Thoughts, semifinals results spoilers included.
I have a lot to say.
The semifinals results were crazy! Well, some of it. The first semifinal was pretty normal results-wise, and the second one was a bit more intense. It's the third semifinal that in my opinion was just insanity.
Let's break down why I almost broke down watching the semis results.
Here's the scores between 8th-10th in SF2.
8th:
Portugal - 70 points
9th:
Sweden - 70 points
----------
10th:
China - 69 points
Now compare that to SF3! The difference between 6th and 11th place was a literal two points. If just one country got one more/less points, so many potential ties could've been forced and it would just drive us nuts trying to make multiple tie-breaks.
6th:
Greece - 71 points
7th:
Denmark - 70 points
8th:
Faroe Islands - 70 points
9th:
Spain - 70 points
----------
10th:
Ukraine - 69 points (STILL ROBBED)
11th:
Thailand - 69 points (kinda robbed, too)
And what a coincidence that qualification in both SF2 and SF3 involve the same point values (70 to Q; 69 to NQ). Anyways, that's why I wanted to share it so bad.
I'm happy to report that there's no two countries that scored the same amount of points. After that tie-fest in the semis, this is great!
My
. This is not fair. You did not deserve to place last.
Personally enjoy this style of music, but in this Grand Final, it was not memorable.
I think this is cute, but I thought this was the clear last place seeing the reactions to this qualifying lol.
Elijah L carrying all of Kiribati's music industry on his back is admirable. Truly a king. However, I hope he mixes it up big time because I think his music is getting a little stale in NNMC imo. But you came 4th in your semi (best semi result?), so don't worry I guess.
This is okay. It's not remarkable for me, but it deserved its place in the final.
My
. Sooooo underrated. How are you this low?
Not so bad for a returning winner, for a different country at that. It doesn't beat "Black" though. That was excellent. This is only decent.
My
and very much UNDERRATED. Portugal, so far this year, you keep slaying me with banger after banger. Keep it up!
My
and also VERY UNDERRATED. I would turn up to this at a party in Italy.
Well done on this country's first go. This is a good spot for this imo.
This was a grower, so I came to like it. Not enough for my points though.
Not a bad result for the host entry. It's forgettable imo.
Thanks for placing us in 18th. It was a long shot for the top 10 result I want, but I'm satisfied that this song's result met my expectations. Special thanks to Niall for your 12 points!
My
. I'm "shook" you're not even in the top half. It what you deserve at least, not 17th.
My
. A unique electronic song with a unique drop. Just like Zimbabwe, you deserve a place in the top half at least.
Well... there's something others hear that I don't that made you this popular. This is okay for me.
The hype had me believe this was a shoe-in for the Top 10, and I'm glad to be proven wrong. Awesome drop, but... that's it... and Greece did it better imo. Shocked Gilberto didn't even give this at least one point. I really thought he would.
Amaliastan is back in full form. All she had to do was bring a horse (that neigh is iconic) and sing her country's name repeatedly. And imo, it worked! This was very close to getting points from me. It gets stuck in my head often enough, and it's just really good and distinctly Turkmen.
My house. My rules. My pleasure. My
. ROBBED. This should've been in the Top 10, but I figured it would be too niche to get there. Still a
fierce entry!
It's quite good. 11th is probably the highest spot I would put this in this final. Top 10 would be pushing it.
As I said earlier in the semifinals results, this is a step down from your past two entries. I think it's okay. Doesn't deserve top 10 at all, but people like it, so I respect that.
Another song that came very close to getting points from me. It just sounds so fresh and listenable to a non-Balkan person like me. It grew on me a lot. Congratulations on reaching the Top 10. It's been a long while for Serbia I think.
My
. This caught my attention easily and was one of my standouts from the start. I wish you were a few spots higher, but I can accept 8th.
Another Top 10 for Greece, and I don't mind. It's catchy, and that drop is amazing. Well done!
My
. I was surprised that I love this, but I just do. It's the hook that's the cherry on top. Congrats on placing 6th!
I'm surprised it did this well. You had much better past entries that placed lower. Still a banger, but not enough for my top 10 this month. Congrats on 5th place though!
Lol @ Palestine narrowly beating this for 3rd. It's cute, it's energetic, but 4th? Too high. I prefer Palestine by a light year.
MY
. SHOULD'VE WON. Y'ALL, IT SHOULD'VE WON.
The Arab-phobia is real. Okay, I'm being over dramatic. This is just perfect. That tongue twister of a line before that epic drop. The whole vibe of the song. Her attitude throughout. It's just everything! You should've won. Well, at least it's another iconic Top 3 placement for you after Palestine's previous Top 3.
If this had won, respectfully, this would've competed with
"Depi nor irakanutyun" for my least favorite NNMC winner ever. It's beautiful, and her voice is "The Voice," but I feel indifferent to this. It doesn't take me to another level of existence. It's just there. Respectfully, this song has many fans, and it turned out a lot of points. Congratulations on placing 2nd. I think this is the first time Ireland will AQ without winning? That, or it's been a looong while since that happened.
Congratulations, Niall! At least you won with a more decisive margin this time. The French language mixed with a Middle Eastern sound is so exciting to listen to, and I enjoyed your entry for that. Even though you didn't get points from me, I'm happy that you won.
See you all next edition!