Get set... get ready.... get betting: Five Eurovision songs to watch
Although Denmark is widely tipped to take the Eurovision crown this year, the outcome can be hard to predict, as illustrated by Finnish monster mask wearing rockers Lordi's win in 2006.
For those willing to take a punt on someone else, here are some of the other songs people are talking about in Malmö this week:
Britain: Bonnie Tyler - "Believe In Me"
The Welsh singer's entry comes courtesy of American song writer Desmond Child, who has previously worked with artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Bon Jovi and Aerosmith. The country-flavoured number lacks some of the energy and drama of Tyler's megahits of the eighties, but could still to pick up nostalgia votes across the continent.
Azerbaijan: Farid Mammadov - "Hold Me"
The central Asian nation has done well since its Eurovision debut in 2008, and Farid Mammadov is likely to conquer hearts across Europe with his charming smile and bulging biceps -- the 22-year-old crooner recently completed his own workout video.
Germany: Cascada - "Glorious"
Perhaps the most successful contestants this year after Britain's Tyler are Germany's Cascada, who topped international charts in 2009 with the hit single "Evacuate the Dancefloor." Having sold millions of albums around the world, the dance outfit shrugged off accusations it plagiarized last year's winner Loreen.
The Netherlands: Anouk - "Birds"
Anouk shot to fame in The Netherlands in 1997 with "Nobody's Wife", a rock anthem that went on to become a hit in several other European countries. "Birds" has been compared with American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, but the song's Swedish producer has said he doesn't think it will win.
"The song wasn't written for the Eurovision Song Contest," he told daily Sydsvenskan.
The Ukraine: Zlata Ognevich - "Gravity"
The Eurovision Song Contest has never shied away from creative choreography, and the Ukraine has certainly thought outside the box this year. Ognevich is carried on stage by a 234 centimetre (7 feet 8 inches) tall "giant" meant to symbolise her inner strength, and "Gravity" has been well received by Eurovision fans.
AFP/The Local/sh
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For those willing to take a punt on someone else, here are some of the other songs people are talking about in Malmö this week:
Britain: Bonnie Tyler - "Believe In Me"
The Welsh singer's entry comes courtesy of American song writer Desmond Child, who has previously worked with artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Bon Jovi and Aerosmith. The country-flavoured number lacks some of the energy and drama of Tyler's megahits of the eighties, but could still to pick up nostalgia votes across the continent.
Azerbaijan: Farid Mammadov - "Hold Me"
The central Asian nation has done well since its Eurovision debut in 2008, and Farid Mammadov is likely to conquer hearts across Europe with his charming smile and bulging biceps -- the 22-year-old crooner recently completed his own workout video.
Germany: Cascada - "Glorious"
Perhaps the most successful contestants this year after Britain's Tyler are Germany's Cascada, who topped international charts in 2009 with the hit single "Evacuate the Dancefloor." Having sold millions of albums around the world, the dance outfit shrugged off accusations it plagiarized last year's winner Loreen.
The Netherlands: Anouk - "Birds"
Anouk shot to fame in The Netherlands in 1997 with "Nobody's Wife", a rock anthem that went on to become a hit in several other European countries. "Birds" has been compared with American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, but the song's Swedish producer has said he doesn't think it will win.
"The song wasn't written for the Eurovision Song Contest," he told daily Sydsvenskan.
The Ukraine: Zlata Ognevich - "Gravity"
The Eurovision Song Contest has never shied away from creative choreography, and the Ukraine has certainly thought outside the box this year. Ognevich is carried on stage by a 234 centimetre (7 feet 8 inches) tall "giant" meant to symbolise her inner strength, and "Gravity" has been well received by Eurovision fans.
AFP/The Local/sh
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