Eurovision Song Contest 2003

I think now that I've got all but one of the 00's ESC compilations, I'll finally be able to find through these reviews, which year was the best. I'm putting my money onto 2001 but we'll see.

#1 Iceland - Birgitta - Open Your Heart 9½

Strong opening [pun not intended], even though this is the version with the worsened chorus melody.

#2 Austria - Alf Poier - Weil der Mensch zählt 5

Urgh. Do I really have to listen to this? And 6th position!?! Like the "artist" himself said, "Shame on you, Europe!"

#3 Ireland - Mickey Harte - We've Got the World 7½

Weak copy of Fly on the Wings of Love (which I never liked). Not very offensive. Nuff said.

#4 Turkey - Sertab Erener - Everyway That I Can 8½

I really really would never have believed in this's victory before knowing anything about the show she was going to put up and hardly even then. I used to think this was just something eclectic and average but having heard (and danced) it too many times, I've learnt to like it. And of course I'm willing to have granted Turkey its first win. Interesting tense expression, that.

#5 Malta - Lynn Chircop - To Dream Again 8½

I must be just about the only one who ever liked this. It was even my fourth favourite in the Maltese final. Sure, it's by no means spectacular but then again, neither was 7th Wonder and it placed second in 2002. This is certainly famous for the huge transformation from the original version to the final and this one sounds even different once again. I think I preferred the final version.

#6 Bosnia & Herzegovina - Mija Martina - Could It Be 9

Oh no, this big band humppa version (and her dress) pretty much ruined the originally good entry. This used to be disco/dance, but this version is rather schlager/rock. The three modulations, luckily, still remain. Additionally, the Bosnian version was better. The video that was called "b-class porn" was funny - did I ever said there was anything wrong with b-class porn? Actually, I did but well...

#7 Portugal - Rita Guerra - Deixa-me sonhar (Só mais uma vez) 7

Oh, Portugal, what's wrong with you? The last good entry you've managed was back in 1996... And each year it seems to get worse and worse... You used to be my favourite country back then, especially 86 and 89-94. Why this kind of generic blooh is allowed to be made in the most beautiful language of the world? At least the singer's name and the song title are difficult enough to pronounce: [Rítâ géRRâ], [däishâmösonjár sómaishumavesh]

#8 Croatia - Claudia Beni - Vise nisam tvoja 7½

It says something that I first accidentally typed "Sasvim sigurna" as the title for this. I won't say anything else.

#9 Cyprus - Stelios Konstantas - Feeling Alive 8

Decent is the word to describe this. And even more decent it would be if there was some more variation. It would even have helped to have replaced one of the choruses with an instrumental.

#10 Germany - Lou - Let's Get Happy 10

Now we're in the business. Can you possibly get any more eurosongy than this? All hail the eternal Mr. Siegel. Plus anything with the line "Let's be gay" can't be bad, can it? Well... But at least this isn't. Might even be Germany's best entry to date! The video was fun.

#11 Russia - Tatu - Ne ver, ne bojsia, ne prosi 6

Uugh. I so would've died in my boots, had this won. Luckily three points spelled the difference. And no, this is not danceable.

#12 Spain - Beth - Dime 10

I think this may have become my top favourite, even though Slovenia was my #1 at the time of the final. Even Spain's best entry? Maybe so. Just so great to dance to, and to sing as well, why not. Why oh why didn't the stupid Spaniards choose Davinia's Mi obsesión in 2004? It would've made a worthy candidate for the best Spanish entry competition.

#13 Israel - Lior Narkis - Words for Love 7½

If you thought Lou was campy, take a look at this. Uh. The era of these passed in the eighties, wake up Israel.

#14 Netherlands - Esther Hart - One More Night 8½

The epitome of basic. Not offensive in any way, just average.

#15 UK - Jemini - Cry Baby 7

UK, zero points - hooray! One of the worst acts even seen on the ESC stage.

#16 Ukraine - Oleksandr - Hasta la vista 8

Blah, my entry would've been so much better. Fortunately a year later Ukraine came to their senses and brought forth Ruslana. Ouch, they still seem to pronounce the "h" at some points.

#17 Greece - Mando - Never Let You Go 7

Classy is the word. But even if this isn't very interesting, I'm okay with Mando having participated. After all, if she hadn't been robbed of her participation back in 89, the best ESC song ever would've never been there.

#18 Norway - Jostein Hasselgård - I'm Not Afraid to Move on 10

Way to go, Norway, this is the way ballads should be, not like those in 01 or 04. Your success was well deserved.

#19 France - Louisa Baileche - Monts et merveilles 7½

But you, France, should notice that since your resurgence in 01, you've been steadily going down. This is quite pleasant, though. But not enough to keep me awake.

#20 Poland - Ich Troje - Zadnych granic 5

Blurphg. This used to be the last on my list and I think it's that still.

#21 Latvia - F.L.Y. - Hello from Mars 9

Best of the basics. But the results once again showed what happens to the basic...

#22 Belgium - Urban Trad - Sanomi 7½

If I had trouble predicting Turkey's victory, let's say nothing about this and its second place... Well, I wasn't alone as next to no one in the whole Europe predicted that. I think I must raise my score from the initial 6 somewhat.

#23 Estonia - Ruffus - Eighties Coming Back 8½

I can't understand why the band changed its name from the nice "Claire's Birthday" to a dog food brand? Well, not that I'd have anything against dog food. In the Estonian selection I thought this would've been their best choice. Well, turned out it wasn't. I even predicted this to win. Well, turned out it wouldn't.

#24 Romania - Nicola - Don't Break My Heart 9½

Nicely rolling song with some Finnish influences. The video was one of my absolute favourites, even though it never came true.

#25 Sweden - Fame - Give Me Your Love 9

Sweden stay loyal to their style and quality and get the same placing year to year. Wonder when they'll win again... All in all, they must be the most consistent country of them all.

#26 Slovenia - Karmen Stavec - Nanana 10

Oh my old favourite, now number two. I'm a bit distracted after someone compared this to Sahlene's Runaway, but on the other hand, that as well rise in my ranking just before the contest. But still I think Slovenia should've picked Nusa Derenda's Prvic in zadjnic instead of this. Luckily in 2005 they'll finally have given up on the crappy expert juries. From the Hits for Mids. 3 review: "My favourite from ESC 2003 and as already mentioned, the reason this whole thing was created. Reforming the chant I styled before the contest for a certain unfortunate necessity: 'Was not supposed to be loser but babe, that's what she was'."