It’s a real music anomaly. For starters the countries that send a singer to represent them in what are considered the Pop Olympics do not even have to be European …… e.g. Russia and Australia are amongst the 40 odd nations to participate. And you certainly do not have to possess a ounce of musical talent as in its 60 year history it has pumped out more really horrible pop songs than anyone else, and despite all the money and talent thrown out it, Eurovision persists in keeping alive all these dire dated styles of music that never deserved to be born in the first place. And the show goes on for ours and hours : o call it ‘camp’ would be a major understatement.
What you need is chutzpah, be totally outrageous, grin from ear to ear, wear a silly outfit and sing really loud (and not necessarily in tune). The trouble is it that it kind of casts a spell over the performers and even ex-participants seemed trapped into a lifetime of singing pure eurotrash. Like 40 year old Páll Óskar who once represented Iceland and now just cannot stop himself from singing a la Eurovision : just check out his latest video
P.S. Sometimes against all odds all the countries manage to vote a really talented act that has some how slipped in, Like in 2014 when bearded chanteuse Austrian Conchita Wurst stunned the crowds with her big campy ballad ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’ and her very glamorous sparkly sheaf dress making that year the gayest show ever.
