# 28 Macédomienne

Chris clearly understands what this week has been about. And his suggestion was a song I'd forgotten all about. Listening to it did, at first, raise a smile if only because I recalled how I'd rather taken to it's solitary tone so quickly when I heard it in 1990. A couple of minutes in however, it did rather tap into the dark side.

That's the thing about this song. As marvellously indulgent the sumptuous strings are in the live performance there's a deep melancholy about it which can, for those who could probably do with a few more carbs in their system, push certain individuals over the edge.

As sad as it sounds, there is a sense of hope about it. I don't say this with any deep understanding of the lyrics. My rather paltry research has only revealed that the title means "My Macedonian Woman". It's the sound of the music which is melancholic and hopeful all at the same time.

Eurovision songs used to help me recall what was going on around late spring in the year each particular song made it's appearance. Given that this is the first time I've put out the feelers for a song to review on what must seem quite a bizarre Eurovision blog, I'm in no doubt that this song will forever remind me of what has been quite possibly the most difficult week in a long time.

Please resist the tempation for sympathy. Macédomienne is full of hope ... I think.

Oh .. and I'm aware that the clip above isn't the live performance from the actual Eurovision. That's because the video clip I've found isn't the greatest quality. But, if you're a purist and you want see his live performance, watch the version below. Go on .. you get to hear it a second time that way. ;)

# 12 Give a little love back to the world

No offence to the composer (who was also the lyricist) Paul Curtis who wrote the UK's effort for the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest, but this song does meet the "dross criteria" spectacularly well.

It did do well and it struck a chord with many at the time. It hooked in to the concern being focussed on environmental issues - some things haven't changed really. It ended up coming sixth. And whilst there are some moments in this song which do rather make me tingle (like the soaring descant the lady on the left in blue is responsible for in the second and third choruses), the song as a whole makes me wriggle with embarrassment.

I can't quite work out whether it's the cheesy presentation on stage (the lead singer is dressed to make her look a lot older than she really is), the saccharin message of the song or indeed the crude attempt to reflect the message amongst the line-up of singers. Whatever it is, this particular doesn't stand the test of time.

# 11 Musik klingt in die Welt hinaus

Keen to meet the demands of the handful of people who read and comment on this Thoroughly Good Eurovision blog, I hereby offer up what I consider to be a terribly fine example of a Eurovision effort. And of course, by effort I really do mean "effort". I might even go as far as to say that this presentation from Switzerland at the 1990 Eurovision truly is utter dross.

I don't even know or care where they came in the ranking. I'd rather listen to the music bed Terry Wogan chunters over as he introduces the song.

Don't even get me started on that suit Egon's wearing.

# 8 Bandido

No need to spend a huge amount of time introducing this. Terry Wogan does the job adequately in this clip from the 1990 Eurovision from Zagreb in the former Yugoslavia.

Wogan wasn't in any way expecting what he and the rest of us had to see. This was one of those genuine Eurovision moments.

Yes, it's true. We might have been hearing the music but the dancers and the "backing group" couldn't hear a thing. Hence the confusion as they stood centre stage wondering what the hell was going on.

And of course, in case you're wondering, Bandido were singing for Spain at the beginning of the contest. This was one hell of a live TV mess.

It wasn't all bad. The two Spanish ladies (and don't be any doubt, they OWN the stage) came back fighting delivering a damn good performance and a well deserved 5th place.

The song has lived on in numerous remixes since then and secured Spain a well deserved place in Eurovision history.

Why Spain from 1990 today? Well, it would have been Spain from 1988 or 1992. But the final decision was made by EuroDave2000 who seems to be quite knowledgeable about these things. Many thanks to him.

If, like me you're not too taken with the quality of the clip above, you can always visit this version which, disappointingly, doesn't allow me to embed in this blog, the rotters.