And the winner of the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest is…Italy! The winning song “Zitti E Buoni” was played by rock group Måneskin.
Eurovision 2019 winner tested positive for COVID
After the coronavirus pandemic made it impossible to present Eurovision 2020 in the Netherlands last year, the famed song contest picked up where it left off on Saturday (May 22), with the event taking place in Rotterdam. Netherlands is the home country of the current winner, Duncan Laurance.
The show carried on with a limited audience. But with a little help from CGI, all seemed pretty normal! Well, except for Duncan, who tested positive for COVID-19 after Tuesday’s first semi-final and couldn’t perform live. However, the show aired dress rehearsal footage, so it’s almost as if he attended! The Voice fans watching may have recognized the 2019 winning song, “Arcade.” Team Kelly’s Corey Ward performed it during the semi-final round last Monday (May 17). Since 2019, the song has become massively popular all over the world.
The Voice France fans may recognize Switzerland’s performer
France came in second place with the dramatic song “Voilà” performed by singer-songwriter Barbara Pravi. And Switzerland took the 3rd place spot with “Tout l’Univers” sung by Gjon’s Tears. Fans of The Voice France may remember Gjon Muharremaj. In 2019 he reached the semi-finals on Team Mika. Also, in 2011 at the age of 12, he placed third on Albanians Got Talent season 1. One year later he reached the semi-final of Di grössten Schweizer Talente.
After all 26 contestants performed their songs, vote tabulation began. First, each country awarded their jury votes to one act. After, the public votes were added. Poor James Newman from the United Kingdom got ZERO VOTES. No jury votes, no public votes. Switzerland was comfortably ahead after the jury votes were awarded. But while the juries were meh on Italy, the public LOVED THEM. The group roared to the top of the leaderboard after their 300+ votes were announced. On the other hand, the jury loved Malta’s song, “Je Me Casse” sung by Destiny, whose style is reminiscent of the R&B singer Lizzo. Malta was third after the jury vote, but only got something like 46 votes from the public. Gosh, the disappointment on her face…
Eurovision always fun and wacky
The usual fun, wacky, and creative acts were present. Russia’s Manizha took the stage, with the lead singer is a giant Russian folk dress that seemed to move on wheels. Iceland’s song, which I’m not even going to attempt to type here, was colorful and silly. Jendrick from Germany sang “I Don’t Feel The Hate” which seemed to be made up of emojis. TIX from Norway performed “Fallen Angel” wearing a giant set of angel wings. A personal favorite was Ukraine’s song “Shum” by Go_A which boasted folk and pop elements, delivered by a mesmerizing pop chanteuse.
Eurovision puts up videos on Youtube that unfortunately, are not available to fans in the US. If you’re used to watching overseas television via a VPN you’re all set. Or, Comcast/Xfinity customers and/or Peacock TV subscribers can watch the Eurovision 2021 replay.
The official music videos for each song ARE available, however! Watch them below:
WINNER – Italy – Zitti E Buoni by Måneskin
The sound is dated, which is probably why the jury didn’t go crazy for it. But the fans would not be denied their 80’s era rock jam.
Second – France – Voilà by Barbara Pravi
If you can watch the live version of the song, do it. The recorded version doesn’t do it justice.
Third – Switzerland – Tout l’Univers by Gjon’s Tears
Gjon’s voice is so pretty and pure, featuring a falsetto from heaven. I like his voice better than the song, however.
Eurovision Song Contest 2021 Press Conference
WHOOPS YOU’RE ON CAMERA ITALY DUDE
No, coke is not legal in the Netherlands.
