Back to the Balkans once again! It’s the turn of the most westerly of the ex-Yugoslav countries, Slovenia. Last year, they flattered to deceive. Prior to the contest, they were one of the favourites to win and certainly expected to come top 5 or top 10. Yet Maraaya’s very cool and modern song failed to ignite juries and voters and came in a disappointing 14th at the final. This year, Slovenia have chosen a less cutting-edge song, and are providing one of two country-influenced songs at the 2016 contest.
It’s a fairly jolly number but fair to say won’t win any prizes in the originality stakes. ManuElla (real name Manuela Brečko) tries to liven things up with a costume change that’s signposted from about 300 miles away. It’s not the most gracefully done you’ll ever see… The live vocal is OK though can be a bit shaky at times, but it is a happy up-tempo song, and the crowd could get behind it.
That said, Slovenia haven’t had huge success at Eurovision and they have generally struggled to qualify from the semi-finals. If ManuElla can qualify this year, they will have managed three finals in a row for first time since semi-finals were introduced in 2005. I am doubtful that will happen though, even with being in the weaker semi-final.
Live at Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam:
Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest:
First entered: 1993
Appearances (excluding this year): 21
Best result: 7th in 1995 and 2o01
Last year’s result: 14th
Stands out from a lot of the other songs with its up beat poppy tune. But still slightly bland. Also i’m no expert on staging but wouldn’t it have been better changing from a blue to a red dress, as the song was called blue and red.