Voting for the annual ESC 250 celebration closed on the 10th of December 2023, and now we have a nervous wait to find out the results! The event is hosted by songfestival.be, with the results revealed on the 31st December 2023 on EFR12 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 Euan’s turn to reveal how he voted.
I tried to go for a methodical and sensible approach to this, but that went awry so I’ve just limited myself to a maximum of one per year and one per country (slight failure here but idk). Rock and vintage cheese to follow.
1 point: “Tu te reconnaîtras” – Anne-Marie David (Luxembourg, 1973)
One of the OG mothers of Eurovision kicking off my list. It’s such a basic choice I know but Miss David knew how to encaptivate and audience with her charm and elegance, and I can safely say she’s still doing so today.
2 points: “The Real Thing” – Highway (Montenegro, 2016)
Moving onto the more contemporary with the rightful winner of 2016. Performance wise this head and shoulders above any of the year. Where Montenegro usually struggles in this regard, The Real Thing excelled. The performance perfected the blend of looking like a music video without sacrifing the live vibes. Truly shocking that Europe didn’t let them qualify.
3 points: “Time” – O.Torvald (Ukraine, 2017)
The second of the three robbed rock songs in my list is Ukraine’s 2017 entry. The year was lacking and mediocre; O.Torvald were not. They deserved so much better than what they received for bringing some of the best guitar usage at Eurovision.
4 points: “Rock Me” – Riva (Yugoslavia, 1989)
I have no explanations. It’s fun. It’s a banger. It’s cheesetastic. It’s Yugoslavian. Truly the most elite country at Eurovision.
5 points: “Truth” – Chingiz (Azerbaijan, 2019)
My winner of 2019. Look I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: mugham fucks and I would happily take a song that is just three minutes of it. So it’s only fitting to add a song that features is so prominently to my list. His vocals were fantastic. Although I prefer the studio version, even the Tel Aviv version that’s in the higher key is still amazing. A fantastic blend of contemporary and traditional that Azerbaijan need to bring more of to the contest.
6 points: “This Time” – Monika Linkytė and Vaidas Baumila (Lithuania, 2015)
Picking on Lithuanian entry was… Not easy. Ultimately my choice was determined by the fact that of all their entries, this is the one that makes me smile the most. Such a fun and happy number. A fresh and uplifting piece of gouda that doesn’t feel overwhelmingly cheese.
7 points: “Anoushcka” – Inge Brück (Germany, 1967)
Obligatory 1967 entry. I’ve talked at length about my love of this year so picking just one was incredibly difficult. I settled on Anouschka because it was my most listened to of the entries this year. Inge’s vocals were unparalleled and her cadence is so soothing. A fine example of the class, elegance, and perfection that is 1960s Eurovision.
8 points: “Yo Soy Aquel” – Raphael (Spain, 1966)
The oldest entry in my list, Yo Soy Aquel holds a special place in my heart. 1966 was one of the first contests I’d ever watched and I was drawn in so much by his performance then. The power and energy in his voice is stunning. Without knowing the lyrics at the time I was still mesmerised by his words. How this didn’t win is beyond me.
10 points: “Thunder and Lightning” – Vukašin Brajić (Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2010)
My last rock entry is of course Thunder and Lightning. Every eurofan has a song or two that tips them over the edge into being a Eurovision fan; this was mine. Possibly the second best guitar usage in Eurovision, Vukašin managed to make one of the best rock ballads ever made. It was paid dust and the atmosphere he created on stage deserved at least top three.
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:
- “The Best In Me” – Tom Leeb (France, 2020) – Rightful winner of 2020
- “Requiem” – Alma (France, 2017) – If she had sang the original version at Eurovision it would have made my list
- “Boum-bada-boum” – Minouche Barelli (Monaco, 1967) – Making the apocalypse sound fun for 56 years
And Euan’s 12 points go to…. “Heroes” – Måns (Sweden, 2015)
I really can’t bring myself to begin to explain what this song means to me. He must return soon.
Listen to our collective ESC 250 playlist on Spotify
Enjoy our collective ESC 250 playlist on YouTube
Now that Euan has revealed his 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, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky for all of the latest Eurovision news.
News Source: That Eurovision Site
Photo Credit: EBU / Highway