| Eurovision Song Contest News - 2009 Moscow, Russia 

Ben Gray

Hey there, thanks for dropping by. I'm Ben, from Hertfordshire, ("hart-fud-sheer" for the foreigners,) which is close to London in the United Kingdom. I am a college student in E-Media & Games Development, where I work with 3D graphics and animation, produce and direct my own short films and study the theory and practice of the digital arts and the creation of video games. It's a very exciting and fun career path to be following and I aspire to run my own development studio in the future.
One of my current projects is a short film that blends 3D animation and live-action film together, re-inventing the legends of Atlantis and their rise back into the world. It features "Invincible," the 2006 Swedish entry! My main current project is an entirely 3D film giving a flying tour or a simulation ride, if you like, of a planet I have created myself. Its scenery is amazing and I plan to have the film released sometime in the summer.

I'm still fairly new to Eurovision - only known about it since 2005, and only followed it since 2007. Unfortunately, my country is stuck in a bubble of nostalgia, ignorance and hypocrisy when it comes to this wonderful event (and many other things too) but I see past those scornful fools. One big reason I love Eurovision is - shock horror - music! I am very passionate about music, but not in a way that makes me want to play an instrument, if you know what I mean.
Eurovision proper and all the pre-selections are a treasure chest of great songs, in an eclectic range of styles. The culture and the languages of each proud nation of Europe oozing through each beat and flowing through every note, whether or not it leads to a key change! Then of course there's the show. The incredible stages, the ocean of waving flags, the songs we've all grown to love (and hate!) in the months leading up to the night, the impressive (or sometimes just downright silly) choreography, the singing, the dancing, the fireworks, I just love it all, and yet I am part of what seems like a rare breed..
Straight male Eurovision fans!

If you'd like to contact me, please visit my MySpace profile and send me a private message.
myspace.com/bluerush7

My points for 2009:
Also with a brief comment on each song.

12p: SWITZERLAND - Lovebugs - The Highest Heights (Refined)
10p: CYPRUS - Christina Metaxa - Firefly (Inspiring)
08p: ICELAND - Yohanna - Is It True? (Heartfelt)
07p: FRANCE - Patricia Kaas - S'il Fallait Le Faire (Breathtaking)
06p: UNITED KINGDOM - Jade Ewen - My Time (Beautiful)
05p: MALTA - Chiara - What If We (Grand)
04p: GERMANY - Alex Swings, Oscar Sings - Miss Kiss Kiss Bang (Fun)
03p: NORWAY - Alexander Rybak - Fairytale (Impressive)
02p: ESTONIA - Urban Symphony - Randajad (Captivating)
01p: AZERBAIJAN - AySel & Arash - Always (Enthusiastic)

and the rest...
11th: Andorra (Cheery)
12th: Portugal (Warm)
13th: Lithuania (Charming)
14th: Denmark (Credible)
15th: Spain (Strong)
16th: Finland (Nostalgic)
17th: The Netherlands (Catchy)
18th: Sweden (Mad)
19th: Israel (Sweet)
20th: Armenia (Consistent)
21st: Turkey (Simple)
22nd: Albania (Pleasant)
23rd: Ukraine (BOM!)
24th: Bosnia & Herzegovina (Spiritual)
25th: Belgium (Pretentious)
26th: Ireland (Basic)
27th: Hungary (Okay)
28th: Greece (Empty)
29th: Poland (Plain)
30th: Belarus (Grating)
31st: Slovenia (Better to watch)
32nd: Montenegro (Meh)
33rd: Serbia (Amusing)
34th: Latvia (Not catchy)
35th: FYR Macedonia (Annoying)
36th: Romania (Tacky)
37th: Croatia (Unreaching)
38th: Moldova (.....)
39th: Slovakia (Awkward)
40th: Bulgaria (Horrible)
41st: Russia (Even worse)
42nd: Czech Republic (Stupid)
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My points for 2008:

12: ICELAND - Euroband - This Is My Life
10: SWITZERLAND - Paolo Meneguzzi - Era Stupendo
08: NORWAY - Maria Haukaas Storeng - Hold On, Be Strong
07: POLAND - Isis Gee - For Life
06: PORTUGAL - Vania Fernandes - Senhora Do Mar (Negras Aguas)
05: FRANCE - Sebastien Tellier - Divine
04: UKRAINE - Ani Lorak - Shady Lady
03: UNITED KINGDOM - Andy Abraham - Even If
02: ISRAEL - Boaz Mauda - The Fire In Your Eyes
01: MALTA - Morena - Vodka / TURKEY - Mor Ve Otesi - Deli

My points for 2007:

12: GEORGIA - Sopho Khavalshi - Visionary Dream
10: BULGARIA - Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankoulov - Water
08: FINLAND - Hanna Pakarinen - Leave Me Alone
07: CYPRUS - Evridiki - Comme Ci, Comme Ca
06: ICELAND - Eirikur Hauksson - Valentine Lost
05: SWITZERLAND - DJ Bobo - Vampires Are Alive
04: ESTONIA - Gerli Padar - Partners In Crime
03: SLOVENIA - Alenka Gotar - Cvet Z Juga
02: RUSSIA - Serebro - Song #1
01: AUSTRIA - Eric Papilaya - Get A Life (Get Alive)

My top 5 songs of 2006: (But I wasn't paying attention this year.)

12: NORWAY - Christine Guldbrandsen - Alvedansen (I LOVE THIS LADY.)
10: SWEDEN - Carola - Invincible
08: GREECE - Anna Vissi - Everything
07: MALTA - Fabrizio Faniello - I Do
06: BELGIUM - Kate Ryan - Je T'Adore