[tds_note]Note: this is based on my opinions and thoughts. Pls don’t get offended.[/tds_note]
Australia’s national selection is back on and OHHH BOY… I have some thoughts. Unlike last year where there were bops and dance anthems, this year, we’re going for a different approach.
My thoughts before the song reveal
Like last year, I’ve placed my bets to a singer I recognize and a wildcard entry. So I chose Vanessa Amorosi and Jaguar Jonze. Vanessa because I love her work in the late 2000’s/early 2010’s eg: This is who I am.
I chose Jaguar because I wanted to root for an indie artist and I just felt at the time that she was a strong contender for me.
The songs this year
The songs this year feels a bit weaker compared to last year. Last year, the songs were strong, powerful, and lots of fan faves. This year, however, I feel like they’re somewhat copying a trend that’s seen in Eurovision every year – copying the type of song that the last winner performed.
Last year’s Eurovision winner is Arcade by Duncan Laurence (Nehterlands 2019) and it was a ballad.
The performance was simple, just him and a piano and a ball falling down.
So this year, a majority of the songs are ballads. Lots… and lots… of ballads.
Some songs are about self-love, some are about dealing with the breakup, and some are about diversity/unity. And it’s not that it’s bad but a lot of us (over on Discord) agreed that the songs have gotten weaker compared to last year.
Who I want to win Australia Decides 2020
Don’t Break Me – Montaigne
This song felt powerful. Not as powerful as Dami Im’s song ‘Sound of Silence’ (Australia 2016), but it’s strong. It’s a powerful ballad and a powerful voice which is good enough to get some points.
Australia Decides 2020 – My top 5
[tds_info]Note: these were my thoughts when the songs came out back in January – NOT the live performances[/tds_info]
- Don’t Break Me – Montaigne
- Together – Mitch Tambo – Watch Love love Peace Peace
- I am King I am Queen – Jack Vidgen – I know his music since Australia’s Got Talent & The Voice 2019
- Lessons of Love – Vanessa Amorosi – This song took A LONG time to click with me but I eventually enjoyed it
- Pushing Stars – Jordan Ravi – Catchy and upbeat
Yeah… Jaguar Jonze didn’t make it to my list when the songs came out sadly. I don’t know, maybe I wasn’t that used to the music style so it didn’t click as much as I was hoping for.
Thoughts on Australia Decides 2020
Sadly, the Facebook Livestream doesn’t work so I have no gifs to present. But all I can say, they’re pulling off the strings this year. Not just the special guest but also the people who helped write the songs and performance.
One fact that shocked me – Pushing stars was written by George Sheppard and another singer who competed last year.
Also the girl who started the show – SEND HER TO JUNIOR EUROVISION RIGHT NOW!!!
Biggest highlight – DAMI AND MANS HAVE A SONG TOGETHER AND I JUST CANT!!! Walk with me is an awesome duet with two huge Eurovision fan faves in Australia and I just cant!!!
Lots of the songs are weak but the staging is so strong and mesmerizing. Worth the watch and ads an extra element to the songs.
My ranking based on the live performance
- Montaigne – CLOWN MEME + the explanation of her song about a one-sided relationship. Also… Toy clone based on camera work???
- Vanessa Amorosi – WHERE DID THE CAR COME FROM!?!?!?
- Jaguar Jonze – Very energetic – perfect for Eurovision!!! The song and staging made it click for me
- Jack Vidgen – His song was ok, the staging was good too. Just couldn’t take him seriously cuz of the eyeliner.
- iTOA – Flying musicians will be the new meme.
- Jordan Ravi – Giving me Hungary 2013 vibes
- Diana Rouvas – It’s alright…
- Casey Donovan – I kinda got bored that I didn’t know about the mirror removal
- Mitch Tambo – HE CANT SING LIVE!!!!
- Didirri – Ngl, the performance just reminded us of arcade
Thoughts on the ‘what could have been’
So it is a tradition for SBS to share the songs that were close to being in the top 10. And this year… WE WERE ROBBED!!!
We have a song that’s using Climate Change as the political theme rather than geopolitics (looking at you Hatari). And WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN OUR AUSSIE VERSION OF DAÐI FREYR.
Thoughts on the winning song
YEAR OF THE CLOWNS EVERYONE!!!!
Next up – Songvakeppnin 2020!!! See you all in their grand final!
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