ESC COVERS once again google translated this article from Norwegian to English.

This is a blog post and only represents the writer Morten Thomassen’s own views.

Before the year ends, I think it might be a good idea to look at some memorable songs from Austrian ESC history, and this time I’m looking at 2002.

I was present at my tenth international final, due to poor placement the year before, Norway was not there so I didn’t have my “own” song to cheer for, a bit strange, but also a bit liberating, but anyway I think my favorite that year would have been the Austrian song this year, Manuel Ortega singing “Say A Word”.

And with press accreditation, you got contact with the artists from the first day of rehearsal, and you had to take advantage of that. 

Naturally, I had to talk to Manuel and say that I liked his entry the best and the wide smile I got from him probably made my choice of favorite song even more certain, he was genuinely happy to hear it.

And when the voting took place, it turned out that those who voted in Turkey agreed with me, because they gave young Mr. Ortega full marks, so almost 50% of all the 26 points he was paid for his song came from them, giving him 18th place.

The guy’s real name is Manuel Hanke, so it’s possibly his Spanish mother who is the origin of the more Spanish-sounding artist name Ortega, what do I know, his song was of the fast-paced kind, well placed in the pop segment and what I like is the good energy I feel this song gives me.

Manuel, besides continuing to be a singer without perhaps the greatest success, has also been involved in the Ukrainian version of “Shall We Dance” of all things, but his main focus is still music and he is said to have released new music as recently as this year. 

Featured image – Youtube