For a number of weeks now, we’ve been going back through the years to rediscover the forgotten, the songs that may have been close (or may not have been close!) to reaching the final, but fell at the last hurdle. Today we’re going back to 2007, and this year is different to the previous posts we’ve done in the series because there was only one semi-final. Not to worry, because instead of 18 acts in the semi-finals, we’ve got 28 in the one semi-final, so we’ve still got plenty of gems to discuss today! Here is our Top 5:
5. Guri Schanke – Ven a Bailar Conmigo
Every year, there’s always at least one addictive pop entry that gets left behind in the semi-final, and for 2007, I feel that Norway was it. Everything about this song is cheesy, from the staging with the Latin inspired dancers to the actual lyrics, which are pretty dang cheesy! If that wasn’t enough, there’s not one but two costume reveals within 3 minutes. Now I’m no maths genius, but that’s a costume a minute! Despite that, the song is just SO catchy. The chorus is a definite highlight, and it has me singing every time I hear it. Let’s dance!
4. Dragonfly feat. Dado Topić – Vjerujem u Ljubav
Croatia doesn’t have the best of luck when it comes to Eurovision in recent years, but before 2007, Croatia had appeared in the final every single year. Maybe this was the cursed song? I surely don’t think so, with this one of my favourite songs of 2007. I will firstly admit that the live performance of this song really doesn’t reach the heights of the studio version, which I’d much prefer to listen to. At times she didn’t hit the right notes, but the song itself I actually really love. I think it has a really inviting opening, and in this case, I do like the mix of languages. I like the way it builds from verse to chorus, and I think his voice really lends itself for this type of rock power-ballad.
3. Stevan Faddy – Ajde, kroči
I hypothesise that this might be one of the most forgotten entries from ‘recent’ years, and even just looking at YouTube views shows me this wasn’t the most popular entry. Despite that, I’ll once again admit that this is one of my most played of 2007. When I more generally think of this song, I can definitely see why it didn’t qualify, but when I think again, I really do think this is such a catchy and well performed song that definitely at least deserved some more attention! The song opens strong and then drops back the energy for the verse, and it’s the verses I think I like the most of the song. Overall, the best part of this performance is Stevan’s vocals. Can we just take a minute to appreciate his perfect vocals? He has enough energy to nail every note, and he’s got some pretty demanding notes, especially that last one, but he smashes it out of the arena! Love it!
2. Eiríkur Hauksson – Valentine Lost
This would surely have to be one of the most underrated songs of 2007….surely. With the win of Finland with a rock song in 2006, it came as no surprise that we were going to see some rock entries in 2007, and this was the highlight. I didn’t necessarily love the overacted piano and guitar playing, accompanied by some strange facial expressions, but if you just focus on Eiríkur and his performance of a more lyrically intricate rock ballad, it’s sure to impress. This was a song that I honestly didn’t take much notice of for a long time, but when it hit me, it REALLY hit me how good of a song this really was. It has the drama of a good rock ballad, and I do think it was a shame this didn’t qualify!
1. Teapacks – Push the Button
Israel really pushed the buttons in 2007, pun intended, and I definitely think it’s worthy of a top spot in this Top 5. Sure, we’ve had some pretty great rock influenced power ballads, but there’s nothing better than a good joke entry, which has a nice serious message that is hidden behind all the theatrics of the performance. The song changes in style through the 3 minutes, but the song is just so fast paced that sometimes you can’t even keep up! It’s also good to hear not only 1 or 2 languages, but three languages through the song. We’ve got English to open, then French, and then a Hebrew rap, which one day I’d love to recite, but I think I should leave it to the masters! Although I didn’t like the overacted movements in Iceland’s entry, in Israel’s entry it’s welcomed just due to the style of song, and I will say I have a soft spot in my heart for the accordion player – he’s an entertaining character to watch through the performance!
So there are our Top 5 Non-Qualifying entries from 2007, and we’re going to assume that your Top 5 isn’t the same as ours, so make sure to tell us your Top 5 on Twitter or Facebook!
Read our previous posts about our Top 5 Non-Qualifiers here:
– Top 5 Non-Qualifiers of 2016
– Top 5 Non-Qualifiers of 2015
– Top 5 Non-Qualifiers of 2014
– Top 5 Non-Qualifiers of 2013
– Top 5 Non-Qualifiers of 2012
– Top 5 Non-Qualifiers of 2011
– Top 5 Non-Qualifiers of 2010
– Top 5 Non-Qualifiers of 2009
– Top 5 Non-Qualifiers of 2008
– Top 5 Non-Qualifiers of 2007