Wtbx

1

A nice way to start the contest. Michelle is sweet so is her song. I guess she will present it the same way as in the Dutch final. 

6/10

Prediction: 6-15 

Despite being very early in the draw, this just can't fail. I like it a lot. She gives a very good performance, and I believe that the gimmick with the Mermaid dress will work fine. 

8/10

Prediction: top10

At last, Netherlands opts for simplicity (sigh of relief). Then someone has the bright idea that if Michelle wore a mermaid dress she could collect more points (gasp). Sure, it's never too late to ruin a song with cheap tricks.

8/10

2

The first time I heard it, I thought it was poor. The use of English and the video improved it a lot. Not bad at all. 

6/10

Prediction: 11-16

A typical Icelandic entry of the recent years. It's actually All Out of Luck that gets worse year by year. It has nothing special on it, it is too early in the draw and it's doomed by the Curse of No.2 - could things be worse? No. 

3/10

Prediction: 15-20 (thanks to Scandinavia)

When I first heard that song it was in Icelandic and it actually sounded quite nice. Well, now that I've heard it a few more times in English, it actually sounds quite nice. Because, really, it's quite a nice song.

8/10

3

Now that's kinda weird. I like the mixture of different music styles. Nino seems cool and confident. 

7/10

Prediction: 13-18

Bosnia is trying to surprise us. Neither their '99 entry, nor their '01 entry can be described as typical Balkan songs. Hano has this "different" effect on it and I wouldn't be surprised if I saw it

receiving some points from all over Europe. It's not a winner, but not a Bottom contender. 

5/10

Prediction: 10-15 (thanks to the Balkans) 

One of the most interesting songs of the evening. If you close your eyes while listening to it, you can really feel the mystique of the music. If you open your eyes and see Nino dressed up in that fake-Ali Gfisherman's uniform, close them again very tight and never ever open them again before the song ends.

8/10

4

The first big ballad of the night is the Norwegian. Haldor is sweet and his voice lifts the song very much. One of my favorites. 

9/10

Prediction: 8-13

A strong ballad, more close to the eurosong that we all love, than the Dutch attempt. He has a strong voice but he looks so funny. I don't know if it was his bad haircut in the Norwegian Final, but I couldn't stop laughing. Anyway, it's a good song and if Michelle doesn't make it in convincing the audience that she has a better song and she doesn't look so funny, it might get a chance. 

8,5/10

Prediction: top10

Excellent ballad, rather Westlife-y, performed by a Norwegian troll. If the contest had to be won by a ballad, I would definitely prefer this one. However I don't think this will happen, as his voice is not that strong - I clearly heard a couple of notes sung on their own. 

8/10

5

I think it lacks originality. It reminds me of old Israeli entries such as "Khan", or "Ben Adam". It's a nice song after all - has nothing to do with the Ping Pong entry. It can get points from the juries.

6/10

Prediction: 8-13

No matter how many times they re-arrange it, I find it very old-fashioned to be heavily voted. I, personally, like it, and it might

get some votes from the Mediterranean, after all. 

8/10

Prediction: 15-20

Someone apparently let the Israeli composers know that this is not the 80s, so they quickly rearranged the intolerably old-fashioned song à la George Michael's Faith, adding some brass touches to make it sound remotely latin. But hey, wasn't Faith released in the 80s and isn't Latin so 1999? 

5/10

6

I can find some real quality in here. It’s not my cup of tea though.

4/10

Prediction: 14-19

Is it the "My Star" of 2001? We now know that the Eurovision has an "alternative" audience (I couldn't believe that "My Star" finished 3rd).Will this audience pick this one as its favorite this time? An advantage of "Lady Alpine Blue" is that it plays alone (no other song is close to its style). The disadvantage is that it plays on others field. I love it. 

10/10 

Prediction: top10(thanks to the "alternatives" and the ex-Russian Republics) 

Brilliant quality song from Russia, which however lacks My Star's instant effect. Will have to struggle to enter the all important top14. 

10/10

7

The first big up tempo song of the night. OK OK it does sound like a bunch of old songs but who cares? The chorus can take me higher indeed. It's better that Charlotte and Carola in my own opinion. Gothenburg 2002 maybe? 

8,5/10

Prediction: top5

They have used he formula in the past, and it made them happy. So, why not use it again? I like the song. Lots of people like it. And if there is a song that has a possibility to be instantly recognised as a winner by the "ordinary" people, then it's this one. I am afraid though that if Sweden continues to send the same style of song, year by year and still win, will become the "Ireland" of the new decade = hated by everyone. 

9,5/10

My prediction: 1-5

My Abba-meter, an instrument measuring a song'sresemblance to the famous Swedish band's sound which should be used by all fans before listening to any Scandinavian entry, gave me a97% indication, which could probably mean another Swedish victory. However, I don't really see the Swedish conquer Copenhagen, because this time their song soundsmore prefabricated than a Britney Spears song.

6/10

8

I really want this one to do well but I don't think it will (not a good thing to perform next to the Swedish dynamite!) It is modern, and it has got style. I preferred the old version.

6/10

Prediction: 15-20

I have mixed feelings about this one. It stands no chance at all, though. 

6,5/10

Prediction: bottom 5

My favorite song this year. It's modern, it's groovy, it's sophisticated: actually, it's everything a eurosong should not be.

10/10

9

Too much indeed. I get tired of listening to it. The new version is even more painful. I think the singer is a very nice person just like Reynard last year. 

3/10

Prediction: 17-23

This one will probably follow the success of its neighbor and join it in the bottom5. Terrible song. 

3/10

Prediction: bottom5

The only fair punishment imposed on the person who came up with the new version is to make him listen to Celine Dion's greatest hits twice, no three times, because he really managed to deprive the song of the novelty factor, which was the one thing that could save it from bottom 5.

6/10

10

Vanna is a real beauty. The orchestration is filled with violins and the song has the ESC recipe. Should do well. 

6,5/10

Prediction: 3-9 

Overrated or what? A complete mess. Too much noise for nothing, I am afraid; almost annoying. For me, it's the worst Croatian entry ever.

4/10

Prediction: 10-15 (thanks to the Balkans)

Quite original and refreshing, powerful yet melodic, the Croatian entry can really grow on you, if you ever manage to get over the Love Boat effect. Vanna looks capable of giving a great performance in Copenhagen and really, how many singers can guarantee that this year?

7/10

11

Is this the best that Portugal can give us? I don't think so. I hope they enter with a better song in 2003. 

2/10

Prediction 17-23

It's nice listening, but it's bad watching. The guys are clowns. Old-fashioned sound, sung in Portuguese - it's doomed. If it was not for France, this could be a strong nul-contender. I am sure that after this year's failure, RTP will reconsider and will start using the free-language rule. 

4/10

Prediction: bottom 5

The chorus is not bad. And that about concludes my comments on that song. Really.

2/10

12

What a surprise. An Irish boring ballad. I find that Gary is a nice fellow but that's all there is! 

1/10

Prediction: You never know when it comes to Ireland 

What to say, that has not been said. They keep sending the same song since... since I remember. I know we hate it, but for the majority of those who vote, this will be another sweet ballad -

arranged as only RTE knows to arrange ballads, despite being bloody boring, this will end up somewhere in the middle. Imagine Ireland being relegated... OK, wake up now, it was just a good dream. 

5/10

My prediction: 10-15

And you thought Ireland's worst moment was the Mullans. Ha! Gary is here to prove you wrong. Seriously now, I kind of like this song. 

3/10 (I said kind of)

13

This is what we had been expecting to hear from Spain for so many years. Pure latin like the songs of R.Martin or E.Iglesias. I hope he will dance and sing well.

9/10

Prediction: 3-9

After 5 awful entries (the most boring 20 minutes in ESC history) this sounds so fresh that will be heavily voted. It is my third favorite. If only they used a couple of verses in English! 

10/10

Prediction: 1-5

Poor man's Ricky Martin singing poor man's Latin music. Poor listeners!

3/10

14

Great voice, great lyrics, great looks make a great song. Pure class! Will it attract the televoters? I think so yeah… 

10/10

Prediction: top5

Ah, this is my second favorite. Great song. But I have the suspicion that it's this year's fans favorite that is doomed to fail with the real audience. I would love to see this winning, but I have the feeling that the French must feel lucky if they enter the top10. 

10/10

My prediction: top10

This is actually a world's first: a song without music. That's too bad because the French entry is the song with the deepest lyrics this year - anyway, as deep as a eurosong can get. (Yawn). And could somebody tell that girl to stop imitating Lara Fabian? And could someone tell Lara to stop imitating Celine Dion? And could someone tell Celine Dion to NEVER sing again? Thank you. 

4/10

15

Am I the only one who loves this? OK it's old fashioned but the singer is handsome and sings perfectly.

8/10

Prediction 11-16

Big dramatic ballad, of those that I love Turkey sending in ESC. It's a bit old-fashioned for the average televoter, but it's very touching.

9/10

Prediction: 15-20

Let me get a handkerchief here, 'cause this guy is in terrible pain. Apparently his song was not chosen as a theme for Turkey's prime-time soap opera and he has to tell all Europe.

1/10

16

Here comes the British girl. She is not a professional singer so anything can happen. No dream impossible!

6,5/10

Prediction: 9-14

I had only heard the studio version and had this song in my top10. I watched the live performance the day before, and I was shocked. I hope she improves her looks and singing till it's Copenhagen time because the song is not that bad, otherwise failure is certain, knowing that Nusa follows. 

9/10

Prediction: top10

Lindsay. She is really called Lindsay fucking D.

5/10

17

My hot favorite of ESC2001. Nusa is divine! I don't care about the poor English lyrics, electric runs right through me! "Maria Magdalena" or "Diva" of 2001? 

10/10

Prediction: top5

As everyone says, this is the "Diva" of 2001. If they are not to win with this song, then with what song will they ever win? With "Winner" written all over it, this is along with Sweden the strongest 

contender for the prize. 

10/10

Prediction: 1-5 

As cheap as it gets -real value for your money: the cd single comes with a "I am a gay eurovision fan and proud of it" badge.

5/10

18

This is a simple Scandinavian song, not what we expected to hear from Poland. What makes this song great is Piasek himself and his strong professional voice. 

6/10

Prediction 6-15

It's so predictable it gets extremely boring. 

6/10

Prediction: 10-15

Now, if a Polish singer sang the above-mentioned song, the result would be completely different. The Polish have a way of instilling quality in whatever kind of music they make, even when it's not the most original, as is the case with this year's entry. 2Long is sheer fun. 

10/10

19

This is the best German entry since 1986 in my own opinion. I really hope that sweet Michelle will sing it perfectly on the big night. 

8,5/10

prediction 6-15

After some bright years of experiments, Germany returns to the Dark Side of the Force alas to the Schlager era. The song is of those I quite like, though I don't believe it has chances to repeat the success of Raab and Sorpriz. It's a pity cause I thought that it was about time for a German victory. 

8,5/10

Prediction: top10

Painful.

1/10

20

There is a party going on in Estonia this year. Will they sing properly? Will the crowd dig this? 

4/10

Prediction 3-23!

Can't stand it. 

2/10

Prediction: 15-20

Not the kind of song I would actually choose to listen to on my cd player. However if these guys can sing and move around the stage, they will have to struggle NOT to win. It's a song that sounds remotely familiar to everyone and one should never underestimate the importance of the sing-along factor in the ESC.

4/10

21

A decent latin pop song with a singer some people find handsome. Sometimes that's all that is needed.

6/10

Prediction 3-8

Happy, catchy, OK song - the first Maltese song I really like in years.

9/10

prediction: 1-5

Another sad shot at Latin music. 

4/10

22

I will not comment my home country's entry. All I will say is that we return after three years of absence and what a comeback this is! Good luck, Nikos and Elena! 

10/10

Prediction: top5

The best entry in years. The first song that becomes a hit in Greece since the days of Anixi (ESC91). It's a bit ethnic, it's catchy, it has a hook, why not? The overall score will depend on their performance, as everyone says. 

10/10

Prediction: 1-5 

For some strange reason, I cannot understand why everybody thinks this is a great song or a winner. I believe it will end up 13th, which is actually what it deserves. The composers must have got it all wrong, because, although Die For You is supposed to be dancy and happy, it genuinely get me down and the lyrics just make me want to cry (for the wrong reasons obviously). Duh!

3/10

23

This band is adorable. Cute fellows with good professional voices. It works fine for me. 

7/10

Prediction: 6-10 

It's not my cup of tea, but it will certainly go huge in Parken. 

4/10

Prediction: top10

Denmark goes simple again, which pretty much seems to be the recipe for the contest these days of televoting (being a transsexual helps a lot, too).A nice feel-good song.

8/10