbour, no matter how at odds that vote is compared to the rest of Europe
4) Since when were Russia part of Europe?!!
5) How come the more traditional acts that do well seem to do really poorly lately i.e. the 'Jedward' acts.
6) The time zones are completely different.  How can we get the votes we need when the majority of Eastern Europe are going to be in bed for the voting performances.
7) The winning Swedish song was actually a hit in several countries prior to her being on Eurovision.  Play fair guys!
8) Lordi are just so ... cool ... (^_^)

As the premise of Eurovision is the best written song I think we're slowly losing sight of that.  Instead it's becoming a political chessboard with the exception that we know who's making the next move and where.  Before we know it, UK is CHECKMATE.

However, aside from all of this, it was a fantastic night.  It would have been hard to predict a winner even removing any political bias.  And ever since the semi's I did really like the Swedish song.  And as a solo singer, dancing and doing backflips, with the wind machine and her hair whipping her face, it's hard not to see why she should be the winner.


But here's to future Eurovision's - you're highly entertaining but please change the voting system even further!!

Loreen - Euphoria.  Sweden 2012 Eurovision Entry.  Winner.

(**Warning** - this video includes flashing lights.  Please ignore all phone numbers as voting has now closed)