Copenhagen 2014: Rankings of the 37, part 4: 20-16

Part 4 is now here. The halfway point is here. Why not waste any time...here we go!

Number 20!

Andras Kallay Saunders with "Running" (Hungary). Here's a man whose father was a jazz artist, and I like this song period. The break beat won this, and so did the atmosphere. There was no need to complain about this, even though this should be Erislandy Lara's new entrance song for his next fight (see his recent fight with Canelo for more details). Hungary never fails in the past three years of their ESC participation!

Now you're playing with fire. Dilara Kazimova at number 19 with "Start a Fire" (Azerbaijan). Same country which had a bonehead song (Farid Mammadov "Hold Me") that finished runner up last year in Malmo and could have been one of the worst ESC winners ever. Like last year, "Start a Fire" made it to the final. Great ballad, and my second favorite Azeri ESC song ever (behind Sabina Babaeva "When the Music Dies"). Enough said. Also the difference between "Hold Me" and "Start a Fire", was that this is filling, while "Hold Me" was a total letdown.

Tinkara Kovac with "Spet" (Slovenia) at number 18. Great song, unlike Hannah Mancini last year (was a good song, though only eight points. What the fuck?), made it to the grand final. It's gotta be the flute, it's gotta be the flute. One of the best Slovene entries in ESC hands down. Even last year was great.

Kasey Smith at number 17 with "Heartbeat" (Ireland). The second straight year in a row that Ireland has impressed me quality wise, since the awful shit in 2011 and 2012 (and still made the final due to the brainless teen girl population across the continent). However, this one missed the final. I felt like this song was great, but Europe missed the boat on this one. I hope somebody brings a song for 2015 that is even stronger. I have Irish roots myself.

Attention! Vilija Mataciunaite at number 16 with "Attention!" (Lithuania). Like Ireland, second straight year I've been impressed with Lithuania in the ESC since their disastrous shit with Donny Montell in 2012 (and still made the final, once again, stupid juries and voters with no brain and money in pocket). This one didn't make the final. Nevermind the dress you sick twisted fucks. I felt like it was a good performance, nonetheless.

Now attention please. This is how I stand after four posts:

37. Poland
36. Denmark
35. Belarus
34. Latvia
33. Macedonia
32. Austria
31. Sweden
30. Moldova
29. San Marino
28. Belgium
27. Spain
26. Albania
25. Montenegro
24. Armenia
23. Russia
22. Great Britain
21. Israel
20. Hungary
19. Azerbaijan
18. Slovenia
17. Ireland
16. Lithuania

And now it's past halfway. Fifteen more to go as the countdown continues!

Copenhagen 2014 Reviews: Dilara Kazimova "Start a Fire"

For the seventh consecutive year, Azerbaijan will participate in the ESC. For Copenhagen, Dilara Kazimova (pictured) won the national competition and will represent Azerbaijan with "Start a Fire."

"Start a Fire" is a beautiful ballad, in which is slow and sweet all the way, with some atmospheric vibes. Add the duduk and it is a perfect song. No stupid dubstep or top 40 shit involved here.

As far as the song goes, she performs on Tuesday 6 May in the first semifinal. I predict that this song will be among ten that will make the final this year. I really never liked a lot from Azerbaijan in ESC, with the exception of "When the Music Dies" by Sabina Babaeva at Baku 2012, where that song finished fourth in the grand final. Last year's effort at Malmo, "Hold Me" by Farid Mammadov had potential to gain my support, but was a huge letdown, despite finishing second in the final. I wish that Azerbaijan can send something edgier to ESC from now on, like some rock, rap or even an EDM-fused track (no dubstep elements please). I feel like since 2008 (first year of Azeri participation in the ESC), Azeri songs have been too soft. Go hard and euphoric! But this is just fine, and I'm okay with this.

Up next: TEO "Cheesecake."