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11 years ago, Emmelie de Forest had one of the shortest international journeys to get to Eurovision, just a short hop over the Øresund Bridge from Denmark’s capital. Her short journey home from Malmö was with the trophy, and a second consecutive year of Eurovision flights landing into Copenhagen’s Kastrup airport. It was Denmark’s second victory when the contest is held in Sweden, having also clinched victory there in 2000. We’re back to Malmö, but will lightning strike for a third time?
TL:DR – no, it won’t.
There’s nothing wrong with their entry. It’s a strong pop song by a confident performer with a great voice. Saba is Ethiopian by birth and raised by adoptive Danish parents. She’s an out and proud queer woman and a keen advocate for better mental health. Both she and her song tick all the boxes for likeability, so why am I so pessimistic?
This is another song that I enjoy when it comes onto my playlist but is not (yet) one that urges me to selectively play it. When asked about my favourites it’s not one that I’m drawn to choose. And being unmemorable is almost the cardinal sin of Eurovision entries.
Saba can hold herself proud that she’s taking a good song to the Contest, and all indication is that she’ll give a fantastic performance, but I think her real prize will be if she were to qualify for the final.
Photo: William Green/EBU