Eurovision

[edgarcat]

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Willow2, Britain and the US have always been at the top of the music scene??? Surely mainly in Britain and the US pop market. I don't think they'd be topping the charts in, say, India or Zambia? There's a whole big world out there beyond Britain.
I do agree with nerdgirl, the fact that 4 or so countries can buy their way into a "fair" competition does seem somewhat wrong, but then, did these countries set up the eurovision?
It is not worth getting riled about it, I watched the eurovision this year for the first time in ages and loved it for the outfits/bad music/vibrant personaltities, it was cheesy pop at it's best.

eefs - I'm well aware that there is a music scene other than the one I know and personally love. But, how many Indian or Zambian tunes sell worldwide? American and British popular music have a market far beyond their own shores - although this does have its drawbacks. sadly Phil Collins seems particularly popular with taxi drivers worldwide.

The Eurovision is not exactly the cutting edge of pop music, so I wouldn't consider the scores to be a reflection of any countries standard of pop music. So I agree that no country has to prove anything by coming first in the Eurovision. I do think though that this competition means a lot more to the developing eastern European countries as it puts them on a rare level playing field with the developed countries and gives them some positive exposure.
Willow2 - Phil Collins I didn't mean to offend you, I just didn't agree with you. I don't believe it's because Britain and the US are that much better at making music, but pop stars in these countries will make a lot more money that pop stars in other countries, and can afford to be marketed right across the world, whereas smaller poorer countries don't have that luxury. So I suppose in a sense I do agree with you, Britain and the US probably sell the most of any country, but not necessarily because their music is better.

Agree that it's not necessarily because music is better, but think it must be more "accessible" to the listening ear of the masses. And by that I don't mean it's marketed better, simply that "pop" seems to have a worldwide appeal, hence the fact that pirates do so well out of it. Go to Turkey, the Far East, anywhere pretty much, and you will find someone selling knock off copies of "pop" albums. By contrast, the black market for say a Swahili band is somewhat limited! (That's not to say I hate other countries' music - love a wide variety of music and always have done. Plus, could never live without Bob Marley.)

so who won?

turkey, with a rather fetching harem quintet and "kiss kiss" holly valance cover.

so who's off to Turkey next year?

Would just like to add that I couldn't care less if we never qualified for Eurovision again!

Hear hear Willow2.

Agree about Bob
(marley)

Well well, Tinker, Radiohead have just agreed to do next year's Eurovision entry!