Lisbon calling Ankara and Kiev

Country: Turkey

Performer: Kenan Doğulu

Song: Shake it up şekerim

Music by: Kenan Doğulu

Lyrics by: Kenan Doğulu

Review: With the exception of 2005, Turkey has been one of the countries that has contributed the most to the modernization of the Eurovision Song Contest, sending major stars to the competition with high quality pop songs.

This year they will be represented by Kenan Doğulu one of the most popular and influential musicians in the Turkish pop music industry. His song Shake it up şekerim brings to this year's contest an urban feel with nice ethnic sounds, very different from all the other competing songs.

Shake it up şekerim is prehaps the most contemporary song of the year, it might not be the most Eurovisionesque song but it certainly deserves a place in the final line-up.

I confess I didn't like it at first but now its one of my favourites... It might not be a winner but its still a nice effort from Turky.

***

Country: Ukraine

Performer: Verka Serduchka

Song: Dancing lasha tumbai

Music by: Andrei Danilko

Lyrics by: Andrei Danilko

Review: How can I say this... I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee this song!
I know this song is a bit crazy but that is exactly what makes Dancing lasha tumbai such a great Eurovision song. That and the fabulous Verka Serduchka off course.

There have been many comedy acts in recent years but this one seems to be the most original and funny of all, and if such songs are ever to win this would be a very nice choice.

Many fans say this kind of "trashy" songs are not worthy of a music event like the Eurovision Song Contest, but I think that this kind of acts are just what the contest needs.
This songs just makes us feel happy and wanna dance to it and that is what pop music is all about. Even if the songs are not that innocent in the end...
Verka is without a doubt the most interessanting contestant going to Helsinki.