h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

That's an argument I haven't heard before!

I've only heard the Norwegian entry so far, and rather like it. Oddly, I've not (as far as I know) heard the UKian entry yet!

And today, all the Swedish papers are full of 'Sweden licks wounds of Eurovision fiasco' - oh bah, I could have told them beforehand that it didn't have a snowball's chance in It's certainly not on my list of those that I need to listen to a second time.

Will Sweden slam the door and leave in a huff like Italy?

(Two headlines in one of our big news papers have the word shock in them: All of Sweden is in shock about MGP exit . And the soccer national team leader has prepared a shock by whom of the soccer players he has not chosen to go to South Africa. Shock of shocks. What world shattering shocking news.)

I haven't heard or seen any of the songs yet. For the last years I've watched the five Nordic radio/tv pop experts go through the songs, and it has been more amusing and enlightening than the actual contest. Mind you the Danish participant/commentator has been awful - both in that programme and during the contest.

Re-listening, this time without watching the videos.

Armenia - funky Balkan scale with half tones. Me likes, but I'm aware it takes some getting used to. Catchy refrain (definitely a must).

Moldova - 'dancy' but doens't really stick in my mind and not quite enough sing-along friendly.

Switzerland - not too bad, might be able to sing along if my French wasn't so rusty. Not very 'sticky' though.

Slovakia - very much folk music, which is always popular with the Eastern European countries. A bit too much so for me, not enough 'modern' touch.

Spain - no longer sure why I fancied this the first time around. OK-ish song, not so good singer (not compared with the others on my list).

Turkey - a bit hiphop/rap inspired, might be popular with the younger crowd. I'll pass, though.

Germany - bouncy, but not catchy enough.

OK, my vote is for Armenia

Germany? Huh, that was a surprise, at least to me. In cases like these (when you can't see just *why* it's such a great song) you start thinking of politics. Supporting Germany right now would be important because of...???

Allededly it is the only country in Europe that can afford to host Eurovision next year?

Oh, go to bed already, Sol!

*Grumbles* 'Snotmy theory... I actually liked the song...

But now that you mention it...

There was probably a whole lot of symbolism in the Armenian song - more than I was able to pick that is. Not sure if this is viewable to people outside of Sweden:
http://svt.se/2.129716/1.1945511/eva_rivas_armenien?lid=puff_1939000&lpos=lasMer

*inserts an 'up' into the previous posting*

Complete lyrics of the Armenian song, courtesy of SVT:

Many, many years ago,
When I was a little child,
Mama told me you should know,
Our world is cruel and wild,
But to make your way through cold and heat
Love is all that you need

I believed her every word,
More than anything I heard
But I was too scared to lose my fun

I began to cry a lot
And she gave me apricots
Kisses of the earth, fruits of the sun

Apricot stone,
Hidden in my hand
Given back to me
From the motherland

Apricot stone,
I will drop it down
In the frozen ground
I'll just let it make its round

Apricot stone,
Hidden in my hand
Given back to me
From the motherland

Apricot stone

Now I see the northern stars
Shining brightly in the storm
And I've got an avatar
Of my love to keep me warm
Now I'm not afraid of violent winds
They may blow
They can't win

May the winter stay away
From my harvest night and day
May God bless and keep my cherished fruit

Grow my tree up to the sky,
Once I waved my home goodbye
I just wanna go back to my roots

Apricot stone,
Hidden in my hand
Given back to me
From the motherland

Apricot stone,
I will drop it down
In the frozen ground
I'll just let it make its round

Apricot stone,
Hidden in my hand (Hidden in my hand)
Given back to me (Given, given back to me )
From the motherland

Apricot stone
Hidden in my hand
Given back to me
From the motherland

Apricot stone