Previews of songs that will be performed in the second semifinal.
May is here and Europe’s (and Australia’s) favorite TV circus is just around the corner.
Last year, Salvador Sobral gave Portugal it’s first Eurovision Song Contest win in 53 years of competing. As a result, Portugal is hosting Eurovison Song Contest 2018. It’s capital Lisbon was chosen as the host city. The first semifinal is set for May 8, the second semifinal for May 10 and the grand final for May 12. The image above is the official logo of this year’s competition.
43 countries are taking part this year. Six countries are directly qualified for the grand final: the BIG 5 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom) and the host country (Portugal). The rest are divided into two semifinals. The first semifinal has 19 participants and the second semifinal has 18 participants. 10 countries from each semifinal will qualify for the grand final. All songs are available on iTunes, Apple Music and Spotify.
Semi-Final 2
1. NORWAY
Song Title: That’s How You Write A Song
Performer: Alexander Rybak (Eurovison.tv 2018 Profile)
Writer: Alexander Rybak
Composer: Alexander Rybak
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: Alexander Rybak (Eurovison.tv 2009 Profile) won Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with ‘Fairytale’. He was born in Minsk, Belarus, At the age of 5, his family moved to Oslo, Norway. This musical wunderkind writes his own songs, plays the violin, sings and now he is showcasing dancing abilities, too. Oh and he has a ton of charisma.
2. ROMANIA
Song Title: Goodbye
Performer: The Humans (Eurovison.tv Profile)
Writer: Cristina Caramarcu
Composers: Alexandru Matei, Alin Neagoe
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: The Humans is a band of 6 members, fronted by lead vocalist Cristina Caramarcu.
3. SERBIA
Song Title: Nova Deca
Performer: Sanja Ilic & Balkanika (Eurovison.tv Profile)
Writer: Danica Krstajic
Composers: Aleksandar Sanja Ilic, Tatjana Karajanov Ilic
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: This band merges traditional Balkan music with modern sounds and sensibilities. They also play old instruments from the Balkans.
4. SAN MARINO
Song Title: Who We Are
Performer: Jessika featuring Jenifer Brening (Eurovison.tv Profile)
Writers: Mathias Strasser, Christof Straub, Zoe Straub, Jenifer Brening, Stefan Moessle
Composers: Mathias Strasser, Christof Straub, Zoe Straub, Jenifer Brening, Stefan Moessle
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: Most Serene Republic of San Marino (population 33,203) is this year sending an international collaboration to Eurovision. Jessika is from Malta and Jenifer is from Germany.
5. DENMARK
Song Title: Higher Ground
Performer: Rasmussen (Eurovison.tv Profile)
Writers: Niclas Arn, Karl Eurén
Composers: Niclas Arn, Karl Eurén
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: Jonas Flodager Rasmussen works part-time as a voice and performance coach. He also appeared on stage in musicals (West Side Story and Les Misérables). ‘Higher Ground’ is a song about the Viking Magnus Erlendsson and his refusal to fight in the Battle of Anglesey Sound in 1098. The songwriters are Swedish and thought Rasmussen looked the part, so they asked him to record the song.
6. RUSSIA
Song Title: I Won’t Break
Performer: Julia Samoylova (Eurovison.tv Profile)
Writers: Netta Nimrodi, Leonid Gutkin, Arie Burshtein
Composers: Netta Nimrodi, Leonid Gutkin, Arie Burshtein
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: Julia Samoylova was all set to represent Russia at Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with ‘Flame Is Burning’, but wasn’t allowed to enter Ukraine because in 2015 she performed in Crimea, part of Ukraine that was annexed by Russia in 2014. According to Ukrainian law entering Crimea via Russia is illegal. As a result, Russia withdrew from the 2017 contest and decided to send Julia to Eurovision 2018. Julia was also a finalist on the X Factor in Russia.
7. MOLDOVA
Song Title: My Lucky Day
Performer: DoReDos (Eurovison.tv Profile)
Writer: John Ballard
Composer: Philipp Kirkorov
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: DoReDos is a folk-pop trio, formed in 2011. Songwriter Philipp Kirkorov represented Russia at Eurovision Song Contest back in 1995.
8. THE NETHERLANDS
Song Title: Outlaw In ‘Em
Performer: Waylon (Eurovison.tv Profile)
Writers: Waylon, Ilya Toshinskiy, Jim Beaver
Composers: Waylon, Ilya Toshinskiy, Jim Beaver
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: Yes, Holland is sending a country artist to Eurovision. Waylon rose to fame as a runner-up on Holland’s Got Talent Season 1 in 2008. Also, he is no stranger to Eurovision. In 2014 he took part in the contest as one half of a country duo The Common Linnets (Eurovision.tv Profile) with song ‘Calm After The Storm’. They finished in second place, behind Austria’s Conchita Wurst. Waylon went back to being a solo artist immediately after Eurovision 2014. In 2016, Waylon became a jury member on TV programme “It Takes Two” and a coach on The Voice of Holland (the original The Voice).
9. AUSTRALIA
Song Title: We Got Love
Performer: Jessica Mauboy (Eurovison.tv Profile)
Writers: Anthony Egizii, David Musumeci, Jessica Mauboy
Composers: Anthony Egizii, David Musumeci
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: Australia continues it’s tradition of sending alums of Australian Idol and X Factor Australia to Eurovision. Jessica Mauboy started out at the age of 16 on Australian Idol back in 2006. She finished in second place and is still signed to Sony Music Australia. She was a guest performer at Eurovision Song Contest 2014 and a year later Australia finally got the permission to compete in the contest.
10. GEORGIA
Song Title: For You
Performer: Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao (Eurovison.tv Profile)
Writer: Irina Sanikidze
Composers: David Malazonia, Mikheil Mdinaradze
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: Iriao is an ethno-fusion band from Georgia. Their repertoire is based on Georgian polyphonic music and harmony, mixed with jazz and modern music elements.
11. POLAND
Song Title: Light Me Up
Performer: Gromee feat. Lukas Meijer (Eurovison.tv Profile)
Writers: Andrzej Gromala, Lukas Meijer, Mahan Moin, Christian Rabb
Composers: Andrzej Gromala, Lukas Meijer, Mahan Moin, Christian Rabb
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: Gromee is a Polish DJ and record producer. Lukas Meijer is a singer/songwriter from Stockholm, Sweden and a member of band ‘No Sleep For Lucy’.
12. MALTA
Song Title: Taboo
Performer: Christabelle (Eurovison.tv Profile)
Writers: Muxu, Christabelle
Composers: Thomas G:son, Johnny Sanchez
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: Christabelle used to be a TV host in her teenage years. Later she focused on her music career. Composer Thomas G:son co-wrote Loreen’s ‘Euphoria’.
13. HUNGARY
Song Title: Viszlát Nyár
Performer: AWS (Eurovison.tv Profile)
Writer: Örs Siklósi
Composers: Bence Brucker, Dániel Kökényes, Áron Veress, Soma Schiszler
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: Hungary is sending a metal band to Eurovision. But will Europe give metal a chance?
14. LATVIA
Song Title: Funny Girl
Performer: Laura Rizzotto (Eurovison.tv Profile)
Writer: Laura Rizzotto
Composer: Laura Rizzotto
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: Laura was born in Brazil, to a Latvian father and a Brazilian mother of Portuguese descent. She grew up in Rio and even released her debut album in 2011. Then she received a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music and moved to Boston, United States. In May 2017 she graduated from Columbia University with a Masters degree in Music and Music Education.
15. SWEDEN
Song Title: Dance You Off
Performer: Benjamin Ingrosso (Eurovison.tv Profile)
Writers: MAG, Louis Schoorl, K Nita, Benjamin Ingrosso
Composers: MAG, Louis Schoorl, K Nita, Benjamin Ingrosso
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: Sweden is sending a male solo pop artist for the 4th year in a row. This one has Italian heritage. Benjamin penned his first gold certified hit at the age of 9. If his last name sounds familiar to you, it’s because he has a famous cousin: Sebastian Ingrosso of Swedish House Mafia.
16. MONTENEGRO
Song Title: Inje
Performer: Vanja Radovanovic (Eurovison.tv Profile)
Writer: Vladimir Radovanovic
Composer: Vladimir Radovanovic
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: He first appeared on Montenegro’s music scene in 2004, when he won ‘Best Debut’ award at Budva Music Festival. His 2007 album ‘Pricaj dodirom’ is one of the best selling albums in his country.
17. SLOVENIA
Song Title: Hvala, ne!
Performer: Lea Sirk (Eurovison.tv Profile)
Writer: Lea Sirk
Composers: Lea Sirk, Tomy DeClerque
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: She first appeared as a singer on the national stage in 2007, when she finished 2nd in a TV singing competition ‘Battle of Talents’. She studied concert flute at the Conservatory of Music in Geneva.
18. UKRAINE
Song Title: Under The Ladder
Performer: MELOVIN (Eurovison.tv Profile)
Writer: Mike Ryals
Composer: MELOVIN
Videos: Music Video – National Final / Presentation Performance – Profile Video
Notes: Melovin started auditioning for talent shows at a young age. He auditioned for shows such as Ukraine’s Got Talent and X Factor Ukraine. In 2015, he won the 6th season of X Factor Ukraine.
OFFICIAL RECAP: The second Semi-Final of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest
