Eurovision 2017: Finland

[jakie_em]

Finland
Semi Final 1
Artist: Norma John
Song: Blackbird
Odds: $41

Word of the day:
Ihmemaassa - In wonderland
Doubt that one will be useful any time soon

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This act comprises of a singer who came third in Finland's X-Factor (Leena Tirronen) and her long time friend (Lasse Piirainen). I generally hate 'talent' show winners, but presently this is my favourite song in this years event. It is early days yet and I am sure I will hate it soon.

This song borrows the sounds of a few winners. The mid-90s Eurovision winners like Secret Garden (Norway) can be heard as an influence, as can ABBA. The piano in the refrain reminds me of the outro of Chiquitita. You can do worse in Eurovision than to borrow from ABBA, but ou can be more original. Also Leena sounds like Lena who won for Germany

Lasse co-wrote 3 songs on Leena's solo album, Leena in Wonderland (Leena Ihmemaassa), one of which was the third (and final) single from the album. It sounded nothing like the Eurovision entry. It sounded a bit crap. The only good thing I can find in a quick glance with the solo album is that the cover art made Leena look like Veronica Mars. Veronica Mars is cool, the solo album was not.

Blackbird won UMK (Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu - New Music Competition), the Finnish national selection, in a bit of a landslide. Finland won Eurovision in 2006 in a landslide, but usually landslides are more how finland loses... like in 1982

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