Voting for the annual ESC 250 celebration closed on the 4th of December 2022, and now we have a nervous wait to find out the results! The event is hosted by songfestival.be, with the results revealed from 11:00CET on 31st December 2022 on ESC Radio to close out the year. Find out more about it here!
While we wait to find out the official results, members of the TES team will be sharing their votes for this year and explaining the reason for their picks. This time it’s Ben’s turn to reveal how he voted.
1 point: “Crisalde (Vola)” – Valentina Monetta (San Marino, 2012)
We start out with one points going to the queen of all robbed entries, the patron saint of robbery victims, the mother of microstates, Queen Valentina Monetta. This entry is one of two that genuinely confuse me on how it didn’t qualify. I love this song so much that I sent many emails to IKEA and waited over a year for them to restock the Fado lamp that she uses in this performance. Such a holy relic of St. Monetta can be purchased for $31.99. One day, I will bring it to San Marino and have her sign and bless my lamp. But, until then, I shall wear my red blanket and sing what I can only assume is the national anthem of San Marino.
Here’s a pic of the day I was able to buy the iconic lamp.
2 points: “When Spirits Are Calling My Name” – Roger Pontare (Sweden, 2000)
And thus we have the first of many Nordic entries on this list. I may not have been the most kosher with picking this song because I actually don’t care for the ESC version. ‘När vindarna viskar mitt namn’, however, is what puts this up on my list. The Swedish lyrics tell a powerful message about how indigenous people from around the world have been united through their similar histories of persecution at the hands of colonizers. The English lyrics feel like that powerful message is glanced over. But, nonetheless, Roger still welcomed Cree and Inuit Native Americans on stage with him as well as another Sami. I am a sucker for anything indigenous, and this scratches every itch for me.
3 points: “Die for you” – Antique (Greece, 2001)
*cue the angry mob* I think this entry from Helena Paparizou is leagues better than her real winning entry. It has cultural instruments, mixes in modern styles, great styling, great vibe, and IT’S PERFORMED IN GREEK. I may have only been 1 month old when this was performed, but it is the best 1/12th birthday present anyone could ask for.
4 points: “Hear Them Calling” – Greta Salóme (Iceland, 2016)
These next two songs tell two sides of the same story. That story is the song that was robbed because of Sergey and the artist who rightfully beat him. I stand by that, if Greta had been in a different semi, she would have qualified. But for some reason, people thought this MASTERPIECE was not as good as whatever that war supporter presented. She was sent straight to St. Monetta’s realm of robbery. This song had everything it needed to win the contest. Sadly, Europe made questionable decisions in 2016.
I also need to mention, if you have never heard the Icelandic version (Raddirnar), go and bless your ears by listening to it.
5 points: “1944” – Jamala (Ukraine, 2016)
On the other side of the Sergey story, the rightful victor. What hasn’t already been said about how amazing this entry is? All I will add to everyone else’s comments: that outfit gets a “Couture” from me, 15/10.
6 points: “Undo” – Sanna Nielsen (Sweden, 2014)
This song has been in my top 10 for about as long as I have been a Eurofan. I discovered it during a very emotional time in my life, and the song song helped me get through that time. Even still, this song doesn’t fail to bring a tear to my eye. I know “undo my sad, undo what hurts so bad” isn’t the pinnacle of lyric quality, but the song is so special to me so I can look past the lyrics only Sweden could write. I really want to meet Sanna and just thank her for this song.
7 points: “De diepte” – Artist (Netherlands, 2022)
OOOOOH AHHHHHHHH. I knew of S10 before the contest from fan contests. So, I was excited when she was announced. As someone who is learning Dutch, I was happy to actually understand part of a non English song. And the parts I did understand still get me emotional. The lyrics are so simple, but so emotionally packed. plus, Her outfit on stage and live vocals are just the icing on the cake. When thinking whether I wanted any 2022 songs in this list, I knew it had to be this one.
8 points: “Spirit in the Sky” – (Norway, 2019)
THUNDER AND GLORIAAAAA, wait … wrong song. As someone who was in the top 0.05% of KEiiNO listeners, they had to be in this list. This year marks the 4th year they are my #1 artist on Spotify, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now, I wish this slot could have been taken up by Monument, but Spirit In the Sky is just as acceptable. Everything from the joik, to the amazing (plz read in Lynda Woodruff voice) instrumental, to Alexandra’s voice is just extraordinary. Alexandra has vocal chords that were blessed by some deity because her singing is just so perfect. Do yourself a favor and watch her Stjernekamp performances.
This song set off a 4 year obsession with my favorite band who has yet to release a bad song. I can’t wait for the day they return and win the entire contest.
10 points: “Shum” – Go_A (Ukraine, 2021)
When I am not listening to Eurovision songs, I tend to gravitate towards EDM and dance tracks. So when this was released, I instantaneously loved it. And, on top of the AMAZING electronic backtrack, they mix in spectacular folk elements. My family may come from Ukraine’s northern neighbors, but this song scratches every Eastern European itch in my bones. I don’t know Ukrainian, but I still know every word of this song and will belt it as well as I can (still not great).
Special mentions
Before I reveal my 12 points, I would like to give a special shout-out to a few entries that came so close to making my top ten. They are:
- ‘Fiumi di parole’ – Jalisse (Italy, 1997). This year was the 26th year Jalisse was rejected for Sanremo. I don’t know why, but #Justice4Jalisse
- ‘Ik Hou Van Jou’ – Maribelle (Netherlands, 1984). This is not a song I would usually gravitate towards, but it is magic to my ears.
- ‘Blackbird’ – Norma John (Finland, 2017)
And Ben’s 12 points go to… “Quédate Conmigo” – Pastora Soler (Spain, 2012)
*chants* PASTORA, PASTORA, PASTORA. She didn’t just take me to church with this song. She too me straight to heaven with it. I had this at #2 last year, but this easily went to first after that Benidorm performance from last year. Her voice is so powerful and never ceases to leave me breathless. If there is any reality where Lauren, Lauraine, Lolo didn’t win 2012 I would hope Pastora would win.
Listen to our collective ESC 250 playlist on Spotify
Enjoy our collective ESC 250 playlist on YouTube
Now that Ben has revealed their votes for ESC 250 this year, what do you think of their picks? Who received your 12 points this year? As always, please let us know what you think by commenting below. Be sure to follow ‘THAT Eurovision Site’ on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for all of the latest Eurovision news.
News Source: That Eurovision Site
Photo Credit: EBU / Thomas Hanses
