Vidbir 2024 - My Top 11 (with comments) [Ukrainian ESC Selection]

Honestly, I didn't feel much for most of these songs when just listening to the studio versions, but after watching the live performances...I've gotta say that this was a STRONG selection. Almost every song here was elevated live in some way. They decided to go with arguably the most predictable NF winner of the entire season so far; it'll definitely do well in May, but it's not really among my favorites and I think it's being way overhyped by fans. Still, good luck to them.
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SONGS:
alyona alyona & Jerry Heil - Teresa & Maria
ANKA - Palala
Drevo - Endless Chain
INGRET - Keeper
MÉLOVIN - DREAMER
NAHABA - GLASSS
NAZVA - Slavic English
SKYLERR - Time is Running Out
YAGODY - Tsunamia
YAKTAK - Lalala
Ziferblat - Place I Call Home
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[@JH3Eurovision]

For those curious, I did also listen to the Wild Cards. Here's my ranking of those (I really only liked my Top 3 here):
1. ANKA - Palala
2. Carpetman - Endless Fight
3. PARFENIUK - Sered Vitriv
4. STASYA - Rika
5. SHÉPA - Supernova
6. TESLENKO - Lights Go Up
7. Karyotype - Sadness
8. KRYLATA - Queen
9. SWOIIA - Little Angels

[@kaleproject3495]

It's always nice when the jury result makes somebody happy. 😅

[@JH3Eurovision]

It's like they always say: juries are good, but only when I agree with them

[@tifak380]

Great video! I dont really like the winning song as well, and my personal winner is Nahaba. The live performance was even better than the studio version and im literally playing it on repeat (the dancer really reminded me of Telemoveis in 2019 and i absolutely adore that one) Also positively suprised by Melovin bc i didnt really like the studio version, but after the performance its definitely one of my favourites. Love your videos

[@Purple-dawn.]

Add this one to the list of selections that got significantly better for me; I agree with your thoughts in the description. Some songs got worse, though. Overall, I can see how Ukraine manages to qualify every single year.
MY THOUGHTS:
*1. Time is Running Out (9.5/10)*
I really liked this song when it first came out and I was worried the live would ruin it, but it made it even better. Everything about it just worked perfectly. I understand the argument of "it just doesn't stand out", but it does to me.
*2. Slavic English (9/10)*
WONDERFUL
BEAUTIFUL
AMAZING
LOVE
FANTASTIC
BRILLIANT
AWESOME
SLAVIC ENGLISH
*3. Palala (8.5/10)*
Do you remember someone trashing this as "annoying" some time ago? I certainly don't. Nope. Wasn't me. Couldn't imagine myself trashing this banger.
*4. Teresa & Maria (8.5/10)*
I guess I can _kinda_ see why it has so much hype, but I still don't agree with it. I agree it's great and is the best one so far but I don't think it's NEARLY as good as people make it out to be. 64% in the odds was insane.
*5. Tsunamia (8.5/10)*
Similar story to Kur? (if you ignore the mini essay I wrote): My opinion on the song is still the same, but the horde of growers coming for it violently rip it away from its original second place. I don't feel like it came together well enough for it to keep its place.
*6. Place I Call Home (8/10)*
I'm glad this won the jury!! To be honest, I'd prefer this winning just for the upset. They somehow turned nostalgia into a song and it's beautiful. Would be higher if the lyrics were better written.
*7. Dreamer (4.5/10)*
MASSIVE dive in quality here. In the same way there are songs that are "just good" I feel like this song is "just not good".
*8. Glasss (4.5/10)*
This was either going to shoot up to #1 or take a hard fall. Take a hard fall it did. Much like the studio version, it's genuinely fantastic...until the male vocalist ruins everything, this time by singing in the complete wrong key. The last chorus was painful to listen to.
*9. Keeper (3.5/10)*
Another bad song that got worse. I still have issues with the random tempo changes and inconsistent beat, but the visual presentation was also not good.
*10. Endless Chain (2/10)*
OH GOD. Now I get what you were saying about him trying a voice type and failing, this live performance tensed my muscles. I'm giving it points for some parts of the instrumental and the hot pink LED (it looks sooooooo good), but OUCH.
*11. Lalala (2/10)*
I just don't like it. Not much to say.
IN OTHER NEWS:
-I watched the first semifinal of 2017 and the hosts are SO annoying. I'm pretty sure I said "shut up" three times. Song quality isn't too bad (yet) but the qualifiers sure were. Sweden? Cyprus? Greece? Australia? What??? I am not excited for semi 2.
-I haven't listened to every Sanremo song yet but Apnea is officially my favorite of the season so far. I knew Emma's song was gonna be good, but I LOVE it.
-I watched the Eesti Laul semifinal performances, finally. I get now why you weren't happy about Korra veel making it. They really failed to replicate the vibe of the song onstage. Totally disagree about Serotoniin though, I think the low energy staging fits perfectly.
-Next up for me is watching the Benidorm Fest performances, mostly since you uploaded that video today. You are the best guide of what to watch next tbh, I am so indecisive

[@JH3Eurovision]

Kinda funny that you consider me a "guide" because my last 3 NF rankings were uploaded in the exact opposite order of when they actually happened lol.

[@Purple-dawn.]

@@JH3Eurovision I mean when I’m THIS far behind does it really matter?
Also I couldn’t watch anything live the last two Saturdays cause of Science Olympiad :D (but we didn’t make it to states, oh well)
I’m gonna watch UMK this Saturday. Shorter than Sanremo and has better songs than Supernova. That is if I’m awake for it…

[@jakeleach6212]

I'm not surprised that Jerry and Alyona won, but the fact people are saying this is a Eurovision winner? T&M doesn't really come close to previous winners, not even Stefania, which also had a few external factors aiding them to win the contest. The song has a lot of potential, but we're not even 1/3rd through our song selections for ESC, I think it's wild to have any country/song for that matter at 20% in the odds this early.
Then again, I am also making my own counter-argument in that we don't have many songs yet, and out of what we have, Ukraine seems to be somewhat the same as Norway as the two current favourites. It'll be interesting to see if the odds settle back to normal or if people end up losing tons lol.

[@JH3Eurovision]

I think it's reasonable to say what some songs are potentially strong enough to win Eurovision this early on (i.e. Ulveham); I just don't think Teresa & Maria is one of those songs

[@lolXD-gj1sv]

Yoooooo great vid! It was a strong selection for sure that I’ve liked. However, I do agree that it was the most predictable winner imo (1st in odds, lmao). Rap was pretty cool and all but other than that I couldn’t remember what it sounds like lmao. Also based top 3