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Following the tradition that I started in 2017, this year I decided to dedicate two articles for Eurovision 2018: one that was already published, in which I shared my opinion of the contest (click here, if you are interested in reading it), and this is the other one, with my Top 43 of the songs that competed. In the previous year, I could only convince my sister Raquel to do it with me, since, like me, she follows the contest from the moment when the national selections take place, until the big final in May. But this time I managed to convince Catarina, my other sister, to do her Top too (or upset her until she didn’t want to put up with me anymore, it depends on the interpretation. I am such an amazing sister!). Catarina is a fan of Eurovision, yet recently she was paying less and less attention to the competition. In 2017 I believe that she only turned her attention to the TV to see Portugal, she really liked Amar pelos Dois by Salvador Sobral.
Truly, the reason why I wanted to do this type of article with my sisters it’s because Eurovision is one of our special things. I remember watching the contest with them in our living room, before coming to Lisbon for University, arguing about the countries that we wanted to win when our opinions were different (almost ever), and singing our favourite songs together. Of course that we still talk about the subject, when is the period of Eurovision, but it’s not the same thing. Honestly, it’s when I reflect about this kind of thing, that I reach to the conclusion that little things matter the most sometimes.
Furthermore, Raquel and I have similar tastes in terms of music, so usually, our Top’s don’t differ that much. On the other hand, Catarina, in general, has different tastes form ours. I thought that compare our Top’s would be pretty interesting.
Here is our Top 43 of Eurovision 2018:
My Top 43
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Raquel Top 43
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Catarina Top 43
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1. Italy
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1. Italy
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1. Denmark
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2. Hungary
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2. Estonia
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2. Lithuania
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3. Belarus
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3. Denmark
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3. Belarus
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4. Denmark
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4. Greece
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4. Austria
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5. Greece
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5. Bulgaria
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5. The Netherlands
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6. Bulgaria
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6. Spain
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6. Estonia
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7. Estonia
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7. Belarus
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7. France
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8. Portugal
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8. Belgium
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8. Italy
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9. Switzerland
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9. Ukraine
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9. Greece
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10. FYR Macedonia
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10. Portugal
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10. Portugal
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11. Ireland
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11. France
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11. Hungary
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12. Ukraine
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12. Hungary
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12. Bulgaria
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13. Belgium
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13. Sweden
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13. Norway
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14. Finland
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14. Finland
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14. Montenegro
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15. Norway
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15. Switzerland
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15. Albania
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16. Albania
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16. FYR Macedonia
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16. Ukraine
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17. Sweden
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17. The Netherlands
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17. Switzerland
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18. Czech Republic
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18. Lithuania
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18. Belgium
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19. France
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19. Israel
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19. Cyprus
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20. The Netherlands
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20. Cyprus
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20. Spain
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21. Latvia
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21. Austria
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21. Czech Republic
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22. Croatia
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22. Czech Republic
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22. Finland
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23. Slovenia
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23. Latvia
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23. Croatia
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24. Armenia
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24. Slovenia
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24. Latvia
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25. Montenegro
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25. Croatia
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25. Malta
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26. Austria
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26. Australia
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26. United Kingdom
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27. Israel
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27. Germany
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27. Germany
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28. Cyprus
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28. Ireland
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28. Azerbaijan
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29. Moldova
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29. Malta
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29. Ireland
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30. Germany
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30. Norway
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30. Moldova
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31. United Kingdom
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31. Armenia
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31. San Marino
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32. Romania
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32. United Kingdom
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32. Australia
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33. Lithuania
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33. Serbia
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33. Israel
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34. Spain
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34. Moldova
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34. Poland
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35. Australia
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35. Albania
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35. Sweden
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36. Malta
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36. Montenegro
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36. Romania
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37. Azerbaijan
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37. Azerbaijan
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37. Russia
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38. Serbia
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38. Romania
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38. Georgia
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39. Georgia
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39. Georgia
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39. Serbia
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40. Iceland
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40. San Marino
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40. Iceland
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41. San Marino
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41. Russia
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41. Armenia
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42. Russia
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42. Iceland
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42. FYR Macedonia
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43. Poland
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43. Poland
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43. Slovenia
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In order to analyse some aspects, I decided to highlight in red some of the Countries that we wanted to do some comments, and in bold those Countries that we have placed that have relevant differences when comparing the Tops.
So let’s see:
Italy - For me and Raquel Italy was the big winner: the music was powerful, the voices of Ermal Meta e Fabrizio Moro were gorgeous, and the message of the song the most meaningful of the year. Catarina liked the song, yet in her opinion, it wasn't enough for the win.
Denmark - All three of us adore this song since the first listen. Rasmussen captivates our attention from the very first-second until the last moment of his performance. In fact, he was Catarina winner. In her point of view, both his voice and song were on point, the performance brilliant, and he should have won, or at least made it until the Top 5.
Greece - Although we placed Yianna Terzi and her music Oniro Mou in different places, I and my sisters share the same conclusion: she had everything to reach a respectful place - The song was wonderful, and her voice was good - however, the performance (apart from the last part) was kind of boring. Despite this, she should have made it to the final.
Bulgaria - I liked the song and the dark vibe in it. EQUINOX made a good job. Raquel loved it and says that Bulgaria is becoming one of her favourite countries in Eurovision. Catarina loved it as well.
Estonia - Elina Nechayeva had the most beautiful voice of the contest this year. La Forza was a memorable song as well.
Portugal - The three of us agree that Portugal didn't deserve the last place in the final. However, if Raquel and I share the thought that the music was beautiful and the voices of Cláudia Pascoal and Isaura pretty, Catarina, on the other hand, didn't appreciate the song as much as us since the beginning. Namely, although she liked O Jardim, it was never her favourite in the National selection. She wanted Janeiro, with his song (sem título) to represent our country.
Hungary - I absolutely loved this Viszlát Nyár by AWS. In my opinion, their performance was impactful, amazing, there aren't enough words to describe it. Raquel likes the performance, especially when they all sing together. In addition, she comments that we can actually see that they feel the music. I agree. Catarina agrees with the previously stated. For her, the music is excellent.
FYR Macedonia - As I said in the article in which I shared my opinion on this year's Eurovision, Macedonia was a disappoint due to the performance. It was terrible, they didn't get anything right. However, I actually really like the song and that's why it remains in my Top 10. Raquel didn't like the song in the beginning but changed her opinion. She says that the singer's voice is stunning. Catarina is not a fan of the song.
Ireland - I think that Together by Ryan O'Shaughnessy is a lovely song. Actually, contrary to my sisters I enjoyed listening to the song since the beginning, and this is the second year in a row that Ireland surprised me in a good way. My favourite part of the song is the last moments when Ryan sings with the choir. Raquel thinks that, honestly, the music is nothing special, but there are worse. She says that the performance was good. Catarina even pondered putting the song further down in the Top.
Norway - Fairly, yes, I was expecting more from Alexander Rybak when I heard that my favourite winner, besides Salvador Sobral, was returning to the competition. I and my sisters actually, since we all love Fairytale. But That’s How You Write A Song grew on me, especially due to his charisma and amazing performance. In Raquel's opinion That’s How You Write A Song seems like a song that "should compete in Eurovision Junior", she was disappointed. Catarina expected more as well, yet she found the performance enjoyable.
Albania - I like Mall by Eugent Bushpepa, his voice is powerful, one of the bests this year. Catarina shares the same opinion than me, adding that the song is different. Raquel agrees when we say that his voice is astonishing, but she doesn't think that the song as something special and she doesn't like the chorus.
Sweden - Albeit, Dance You Off by Benjamin Ingrosso was way overrated by the juries, it's one of my guilty pleasures this year. It's kind of addictive. Raquel loves the song, but she agrees that is nothing special. Catarina, on the other hand, thinks that both the music and performance are too weird for her taste.
France - France was one of the favourites this edition, in fact, I expected that Madame Monsieur would end up in a much better place. Anyway, I can't put Mercy higher in my Top: the message of the song is important, her voice is wonderful, but at the end of the day when I think about the music it's just "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy...". It's a bit repetitive for my taste, especially the final part. Raquel and Catarina, on the contrary, love the song and appreciate the message a lot.
The Netherlands - I liked Waylon participation with Ilse DeLange in 2014, and, this year, his song didn't disappoint me. His voice is spectacular. However, his performance was not my cup of tea. In my opinion, he has the charisma to deliver an unforgettable performance alone on the stage, he didn't need the dancers. Raquel could appreciate the song, but she liked others songs more. Catarina liked Outlaw In ‘Em because it was distinctive.
Austria, Israel & Cyprus - In my point of view, these three songs were overrated. Cesár Sampson delivered a pleasant performance, Eleni Foureira transmitted her song in a very powerful way and Israel song, well, it's Israel song. Bur the three of them were terribly overestimated for me. Raquel thinks the same as me, although she finds Nobody But You beautiful. Catarina loves Nobody But You, for her César sings super well. About Cyprus, she would prefer that Fuego won, instead of Israel. She did not like Toy. In her opinion, Netta won because she delivered a comic performance.
Germany - I will be direct: I never liked this song. Raquel thinks that there are worse in the competition. Catarina finds the song touching.
Lithuania - Another one that I did not like, I don't understand all the excitement that it got in the contest. Raquel, on the other hand, likes it, especially the live performance. Catarina loves the song to the point that Ieva Zasimauskaitė with When We’re Old was her second winner.
Spain - This song grew a little bit on me with the passing of the months, but not enough. Raquel affirms that Tu Canción is a magical song. She likes Amaia voice, Alfred not that much, but in the end, both fit well. Catarina hated the live performance, she thinks that the song is beautiful but forgettable.
Australia - Like I said in my post about Eurovision 2018, I hated We Got Love by Jessica Mauboy. Her voice is good, but I feel that I have heard this song countless times when that is definitely not the case. Raquel believes that the performance was weird but recognizes that Jessica has the energy. Catarina hated the performance adding, in jest, that "her dress is not adequate".
Malta - I didn't like Taboo, although I admit that Christabelle tried her best to make an impactful performance. Raquel likes the song, she says that Christabelle has a lot of charisma. Catarina agrees with Raquel and adds that she had a wonderful performance.
San Marino - Sometimes I think that San Marino is not even trying anymore. Actually, I, Catarina and Raquel don't think that Who We Are is an awful song, but that performance... It was a joke, that is the only comment we can make.
Poland, Slovenia - Our last places. Raquel and I agree, putting Light Me Up by Gromee and Lukas Meijer in last. I hate the song, I heard it in its entirety a couple of times, and that's enough. Besides, the performance was mediocre. Raquel says that the song is nothing new. Catarina declares that there are better. About Slovenia: at first, I liked the beginning of the song of Hvala, ne!, but I couldn't take the chorus seriously. However, I end up liking the live performance, it was enjoyable. Hvala, ne! is not Raquel style, but she actually liked both song and performance. Slovenia is Catarina last place because she finds the song weird and doesn't think that suit well in a competition like Eurovision.
To sum up, this year, I and my sisters' opinions diverge a bit. However, that is what makes things entertaining at the end of the day. If we all be had the same opinions or interests the World would be boring. I especially like how different is Catarina's Top. Like I previously said, I was expecting it. Catarina and Raquel might be twins, but they are very distinct. I am glad that they give me their opinions to put in this article, and next year I will be annoying them in order to do the same!
Nb: We do not own the picture above.
Who has the better Top for you? I, Raquel or Catarina?
Do you agree with my sisters’ points of view?
What is your Top of Eurovision 2018?
What is your Top of Eurovision 2018?
I hope you’re having a lovely week!
Mariana Nunes
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