To Slovenia with love

Given my big interest for Former Yugoslavia and its components, it is confusing that I never knew much about Slovenia until they entered Eurovision on their own. Forgive me, Slovenians, I have bettered myself since. Slovenia is one of those countries I always look forward to, and just like Finland, they have had an ability to come up with clever, easy-going little songs that the world often failed to see the brilliance in.

Who cares about success, though? Being there and being good is all that matters, and if nobody understands you - it is their loss. And, as Sestre taught us in Tallinn: Slovenia is the only country in Europe that contains the word LOVE.

Is there a thing such as love as first sight? Yes. I fell head over heels in love with this song when I first saw the previews back in 1993, and my enthusiasm never wore off. Since I love the clip and the live performance all the same, I have to hand you both.

And no, Europe didn't understand this one either. Of course. (But people did vote for that piece of mediocricy that was "Cvet z juga". People are strange.)





1 X Band - Tih deževen dan - Slovenia 1993
=22/25

Montenegro is full of song

Tonight, six montenegrins are singing their hearts out in competition as who will be the second one to represent Montenegro as an independent nation in Eurovision. Rumours on the net all have it that the whole thing is rigged to make Stefan Filipović win it, but the good news for whoever carries the trophy is that he or she can't possibly do worse than last year's Montenegrine entry.

Stevan Faddy most rank among the least charming Eurovision contenders ever. He sang badly, he was unfriendly to journalists and fans and managed to make himself rather impopular throughout the week. Not to mention that "song" of his. Sheer terror.

I know Montenegro can do it a lot better than that. No Name were great in my book back in 2005, and the two Montenegrine contributions under Yugoslav flag were good too. Best of luck to the Black Mountain with their entry of 1984 (which also won the Yugoslav final due to extensive cheating - some things never quite change).



Ida & Vlado - Ciao Amore - Yugoslavia 1984
18/19

Just a little bit... of East

These days, when loads of young people have started loving this old contest again, it is easy to feel a little bit old. I remember what this contest used to be like, back in the old times when there was only one Eastern state taking part at all.

Yugoslavia struggled: they came, they sang their songs, they got a few points and went home wondering why nobody loved them. In 1976, when the EBU scrutineer left them in last place when they should not have been there, the Yugoslavs lost their nerves and stayed at home for five years. Then they were on it again.

Finally, at the same time as the political winds turned and the cold war was ending, Yugoslavia managed to win and host the contest in the eleventh hour before the entire country went to pieces the year after.

Now, there are loads of former Eastern states, the so-called ex-communist countries. Some people (quite a few) would claim that they took the entire show over, and that no western countries can ever do well in this climate. Let's look back and remember when there was Yugoslavia, that nobody though could do well, due to the total domination of the West? I can't remember anyone complaining back then.

I like this new world a lot better, I must say.



Ambasadori - Ne mogu skriti svoju bol - Yugoslavia 1976
17/18