TOP TEN 2010

9th Equal - 73 POINTS - Die For You
The third song from 2001 in our Grand Final, and the first of two to make the Top Ten. Again, this brings back wonderful memories for me, and I so desparately wanted them to win on that night in May.....alas, it wasn't to be, but they keep making the Eurovision Champions Final, which is good enough for me. Fantastic result, Helena and Nikos.




9th Equal - 73 POINTS - Tu Te Reconaitras
Luxembourg's fourth winner, and a true evergreen. There is always a tussle to see if Anne-Marie or Vicky will make our Grand Final. This year, they both did, for the very first time. Of course, Vicky is the current champion, but for how long? Anne-Marie's song comes from the golden era of french chansons, and deserved to make a top ten place.




8th - 77 POINTS - Ja N'ai Que Mon Ame
Another truly wonderful song from a year that really didn't produce a great ESC winner. (I am sure we could debate that for years to come). The first time France sent in a song partly in English, and continued with the tradition of beautiful Canadian singers at the ESC (yes, we could debate that one as well....let's leave it for another time). Well done Natasha.




7th - 78 POINTS - Apres Toi
The third French song in the Top Ten, and now a former Eurovision Champions winner. Vicky did amazingly well, and although she didn't win the Luxembourg round this year, she did actually end up with a better placing than Anne-Marie David......go figure! I have no doubt that the annual battle between these two songs will continue for years to come.




6th - 83 POINTS - Neka Mi Ne Svane
The very first winner of Eurovision Champions, and again in 2003, Danijela just couldn't pull it off this year. With a very slow start it looked like she was going to be humbled, and not even make the Top Twenty. However, a late rally gave Danijela enough votes to rush back into the Top Ten, just finishing outside the Top Five by only two votes. Good to see you back again.....see you next year, I am sure.

TOP FIVE

5th - 85 POINTS - Fairytale
This song doesn't really need much explaining. A true winner in Moscow, Alexander did just as well here, after only his first time in our Grand Final. Time will tell if he can manage to keep up the momentum. Another fantastic result, Alex.





























4th - 90 POINTS - Fiume Di Parole
Italy's last ever entry at the ESC, and it still continues to get the votes. After leading for a few round, Alessandro and Fabio just couldn't keep up with the pace at the end. Still, a wonderful result, especially as this is the first time they have been in our Grand Final since they were the Wild Card entry a few years ago.
































3rd Place - 95 POINTS - Randajad
Where did Estonia find these girls.....and what a performance in Moscow. This will definitely go down as one of the classics of all time, and have no doubt we will see them in our final again, possibly going all the way next time. Haunting, beautiful, melodic, charismatic.......you did well, girls, and long may it last.


























2nd - 106 POINTS - Waterloo
After leading the voting on many occasions, was it possible that the "Congratulations" champions could actually do it here as well. Alas, the last few votes only gathered up 18 points from the last five members, compared with the winning song getting 21 points from the final three members. Abba can certainly be proud that they did so well, especially as they are the most memorable band ever to come out of the ESC. I love them more than ever these days (as you'd see from my last.fm
stats), and congratulate them on their best ever performance in our own Grand Final.

So, our 2010 winner is, of course

THE "SHADY LADY"

1st - 109 POINTS


Congratulations to Ani for a remarkable come back. After numerous occasions it looked like she was out of contention..... and then all of a sudden, a rush of votes would catapult her back up the rankings. Her song will always be remembered as one of the best ever to grace the ESC stage, and am sure there are many members out there who are ecstatic with her win (not pointing at you,by any chance, Darrin), and is a well deserved victory. Enjoy your year, Ani, as our Eurovsion Champion.




Well, everyone, after a long 10 months, it is time for me to sign off. Of course, we will be back again in June/July, and do it all over again. I have a few new things I will introduce once we get started, but that's all remaining under wraps for the time being.

I'd like to thank each and everyone of our regular voters, all the way from Moscow to Nottingham, from Melbourne to Stockholm, for their participation. It has been great fun...... and looking forward to doing it all over again

Craig

FINAL POSITION for 2010 - Songs 20 to 11

44 POINTS - Love Shine A Light
After 16 year long years, the UK finally got it win, back in 1997. Of course, it still ranks as the song with the highest number of points, long before all participating countries got to vote, even if they don't make the ESC Grand Final. I guess the song has become a little tired now, but still good to make a Top Twenty position.




46 POINTS - No, No Never
A lot was expected from this song at the ESC, especially as it became the biggest selling single in Germany that year. It was disappointing back then, to see them unable to make a top ten position in 2006, but great to see them in the Eurovision Champions Grand Final for the very first time. Go Jane and the Cowboys !!




46 POINTS - Un Arbre, Un Banc, Une Rue
Monaco's ever present song in the Grand Final.....nothing ever changes here, with another mid-table final result. No doubt we'll see her again next year, at possibly 18th position. Anyone wish to place a bet on that.....





46 POINTS - Every Way That I Can
Turkey got their one and only win after the most exciting voting sequence since possibly 1991 and 1998 ESC's. Sertab can be very proud to have finally pulled it off for Turkey, and seems to have led the way to some good quality songs from that country ever since.





55 POINTS - This Is My Life
After failing to make any ESC Grand Final since 2003, Iceland were back with a bang, sending in one if their most energetic songs ever. They didn't quite land a position at the ESC like Selma or Yohanna, but well done for getting into the Top Twenty here.





56 POINTS - Vuelve Conmigo
A perennial favourite from Spain, and being a true evergreen. Anabel still manages to get the votes after all these year's even if the competition in the Spanish round is always competitive, if not the most competitive. Well done in getting into the Top Fifteen here.....





59 POINTS - Lejla
Bosnia Herzegovina's best.....ever. It could probably take a few years for them to top their ESC performance, and Lejla will continue to make our own Grand Final for quite a few years to come I reckon. A true gem !!






61 POINTS - Lane Moje
Another runner-up at the ESC, another good performance at Eurovision Champions. However, Zeljko just couldn't pull off another win here, after being crowned champion in 2008. He definitely has some stiff competition in the Serbian round nowadays, so it could be a tussle to see who makes the Grand Final for the next few years.




62 POINTS - Diva
What a winner!!! This song truly blew the socks off everyone when it won in Birmingham. Dana International went onto a successful career (I still have all her CD's), and she finally put Israel back into the ESC Grand Final again in 2008 with Boaz's fantastic song. A true DIVA...go Dana.





68 POINTS - Senhora Do Mar
This is one helluva song. After so many misses for Portugal this is the one that earned Portugal an ESC Grand Final place after years in the wilderness. Vania had it all: the vampish look, the best lyrics, the amazing performance, the incredible music...... This song will be up there for years to come.






TIME TO MOVE ONTO THE FINAL TOP TEN

FINAL POSITION for 2010 - Songs 30 to 21

22 POINTS - Always
After a huge performance in Moscow last year, this song could have been tipped to go close. Alas, it wasn't to be, and we will have to wait until next season to see if this song becomes a "one hit wonder".






23 POINTS - Never Ever Let You Go
After a wonderful performance on their home turf in 2001 this song always brings back some wonderful memories for me. The tenseness at the Parken on the night was something I have never experienced before, and it was with a little sadness that this song could only manage 29th place this year.




27 POINTS - To Nie Ja
Another runner-up, another disappointing place at Eurovision Champions Final. After doing so well in 1994 is Edyta's song getting a little tired? Still, I have no doubt that she will be pushing for a place in our Grand Final next year.





28 POINTS - Dzuli
After a great start this year, poor Daniel couldn't score any more votes between the 4th voter and the 21st voter. As some members have said, this brings back fond memories of the early 80's. Ah...those were the days!!!!






29 POINTS - Forogj Vilag
One of only two Hungarian songs to do exceptionally well at the ESC, it is a little disappointing that they ended up in the bottom half of the Grand Final. Look out for them again next year, seeing as Hungary aren't going to Oslo.





29 POINTS - Angel
Our third runner-up song in the last five positions, this is one power ballad that was expected to do better. Still, Chiara has been a trouper at the ESC, although I assume she will have retired from its stage now. Well done Chiara for all your efforts over the years.





31 POINTS - Tornero
One of two songs from Romania that finished Top Five at the ESC, this is one song I really did expect to do better. I am sure we will see Mihai back again some day, in both competitions.






38 POINTS - Hold Me Now
We finally come to the lowest placed, former winner of the ESC, for this year. Johnny has a wonderful track record, which we are all aware of, but he couldn't pull it off here. At least he toppled Niamh out of being the usual Irish entry at Eurovision Champions Grand Final. Will he manage to do the same again next year? I think he may have stiff competition.




42 POINTS - Hemel En Aarde
The best placed song for the Netherlands at the ESC since their wonderful win in 1975, Edsilia started off really well. Unfortuantely, she could only manage low votes and ended up in a dismal 22nd position. Still, she has been in the Eurovision Champions Final for many years now....she'll be back.




44 POINTS - Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi
Our second former winner, and one of the biggest stars ever to come out of the ESC, poor Celine just couldn't stack up enough votes to break into the Top Twenty this year. In fact, it is a rare appearance for her in the Eurovision Champions Final, (which usually goes to Peter, Sue & Marc), so good on her actually being here. Well done, Celine!!





TIME TO MOVE ONTO THE NEXT TEN PLACED SONGS

FINAL POSITION for 2010 - Songs 40 to 31

13 POINTS - Carry Me In Your Dreams
As much as we'd like to carry you forward, Kejsi, it just wasn't going to be this year. A good performance at the ESC itself couldn't propel her any further than 40th place this year.






13 POINTS - Love Or Leave
A song that I would have thought could do better than where it finally landed. Still, I am sure they will be back next year, as they have done so since 2007.






13 POINTS - Hora Din Moldova
After a wonderful performance in Moscow last year, bigger things were expected from Nelly. Unfortunately, she could get nowhere near the 69 points she got from all over Europe, and ended up in 38th position.






13 POINTS - Complice
San Marino's one and only ever entry (will they be another Morocco. They actually faired ever worse in score and position), just couldn't stack up the points even though it was wonderful to see them in Belgrade. Let's hope they do come back some year, especially as we don't hear Italian lyrics on the ESC stage much these days.




15 POINTS - Leave Me Alone
When Hannah was selected to defend Finland's title in 2007, I am sure we expected a good chunk of votes. It didn't materialise in Helsinki, and it didn't materialse in our Grand Final either. So, after Hannah's first final appearance will we see her back next year.....?





16 POINTS - Modlitba
Slovakia haven't had much luck on the ESC, and neither have they done well at Eurovision Champions. Somehow, I don't see this changing any time soon. Final position this year - 35th








16 POINTS - Energy
Slovenia's equal best position at the ESC just didn't have enough energy to make much of an impression this year, and didn't even register a single vote on Day 1. Maybe next year, Nusa....






17 POINTS - Mojo Svet
The only performer from FYROM to appear twice on the ESC stage, and even a Grand Final appearance just couldn't gather enough points for Ms Goceva at Eurovision Champions. I am sure we will see her again someday, in the Eurovision Champions Final, if not the ESC.





20 POINTS - Work Your Magic
Sorry Dmitry, you just couldn't work your magic this year. After being the only Belarus song to ever make the ESC Grand Final it would have been nice to see a better placing. Next time!






20 POINTS - 1 Life
So much was expected of this song, and it still continues to let Xandee down. There is so much life in this song it really should do much better than it always seems to do. Come back to the ESC again, and show us what you can do.





TIME TO MOVE ONTO THE NEXT TEN PLACED SONGS

FINAL POSITION for 2010 - Songs 51 to 41

2 POINTS - Bitakat Hob
I am sure Samira's position will disappoint a few members, but at least it wasn't a zero






3 POINTS - My Star
Reynaert would be sad to see his song becoming a little dated now








4 POINTS - Qele, Qele
Sirusho just couldn't pull off as good a performance as she did in the ESC in 2008







5 POINTS - Solo
Last year's Grand Final host only managed a bottom five placing. Just goes to show that runner-up songs maybe weren't meant to win







6 POINTS - Water
Bulgaria's best ever placing at the ESC.....just couldn't pull it off at Eurovision Champions







6 POINTS - Visionary Dream
I am sure we had high hopes for this song, but alas, Sopho couldn't compete with the big guns, after such an impressive debut performance too






7 POINTS - Have Some Fun
No Czech Republic this year's ESC, so I guess we could possibly see Tereza in next year's Grand Final without much competition







8 POINTS - Comme Ci, Comme Ca
Evridiki supporters will be very disappointed with her final position, as I am sure we like this song...just not enough to give it votes.







10 POINTS - La Mirada Interior
A suprise winner for Andorra into the Eurovision Champions Grand Final. Didn't get many votes there either!!! No Andorra at this year's ESC, so could we see her repeat her feat next year?






10 POINTS - Y Asi
Austria look dead and buried att he ESC now. Not doing too well here either.







11 POINTS - Just Get Out Of My Life
Another country not coming back to the ESC this year. Slim pickings for us in next year's competition. Such as shame as we need variety from Montenegro







TIME TO MOVE ONTO THE NEXT TEN PLACED SONGS