With Junior Eurovision 2016 approaching, we’ve decided to take a look back into the history of the contest to decide on some of our very favourites. Our last Top 5 (which you can find here) looked at our favourites between 2003 and 2009, and now it’s time to look at our favourites between 2010 and 2015. This proved to be a bit of a challenge, with the quality of songs improving more and more each year! Nevertheless, we’ve finally decided on our 5 favourite songs, and here they are!
5. Sweden – Erik Rapp – Faller – 2011
Rounding out our top 5 is Erik Rapp, who represented Sweden in 2011 with a cracker of a pop song, called faller. The song is everything a good pop song should be, it’s catchy, well produced, and well performed. This is one of the songs that feels a bit more grown up, which for me, made it stand out amongst others in the competition. The stage performance is simple, but it works – it’s not too choreographed but it’s also not too messy. Erik also knows how to work the camera! Overall, this remains one of our favourites, and we definitely needed to include it!
4. Armenia – Compass Band – Sweetie Baby – 2012
This may not be a big fan favourite, but this is definitely one of my Junior Eurovision favourites of all time. This is Compass Band, who represented Armenia in 2012 with the song Sweetie Baby. The act is reminiscent of the Beatles, in sound and in appearances, but the boy band bring their own charisma to the stage. The song is simple, but classy, and the same can be said about their performance, but there’s just something so charming about the quartet. The band ended up in 3rd spot, with just short of 100 points.
3. Azerbaijan – Rustam Karimov – Me and My Guitar – 2013
This is where it gets difficult. Choosing between the top 3 was a difficult choice, as all three are equally as good, in my eyes. In 3rd place (honorary equal 1st with number 1 and 2) is Me and My Guitar, performed by easily the cutest kid on the planet, Rustam Karimov. Personality oozes out of Rustam, and although the live performance wasn’t the best, this is still one of my favourite Junior Eurovision songs ever. The actual stage performance was very child friendly and just awesomely choreographed, and the actual official video was really well produced. I love this!
2. Belarus – Ruslan Aslanov – Volshebstvo – 2015
This was an even closer race between first and second place, as both of these transcend expectations audiences may have about the talents of young children. Ruslan is a very capable singer, and this song could have easily fit into the Eurovision line-up. In fact, I think this song and singer combination was better than some of the previous Belarussian offerings at regular adult Eurovision. The song builds well, and Ruslan hits the big notes exactly when he needs to hit them. The performance itself is magical – the smoke, the backdrop, the lights – everything worked to his advantage, and it’s easy to see why this came 4th (although I think it should have at least made top 3!)
1. Bulgaria – Krisia, Hasan and Ibrahim – Planet of the Children – 2014
This is insanity. If you’ve already heard this song, both the studio and live versions, you’ll know what I mean. Krisia is easily one of the most talented young singers in Europe today, and the fact that she was recovering from sickness the week of Junior Eurovision but yet still able to belt out a challenging song is just incredible. Who knows what would have happened if she was feeling 100% – I think Italy’s winning song would have definitely been challenged by this. The song itself is very moving. It builds beautifully, and after the brief moment of instrumental, we’re punched in the face with one last incredibly sung chorus. Although it’s not a really poppy song, it’s still an uplifting ballad which could have easily placed well in the Eurovision context, let alone Junior Eurovision. This girl has a huge future ahead of her, if this is the voice she has as a child. The boys are great addition to the song too, as the piano work is also incredible. I think this song is insanely good, there’s nothing that I don’t love, and that’s why it’s my number 1!
So there it is, our top 5 Junior Eurovision songs from the years 2010 – 2015! Make sure you share with us your favourites! You can interact with us either on this post, or through our social media, which you can find linked below: