Favourite 2024 Eurovision Songs

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Tue 07 May 2024 - Sat 11 May 2024

Yes, it’s that time of the year again! As I may have mentioned in the past , I enjoy Eurovision a lot, and have not missed it for more years than I should probably admit. As such, as is usual for this time of the year, I was on the Eurovision YouTube channel, listening to all the songs to get ready for the event and to give me a better idea of who to vote for.


ScreenCap from https://eurovisionworld.com/eurovision/2024/event

So, in 2023, Sweden won Eurovision in what, I felt, was a safe vote, for a song that was okay, and not in my top 10 personal favourites . That means, this year, the contest is being held in Malmö, Sweden, and we have 37 countries vying for the title of having the best pop song in Europe for the year. And, yes, once again, Australia is a part of Europe for the purposes of this contest.

I think this is going to be a very political year when it comes to voting, and that could well skew some of the results, but I am not here to talk about that; instead, I am here to share my favourite ten songs from the upcoming event!

As is usual, the official videos have all been uploaded to YouTube, and I listened to them audio only so the visuals did not distract me from the music, so this is based on the music. And, like last year, I am not going to rag on non-English speakers singing and writing English language songs. However, a lot of songs were done in local languages, and it felt like this was more the case this year than it has been for quite a while. Finally, for those not in the know, Eurovision songs cannot be longer than 3 minutes. So, none of these will outstay their welcome.

Anyway, having said all that, these are my favourites from the 2024 contest. This is listed in order of country. And I will indicate my favourite two as we go through (which I love and I think will make the finals, but I do not see winning).

Before I start, the dates for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest are:
Semi-final 1 – May 7
Semi-final 2 – May 9
Grand final – May 11
These events will be broadcast in most countries.

And here are my ten favourites for 2024!


Australia
‘One One Milkali (One Blood)’ by Electric Fields

Okay, to start with, right off the bat, this is not my favourite, but it is a really strong song and… Well, remember I mentioned many songs not in English? This track features Indigenous language! It is so cool to have Language on the world stage, being put forth in front of literally millions. And that use of Language gives the vocals a stronger sense of rhythm which is what has pushed this into my personal top ten. Will it make the grand final? Very possibly. Will it win? No, sorry. Not this year.


Belgium
‘Before The Party’s Over’ by Mustii

Starts like a standard sad-boy pop song, the likes of which have been in the charts for too many years now, but then his voice kicks in and he has such a powerful set of pipes that he just drags you into listening to him. The pre-chorus drops down low, and he then hits that song-along, autotuned chorus. Yes, it is standard pop fare, but that voice and that chorus behind him – yeah, this is better than most of this ilk.


Croatia
‘Rim Tim Dagi Dim’ by Baby Lasagna

Every Eurovision needs its share of songs that are just downright weird. Like this. And this is not the last one that will appear on this list, either. Such an up-tempo song about, I think, a mental breakdown. This is crazy, and what the images in the video have to do with the song I have no idea. Oh, and who can forget that rather pleasant piano outro. This is what I want from Eurovision; where else are we going to get music like this?


Czechia
‘Pedestal’ by Aiko

This is a throwback to pop from, well, not now, that’s for sure. When exactly? I want to say 1990s, but not even the Eurodance of that decade was like this. The song starts on an “up” and does not let go. While Aiko’s singing voice is not the best, I think that adds to the charm, and the music backing is just in your face without being rock. Again, this is what Eurovision was designed for: Czechian pop songs by powerfully-voiced women.


Finland
‘No Rules!’ by Windows95man

More “only at Eurovision” music! This has a genuine chance to make the top three, I think. It’s fun and has something to say – live life the way you want to – and sounds like it was left over from a Guru Josh project in the 1990s. The singing is actually quite good, and the addition of the man in the pixelated clothing just lifts it out of being a good pop song to being a wild pop song. No rules indeed!


Moldova
‘In The Middle’ by Natalia Barbu

Another Eurovision staple – a woman with an incredible voice who also plays a classical music instrument. And I think this is the first time I have put a Moldovan song in my top ten, but it is just so good. Her voice is wonderful – and, yes, I am saying that a lot this year; this is a year of some great singers being allowed to showcase that – but that violin bit sounding like traditional music, not Western classical, is just the icing on the cake. Could do well.


Netherlands
‘Europapa’ by Joost Klein

Okay, I said there was more weirdness? Well – here it is! The translation of the lyrics basically tells me this is a love letter to Europe, which is great, but the ending is rather downbeat, which is odd after everything that went before it. However, this is just insanity set to music, and I love it. Oh, and I challenge you to not let “Europapapapapa” become an ear-worm that will stay with you for days.


Norway
‘Ulveham’ by Gåte

The Eurovision version of symphonic rock, and reading the translation, this tells a distinct story… though I am not a hundred per cent sure what it’s about. Still, that voice! (Yes, again!) The music soars with her voice and the whole thing just goes through you like all good symphonic rock should. I do think this will make the grand final, but I think the music will just not let people give it the win. Shame. This is my second favourite song this year, by the way.


San Marino
‘11:11’ by Megara

And this is my favourite song of 2024! There is something of Australia’s Rogue Traders about them, with added Bolero. Yes, you read that right. This is one of those insane Eurovision rock songs that appear every couple of years and it stands out this year as being so very different from everything else. The translation of the lyrics does not help me understand what the song is about, but I think it’s a call to party with the band. Sure. I’m down with that (as the kids say…)


Ukraine
‘Teresa & Maria’ by alyona alyona & Jerry Heil

And we finish with what has become a recent staple of Eurovision – an operatic singer and a rapper trading verses and choruses. In this case, however, the rapper is female, and she is good! I am not a huge fan of a lot of rap, but when it is this fast and on beat, the words themselves become the music. I can’t find a translation, but that does not matter, because her flow is incredible, and then the operatic stuff kicks in again and this is just so amazing. I think this could well be another top finisher at the grand final.


And, now that you have my own top ten, to finish here is a 20 minute compilation of snippets of all 37 songs!



Having seen my personal top ten, you may asking if any of these tracks will actually win. Considering my track record (exactly two songs I have had in my personal top 10 this century have won the thing), I doubt it, but these are my favourites, and I hope you’ve enjoyed the rather eclectic collection presented here.

Long live Eurovision!



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