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1998.written.by.goran

1. Croatia
Practically perfect. I was surprised that it did so well on the night and I was astounded at the number of people whose list of favourites it joined. It is definitely on mine (Top 10 at least, though I still prefer Marija Magdalena/Doris). Danijela outclassed everybody else with her performance and managed to get away with that notorious strip (which has now become a Croatian tradition), which still remains the most effective of 'em all, gaining an almost legendary status. Deservedly so. 10/10

2. Greece
One of the songs I'd like to have liked more. This is the type of song, which (in a certain language) would have been considered an average contribution to the Yugoslav pop-scene of he 80s. I've heard those too many times. It began well, but then it tried to go mainstream, even though it clearly would've worked better as an ethnic song. This way it was in the middle of the road. The performance also got the wrong approach, but, despite my low rating, it really isn't a bad song. 3.5/10

3. France
This is as underrated as it gets. I have learnt never to discard the French entries and it really paid off this time because I remember this song clearly to this day, even though I only heard it once. How could this get only 3 points? It was one of the best songs of 1998. 10/10

4. Spain
Also very underrated. I hate big ballads performed by a male vocalist, but this one is an exception. The great chorus is a stand-out. The melody is almost beautiful and the lyrics sound nice too. 7/10

5. Switzerland
This is not at all bad. It definitely deserves more than zero. Not too much more, but its' a nice song, and Gunvor's past career shouldn't have anything to do with it. However, I really can't comment on the performance because the sound and picture quality of the clip I watched restricted me from doing so. 4/10

6. Slovakia
Yet another song which I'd like to have liked more. Especially, since it is an ethnic-sounding song with a nice chorus. The performance was more than adequate, and Katarina really reminded me of Extra Nena (Yug'92), which is a good thing. However, as much as it doesn't appeal to me, it should have done MUCH better. 6.5/10

7. Poland
I do not like this song at all. It seems quite dull and I really couldn't wait for it to finish when I was watching it. 'Sixteen' seem to be an appealing band, but their song (and performance) had absolutely no effect on me. Not a bad song, but probably not a good one either. 3.5/10

8. Israel
At the time, this was my second favourite song of the year, and, Eurosong'98 being a one-night-experience for me, I had no idea about any promotions or medical procedures that Dana had undertaken. After finding out, I found it hard to believe. Anyhow, I still love this song even though it is little more than 'kitschy'. 9/10

9. Germany
I absolutely hate this song!!! And the performance was truly disgusting. To top all that, it came seventh! This almost ruined the whole Eurovision '98 experience for me. And all that is putting it mildly. This piece of crap is
definitely among my five (or three or one) most hated ESC-songs. Repulsive, to say the least. A point would be too much. 0/10

10. Malta
Chiara beats the Rounder Girls by... let's say a lot (Please note: I actually prefer 'All to You'). However, cruelty aside, I never really liked this song... and I was praying for Dana to win and when the Macedonian jury gave her 7
points, I was already sure that Malta wouldn't get any (however, the Israelis haven't returned our favour yet). Back to this song - she really can sing well... but this is just another average big slightly-better-than-boring ballad. The
performance was adequate if a little static and that final wink was cute. 5/10

11. Hungary
A song unfairly scathed by Eurosong-fans. It really is good when you listen to it, but Hungarian doesn't really suit it. It could have made use of the free-language rule the following year and it also could have ended up receiving
a little-but-probably-not-much more than four points (on the official scoreboard, that is - not as my rating). 4/10

12. Slovenia
Instantly forgettable ... at least that was the case with me. But after listening to it again, I found that it wasn't totally unbearable and it had a nice chorus. However, I still forgot it less than two hours later. That wouldn't have happened if the song was one of those 'greats'. 4/10

13. Ireland
I like the part of the chorus where she says Is Always Over Now? but the rest of the song is just as good as any other average ballad. Any other average modern ballad. An adequate performance to say the least and, though many have liked it, I, personally, don't find it to be any better than the other Irish songs... and (Thank God!) it didn't win... not that I ever expected it to do so... 5/10

14. Portugal
A good song... nice-mannered. And it did pretty well for an unmemorable Portuguese entry... It has a nice chorus going for it... and a spirited performance. Better than some of the entries this year but I wish I could remember it a little better (my memory seems to be fading by the minute... and I'm still young). 5/10

15. Romania
Sooooo underrated. A beautiful ballad performed by a pretty girl in a not-so-pretty dress, in the Darja Svajger-style. Though, I probably didn't even notice it in '98 (I actually thought that it was performed by a man), I watched the performance again and I really loved this song. However, the Romanian language doesn't appeal to all audiences (this song received only 6 points). 7.5/10

16. United Kingdom
Quite possibly the best of all British entries and my tied-favourite of 'em all (along with Gina '96). A good performance balanced relatively uninventive choreography and Imaani's great vocals (I like her stage name). Definitely not in the true Eurosong style and it would definitely have been a great hit with a little promotion. 10/10

17. Cyprus
A very good song. It is a little over-dramatic, has a few unneeded side effects and he was already dressed for air travel, but I still like this song. The Cypriots really have done better (almost every other year since '95), but this
song really isn't terrible. Being performed between two show-stopping numbers wasn't too helpful either. But it did relatively well and it has its fans, which is totally understandable on my side. 7.5/10

18. The Netherlands
COOL! In no way is this the typical Eurovision song and in no way do I hold that as a grudge against it. It's wonderful and Edsilia gave a GREAT performance. I didn't pay too much attention to it on the night, but watching it again... I really love it... even though it seems that the orchestra almost ruins it. 10/10

19. Sweden
A good song, better than a lot of these but not quite deserving of its growing reputation. There really isn't anything wrong with it, and I can see why many people like it... on top of that, the performance was excellent, if a little
low-key (nothing to do with vocal range)! Another one of those I didn't notice back then... 6/10

20. Belgium
Such a happy little tune! I can't believe that so many people hate it. How can I not fall for it... and it beat so many of the heavy contenders... It deserved to come sixth... if not a little higher. Definitely one of my favourites of the
year. It actually grew on me... I liked it much more after a while. 9/10

21. Finland
This is a heavy song... And she really scared me... I already feel nightmares coming up... I don't remember ever listening to this song and I wouldn't have listened to it again if not for the very little courtesy I have for watching the
performances right before reviewing them. That and the fact that this song also has its fans. I liked it a little but after a while, I really couldn't wait for it to end ... It's ... umm ... different, to say the least. I usually like this type of Eurosong, but this one didn't get me carried away for some reason. 5/10

22. Norway
An OK-song which did a little better than I would have liked it to. I'm not a fan of Scandinavian music and this is typical of it... but it has good things going for it... including an adequately interesting performance. However, I
have a strong feeling that this will also join my pile of forgotten ESC-songs. 4.5/10

23. Estonia
I am slightly prejudiced here because I couldn't hear the entire song and watch the entire performance. It's not because I didn't want to, but because my computer wouldn't download it. From what I heard, it sounded pretty boring, and I'm not totally sorry that my computer didn't work as well as it should have. 2/10

24. Turkey
Only Germany could give 12 points to this song. I was half asleep thorough it all and the Turkish language doesn't suit this type of music. How disappointing this proved to be after what Sebnem Parker did for Turkey two years in a row. Thankfully, the Turks learnt that this type of thing doesn't work well and they went back to those ethnic jewels. 2.5/10

25. Macedonia
Too many ballads in a row and all of them performed by male vocals, which makes it even worse for me. Anyway, how can I not be prejudiced when it comes to this song, even though I never really liked it. I think that it got what it
deserved despite the fact that I actually wanted it to get more points. Janevski is a good performer and he did well until the final few moments when he showed just how much he loves himself. My deepest condolences and highest bonus points go to this one. 7/10


Top 25
1. Croatia
2. France
3. The Netherlands
3. United Kingdom
5. Israel
6. Belgium
7. Cyprus
8. Romania
9. Spain
10. Macedonia
11. Slovakia
12. Sweden
13. Malta
14. Portugal
15. Finland
16. Ireland
17. Norway
18. Hungary
19. Switzerland
20. Slovenia
21. Greece
22. Poland
23. Turkey
24. Estonia
25. Germany

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