When the Ukraine finally get their ass in gear we will have our full line up for 2010!

Yesterday's draw proved positive for Ireland in between two very different songs and away from the big players eg. Croatia.

I am delighted that Belarus and Iceland will close the first semi as these are two songs I love!

Despite reservations by many that 2010 was going to be a very poor year for songs I think the momentum is picking up with updates of many entries and a furthur listen to certain songs.

Azerbaijan, Slovakia, Croatia, Denmark, Israel, Cyprus, Armenia, Belguim, Norway, Romania and Ireland seem to be favoured by many for the win but the contest is still wide open with a lot of contenders for victory.

It is only a few weeks to go before Oslo 2010 kicks off, let's hope it is a fantastic show!

Looking forward to seeing Niamh's video coming soon!

Who do you want to win?

Check out clips of all songs (minus Ukraine) in the above clip!

Interview with Niamh Kavanagh!

Hi Niamh,

It is an honour to interview such a Eurovision legend!

SQ: Congratulations on making the final 5 at Eurosong 2010. Why did you decide to return to the contest this year? Describe your song 'It's for you'.

NK: The decision to go back to Eurosong this year was primarily about the song. 'It’s for you' is a strong ballad and I liked it very much when I first heard it. As you know I have always said it would have to be a great song to bring me back and I think it is. The song is about believing in love and is at times inspirational. It has the right emotion for me. I had an amazing experience in my first Eurosong and Eurovision, and I did think that I couldn’t top that. Maybe that is true but if I have learned anything over the last 17 years is that no two experiences are the same, so this will be wonderful in it’s own way, no matter what the outcome on Friday night.

Do you feel under extra pressure having won the contest?

I am looking forward to the show on Friday, it will be great fun to be back in the euro club so to speak. I don’t feel any extra pressure, all five entrants have the same job, to convince people that they will do the best job in Norway with the best song to represent Ireland. That is a pressure for us all. So far there has been a fantastic support for me, and I am very grateful for that. But I know I have a good song, if it doesn’t get picked then if nothing else I have done my best, and pretty much that’s all any of us can do.


What would it mean to you to win on Friday night?

Firstly I think there may be some light refreshment on the night, and perhaps a small party! But seriously, it would be wonderful, I know what fun and fantastic memories we all have from previous eurovisions I have attended and taken part in. To win would be a big reward for all the work both myself and the writers have put in to this song.

What can Ireland do to regain our status as Eurovision winners? Why do you think we have failed to qualify for the final in recent years?

Well there is no fool proof way for us to regain our status as Eurovision winners, the truth is all we can do is send the best song with the best performer. I think we have lost sight of the song lately, it tended towards the performer as people were choosing who they liked and not necessarily the best combination. We have more than proven ourselves in the past I think there is no reason why we can’t make the finals at least this year.


Have you heard any of the other entries for Eurosong and Eurovision?

I haven’t heard any of the other Eurosong entries yet, I will hear them the same time you do, on Derek Mooney’s show on Thursday, although I am due for rehearsal at that time in RTE but I am sure I will hear them soon after. I am really looking forward to it. Actually I am really looking forward to hearing them sung live. It will be a better indication of the song.


Who will be your biggest competition in Eurosong?

I don’t consider who will be my competitor in those terms. There are five songs and five performances, so I have four competitors. Five if you count the fact that I have to sing well. I know we are all there to win, but each person has their own strengths to bring to the competition. It would be foolish to discount anyone.


Would you have preferred if RTE chose you as internal selection to sing 5 songs at Eurosong or do you prefer the competition of 4 other performers?

No, I would never allow anyone to choose my song. I choose what I should sing, because I know what works for me. But I will say that it is better for the Eurosong to have multiple entrants. It is a better representation of the songs in the competition.


What are your memories of Millstreet 1993? Have you remained a fan of the contest since your win?

I have so many memories of Millstreet, actually I was watching Why not Millstreet only yesterday with the boys to show them what it was all like for me. I loved the whole thing, too many to really go through. I have watched Eurovision since I can remember. I can’t say I follow it religiously but I do watch every year. I suspect this year I will be watching it a little closer.


Who would be your dream dinner guests?

Dream dinner guests, would be Bonnie Raitt, Stephen Fry, my husband Paul and pretty much any of my family and friends.

Describe yourself in 5 words?

Fun, faithful, friendly, frustrating and fabulous!

Anything else you would like to say to readers of Schlagerqueen?

I would like to say thank you for all the support you have shown me to here. Here’s hoping we all get to sing our way round Oslo xxxx

Interview with Niamh Kavanagh coming soon...

How Fabulous!

Pernilla has begun a 'Save the Schlager' campaign at Melodifestivalen!

She has even changed her artist badge to 'Schlager MILF'!

She will perform 'Jag vill om du vagar' in Malmo tomorrow night.

Ireland Eurosong 2010 Rejected Entry by JLC and Ronan!

Can they reach the Headlines?

After two average heats at Melodifestivalen, this weeks batch from Goteborg sound a lot more promising!

Based on the 1 minute clips I am impressed with Alcazar's 'Headlines'!

This song was initally offerred to Eric Sadde who won last weeks heat with 'Manboy' and the rumoured group who submitted the demo were the colourful Caracola!

There is a lot of strong competition in this heat with a mix of everything from schlager in girlband Timoteij and The Lion King in Yeba!

The final is dominated by testosterone so it would be nice to see some of the girls make it tomorrow night. I think Darin is a dead cert qualifier with the other direct spot most likely for Alacazar with strong compeition from 'Sweden's Got Talent' winner Eric Linder.

The other remaining spot could be Crucified Barbara (what a frightening name!) but I would love to see Timoteij or Elin make it.

It is all about Alcazar for me. This is a group that never fail to provide us with fantastic fan favourite songs every time they enter. Many questioned their return this year particularly after 'Stay the Night' but this is a very different song similar to 'Alcastar'. They always provide us with fun pop that makes us feel good.

Many in Sweden believe that it could be their time to be sent to Eurovision and I agree!

Check out the clips here.

RTE will announce Finalist tomorrow!

After a thrilling Eurovision weekend RTE Ireland's national broadcaster will announce the 5 finalists for Eurosong 2010 on Wednesday morning! I can confirm Niamh Kavanagh, Leanne Moore (Your a Star winner 2008), Austrian singer Monique, Boyzone's Mickey Grahame and songs written by Ralph Seigel and Brendan Grahame (The Voice and Rock and Roll Kids). Can't wait!