Albania - Fall From The Sky - Arilena Ara

The first song for Rotterdam 2020:
Arilena Ara is the winner of the 58th Festivali I Këngës with the song Shaj (Shout or Scream).
The song is composed by Darko Dimitrov, Lazar Cvetkovski and the Albanian lyrics are by Lindon Berisha.
Listen here to the original studio version at Arilena's YT.

Shaj single / ESCversion

In Rotterdam the song was to be be performed in English as Fall From The Sky.
Here's the new version in English,
Shaj in Albanian was also released through the usual digital sources. It reads 2019 at Spotify but I'm pretty sure it has just appeared at the end of March 2020.

A digital compilation of Fest 58 was released on February 28 but it misses three songs. And yes, Shaj is one of those missing. (Thanks Frank!)

Albania is the first to have a new entry for 2021 and it's not Arilena.

Find out more here in 2021.

Versions
Fall From The Sky - single version
- Official 2CD
Shaj - Albanian version
Fall From The Sky - karaoke
- digital releases
- karaoke also on the official karaoke album (digital)

Arilena Ara won the 2012/2013 season of X factor Albania.

Her biggest hit so far is Nëntori from 2017, also released in English (I’m sorry) and Russian (Ноябрь) and in variety of remixes.

Here latest single is Doja with Flori Mumajesi, released November 2019.

Composers Dimitrov and Cvetkovski also gave us Proud by Tamara Todevska, North Macedonia's best result in the contest ever.
Dimitrov also co-wrote the Macedonian entries of 2006 (Ninanajna by Elena Risteska), 2013 and 2014 and the Albanian 2015 song.

2017 hit I'm Sorry (Nëntori)

Links and sources:
Arilena Ara Website, FB

Albania 2021

Czech Republic - Kemama - Benny Cristo

Kemama by Benny Cristo (full name Ben da Silva Cristóvão ) is the winner of the Czech selection.
The song is written by Osama Verse-Atile, Ben Cristovao, Charles Sarpong and Rudy Ray.
The song was released through most digital stores on Januari 20.
Watch the original videoclip here.

The March 18 Africa Revamp

There is also a lovely unplugged version with pianist Adam Albrecht
A new version is made for Eurovision, you can hear that one here.
After some "constructive" criticism yet another new version was mixed. That one is here. It is named Africa Revamp and is released as a digital single on March 18

There were 7 songs in this years Czech selection. to be voted on with the Eurovision.tv app
Here's a Youtube playlist with the competing seven songs.

Benny, Ben is back in 2021.

Benny Cristo first sign of fame was in 2009 when he was a finalist in the Czech / Slovak Superstar contest.

He released a debut album a year later and two more followed. He has released over 20 digital singles in the past 10 years and many did very well in several Czech and Slovak charts.

The 2017 EP Posledni was available as a t-shirt. The QR code on the t-shirt gave access to download the 6 track mini album.

Our Benny is also a successful sportsman (jiu-jitsu and snowboarding) and he's got the medals and the sixpack to show for it.

You can watch most of his videos on his Youtube Channel (as Ben Cristovao).

Versions
Kemama - new Eurovision version a.k.a Africa Revamp
- digital release, official 2CD
Kemama - first Eurovision version
- video only
Kemama - ESCZ version/single version
- first digital release

Kemama - karaoke

- on the official karaoke album (digital)

Links and sources
Benny Cristo Website, FB, 2021
CTV's ESCZ pages and FB

Azerbaijan - Cleopatra - Samira Efendi

Samira Efendi (Samirə Əfəndiyeva) was to represent Azerbaijan in the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest. She is now confirmed for the next Eurovision in 2021.

The song Cleopatra is written by Alan Roy Scott, Sarah Lake and Luuk van Beers.
Here's the official video

The digital single was released on March 10 under the name Efendi.
The songs contains a line Namiu Myōhō Renge Kyō, a Japanese Buddhist chant which translates roughly as Devotion to the Mystic Law of the Lotus Sutra. So now you know.
This chant is in both versions mentioned below.

 Efendi will be back in 2021. She already has a new page.

Digital single image March 10

Versions
Cleopatra - single version
- official 2CD
Cleopatra - karaoke

- on the official karaoke album (digital)

Picture from Samira's Facebook

...Coming Atcha
Allegedly the songwriters offered Cleopatra to both San Marino and Azerbaijan
I don't know if Senhit refused the song or if Azerbaijan just won the bidding but Senhit's versions escaped to Youtube.
Or maybe Senhit just recorded the demo for the composers, we'll probably never know
Senhit's version.



Links and sources
Samira Efendi FB, Instagram, 2021

Georgia - Take me as I am - Tornike Kipiani

Who really won the vote in Georgia? Tornike Kipiani (თორნიკე ყიფიანი) is the winner of the Georgian Pop Idol selection 2020.

In eight episodes Kipiani beat nine other singers and won the ticket to Rotterdam.
It is confirmed he will represent his country in the next Eurovision Song Contest

The song for 2020 was Take Me As I Am. It was released as a digital single on March 16.

The song is sung in English with phrases in Italian, Spanish, French and German.
Take Me As I Am is written by Tornike Kipiani and Aleko Berdzenishvili.

TK is back for 2021 with a new page.

Official video

Digital single image March 16

The digital single was released on March 16.

In 2014 he won X-Factor Georgia.

Picture taken from Tornike Kipiani's Facebook

I haven't found any music releases for Tornike Kipiani yet but you can find his Pop Idol performances here at  the საქართველოს ვარსკვლავი  Youtube channel.

Versions
Take Me As I Am
- Official 2CD
Take Me As I Am - karaoke (= instrumental)

- on the official karaoke album (digital)

Links and sources

Tornike Kipiani FB, 2021

Ireland - Story Of My Life - Lesley Roy

The Irish song for Rotterdam is Story Of My Life by Lesley Roy.
The song was revealed on March 5.
It was written by Lesley Roy, Robert Marvin, Catt Gravitt and Tom Shapiro.

Here's the official video

March 13 release image

The digital single was released on March 13.

Lesley Roy is confirmed as the Irish singer for 2021. And she has a new page at the Rotterdam Collection 2.1.

Versions
Story Of My Life
- Official 2CD
Story Of My Life - karaoke

- on the official karaoke album (digital)

Picture from Lesley Roys twitter

Links and sources
Lesley Roy FB, 2020

Armenia - Chains On You - Athena Manoukian

Athena Manoukian (Աթենա Մանուկյանին) was on course to represent Armenia in the 2020 Eurovision. The song Chains On You is written by Manoukian herself with Greek producer DJ Paco (Constantine Paco).
The digital single was released on February 14.
Listen here at Depri Evratesil Youtube.

March 14 release, Eurovision edition

A new version is revealed on March 13 and released a day later.
Watch the new video

1st Digital release image February 14

Armenia selected its Eurovision entry for Rotterdam through the Depri Evratesil contest (To Eurovision, Դեպի Եվրատեսի).
12 songs competed and you can listen to them here (DE's Youtube)
The final was on February 15.

Versions
Chains On You - Eurovision edition
- Official 2CD
Chains On You - original
- digital releases
Chains On You - karaoke

- on the official karaoke album (digital)

Several release images were used on different digital stores.

New digital release image 1st version

New digital release image Eurovision version

Links and sources
ARMTV Eurovision pages
Athena Manoukian FB

Russia - Uno - Little Big

Russia  was to be represented in Rotterdam by Little Big. It's a band.

The song Uno was the last song to be revealed. It was released on March 12.
Here's the official video

Uno digitals single 12 March

Little Big formed in 2013. They are Ilya Ilich Prusikin, Sergey Gokk Makarov, Sonya Tayurskaya and Anton Boo Lissov.

For Eurovision they are joined by Flordia Chantyria (of the band Leningrad) and Yra Muzichenko (of The Hatters)

The band have released four albums to date. Their brand of infectuous electro-rave-pop-apres ski saw the touring Russia, Europe and North America. The band cites all kind of hardcore influences (Rammstein, Mozart) but it's more Vengaboys on acid.

Greatest Hits (Un'greatest S'hits)

In November 2020 a limited edition 2LP ("white & neon green black splatter" vinyl) was released including UNO and 15 other songs.

(Warner Music Russia 9029519845)

In 2021 the 2LP was re-issued on black vinyl

(Warner music Russia 9029506300)

Picture from Little Big's Facebook

Versions
Uno
- Official 2CD
Uno - karaoke

- on the official karaoke album (digital)

Charts
Scottish top 100 (Official Charts Company):97

Links and sources
Little Big Website, FB

Ukraine - Solovey - Go_A

Solovey new version release image March 4

Ukraine was to be represented in Rotterdam by the band Go_A. With the song Solovey they won the Vidbir contest on Febryary 22.
Go_A will be back for the next Eurovision Song Contest. Here's their 2021 page.

Соловей release image February 4

Solovey (Nightingale, Соловей) is written by band members Taras Shevchenko and Kateryna Pavlenko and is sung in Ukrainian.

The song was released through several digital stores on February 4.
A new version was released on March 4, along with the instrumental version. (*It is actually karaoke as it has backing vocals)
You'll find the old version if you search for Соловей, (as Go-A) the new bird listens to Solovey (Go_A).
It appears the original version is now removed from the digital sources

Go_A (Гоу_Ей) are Taras Shevchenko, Kateryna Pavlenko, Igor Didenchuk and Ivan Grigoryak.

Live performance video

Versions
Solovey - new version (March 4)
- Official 2CD
Соловей (Solovey) - original version (February 4)
Solovey - Instrumental * (March 4) = karaoke of new version
- All digital releases, karaoke also on the official karaoke album (digital)

Picture from Go_A's Facebook

Links and sources
Go_A FB, 2021
Thanks to Fuego, see comments

San Marino - Freaky! - Senhit

Freaky! release image March 9

Senhit was to represent San Marino in the Rotterdam 2020 Eurovision Song Contest with the song Freaky.
The song is written by Gianluigi Fazio, Henrik Steen Hansen and Nanna Bottos.

Here's the official video

Senhit is confirmed as the San Marino singer for 2021. Find out more about that and her #FreakyTripToRotterdam extravaganza here at the 2021 Rotterdam Collection

There were two songs in the running to become the Sammarinese entry: Freaky! and Obsessed.
An internet vote on March 7 and 8 only decided which song she takes to the Netherlands.
The songs are here. Both songs, Freaky! and Obsessed have been released through your favorite digital services on March 9.

Versions
Freaky!
- Official 2CD
Freaky! - karaoke

- on the official karaoke album (digital)

Senhit (Senhit Zadik Zadik) entered for Sam Marino in 2011 (as Senit), read all about that here.
She hasn't been sitting still inbetween years.
Here's a list of singles Senhit released since 2011 well worth checking out .
- Don't Call Me (2014)
- Rock Me Up (2014)
- Higher (2017)
- Something On Your Mind (2017, with loads of remixes)
- Hey Buddy (6-track EP from 2017)
- Dark Room (2019)
- Un Bel Niente (2019)
- Heartache (2019)



Links and sources
Senhit Website,  FB, 2011, 2021
Senit at BeaRecords

Remember this one?, Sen(h)it in 2011

Absent Friends

the A Dal 2020 2CD

Bulgaria and Ukraine  were back and have given us some great music but there's always some who don't wanna play anyway.
Hungary chose to stay home this time. The reason given is that they want to use the A Dal contest (which was used as the preselection for Eurovision) to support national artists. Okay.....
If you can't live without the Hungarian music fest Médiaklikk have an A Dal 2020 page.
There's also a 2CD with all A Dal 2020 songs (see here) and they have a winner too: Mostantól by Rácz Gergő és Orsovai Reni

Our Kati Wolf / Wolf Kati had a song in the competition

Montenegro also opts out this year. Lack of finance and not being very successful are mentioned as reasons.

Here are the entries of our Absent Friends' past
Hungary: 2019 - 2018 - 2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2009
Montenegro: 2019 - 2018 - 2017 -  2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2009

And then there's a few that have gone AWOL for a while now.

Bosnia-Herzegovina: 2016 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

Turkey: 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 but they had a perfect ambassador in Serhat. 

Slovakia: 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

North Macedonia - You - Vasil Garvanliev

Digital release image

Vasil Garvanliev (Васил Гарванлиев) represents North Macedonia in Rotterdam.
The song for Eurovision is titled You and is written by Nevenka Neskoska, Kalina Neskoska and Alice Schröder.
The song was released on March 8.

Here's the official video

Vasil already had a little taste of Eurovision as (invisible) backing singer for Tamara Todevska's Proud last year.
His most recent single is Patuvam (I'm suffering) which is a pop tune but if you listen to his 2018 single Gerdan (Necklace) his classical voice shines through. (both can be heard at Vasil's Youtube channel)

Vasil will also be flexing his muscles in the 2021 contest. Yay!

Versions
You - single version
- Official 2CD
You - karaoke
- digital releases

- karaoke also on the official karaoke album (digital)

From Vasil's bio:
"Vasil was born and raised in Macedonia and has been in the music world since the age of 7. Now 33 and having lived over two decades in Chicago, Milano, Toronto, & London he is finally back home and focusing on a solo career using roots from his country to share with the world.

His 25 year music journey is quite diverse - from a Child pop star, to a member and soloist for the Chicago Children's Choir, to over 50 roles as a Leading Baritone Opera singer, to back up vocals to some of the worlds greatest Artists. Whenever words fail - Vasil just sings."

(excerpt from his biography at Vasil's Facebook)

Patuvam single Digital release image

Links and sources
Vasil Garvanliev FB, 2021
Here's a video of Vasil in his younger days

Portugal - Medo De Sentir - Elisa

Picture from Elisa's Facebook

Elisa (Silva) won the 2020 edition of the Portuguese Festival da Canção with the song Medo De Sentir (Fear of feeling or Afraid to feel) written by Marta Carvalho.
The song can be found on the Festival da Canção 2020 CD and its digital counterparts.

There's a new Festival da Canção for 2021 with wonderful songs but sadly none is sung by Elisa. More at the Rotterdam 2021 page.

Portugal's Festival da Canção 2020 had two semi's (Februari 22 and 29) and a final (March 7)

The CD with all competing songs is out now.
Available in Portuguese stores, Fnac.pt (although they have a hefty postage price) and now available at BeaRecords.

The songs are available now at your favorite digital outlet or you can  listen to all songs on Spotify, Apple music and here at Festival da Canção's Youtube channel.
The past few years there was a CD release of the FdC and this year is no exception.

Versions
Medo De Sentir
- FdC CD, Official 2CD
Medo De Sentir - karaoke

- on the official karaoke album (digital)

Charts

Portugal top 200: 120, 176, -

Links and sources

RTP Festival da Canção pages, 2021
Elisa Silva FB

Denmark - Yes - Ben & Tan

Yes March 8 DRI

Yes, Ben & Tan won the 2020 Dansk Melodi Grand Prix with their song Yes written by Emil Lei, Jimmy Jansson and Linnea Deb.

Yes was first released on January 31 as part of the digital DMGP album and on March 8 it was a digital single with an acoustic version.

Ben & Tan are Tanne Amanda Balcells and Benjamin Rosenbohm.

Denmark had a pre-semi like round for this years DMGP and a final on March 7.
5 songs already were placed in the final, five more were selected from 9 songs. The public chose 3 (via the internet), a jury another 2.
Listen to the 10 finalists here at DR
Listen to the 9 semi competing songs here at DR

Versions
Yes - single version = DMGP version
- Official 2CD
Yes - Acoustic
- digital release
Yes - karaoke

- on the official karaoke album (digital)

Charts
DK Tracklisten top 40: 30, -

Links and sources
DR DMGP pages

Finland - Looking Back - Aksel Kankaanranta

Aksel Kankaanranta is the winner of the 2020 of the Finnish selection UMK.
His winning song is Looking Back, written by Joonas Angeria, Whitney Phillips, Connor McDonough, Riley McDonough en Toby McDonough.

(Digital single, January 31)

Looking back was released as a digital single on January 31. (search for Aksel)
Aksel was the runner up in the Voice Finland in 2017 and was a vocalist on the award winning No. 1 hit Jättaläinen (Giant) by rapper Pyhimys in 2019.

Finland's selection Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu UMK was held on March 7.
6 songs by 6 artists were competing and the songswere revealed one by one in the last week of January.
You can watch the songs at UMK's Youtube playlist.

Aksel is one of the 7 contestants in the 2021 UMK, more about that here.

Versions
Looking back
- Official 2CD
Looking back - karaoke
- on the official karaoke album (digital)

Links and sources
YLE UMK pages and playlist
Aksel FB, 2021

Austria - Alive - Vincent Bueno

Digital release image

ORF chose Vincent Bueno to represent Austria in Rotterdam. The song is titled Alive.
Vincent Bueno wrote the song with his team.

Key words of the song are #alive #fireshots #behindthewall #hiddenhero.

The song was presented on March 5 and released on March 6
Here's the official video

Vincent Bueno will return for the next Eurovision Song Contest.

Bueno already gave it a try in 2016. His song All We Need Is That Love ended 4th in Wer singt für Österreich?, the Austrian selection for the Stockholm Eurovision Song Contest.

In 2008 he won Musical! Die Show, an Austrian talent contest to find the next musical star.

Vincent Bueno has released three albums so far
- Step By Step (2009 CD)
- Wieder Leben (German language album from 2016, digital only)
- Invinceble (2018, digital only)
Even though he started out as a musical singer the latest album is a mix of funky pop and soul, never mind the spelling, it's a really good album worth checking out.

Bueno was a backing vocalist for Nathan Trents 2017 entry Running On Air. Also on the studio version / cdsingle. So now you know.

Versions
Alive - single version
- Official 2CD
Alive - karaoke version
- digital releases
- karaoke also on the official karaoke album (digital)

Yes, it's really Invinceble

Links and sources
Vincent Bueno Website, FB, 2021