Eurovision 2017: my top 5

It's that time of the year again: next month will be the Eurovision Song Contest. Last year I didn't share my top 5 with you because I was not satisfied with the entries (I had no clear favorites and in the end the catchy pop song by Denmark became my number 1, but I was too ashamed to share this) and apparently in 2015 I forgot to share my top 5, but this year I will do it again. Enjoy!

5. Italy (Francesco Gabbani - Occidentali's Karma)
Italy's Francesco Gabbani is a huge favorite among the bookmakers to win this year's edition. This song (and its singer) just have something catchy, although to some people this may also be perceived as annoying. A friend already pointed out that this is certainly not a typical Laurens-song, so does the fact that even I like this mean that Francesco will indeed have a very good chance to win Eurovision? We will see next month.

4. Netherlands (O'G3NE - Lights And Shadows)

Last year the Netherlands was in my top 5 for the first time since 1999. This year they sent in exactly the band that I wanted to see at Eurovision: girlband O'G3NE. Their song didn't disappoint, so this is the second year in a row the Netherlands is in my top 5. The three sisters Lisa, Amy and Shelly (who also participated in Junior Eurovision a few years ago) are unique in this edition because they sing in harmony and hopefully this will be enough to at least secure a place in the final.

 

3. Switzerland (Timebelle - Apollo)

As usual Switzerland is also in my top 5 again. In the video below I shared the live performance with you, because in my opinion it's much better than the official music video. Among the many, many ballads this year the song will not really stand out, but to me this certainly is the best of the ballads and I hope to see Timebelle in the final as well.

2. Cyprus (Hovig - Gravity)

Cyprus has the kind of song that doesn't stand out at first, but if you start to listen to it more often you will start to appreciate it more and more. The song is powerful and without a doubt a song that I will keep on listening to even after the contest is over. 

1. Romania (Ilinca ft. Alex Florea - Yodel It!)

I accidentally found this song already way before the Romanian national final while searching for new songs for my own International Song Contest. With a title like "Yodel it" of course you have to click this link and I immediately fell in love with the song. As I was hoping/expecting, the song qualified from the national final with ease and now Ilinca and Alex Florea get to represent Romania in Kiev. I have no idea if they have a realistic chance to win it this year and I know that Ilinca is not the best singer in the contest, but the song certainly stands out and is my clear personal winner of 2017!

 

If you have any comments about my top 5 or want to share your own top 5 or top 10 with me, please let me know. :)