We’re well in to the swing to Eurovision season so I think it might be time to take a good look around and have a couple of hot first takes on every countries songs.

This is the final set of song takes! The auto qualifiers, aka the Big 5 and the Home Team which in this case happens to be Portugal. Should be a quick one so let’s just jump in. Also they’re just in alphabetical order to be ~fair~.

France: Madame Monsieur “Mercy”

Hot Take: This is a fine song. It doesn’t offend or wow me I suppose. I guess I’m happy when a big 5 country decides to send a social song that isn’t “I want a mustache” but also this song and group was less good than several other options at the national final so maybe I’m sore about it.

Germany: Michael Schulte “You Let Me Walk Alone”

Hot Take: Easily the best Germany had to offer but also, is this the best Germany has to offer? A little too deep in to the heart tugging and a little light on vocal prowess this should keep Germany from the dreaded last place but probably no higher than last year.

Italy: Ermal Meta & Fabrizio Moro “Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente”

Hot Take: AUGH. I know there are a lot of fans of this song out there because it has a really good message but I wish it wasn’t just a list of cliches that seemed to be half-screamed in a somewhat flat song. Probably a middle result for them because they’re pretty personable.

Portugal: Cláudia Pascoal “O Jardim”

Hot Take: This is more than I expected from Portugal. The song itself it quite contemporary and decent but this poor singer is really struggling with her voice and breath control. Assuming she gets it together I feel Portugal may be able to scrape the top 10, if not it’s bottom 20 for them.

Spain: Amaia y Alfred “Tu Canción”

Hot Take: NO. No no no. This is a Disney reject song sung by two people whose voices do not go together. Aside from their real life love story this syrup nightmare has no redeeming quality and based on previous staging from Spain it was just be them making out with no background piece. A possible repeat last place for the new Germany.

United Kingdom: SuRie “Storm”

Hot Take: Weirdly good? A bit too much of a throwback sound to really get people excited but this could do surprisingly well. Is this a top 10 for UK? With the right staging I wouldn’t be shocked but it’s likely going to have minimal staging so probably between 15 and 20.

Alright, now that all the countries are covered I’m saying not a peep more about this year until rehearsals start in April but I’ll be continuing my Eurovision deep dive series in the upcoming weeks so look forward to it!