Nooo! I saw the thumbnail and was hoping I was just reading your face incorrectly. This is one of the songs I've enjoyed of the entries this year. Hopefully it'll make it to the final and improve Ireland's stats. Mind you, you're right we haven't heard it live or seen staging....!
Much better than last year - a pleasant surprise from Ireland. The song has a dynamic, it's definitely optimistic and uplifting, the singer supports it perfectly, and although it's an obviously contemporary song, there is something characteristically Irish hidden in it, which I find brilliant. On the other hand, the fast beat creates a slight feeling of anxiety and because of that - I guess - the verses overwhelm the chorus. The composition is not the most original in the world, but it still has some character. People seem to like the song, at least more than other - catastrophical - entries of this year, and since Eurovision is a competition, other's weakness ends up in some other's success. I think they will qualify.
I am at the moment quite confident with a good performance that it has a good shot of qualifying as it feels like the sort of song that will do enough to get top 10 on both sides of the score even if that only means coming 8th or 9th. It does feel like a very wide open semi with most of the entries so it makes the rehearsals a real must watch as that could restablish the hierarchy of songs.
i definitely think shes got a better shot now that Little Big are out. the big risk was that maybe she would be drawn beside them and overshadowed. If she pulls out something really great for the staging, then I can totally see her qualifying, but i agree with you that itll be in the 8-10 places
What!!?? This is the Best Irish entry in Years, and I'm sure She's gonna qualify! Actually this is the first time that I really like Ireland.. For Me Top 10 😊✌️
I am obsessed with the song. It's been a long time since an Irish entry has caught this much attention from me in Eurovision. Very underrated and I hope it qualifies.
Nooo... Why are you so harsh on your own country? Awww... I love her song this year. It's nice, rhythmic, energetic - easy to listen to. I'm quite sure she will get enough of points to qualify.
Well, I must say that I really like this... I think you're a bit overly critical towards your own country, which I understand because I am too. It's no revolutionary stuff, but it's uplifting and full of energy. Definitely better than her song last year. I am one of those people who did quite emotional hearing this song, not teary-eyed or anything, but it is relatable, personal and I feel she's really conveying that her heart is in it. One thing I have to say: it feels a bit overproduced and her voice is mixed a bit too much to the back. Remember that the word Arcade also only featured once in those lyrics... I think Ireland has really done a great job with this entry!
could be. i was overly harsh on Ryan in 2018, and I ended up loving that and it was my number 6 that year. This situation doesnt feel the same. I dont hate this song at all, i think its fine, but i dont feel it the same as the rest of the community. but im very happy that lots of people in the community like it
I think the attempt to be objective makes you overcompensate by being too hars. Listen to it on a good stereo, and sing along to it. It deserves that. I can’t get the mellody and energy from the song out of my head. The transitions are great. It’s my favorite this year. And we love watching Irish people in the forrest among elves and lepricons. You’re stuck with it. Will get my vote this year, love from Norway.
I feel this is nice. But that's about it. And I'm not confident about her vocal. Being British i understand the pain of simply wanting to like our entry!
How did you get on listening to the actual words Tom? (As a Scotsman) I struggled a bit to work out what she was singing? How about you with your native dialect? 🤔
Yea, there werent many lyrics that stuck out on the first listen for me. I think thats kinda normal with this type of pacey song, but maybe they could have had a clearer "catchphrase" that kinda summed up the song which could have stuck out a bit more
Not sure how to feel about the Ireland entry - like the upbeat /positive vibe and will support it to end being an Irishman but feel the beat moves almost too fast at times & too high.... Fingers crossed for a good place! Just discovered your channel - great reactions by the way man.
Using stats to predict a semi really is quite meaningless as the strength of each country varies every year. Ireland when they have sent good entries have tended to qualify, only Molly has failed in that regard. Statistically Ireland have a bad record because they have sent bad songs. From listening to all of semi 1 so far it’s definitely not as deadly as last year and realistically song wise so far I don’t think any song stands out for being much stronger than the rest, Sweden song wise if they send Eric you could say does and then we have only Azerbaijan,Malta,N.Macedonia and if they show up Belarus to wait for.
I wasnt predicting the semis with stats, but i dont think they are meaningless either. The strength of each country sometimes varies but some countries are consistently strong. Ukraine and Sweden have unreal qualification records, because they always send quality songs and have great stage shows. Cyprus and Australia have 5 and 4 year qualification streaks respectively.Cyprus' one in particular representing them turning their fortunes around with a new strategy. I agree that semi 1 is appearing weaker than last year, although still a few songs left to come
Definitely this year semi 1 is not last year semi 1. No question. I see a couple of countries there in trouble that aren't normally in trouble. Just saying. At the same time, semi 2 is now stronger.
@@marietg8025 Yeah and until Belarus came out I would say every country goes into Eurovision SF1 with a real sporting chance of qualifying. Its extra interesting because as of right now there doesn't seem to be a clear favourite in the semi in terms of qualification, most favourites seem to be based on past trends but thats all we seem to have to differentiate as we have no other way to calling the semi and it will be even harder this year with the absence of pre parties meaning the odds could shift massively when we get to rehearsals especially with so many internals being picked.
@@cathalsheehan9596 yeah it's going to come down to live performances. We know the roop and Go-a are fantastic. Nothing short of being epically off key will leave Cyprus in the semis (which CAN happen, with past form) . After that it's more open. Little Big is out and if Azerbaijan tanks at all... It's then wide open. I won't talk about Belarus because Tom hasn't seen it. I haven't seen Australia because I would rather set fire to my eyeballs right now but I believe it isn't safe. Sweden will get through. Slovenia, NM and all that unlikely to get through, the chances of Malta reproducing their song of last year is slim, Norway Israël Russia and Lithuania are much weaker this year. *country Tom hasn't seen yet *, Cyprus and Ireland are stronger, so yeah it's much more even.
For irish standards this is actually decent although I am bored with it already but the community likes it and it definitely has a chance of qualifying come on tom my man it could be worse
I love Ireland’s entry. I know what you mean about some Irish fans getting a bit OTT, in one of my vids I said the song may not be special enough to qualify and that didn’t get a great response from Irish fans
yea i really hate this silly patriotism. it happens with every video to varying degrees. I just dont have time for those people who only watch one video (their own country) on the channel and then start complaining if your opinion is different from theirs. they dont contribute anything to the channel, so now after 3 years ive started just deleting those comments.
Lesley and her wife live here in the States and we are soooooo rooting for her!!! You know we love Ireland here in the States!!! On first listen of this song I did not like the production, on second listen it actually made me cry, on the third listen I was imagining this song playing over b-roll footage of Come To Ireland tourism advert. ☺️
looooool thats quite a few jumps around in your head😂 Im rooting her as well. I just dont resonate with this, but it appears loads of people do so i hope that she qualifies!
@@ESCTom she's in the Semi-Final of death, unless that petition people are signing to get Azerbaijan to withdraw from the competition is successful I don't see it advancing to the Grand Final. And, that's fine because there needs to be quality entries in the Semi-Finals too. If, Lesley was in Semi-Final two, I would've definitely would see it advancing. But, we don't know until the day of the live performances, and will get a better idea after they perform for the juries. At this point Semi-Final One feels like Mortal Kombat. 😂😂😂
I’m sorry but this instantly got me on first listen. It’s something Ireland has never sent before I think. Finally a song I feel is going to actually qualify for Ireland. And it has its own Celtic kind of way to it but not a cringe way and has an anthem of sense. Kind of got emotional too🤣🇮🇪
haha thats cool that you had that reaction. Although, I dont know if I think this is something that we've never sent before. It has vibes of Cann Linn for me
I didn’t like Ireland’s song last year. I don’t like this one either. I agree that the beat is stressful. I think only Belarus will rank lower with me.
She is a favourite this year. Everyone loves our song this year. That never happens. As for the chorus, your comment that their is none is completely wrong. Also the name of your song does not need to be in the chorus. I’ve studied poetry and theatre so structurally the song is fantastic. I like some of your content but some of your comments are false.
I saw the thumbnail and I knew 🤣 haha. Personally, I really don't mind it. Bizarrely it plays in my head when I'm at work, so that's got to be a good thing! The only real criticism I have is that you can't hear her annunciation clearly as the music is so overbalanced and takes centre stage over her voice. They need to dial that back somewhat and it'll be a good little song. I also much prefer it to last year. She brings more energy and its much less 'juvenile' (not sure if that's the best word to describe it). And yes, the running is totally naff. Maybe Greggs was closing and she really wanted that pasty? 🤔 lol I really really hope Ireland do well this year. They deserve to see some success and I think its the better of the entries since Jedward. Plus the euro fans have really taken to it.
Cheer up Tom......this is good!! Maybe we are too "close" to Ireland to be truly objective. Still has the energy of last year but with a distinctive Irish tinge. That Swedish production is very evident in "Maps".....would've thought the "Melfest Boy" in you would've have been appeased🤣🤣 Look, lets look at this scientically. Is this better than last year?....absolutely! Are Romania, Australia, Israel, Ukraine, Russia better than last year? I don't think so!!! Qualification for Ireland this year.....personally, i think DEFINITELY. The guy who staged Mans in 2015 has been booked for Rotterdam. So all positive for me.... The wider fandom approves too!! Go Ireland!!🇮🇪🇮🇪
lol dont you start as well 😂. ive warmed to it a little, but i just dont vibe with it like the rest of the community. Yea it sounds like shes got a good team behind her. I dont wish her ill at all and i hope that she qualifies, but until i see her final package, im not convinced yet. She's still sitting 29th in the odds, but will wait to see the semi QF odds. Definitely agree that its better than last year.
@@ESCTom good to hear you're getting abused🤣🤣. You can handle it......... It's all about what would be deemed as being successful. Will it win?....of course not!.....will it qualify?.....yep, think it will! I can see left-hand side of the board. Well done Lesley.....I'd settle for that!
@@ESCTom oh stop!!.... mind you, we might agree!🙈 In other news, we now know who gets slot 2 in 1st semi....... Belarus' song just dropped...........truly awful.....can't wait for that review!🙈🙈
The community scores are all over the place today!! The bop people have reshuffled everything! We had gone down to 11 and now we're back in 8! (I know, I'm amazed too if I'm honest, but good) Croatia went back down with Moldova. There's a biggish gap with the top 7 though, we won't get any higher.
yea ive noticed that the community placings are shuffling around in a way that i havent seen in previous years. It could be cos those who like a certain genre will be more likely to give points to a new song in that genre, and so the older song will drop, and those above it will rise.
@@ESCTom the only two that aren't moving are Finland and Italy. Looks like there is a finite and limited amount of rock people who would use this contraption, and they all voted and won't change their minds, which is easy since we only have a few songs to choose from. And another *redacted country * in a softer vein, is also very stable in vote numbers. I can't account for Ireland moving so much, although the margins are tight. It's like people still don't know what to make of it, I know I don't. I also find funny that for all the talk of 80s revival this year, only the rockish songs hark back to every single decade accurately 70, 80, 90, 00, yet not many seem to have realised that. Ok maybe Denmark too, which represents accurately the Eurovision in those times when it became completely irrelevant to the outside world while time warped into a white disco world 😁
@@ESCTom it's gone down again 🙄 never seen anything like it! And there's something of more importance, to me, is that Italy is starting to reel in Finland in actual numbers after staying stable for two days. Looks like it's starting to grow on the non rock people. As to Italy, the semi performance everyone uses to listen to is the worst they've had. If you see the video with the spangly nudy costumes rather than the black ones take it for a reaction, it's better. The sound balance was way off in the semis. (black costumes)
There's a couple of unexpected crash and burns in semi 1 this year... She's in with a chance. Even the Roop is in trouble, they're famous to us but everyone sitting down to watch will have NO clue who they are and will not give them goodwill points leftover from On Fire. Iceland was all over the radios (thank you netflix media campaign) but nothing else made it. Yeah it's manic but it's her music, it's all like that. She's all California rock chick. I like that she stuck to herself and who she is. Interestingly foreign people definitely recognise Ireland in the melody and the voice, I like that too, even though it's not my favourite song or anything. I must say I don't find it annoying either. I don't look for it but I'm happy to listen to it any number of times if it comes that way. It's a mid range song but we're having so many electronic ethnic bops it may just stick out, it and *redacted country name * before Finland enters the stage.
Watching your reaction months later I do believe that it was sped up digitally since she wasn't able to match the song live... I liked the song but he performance, although innovative, wasn't performed well...
haha i like that word "gallop". you know, she could definitely make it feel more like a gallop than a horse bucking in her staging in Rotterdam. staging can make a huge difference. im rooting for her
You're being a bit over negative. But us Irish have learned to hate our entries for 15 years now. Its a darkhorse this year. Its being recieved very well. Id say instant qualifier. Possible top 10. If the staging is modern and very eye catching maybe a littler higher
The presentation of the song last night was just awful her voice sounded so different without all the backing help..she was out of breath ,running on a moving floor and the stage set up.was horrendous. She probably has a great voice but this song dudnt show that....and was dated and boring and the set up was just awful...poor girl I feel bad for her ...if they used the clip from the Irish late late show she would have flown through the heats....
The man presenting this show speaks so fast and so mumbled the first part of this ,its hard to make out if he's Irish or Norwegian...I'm totally confused 🤣🤣
I always kinda root for Ireland, maybe cos I'm old school - I watched my first ever Eurovision in 1970 when Dana won.. Y'know, this is a good, radio friendly song but when it comes to winning a contest for an original song it doesn't fill that criteria. A qualifier from the semis, very probably, but the fact that this is just Katy Perry - Firework v2.0 stops it in it's tracks. Listen to them back to back and there is nothing original or evocative here. It's a great song, still on my playlist, but not a Eurovision winner
@@ESCTom Hiya Tom, yes, UK here, originally from Liverpool but lived and worked (in tourism) all over Europe for many years.. Really hope Lesley Roy does well, would be good to see Ireland back on the left hand side of the scoreboard, and this is their best chance in years. It's a really great radio song, just not a contest winner for me. It's been so long since we had anything celtic from Ireland (perhaps, except for Can-Linn) that there's a whole new generation of the fandom who would probably find that really innovative and exciting
Reminds me a bit of the energy of deacon blue... a band from the '90s past... Feel good mood a bit repetetive but still good at heart. It will struggle to get in the final but you know what.. I will vote for her...
Yep - a better entry than 2020, but I mostly hear an early Taylor Swift here which I personally do not miss. The right energy and not hiding behind a guitar will help her qualify.
@@ESCTom Well - this is when TS was still country-focused and I did not care; Let's say "You Belong With Me" if you weaken the hook and make the lyrics "inspirational".
I wonder if the black outfit she wears in the stationary scenes was supposed to be for the shots when she runs and if the blue one was for the other scenes. Either way she doesn't seem to know what suitable running attire is!
I think you're actually the only negative reaction I've seen. Everyone else : gorgeous scenery, beautiful woman, quirky moves, a few even had a tear for the message. Alright Debbie Downer ;)
I know what bothered me a bit here... It's not you not liking the song, that's absolutely fair enough and I couldn't care less and you're welcome to destroy it, but it's the personal digs about her clothes, her moves, her running even. You didn't do that to anybody else.
I didnt say anything negative about her clothing. I actually complimented it a couple of times at 4:36 and 12:34. The awkward running and moves - I totally disagree that I dont say that about anyone else. Even just recently, several acts in Melfest ive said have had bad or awkward staging, I had tonnes of comments about styling and staging in FdC, i didnt like Barbara's manic staging etc I am VERY VERY conscious about giving what could be construed as constructive criticism. I would NEVER criticise someones height, face, eye colour - ie anything they cannot change. She can very easily change her choreography if she wanted. If everyone else absolutely loves her choreography and im the only one, thats awesome, 99% of people approve so she can just keep it and ignore me. more broadly speaking, to be honest, ive been a bit upset with the comments for this vid. I dont hate the song, i think its fine. I dont see why people cant just say "thats cool that you dont feel it, i think its great" and move on, instead of telling me im wrong or stupid for not liking it. I had to delete several comments telling me things along those lines. its exactly the type of partisanship that i really hate in the community.
@@ESCTom well I knew you wouldn't like it, that was easy to guess and I'm neutral about it myself but it just looked you were going out of your way to find every bit you didn't like, just in case you get derided for potentially liking it. It's just looking odd as everybody else went out of their way to be nice about it so your video really sticks out from all the others and came as a bit of 'shock'
I'm glad that I'm not alone in my dislike of this song (or at least disinterest in it). I don't get what the community sees in this. I keep hearing how moving and well constructed this song it, yet it feels like a deep cut off of Taylor Swift's Speak Now or something. I know I was pretty alone in loving last year's entry, but that one just has so much more energy and bounce to it, and I could see a world where staging would elevate that one. This feels lethargic and safe in a way that feels eerily 2019 Ireland. AKA in a way that no staging could truly elevate.
I think this is such a community-centric song. Cann Linn were favourites with the community as well. Yea i dont know how shes going to work with the staging, but shes got Måns staging guy so hopefully he pulls out something a bit special and not just her standing there with some nice visuals,.
You should listen to your ears? This is a very bad bad song, Lacks wow factor, it Lacks melody and i already had this backed at 8/1 to lose and not qualify, her song last year was worse and why did people not listen to her terrible songs, We have better talent than her.
Will you ever leave off with Sergey's conspiracy theory? He's not a quarter as famous as you think he is for a start. Still looking for the elusive Russian diaspora who gave him 7 points from Ireland too 🤣 they must all live in Leitrim
2019 televote - 12 from Azerbaijan, Estonia, Albania, Moldova, Belarus, Armenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Czech Rep, San Marino and Israel. theres no pattern there? 😜 the 5 points from Ireland in the final was you and the Leitrim diaspora combined😂
@@ESCTom I probably gave him 3 of those points. There's hardly any Russian diaspora anywhere in those countries, Russians don't emigrate anyway, they're like the French. there's no love lost with the baltics, who absolutely hate them, they've no contact with Albania at all - you're just naming countries who love big belting romantic songs. Only Azerbaijan and maybe Moldova stand in your conspiracy analysis, they have kind of a Welsh syndrome with Russia alright. But it is possible for millions of people to like a song you don't like yourself, it's something you can't seem to accept. Personally I DETEST fairytale but the evidence is here. It's not everybody else, it's just me. You know.
There's definitely no pattern, sorry Tom. Maybe Qanon has sees a pattern but I don't. People vote for the sounds they already know, and usually they're neighbouring sounds. You sound like trump "if the Democrats hadn't voted for Biden I would have won the elections" well DOH
theres a lot of former USSR countries in there. Doesnt matter if there are people who hate them, you cant vote someone down, but ethnic russians in those places can vote him up. eg. 26% of Estonia is ethnic russian, the ERR website has a Russian option. Not saying he wouldnt have gotten votes anyway, the song was good and yes, many of those countries would gravitate to that style of song. But they were only 6 points ahead of switzerland, so i believe that influence was more than worth 6 points. Anyway, lets just agree to disagree.
Agree with you 100%. It is miles ahead of “story of my life” but to be honest I think the initial hype from the community is already dying out. I Like it but I don’t love it. PS talking of rabid fans getting rabidly behind their own country. Go easy on Serbia. You might wake up with a horse’s head in your bed if you don’t say it’s the best song ever written. You ve been warned :-)))))))))
lol you dont need to warm me about Serbia. They are the videos that ive had the must abuse from so far, although some countries i have never had a negative review about yet (that serbian vid wasnt even a negative review though, it was in my top 10 for that semi). Im genuinely thinking about switching off comments on the Serbia vid if I dont like the song, because im just not willing to put up with that abuse.
This is a great entry, and a lot of people seem to love it , something about it makes me happy !! I hope this qualifies
yep id be happy if she qualified as well. lets hope the community buzz translates into a good televote
This Norwegian loves Ireland’s entry this year! I think we can be over critical of our own country sometimes.
were in the same semi so you can vote for us😊
@@ESCTom Definitely! I can’t quite find the strength to encourage you to vote for TIX though. 😅
i really like Tix! I think the song is great
Oh no! I was hoping you'd like it as its the first entry we've had in years which I really like. I was hoping the thumbnail was a red herring.
i still feel like i might download it later in the season. i like it a lot more than last season
This is my favorite eurovision song this year. ❤️
Hmmm, I mean the title of the song doesn't have to be in the song. But she did say "map" in that bridge.
yep it doesnt have to, i was just saying that sometimes it helps to orientate yourself in the song, like a map😊
It´s my Top 3 and Ireland will qualify this year well done Ireland.
Nooo! I saw the thumbnail and was hoping I was just reading your face incorrectly. This is one of the songs I've enjoyed of the entries this year. Hopefully it'll make it to the final and improve Ireland's stats. Mind you, you're right we haven't heard it live or seen staging....!
You spoiled the video for me haha
@@RoyESC oh I'm so sorry! Lol, Tom does have a very expressive face afterall, so I can't be totally on the hook for that. 😆
haha nah i didnt want to give a misleading thumbnail, that would be mean😂
@@ESCTom looking forward to the next one Tom! Lol blobloblublublublbu *finger waving*
Fin.
lol i had to reread the bloblob bit before I worked out what you meant🤣
Much better than last year - a pleasant surprise from Ireland. The song has a dynamic, it's definitely optimistic and uplifting, the singer supports it perfectly, and although it's an obviously contemporary song, there is something characteristically Irish hidden in it, which I find brilliant. On the other hand, the fast beat creates a slight feeling of anxiety and because of that - I guess - the verses overwhelm the chorus. The composition is not the most original in the world, but it still has some character. People seem to like the song, at least more than other - catastrophical - entries of this year, and since Eurovision is a competition, other's weakness ends up in some other's success. I think they will qualify.
good summary, i agree with a lot of what you said there 😊
I am at the moment quite confident with a good performance that it has a good shot of qualifying as it feels like the sort of song that will do enough to get top 10 on both sides of the score even if that only means coming 8th or 9th. It does feel like a very wide open semi with most of the entries so it makes the rehearsals a real must watch as that could restablish the hierarchy of songs.
i definitely think shes got a better shot now that Little Big are out. the big risk was that maybe she would be drawn beside them and overshadowed.
If she pulls out something really great for the staging, then I can totally see her qualifying, but i agree with you that itll be in the 8-10 places
What!!?? This is the Best Irish entry in Years, and I'm sure She's gonna qualify! Actually this is the first time that I really like Ireland.. For Me Top 10 😊✌️
"Together" was way way strong imo
I am obsessed with the song. It's been a long time since an Irish entry has caught this much attention from me in Eurovision. Very underrated and I hope it qualifies.
i dont think Belarus being kicked out will help her, as she already would have been ahead of them. But 10/16 is pretty good chances
Nooo... Why are you so harsh on your own country? Awww... I love her song this year. It's nice, rhythmic, energetic - easy to listen to. I'm quite sure she will get enough of points to qualify.
i think the song is good, im not saying its bad🤷🏻♂️
She’ll qualify no problem. It’s a great entry. The best Ireland have had in years. Great video content though.
Thanks Ian😊
🤣😅🤣🤣 its shite, but it's meant to be. Entertainment for the braindead.
I listen to this a LOT more than any other entry this year.
LOVE IT! ❤️ 💕 💗
Well, I must say that I really like this... I think you're a bit overly critical towards your own country, which I understand because I am too. It's no revolutionary stuff, but it's uplifting and full of energy. Definitely better than her song last year. I am one of those people who did quite emotional hearing this song, not teary-eyed or anything, but it is relatable, personal and I feel she's really conveying that her heart is in it. One thing I have to say: it feels a bit overproduced and her voice is mixed a bit too much to the back.
Remember that the word Arcade also only featured once in those lyrics...
I think Ireland has really done a great job with this entry!
could be. i was overly harsh on Ryan in 2018, and I ended up loving that and it was my number 6 that year. This situation doesnt feel the same. I dont hate this song at all, i think its fine, but i dont feel it the same as the rest of the community.
but im very happy that lots of people in the community like it
You are too harsh Tom!!! 😅
It's a really nice song. It's definitely in my top 10
I think the attempt to be objective makes you overcompensate by being too hars.
Listen to it on a good stereo, and sing along to it. It deserves that. I can’t get the mellody and energy from the song out of my head. The transitions are great. It’s my favorite this year.
And we love watching Irish people in the forrest among elves and lepricons. You’re stuck with it.
Will get my vote this year, love from Norway.
I love it! Lesley is going to qualify! It's a great song and uplifting.
I feel this is nice. But that's about it. And I'm not confident about her vocal. Being British i understand the pain of simply wanting to like our entry!
maybe next year😭
Ireland is in my top 5 this year! I love Maps!!! ❤️
Can I ask why you think Australia will be awful?
when did I say that?🤔
How did you get on listening to the actual words Tom? (As a Scotsman) I struggled a bit to work out what she was singing? How about you with your native dialect? 🤔
Yea, there werent many lyrics that stuck out on the first listen for me. I think thats kinda normal with this type of pacey song, but maybe they could have had a clearer "catchphrase" that kinda summed up the song which could have stuck out a bit more
Not sure how to feel about the Ireland entry - like the upbeat /positive vibe and will support it to end being an Irishman but feel the beat moves almost too fast at times & too high.... Fingers crossed for a good place! Just discovered your channel - great reactions by the way man.
thanks Alan! yea shes got a good shot in semi 1 if she can do some great staging
I really like this lmao
Using stats to predict a semi really is quite meaningless as the strength of each country varies every year.
Ireland when they have sent good entries have tended to qualify, only Molly has failed in that regard. Statistically Ireland have a bad record because they have sent bad songs.
From listening to all of semi 1 so far it’s definitely not as deadly as last year and realistically song wise so far I don’t think any song stands out for being much stronger than the rest, Sweden song wise if they send Eric you could say does and then we have only Azerbaijan,Malta,N.Macedonia and if they show up Belarus to wait for.
I wasnt predicting the semis with stats, but i dont think they are meaningless either. The strength of each country sometimes varies but some countries are consistently strong. Ukraine and Sweden have unreal qualification records, because they always send quality songs and have great stage shows. Cyprus and Australia have 5 and 4 year qualification streaks respectively.Cyprus' one in particular representing them turning their fortunes around with a new strategy.
I agree that semi 1 is appearing weaker than last year, although still a few songs left to come
Definitely this year semi 1 is not last year semi 1.
No question. I see a couple of countries there in trouble that aren't normally in trouble. Just saying.
At the same time, semi 2 is now stronger.
@@ESCTom I can't wait for your reaction on Belarus I just can't 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@marietg8025 Yeah and until Belarus came out I would say every country goes into Eurovision SF1 with a real sporting chance of qualifying. Its extra interesting because as of right now there doesn't seem to be a clear favourite in the semi in terms of qualification, most favourites seem to be based on past trends but thats all we seem to have to differentiate as we have no other way to calling the semi and it will be even harder this year with the absence of pre parties meaning the odds could shift massively when we get to rehearsals especially with so many internals being picked.
@@cathalsheehan9596 yeah it's going to come down to live performances. We know the roop and Go-a are fantastic. Nothing short of being epically off key will leave Cyprus in the semis (which CAN happen, with past form) . After that it's more open.
Little Big is out and if Azerbaijan tanks at all... It's then wide open.
I won't talk about Belarus because Tom hasn't seen it. I haven't seen Australia because I would rather set fire to my eyeballs right now but I believe it isn't safe. Sweden will get through. Slovenia, NM and all that unlikely to get through, the chances of Malta reproducing their song of last year is slim, Norway Israël Russia and Lithuania are much weaker this year. *country Tom hasn't seen yet *, Cyprus and Ireland are stronger, so yeah it's much more even.
For irish standards this is actually decent although I am bored with it already but the community likes it and it definitely has a chance of qualifying come on tom my man it could be worse
yea i didnt say it didnt have a chance. i definitely prefer it over last year
I love Ireland’s entry. I know what you mean about some Irish fans getting a bit OTT, in one of my vids I said the song may not be special enough to qualify and that didn’t get a great response from Irish fans
yea i really hate this silly patriotism. it happens with every video to varying degrees. I just dont have time for those people who only watch one video (their own country) on the channel and then start complaining if your opinion is different from theirs. they dont contribute anything to the channel, so now after 3 years ive started just deleting those comments.
Lesley and her wife live here in the States and we are soooooo rooting for her!!! You know we love Ireland here in the States!!! On first listen of this song I did not like the production, on second listen it actually made me cry, on the third listen I was imagining this song playing over b-roll footage of Come To Ireland tourism advert. ☺️
looooool thats quite a few jumps around in your head😂
Im rooting her as well. I just dont resonate with this, but it appears loads of people do so i hope that she qualifies!
@@ESCTom she's in the Semi-Final of death, unless that petition people are signing to get Azerbaijan to withdraw from the competition is successful I don't see it advancing to the Grand Final. And, that's fine because there needs to be quality entries in the Semi-Finals too. If, Lesley was in Semi-Final two, I would've definitely would see it advancing. But, we don't know until the day of the live performances, and will get a better idea after they perform for the juries. At this point Semi-Final One feels like Mortal Kombat. 😂😂😂
I’m sorry but this instantly got me on first listen. It’s something Ireland has never sent before I think. Finally a song I feel is going to actually qualify for Ireland. And it has its own Celtic kind of way to it but not a cringe way and has an anthem of sense. Kind of got emotional too🤣🇮🇪
haha thats cool that you had that reaction. Although, I dont know if I think this is something that we've never sent before. It has vibes of Cann Linn for me
almost a million views now!
I didn’t like Ireland’s song last year. I don’t like this one either. I agree that the beat is stressful. I think only Belarus will rank lower with me.
Hi ... I have a song . But I'm
unsure . The last decade has been peppered with disappointment.
I've entered before to no avail.
She is a favourite this year. Everyone loves our song this year. That never happens. As for the chorus, your comment that their is none is completely wrong. Also the name of your song does not need to be in the chorus. I’ve studied poetry and theatre so structurally the song is fantastic. I like some of your content but some of your comments are false.
I saw the thumbnail and I knew 🤣 haha.
Personally, I really don't mind it. Bizarrely it plays in my head when I'm at work, so that's got to be a good thing! The only real criticism I have is that you can't hear her annunciation clearly as the music is so overbalanced and takes centre stage over her voice. They need to dial that back somewhat and it'll be a good little song.
I also much prefer it to last year. She brings more energy and its much less 'juvenile' (not sure if that's the best word to describe it). And yes, the running is totally naff. Maybe Greggs was closing and she really wanted that pasty? 🤔 lol
I really really hope Ireland do well this year. They deserve to see some success and I think its the better of the entries since Jedward. Plus the euro fans have really taken to it.
Cheer up Tom......this is good!!
Maybe we are too "close" to Ireland to be truly objective.
Still has the energy of last year but with a distinctive Irish tinge. That Swedish production is very evident in "Maps".....would've thought the "Melfest Boy" in you would've have been appeased🤣🤣
Look, lets look at this scientically.
Is this better than last year?....absolutely!
Are Romania, Australia, Israel, Ukraine, Russia better than last year? I don't think so!!!
Qualification for Ireland this year.....personally, i think DEFINITELY.
The guy who staged Mans in 2015 has been booked for Rotterdam. So all positive for me....
The wider fandom approves too!!
Go Ireland!!🇮🇪🇮🇪
lol dont you start as well 😂. ive warmed to it a little, but i just dont vibe with it like the rest of the community.
Yea it sounds like shes got a good team behind her. I dont wish her ill at all and i hope that she qualifies, but until i see her final package, im not convinced yet. She's still sitting 29th in the odds, but will wait to see the semi QF odds.
Definitely agree that its better than last year.
@@ESCTom good to hear you're getting abused🤣🤣. You can handle it.........
It's all about what would be deemed as being successful. Will it win?....of course not!.....will it qualify?.....yep, think it will!
I can see left-hand side of the board.
Well done Lesley.....I'd settle for that!
speaking of the left side of the scoreboard, i wont tell you what my new number 1 is this season, you might hit me🤣
@@ESCTom oh stop!!.... mind you, we might agree!🙈
In other news, we now know who gets slot 2 in 1st semi.......
Belarus' song just dropped...........truly awful.....can't wait for that review!🙈🙈
omg i saw. i instantly got Ethnic Jazz Band Iraio vibes. I was hoping theyd go for Zena again, she was great
The community scores are all over the place today!! The bop people have reshuffled everything! We had gone down to 11 and now we're back in 8! (I know, I'm amazed too if I'm honest, but good) Croatia went back down with Moldova.
There's a biggish gap with the top 7 though, we won't get any higher.
yea ive noticed that the community placings are shuffling around in a way that i havent seen in previous years. It could be cos those who like a certain genre will be more likely to give points to a new song in that genre, and so the older song will drop, and those above it will rise.
@@ESCTom I've never looked at them so I wouldn't know. There's been movement again after the Ukraine new song, can't really call it a revamp
@@ESCTom the only two that aren't moving are Finland and Italy. Looks like there is a finite and limited amount of rock people who would use this contraption, and they all voted and won't change their minds, which is easy since we only have a few songs to choose from.
And another *redacted country * in a softer vein, is also very stable in vote numbers.
I can't account for Ireland moving so much, although the margins are tight. It's like people still don't know what to make of it, I know I don't. I also find funny that for all the talk of 80s revival this year, only the rockish songs hark back to every single decade accurately 70, 80, 90, 00, yet not many seem to have realised that.
Ok maybe Denmark too, which represents accurately the Eurovision in those times when it became completely irrelevant to the outside world while time warped into a white disco world 😁
@@ESCTom it's gone down again 🙄 never seen anything like it!
And there's something of more importance, to me, is that Italy is starting to reel in Finland in actual numbers after staying stable for two days. Looks like it's starting to grow on the non rock people.
As to Italy, the semi performance everyone uses to listen to is the worst they've had. If you see the video with the spangly nudy costumes rather than the black ones take it for a reaction, it's better. The sound balance was way off in the semis. (black costumes)
Hi Tom, did you make a reaction video to Belgium's new entry ?
Hi Kris, not yet but its near the top of my list. im aiming to do at least 1 per day
There's a couple of unexpected crash and burns in semi 1 this year... She's in with a chance. Even the Roop is in trouble, they're famous to us but everyone sitting down to watch will have NO clue who they are and will not give them goodwill points leftover from On Fire.
Iceland was all over the radios (thank you netflix media campaign) but nothing else made it.
Yeah it's manic but it's her music, it's all like that. She's all California rock chick.
I like that she stuck to herself and who she is.
Interestingly foreign people definitely recognise Ireland in the melody and the voice, I like that too, even though it's not my favourite song or anything. I must say I don't find it annoying either. I don't look for it but I'm happy to listen to it any number of times if it comes that way.
It's a mid range song but we're having so many electronic ethnic bops it may just stick out, it and *redacted country name * before Finland enters the stage.
Watching your reaction months later I do believe that it was sped up digitally since she wasn't able to match the song live... I liked the song but he performance, although innovative, wasn't performed well...
Tom, I think it's a kind of gallop. I think this could make the final. Agree better than last year.
haha i like that word "gallop". you know, she could definitely make it feel more like a gallop than a horse bucking in her staging in Rotterdam. staging can make a huge difference. im rooting for her
You're being a bit over negative. But us Irish have learned to hate our entries for 15 years now.
Its a darkhorse this year. Its being recieved very well. Id say instant qualifier. Possible top 10. If the staging is modern and very eye catching maybe a littler higher
i dont get why people find it so hard to grasp the idea that i just think the song is ok
"The soul is the map" she says map 2 times, that's all haha.
Well, the word Arcade also featured only once in those lyrics
this isnt in the same league as Arcade, lets be real
@@ESCTom Arcade
Maps
Story Of My Life
🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
Im nominating that for comment of the season!!!!!!!!!
@@ESCTom arcade was not ground breaking either it was imagine dragons. Lol
Video is far too fast paced all throughout should have had quiet moments
The presentation of the song last night was just awful her voice sounded so different without all the backing help..she was out of breath ,running on a moving floor and the stage set up.was horrendous. She probably has a great voice but this song dudnt show that....and was dated and boring and the set up was just awful...poor girl I feel bad for her ...if they used the clip from the Irish late late show she would have flown through the heats....
Think the chorus sounds good
The man presenting this show speaks so fast and so mumbled the first part of this ,its hard to make out if he's Irish or Norwegian...I'm totally confused 🤣🤣
im Irish, but Id be happy being Norwegian as well 😊
I think she might get top 10 biggest UK will probably get punished for votes over brexit 🤣
Quite clear where the chorus is….
I always kinda root for Ireland, maybe cos I'm old school - I watched my first ever Eurovision in 1970 when Dana won.. Y'know, this is a good, radio friendly song but when it comes to winning a contest for an original song it doesn't fill that criteria. A qualifier from the semis, very probably, but the fact that this is just Katy Perry - Firework v2.0 stops it in it's tracks. Listen to them back to back and there is nothing original or evocative here. It's a great song, still on my playlist, but not a Eurovision winner
are you from the UK, thingybob? If so, which part? If not, which country?
@@ESCTom Hiya Tom, yes, UK here, originally from Liverpool but lived and worked (in tourism) all over Europe for many years.. Really hope Lesley Roy does well, would be good to see Ireland back on the left hand side of the scoreboard, and this is their best chance in years. It's a really great radio song, just not a contest winner for me.
It's been so long since we had anything celtic from Ireland (perhaps, except for Can-Linn) that there's a whole new generation of the fandom who would probably find that really innovative and exciting
Reminds me a bit of the energy of deacon blue... a band from the '90s past... Feel good mood a bit repetetive but still good at heart. It will struggle to get in the final but you know what.. I will vote for her...
Lovely girl ,great voice..but unfortunately its too pop,it didn't come on strong and origional ,like Dana,or Johnny Logan
Yep - a better entry than 2020, but I mostly hear an early Taylor Swift here which I personally do not miss. The right energy and not hiding behind a guitar will help her qualify.
i dont know Taylor's music that well, but interesting that youre the second person to mention a comparison with her. any particular song?
@@ESCTom Well - this is when TS was still country-focused and I did not care; Let's say "You Belong With Me" if you weaken the hook and make the lyrics "inspirational".
oh yea i can totally see that, especially if you swap the banjo for a bodhran.
The staging is being done by the same guy that staged Sweden 2015 as well as other melfest performances such as Eric Saade this year
oh wow, he did Eric Saade's one as well? thats probably my favourite staging of the year so far. Shes got a strong team behind her, it sounds like
I wonder if the black outfit she wears in the stationary scenes was supposed to be for the shots when she runs and if the blue one was for the other scenes. Either way she doesn't seem to know what suitable running attire is!
hey outfit in the late late show performance was gorgeous. hopefully they go with something like that
I think you're actually the only negative reaction I've seen.
Everyone else : gorgeous scenery, beautiful woman, quirky moves, a few even had a tear for the message.
Alright Debbie Downer ;)
its not negative, i just dont love it, sheeeeeeesh :P
I know what bothered me a bit here... It's not you not liking the song, that's absolutely fair enough and I couldn't care less and you're welcome to destroy it, but it's the personal digs about her clothes, her moves, her running even. You didn't do that to anybody else.
I didnt say anything negative about her clothing. I actually complimented it a couple of times at 4:36 and 12:34. The awkward running and moves - I totally disagree that I dont say that about anyone else. Even just recently, several acts in Melfest ive said have had bad or awkward staging, I had tonnes of comments about styling and staging in FdC, i didnt like Barbara's manic staging etc
I am VERY VERY conscious about giving what could be construed as constructive criticism. I would NEVER criticise someones height, face, eye colour - ie anything they cannot change. She can very easily change her choreography if she wanted. If everyone else absolutely loves her choreography and im the only one, thats awesome, 99% of people approve so she can just keep it and ignore me.
more broadly speaking, to be honest, ive been a bit upset with the comments for this vid. I dont hate the song, i think its fine. I dont see why people cant just say "thats cool that you dont feel it, i think its great" and move on, instead of telling me im wrong or stupid for not liking it. I had to delete several comments telling me things along those lines. its exactly the type of partisanship that i really hate in the community.
@@ESCTom well I knew you wouldn't like it, that was easy to guess and I'm neutral about it myself but it just looked you were going out of your way to find every bit you didn't like, just in case you get derided for potentially liking it.
It's just looking odd as everybody else went out of their way to be nice about it so your video really sticks out from all the others and came as a bit of 'shock'
Funny, as if your review was the first I'd seen, I would have just expected it that way because Ireland can never do right and moved on.
I'm glad that I'm not alone in my dislike of this song (or at least disinterest in it). I don't get what the community sees in this. I keep hearing how moving and well constructed this song it, yet it feels like a deep cut off of Taylor Swift's Speak Now or something. I know I was pretty alone in loving last year's entry, but that one just has so much more energy and bounce to it, and I could see a world where staging would elevate that one. This feels lethargic and safe in a way that feels eerily 2019 Ireland. AKA in a way that no staging could truly elevate.
I think this is such a community-centric song. Cann Linn were favourites with the community as well.
Yea i dont know how shes going to work with the staging, but shes got Måns staging guy so hopefully he pulls out something a bit special and not just her standing there with some nice visuals,.
You should listen to your ears? This is a very bad bad song, Lacks wow factor, it Lacks melody and i already had this backed at 8/1 to lose and not qualify, her song last year was worse and why did people not listen to her terrible songs, We have better talent than her.
This song was great the only bad thing was the live set
Will you ever leave off with Sergey's conspiracy theory? He's not a quarter as famous as you think he is for a start.
Still looking for the elusive Russian diaspora who gave him 7 points from Ireland too 🤣 they must all live in Leitrim
2019 televote - 12 from Azerbaijan, Estonia, Albania, Moldova, Belarus, Armenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Czech Rep, San Marino and Israel. theres no pattern there? 😜
the 5 points from Ireland in the final was you and the Leitrim diaspora combined😂
@@ESCTom I probably gave him 3 of those points.
There's hardly any Russian diaspora anywhere in those countries, Russians don't emigrate anyway, they're like the French.
there's no love lost with the baltics, who absolutely hate them, they've no contact with Albania at all - you're just naming countries who love big belting romantic songs.
Only Azerbaijan and maybe Moldova stand in your conspiracy analysis, they have kind of a Welsh syndrome with Russia alright.
But it is possible for millions of people to like a song you don't like yourself, it's something you can't seem to accept.
Personally I DETEST fairytale but the evidence is here. It's not everybody else, it's just me. You know.
There's definitely no pattern, sorry Tom. Maybe Qanon has sees a pattern but I don't. People vote for the sounds they already know, and usually they're neighbouring sounds.
You sound like trump "if the Democrats hadn't voted for Biden I would have won the elections" well DOH
theres a lot of former USSR countries in there. Doesnt matter if there are people who hate them, you cant vote someone down, but ethnic russians in those places can vote him up. eg. 26% of Estonia is ethnic russian, the ERR website has a Russian option. Not saying he wouldnt have gotten votes anyway, the song was good and yes, many of those countries would gravitate to that style of song. But they were only 6 points ahead of switzerland, so i believe that influence was more than worth 6 points.
Anyway, lets just agree to disagree.
@@ESCTom that's like saying Ireland votes for the UK because it was part of the empire. You know the answer to that one.
Agree with you 100%. It is miles ahead of “story of my life” but to be honest I think the initial hype from the community is already dying out. I Like it but I don’t love it.
PS talking of rabid fans getting rabidly behind their own country. Go easy on Serbia. You might wake up with a horse’s head in your bed if you don’t say it’s the best song ever written. You ve been warned :-)))))))))
lol you dont need to warm me about Serbia. They are the videos that ive had the must abuse from so far, although some countries i have never had a negative review about yet (that serbian vid wasnt even a negative review though, it was in my top 10 for that semi).
Im genuinely thinking about switching off comments on the Serbia vid if I dont like the song, because im just not willing to put up with that abuse.
@@ESCTom yes please tom, save me from saying I hate it, I won't be able not to say it 🤣
I've seen a gazillion reactions to this and yours is actually the most negative 🤔🤔🤔 How to be Irish 101 - be harsh on ourselves 🥺