USC 1985 REVIEW

So we go right on to it.



01.ISRAEL - Yardena Arazi - Od Nagia
Well, it is 80ies and I never liked the sound of the 80ies. Those synthesisters and synth drum used til you drop dead. But hebrew language with typical israelian folkpop and a pretty good melody give this one ok.


02.SPAIN - Alaska y Dinarama - Ni Tú Ni Nadie
Another song that has that sylish sound but this is not good. And for over 3 minutes it simply makes you feel nausious.
NO STARS


03.AUSTRIA - Falco - Rock Me Amadeus
This must be the most repetitive song in this decade. Maybe only "Oh mama" with Lili & Sussie is worse. But it is at least real drums and base is good. And a classic hit also. And for Austria it is good.



04.GERMANY - Sandra - Maria Magdalena
This must the most well known hit from the 80ies. Today it feels as it is going in slow motion. Wasn't it a smash dance hit? Well it is a great singer and very hoooky melody and more BOTH the verses and the chorus is melodic. And the Cretu choir and sound has a quality that has stood the test of time for over 20 years. Sandra you are wonderful and your husband sings great as well. Bravo Germany. Another top song. 3rd at worst. Can win if jurys become very nostalgic. This was a huge hit in all countries.



05.TURKEY - MFO - Peki Peki Anladik
What is this? A pop song in turkish. Where is the ethnic rythm that I love? This was recorded in a tin bucket or a dumster? Well, no I stop with this.
NO STARS


06.SLOVENIA - Bazar - Dober dan
Is this really from 1985? Jamaica sound and acoustic guitars makes it a very non 80ies song and I love we do not have the massive synth carpets all over. Real music and good singer and rythm but there is no hook. Lovelly little tune that should be up in the top score of USC 1985. Congrats Alan.



07.NETHERLANDS - Frank Boeijen Groep - Kronenburg Park
This is a dramatic piece of music with good production. Passionate singing brings it to a higher quality than the average. But they overused the synthesiser organ. And verses are weak.




08.FRANCE - Peter & Sloane - Besoin de rien, envie de toi
Good artists but they should have had another song instead. A ballad that try to go pop but not really ..or a pop song that slowed down. Nice voices but annoying violinsynthesiser.



09.SWEDEN - Susanne Alfvengren - Nαr Vi rοr varann
Well, if Melosong had its worst average ever in 1985 this song and singer was the exception that proof that even if Sweden can only make one good song it is great. The whole contests best voice. Absolutelly lovelly swedish accent and feeling beyond the ordinary and if you forget about the annoying programmed synth base this can win USC 1985. But I suppose some countries will vote tactically to avoid another Swedish triumph.But no matter how voting goes, Susanne deserve to be the USC queen here. Go Sweden. Best ballad. Best song. Best voice.



10.GREECE - Anna Vissi - 12
Anna Vissi is on a quest to be the most participated artist in USC. I guess she is on her way. ANd she also has a passionate and very dramatic voice. But this passionate Greek song lack that ethnic style that we should have in this type of song. How can you expect to do good with ethnic passion using sythesised drums and base and instruments...?? Thank god her voice couldn't be synthetic.



11.NORWAY - A-ha - Take on me
Well, people here we have the winner. This must be the biggest hit of all in the 1980ies. Still it has aged a lot due to the 100% synth sound. But a true fantastic pop song and chorus is amazingly great. Norway should walk this contest in 1985 just as they did in esc with La de swinge. "Say after me. It's better to be safe than sorry" Well Norway you will not be sorry. This is a safe bet. Norway will maybe break a new 12p record in USC. Bravo. But... I can not give 5 stars to it because it is soooo 1980ies and I was never weak for those days. But they will have a challenger for victory in the end of the start field. Read on. It ain't over until it's over.



12.FORMER YUGOSLAVIAN REPUBLIC of MACEDONIA - Kaliopi - Leo
Here we have Jamaica again. The Yugoslav must had a year of Rhumba and rom and reaggea celebration in 1985. But it is not bad. Actually there is really nice REAL sound here. but trumpets and the tin oil barrel sounds I do not like. Should make the upper half.



13.POLAND - Bolter - Daj mi te noc
Hahaha...another totally synth drum song. But please it was a hit in Poland? It is simply so annoying and male singer is terrible. And at some places there is simply only the synth solo I must turn off the song.
NO STARS


14.IRELAND - U2 - Pride (In the name of love)
Ok. This is so cult. This is so great. These guitars are REAL and drums too. I love that we have no synth in Ireland. And this is a REAL singer. If Susanne was the best female voice, Bono hold the male dito. I must now rethink my previous saying of Norway and add that Norway will have a fight against Ireland that can end with a rock victory in USC. Also this is a true melody and both verses and chorus is simply genious! Not to mention that lyrics are genious as well. Congrats Ireland and I must also say that the Irish national final held a very very high standard. I recommend this one. Oh I forgot to mention that U2 came only second, and is in USC thanks to that the winner had a problem with release dates. Bravo Ireland. Congrats Rikard.



15.LUXEMBOURG - Michel Jonasz - La boîte de jazz
Well, this is the funny song of the contest. I can simply laugh. what are Luxembourg thinking? Well for a Jazz festival it is a great piece of show and happy number. If they pull off a fantastic stage show then they can go up in the top. But if they win then there must be something wrong with how jury think. Next please. Oh there was no more? OK then I go back and listen Ireland and Sweden again.


Good luck to the good songs and to the others better luck next time.