Eurovision entries having a right pop
THE Eurovision Song Contest is usually swamped with grinning performers bouncing around in wild outfits as they sing jolly tunes. But things are changing.
There will be a string of serious songs this year, on subjects such as sexual harassment, the migrant crisis, terrorism and economic strife.
So BBC star Graham Norton may have his work cut out to crack as many gags as normal as he presents what is set to be the most politically motivated Eurovision for years.
The favourite to win is Toy, by Israeli performer Netta Barzilai who says it is about the empowerment of women. The chorus – “I’m not your toy, you stupid boy” – should win the approval of the #MeToo movement.
Netta also makes clucking noises during the song, indicating that some men are chickens.
To chime with the rise of feminism amid the Harvey Weinstein scandal, the four hosts of the contest in Portugal’s capital Lisbon next month are all women.
The French entry, sung by a male/ female duo, is a humanitarian anthem inspired by a baby who was born early on a refugee boat.
The child, born to Nigerian parents in the middle of the Mediterranean, was named Mercy, which is the title of the song performed by Emilie Satt and Jean-Karl Lucas.
It is designed to be a thank you to all those who have helped migrants seeking asylum from war or poverty.
The chorus says: “I was born this morning, my name is Mercy. They lent me a hand and I am alive. I am all of those children whom the sea took away.” Hmm, not exactly Bucks Fizz or Sandie Shaw.
The Italian song – You Did Nothing To Me – is about terror attacks in London, Paris and Nice.
Sung by male duo Ermal Meta and Fabrizio Moro, the defiant lyrics mention the places that were hit and tell the terrorists: “You did nothing to me, your useless wars. You took nothing from me.”
The Greek song, by female vocalist Yianna Terzi, is about the country’s economic collapse and debt crisis.
Yianna says the track, sung in Greek, is a love letter to the country and its people – detailing how much Greece means to everyone and how their spirit will never be broken.
The chorus says: “However much I may hurt, I would never remove you from the map. I would give my life to you. End and beginning, you are everything.”
One Eurovision expert said: “This year’s song contest is full of songs with powerful messages which aim to reflect the broken times we are living through.”
The UK’s song Storm, by SuRie, has been linked to riding through the storm of Brexit. Let’s hope there are still a few acts playing it for laughs.