Latvia - Heartbeat - Justs

Digital Release Image

15 - 132 pts / 8 - 132 in semi 2

Latvia is represented in Stockholm bu Justs (Justs Sirmais) who won the Latvian Supernova preselection final.
His song Heartbeat is written by last years Latvian Eurovision singer Aminata, who brought the country back in the Eurovision final (and top 10) for the first time in seven years

A new version was made for Eurovision and the single release, it has less backing vocals and a slightly different mix than the original Supernova version.
Justs released Heartbeat as a digital single through most of the digitessen on Februari 3 (Aminata Music).
An acoustic version and a piano (ballad) version can be found on Justs Tubestation.

12 remixes and counting

DRI Remix EP

Auntie Aminata has taught the boy well, just like her own Love Injected, Justs' Heartbeat comes in an avalanche of remixes.
A collection of seven remixes was released on April 10 through Aminata Music.
Two Makree remixes were released on April 19.
Another remix (Kriss Tap) was released on April 29.
The Matthew Nagle remix was released on May 13
The Rezarin mix was released on May 20. (Soundcloud members get a free download)
All remixes have been released through digital stores (Aminata Music/Micrec)
You can listen to most remixes through Micrec's Tubestation (Record label).
All remixes in one digital release are available at DoReMi.

A promo single titled Justs To Be Heard is issued, it has three songs:
1. Heartbeat
2. Fly Away
3. Have It All
The digital release To Be Heard only has two tracks: Fly Away and Have It All.

Picture from Soundcloud

Versions
Heartbeat - Eurovision version
- digital release, Stockholm 2CD
Heartbeat - original Supernova version
- on Supernova website
Heartbeat - 7th Heaven radio edit
Heartbeat - 7th Heaven club mix
Heartbeat - (Ex) Da Bass radio edit
Heartbeat - (Ex) Da Bass extended remix
Heartbeat - Dween remix
Heartbeat - Dween extended remix
Heartbeat - Ricky Mears Shindo remix
- all above remixes digital releases (on one EP)
Heartbeat - Makree remix
Heartbeat - Makree remix radio edit
- seperate digital release (2 mixes)
Heartbeat - Kriss Tap remix
- seperate digital release (1 mix)
Heartbeat - Rezarin remix
- seperate digital release
Heartbeat - Matthew Nagle remix
- seperate digital release
Heartbeat - Unplugged version
- videoclip
Heartbeat - Piano version
- videoclip
Heartbeat - karaoke version

- on the official karaoke album (digital release)

7th Heaven are U.K. remixers Jon Dixon and Andy Wetson. Next to helping out superstars like David Bowie, Agnetha Fältskog, Katy Perry, Kylie Minogue and Ariana Grande they have remixed several Eurovision entries in the past years: Heroes, Euphoria, Unbreakable, Je Ne sais Quoi  and withdrawn entry We Don't Wanna Put In. 
They also gave this years entries of Dami Im and Nicky Byrne a dancefloor makeover.

Charts
Sweden top 100: 80

Kriss Tap remix DRI

Links and sources
LTV Supernova pages
Justs FB, Youtube
Thanks to STHLM mix (see comments)

These Latvian entries also ran
2015 - Aminata
2014 - Aarzemnieki
2013 - PeR
2012 - Anmary
2011 - Musiqq
2010 - Aisha
2009 - Intars Busulis

Sweden - If I Were Sorry - Frans

Digital release image

5 - 261 pts / not in semi

Frans is the winner of the 15th Modern Melodifestivalen. He represented the host country with his song If I Were Sorry.
The song is written by Oscar Fogelström, Michael Saxell, Fredrik Andersson and Frans himself (Frans Jeppsson Wall).

If I Were Sorry can be found on the Melodifestivalen 2016 2CD (see below) and has also been released as a digital single through Cardiac records.
A set of remixes was released on April 22
A second set of mixes were released on May 27.(digital, see versions below).

No cd single has been issued, promotional items include a USB card and a postcard most of us won't get hold of anyway.
It's the first time since 1960 there is no physical release available to the public of the Swedish entry.
Sony music/Columbia France have issued a 1-track promo cdr for radio promotion.

Frans had his first taste of fame in 2006 when he had a Number 1 hit at the age of seven with Who's Da' Man. This was a tribute to football star Zlatan Ibrahimović which he recorded with Swedish rock band Elias.
Frans and Elias recorded another footie song Fotbollsfest in 2008 and that also was a Number 1 hit in Sweden.

Remixes DRI

Versions
If I Were Sorry
- Stockholm 2CD, digital single
If I Were Sorry - Syn Cole remix
If I Were Sorry - Marcus Layton remix
If I Were Sorry - Lyar remix
- digital release, Syn Cole remix also on 3CD Club Sounds Summer 2016 (Sony)

If I Were Sorry - Reggaeton remix
If I Were Sorry - Skinny Days remix
If I Were Sorry - Jonnas Voght Reggaeton extended remix
- digital release, Spotify names Sebastian Voght for the reaggaeton mixes, which is probably correct.
If I Were Sorry - Karaoke
- on official karaoke album (digital release)
More remixes are floating around the web, but only the above ones were officially released.

More remixes DRI

Charts
Two weeks before the contest Frans entered the Swedish top 100 at Number 1. The song went platinum in just two weeks, so many saw the victory coming. Double platinum was reached in 4 weeks, triple after 7, quadruple after 11.
Sweden top 100: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 4, 5, 13, 15, 21, 24, 10, 23, 33, 39, 43, 49, 56, 62, 70, 70, 76, 79, 87, 92, -
Sweden Digilistan: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 4, 5, 13, 15, 21, 24, 10, 23, 33, 39, 43, 49, 56, -
In the international charts Sweden wins the chart race the week after the contest.
Netherlands: 34, 36, 45, 45, 53, 75, 75, 80, -
Belgium (FL): 44, 36, 38, 34, -
Germany top 100: 12, 20, 22, 26, 28, 25, 24, 21, 22, 25, 23, 26, 39, 45, 46, 56, 60, 75, 75, 86, 78, 93
France top 200: 36, 128, 157, 178, -, 135, 184, 147, -
Ireland top 100: 47, 52, 70, -
U.K. top 100: 61, -
Switzerland top 75/100*: 25, 72, 74, -, 74, 64, 47, 44, 38, 37, 51, 60, 58, 61, 74, 65, 75, -, 77*, -, 99
Austria top 75: 2, 4, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 16, 20, 25, 35, 41, 46, 51, 58, 62, 69, -
Spain top 50: 25, -
If I Were Sorry also charts in various lists in Croatia, Poland, Lithuania....
* The Swiss charts changed from a top 75 to a top 100 on October 9.

Coverversions
One time Melodifestivalen entrant Dinah Nah (Make Me (La LaLa), 2015) has recorded a coverversion of If I Were Sorry.
The track is available as a digital single through Southman Productions.

A Swedish/English version was recorded by Dansbandkungen (Markus Eriksson). It was released as a digital single through Atenzia records. Actually only the title of the song Om Ja Va Lessen is sung in Swedish, the rest of the song is in English. He also recorded Bada Nakna and Rik from this years Melodifestivalen.

A dance coverversion was made by DJ Roody ft Jo MK. It's available at all your regular download stores.

Melodifestivalen 2016

The Melodifestivalen 2016 CD was released on Februari 28 and includes all 28 songs. (including the disqualified Anna Book Song)  (Warner Music Sweden 5054196966928)
See tracklist below.

The official Melodifestivalen CD has been the #1 selling album of the year in Sweden every year since 2007 but the 2016 edition got stuck at #3 (behind Justin Bieber and Kent)
In 2004, 2005 and 2006 it was #2, in 2003 it was #4, in 2002 it was #13

Below you can find statistics of all the chart activity of MF entries since the 'modern' MF was introduced. 

Links and sources
Frans FB
SVT Melodifestivalen pages

Swedens Heroes and Heroins of the recent past.
2015 - Måns Zelmerlöw
2014 - Sanna Nielsen
2013 - Robin Stjernberg
2012 - Loreen
2011 - Eric Saade
2010 - Anna Bergendahl
2009 - Malena Ernman

Melodifestivalen 2016 Tracklist

CD 1:

1. Bada Nakna - Samir & Viktor

2. Mitt Guld - Pernilla Andersson

3. Ain't No Good - Mimi Werner

4. Rik - Albin & Mattias

5. Himmel För Två - Anna Book (Disqualified)

6. Constellation Prize - Robin Bengtsson *

7. Don't Worry - Ace Wilder

8. We Are Your Tomorrow - David Lindgren

9. 100% - Victor och Natten

10. Hunger - Molly Pettersson Hammar

11. I Will Wait - Isa

12. Faller - Krista Siegfrids

13. Håll Mitt Hjärta Hårt - Patrik Isaksson/Tommy Nilsson/Uno Svenningsson

14. Save Me - Wiktoria

CD 2:

1. Kizunguzungu - SaRaha

2. You Carved Your Name - Swingfly (feat Helena Gutarra)

3. Weight Of The World - SMILO

4. Kom Ut Som En Stjärna - After Dark

5. My Heart Wants Me Dead - Lisa Ajax *

6. Put Your Love On Me - Boris René

7. Human - Oscar Zia

8. Runaways - Eclipse

9. Rollercoaster - Dolly Style *

10. Du Tar Mig Tillbaks - Martin Stenmarck

11. Killer Girl - Linda Bengtzing

12. If I Were Sorry - Frans

13. Håll Om Mig Hårt - Panetoz

14. Youniverse - Molly Sandén
* Also released on cdsingle

MF In the charts
So Melodifestivalen is big business and it makes Lotta Svenska Kronor, but it's good to see a good part of money going to good production of both the TV shows and the records. And a large part of the often recordbreaking televoting revenue always goes to charity, åååååh....

Below are the chart results of Melodifestivalen and Eurovision hits in the Swedish top 60 since 2002, when the 32 song MF was introduced.
In a sudden change, 2010 saw only a few entries released on cdsingle, and it showed decline in the number of MF hits.
Since a few years downloads are the main factor in  the Swedish charts so several Eurovision hits chart without being released on cdsingle. Some only chart one or two weeks just after the contest.

* 2014: The official charts in Sweden have gone a bit crap, with Spotify and other steamers as a much too infuential source. This list is still the 'official chart' but we'll feature the digilistan as well.
The Digilistan is now the main (digital) sales based Swedish chart.
Changes in 2015: The MF has only 28 entries and the official charts have gone up to a top 100.
Changes in 2016: The method for the official Swedish charts has changed again, now it is almost the same as the digilistan.

Melodifestivalen (and Eurovision) in the Swedish charts
2019 top 100: 21 MF hits - 10 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 1 Eurovision hit

2018 top 100: 20 MF hits - 7 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hits - 10 Eurovision hits
2017 top 100: 21 MF hits - 6 top 10 hits - 0 #1 hits - 9 Eurovision hits
2016 top 100: 26 MF hits - 9 top 10 hits - 2 #1 hits - 12 Eurovision hits

* 2016 Digilistan top 60 - 17 MF hits - 9 top 10 hits - 2 #1 hits

2015 top 100: 19 MF hits - 6 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 6 Eurovision hits

* 2015 Digilistan top 60: 22 MF hits - 9 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 14 Eurovision hits

2014: 17 MF hits - 5 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 6 Eurovision hits

* 2014 Digilistan top 60 2014: 22 MF hits - 10 top 10 hits - 2 #1 hits - 18 Eurovision hits

2013: 22 MF hits - 6 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 4 Eurovision hits

2012: 17 MF hits - 7 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 4 Eurovision hits

2011: 18 MF hits - 7 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 2 Eurovision hits

2010: 28 MF hits - 10 top 10 hits - 3 #1 hits - 9 Eurovision hits

2009: 28 MF hits - 12 top 10 hits - 2 # 1 hits - 16 Eurovision hits

A record breaking 15 Eurovision hits in the week after the contest, most on downloads alone

2008: 30 MF hits - 14 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 9 Eurovision hits

2007: 28 MF hits - 10 top 10 hits - 2 #1 hits - 7 Eurovision hits

2006: 23 MF hits -10 top 10 hits - 3 #1 hits - 6 Eurovision hits

2005: 23 MF hits - 9 top 10 hits - 4 #1 hits - 3 Eurovision hits

2004: 22 MF hits - 8 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 3 Eurovision hits

2003 : 17 MF hits - 8 top 10 hits - 3 #1 hits - 2 Eurovision hits

2002 : 13 MF hits - 4 top 10 hits - 1 #1 hit - 3 Eurovision hits

You can check your Swedish charts weekly at Sverige Topplistan and here's the Digilistan.

Israel - Made Of Stars - Hovi Star

Promo cds, pic brom BeaRecords

14 - 135 pts / 7 - 147 in semi 2

Hovi Star (חובי סטאר) won the Israeli preselection with the song Made Of Stars.
Made Of Stars is written by Doron Medalie (דורון מדלי‎) who also gave us last years Golden Boy.
In the preselection HaKokhav HaBa L’Eirovizion (הַכּוֹכָב הַבָּא), the song was also performed by Nofar Salman.

A new version was recorded for Eurovision.
Made Of Stars has been turned from a more uptempo song into a ballad now.
Watch and listen here

A 1-track promo is issued.

Remix DRI

The  new ballad version was released as a digital single but seems to be replaced at several download shops with the Eurovision edit.
The Eurovision edit cuts a bar from the intro.
Made Of Stars (ESC version) is released as a digital single on March 30 through the usual sources.
See versions below.

Sagi Kariv Remixes
A remix was released through several Israeli download shops and through iTunes on April 10, but it's under Hovi's Hebrew name. (see comments) You'll also find the single version under חובי סטאר.
You can also listen through Hovi Star's Youtube.
An extended version can be heard at Sagi Kariv's Youtube.
cds of the remix are unofficial, fake, counterfeit. Avoid.

Charts:
Sweden top 100: 93

ESC edit Digital release image

Versions
Made Of Stars - Eurovision version
- Stockholm 2CD, digital single, 
Made Of Stars - longer intro version
- videoclip, digita single, 1-track promo
Made Of Stars - Sagi Kariv remix
- digital release
Made Of Stars - Sagi Kariv extended remix
- Sagi Kariv Youtube
Made Of Stars - Original version
- IBA website
Made Of Stars - Eurovision karaoke
- on official karaoke album (digital release)

Links and sources
Thanks to Jean-François
Hovi Star FB
Listen to the Israeli 4 finalists here at e.Walla

First digital release image

These are the recent entries for Israel
2015 - Nadav Guedj
2014 - Mei Finegold
2013 - Moran Mazor
2012 - Izabo
2011 - Dana International
2010 - Harel Skaat
2009 - Noa and Mira Awad

Ireland - Sunlight - Nicky Byrne

Digital Release Image from Nicky Byrne's Facebook

15 - 46 pts in semi 2

RTÉ appointed former Westlife Nicky Byrne to boost Irelands reputation at the Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm.
The artist and song, Sunlight, were disclosed on Januari 13.

Sunlight was written by Wayne Hector, Ronan Hardiman and Nicky Byrne himself.
Wayne Hector worked with Byrne before, as he wrote most of Westlife's No. 1 hits. Ronan Hardiman wrote music for Michael Flatleys dance shows.

The Sunlight single was released through digital stores on Februari 12.
It has the radio version, full version and instrumental (full version)

A 1-track record company promo (Radio edit) is issued for radio promotion.
In Stockholm a promo version of the Sunlight album (see below) was used for promotion.

7th Heaven
Two remixes by 7th Heaven have been made.
You can listen to both at Nicky's Youtube:
7th Heaven radio edit
7th Heaven Club remix
The remixes were released to digital stores on April 20.
7th Heaven are U.K. remixers Jon Dixon and Andy Wetson. Next to helping out superstars like David Bowie, Agnetha Fältskog, Katy Perry, Kylie Minogue and Ariana Grande they have remixed several Eurovision entries in the past years Heroes, Euphoria, Unbreakable, Je Ne sais Quoi  and withdrawn entry We Don't Wanna Put In. They also gave this years entries of Dami Im and Justs a makeover.

DRI Sunlight Remixes

Nicky Byrne was reported to work on his solo album for a few years now, and it finally saw the light of day on May 6.
It is titled Sunlight, just like the single. (Out on Universal 54789319)
The album enters the Irish charts at No. 8.

Versions
Sunlight - radio edit
- Stockholm 2CD, radio promo
Sunlight - full version
- CD Sunlight
Sunlight - instrumental (full version)
- digital release

Sunlight - 7th Heaven radio edit
Sunlight - 7th Heaven club mix
- remixes digital releases
Sunlight - Eurovision Karaoke
- on the official karaoke collection (digital)
Charts
Irish top 100: 68 (in Februari)

Sunlight, the album, pic from Nicky Byrne Facebook

Links and sources
Nicky Byrne Website (new) FB
Watch the Sunlight lyric video at RTÉ's Youtube channel
RTÉ news article revealing Nicky.

Sunlight Album tracklist

1. Sunlight (full version)
2. Explosion
3. Song for Lovers
4. Pop Machine
5. Still the One
6. Some Things Always Seem To Last
7. Finishing Line
8. Broadway Show
9. Thank You
10. Pretty

The Irish entries of the past few years
2015 - Molly Sterling
2014 - Can-linn ft Casey Smith
2013 - Ryan Dolan
2012 - Jedward the second
2011 - Jedward
2010 - Niamh Kavanagh
2009 - Sinead Mulvey and Black Daisy

Georgia - Midnight Gold - Nika Kocharov and Young Georgian Lolitaz

20 - 104 pts / 9 - 123 pts in semi 2

The band Young Georgian Lolitaz will represent Georgia in Stockholm.
The song chosen on Februari 15 is titled Midnight Gold, written by Kote Kalandadze with Thomas G:Son.

Midnight Gold is released as a digital single on March 30 through the usual sources. (As Nika Kocharov and Young Georgian Lolitaz).

Promo

A promo has been issued. It includes audio and Quicktime video of Midnight Gold. It may not play on all CD players, but it works on PC and DVD players.

The band was founded in 2000 but has been changing members several times. They have lived and worked in London in the 00's and their music (and look...) can almost be qualified as Britpop.

YGL today are Nika Kocharov (vocals), Gia Iashvili  (bass, vocals), Nick Davitashvili (guitar, keyboard) and Dima Oganesian (drums).

A national final with five songs was held to select the entry for Eurovision. The songs were:
Midnight Gold
Sugar And Milk
Right Or Wrong
Pain In My Heart
Weagree
The songs are no longer available at the TV GE site but Weagree is at soundcloud.

Digital release image

Versions
Midnight Gold - ESC version
- digital release, Stockholm 2CD, promo
Midnight Gold - first version
- videoclip
Midnight Gold - karaoke version (Actually instrumental)
- on the official karaoke album (digital release)
There was a lyric change. On the studio versions our Nika grabs a cigarette out of the bag. At Eurovision (semi and final) he grabbed some Farmer (s) Gold. It's a tobacco brand of sorts.



Links and sources
Young Georgian Lolitaz FB and Soundcloud
Nika Korachov FB
Thanks to Marek

Pic from YGL Facebook

Find out more about Georgia's recent entries
2015 - Nina Sublatti
2014 - The Shin and Mariko
2013 - Sopho and Nodi
2012 - Anri Joxadze
2011 - Eldrine
2010 - Sopho Nizharadze
2009 - Stephane and 3G (withdrawn entry)

Let's Get Physical: CDs in the shops

Here's a quick list of (just) the physical goodies. CD singles, compilations, albums and what have you.
The ones listed are available in the shops, mostly local/national.
Click on the country's names to go to more detailed information.

CDsingles
Croatia: A 2-track cdsingle is available in Croatia.
Ukraine: Jamala released a 5-track CD EP, available in Ukraine.
Australia's entry is released in Australia on a 2-track cdsingle.
Germany's entry is out now on cdsingle including two versions of Ghost.
Estonia's Jüri Pootsmann has a cdsingle available with a fanbook and EP.
Details on promo only singles can be found in each country's section.

National Finals
Hungary, Iceland, Sweden and Denmark don't disappoint and continue releasing their National Final output on CD.
Iceland also has some interesting releases tying in with the 30th anniversary of the country's Eurovision adventures.

The Official CD
The 2CD with all 43 entries is out since on April 22. (Universal). The DVD set (3 discs) is on the cards for June 17.
The karaoke album is only available as a digital release.

Artists albums
Switzerland: The CD version of Rykka's album Beatitudes is released in Canada
Finland: Sandhja's album Freedom Venture is out on April 29.
Ireland: Nicky Byrne's long awaited solo album is released on May 6.
Jamie Lee Kriewitz (Germany) released her album Berlin on April 29.
Spain: Barei re-releases her album Throw The Dice now including Say Yay!
Netherlands: Douwe Bob released his new album Fool Bar (CD and LP) on May 6.
Austria's Eurovision entry can be found on Zoë's album Debut, released October 2015. A deluxe (re-issue) version is out now.
Donny Montell (Lithuania) has released his new album #BLCK in April.
France: Amir released his new CD Au Cœur De Moi on April 29.
Poland's entry was released on Michał Szpak's 2015 CD Byle Być Sobą.
Italy: The original Italian version of Francesca's Michielin's Eurovision entry is available on the CD di20are, a re-issued version of her album di20.

Quick Links to each country's page

Semi final 1

Finland - Greece - Moldova - Hungary - Croatia - Netherlands - Armenia - San Marino - Russia - Czech Republic - Cyprus - Austria - Estonia - Azerbaijan - Montenegro - Iceland - Bosnia & Herzegovina - Malta

Semi final 2

Latvia - Poland - Switzerland - Israel - Belarus - Serbia - Ireland - Macedonia - Lithuania - Australia - Slovenia - Bulgaria - Denmark - Ukraine - Norway - Georgia - Belgium - Albania - Romania (OUT)

Already in the final

France - Germany - Italy - Spain - Sweden - United Kingdom

Belgium - What's The Pressure - Laura Tesoro.

2nd digital release image (April 15)

10 - 181 pts / 3 - 274 pts in semi 2

19 year old Laura Tesoro represents Belgium at the 2016 contest. Her song, What's The Pressure, won the 5 song national Final Eurosong organised by the Flemish broadcaster VRT één.
What's The Pressure is written by Sanne Putseys, Louis Favre, Birsen Uçar and Yannick Werther.
Putseys and Favre worked together in the popular Belgian band Selah Sue.

What's The Pressure, Laura's third single,  has already been released (digital) and entered the Flemish charts at 41, going to 2 the next week.
A 1 track promo in a press folder was used for the press in Stockholm.

What's The Difference?
A new version was recorded for Eurovision.
The ESC version (2:53) is a little bit shorter, deleted a bar at 1:50 and has some changed lyrics round the 2 minute mark. Nothing spectacular of course, but that's how we roll at the Stockholm Collection.
The original version (2:59) can also be found on Belgian hits CD MNM Big Hits 2016 Vol. 1. (Sony Music). And our Laura even got her picture on the front so Justin Bieber is in good company (pic below).
The new Eurovision version is on the Stockholm 2CD.
Now get working on that Club Mix.....

1st Digital Release Image

Versions
What's The Pressure - Eurovision version
- Stockholm 2CD
What's The Pressure - first single version
- first digital release, MNM Big Hits CD. 
What's The Pressure - karaoke
- Official karaoke album (digital)

Charts
Belgium (Flemish charts) 41, 2, 11, 8, 9, 14, 22, 23, 27, 30, 44, 38, 37, -, re: 49, 33, 2, 3, 17, 21, 21, 32, -, 49
Sweden top 100: 82, -
France top 200: 103, -
Austria top 75: 75, -

Links and sources
Laura Tesoro FB
VRT één Eurosong pages
What's The Pressure at iTunes
Official video

MNM Big Hits CD has 1st version.

Belgiums recent Eurovision adventures:
2015 - Loïc Nottet
2014 - Axel Hirsoux
2013 - Roberto Bellarosa
2012 - Iris
2011 - Witloof Bay
2010 - Tom Dice
2009 - Copycat

Switzerland - The Last Of Our Kind - Rykka

Promo cds

18 - 28 pts in semi 2

Swiss-Canadian singer Rykka has won the preselection in Switzerland with the song The Last Of Our Kind written by Christina Maria Rieder (Rykka herself), Mike James, Jeff Dawson and Warne Livesey.
The song was submitted by German language broadcaster SRF after it was selected from an online voting pre-selection.

The Last Of Our Kind was already released as a digital single on Januari 8. (Little Jig Records).
A remix, the Sonny Vice & Mark David Remode, was released on March 25.

A promo cdsingle with three tracks is issued.
1. The Last Of Our Kind (original)
2. The Last Of Our Kind (Sonny Vice & Mark David Remode)
3. Movies (Acoustic version)


Beatitudes
A slightly longer version of TLOOK was released on Rykka's album Beatitudes (Cordova Bay Records, CBR 1452). The album was released on CD in Canada. Digital is available in most territories.

Album Beatitudes, pic nicked from Discogs

Digital release image

Versions
The Last Of Our Kind - single version (ESC edit)
- digital release, stockholm 2CD, promo

The Last Of Our Kind - Sonny Vice & Mark David Remode

- remix digital release, promo cds

The Last Of Our Kind - album version
- on CD Beatitudes
The Last Of Our Kind - karaoke
- on the official karaoke album (digital release)
An acoustic version performed for Radio Munot can be heard here at Soundcloud

Links and sources
Rykka website and FB
SRF Eurovision pages

Remix DRI

Find out more about these Swiss entries
2015 - Mélanie René
2014 - SEBalter
2013 - Takasa
2012 - Sinplus
2011 - Anna Rossinelli
2010 - Michael von der Heide
2009 - Lovebugs

Greece - Utopian Land - Argo

promo cds

16 - 44 pts in semi 1

Argo, ethno hiphoppers formerly (or also) known as Europond were flying the flag for Greece in Stockholm.
Their song Utopian Land was premiered on March 10..
Watch and listen here

Utopian Land is released as a digital single on March 30 through the usual sources.
The song is performed in English and a dialect called Pontic Greek.
The song is written by band member Vladimiros Sofianides.
A promo single is issued.

Argo in Stockholm were Christina Lachana, Maria Venetikidou, Vladimiros Sofianidis, Kostas Topouzis, Ilias Kesidis and Alekos Papadopoulos.

Digital release image

Versions:
Utopian Land - original version
- Stockholm 2CD, digital single, promo
Utopian Land - karaoke
- on the official karaoke album (digital release)
The intro on the digital single version is shorter than the 2CD version, about two milliseconds....

Links and sources
Argo/Europond FB in Greek and Argo FB in English
ERT press reveal
ERT Eurovision FB
ERT Eurovision pages

13 turned out to be an unlucky number for Greece. After reaching the final 12 times in a row (that's all since semi's were introduced) the country hasn't made it to the saturday show this year.
Check out these Greek Eurovision entries

Picture from ERT

2015 - Maria Elena Kyriakou
2014 - Freaky Fortune ft. Riskykidd
2013 - Koza Mostra ft. Aganthonas Iakovidis
2012 - Eleftheria Eleftheriou
2011 - Loucas Yiorcas and Stereo Mike
2010 - Giorgos Alkaios and Friends
2009 - Sakis Rouvas

Norway - Icebreaker - Agnete

press folder image

13 - 63 pts in semi 2

Agnete (Agnete Kristin Johnsen) won the Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix and will take her Icebreaker to Stockholm.
Icebreaker is written by Agnete Johnsen herself, Gabriel Alares and Ian Curnow.

Agnete's star started to rise with teen band the Blacksheeps. The won the Nordic version of the Junior Eurovision in 2008 with the song Oro Jaska, Beana (the Sami title translates as Be Quiet, Dog.) The song was a no. 1 hit in Norway.
In 2011 the band went on to the grown ups Melodi Grand Prix.
Their song Dance Tonight ended 2nd behind Stella Mwangi's Haba Haba.

As far as I know Agnete is the Eurovision singer born most North ever. She was born in Nesseby at the beautiful Farangerfjorden.

promo cd single

Icebreaker was released as a digital single on Februari 2. (Aiko music)
A 1-track promo single in a press folder was issued.

Versions
Icebreaker - Origianl version
- Stockholm 2CD, digital single
Icebreaker - karaoke
- on the official karaoke collection (digital release)

Charts
Icebreaker enters the Norwegian charts at No. 11
Norway VG lista top 40: 11, 12, 23, 39, -

DRI Blacksheeps Dance Tonight

Links and sources
Special thanks to Camilla Sand and Espen Nystad at NRK
Agnete Johnsen FB and Website
NRK Eurovision and MGP pages

Some more Norwegian gems to check out
2015 - Mørland & Debrah Scarlett
2014 - Carl Espen
2013 - Margaret Berger
2012 - Tooji
2011 - Stella Mwangi
2010 - Didrik Solli-Tangen
2009 - Alexander Rybak

The Netherlands - Slow Down - Douwe Bob

Digital release image

11 - 153 pts / 5 - 197 pts in semi 1

The first singer for the 2016 Stockholm contest to be announced was Douwe Bob. (Douwe Bob Posthuma) for the Netherlands.
The song Slow Down was revealed and released (itunes) on March 4. Watch the video here.

The song is written by Jan Peter Hoekstra, Jeroen Overman, Matthijs van Duijvenbode and Douwe Bob himself.

Slow Down is included on Douwe Bob's new album Fool Bar, out on May 6 through Universal music.
The album is released on CD and LP.
(Universal CD: 0602547785886, LP: 0602547785909, Tracklist below)
The album enters the Dutch album top 100 at No. 4. in Eurovision week.

For the first time since 1961 no physical single or even a promo was issued for the Dutch entry. Bad record company!

There's Always Time For A Cocktail
Douwe Bob has opened a bar in Stockholm for Eurovision week, a new kind of promotion sure beating the old fashioned delegation parties. The bar is a meeting place for Eurovision stars and fans alike. Several of this years singers have been jamming on stage and there was as also a memorable show with The Common Linnets. The bar has a Facebook page too with some videos.
You can find the bar at Skanegatan 80.

Versions
Slow Down - single version
- Stockholm 2CD, digital single
Slow Down - karaoke
- on official karaoke collection (digital release)

Charts
Slow Down enters the Dutch top 100 at Number 49.
Netherlands sales top 100: 49, 62, 64, 64, 71, 71, 88, 80, 95, 34, 5, 23, 34, 47, 74, -
Sweden top 100: 96, -
Austria top 75: 65, -

Douwe Bob CD Pass It On

The Dutch audience knows Douwe Bob since he won The Best Singer-Songwriter TV talent show in 2012.

He has released two albums so far, with a third planned for Eurovision week.
2013's Born In A Storm includes his first hit Multicoloured Angels.
His second album Pass It On (2015) went to reach No. 1 on the Dutch album charts. It includes Hold Me, a duet with Anouk (of Birds fame). Hold me was a No. 2 hit, spending 20 weeks on the Dutch top 100.

I Didn't Know
And in the category "I Didn't Know", D' Bob's dad is Simon Posthuma of Seemon and Marijke fame. The duo had a #2 hit in 1972 with I Saw You (listen here) (also #17 in Belgium FL). I know I have that vinyl somewhere in my collection.
Simon Posthuma was the co-founder of Music and Art Collective The Fool, who did things for the Beatles, The Hollies, Eric Clapton and other 60's stars,  so I guess the new Douwe Bob LP Fool Bar is paying homage, nice. (The Fool wiki).

Links and sources
Douwe Bob website and FB
Douwe Bob The Bar FB
AVRO/TROS Songfestival website

More Dutch entries:
2015 - Trijntje Oosterhuis
2014 - Common Linnets
2013 - Anouk
2012 - Joan Franka
2011 - 3JS
2010 - Sieneke
2009 - De Toppers

Tracklist Fool Bar

1. Slow Down

2. How Lucky We Are

3. History

4. Settle Down

5. It Ain't Easy

6. Get Real

7. Jacob's Song

8. Cynic

9. A Damn Good Time

10. Take It Off

11. Black Jolene

12. Love On The Rocks

13. Wrote A Song For You (Bonus track)