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1990.written.by.goran
1. Spain
There's only one performance I remember from this
year. This isn't it... but I still remember the
song because it was extremely popular in my
country. Azucar Moreno were true professionals.
How could they overcome such an embarrassing
start (even though it obviously wasn't their
fault)? The choreography could be slightly
improved upon and better performed (Were they
trying to show off their armpits one at a time?),
but it was a great performance. They both sang
brilliantly. It did well, but it should have done
better. Of all the Spanish songs that followed,
only Vuelve conmigo beats it and none
other comes close to even coming close. A true
classic. No wonder it took me so long to review
it all. 10/10
2. Greece
This would have never had any hope of getting any
more than twenty points (and that's maximum).
Callow is a very dull performer. The song is no
great shakes itself so he had an excuse for
seeming bored. Not too bad, but generally
unnotable. 2.5/10
3. Belgium
It started off promisingly and almost never let
down. A nice seemingly French ballad performed by
a male vocalist (I always have to add the last
five words, love 'em or hate 'em). As this was a
very good year, its placing was just. One of the
better Belgian entries. 7.5/10
4. Turkey
This was a dull performance of a
not-quite-groundbreaking song with a few good
moments along the way. There isn't much I can
comment about. I would have expected it to score
even less than it did, but, alas, I was wrong.
4.5/10
5. The Netherlands
A good but slightly old-fashioned ballad, even
for the time. I liked the performance and I
especially liked the chorus (and that big
finish), but, for some reason, the orchestra
seemed to get the music wrong most of the time
(but probably didn't). Anyhow, it should have
scored much better. 6.5/10
6. Luxembourg
I like this one too. Though it isn't exactly
great, it is a typical Eurosong and it remains
probably the best of all the entries by
Luxembourg in the 90s. It goes overboard towards
the end, but it's bearable. 5.5/10
7. United Kingdom
In no way special. If it wasn't one of the few
songs sung in English, it wouldn't have done so
well. It didn't deserve to anyway. It isn't
terrible, but it's close to being so. Most of the
time, it sounds like one of those mediocre
Maltese entries... that's not a good thing...
2.5/10
8. Iceland
A bouncy pop tune of the kind that must have been
popular at the time. It dates pretty well for a
Eurosong. It's still bouncy and smiley, but I
simply can't fall for it. I don't know why.
Iceland has had many better entries and this one
probably didn't deserve to be placed in the top
10. But I don't mind. It makes up for some other
more neglected Icelandic entries. 5/10
9. Norway
Pretty good. Not the best of Norwegian entries
though. The performance was quite weak on the
night and the song sounded a lot like a Christmas
carol to me. It ain't no masterpiece, but it is
generally underrated by fans... and juries. 4/10
10. Israel
I don't know about you but I really really like
this song. Somehow strangely, as it doesn't sound
like the type of song I would normally like. The
performance was a little below par, but this is
such a nice song, it deserved to do only too much
better. I watched it again and I really can't see
why I thought that the performance was weak
(except for, maybe, a bit of the singing). It's
growing on me already. The rating went up by half
a point. I love Israeli songs (fast and, now,
slow). This one is, obviously, no exception.
Extremely underrated. France beats it simply due
to sentimental reasons and I am also trying to
avoid yet another tie. 10/10
11. Denmark
Such a typical Eurosong. Typical Europop. Typical
ESC-performance. All smiles and seeming to have
some urinary troubles. It's a good song. Did well
too. As Danish entries go, it's great, but as
ESC-songs go it's not great, but way above
average. 7/10
12. Switzerland
This one sounds familiar. I really like it
actually... I mean the song - his voice gets on
my nerves a little. The melody at the start is a
little self-consciously beautiful, but the chorus
is great too. By the time it finished - I was all
over it. 7/10
13. Germany
This one is truly great as far as German entries
go. But, then again, German entries don't go very
far. The lyrics sound very scary to me. I
understand a bit (but not much) of German. The
performance was adequate and the chorus is
typical Eurosong. 5/10
14. France
I forgot that THIS song was in the ESC!!!! I
remember it. It's brilliant. It was extremely
(and I do mean extremely) popular in my
environment. I adore it! I've seen so many people
discussing this and I had absolutely no idea what
song they are talking about. I actually think
that her performance isn't the best she can do,
but Joelle's cool just the same. By far, the best
song from the eventual top 3. 10/10
15. Ex-Yugoslavia
How could I not remember this song?! Even if I
didn't hear it only too many times... Such a
spectacular performance! And the music sounded so
great. The music is great! Tajci was cute AND
sexy. This should have definitely been in the top
5. I would rate it much higher, but, to avoid
seeming prejudiced, I won't. Whatever happened to
Tajci? 10/10
16. Portugal
This may have been the weakest entry of the
night. There's nothing specifically wrong with
but it's simply forgettable. It started off
almost promisingly, but wore thin within the next
minute. It left no impression on me, but it isn't
terrible. 2/10
17. Ireland
Bearable, but not worthy of all it received on
the night. I actually prefer Toto's song to this.
Therefore, I am glad that this didn't win, and
Ireland should be too. Just imagine, how much
additional money they would have to spend. This
way they get the glory and the what's left of the
savings. Back to the song, way too calculated,
just like most other Irish entries. 4/10
18. Sweden
Man, how I hate boy-bands and potential boy-bands
as well as anything that could pass off as a
boy-band! Fortunately, I like this song. Please
note: I like the song, not the performers. I wish
it was some gorgeous female creature that sang
it. I would like it much more. 6/10
19. Italy
An underrated song by a terrible performer (he
looked ready to kill). This wasn't a worthy
winner simply because of him. The song does have
a few flaws itself though. As above, I would have
liked it more if it was performed by a female
vocalist. This way, I still like it, but not as
much. That however didn't top it from being
popular where I lived. Cutugno is not only a
terrible performer, but a terrible host too, as
he proved the following year. 6/10
20. Austria
The music at the start sounded like it was taken
straight out of a Hollywood weepie, but as the
song picked itself up, that was clearly not the
case. A good vocal performance of a very good
song ensured a place in the top 10 for Austria.
They deserved it, I think. 8/10
21. Cyprus
This is unintentionally laughable. Probably the
worst Cypriot entry of the 90s. It doesn't have
too much competition in that field since the
Cypriot entries have been pretty good... most of
the time. This is an unmistakable exception. 1/10
22. Finland
(Yet again:) Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!!!! Well, at least
they're not a boy-band... along with the
hairstyles. The song isn't too bad, but I
actually don't like it a great lot. It seems
average. Yet, it should have ranked a little
higher than it did. Not much... just a little.
4/10
TOP 22:
1. France
2. Israel
3. Spain
4. Ex-Yugoslavia
5. Austria
6. Belgium
7. Denmark
8. Switzerland
9. The Netherlands
10. Italy
11. Sweden
12. Luxembourg
13. Iceland
14. Germany
15. Turkey
16. Ireland
17. Finland
18. Norway
19. United Kingdom
20. Greece
21. Portugal
22. Cyprus
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