Eurovision 2016 is on its way, with the annual songfest taking place in Stockholm on May 10, 12 and 14.
But with all of this year’s 42 songs now chosen, who’ll be mopping up the glory – and who’ll be staring at the scoreboard in dismay?
Well, we’ve listened to all of the entries, and we can give you some idea of exactly what’s coming your way when they take to the stage in the Swedish capital.
We’ve now moved on to the automatic finalists – beginning with a country who are hoping for their first win since 1977…
FRANCE – J’ai Cherche by Amir
Who’s the act? Amir Haddad was born in France (to Tunisian and Moroccan-Spanish Jewish parents) but has actually been living in Israel since he was eight after his family emigrated (or made aliyah, as it’s known) there in 1992. He sang in synagogue as a child but found fame as an adult appearing on the show Khokav Nolad (basically the Israeli version of American Idol) – as well as finishing third in the French version of The Voice in 2014. Oh, and he used to be a dentist before a music career beckoned. A singing dentist perhaps?
What’s the song? France have a tendency to take this whole Eurovision business quite seriously and send some kind of sincere winsome ballad (ok, not every year but quite often) – but they’ve clearly had a chance of heart because Amir’s song is the complete opposite – upbeat, modern, handclap-tastic and impossible not to tap your tootsies along to. In short, it’s the best French entry in years – yes, even better than that song about facial hair they send in 2014.
And the video? A rather touching story of young people attempting to achieve their ambitions in ballet, martial arts and the like – and succeeding some years later. All interspersed with Amir singing and attempting to stake his claim as the smiliest Eurovision contender of all time. He may well be on to something.
Sample lyrics: (English translation): ‘You gave me the will to be myself/Gave a meaning to my questions/You have killed the fear that was sleeping here/That was sleeping here, in my arms…’
What are its chances? France is one of those countries like the UK that a) automatically qualifies for the final every year based on their financial contribution and b) used to do quite well in Eurovision but has slipped back a bit of late – in fact it’s been 39 years sinEurovision Song Contest 2016 preview: Here’s what to expect from France’