We Are One: Eurovision Song Contest... Malmö, Sweden 2013!

Malmö, Sweden had won the right to host the 58th edition of the contest due to Loreen's winning the previous year with 'Euphoria'. It's no secret that we the United Kingdom hasn't done well in this contest, but this year we had 80's diva 'Bonnie Tyler' on our side! Ireland looked super cute with first time entrant 'Ryan Dolan' with his song 'Only Love Survives!' Love is love! 

The camp-fest could have only begun once the 26 contenders were ready to take to the stage. Would I be ready for the competition that I unfortunately missed last year? Moldova was fierce! She brought the party, along with her dress rising to end the perfect performance. Finland, she was a girl after my own heart! 'Krista Siegfrids' sang her song 'Marry Me' and kissed one of her female dancers at the end of the performance, looks like someone has used 'Eurovision' to push Finland's efforts to make Gay Marriage legal! Sure, I loved it! That kind of politics is something that I will be behind 100%! Belarus brought a slice of Eastern spice to the contest with their song 'Solayoh!' Bringing some cuteness to the contest had to be Malta, 'Gianluca Bezzina' oozed the right amount of innocence without being too cute! I had missed Eurovision in 2012 due to living in Newark, NJ, USA! Yes, those American folk still don't understand our European tradition of song! Yes, I was ready Sweden! Yes, marriage equality is welcomed in my house! TR, said what?

Things got downright bizarre with 'Cezar' who represented Romania, if I wasn't mistaken he shared some similarities with reality star 'Rylan Clark?' Romania used the 'Eurovision' gimmick perfectly by styling 'Cezar' as a joke 'Dracula' character. It was majorly camp! Ukraine brought a sensual extravaganza, which had elements of the film 'Avatar'. Whilst, one country that didn't impress me much with their vocal had to be Lithuania, either sing in your own language or not at all! We won't judge you! One country that didn't make the final was Slovenia, I won't lie I was looking forward to 'Hannah Mancini's' work! Slovenia didn't get to sing their single 'Straight Into Love' but I loved it still. 'Margeret Berger' of Norway brought the arena down with her rendition of 'Feed You My Love' she sang in English perfectly and didn't look too shabby in her flowing white dress! Are you ready for more Eurovision? Would a fellow Scandinavian country take the title? I hate tactical voting of Eurovision! I couldn't get over it, Romania was not Rylan?

Ireland's sweetheart was 'Ryan Dolan', my personal favourite of the whole competition. His song 'Only Love Survives' raised the roof at the Malmö Arena last Saturday, so why was Ireland's score so bad? This year definitely wasn't a singing competition because 'Ryan' deserved more points! Our 'love for you will survive' because his three minutes on the stage were filled with charm, camp and courage. Ireland's dance 'Eurovision' tune didn't just benefit from 'Ryan's' good looks and fantastic vocal ability there was also the addition of his hot male dancers, who weren't wearing very much clothing! I'm not going to complain! Ireland had a credible formula this year with a relatively unknown artist compared to the abilities of Jedward. Those twins might be making big bucks but they will never have 'Dolan's' talent! I reckon the future will be bright for 'Ryan' as his debut album 'Frequency' has just been released. Ireland is opening up, for a conservative Catholic country, their Eurovision gave me all the man that I was looking for! 

In that moment, I knew that I had missed Eurovision a lot whilst I was living in America! So, thanks Ireland for bringing the Eurovision gold back! After the competition aired I went back over the semi-final performances to see the Eastern block member states still don't have a clue, as far as the Spanish I couldn't possible comment! Ireland had the man candy on stage for sure, I wanted 'Dolan' to take the crown but I suppose there's always next year? It's sad that Turkey pulled out because of the actions of countries who have seen the light about Gay marriage, these are not the dark ages! So, get your rebel on European because need to make a stand! I would still like to know why Israel is allowed to be a part of the European song competition? I love it though! I've never been one for Eurovision parties, I keep it simple by getting a bottle of my favourite fizz to enjoy the annual Eurovision Song Contest! Maybe one day I'll make it to the real thing, I would definitely be shouting my country of choice! Sorry, UK! Did I mention Ireland?

As the voting commenced the interval took full force, it was certainly a sterling effort made my Malmö indeed! Host Petra Mede broke into song as she was part of an all singing and all dancing Swedish show. Could they not afford a big name act? Referencing about ABBA, IKEA and their love for meatballs! This Swedish interlude was simple yet funny! A direct push for marriage equality was visible as two gorgeous men shared a kiss centre stage! Go Sweden! In true 'Eurovision' style the former winner 'Loreen' took to the stage to perform a medley of her new single 'We Got The Power' and her winning 'Eurovision' hit 'Euphoria'. 'Loreen' turned the party in her own special way, she's a testament that 'Eurovision' can showcase a credible pop artist. I have every confidence that 'Loreen' will remain the star that she is within the music business. I even bought 'Loreen's' debut album whilst I was in NJ, so I always had something to cling onto! What on earth is a Smörgåsbord? Oh, I'd like to try one of those for myself! The Dad or the food?

The votes were in and the winner had been decided, Denmark won the contest with a favourable 281 points. 'Emmelie de Forest' sang her song 'Only Teardrops' which put her and Denmark in first place. I wish Denmark well but know in my heart that a country closer to my home should have won! I would have been happy even if 'Cascada' took the trophy! Something tells me somewhere that if things don't change with the political voting certain countries will withdraw for good. I just hope that Turkey's absence from the Eurovision Song Contest isn't for too long, I secretly want another Sertab Erener style song to steal the points from the other singers! I'm going to keep my favourites and not dwell on the poor scoring of the better acts, until next year Europe? The voting was downright wrong, it's unfair when blocks of countries all vote for each other! I wanted to say 'Thank You for the Music' to Sweden for they had a true winner in 2012 and hosted a fantastic competition! Oh really Denmark? 2014, come on! Will I watch it though?

We Are One!  

Joseph Harrison