18 – Switzerland = 28 points
17 – Denmark = 34 points
16 – Albania = 45 points
15 – Ireland = 46 points
14 – Slovenia = 57 points
13 – Norway = 63 points
12 – Belarus = 84 points
11 – FYR Macedonia = 88 points
10 – Serbia = 105 points
09 – Georgia = 123 points
08 – Latvia = 132 points
07 – Israel = 147 points
06 – Poland = 151 points
05 – Bulgaria = 220 points
04 – Lithuania = 222 points
03 – Belgium = 274 points
02 – Ukraine = 287 points
01 – Australia = 330 points
Tag Archives: Lithuania
Poli Genova / Donny Montell / Kaliopi – The return!!
Today we saw the return of three previous participants. Poli Genova (Bulgaria), Donny Montell (Lithuania) and Kaliopi (FYR Macedonia) all graced the Eurovision stage again.
Here at ESC Covers we have differing opinions. Roy van der Merwe prefers the new songs by the said artists. However, I prefer the 2012 entries by Donny Montell (Love Is Blind) and Kaliopi (Crno I Belo). But Poli’s new song for 2016 is better than her previous attempt in Na inat in 2011.
Over to you readers…what do you think?
THIS TIME – A FIRE WORKS COMPETITION
Sony South Africa has made available the brand new CD of the group 4werke (fireworkers) called 4WARM as a price in a competition. 4werke consists of 4 South African singers, all R O W members – Elizma Theron, Liezel Pieters, Nicholis Louw and Ray Dylan.
The CD has 14 tracks but one of them is a Eurovision cover – Lithuania 2015 – THIS TIME, originally sung by Monika Linkyte and Vaidas Baumila. 4werke covers the song in English since we were unable to contact the composers to get permission for the Afrikaans lyrics.
In order to win this CD, you will have to do a comment to this post about your favourite Lithuanian Eurovision entry and why you like that particular song. Sony will decide who is the winner.
Donny Montell to represent Lithuania at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest with ‘I’ve Been Waiting For This Night’
Donny Montell will return to the Eurovision stage in 2016 as he has won the 2016 Eurovizija in Lithuania. The winning song is I’ve Been Waiting For This Night. The six acts in the final were –
1. Ruslanas Kirilkinas In My World
2. Ieva Zasimauskaitė Life (Not That Beautiful)
3. Aistė Pilvelytė You Bet
4. Erica Jennings Leading Me Home
5. Rūta Ščiogolevaitė United
6. Donny Montell I’ve Been Waiting for This Night
Voting was a combination of expert jury and televoting.
You can see Donny perform his winning song below.
Source: www.eurovision.tv
Interview: Saulenė Chlevickaitė (2016 Eurovizijos contestant in Lithuania)
Saulenė Chlevickaitė performed Strong in the third show of the 2016 Eurovizijos selection in Lithuania and qualified for the next round. Here Saulenė talks to esccovers.com.
1. Hello Saulenė. Congratulations on making it to the Eurovizijos 2016 shows. How did it feel when you were selected to participate in this competition?
Hi all! To participate in this competition was a really old dream of mine. I think there is always a time for certain things in your life, so I was just waiting for the right moment, feeling and of course SONG. Not going to hide, but at the moment I’m quite nervous at the same time this feeling is pleasing and positive.
2. Was there an audition process?
Toughest moment was preparation, picking the right song… I’m really happy that I had chance to perform this song and I’m really thankful for Aidan O’Connor and Fred Endresen who are the authors of the song.
3. What would it mean to you to represent Lithuania at the Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden?
If I would get a chance to represent my country, it definitely would be an honour and a huge responsibility. I think Lithuania is going there step by step , our people are very supportive and of course still having discussions about that one day our moment will come! I would be very pleased to be part of it.
4. Can you tell us about your song ‘Strong’ and what it is about?
‘Song’ is about human strength, about this inner power which helps us to move all fears from our way so we can achieve the things we really are dreaming about. The most important message about LOVE, the one we all have inside of us as an energy, power which can even heal…
5. Can you tell us about your background in music? Have you recorded any other songs?
My relationship with music started from my very early days. Mostly I was all into jazz, I feel really comfy emotionally and can express myself quite easy with this genre, that’s what I love about it. Later on I started to explore much bigger audience so naturally came to the POP scene. One of my favourites which I also wrote by myself is ‘Nauja diena’ (New day), you can tell that the message behind it is really similar to ‘Strong’.
6. Who are your musical influences?
I grew up humming songs by Erykah Badu, Zapp Mama, Jamiroquai, Sade and many others. I adore them, because they are unique and genuine to what they do. We don’t have a big audience for underground artists, let’s say different kind of music styles. But my inspirations are from these kind of musicians. Talking about bigger scene I would need to mention Beyonce, for me she’s example of a perfect performer.
7. Have you participated in any music festivals either in Lithuania or abroad? If so can you tell us something about them?
Besides Lithuanian festivals I’ve attended Jazz music camp in Latvia, was an unbelievable experience and later on had the chance to be in “Saulkraste Jazz Festival” which was also in Latvia.
8. Do you watch the Eurovision Song Contest on tv, and do you have any favorite songs from over the years?
I always watch it and interested in this competition tendencies. From all winners so far I adore Loreen (Sweden ESC 2012), she’s really amazing! Last year I was captivated by Belgium singer Loic Nottet – ‘Rhythm Inside’ and also Latvia’s singer Aminata, I think both performances were strong.
Thank you Saulenė – good luck at Eurovizijos.
Source: www.esccovers.com
Interview: Milda Martinkėnaitė (2016 Eurovizijos contestant in Lithuania)
Milda Martinkėnaitė performed If Tomorrow Never Comes in the third qualification show of the 2016 Eurovizijos competition in Lithuania and qualified for the next phase. Here Mila talks to esccovers.com.
1. Hello Milda. Congratulations on making it to the Eurovizijos 2016 shows. How did it feel when you were selected to participate in this competition?
It took me a few years to finally dare to participate in this competition for ESC. I sent the questionnaire the applicants had to fill in and started waiting for an answer. I can’t describe the way I felt – although I’m a huge optimist, I tried to maintain a pessimistic opinion about me participating here, I didn’t want to expect too much. Therefore I was really excited when I received a phone call from the organisers – I asked a few times if they were sure that I’m selected to participate in the Lithuanian competition for ESC. I felt really happy and quite scared at the same time – so many things awaiting me!
2. Was there an audition process?
I sent a few links to Youtube videos of me singing, so I believe this could be counted as an audition.
3. What would it mean to you to represent Lithuania at the Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden?
Well, I have participated in many and many contests and ESC in Sweden would be the ultimate competition! It just feels too surreal to participate in the Eurovision. It would definitely mean a lot! It would be a great responsibility not only to make a show, but to represent the whole country!
4. Can you tell us about your song ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’ and what it is about?
‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’ is a wonderful song! It was written by Hakan Glante and Joacim Dubbelman. The music is very cheerful and the melody is so catchy! This song can be interpreted differently. In my opinion, the song says that we don’t know what will happen tomorrow, and we don’t know what life would be if things were different, but we can enjoy the only thing we have – the moment, the present – leave your worries, let’s celebrate! I’m a dreamer, I love the lyrics.
5. Can you tell us about your background in music? Have you recorded any other songs?
Since primary school I was singing in various school choirs. I started taking professional vocal lessons at the age of 13 and at first it was jazz I was interested in. It did not take long for me to find out that I feel really great singing blues! Aaaaand I have a tiny rocker inside me, too.
At the moment I have a Janis Joplin project and it really helped me grow vocally and emotionally too. Sometimes I appear on stage with “the Bluesmakers” a well-known blues band.
I have a pop song written by Stano and Imantas Reed, called “Get This” (youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVCbuskGTV4 ) This is the first song that was written for me, there are a lot of emotions and moments related to this song, I love it so much and I’m very proud of it.
6. Who are your musical influences?
I used to listen to Aretha Franklin, Etta James, James Brown, Erykah Badu. Now I’m trying to listen to everything as much as possible – I really like Lady Gaga, she is an incredibly talented inspirational woman! I love Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys, Jack Garratt. Here in Lithuania we have an amazing performer ba. (yes, “b” and “a” with a full stop). I like different styles, and the emotions they evoke.
7. Have you participated in any music festivals either in Lithuania or abroad? If so can you tell us something about them?
Once I participated in the blues festival “Bliuzo Naktys” here in Lithuania, it was my first time checking the official blues stage. I didn’t have a chance to participate in other festivals as a singer, but I’m a wonderful listener (and dancer!) when I go to the festivals with my friends!
8. Do you watch the Eurovision Song Contest on tv, and do you have any favourite songs from over the years?
I watch the ESC on tv almost every year. I have two songs that I can remember now, and they were amazing: Aminata (Latvia) – ‘Love Injected’, ESC 2015
Mor ve Ötesi (Turkey) – ‘Deli’, ESC 2008. (and I actually voted for these guys, I can remember that!).
Anyway thank you Milda and good luck at Eurovizijos.
Source: www.esccovers.com
Eurovision 2016: News round up
It has been a busy few days in the world of Eurovision. Starting with the theme for the 2016 contest which is Come Together. We have had songs selected in Malta and Belarus. Also, Hungary began their selection process and Lithuania continued with their qualification programmes.
Malta – The 2002 representative for Malta, Ira Losco, will once again represent her country at Eurovision. Ira won with Chameleon (Invincible). There was a semi-final of 20 songs and 14 songs took part in the final.
Belarus – Ivan will represent Belarus after winning the national selection with Help You Fly. Ivan beat off competition from nine other acts.
Hungary – The national selection of Hungary (A Dal) began and the first six acts to qualify for the next stage are Freddie, Benji, Mushu, Egy Másik Zenekar, Reni Tolvai (all by jury) and ByTheWay (televote).
Lithuania – 12 acts competed in the next phase and the following acts progressed Ieva Zasimauskaitė, Baiba, E.G.O. ,Berta Timinskaitė, Neringa Šiaudikytė, 4 Roses, Saulenė Chlevickaitė, Milda Martinkėnaitė, Ruslanas Kirilkinas, Aistė Pilvelytė
Ukraine: The national final will be on 21 February with two semi-finals preceding on 6 February and 13 February.
Poland: A national final has been confirmed for 5 March.
Source: www.eurovision.tv
SEMI FINAL DRAW
SIX FINALS ON ONE DAY
It seems Saturday 27 February will be a SUPER BUSY day with no less than 6 finals
Sweden Songs publishing company have 10 songs in 2016 Eurovision selections
The music publisher, Sweden Songs, have an impressive 10 songs in contention in various national selections for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. At this time they have songs in the running in Lithuania, Moldova, Belarus and Austria.
LITHUANIA
4 Roses Butterfly (Calle Kindbom/Dan Fernström/Viktor Brunö) (split publishing with Yellow)
Baiba Skurstenė-Serdiukė Mayday (Daniel Persson/Magnus Mikaelsson)
Neringa Šiaudikytė Never Knew Love (Tina A Hilli/Daniel Persson)
Ruslanas Kirilkinas In My World (Niklas Bergvist) Lithuanian version lyrics
Aistė Pilvelytė You Can’t Leave Me Now (Niklas Bergvist)
MOLDOVA
Beatrice Saved My Heart For You (Nicklas Säwström/Christian Löwenborg Wahlström)
Rafaella Hours Lost (Johan Wåhlander/Hannu Hemmilä/Hugo Lundgren)
Mihai Radu I Walk Through Fire (Patrik Öhlund/Madelene Hamberg)
AUSTRIA (wildcard competition)
Celina Ann Life Is On Your Side (Niklas Bergqvist/Magnus Almgren/Celina Ann/ Valentin Oman)
BELARUS
Shir My Mind On You (Fredrik Hult/Bahman Ghanbari/Ina Forsberg) Artist (split publishing with Firefly)
In 2015 Sweden Songs had 11 songs in various Eurovision national selection. They have also published songs for Eurovision acts such as Conchita Wurst (2 songs on her album), Ryan Dolan (ESC 2013 Ireland), Gianluca Bezzina (ESC 2013 Malta) and Farid Mammadov (ESC 2013 Azerbaijan) and many others.
Keith Almgren was a publisher with Scandinavian Songs for Melodifestivalen winners Charlotte Nilsson (ESC 1999 Sweden winner) and Roger Pontare (ESC 2000 Sweden).
Source: www.esccovers.com