Eurovision Looms

Well, it’s a new year, and the annual spectacle of Eurovision is on the horizon. Last night, we were treated (if that’s the word) to the selection process of the Dutch entry. This year, the Dutch banner is being lofted by a three-man band called the 3JS, whose main claim to fame seems to be that they hail from Volendam.

Last night, the Dutch TV viewing public (including Martin and I) were subjected – I think that is the correct term – to the 3JS performing five of their songs, from which one would be selected by the public to be the official Dutch entry to Eurovision 2011.

Dear lord, but it was truly dire… I honestly think that if you sat yourself down to pick five songs that you, in your heart of hearts, believed had not a snowball’s chance in hell of being the winner of any Eurovision contest in its long and chequered history, let alone Eurovision 2011, then these five songs would be the result.

The schadenfreude of seeing the judges desperately trying not to say that the songs were utter crap as potential Eurovision entries was truly wondrous to behold. It was car-crash television at its finest.

This is the winning entry. Judge for yourself. To give the song credit, this was the last song, and the only decent stab at what Eurovision demands (you really don’t want to experience the others). However, the Netherlands has failed to qualify for the Eurovision final for the past six years running. This song is not going to change that.

If this wins Eurovision, I’ll eat my hat.