GOLD ESC 2012 Special Edition

music | fashion | lifestyle

ESC Participants in BAKU 2012

- A click on the country name takes you to the relevant information and content of the participant.

Notes on this interactive table of contents :

- Right after the country names you'll see the starting points of the contribution in the first semifinal ( green), the - second semifinal (blue) and in the final (yellow).

- General Wikipedia information about the participating countries will be displayed by clicking on the flag-symbols.

- A click on the heart symbol will provide you with information on the history of the country as an ESC participant.

Albania 05 Italy 10

Austria 16 Latvia 04

Azerbaijan 13 Lithuania 18

Belarus 05 Malta 04

Belgium 08 Moldova 17

Bosnia -Herzeg. 17 Montenegro 01

Bulgaria 08 Norway 16

Croatia 10 Portugal 06

Cyprus 12 Romania 06

Denmark 13 Russia 14

Estonia 14 San Marino 11

F.Y.R Macedonia 02 Serbia 01

Finland 09 Slovakia 15

France 09 Slovenia 09

Georgia 12 Spain 19

Germany 20 Sweden 11

Greece 03 Switzerland 07

Hungary 15 The Netherlands 03

Iceland 02 Turkey 13

Ireland 18 Ukraine 07

Israel 10 United Kingdom 01

Dear friends and Eurovision Song Contest fans, who could ever forget it? A teenager named Lena ended Germany's long losing streak with the song Satellite in the popular European-wide song competition on the last weekend in May 2010 with an improbable triumph over 24 other finalists in a live program from Oslo. Fireworks lit up the sky in Berlin, in Hamburg where 70,000 people watched the contest on giant TV screens in a central square, and in Lena's home town of Hannover, where 20,000 celebrated Germany's first win since 1982 at an open air party. Lena attempted to defend her title with the song Taken By A Stranger in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf, but failed (it reached at least a decent 10th place). Apart from that last year's ESC in Düsseldorf turned out to be a unique and historic event for Germany. The hospitality and positive attitude to life in Germany were transported with the images of the ESC around the world: The most important and biggest singing competition ever, colorful, weird, loud, charming, kitschy, combining, 120 million viewers worldwide, visitors from Europe and around the world! In the final on May 14, 2011, Ell and Nikki won the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 for Azerbaijan with their entry "Running Scared". It was the victory that Azerbaijan had longed for and the country's first ever win at the contest. Ell and Nikki 's triumph made clear that Azerbaijan has the right to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 this year in Baku, the capital of the small Middle Eastern country. For more than five decades the Eurovision Song Contest is not only the most popular TV show in Europe but is strongly imbedded into Europe's heart. This year's contest will once again bring millions of people from different countries , cultures, religions and backgrounds together - solely through music and entertainment. Therefore the political leadership of Azerbaijan - regardless of the criticism of the human rights situation in their country - will do everything to appear as a perfect host and set their country in a very good light, now that the eyes of Europe are focused on Azerbaijan's capitol. But don't worry: In this special ESC edition of our - music | fashion | lifestyle© Webzine we won't make an issue of the political environment and human rights situation in Azerbaijan or European countries, but focus solely on their musical contributions. You'll be able to find interesting informations on all participants of the two semi-final rounds and the finals (the "Big Five" consisting of Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom and the host Azerbaijan are already set) with lyrics of their songs, a brief biography with pictures, links to their Facebook pages and to their official video. In the table of contents on the opposite page 2 all participating countries are listed alphabetically with direct links to their pages in this webzine. There is a Home Icon included on the photo pages of every participant. Clicking on this icon takes you back to the alphabetical index on page 2. Please note: This is NOT an official program from the EBU or any sponsors. This GOLD ESC Edition is published on Issuu without any commercial background or interest and is intended only as a practical guide for ESC aficionados and fans who want a quick overview. And that is worthwhile in any case. After we have dealt extensively with the ESC participants and their contributions, we are sure: Musically, the competition in 2012 is at the pulse of time and has never been so good before! We wish you a good read and a lot of fun with this interactive special edition and we hope that you remain faithful to our

- music | fashion | lifestyle© Webzine even after the Eurovision Song Contest. Kind regards, Vinny Kurth & Reinhard Schnitzer The Eurovision Song Contest has ist own official channel on ► Click on the icon to open the channel. For those on Facebook, the official Eurovision Song Contest Page provides a great place for discussion and entertainment. Check out Facebook.com/EurovisionSongContest. Stay updated on - music | fashion | lifestyle© ! Email to ? Just click on the icon ►

4

SEMI FINAL 1

01 MONTENEGRO

Euro Neuro Eurosceptic, analphabetic Try not to be hermetic Euro Neuro don't be sceptic Hermetic, pathetic, analphabetic Forget all cosmetic, you need new poetic Esthetic, ecletic, dialectic Euro neuro, don't be dogmatic bureaucratic You need to become pragmatic To stop change climatic automatic Need contribution from the institution To find solution for pollution To save the children of the evolution Euro Neuro, Euro Neuro Monetary break dance Euro Neuro, Euro Neuro Give me chance to refinance (Blaue grotte ausflug do Zanjica, heute habe hobotnica) Euro Neuro I don't like snobism Nationalism, puritanism I am different organism My heroism is pacifism, altruism I enjoy bicyclism Liberalism, tourism, nudism, optimism It is good for rheumatism Euro Neuro, Euro Neuro …… Euro neuro, I got no ambition For high position in competition With air condition Different mission, different school I got only one rule Always stay cool Like a swimming pool Euro Neuro, Euro Neuro ……

Songwriter

Antonije Pušić Robert Pešut (Magnifico)

Participant

Rambo Amadeus Song

Euro Neuro

Video ► Euro Neuro

Rambo Amadeus on Facebook

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

Antonije Pušić (Rambo Amadeus real name) currently lives in Belgrade, Serbia and his native Montenegro. He is one of the most prominent cult figures of the ex-Yugoslav music scene. A real musical maverick, he manages to stay clear from usual "radio friendly" music, often using it for parody. Self proclaimed World Mega Emperor (Svjetski Mega Car) is famous for his wacky jazz-funk, twisted lyrics and unpredictable live acts packed with brutal satire sometimes bordering on stand-up commedy. His unusually proactive political correctness during the turmoil of the 90's has earned him equal respect on all sides of the conflict. Rambo Amadeus is attributed for coining the word "Turbo Folk" to denote another musical phenomenon in the same region, ultra tasteless, aggressive and massively popular modern Serbian folk music. The word has caught on and is now widely used. Known also as a "charming king of jovial pop", his concerts are never mere repetitions of recorded songs, but a mixture of musical improvisation and humor exploiting all aspects of human nature in a crude manner. Some fans compare his style and career path with those of Frank Zappa or Captain Beefheart. Rambo Amadeus was internally selected by the Montenegrin national broadcaster RTCG to represent Montenegro in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.

©

Montenegro

SEMI FINAL 1

02 ICELAND

Never Forget She's singing softly in the night Praying for the morning light She dreams of how they used to be At dawn they will be free [...they're home to smile* Saving for the endless night] She whispers her man tenderly Please come back to me And when the golden sun arises Far across the sea The dawn will break The darkness faint Forever we'll be free Never forget what I did, what I said When I gave you all my heart and soul Morning will come and I know we'll be one 'Cause I still believe That you'll remember me She wants beneath the moon and sky Remembering when they said goodbye Where's the one he used to know It seems so long ago And when the golden sun arises Far across the sea The dawn will break The darkness faint Forever we'll be free Never forget what I did, what I said ….. Morning will come and I know we'll be one ….. Never forget what I did, what I said ….. Morning will come and I know we'll be one ….. Oh, I still believe that you'll remember me Oh, I still believe that you'll remember me

Songwriter

Gréta Salóme Stefánsdóttir Greta & Jónsi Song

Never forget

Video ► Never forget

Gréta Salóme & Jónsi Fanpage on Facebook

6

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

In the opinion of some pop music experts and critics the Icelandic preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 was rarely as strong as this year. Greta Salóme and Jónsi emerged victorious out of the two-hour finale of Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2012, and will represent Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with the song Mundu eftir mér (Never Forget). A powerful ballad, the song has been a fan favourite from its appearance in the first semi final of the Icelandic preselection. Gréta Salome currently plays second Violin in the Symphony Orchestra in Reykjavik, Iceland. For Jónsi it's the second appearance representing Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest, having won the country’s preselection before with the song Heaven in 2004. He represented Iceland finally with "Heaven" in Istanbul, where he finished 19th. Three years later he tried his luck again in the qualifying round and entered the finals with Segðu number. This year he sings Never Forget with Greta, who also composed the song. Never Forget contains a strong "Grand Prix" flavour- and is an anthem that builds to a powerful conclusion. And as a bonus Greta plays the violin on stage - maybe Greta on Rybak's paths will be a good omen for them.

Iceland

SEMI FINAL 1

03 GREECE

Aphrodisiac I gotta say what´s on my mind when I´m with you I feel alright You call me baby we spend the night I´m so addicted I feel alive Over and over I´m falling You make me dance dance like a maniac You make me want your aphrodisiac I think about you all the time I just can´t get you of my mind You drive me crazy, you drive me wild You´re so addictive, there´s no way out Over and over I´m falling You make me dance dance like a maniac You make me want your aphrodisiac I'm craving for your touch I want it way too much I'm craving for your touch too much your touch too much Over and over I´m falling You make me dance dance like a maniac You make me want your aphrodisiac

Songwriter

Dimitri Stassos, Mikaela Stenström, Dajana Lööf

Eleftheria Eleftheriou Song

Aphrodisiac

Eleftheria Eleftheriou was born in Cyprus. In her childhood she liked to paint, was an athletic dancer and while she always had a passion for singing. From a young age, Eleftheria started learning piano, theory, harmony and history of music. At the age of 15 she started voice lessons and at age 16 she started participating as a soloist in RIK's national folk orchestra. That same year, she was a candidate to represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with the song Play That Melody to Me featuring Maria Zorli. Although she passed the first semi-final, she finished seventh in the national final. Despite not winning the national final, Eleftheria decided to continue studying music and performance, enrolling at the University of Surrey. She started singing solo in the Cypriot music scenes at the age of 18, and performed in the musical Rent in Nicosia for one season. After numerous performances in musicals and her participation in the Greek edition of "X-Factor" Eleftheria got a contract with Sony Music and participated for Greece with the song Tables are Turning at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. Unfortunately the song was leaked a week before the official release date by an unknown party and therefore was disqualified from the national final. Due to financial reasons the Greek state television ERT was unable to conduct a national preselection ESC in 2012. The event was outsourced to "Universal Greece", who took over the costs under the condition that the artist who will represent the country had to come from within its own Universal ranks. No sooner said than done! Eleftheria - since 2011 under contract at Universal - participated and won! Now she will perform Aphrodisiac this year for Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku.

Video ► Aphrodisiac

Eleftheria Eleftheriou Official Page on Facebook

8

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Greece

SEMI FINAL 1

04 LATVIA

Beautiful song I was born in distant nineteen-eighty The year that Irish Johnny Logan won Thirty years ago, they still remember So dream away Today's the day I'm singing out my song When I join this grand parade of winners And we've made this song a worldwide hit I will buy oh my own mike to sing in And all the jobs I've had before I'm surely gonna quit Beautiful song is on the radio, is in the tv shows and so on and on Beautiful song that everybody hums and everybody loves (2x) My Mom said I'd grow up to be a singer And Daddy smiled when gave me my guitar I do my best, and I'll be so much better Brightest of the highest and the farthest of the stars And on that day when Sir Mick Jagger phones me Tell him, please, that I am very busy Writing brand new songs with Paul McCartney So sorry Mick, I'll call you back, someday I'll call you back... Beautiful song is on the radio, is in the tv shows and so on and on Beautiful song that everybody hums and everybody loves (4x)

Songwriter

Ivars Makstnieks Rolands Ūdris

Anmary Song

Beautiful Song

Anmary took a great interest in music already from childhood. Her mother bought her a gift for birthday, she chosed a tape, and it turned out that it was a Michael Jackson album. He reamained her idol for many years. Her mother then noticed the musical talent of Anmary and assisted her plans to attend a music school. At the age of 15 years Anmary could indeed play the piano but she wanted to sing and began to study singing. One of the singer's first steps on stage were on the "Factory of Talents" TV music show, where she took second place. She participated in various projects, sang in the musical West Side Story, Sunny Sense and Mash Mash. Hamburg Music and Theatre Academy Professor Christoph Schönherr invited her to sing a solo in his musical work Magnificat. Together with the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra she gave concerts in Germany and other countries. And now she will perform Beautiful Song at the Eurovision Eurovision Song Contest in Baku which is a new and important experience in her musical career.

Video ► Beautiful song

Anmary on Facebook

10

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Latvia

SEMI FINAL 1

05 ALBANIA

Suus (original lyrics in national language) I land my plane On lightless runway of your soul Elbow their way through today Those who yesterday couldn’t live But yesterdays have no significance From the turbulent seas were swallowed up Hmmm, tomorrows won’t bring anything Besides hopeless hope and insanity Chorus: So just let me cry…cry…cry… ‘cause this is what I do best now!- ‘cause this is what I do best now.

Songwriter

Florent Boshnjaku Rona Nishliu

Rona Nishliu Song

Suus

Rona Nishliu is Albanian singer, born in Mitrovica. Along with the primary school, she finished the elementary music school for piano (six years). Secondary education, at the gymnasium for math and natural sciences "Sami Frasheri" in Pristina shifted her interest for music to another level. As a high school graduate, she became known for the audience with her appearance at the talent's show "Ethet & Krasta Show" which was held in Tirana during 2004. She entered Top 10 and ended 5th. She completed undergraduate studies for Business Administration and Management at the American University in Kosovo. Music remains her passion. For the Albanian audience in Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro she is known as a pop singer/musician. The audience in Prishtina and Tirana know her also as an experimental jazz singer. Her interpretation is characterized with nuances of soul music influences as well. Her vocal range and interpretative power are her strongest points. Rona Nishliu is depicted for her humanitarian spirit, taking part in numerous humanitarian concerts for the people in the need! While being a student she organized few Humanitarian Concerts including the one entitled to help displaced Kosovo Albanian families of North Mitrovica living in poverty. She took place as a guest lecturer in UNDP Kosovo's activity on Awareness Raising on the Importance of Volunteerism for the Youngsters, Vushtri, Kosovo, 2009. Beside that Rona is activist of the National Association of Autism and a Chairperson of the Institute for Sustainability and Development of Youth in Kosovo. Rona is a strong woman who presents her song Suus, one of the most extraordinary songs in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, with great passion and a haunting voice .

Video ► Suus

Rona Nishliu on Facebook

12

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Albania

SEMI FINAL 1

06 ROMANIA

Zaleilah (original lyrics partially in spanish language) Mandinga, everyday Mandinga, zaleilah lei I feel the rhythm of your body touching me The wind's perfume kissing me Feels so good when I'm with you You touching me and kissing me makes me want to dance I'm so happy, I can shout out loud Zaleilah-leila-lei, everyday, everybody When you love you say, everyday, everybody Zaleilah-leila-lei, everyday, everybody Zaleilah-leila-lei, zaleilah-leila-lei (x2) Let me love you, let me love you forever Never doubt that I'm here just for you Come here, my sweet chocolate boy Only you can make me feel the real love (x2) Zaleilah-leila-lei, everyday, everybody When you love you say, everyday, everybody Zaleilah-leila-lei, everyday, everybody Zaleilah-leila-lei, zaleilah-leila-lei When you make me feel so special I am dreaming I am dreaming... Everybody say: "Let's go! " Yeah! That's right, move your body! Up! Up! Let's go! That's right, that's right! Let's go, let's go! Zaleilah-leila-lei, everyday, everybody When you love you say, everyday, everybody Zaleilah-leila-lei, everyday, everybody Zaleilah-leila-lei, zaleilah-leila-lei

Songwriter

Costi Ionita - Elena Ionescu & Dihigo Omar Secada

Mandinga Song

Zaleilah

Mandinga, who refer to themselves as the creators of the Balkan Salsa Sounds offer their song Zaleilah not only accompained with a good portion of „Lambada sound“, but also with a visually impressive singer, attractive Elena Ionescu. She replaced the former singer and front woman Elena Gheorghe by the end of 2005. So far four albums have been released from Mandinga: De corazon - 2003, Soarele meu My Sun "- 2005, Gozalo - 2006, Donde - 2008!. The band, which performs frequently trilingual (english, spanish and romanian) at their concerts was named best live act with the "Romanian Music Awards" in 2009.

Video ► Zaleilah

Mandinga on Facebook

Elena Ionescu on Facebook

14

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Romania

SEMI FINAL 1

07 SWITZERLAND

Unbreakable You can do anything you want It doesn’t matter how hard it is You can do it , You can do it So please don’t mind Close your eyes Take a trip outside your head You can give me more Swim against the stream Following your wildest dream, your wildest dream Swim against the stream Following your wildest dream, your wildest dream Swim against the stream Following your wildest dream, your wildest dream Unbreakable (4x) Don’t stop rock - Rock the place Don’t stop tryin‘ - Try your best Don’t stop … Don’t stop movin' Today without a doubt A good vibe is in the crowd You can do it (3x) Unbreakable (2x) You can give me more Swim against the stream ……… Unbreakable (2x) So please don’t mind Close your eyes Take a trip outside your head Unbreakable (4x) You can give me more Swim against the stream ……… Unbreakable

Songwriter

Gabriel Broggini Ivan Broggini

Sinplus Song

Unbreakable

Sinplus: Two brothers, both musicians, both with a natural talent for songwriting. Ivan and Gabriel grew up listening to Queen, Bob Marley and U2 and began playing music at an early age. Ivan’s passion from the very start was the guitar; Gabriel played keyboards and drums, but then he took up the guitar and so discovered his singing voice. When Gabriel left the college, he headed off to San Diego, where he was able to sample the city’s underground music scene. When he returned from America, the two brothers decided to form a band of their own and write songs together and so embarked on the inFinity project. Their first single, entitled Without Identity, made it to the charts, and the corresponding video clip was broadcast by several television stations including VIVA. As well as winning various contests, the band performed at several major venues throughout Switzerland . Meanwhile the band was renamed “Sinplus and at the same time, both brothers recorded a new EP Get Control in Zurich which contained the single 1984, a fascinating sampler California. At that point, the brothers felt the need for a change of scene and so set off for LA where they recorded another EP entitled Happy and Free. The single was aired on various Swiss and Italian radio stations, and the video clip was broadcast in both countries. After that the brothers wrote Shoot, a track that became one of the anthems of the 2009 World Hockey Championships. As well as being included in a compilation featuring artists of the calibre of Krokus, Sinplus were given the chance to perform in front of thousands of people at various ice rinks including the BernArena. On 10 December 2011 Sinplus were chosen to represent Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan with the single Unbreakable.

Video ► Unbreakable

Sinplus on Facebook

16

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Switzerland

SEMI FINAL 1

08 BELGIUM

Would You Come and find me I've been hiding from you Come and get me Running from you It's been easy - easy for you To believe me -when I say I love you But what would you do when my house was empty? My life in a bag and away from you You took my love for granted would you really miss me? Any other GUY would do, but would you? It's a secret and a question for you Where I'm at now what are you gonna do? If you run here and look for me now Are we done here? Or starting somehow? But what would you do when my house was empty My life in a bag and away from you You took my love for granted would you really miss me? Any other GUY would do, but would you? Would you? It's a twoway street and I know that But don't look back Still I wonder, still I wonder… What would you do when my house was empty? My life in a bag just to be with you But when I'm at your door will you say you missed me Any other GUY would do, yeah any other GUY would do, but would you? Would you?

Songwriter

Nina Sampermans, Jean Bosco Safari, Walter Mannaerts

Iris Song

Would You

Iris was born in 1995 as Laura Van den Bruel and has been into music since she was a kid. She dreamed of becoming a professional artist and to conquer the world with her voice like her role models Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson and Natalia did before her. Last year the record label Sonic Angel discovered her at a talent contest and put her under contract. Iris had a first great chart success earlier this year with her single Wonderful. But there were other news that would make her a household name in Belgium: Some weeks ago Iris was internally selected by Flemish public broadcaster één to represent Belgium at Eurovision and an appeal was launched to submit songs for Iris to sing in Baku. In last night’s national final Belgium chose to send Iris and her song Would You to this years Eurovision Song Contest.

Video ► Would You

Iris (Airis) on Facebook

18

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Belgium

SEMI FINAL 1

09 FINLAND

När jag blundar (original lyrics in national language) Close together, the scent of the two of us, Turn around, the same shirt in blue I know the scent, it’d be nothing without you Like a sea without water, like a lantern without light, a life without colours, that’s not who you are. Someone we see when we close our eyes, like an angel before us, someone who helps us to fly when we’ve forgotten how A love without feelings, a laughter without sound, a life without colours, that’s not who you are Someone who’s forgotten all worries, a woman with courage, someone who understands even if we speak without words Sit yourself down, we hold your hand, Tell us who you are, we are for each other All those memories would be nothing without you Like a sea without water, like a lantern without light, a life without colours, that’s not who you are. Someone we see when we close our eyes, an angel before us, someone who helps us to fly when we’ve forgotten how A love without feelings, a laughter without sound, a life without colours, that’s not who you are. Someone who’s forgotten all worries, a woman with courage, someone who understands even if we speak without words Like a sea without water, like a lantern without light, a life without colours, that’s not who you are. Someone we see when we close our eyes, an angel before us, someone who helps us to fly when we’ve forgotten how A love without feelings, a laughter without sound, a life without colours, that’s not who you are. Someone’s who’s forgotten all worries, a woman with courage, someone who understands even if we speak without words.

Songwriter

Jonas Karlsson Pernilla Karlsson Song

När jag blundar

Pernilla Karlsson, a relatively unknown singer even in her country, was selected by Finland's Televotern in February to participate in this years Eurovision Song Contest. The 21-year-old from the southern Finnish town of Kirkkonummi works as a kindergarten teacher and studied singing, but considered it as a hobby next to the handball sport before her triumph in the TV competition. The secret force behind her success is her older brother Jonas, who operates a professional recording studio in Helsinki. He has written lyrics and music of the winning song Nar blundar jag. Asked about her brother's role after the finale Pernilla made a clear statement to a reporter from the newspaper "Hufvudstads-bladet": "I have to thank him for everything…. He is the sole reason for my success. I tried ONLY to sing as good as I could.". Pernillas Nar blundar jag ("When I close my eyes“) is not, however, writen in finnish language but in swedish. The simple reason for that is that the Karlsson-siblings are among the Finland Swedes. This Swedish-speaking minority population now makes only about five to six percent of the population in Finland, but since 1919 Swedish is enshrined as a second official language in the Finnish Constitution.

Video ► När jag blundar

Pernilla Karlsson on Facebook

Pernilla Karlsson Fanpage

20

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Finland

SEMI FINAL 1

10 ISRAEL

Time (original lyrics partially in national language) Time time don't let me down You're the man in my play ground What you say i will obey - night and day Feel free to turn me on Feel free to change my song I will cound and you will go on Sing my song I say Time time give me just a sign sign, Give me just the time Why are you pressuring me? Go to Sleep You got to give me more time Time time why wont you just sleep tell me how much time why do you have to always be either black or white Time time could you be mine I will feed you songs and wine I'll make you lazy, i'll make you late Wait wait wait Wait wait we two are one But you always take the lead I lay down and you just run Mind your speed I say Time time give me just a sign sign, Give me just the time Why are you pressuring me? Go to Sleep You got to give me more time Time time why wont you just sleep tell me how much time why do you have to always be either black or white Time time don't let me down

Songwriter

Ran Shem-Tov & Shiri Hadar

Izabo Song

Time

Izabo's debut album "The Fun Makers" was released in Israel in 2003 to rave reviews marking the band as the biggest alternative success in its native country. Following "The Fun Makers" success, Izabo were signed to SONY BMG and release "The Morning Hero EP" in the UK the same year. After an UK headlining tour and an recorded radio session at the BBC "The Fun Makers" was released in the Benelux in 2005 via “Rough Trade NL”. The release was followed by a short tour, where Izabo showcased their unique style on stage at the EuroSonic 2005 Festival in Chroningen, The Netherlands. In 2006 "The Fun Makers" was released in France via Roymusic/Discograph. The release was followed by extensive touring and a memorable performances in various prestigious TV shows. Also in 2007, the band played the famous CMJ festival in NY and was chosen to be a one of the festival's "Spotlight Artists", performing at the legendary Living Room and the Highline Ballroom. Izabo's music has been described as a brilliant, action packed combination of Psychedelic Rock, Disco, Punk and Arabic spices. Featuring high-to-ultra-high vocals, twisting and expressive Arab-flavored guitar work, powerfully funky bass lines, arrogantly catchy keyboards and intense disco beats, Izabo have established themselves as one of Israel's most absorbing live acts. They had collaborated with many well-known Israeli artists both in the studio and on stage, from Ahuva Ozery to Israel Prize winning choreographer Ohad Naharin. Izabo's Duet with "Shotey Hanevu'a" earned them an Israeli Music Award for best song in 2005. At this year's Eurovision Song Contest Izabo present the Israeli contribution. Their song "Time" sounds like a bit seventies, a little indie, a bit English, a little Hebrew, and offers a rather eclectic mix, which is a lot of fun.

Video ► Time

Izabo on Facebook

22

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Israel

SEMI FINAL 1

11 SAN MARINO

The Social Network Song (Oh Oh – Uh - Oh Oh)

Oooooo, Ooo Ooooo I like it… Are you ready for a little chat? And a song about the Internet It’s the story of a social door You’ve never seen before If you want to be seen by everyone Wanna be in the dream and have some fun If you wanna be on the hook Simply take a look Uh, oh, oh…. Everybody loves you so Oo, oo, Uh, oh, oh…..Everybody that you know Do you wanna be more than just a friend? Do you wanna play cyber-sex again? If you wanna come to my house Then click me with your mouse Hello, Oo, uh, oh, oh….. Never gonna let you go You’re logging in…Then it begins And your computer is swinging And taking your time away The sin is right….. For a socialite You’re on the Internet Anywhere, anytime, night and day Oo, Ooo, uh, oh, oh,…..Everybody loves you so Uh, oh, oh, oh…..Never gonna let you go So you wanna make love with me? Am I really your cup of tea? Are you really the one That you [incomprehensible] Uh, oh, Uh, oh, oh…..Everybody loves you so Social network uh oh, never gonna let you go You’re logging in…..With just a friend But soon the Internet’s beepin’ in beeping around the bend We use to greet…..Friends on the street But now it’s Googling, giggling, gaggling right for me Ee, ee, uh, oh, oh…..how about a little chat? Uh, oh, oh network fans…Meet you on the Internet! Do you really like politics? When I talk about voodoo tricks Are you really a sex-machine? Or just a beauty queen? Everybody is better than before Everybody is calling out for more Everybody is cybering, knocking on your door Ee, Ee, uh, oh, oh ….everybody loves a show Ooo ooo oh oh…. If you like it click and go Do you know that it’s instant loggin in For the rhythm and finding cyber sin. Wanna find out what this books about? Then how bout press log out? Ooo Oooo oh oh Now I’ve got a million friends Goodbye network fans This is how the story ends

Songwriter

Ralph Siegel Timothy Touchton, Jose Santana Rodriguez

Valentina Monetta Song

The Social Network Song (Oh Oh – Uh - Oh Oh)

Valentina Monetta (born 1 March 1975) is a singer from San Marino and will competed for her Country at the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku with the song The Social Network Song (OH OH – Uh - OH OH). In 2008 Valentina sent in the song Se non ci sei tu for the San Marino national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, but she was not selected by San Marino RTV. On 14 March 2012, it was announced by San Marino RTV, that she would represent San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan with the entry Facebook Uh, Oh, Oh. She was internally selected by RTV. However on March 18, 2012, a few days after the song was announced, the EBU deemed that the song contained an unreasonable commercial message for Facebook, which resulted in the lyrics' disqualification; according to the Eurovision Rule 1.2.2.g, commercial messages within songs are not allowed. San Marino was then given the option of submitting a new song for Monetta, or revising the lyrics to remove any references to Facebook, no later than 23 March 2012 12:00 CET.On March 22, SMTV announced that the song and its lyrics has been revised with a new title The Social Network Song (OH OH – Uh - OH OH), with mostly the same lyrics, except without directly mentioning Facebook.

Video ► The Social Network Song (Oh Oh – Uh - Oh Oh)

Valentina Monetta on Facebook

24

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

San Marino

SEMI FINAL 1

12 CYPRUS

La la love Vers 1: Love the way you fill me up with life Baby we can break the speed of light Nothing to fear When you are near Just give me more oh oh Reaching for the sky im aiming high Close my eyes and then its almost like we fly Up in the air Lets take it there Never let go oh oh Ref: Oh oh oh Feel the energy Bettwen you and me Baby Its so right Oh oh oh I feel the energy Just taking over me, over me How I’ve been waiting for this (lalalalalalalala)Love How I’ ve been waiting for this (lalalalalalalala)Love Vers 2: Paris to LA over the night All around the world just you and I Nothing to fear When you are near Were on a roll oh oh And We do it again No stop no end Out of control

Songwriter

Alex Papaconstantinou, Bjorn Djupström, Alexandra Zakka & Viktor Svensson

Ivi Adamou Song

La la love

Ivi Adamou was born on 24 November 1993 in Paralimni, Famagusta, Cyprus to a Greek Cypriot father and a Bulgarian mother . Music theory, voice and piano allowed her to acquire the suitable skills to win prizes in several local song competitions. Specifically at the age of 9, her participation in a competition in Larnaka won her a first place finish with the song Kaka Paidia by Anna Vissi. Ivi rose to recognition in Greece and Cyprus following her participation in the second season of the Greek version of "The X Factor", ending in the 6th place. After that she secured a recording contract with Sony Music Greece and released her debut extended play Kalokairi Stin Kardia, which was certified gold. In the same year she collaborated with the Spiros Lambrou Choir and released the holiday EP Christougenna Me Tin Ivi Adamou, released as Christmas with Ivi Adamou abroad. Ivi Adamou will represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with the song LaLa Love.

Video ► La la love

Ivi Adamou on Facebook

26

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Cyprus

SEMI FINAL 1

13 DENMARK

Should've known better Chorus Should’ve known better now I miss u like Sahara misses rain Changing like the weather maybe it´s true Maybe you´re not gonna change Vers1 I feel like u have two homes yet I feel u are homeless Where we live I feel like a stranger when u home I feel even stranger Bridge I live in no man's land with no way home like u don’t understand Cuz you so here, (yet) you so there, not really anywhere , she said Chorus Vers2 Feels like I’m always living out of my suitcase What about all the years in between just trying to find my place Bridge Shouting inshallah C part We could’ve written words on a mountain high Reminding ourselves to keep climbing, right Sometimes we, have to lose A part of us to find the truth Nothing more beautiful than the way U use to breathe me to ya lungs and soul Sometimes we have to say - I’m sorry I can’t stay Chorus

Songwriter

Chief 1, Remee & Isam B

Soluna Samay Song

Should've Known Better

The danish singer Soluna Samay - born on 27 August 1990 in Guatemala as Soluna Samay Kettel - will represent Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan with her entry "Should've Known Better". Her music career began at age of 5 when she joined her father on drums and soon after began singing along. At the age of 10 she switched to electric bass, at 16 to upright bass. With her parents she spent her summers touring and playing music on the streets of Europe, and winters living in Guatemala. Soluna started to learn guitar around the age of 12, when she also wrote her first songs. The father and daughter duo played on many folk festivals like the "Mottoden Blues Festival" and the "Tonder Folk Festival". Soluna debuted as a percussionist and background singer on the CD Road Songs. Many other performances, tours and CDs followed in subsequent years when Soluna concentrated on playing the bass guitar or stand up bass apart from her singing. The first CD The Beat Goes On. with a common repertoire was released under the name of Gee Gee & Soluna. Soluna released her first single I Wish I Was A Seagull in 2003 and recorded her debut album Sing Out Loud over a two year period. It was released on 23 September 2011. She won the votes of the Danish fans on TV at the "Danish Melodi Grand Prix" this year on January 21 with her entry and thereby has the honour of representing Denmark at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Baku.

Video ► Should've Known Better

Soluna Samay on Facebook

Soluna Samay & Gee Gee Kettel on Facebook

28

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Denmark

SEMI FINAL 1

14 RUSSIA

Party for everybody (original lyrics partially in national language) I will be putting a white tablecloth, I will be waiting for kids coming back home. The dough is rising joyously. And my heart is cheering. Party for everybody! Dance! Come on and dance! Come on and dance! Come on and… Boom! Boom! The house is full of kids, the relatives have come. I am going to put on my green dress, I am going to tie a white head cloth. And I am going to dance. We are singing extremely strongly. We are dancing soulful, so soulful! We are singing extremely strongly, Because we are together! (Ref.) Party for everybody! Dance! Come on and dance! Come on and dance! Come on and … Party for everybody! Dance! Come on and dance! Come on and dance! Come on and… Boom! Boom! And my cat is happy, and my dog is happy! And my cat is happy, and my dog is happy! The happiness is overflowing! Oh joy! We are singing extremely strongly. We are dancing soulful, so soulful! We are singing extremely strongly, Because we are together! (Ref.) 2x

Songwriter

Viktor Drobysh, Timofei Leontiev - Olga Tuktareva, Marry S. Applegate

Buranovskiye Babushki

Song

Party for everybody

There were standing ovations for six elderly ladies from the Russian Volga republic of Udmurtia, 1,100 kilometers east of Moscow at the Russia's Eurovision song selection in 2012, where they finished at the first place with their song Party for Everybody. Buranovskiye Babushki (which means Grannies from Buranovo) entered the stage in hand-knitted woolen socks, woven box shoes, her traditional red dress and head scarves and won the Russian preselection, despite or because of their number of missing teeth. The band consists of eight grandmothers, but only six are allowed to appear on the Eurovision stage. The opinions may differ whether this is an original folk song contribution from Russia or an ESC disparaging joke but fact is and remains: Buranowski Babuschki fly to Baku and perform their song Party for Everyone for Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Video ► Party for everybody

Buranovskiye Babushki

Go Russia!!!! ESC 2012

30

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Russia

SEMI FINAL 1

15 HUNGARY

Sound of our hearts The whole big world is just one place. You can say (that) is all the same. You may feel: hatred is sown We can show you it’s no way to go. This is the sound of our hearts, If you listen. This is a zeal from above and it can say it all This a fever they can’t take away This is the sound of, the sound of, the sound of our hearts. Harmony can be achieved, (Just) find some way to get connected. Differences may not be wrong They enrich (the) things that we know. Different faiths, different views All we can do is to turn them in key. This is the sound of our hearts, If you listen. This is a zeal from above and it can say it all This a fever they can’t take away This is the sound of, the sound of, the sound of our hearts.

Songwriter

Behnam Lotfi, Gábor Pál, Attila Sándor, Csaba Walkó

Compact Disco Song

Sound of our hearts

Compact Disco are playing together since 2008 and consists of singer Walko Csaba, bassist Attila Sándor, keyboardist Pál Gábor and Behnam Lotfi, who is pretty much in charge for everything else during their performances. The group was primarily known in 2010 for their song I'm In Love and various remixes of this title and placed in various charts of Great Britain and in the Top 40 in Switzerland. The track also landed at the top of the dance charts as well as in the Hungarian VIVA Club Charts. Popular DJs such as Tiësto, Ferry Corsten, Alex Gaudino, Oliver Lang, Mischa Daniels, Henry John Morgan, Chris Finan, Ant Nichols, and Paul Ughes fitted this song in their remixes and their shows. Following the release of their album Compact Disco II their popularity in Hungary was growing and they received various music industry awards, for example the "2011 Award for Best Performance Fonogram in Electronic Music." In February 2012, Compact Disco won at the Hungarian preliminary and therefore will represend their country at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Baku with their song Sound of Our Hearts .

Video ► Sound of our hearts

Compact Disco on Facebook

32

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Hungary

SEMI FINAL 1

16 AUSTRIA Songwriter

Lukas Plöchl Manuel Hoffelner

Trackshittaz Song

Woki mit deim Popo

Trackshittaz is an Austrian hip-hop boyband from Mühlviertel, made up of Lukas Plöchl and Manuel Hoffelner and founded in early 2010. From October 2010 to January 2011 Lukas appeared in the talent show "heroes of the future" of the ORF. After his appearance in the first show, the two musicians were put under contract by Sony Music with their song Oida taunz!. The song reached No. 1 in the Austrian single charts in early November. Published as a "download only" tune it was the first of this kind in Austria that entered the Austrian charts at No.1. Their song Guuugarutz, published in January 2011, reached the top of the chart - too. In autumn 2010 Trackshittaz were nominated for the Austrian finals for the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 and reached the second place. The second album Prolettn feian längaah released in July 2011 debuted at the top of the album charts and was honored with a gold record. With the non-album track Touchdown they contributed to the official song for the football World Cup. In the fall of 2011 they contributed their song Schnitzi on the soundtrack to the David Schalko-screen adaptation of Thomas Glavinics novel "Wie man leben soll". In 2012 Trackshittaz appeared once again at the national finals for Eurovision Song Contest. But this time they rocked the finals and won with Woki mit Deim Popo which earned them their ticket to the ESC in Baku.

Video ► Woki mit deim Popo

Trackshittaz on Facebook

34

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

Woki mit deim Popo (original lyrics in national language) We’re ready to go, 24 carat rock Our beer is one, two degrees. Dialect - yeah - we’re two stars, raiding bars We’re ready to go and everyone shouts “Heyaheyahey” We are party Indians, wearing feathers on our heads Unpack your pots, here comes the noodle soup gang Girls - yeah - haven’t seen such hustle bustle in a long time And they’re dancin’ and they’re shakin’ on the poles, on the bars You’ve put a spell on me, girls – look at them writhe Let’s go, shake your booty ,shake your ooh – ooh Let’s go, shake your booty Yeah, yeah – that’s how I like it Let’s go, shake your booty, shake your ooh – ooh Shake your booty ‘cause what I want is you And I go into the club, the ladies are wearing fine jewels But in places where you wouldn’t expect it at first I look at her, she’s dancing on the stripper pole I’m ready to go, lots of ladies, I don’t miss a trick Noodle soup gang, what’s up? And everyone shouts: Ho – Ho The girls are dancin’, they’re going low – low She wraps me around her finger, she wants a winner – winner And then she can jump jump, booty shake, bad finger Your booty has feelings Your booty is a part of you Don’t just leave it on the chair Your booty has an opinion, yeah Your booty wants to move So shake it, shake it, shake it Your booty wants to move Let’s go, give it what it needs Your booty doesn’t get tired Your booty says something about you Come on, shake it, it wants to go wild So the whole house vibrates Your booty must be ready So shake it, shake it, shake it Your booty must be ready, Let’s go – give it what it needs.

©

©

Austria

SEMI FINAL 1

17 MOLDOVA

Lăutar At the wedding tonight she looks nicer than the bride. When she smiles, I forget my lyrics. I got blind, I got mad, not from the diamonds she had But from the beauty that puts my heart on fire You have never been at my show You haven’t seen before how looks the trumpet But the sound goes straight to your soul Gets you out of control This trumpet makes you my girl Just like from paradise, you came down from the skies On a plane which belongs to your daddy Welcome to carousel. The wine is sweet, but take care, cause too much is no good for a princess. You have never been at my show You haven’t seen before how looks the trumpet But the sound goes straight to your soul Gets you out of control This trumpet makes you my girl

Songwriter

Pasha Parfeny Alex Brashovean

Pasha Parfeny Song

Lăutar

Pasha Parfeny (Pavel Parfeni actually) is a Moldovan pop singer and composer. His father is a musician and his mother works as a piano teacher at the Music School of Orhei, where Pavel learned to play the piano at a young age. After moving to the music school in Tiraspol in 2002 Pasha focused on singing. To develop as a composer, he attended the prestigious 2006 National Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts in Chisinau. In 2003 Pasha won his first award in the "Voices of Transnistria" music competition, followed in 2007 by winning the "Duet of the Year" title in Bulgaria. In 2009 the singer took home no fewer than three prices: The victory at the "International competition for pop music George Grigoriu" in Braila (Romania) was followed by an award at "the Mamaia Festival" and finally he did succeed at the "Slavonic Bazaar" Wizebsk in Belarus. For a long time he was a member of the group Sunstroke Project and he participated with this group at the 2009 Moldovan preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow. Later he started solo career and participated in international festivals. In 2011 he finished at the third place in the Moldovan preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 with his song Dorule. On 11 March 2012 Pasha was chosen to present the Moldovan contribution to this year's Euro Vision Song Contest in Baku with his song Lăutar.

Video ► Lăutar

Pasha Parfeny on Facebook

36

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Moldova

SEMI FINAL 1

18 IRELAND

Waterline Flood gates, can’t wait Here she comes, shut’em fast Better shut’em fast Too late, swept away Feel the rush, after the fact Coming up beneath me Never been in love so deeply before I am close to the waterline I thought that I’d been over my head For the last time I’m so close to the waterline And the way I’m loving her now I know this is bound to go down as the big one. Whistle blast, lights flash Throw a rope! grab a hold Feel the undertow She laughs, waves crash What’s the use I can’t let her go Coming up beneath me Never been in love so Deeply before I am close to the waterline I thought that I’d been over my head For the last time I’m so close to the waterline And the way I’m loving her now I know this is bound to go down as the big one. Flood gates, can’t wait Here she comes, shut’em fast Better shut’em fast Too late, swept away Feel the rush… I am close to the waterline And the way I’m loving her now I know this is bound to go down as the one! I am close to the waterline I thought that I’d been over my head For the last time I’m so close to the waterline And the way I’m loving her now I know this is bound to go down as the big one.

Songwriter

Nick Jarl Sharon Vaughn

Jedward Song

Waterline

Jedward is the name of the Irish pop duo consisting of the identical twins John and Edward Grimes (born 16 October 1991 in Dublin). The twins first appeared as John & Edward on the sixth series of "The X Factor" in 2009 and released Jedward's debut single Under Pressure (Ice Ice Baby), featuring Vanilla Ice, on 1 February 2010. On 11 February 2011 Jedward won the Irish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 on "The Late Late Show" with their entry single Lipstick. They consequently represented Ireland at the contest in Düsseldorf, progressing through the second semi-final on 12 May, and performed at the final on 14 May 2011, achieving eighth place. Lipstick was released as the first single released from their second album Victory. Both Lipstick and the following single Bad Behaviour reached number 1 in the Irish Singles Chart, while Victory also went to number 1 in the Irish Albums Chart. In this year Jedward entered the Irish Eurovision national final for the second time in a row: On 24 February they won both the jury and public vote and will be representing Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan with their entry Waterline.

Video ► Waterline

Planet Jedward on Facebook

Jedward Fanpage

38

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Ireland © Barry McCall Photographer

SEMI FINAL 2

Nije ljubav stvar (original lyrics in national language) Better luck next time, You say that so easily. I can see we're over now, But it could have been so good. Know that even if you leave, Something yours will stay. Love is not a thing, That I can just give back to you. This is only me, I've only ever loved you Love is not a thing, That I don't know what do to with, I wish you just the best, This love is my sinking ship. Your love is not a thing, That I can just give back to you. This is only me, I've only ever loved you. My love is not a thing, That I don't know what to do with, I wish you just the best, This is my sinking ship. Go,just, just go, Fly away, sing, Give your heart to someone else, But know That goodbye is not the end. My love is not a thing, That I don't know what to do with, I wish you just the best, This is my sinking ship.

Songwriter

Željko Joksimović - Marina Tucaković / Miloš Roganović

Željko Joksimović Song

Nije ljubav stvar

Željko Joksimović plays eleven different instruments and is a composer and singer. At age 12 he won the competition "First Accordion of Europe" in Paris. In 1999 he released his first album, with whom he won the "Oscar Popularnosti" and became an established artist at the biggest Serbian record label City Records. With his song Vreteno Željko became one of the most famous singers in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina. In 2002 he released the album that was his final break through. At the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004 he had a sensational appearance with his song Lane moje and placed second. Two years later in 2006 Željko composed the ESC contribution for Bosnia-Herzegovina. With that song Lejla the group Hari Mata Hari finished third in Athen. In early 2008, Željko Joksimović composed a song that was performed by Jelena Tomašević in the Serbian national final for the Eurovision song selection, Beovizija 2008, called Oro. In March 2008 it was announced by the 2008 Eurovision organisers RTS that together with Jovana Janković he would host the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in Belgrade, giving him two roles in the contest. Tomašević's song finished on the 6th place over 25 countries in the final. In 2010 Željko arranged a special "Balkan" version of Zafuras ESC song Drip Drop for better promotion. In November 2011 it was announced that Željko will represent Serbia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan with his song, Nije Ljubav Stvar, which was presented to the public on March 10, 2012.

Video ► Nije ljubav stvar

Željko Joksimović on Facebook

40

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Serbia

SEMI FINAL 2

Crno i belo (original lyrics in national language) Baby look into my eyes Eyes don't know how to fake I am fragile but won't break This pain is sweet, a sweet defeat Darling open up your soul Let go of all control You're the restles part of me You're the dreamer in my sea I'm being born again In your every breath Everything's black and white Only one truth, only one lie Sharing the same delight I choose to smile, you choose to cry Everything's black and white The good, the bad, equal, the same Day drowns in the night As you pool me, back in the game Baby look into my eyes I'm weareing no disguise I'm naked, wild and free Now it's time, step into me Darling open up your soul Let go of all control You're the restless part of me You're the dreamer in my sea I'm being born again With your every breath ... Everything's black and white Only one truth, only one lie Sharing the same delight I choose to smile, you choose to cry Everything's black and white The good, the bad, equal, the same Day drowns in the night As you pool me, back in the game Everything's black and white.

Songwriter

Romeo Grill Kaliopi

Kaliopi Song

Crno i belo

Kaliopi, which describes herself on her website as the best singer of the country was born on December 28th in 1966 and entered in the Macedonian children's festival "Zlatno Slavejče" with the song Tebe majka čekaat at age 9. She won and later became one of former Yugoslawia's most celecrated stars of the 80s. After two successful albums with her own Kaliopi band, the group disbanded in 1988, but hits like Bato or Kofer ljubavi subsequently became classics. Kaliopis victory in the finals for the Macedonian Euro Vision Song Contest in 1996 marked the comeback of the singer and in 1999 she released her first solo album Oboi me. In 2000 she founded her own record company and wrote most of the songs completely on her next eight albums on her own. In addition to working on her own projects, Kaliopi always found time for other cooperations. She worked for example with the lute player and world musician Edin Karamazov who wrote music for a ballet and two plays, took over the lead role in the Macedonian musical Chija si and was an active ambassador of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees UNHCR. After several attempts in the national qualifying rounds Kaliopi has been nominated this year directly from the Macedonian television and will perform her song Crno I Belo at the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku.

Video ► Crno i belo

Kaliopi on Facebook

42

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

F.Y.R. Macedonia

SEMI FINAL 2

You and me I was five you were three We were dancing in the street and you looked just like an angel You looked up and saw the sky saw the birds and wondered why they could fly away so high In the morning I would wake, and my heart just couldn't wait To play in your backyard In the evening I would go telling you I love you so And I couldn't wait to see you again It's you and me and everybody out there And I can see that everybody knows about You and me, but I don't really care for it I can see that everybody knows about us We grew up knowing love thanking God up above That we could be together forever We would never say goodbye 'cause we promised you and I But our love couldn't handle time And I see you walking by my house and wonder why we don't play around no more Such a shame we had no time they were wrong and we were right I still love you and in my mind So I'm laying in bed thinking about the old days Thinking 'bout it all and how it ends sometimes Was it wrong or right was I good enough It's you and me and everybody out there And I can see that everybody knows about You and me, and everybody out there And I can see that everybody knows about You and me, but I don't really care for it I can see that everybody knows about us

Songwriter

Joan Franka Jessica Hoogenboom

Joan Franka Song

You and me

The Dutch singer Joan Franka (real name: Ayten Kalan), Daughter of a Turkish father and a Dutch mother, was discovered in 2010 on her YouTube page and was invited to participate in the talent show "The Voice of Holland". In September 2010, Joan Franka entered the show in its inaugural 2010-2011 season where she auditioned with Nickelback's How You Remind Me. Two of two judges hit their "I Want You" buttons, judges Roel van Velzen and Jeroen van der Boom. She chose to be on van Velzen's team. In the Battle round, she was put against Yvette de Bie. They both sang One of Us and she was kept to move to the live shows with de Bie being eliminated. In first live show, she sang Jewel's Foolish Games and in third live show Marc Cohn's Walking in Memphis and in fifth live show Beverley Craven's Promise Me when she was eliminated. Two of the songs she sang during the competition charted as minor hits in the Dutch Singles Chart. "Foolish Games" reached #42 and "Promise Me" #45 based on downloads. On February 26, 2012, Joan battled against her former fellow "The Voice of Holland" contestant Raffaëla Paton on the first round of Nationaal Songfestival 2012 and eventually advanced to the final round where she was chosen to represent the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with her song You and me.

Video ► You and me

Joan Franka Fanpage

44

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

The Netherlands

SEMI FINAL 2

This is the night Hey, look at me and you'll see That I'm into you Time to believe, and achieve. I will stand by you As from this moment on, You and I can reach the stars, All I need is one more chance [Ref.] This is the Night, This is the night I will be the star, let me into your heart This is my life, this is my life I've been waiting for I'll be back with more Singin hey hey hey… This is the night, this is the night, I'll be flyin' high - this is the night Hey, I believe you and me We are meant to be Can't set you free, Can't you see This is killing me? As from this moment on You and I can reach the stars All I need is one more chance [Ref.] This is the Night…… Let Me Into Your Heart hey hey hey… This Is The Night, This Is The Night [Ref.] This is the Night……

Songwriter

Johan Jämtberg, Mikael Gunnerås & Kurt Calleja

Kurt Calleja Song

This is the night

Kurt Calleja a Maltese singer and songwriter, born on 5 May, 1989. Kurt Calleja has won the Malta Song for Europe 2012 and will be performing This is the Night in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 held in Azerbaijan. Following four years of training under Mr. Brian Cefai, Kurt took a gamble and went for a year in London. While he was there he performed in Clubs like Tiger and Tiger and Host. The King’s Arms and Bada Bing where amongst other places in which he occasionally gave a performance. Back in Malta he started off as a backing vocalist on a television programme and landed a solo on another television station. In 2010 he took part in the Malta Song for Europe in a duet alongside Priscilla Psaila with the song Waterfall. In the following year he performed Over and Over, which he wrote alongside the Sweden Johan J’amtberg, as a lead singer with his own supporting band. The song earned many plaudits in the process however it placed 3rd. The supporting band consists of Kevin Calleja (rhythm/acoustic guitar), Rebecca Spiteri (drums), Christian Calleja (lead guitar), David Baldacchino (bass) and the backing vocal Walther Anthony. Following the success of Over and Over Kurt released his the Single on the 16th March 2011 at Barcelona Lounge in Paceville. Alongside a performance of the released single; Kurt was also signing copies of the single that were bought on the day. Following which the single could also be bought from local music retail outlets. Kurt Calleja has won the Malta Song for Europe 2012 and will be Malta's represen-tative with his song This is the night at the Eurovision Song Contest being held in Baku.

Video ► This is the night

Official Kurt Calleja Fanpage

46

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Malta

SEMI FINAL 2

We Are The Heroes When the night is falling from the sky Just keep walking …. On a highway When the world is deaf to all your cries Just keep going you'll be there someday You're not alone we're against them all Hold on to me…. I'll never let you fall Even if someday all hope is gone I will not give up Whatever's standing in my way We'll make it through the day Cause we are the winners We are the heroes We're breaking down the walls We're gonna hit them all Cause we are believers We are the dreamers No matter what they say No matter what they do I'll make it alright…. I'll make it for you We're breaking down the walls We are the heroes As I stand beneath the starry sky I just lose…. Faith in gravity And it feels like I can learn to fly Bring to life…. all my fantasies You're not alone we're against them all Hold on to me….I'll never let you fall Even if someday all hope is gone I will not give up Whatever's standing in my way We'll make it through the day Cause we are the winners We are the heroes We're breaking down the walls We're gonna hit them all Cause we are believers We are the dreamers No matter what they say No matter what they do I'll make it alright…. I'll make it for you We're breaking down the walls We are the heroes

Songwriter

Dmitry Kariakin Vladimir Kariakin

Litesound Song

We Are The Heroes

The band Litesound, originally conceived as an acoustic duo, was formed in 2002 by the brothers Dmitry and Vladimir Karyakin. In 2004, the band was changed into a quartet, also including bassist Mario Gulinsky and drummer Sergey Grinko. In 2006 the band won the "Maiori International Music Festival", held in Italy, during which they met Italian singer Jacopo Massa, also taking part in the competition. Massa and Litesound started co-working, and Massa appeared as a guest in serveral concerts of the band. Massa later became an official member of the band, while Gulinsky and Grinko left the group in 2006. After the release of their debut album Going to Hollywood (including the single Solo per te), Litesound took part in Eurofest 2012 in December 2011, the national selection for the Belarusian entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. During the semi-final of the contest, held on 21 December 2011, Litesound performed the song We Are the Heroes. After being admitted to the final, they decided not to change their entry. On 14 February 2012, Alyona Lanskaya was announced the winner of the Eurofest 2012, while Litesound came in second place. However, on 21 February 2012, the Belarusian president conducted an investigation about an alleged fraud in the televote, which turned out to be true. As a result of the investigation, the original winner was disqualified on 22 February. Litesound were then internally chosen to replace Alyona Lanskaya to represent Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with We Are The Heroes.

Video ► We Are The Heroes

Litesound on Facebook

48

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Belarus

SEMI FINAL 2

Vida minha (original lyrics in national language) Life of Mine: I walk the streets of the city, old, dark, imperfect, There's a feeling of nostalgic kisses in the decorated city square, There's a child running, a peeking neighbor, And within me, there’s only desire to come home and hold you. And within me, there’s only desire to come home and hold you. If you were light, my love, you would be the light of day, An inspiring smile of fantasy. If you were water, my love, you would be like pure water, Sating the thirst of the flower of tenderness. If you were light, my love, you would be the light of day, An inspiring smile of fantasy. But of all the things you can be in life, I just want you, my love, to be life of mine. And within me, there’s only desire to come home and hold you. But of all the things you can be in life, I just want you, my love, to be life of mine.

Songwriter

Andrej Babic Carlos Coelho

Filipa Sousa

Song

Vida minha

Filipa Sousa (born as Filipa Alves de Sousa Nunes Alexandra) was born on 2 March 1985 in Albufeira. Filipa attended the Conservatory for Music in Albufeira, where she was taught in singing and playing the piano. At the same time, she participated in various festivals and karaoke contests part and and gained some awards (Festival of Song of the South, Lake Song Festival, TV show, karaoke contest "Music Hall" Karaoke Contest "Radio City - Star Academy"). In subsequent years she took part in the festival "Song Young-San Roman Seia" and there 3 years in a row. After she had visited several theater- and television workshops and sung in several bands, Filipa toured successfully through Canada. She also appeared at various festivals and at various concerts in Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg. On 10 March 2012 Filipa won the Song Festival RTP Portuguese television with the song My Life, and will thus represent Portugal in the Euro Vision Song Contest Baku.

Video ► Vida minha

Filipa Sousa on Facebook

50

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

Portugal

SEMI FINAL 2

Be My Guest Welcome girl and boy take my hand, let's enjoy From the bottom of my heart I wish you the best You can be my guest, You can be my guest You can be my guest, People be my guest Welcome, people, be my guest Welcome! Stay with me Be my friend …. you are free To live your life To share your love with world You can count on me Darling, I'm your friend I'll do anything for you From the bottom of my heart I wish you…. I wish you the best You can be my guest People be my guest Now you can be my guest Lo lo…. lo lo lo Lo lo lo lo lo lo…. Love You can be my guest Lo lo…. Lo lo lo Lo lo lo lo lo lo lo…. Love I'm always here for you and you know I care for you, just remember I lo-o- o, Lo- o- o Lo- o –o, Lo- o- o Lo- o –o, Love you Lo lo, Lo lo lo Lo lo lo lo lo lo, Lo Love Welcome people!! Lo lo, Lo lo lo Lo lo lo lo lo lo Lo love, now you can be my guest Lo lo, Lo lo lo Lo lo lo lo lo lo Lo Love, You can be my guest Be my guest

Songwriter

Gaitana KIWI Project

Gaitana Song

Be My Guest

Gaitana was born as Gaita-Lurdes Essami on 29 September 1979 in Kiev, at the time in the Ukrainian SSR of the Soviet Union (in present-day Ukraine), but subsequently moved to the Republic of the Congo where her father, Klaver Essami, was born. She lived there for five years. Afterwards Gaitana moved back to Ukraine with her mother, but her father stayed in Brazzaville where he holds a transportation business. According to the Female Magazine (Ukraine) her father Claver Essami is a chief of the Congo telecommunications. She sings in Ukrainian, English, Russian, but she also knows French and Lingala. Gaitana has a degree in economics from a lyceum of Economics. When she was younger Gaitana finished a music school where she played on saxophone. All her music and songs she composes by herself. She is the candidate to master of sport in table tennis. She has represented Ukraine at different competitions. Other sports that get her involved include, but not limited are fitness and cycling In February 2012 Gaitana won the Ukrainian TV broadcast preliminary and will therefore be the Ukrainian representative with her song Be My Guest at the Eurovision Song Contest being held in Baku.

Video ► Be my guest

Gaitana on Facebook

52

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

Ukraine

SEMI FINAL 2

Love Unlimited (original lyrics in national language) Dorem dem dem dem! Dorem dem dem dem! Dorem dem dem dem ya! The song has no borders, language or colour It doesn`t recognize the rich and the poor Everybody`s singing all over the world about love, always sings about love. Love has no borders, language or colour It’s one and the same for everyone in this world For you, for me, for them Seviyorum seni, Sagapao poli Yo te quiero a ti, Volim te, mon cheri I love you, I love only you I’m saying I love you. But dehaftu mange, Voglio bene a te Men seni sevirem, Yahabibi, je t`aime I love you, I love only you There are no limits for us. The pain has no border, language and colour It doesn`t recognize the rich or the poor Same tears fall down when life hurts us The love has no border, language or colour It’s equal for everyone For you, for me, for them. I love you so much!

Songwriter

Krum Geopriev & Iasen Kozev - Donka Vasileva

Sofi Marinova Song

Love Unlimited

Sofi Marinova was born on December 5, 1975 in Sofia, Bulgaria, although her family was living near Etropole at the time.] She showed musical and dancing talent at the age of two and was tutored in singing and dancing by her mother. While at school Sofi fell for acting, appearing in school musicals such as Snow White. When she was in 10th grade, a local band offered her the position of lead singer. At 17 Sofi began singing at weddings and christenings. Her repertoire included songs of Dragana Mirkovic, Michael Jackson, Sandra, Whitney Huston as well as Romani music. In 2004 Sofi signed with Sunny Music, working with the producer Krum Krumov. She recorded the albums 5 oktavi ljubov and Obicham. Her cooperation with the Bulgarian hip-hop singer Ustata resulted in some of her most successful songs. In that period she also recorded a Romani cover of Vetrove by Lili Ivanova, Bulgaria's most established music artist. The compilation Sofi Marinova Best MP3 Collection consisting of her 64 most popular songs from her Sunny Music period, was released in 2009. This year Sofi Marinova was chosen to represent Bulgaria in the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku in May 2012 with the song Love Unlimited. She won the National final, which was held on February 29, receiving a total of 20 points - the maximum 12 points from the public and 8 points from the jury.

Video ► Love Unlimited

Sofi Marinova on Facebook

54

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

Bulgaria

SEMI FINAL 2

Verjamem (original lyrics in national language) I yearn, from depths across the sky I'm painting sun In my dreams just for him I cast light onto his shadows Which say goodbye without memory Through gaps between my fingers The sand of time will ebb away I believe that we'll again find a common beat And that yesterday will return forever With a river of light Even the song will find its way to rhymes If I follow him I feel that I'm going down to the bottom A silent voice sings in a minor key But there won't be a wind To rustle white flags I believe that we'll again find a common beat And that yesterday will return forever With a river of light A new day is hungry for the sun and is sincere. I never surrender until the very end I survive in my own way With yearning

Songwriter

Vladimir Graić,Hari Mata Har – Igor Pirkovič

Eva Boto Song

Verjamem

Eva Boto was born on December 1st, 1995. She lives in the small town of Šentjanž pri Dravogradu which lies in the North Eastern part of Slovenia, 120 kilometres from the capital Ljubljana. She is now a second-year student attending the Ravne na Koroškem High School, but she is already thinking about continuing her studies in Graz, Austria, or London where she would like to study soloist singing. She has been singing since a very early age and practices daily in her specially designed music room at her home. At 10 years of age, Eva entered an international singing competition in Austria and won. Later, she performed several times at the FENS Youth Musical Festival, where she was twice the winner. Eva was only 15, when she applied to audition for the Mission Eurovision contest. The national broadcaster RTVSLO produced this series of programmes, which started on October 2nd, 2011 and ended this February, with only one goal in mind, to choose the singer who would represent Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest. Convincing renditions of songs from Mariah Carey, Shania Twain, Irene Cara, Leona Lewis and Darja Švajger made a huge impression on the members of the jury and audiences alike. In the end Eva won a landslide number of votes with the song Verjamem (I Believe), one of the three she sang on the final night of Mission EMA 2012, and will represent Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku.

Video ► Verjamem

Eva Boto Fanpage

56

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

Slovenia

SEMI FINAL 2

Nebo (original lyrics in national language) Listen to me when I say, there's nothing I haven't tried. You're still in my thoughts, you still feel mine. And I hear you're in love and people tell me That you just don't care. Like I've lost my mind, I still keep hoping for you. Well heaven settles every debt and remembers everything you owe. Each of us dreams, but heaven sets the path along which you go. Heaven settles every debt, someone up above sees it all, And these tears of mine will weigh heavily on your soul. I will hide myself behind cold wet streets, So that no one may ever see That I meant nothing to you. And I hear you're in love and people tell me That you just don't care. Like I've lost my mind, I still keep hoping for you. Well heaven settles every debt and remembers everything you owe. Each of us dreams, but heaven sets the path along which you go. Heaven settles every debt, someone up above sees it all, And these tears of mine will weigh heavily on your soul. Heaven settles every debt, Someone up above sees it all, Heaven settles every debt.

Songwriter

Nina Badrić Nina Badrić Song

Nebo

Nina Badrić was born on the July 4th, 1972 in Zagreb. Nina started already started singing as a nine-year old girl in a children's choir "stars". With the choir she toured many countries, recorded several albums and gained extensive experience in choral singing, solo singing and gospel. In 1993 she appeared on the "Crovizija" show (the forerunner of the show "Dora" - the Croatian preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest) and finished eight with her song Ostavljam. In subsequent years she tried it again with Godine Nestvarne (1994) and Odlazis zauvijek (1995) but failed again. Her last participation in the Croatian preselection Dora Festival happened to be in 2003 with the song Čarobno jutro. She finished on the second place behind Claudia Beni. This year she was nominated by the Croatian television HRT right for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 and will perform her self-composed Nebo in Baku.

Video ► Nebo

Nina Badrić official Fanpage

Nina Badrić Fanpage

58

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

Croatia

SEMI FINAL 2

Euphoria Why, why can’t this moment last forevermore? Tonight, tonight eternity’s an open door… No, don’t ever stop doing the things you do. Don’t go, in every breath I take I’m breathing you… Euphoria Forever, ’till the end of time From now on, only you and I We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up Euphoria An everlasting piece of art A beating love within my heart We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up We are here, we’re all alone in our own Universe, We are free, where everything’s allowed and love comes first, Forever and ever together, we sail into infinity, We’re higher and higher and higher, we’re reaching for divinity. Euphoria Forever, ’till the end of time From now on, only you and I We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up Euphoria An everlasting piece of art A beating love within my heart We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up Forever we sail into infinity, We’re higher, we’re reaching for divinity… Euphoria, euphoria We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up Euphoria…. An everlasting piece of art A beating love within my heart We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up Euphoria, euphoria We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up

Songwriter

Thomas G:son Peter Boström

Loreen Song

Euphoria

Lorine Zineb Noka Talhaoui (born 16 October 1983 in Stockholm), better known by her stage name Loreen, is a Swedish pop singer and music producer, of Moroccan-Berber descent.She became famous after taking part in the Swedish Idol 2004 competing as Lorén Talhaoui. In 2005 she released a single, The Snake, with the group Rob’n'Raz. Later in 2005 she became a television presenter with the Swedish station TV400 for a year. Supported by the singer Måns Zelmerlöw Loreen appeared in 2011 on "Melodifestivalen", the Swedish Eurovision Finals. Her song My Heart Is Refusing Me was written by her, and Bjorn Djupström Denebi Moh. In the second semi-final on 12 February 2011 she placed fourth, but qualified for the "Andra Chansen", a second-chance round in which she was eliminated. My Heart Is Refusing Me placed ninth in the Swedish charts. 2012 Loreen returned to Melodifestivalen, this time with Euphoria, a song writen by Thomas G: son and Peter Boström. After four semi-finals and a second chance round in the past five weeks, it was decided on March 10 who will represent Sweden in Baku in a great top-quality entertainment show, the final of Melodifestivalen 2012. After the votes of the international juries in Belgium, Estonia, Cyprus, United Kingdom, Bosnia-Herzegovina, France, Ukraine, Malta, Germany, Ireland, Norway Loreen’s Euphoria was at the top (50 percent of the total):Then the Swedish televote awarded it’s part, the remaining 50 percent, which counted no less than 2,053,432 votes, and Loreen was also the favourite and thus will represent Sweden in the Euro Song Contest 2012 in Baku with Euphoria.

Video ► Euphoria

Loreen on Facebook

Loreen - International Fanpage

60

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

© Fotograf Peter Knutson

Sweden

SEMI FINAL 2

I'm a joker Expectation will be over I regret my every day spent without you I miss your voice and there is always something left to say Do, do, do what you wanna (4 x) I'm a joker - I'm a rocker Hold me baby, love me baby, forever, ever, ever I'm a shocker - I'm a poker Got no fear, got no tear baby Never and never. I'm a talker and straight-walker I'm a broker - Evil-blocker Got no fear, got no tear baby Never and never. I'm a slaker, trouble-breaker Fortune-maker Care-taker I'm just a womanizer Let me be your supervisor I'm a joker - I'm a rocker I'm a shocker - I'm a poker Got no fear, got no tear baby never, never, never, never, never I'm a talker and straight-walker I'm a broker - Evil-blocker Got no fear, got no tear baby Never , never Don't let me go Or my dreams could tumble down, baby Never, never, baby No, no hesitation! No, no fluctuation! Shake your body up And do the dance honey Shake your body up, ain't got no funny I wanna fly… Oooo.. Ooooooo, baby I'm a joker - I'm a rocker I'm shocker - I'm a poker Got no fear, got no tear baby, never and never Don't let me go Or my dreams could tumble down baby Never and never Forever and ever!

Songwriter

Rusudan Chkhaidze Bibi Kvachadze

Anri Jokhadze Song

I'm a joker

Anri Jokhadze, who has trained his four-octave voice at the Art Academy in Tbilisi, was born on November 6th, 1980. He launched his music career in 1998 and from then on he released three albums and participated in 13 music festivals and competitions all over the world - including stations like the Bulgarian Varna (2003), Shanghai, and Eilat in Israel (2007) - and he left the stages as a winner more than once. He supported the Georgian singer Diana Gurzkaja at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008, which she finished on the eleventh place, as a background singer. Subsequently Anri participated in the Georgian national preliminaries in 2009 with his song I want you back, but didn't manage to reach the top three. This year Anri won the Georgian Preselection 2012 with the pop song I'm a joker, and therefore will perform for his country in the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku.

Video ► I'm a joker

Anri Jokhadze Eurovision

62

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

Georgia

SEMI FINAL 2

Love me back Oh, hey, hey! Baby love me back today Never ever sink my ship And sail away Oh, oh, ah! Baby don't shut me down Give me all the love I need And I'll be gone I'm a lonely sailor Drinking the night away My ship is made from hope She's searching for your bay But you don’t care Hop on to my ship baby I'll make you fly You love me and you know that baby Don't you lie Like me like I like you and say Na na na... Oh, oh, oh! We need a bit of Rock'n Roll Baby don't you crush my soul And make me fall Oh, hey, hey! Baby love me back today Don’t you ever sink my ship And sail away Hop on to my ship baby I'll make you fly You love me and you know that baby Don't you lie Like me like I like you and say Na na na... Pirates, high seas, cautions, cannons and potions A sailor’s passion can always conquer the oceans Sing with me my children Hop on to my ship baby I'll make you fly You love me and you know that baby Don't you lie Like me like I like you and say Na na na... Haydiii Nan nay, nan nan nan nay nan nan nan nay...

Songwriter

Can Bonomo Can Bonomo Song

Love me back

Can Bonomo was born in Izmir, Turkey, started his career by playing guitar at the age of eight. At the age of 17, he began his official career as a vocal productionist in Istanbul. At the same time, Can went on with studying TV and cinema at the Istanbul Bilgi University with his programmes being aired on popular radio channels such as Number One FM, Radio101 and Radio Class. Then his radio programmes were followed by programmes in international TV channels such as MTV and Number One TV. In 2011 following two years of hard work, Can's first album, Meczup was released. Can referres to his musical style as "Istanbul style music." Influenced by Can, The Shins, Wax Poetic, The Kinks, The Libertines and The Beatles his tunes are a catchy variety of pop, jazz and classical Turkish music. Now Can Bonomo has the honour of representing his country in the second Semi-Final of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Baku.

Video ► Love me back

Can Bonomo on Facebook

64

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

Turkey

SEMI FINAL 2

Kuula (original lyrics in national language) Listen to the horizon Listen to how far it takes you Listen to what the wind has to say Listen Watch as darkness approaches Wait – the light remains within us Listen to how your land breathes Listen now Listen to what has fallen silent Just listen to these simple moments Listen – my heart has a voice The path has passed into shadow I look and keep on looking Silence has the power to resound I wait for you here, halfway there Listen to my voice calling you Listen to what has fallen silent Just listen to these simple moments Listen – my heart has a voice Listen me now

Songwriter

Ott Lepland Aapo Ilves

Ott Lepland Song

Kuula

Ott Lepland was born on May 17th, 1987 in Tallin and is best known as the winner of the third season of "Eesti otsib superstaari". Ott has sung since he was a child. He released four albums with children songs in 1995 and 1996. At the moment Lepland is studying at Georg Ots "Tallinn Music School" pop and jazz singing. He has also studied piano for ten years. Ott has performed in several plays, including the role of Troy Bolton in Estonian State Puppet & Youth Theatre's musical, the Estonian version of High School Musical. In 2010, Lepland released his self-titled first album after winning the Estonian version of Pop Idol. The self-titled album consists of 12 songs, including singles Otsides ma pean su jälle leidma, Süte peal sulanud jää, etc. . His second album Laulan ma sind was released in November 2011. In 2011, Ott participated in another TV3 TV show "Laulupealinn" (Capital of songs/singing), where Ott represented Estonian town Kärdla. Every week, Lepland had to perform with partners from Kärdla or Hiiu County, including his grandmom, nephew, local mixed choir, etc. Lepland won the show and Kärdla has now the title of Estonian Singing Capital. On March 3th, 2012 Ott won the Estonian preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku. He is representing Estonia with the Estonian song Kuula ("Hear!").

Video ► Kuula

Ott Lepland Facebook Page

66

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

Estonia

SEMI FINAL 2

Don't Close Your Eyes God save me ... Hey, where is the way to heaven’s hell That’s what I ask When I feel broken… Look around what‘s happening abounds And listen to the frequency of a sound Of the beat, of a heartbeat, of your death beat Don’t close your eyes And pray all the night Try to call all angels To save our lives How do you feel now? After all fails in love Embraced by devil’s arms Look around what‘s happening abounds And listen to the frequency of a sound Of the beat, of a heartbeat, of your death beat Don’t close your eyes And pray all the night Try to call all angels To save our lives Let me get out of here Let me get out of here Let me get out of here Let me get out of here Save me ... Don’t close your eyes (Stay awake) And pray all the night (Say your prayer now) Try to call all angels (Angels above) To save our lives (Save our lives) Don’t close your eyes (Don’t close your eyes) To save our lives

Songwriter

Max Jason Mai Max Jason Mai Song

Don't Close Your Eyes

Miroslav Šmajda (also: Miro Šmajda) on November, the 27th 1988 in Košice performes more recently under the stage name of Max Jason May. Miroslav has been raised by his mother in East Slovak Slovakia, the father is a Czech. Miroslav was second in the Czecho-Slovak Superstar in 2009. In November 2010 he recorded his debut album Čo sa týka lásky ("As for love") was published. The television station RTVS has chosen Miroslav in November 2011 as a representative of Slovakia for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, where he will perform his song Do not Close Your Eyes.

Video ► Don't Close Your Eyes

Max Jason Mai on Facebook

68

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

Slovakia

SEMI FINAL 2

Stay I hear music as I walk down the street Start moving to the rhythm, heart is pumping the beat I hear the people shout out Turn up the music louder Better start running if you can’t stand the heat What’s it doing to me, I feel it set me free It’s like I’m losing all control You know it’s making me hot, and baby I don’t stop It’s like a fire in my soul I don’t know what I am doing tonight But this rush it is making me stronger I don’t know if it’s wrong or it’s right But I know: I want you to STAY, nanananana… STAY, nanananana My heart beats faster as I’m scanning the crowd My meters are peaking, I can tell you’re around It’s like I’m on a high now Nothing can pull me down now Sirens are calling and I can’t kill the sound What’s it doing to me, I feel it set me free It’s like I’m losing all control You know it’s making me hot, and baby I don’t stop It’s like a fire in my soul I don’t know what I am doing tonight But this rush it is making me stronger I don’t know if it’s wrong or it’s right But I know: I want you to STAY, nanananana…STAY, nanananana Work it, move your body baby, you better work, you better work, come on now Work it move your body baby, you better work, you better work I don’t know what I am doing tonight But this rush it is making me stronger I don’t know if it’s wrong or it’s right But I know: I want you to Stay (I don’t know what I am doing tonight) But this rush it is making me stronger I don’t know if it’s wrong or it’s right But I know: I want you to STAY, nanananana… STAY, nanananana

Songwriter

Tooji, Figge Boström & Pelle Boström

Tooji Song

Stay

Tooji, a singer, model and television host, was born in 1987 in Shiraz, Iran. His greatest wish to communicate his feelings and opinions brought him on the path of creativity, and through performing arts school, it was his love for music that eventually captured his heart. Apart from his passion for music, he began training as an educator. His experiences with working with children, teenagers and immigrants have given him an even more important calling in life. He launched his career in the music business through his activities at the Norwegian branch of the television station MTV. Here he hosted the hit parade "Toojis Top 10" and the show "Super Saturday". He released his first single Swan Song in 2008. In 2012 he placed first at the Norwegian preselection "Melodi Grand Prix" with the song Stay and will represent Norway with the song in the second semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku.

Video ► Stay

Tooji on Facebook

70

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

Norway

SEMI FINAL 2

Korake ti znam (original lyrics in national language) Everything I love Hurts me the most I still clearly hear Those steps when You're gone... On and on tryin' to understand You have many worries And I, I need to tell You that Not now, 'cause You're in a hurry... Everything I lost Miss' the kindness You give When, where, I don't know And if I ask, You just leave... After all we've said and done You seem more than strong After all I don't know where Did I go wrong... Don't make it harder these days I need love, don't hurt my feelings You've never suffered this way 'Cause if You did, how come I'm bleeding, on and on No more hiding, no lying Will You give me reason to live 'Cause I'm dying... After all I don't know how and where to start As if we never, never said before 'Till death do us apart...'

Songwriter

Maja Sarihodžić Maya Sar Song

Korake ti znam

Maja Sarihodžić, née Hodžić, (born 12 July 1981 in Tuzla, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia), stage name Maya Sar, is a Bosnian singer. Before she started her solo career, Maya was a backing vocalist for many famous singers, including Dino Merlin and Tony Cetinski. Her first single Nespretno (Awkwardly) was released in March 2010 and it became big hit in Bosnia & Herzegovina as well as in other neighbouring countries. Maya is depicted for her humanitarian spirit and launched an action "fight against cervical cancer" for which she wrote Moj je život moja pjesma ("My life is my song"), a song she interpreted together with the Serbian Aleksandra Radović, the Croatian Nina Badric and the Macedonian Karolina Gočeva. For this she had been awarded from the International League of Humanists (ILH). After that she released a couple more singles, but her first album is yet to be released. Maya participated on Eurovision as a backing vocalist in 2004 and 2011 (both times for the Bosnia and Herzegovina entry). She also played the keyboard on Dino Merlin's Love in Rewind during the semi-finals and finals at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. On December 15, 2011 it was confirmed that Maya Sar will represent Bosnia and Herzegovina with a song Korake ti znam in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012

Video ► Korake ti znam

Maya Sar on Facebook

72

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

Bosnia - Herzogovina

SEMI FINAL 2

Love is blind When the day becomes the night You know that I think of you And I cannot control my heart It's crying for you Loneliness is killing me I’m helpless without your love Knowing when you touch someone I can’t understand… Now it's tearing me apart I want you back And it's made me realize Just what I had Love is blind it's true Nobody is like you My endless melody I play for me and you Love is blind it's true I'm on my knees for you I'd give it all I can To have you back again Love is blind I just can’t believe you're gone And I let it slip away I can't believe I was the one Who caused you pain You should know deep down inside She didn't mean a thing to me What can I do to win back your heart And make you stay… I can't believe, can't believe you're gone I can't believe... Love is blind it's true Nobody is like you My endless melody I play for me and you Love is blind it's true I'm on my knees for you 'Cos I'd give it all I can To have you back again Love is blind Love is blind

Songwriter

Brandon Stone Jodie Rose

Donny Montell Song

Love is blind

The 25 year old from Vilnius, Donatas Montvydas has chosen a more international name for his music career: Donny Montell. He studied at the "Balys Dvarionas Music School“ in Vilnius and has already been successful in numerous talent shows and music competitions. In the Lithuanian version of the dance show "Let's dance" he reached the first place. But Donatas ESC plans were not always successful in the beginning: It was his fourth attempt this year after three unsuccessful attempts but it finally worked: Donny Montell will perform his song Love Is Blind for Lithuania at the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku. If he repeats his stage act from the national qualifying round in Lithuania, the spectators will watch an entertaining show in Azerbaijan.

Video ► Love is blind

Donatas Montvydas on Facebook

Donny Montell Fanpage

74

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

Lithuania

FINAL

01 UNITED KINGDOM

Love will set you free So graceful and pure A smile bathed in light No matter the distance A miracle of sight Though I should have known I could not turn away When faced with your beauty No reason can stay As you kiss him in the moonlight With heavy words I say If you love someone Follow your heart 'Cause love comes once If you're lucky enough Though I'll miss you forever The hurt will run deep Only love can set you free Trust in your dreams Run with no fear And if you should stumble Remember I'm near As a ghost I will walk I'll look deep in my soul I might find another You gave me that hope So as you kiss him in the moonlight With heavy words I say If you love someone Follow your heart 'Cause love comes once If you're lucky enough Though I'll miss you forever And the hurt will run deep Only love can set you free And if you love someone Follow your heart 'Cause love comes once If you're lucky enough Though I'll miss you forever The hurt will run deep Love will set you free

Songwriter

Martin Terefe & Sacha Skarbek

Engelbert Humperdinck

Song

Love Will Set You Free

As Arnold Dorsey, Engelbert Humperdinck was one of ten children born in Madras, India, to British Army NCO Mervyn Dorsey and his wife Olive. His family moved to Leicester, England, when he was 10. He soon showed an interest in music and began learning the saxophone. By the early 1950s he was playing saxophone in nightclubs, but he is believed not to have tried singing until he was 17, when friends coaxed him into entering a pub contest.

In 1965, Engelbert teamed with Gordon Mills, the manager of Tom Jones. Aware that Engelbert had been struggling for several years to become successful in the music industry, Mills suggested a name-change to the more arresting Engelbert Humperdinck, borrowed from the 19th-century composer of operas such as Hansel and Gretel. In 1966 he had a brief success in Belgium, where he made a mark on the charts with "Dommage, Dommage".

In early 1967 the changes paid off when Humperdinck's version of "Release Me," a smooth ballad, made the top ten on both sides of the Atlantic and number one in Britain. The song was succeeded by two more world hits, There Goes My Everything and The Last Waltz. His international career continues and to this day Engelbert has received 68 gold and 26 platinum records. In Germany he was produced in the 80's by Jack White and Dieter Bohlen and only occurs under the stage name Engelbert. The heirs of the composer Engelbert Humperdinck had forbidden the use of the artist's name in court, especially since there are no family ties.

On 1 March 2012, the BBC announced that Engelbert Humperdinck will represent the United Kingdom in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 and will sing Love Will Set You Free in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 26 May.

Video ► Love Will Set You Free

Engelbert Humperdinck on Facebook

76

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

UNITED KINGDOM

FINAL

09 FRANCE

Echoes (You and I) (original lyrics in national language) You and I, you and I I hear the echo of our steps to the beat Always march in a new direction We're moving ahead, but what are we chasing? I hear the echo of our hopes and aspirations Beyond the day, until the night We're carrying each other away but what are we chasing? Losing each other and hoping In a way, we're going astray Someday beyond this We'll find each other back In my dreams, in my dreams In my heart, in my mind I see you and I, there is you and I I hear the echo of our swinging steps All over the place, always to the same dance We're moving ahead, but what are we chasing? Losing each other and hoping In a way, we're going astray Someday beyond this We'll find each other back In my dreams, in my dreams In my heart, in my mind I see you and I, there is you and I There is you and I, there is you and I I hear the echo of your voice going away from me The echo of a love will return one day It carries me away and I start chasing you Losing each other and hoping In a way, we're going astray Someday beyond this We'll find each other back In my dreams, in my dreams In my heart, in my mind I see you and I, there is you and I

Songwriter

Jean Pierre Pilot & William Rousseau, Anggun

Anggun Song

Echoes (You and I)

Anggun (born 29 April 1974 in Jakartaas Anggun Cipta Sasmi) is an Indonesian and French-naturalised singer-songwriter. She began performing at the age of seven and recorded a children's album two years later. With the help of famed Indonesian producer Ian Antono, Anggun released her first rock-influenced studio album Dunia Aku Punya (The World is Mine) in 1986. She became further well known with the single Mimpi (1989), which was selected as one of the 150 Greatest Indonesian Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone in 2009. She followed it with a series of singles and three more studio albums, which established her as one of the most prominent Indonesian rock stars of the early 1990s. Anggun left Indonesia in 1994 to pursue an international career. After two years struggling in London and Paris, Anggun met French producer Erick Benzi and signed to Sony Music Entertainment. She released her first international album Snow on the Sahara (1997) in 33 countries worldwide; this album spawned her international signature hit Snow on the Sahara, which reached number one in several countries. Since her international debut, Anggun has released several studio albums in English and French, as well as a soundtrack album to the Danish film Open Hearts (2002) and has collaborated with a host of international artists, including Julio Iglesias, Peter Gabriel and Pras Michel of the Fugees. Aside from her musical career, Anggun has been involved in numerous environmental and humanitarian works. She has been appointed as the global ambassador of the United Nations twice, first for the International Year of Microcredit in 2005 and then for the Food and Agriculture Organization in 2009. Anggun will represent France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan, with her song

Video ► Echoes (You and I)

Anggun Cipta Sasmi on Facebook

78

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

©

France

FINAL

10 ITALY

L'amore è femmina (original lyrics partially in national language) unbelievable…i can't wait to go but like a rolling stone you hit me BoomBoomBoom if you were my king would i be your queen? stop breaking up my heart you kill me BoomBoomBoom (day&night it's a fight) don't know where you are when i'm close you're far oh, no no (day & night, it's a lie) i waste my tears and you shoot pool [Refr.] Love Is Female unless pleased it will not please this is the mess u left i'm out of love and it's a fact (u left, out of love and it's a fact) i'm sure you'll smile you have to go you're an independent grown man after all out of love must have been sent from up above la la la have you turned to stone? king without a throne you're great but not impressive lots of up and low it's so typical when it's time to go you knock me on the floor my heart goes BoomBoomBoom (day&night it's a fight) don't know where to start when you're close i'm far oh, no no (day&night it's a lie) i dried my tears but you want more [Refr.] Love Is Female …. WOW IT IS HOT i'll let you think twice i don't wanna cause any pressure but have you asked yourself why i bought a brand new gun shot Love Is Female unless pleased it will not please (Tic Tac unless pleased it will not please ) I take it easy I calculate my chances (tic tac one chance) what you want unless you do not have it we are all more unsatisfied than ever Female unless pleased it will not please - La la la

Songwriter

Christian Rabb, Kristoffer Sjökvist, Frida Molander & Charlie Mason, Nina Zilli

Nina Zilli Song

L'amore è femmina

Nina Zilli was born as Maria Chiara Fraschetta on 2 February 1980 in Piacenza. After growing up in Gossolengo and moving to Ireland, she started performing live and, at the age of thirteenand started studying opera singing at the conservatory. In 1997 she founded her first band, The Jerks. Between 2000 and 2001 she co-presented Red Ronnie's TV show Roxy Bar, broadcast in Italy by TMC2. In 2001 she also debuted as a VJ for MTV Italy. In the meanwhile, she obtained a recording contract with her new band, Chiara e gli Scuri and released a first single Tutti al mare in 2001 They also started working on an album, but it was never released, due to some disagreements with the recording label. In 2009 she chose the stage name Nina Zilli and released her debut single 50mila in July. Her self-titled debut EP was released by Universal Music on 11 September 2011. It peaked at number 54 on the Italian Albums Chart and it also spawned the singles L'inferno and L'amore verrà an Italian-language cover of The Supremes You Can't Hurry Love. In January 2012, Zilli was chosen as one of the participants in the Big Artists section of the 62nd Sanremo Music Festival, performing the song Per sempre. During the competition, Zilli also performed a cover of Mina's Grande grande grande, in a duet with British singer Skye Edwards. On the final of the show, she was chosen by a specific jury as the Italian entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, where she will perform L'amore è femmina.

Video ► L'amore è femmina

Nina Zilli on Facebook

80

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

Italy

FINAL

13 AZERBAIJAN

When the music dies You, you were my best friend You were my everything So don't leave me now You, you were the best of me The reason that I believe So don't leave me now And I, tried to keep us alive But you were cold cold cold Now every second that my heart skips it ends But I, still wanna keep us alive But it's cold cold cold cold When the music dies It's all black and white And there's no sunrise When the music dies Now you, you can't even look at me You say you're not gonna speak to me Oh oh oh oh And I, tried to keep us alive But you were cold cold cold Now every second that my heart skips it ends But I, still wanna keep us alive But it's cold cold cold cold When the music dies It get's cold when there's no sunrise So cold, now every second that my heart skips it ends And I, tried to keep us alive Oh but you were cold cold cold Now every second, my heart beat ends But I, still wanna keep us, alive But you were cold cold Oh… When the music dies

Songwriter

Anders Bagge, Sandra Bjurman, Stefan Örn, Johan Kronlund

Sabina Babayeva Song

When the music dies

Sabina Babayeva (Azerbaijani: Səbinə Babayeva) was born on December 2th, 1979 in Baku. A graduate of the Asaf Zeynally College of Music with a degree in vocal arts, she has participated in a number of song competitions both in her country and abroad. She is known in Azerbaijan as the singer of Roya kimi, theme song of the 2003 Azerbaijani television series "Bayaz hayat". A veteran contestant in the Azerbaijani national selection, she has applied to represent Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest every year since the country's debut in 2008. In 2011, she came third in her heat. Prior to being selected, Sabina recorded the song Sikhvarulis tamashi in duo with Anri Jokhadze who will represent Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. Sabina will represent Azerbaijan in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 26 May 2012, with her song When the Music Dies. .

Video ► When the music dies

Sabina Babayeva Facebook Page

82

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

Azerbaijan

FINAL

19 SPAIN

Quedate conmigo (Stay With Me) (original lyrics in national language) Forgive me for the unbroken silence For not realizing you were my all Forgive me if I hurt you Forgive me for every tear I brought into your eyes I’m not worthy of them But the one thing I know now Is that I can’t live Without you near me Stay with me Don’t go Please forgive me If I couldn’t love you the way you deserved My heart didn’t belong to me Stay with me Stay with me When shadows fall, I’ll raise the sun My memories are gone Except for those I have of you Touching your skin Loving you Stay with me Don’t go Please forgive me If I couldn’t love you the way you deserved My heart didn’t belong to me Stay with me Stay with me When shadows fall, I’ll raise the sun And now I see you walk away I beg you, stay for one more day

Songwriter

Antonio Sánchez, Thomas G:son & Erik Bernholm

Pastora Soler Song

Quedate conmigo

Pilar Sánchez Luque (born September 27, 1978 in Coria del Río, Seville), better known by her stage name Pastora Soler, is a Spanish singer. She is also a songwriter and her compositions usually mix copla or flamenco with or pop or electronic music. She started singing coplas and flamenco songs at several events when she was a child. In 1994 she was signed to the record company Polygram to release her first studio album, Nuestras coplas, which consisted of covers of ten classical copla songs by León or Quiroga. Pop and commercial sounds arrived in 1996 with her second album, El mundo que soné, which was the last she published with Polygram. Pastora changed the record company in 2005 and signed to Warner Music Spain and released ten very successful albums up to now. Her latest album was released in October 2011, Una mujer como yo, including twelve new tracks. The album debuted at number three on the Spanish album chart, becoming her most successful debut with Warner. On 21 December 2011 she was selected internally by RTVE to represent Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, where she will perform her song Quedate conmigo.

Video ► Quedate conmigo (Stay With Me)

“PastoraSolerOficial” Facebook Page

84

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

Spain

FINAL

20 GERMANY

Standing Still Guess we knew this was coming on ‘Cause you’re already gone in my head You can tell me that I’m wrong That you’re staying with me instead When winter’s come along And summer’s dead and gone Is there anything left here to say? I can put my arms around the emptiness I found And find a way to make you stay But I’m standing still… I’m standing still As you leave me now I’m standing still…I’m standing still As you’re walking out Yeah, I’m just standing still Now before I felt so strong And pieces of me break so easy What I thought would be the end Is just the feeling that you freed me Girl, this ain’t giving up It’s knowing where to stop Knowing when a thing is over I know my life is blind See for the first time This ain’t gonna bring us closer 'Cause I’m standing still…. I’m standing still As you leave me now Yeah, I’m standing still I’m standing still As you’re walking out I’m standing still….And I’m just standing still As you leave me now And I’m just standing still When winter’s come along And summer’s dead and gone Is there anything left here to say? I can put my arms around The emptiness I found And find a way to make you stay I’m standing still….I’m standing still As you leave me now Yeah, I’m standing still…. I’m standing still As you’re walking out I’m just standing still…. I’m standing still Yeah, I’m just standing still… Just standing still

Songwriter

Wayne Hector, Jamie Cullum, Steve Robson

Roman Lob Song

Standing Still

Roman Lob was born in Düsseldorf, Germany on July 2th, 1990. The German singer In January and February 2012 was contestant in the German TV show "Unser Star für Baku“ in January and February 2012 , produced by the German boradcasting stations Pro7 and Das Erste. He is also lead singer of the band "Rooftop Kingdom," an alternative rock band with origins in Neuwied. In 2006, Roman Lob already took part in the German casting show "Deutschland sucht den Superstar" but had to quit due to a vocal cord infection. He had already advanced into the field of the top 20 contestants. On 16 February 2012, he won the show "Unser Star für Baku" and will represent Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with his song Standing Still.

Video ► Standing Still

Roman Lob Facebook Page

86

Participant

Please click on the Picture to start the Video

Germany

Stay updated - for example in case of not available videos - on

- music | fashion | lifestyle © Email to ? Just click on the icon