Poland - Blanka - Solo

19 - 93 pts / 3 - 124 pts in semi 2

single release image

Blanka is the winner of Tu bije serce Europy! 2023 and will represent Poland with the song Solo. The 25th Polish entry to grace the Eurovision stage. The 26th song selected, if you count the Rotterdam contest that never was. 

Christmas 2022

Solo was released on September 23 and there are already some versions out there, including a Christmas one. (see versions below)

A new version for Eurovision is made with an added break beat bit and the karaoke of that is out on April 14 on the official karaoke album.

The version with the dance break-bit is not on the official album. It first escaped to the Tube though.

The Dance Break version was finally released as a digital track in 2024 (October 10)

The SMYLES remix was released on May 5.

A promo is spotted, details (version?) wanted. Thanks Torsten.

The song is written by Blanka Stajkow herself, Maciej Puchalski, Mikołaj Trybulec, Bartłomiej Rzeczycki, Marcin Górecki, Maria Broberg and Julia Sundberg. We know Broberg from co-writing Moldova 2019. Trybulec co-wrote Ochman's River.

Blanka Stajkow recorded her first songs when she was 13, participated in Poland's Top Model and already had a reasonable hit with the Eurovision song Solo.

All songs from Tu bije serce Europy! 2023 have been released as digital singles. Alicja Szemplińska, who was to sing in the cancelled 2020  contest finished 6th with New Home.

audiosoulz remix

Versions:
Solo - Eurovision version with dance break

- 15-5 premiere, unreleased, Youtube

- digital release 10-10-2024

Solo - original
- digital 23-9, on the Liverpool 2CD
Solo - Christmas bell version, live
- digital 15-12
Solo - Audiosoulz remix
- digital 20-12

- a longer version is released through DJ services
Solo - Acoustic live
- digital 3-1 

Solo - SMYLES remix

- digital 5-5

Solo - karaoke (= mostly instrumental, a few vocal effects

- On the official karaoke album

Solo - Sped-Up version

- digital 11-5

Charts

Ireland top 100 (IRMA): 85, -

Finland top 50 (IFPI): 24, 31, 37, 39, 41, 42, 42, 42, 45, 50, -

U.K. top 100 (OCC): 56, -

January 2023 acoustic

Links and sources:
Blanka FB, Insta

Poland 2023 at ESC History

Eurowizija TVP pages

Remember Ochman, Donatan Cleo, Michał Szpak or personal fave Tulia. 

alternate single image

Portugal - Mimicat - Ai Coração

23 - 59 pts / 9 - 74 pts in semi 1

Mimicat is the winner of the 57th Festival RTP da Canção with her song Ai Coração (Oh Heart). The song is written by Marisa Mena (Mimicat) and Luís Pereira.

The song can be found on the FdC album (CD and digital, see below). 

A seperate single (same track only) was finally released on May 5. (Although it is dated 27-1)

An instrumental version can be found on Mimicat's Youtube.

Mimicat (Marisa Isabel Lopes Mena) recorded her first songs at age 9 but we fast forward to 2001 when she first participated in the Festival da Canção as Izamena. Her song Mundo Colorido ended 3rd in one of the 5 heats (50 songs in the race) but only the top 2 continued through the final.

In 2009 she was the singer of the Jazz/Pop band The Casino Royal with whom she recorded two albums. 

Her first solo album (as Mimicat) is For You from 2014. Back In Town, her 2nd solo album, was released in 2017 and spent one week on the Portuguese album charts. Both are English language albums.

Mimicat album Peito

Mimicat's Eurovision song is released on her 2024 album Peito. It's available as CD, contact through Mimicat's Facebook. Also available at her live shows.

The 2023 Festival da Canção CD was released on February 24 and is available in the Portuguese shops. I only know Fnac.pt to sell it internationally, (but they have hefty postage costs). 

Let me know if there are other online shops available.
This year's Festival da Canção semi's were on February 25 and March 4 with the final on March 11.

The only returning Eurovision artist in the 2023 line-up was Claudia Pascoal who represented the host country in Lisbon in 2018.

Versions:

Ai, Coração - original

- digital 27-1, Festival RTP da Canção CD

Ai, Coração - karaoke

- On the official karaoke album (digital)

Charts:
Portugal top 200: 76, 155, -, re: 102, 24, 80, 114, 143, 171

Links and sources
Mimicat FB, Insta
Festival da Canção 2023 at ESC History
Festival da Canção Website, FB

Remember Maro, The Black Mamba and Salvador Sobral who brought the trophy to Portugal with their 50th Eurovision entry

Germany - Lord Of The Lost - Blood & Glitter

digital single image

26 - 18 pts, not in semi

Blood & Glitter by Hamburg band Lord Of The Lost is the winner of Unser Lied für Liverpool. Gothic Stadium Rock?. 

The song is written by Chris Harms, Rupert Keplinger, Anthony James Brown and π (Pi) Stoffers.

Chris Harms is lead singer, guitarist and Cellist. π is guitarist. Other members currently are Klaas Helmecke (a.k.a. Class Grenayde, Bass), Gerrit Heinemann (a.k.a. Gared Dirge, keyboards) and Niklas Kahl (Drums)

Blood & Glitter is the opening track on the album with the same name, released on December 30 2022. The digital single was released on Christmas eve.

The album was released as a single CD and also as a double CD with instrumental versions of 12 (out of the 13) songs. (tracklist below)

A box set has the 2CD and a live DVD. All releases on Napalm records.

The double LP is made of recycled vinyl and is a kind of wonderful marbled purple green brown black dark thing.

The Faderhead remix was released on March 2 as a digital track.

Physical formats available through the LOTL shop and Napalm and several other sources. Although the Earbook seems to be selling fast.

More Blood and More Glitter

On May 19 another deluxe edition 2CD of the Blood & Glitter album is released.

The Blood & Glitter Earbook is a 96 page book with the original album plus a CD of bonus tracks including three more versions of the Eurovision entry.

- Extended Version feat. Jennifer Batten

- Piano Version - Live at Sonic Pump Studios

- Extended Action Movie Version

Pre-ordering can be done here, limited edition so .....gone.

And even More
UPDATE: The ESC edition CD has disappeared from the stores. No confirmation that it is cancelled so I don't know if copies were pressed / sold.

An strictly limited ESC edition of the album was released on May 6 including 6 versions of the Eurovision entry.
This 18-track edition CD, out May 12, has the following versions of Blood & Glitter:
Blood & Glitter (original album/single version)

Blood & Glitter (Extended Action Movie Version)
Blood & Glitter (Faderhead Remix)
Blood & Glitter (Piano Version - Live At Sonic Pump Studios)
Blood & Glitter (Piano version - Live At Chameleon Studios)
Blood & Glitter (Extended Version feat. Jennifer Batten)
It also includes a live version of Lena's Satellite and singles Leave Your Hate In The Comments, Destruction Manual and Absolute Attitude.

Full tracklist at the end of this page.

Was onnly available in bundle with either Vinyl LP or T-shirt, but is sold out now.

A similar version was released digital on 19-5

A limited edition Cassette is out on 22-9. Pre-orderable here while stocks last. It has the same tracks as the original CD.

Live at W:O:A

Blood & Glitter is also included on LOTL's Live album Live at W:O:A (Wacken Open Air) recorded August 4 & 5, 2023.

The album is a three disc set with a CD, a DVD and a blu-ray disc. Out on August 2, 2024. Also available in a deluxe Earbook edition (same discs)

Available here and here

Also new in 2024 is a 3 disc set of the original album with a CD, DVD and BluRay.

It's named Blood & Glitter, the Video Edition and is avaialble here

Lord Of The Lost has released 8 albums since 2010 and almost as many live albums.

The Blood & Glitter album entered the German album charts at #1 in the first week of January but initially spent only three weeks in the top 100. It re-entered at #17 after the Unser Song... and again at #2 after the Eurovision Song Contest.

Versions:
Blood & Glitter
- digital 24-12, CD/2CD/2LP Blood & Glitter
Blood & Glitter - instrumental
- on Blood & Glitter 2CD edition, also on the official karaoke album (digital)
Blood & Glitter - Faderhead remix
- digital 2-3
Blood & Glitter - Extended Version ft. Jennifer Batten
Blood & Glitter - Piano Version - Live at Sonic Pump Studios
Blood & Glitter - Extended Action Movie Version
- Above three & original on the Blood & Glitter Earbook (deluxe 2CD) out May 19 

Blood & Glitter - Piano version - Live At Chameleon Studios

- All except instrumental on CD Blood & Glitter (ESC Edition)

Blood & Glitter - Live

- 3disc set Live at W:O:A.

Lord Of The Lost have released their tribute to Käärijä, a coverversion of his Finnish entry Cha Cha Cha, on May 5.

It can also be found on LOTL's 2CD Weapons Of Mass Seduction out on December 29, 2023. Note: only on the 2CD & Napalm exclusive 3CD edition, NOT on the 1CD, LP or cassette editions.

Charts:

Blood & Glitter entered the German charts at #5 in the midweek charts after the National Final but did not make it to the official weeks charts.

Links and sources: 
Lord of the Lost: Website, FB, Insta, Bandcamp, Shop

Catch them on tour, festival or opening for Iron Maiden

Unser Lied für Liverpool at ESC History
Remember Michael Schulte? he did very well. But we also loved Jamie Lee's song a lot. And who can forget Lena and Lena?

box set, pic taken from Discogs

Blood & Glitter tracklist
1. Blood & Glitter
2. Leave Your Hate In The Comments
3. Absolute Attitude
4. The Future Of A Past Life (feat. Marcus Bischoff)
5. No Respect For Disrespect
6. Reset The Preset (feat. Andy LaPlegua)
7. Destruction Manual
8. Dead End
9. Leaving The Planet Earth
10. Forever Lost
11. Save Our Souls (feat. Ally Storch)
12. One Last Song
13. The Look (Roxette Cover) - feat. Blümchen
 
The instrumental disc in the 2CD set does not have The Look.

Tracklist Earbook Edition of Blood & Glitter
CD1 - BLOOD & GLITTER
01. Blood & Glitter
02. Leave Your Hate In The Comments
03. Absolute Attitude
04. The Future Of A Past Life (feat. Marcus Bischoff)
05. No Respect For Disrespect
06. Reset The Preset (feat. Andy Laplegua)
07. Destruction Manual
08. Dead End
09. Leaving The Planet Earth
10. Forever Lost
11. Save Our Souls (Feat. Ally Storch)
12. One Last Song
13. The Look (Feat. Blümchen)

CD 2 - MORE BLOOD & MORE GLITTER
01 The Curtain Falls
02 Blood & Glitter (Extended Version feat. Jennifer Batten)
03 We Are Immortal (feat. The Tribune)
04 The Sound Of Violence (feat. Aesthetic Perfection)
05 I Of The Storm (feat. Adrienne Cowan)
06 See Me Fall (feat. FLYKS)
07 noituLOVEr
08 Not My Enemy
09 Destruction Manual (Family Friendly Version)
10 Schwarz Tot Gold (feat. SWISS & Die Andern)
11 One Last Song (Piano Demo - Live at Chameleon Studios)
12 Blood & Glitter (Piano Version - Live at Sonic Pump Studios)
13 Not My Enemy (Piano Version - Live at Sonic Pump Studios)
14 Leaving The Planet Earth (Piano Version - Live at Sonic Pump Studios)
15 Blood & Glitter (Extended Action Movie Version)
 
The digital version also has
16 Blood & Glitter (Faderhead remix)

 

Blood & Glitter ESC edition tracklist 

01. Blood & Glitter
02. Leave Your Hate In The Comments
03. Absolute Attitude
04. The Future Of A Past Life (feat. Marcus Bischoff)
05. No Respect For Disrespect
06. Reset The Preset (feat. Andy Laplegua)
07. Destruction Manual
08. Dead End
09. Leaving The Planet Earth
10. Forever Lost
11. Save Our Souls (Feat. Ally Storch)
12. One Last Song
13. Blood & Glitter (Extended Version feat. Jennifer Batten)
14. Blood & Glitter (Extended Action Movie Version)
15. Blood & Glitter (Faderhead Remix)
16. Blood & Glitter (Piano Version - Live At Sonic Pump Studios)
17. Blood & Glitter (Piano version - Live At Chameleon Studios)
18. Satellite (Piano version - Live At Chameleon Studios)
 

Serbia - Luke Black - Samo Mi Se Spava

24 - 30 pts / 10 - 37 pts in semi 1

Serbia's preselection Pesma za Euroviziju 2023 was won by Luke Black with the song Samo Mi Se Spava (Само ми се спава, I'm only sleepy).

The song was released on February 2 and is sung in a mix of English and Serbian.

Two remixes were released on April 21, see versions below.

A 5 track promo cds has been issued.

1 - Same me se spava

2 - karaoke

3 - acoustic

4 - Shurk remix

5 - TEEN remix

Thanks Torsten!

The below picture is nicked from e-bay where you can already spend a small fortune for it. Or wait a bit....

The acoustic version got a digital release on June 16.

Chainsaws In Paradise

Luke's album was released on May 24, 2024 and includes a different version of Samo Mi Se Spava.

The outro is different from the known version and it has the Game Over Bitch uncensored.

It is listed as 'Eurovision Version' but it's not.

The album is available on CD (here's Luke's shop) and is out through Amuseio AB, a Swedish indie label.

Thanks Marek!

Luke Black (Luka Ivanović, Лука Ивановић) wrote the song himself with Majed Kfoury.

He has been active since 2014 and released a number of singles and EP's through Universal and later self released.

remixes

Versions:

Samo Mi Se Spava - single version

- digital 2-2

Samo Mi Se Spava - TEEN remix

Samo Mi Se Spava - Shurk remix

- remixes digital releases 21-4

Samo Mi Se Spava - acoustic

- promo cds, digital 16-6

Samo Mi Se Spava - karaoke

- On the official karaoke album

Charts

Finland top 50 (IFPI): 50

Links and sources:

Luke Back Website,  FB, Insta, Shop
Pesma za Evroviziju 2023 at ESC History

At the 2021 jury final I was sitting so close to Hurricane that I could look straight into their cellphones. Gotta love' em. And Konstrakta was something else. In a marvelous way of course.

Czechia - Vesna - My Sister's Crown

10 - 129 pts / 4 - 110 pts in semi 1

The Czech Republic, the gouvernement prefers Czechia nowadays but the EBU still uses Czech Republic. 

Update: Eurovision.tv now switched to Czechia.

Anyway, they were in Liverpool with My Sister's Crown by Vesna.

They won the ESCZ competition for which the public had a whole week to vote.

The song is written by Patricie Kaňok Fuxová, Tanita Yankovova and Kateryna Vatchenko. The recorded version has parts in Czech, English, Ukrainian and Bulgarian.

My Sister's Crown was released on January 30.

The digital release of the acoustic version was on May 5 although it had been shared through video sites before that.

Ej Sestro

An alternate version was released on November 23*. This version has a different mix of languages: Czech, English and Bulgarian. (No Ukrainian)

It was released as a digital track subtitled "My Sister's Crown CZ [Bonus track]"

* It is dated 23-11 but I have a suspicion it was released much later than that.

Remix

A remix by Robert Burian and Phil Phauler has a release date of February 2nd but I'm pretty sure it was released later on the regulars like Spotify

Muzika Slavica CD

On November 21 Vesna released their album Muzika Slavica. The album includes the Eurovision hit and the acoustic version.

It's available on CD here at Vesna's website but it doesn't seem to work outside Czechia. (Even though it says so)

The band, originally a fourpiece, now has the line up (at ESCZ 2023) Patricie Fuxová, Bára Šůstková, Olesya Ochepovská. Markéta Vedralová. Tereza Čepková and Tanita Yankovová. 

Original member Kateryna Vatchenko Vatchenko features on the acoustic version.

All songs from the five-song Czech selection have been released as digital singles.

Versions
My Sister's Crown - single version
- digital 30-1, CD Muzika Slavica
My Sister's Crown - acoustic
- digital 5-5, CD Muzika Slavica

Ej sestro - alternate language mix

- digital 23-11*

My Sister's Crown (Remix)

- digital 2-2-24*

My Sister's Crown - karaoke
- On the official karaoke album (digital)

My Sister's Crown (Metal cover)

- by LYON_sound, uses original version. digital 25-6-2025

Charts:

Swedish top 100 (Topplistan): 86, -

Finland top 50 (IFPI): 21, -

Links and sources:
Vesna Website, FB, Insta

The Czech final at ESC History

ČT Official Eurovision FB pages

Remember DOMI, Lake Malawi (who just released a great new album) and Mikolas Josef who still has the best result for the country.

Australia - Voyager - Promise

9 - 151 pts / 1 - 190 pts in semi 2

Last year's Australia Decides runner up Voyager sang for Australia in Liverpool. Their song Promise was internally selected and revealed (and released) on February 21.

In Liverpool Voyager won the 2nd Semi final.

The House remix was released on April 22. (digital)

The Electric Strings version was released on May 19. It's an instrumental with strings, electric even.

On June 30 another remix by musician/producer Neurotech (a.k.a. NeuroWulf) was released. 

See versions below for all the mixes.

Vinyl singles (black and transparent magenta) (were pre-orderable from 17-3) are out now (from 28-4). Limited to 300 each.

The sleeves have the same number SOM698EP but the sticker on the outer platsic sleeve reads:

Transparent Magenta: Season Of Mist SOM 698EPCP

Black vinyl: Season Of Mist SOM 398EP2

Both singles include Dreamer on the b-side. That was their 2022 Australia Decides entry that finished second behind Sheldon Riley

Test pressing vinyls were also made, 10 copies according to Season Of Mist.

On April 21 Voyager released a (loud) cover version of the Cyprus entry by fellow Australian Andrew Lambrou.

Fearless In Love

On July 14 Voyager release theri new album Fearless In Love.

!!! There are several editions on vinyl but initially only the CD version includes Promise. it seems an odd decision but here's what Voyager let's us know:

"PLEASE NOTE - Due to the song not existing at the time of production, ‘Promise’ does not feature on this first run of vinyl, making the limited edition "Promise/Dreamer" vinyl the perfect companion to this item".

The album also includes the follow up singles Prince Of Fire and Ultraviolet. Full tracklist at the end of this page.

Shop here at Season Of Mist.

Update: The vinyl album has been re-issued in Europe in a limited edition in October. This edition on black vinyl does include Promise and is available here

Eurovision Departure

In 2022 Voyager ended second place in Australia Decides behind Sheldon Riley. Their song Dreamer was released as a digital single and also as a remix. 

It will also be on the Promise vinyl single editions.

In 2020 they sent in Runaway from their 2019 album Colours In The Sun but that didn't make it to Australia's final 10.

The band formed in 1999 but only singer Daniel (Danny) Estrin is one of the founding members. Voyager are now Estrin (vocals, Keytar), Simone Dow (Guitars), Scott Kay (Guitars), Ashley Doodkorte (Drums) and Alex Canion (Bass).

pre-release image

Make you own remix
Check out the Promise Producer Pack, 41 tracks separating all the recording tracks of Promise at Bandcamp.
If you're an accomplished (or less so) knob twiddler you can make your own remix and send it to the Voyagers. (More details here at Facebook)

Versions:
Promise - single version
- digital 21-2, forthcoming 7"inch vinyls
Promise - instrumental (no backing vocals)
- digital 23-3
Promise - House remix

- digital 22-4

Promise - Electric string version (instrumental)

- digital 19-5

Promise - Neurotech remix

- digital 30-6

Promise - karaoke
- On the official karaoke album (digital)
Promise Producer Pack
- digital at bandcamp

Charts:

Finland top 50 (IFPI): 47

U.K. top 100 (OCC): 79

Links and sources:
Voyager: Website, FB, Insta,  Shop

Australia's Eurovision history is short, Remember Dami Im, Guy Sebastian or Montaigne? And I'm sure you remember this:

Fearless In Love tracklist - CD/Digital and European re-issue LP
1 - The Best Intentions
2 - Prince of Fire
3 - Ultraviolet (featuring Sean Harmanis)
4 - Dreamer
5 - The Lamenting
6 - Submarine
7 - Promise (not on the vinyl editions)
8 - Twisted
9 - Daydream
10 - Listen
11 - Gren (Fearless in Love)

 

Ukraine - TVORCHI - Heart Of Steel

6 - 243 pts, not in semi

The first entry to be revealed for Liverpool was Heart Of Steel by TVORCHI.
The duo secured their ticket to Liverpool by winning the Ukrainian Vidbir final on December 17 (2022).

TVORCHI are Andrii Hutsuliak and Jimoh Augustus Kehinde and they, like all other hip artists, write their bandname in capitals.

The duo have been working together since 2017 and tried for Eurovision in 2020 with Bonfire, ending 4th in Vidbir. (and there was no Eurovision anyway)

new version image

Heart Of Steel written by the duo themselves, was released as a digital single on December 9.

An revamped version has a part in Ukrainian and added violins. It was released as a digital single on March 9.

A remix was released on April 22. (see comments)

2024

For the Ukrainian National selection for 2024 (Vidbir) a new version with orchestra was recorded.

It was released as a digital track on 4-2-2024

Once upon a time in Kyiv

Versions

Heart Of Steel - ESC version

- digital 9-3

Heart Of Steel - single version

- digital single 9-12-2022

Heart Of Steel - remix

- digital 22-4

Heart Of Steel - karaoke (of ESC version)

- digital 9-3, also on the official karaoke album (digital)

Heart Of Steel - sped up version

- digital 2-6

Heart Of Steel - Orchestral version

- digital 4-2, 2024

Charts:

Swedish top 100 (Topplistan): 65

Finland top 50 (IFPI): 37

U.K. top 100 (OCC): 95

Links and sources:

TVORCHI: FB, Insta

Vidbir 2023 at ESC History

Remember: Stefania, Shum, 1944