News - Lithuania: Changes in national Eurovision selection | Eurovision Song Contest News - 2009 Moscow, Russia 

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Written by

Arvydas Makselis

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31/Oct 2008 at 07:45

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esctoday.com

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Lithuania: Changes in national Eurovision selection

LRT, the Lithuanian broadcaster, is trying a new approach to select their next representative in the Eurovision Song Contest. Jeronimas Milius' successor will be chosen through a talent show for the best Lithuanian song, Lietuvos dainu dainos.

Following Estonia's example who decided to turn Eurolaul (Euro-song) to Eesti Laul (Estonian song), Lithuania will be organising a talent show to choose the best Lithuanian song, this song will be sent to represent the country in the next Eurovision Song Contest.

An open call for local artists has been launched in Lithuania, ending next Monday. The participants have to be well established and experienced artists. Songs will be distributed to the artists and the winner of the show will be decided through televoting. This year, the Lithuanian preselection is not open to foreign composers and songs in Lithuanian are welcome and encouraged.

Some artists' names have already been revealed. Donatas Montvydas, the winner of the LRT duet show, who also competed in EDC preselection, Irena Starosaite a veteran local artist and the band Bix. Esctoday.com can now confirm that Aiste Pilvelyte and Ruta Sciogolevaite will be also competing for the ticket to Moscow.

 

 


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Max Raspail [36649]
Mon 3 Nov 2008 09:51:14

@ EuroSheep
You're right - you said it all on your own - so why did you react at all? I wasn't refering to you. And I didn't say things on a personal level... Did I wrote @ and a name behind? In this comment now I'm saying things on a personal level - to you.

And I'm sorry, but I DO think that Lithuania's entry in 2007 was way too subtle for all those who need the same old worn-out concept over and over again. The Charlotte Perrelli-Kate Ryan-Guri Schanke-etc.etc.-concept.
And I'm not judging that - of course, I think it's cheesy but everybody who has to do only a bit with music would tell you it's cheesy. I always thought people are loving these songs especially because of their kitsch-factor.
And I don't consider me as something better - I'm partly into these songs as well. Lena Philipsson with "It Hurts" was nice IMO, Olivia Lewis' "Vertigo", too...

And to finish: I'm not condescending at all. I'm lonely and totally fucked up. I'm sorry, but why should I be arrogant?


Stockholm calling [44413]
Sun 2 Nov 2008 17:32:40

ChrisP/Jonny
I agree with you on the 2007 song. Though a friend of mine who normally shares my taste and who hadn't heard any of the songs except ours prior to the final thought that the Lithuanian entry was the best one on the night!


Jonny K [46850]
Sun 2 Nov 2008 09:51:49

"I remember thinking as I was watching it "this song feels like it goes forever". Yes, you can argue about whether that SHOULD matter, but the fact is, the visual presentation of the song counts. The song is one I still listen to occasionally, but I can completely understand why it didn't get the votes. "

You took the words out of my mouth Chris! :D I do like the song now but on the night (I hadn't heard any songs apart from ours beforehand) I thought it would never end. In fact I had to take a phone call in the middle of it and I wasn't particularly bothered lol :D
Although yes it is a nice song, you just have to let it grow on you :) Its sounds like the sort of song you would hear on radio stations that play songs from the 70's and 80's and repeat the same songs over and over again :P


ChrisP . [42145]
Sun 2 Nov 2008 06:07:54

Their 2007 entry was ok. But they forgot something very important - it's the EuroVISION. The stage performance was somewhat off-puting in my mind. It was dull, and I remember thinking as I was watching it "this song feels like it goes forever". Yes, you can argue about whether that SHOULD matter, but the fact is, the visual presentation of the song counts. The song is one I still listen to occasionally, but I can completely understand why it didn't get the votes.

Surely there's a problem in Belgium if the best song that enters the contest is O Julissi. Having said that, everyone is entitled to their own view, and if someone liked it, more power them!


Euro Sheep [52112]
Sun 2 Nov 2008 00:31:21

of course, it was way too subtle for the big part of the ESC-fans who like the same old cheesy concept - Max Raspail

Wow, you're not condescending at all, are you!? :P You're right, Sweden would never send something like Laura and the Lovers - but Lithuania would. Just because it's my favourite entry doesn't mean I'm one of this seemingly 'mindless majority' you refer to. I too, also happen to like the 2007 and 1999 entries but songs like 2004 and 2006 just lead me to despair when it comes to this country.

Furthermore, the best song in the Belgian selection WON. "O Julissi" was my favourite followed by A Butterfly Mind and Sandrine.

I'm very aware you may not explicitly be referring to me in your comments but I believe I have the right to challenge what you have said on a personal level.


Max Raspail [36649]
Sat 1 Nov 2008 23:31:31

Lithuania is also among my favourite ESC nations...

And for sure, that's not because of this Swedish-styled cr'p... I'm sorry - did you see Laura's presentation? That's what I consider as really bad stage appearance, she was even worse than Gracia this year...
Sweden would never have sent "Little by little"...

In my opinion, their 2007 entry was the best one, a calm, beautiful and decent song... of course, it was way too subtle for the big part of the ESC-fans who like the same old cheesy concept... these ones who are convinced that Katy Satyn's "Magical Sensation" was the best song in the Belgian preselection this year...
On second place, I've ranked Aiste Smilgeviciute's "Strazdas"... and in third place either Aivaras or Skamp, the one was, of course, a bit cheesy, but it was quite funny, the other one was modern and contemporary...


Richard M [19278]
Sat 1 Nov 2008 15:28:21

OMG, who wrote Stage presents?? It's stage presence....

nearly wet myself lauging, presents are what you give at birthdays and Christmas. Bless the English learners here.


Richard M [19278]
Sat 1 Nov 2008 15:24:22

No foreign composers, Lithuanian welcome???? Well they certainly want to win in 2009.


ChrisP . [42145]
Sat 1 Nov 2008 06:21:31

LT United with "We Are The Winners" has been so far the only Lithuanian entry I have really liked, but we can always hope for something good at the next Eurovision! Good luck to them...although, I'm not sure restricting composers to being Lithuanian is the best move for winning the contest.


Lukmi the big mama [30581]
Sat 1 Nov 2008 05:28:22

To Khalid... the first time someone ever liked Lithuanian entries! hahaha :) nah joking.. hope they do well this year!


Michael Eidem [52365]
Sat 1 Nov 2008 04:06:58

Very good idea to change the selection process!
I have never really liked any of the Lithuanian songs so far..
Actually it's the only country that have taken part more than two times in ESC, that I have never liked any songs from..
But Lithuania is a fine country, and I'm going there for the second time in the end of the year, so I wish you all the good luck! Tallinn and Riga has hosted, but we are still missing out Vilnius :)


Khalid GR [24641]
Fri 31 Oct 2008 21:13:48

Lithuania is among my favorite ESC countries and I hope they won't fail me this year!
IMO their worst entry was Laura and the lovers, an awful song that would never be played in a radio in the 00s with a sterile schlager feeling.
In 2007 and 2008 Lithuania was great!


Stockholm calling [44413]
Fri 31 Oct 2008 20:47:53

Jonny
lol. Give it a try. It's very popular over here :D


Jonny K [46850]
Fri 31 Oct 2008 19:56:59

Stockholm
Aaah my granparents like watching "Fawlty Towers" although sorry, i've never really watched it ;)

Euro Sheep
btw thanks for the mp3, and my play count of it is already 27 after just a couple of days ;)


Mina Carnation [51405]
Fri 31 Oct 2008 19:40:38

*the..not their

I wish there was a way to edit our posts.


Mina Carnation [51405]
Fri 31 Oct 2008 19:37:57

Good luck to Lithuania although it's one of their countries whose entries I've never liked.


Stockholm calling [44413]
Fri 31 Oct 2008 19:27:30

Jonny
lol.
Andrew Sachs was great as Manuel in "Fawlty Towers", one of my favourite TV series :)


Jonny K [46850]
Fri 31 Oct 2008 19:14:04

"Basically on a radio shoe" - Sorry I mean "radio show", not shoe ;) And on the second to last line, add an extra "l" to Russell's name ;)


Jonny K [46850]
Fri 31 Oct 2008 19:12:57

Euro Sheep
Laura and the lovers were alright, but it does remind me of the sort of song that would do badly in Melodifestivalen and the song was just generally bad, sorry! ;)

Stockholm
Yes the Jonathan Ross and Russel Brand thing!
Basically on a radio shoe Jonathan and Russel prank called the actor Andrew Sachs who is in his 70's I think, and basically they said lots of obscene stuff on this show, and then there were 100,000 complaints from listeners! So now Jonathan Ross is banished from the BBC for 3 months, and Russel Brand has quit working for the BBC altogether! :P Its been quite a big thing over here ;)


Stockholm calling [44413]
Fri 31 Oct 2008 19:02:57

Euro sheep
Sir Bobby lol. "Little by little" all the way. And Sonja Aldén was one of the backing singers :) The 2002 entry w a s cheesy.
You're right, by the Baltic States we mean Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Jonny
"Yes" is good. An advert, wasn't it :)
(I think you mentioned Jonathan Ross the other day. One of our dailies is writing about him and Russell Brand today :) )


Euro Sheep [52112]
Fri 31 Oct 2008 18:23:22

Jonny
I'm sorry, but I have to say this -

ARE YOU NUTS!?!?!?

"We Are The Winners"?! :P

and there was no debate - Laura and the Lovers all the way! "Little By Little" was written by Sir Bobby Ljunggren!!!


Alex 31st [45784]
Fri 31 Oct 2008 18:19:42

Jeronimas was really nice imo, but not enouf nice to pass that semi final . Most of 2nd Semi final's entries could have easily be ranked in top 5 of any of the 90s or early 00s , such as iceland , sweden , switzerland , czechia etc. Altho i think LT should gain some more points.


Jonny K [46850]
Fri 31 Oct 2008 18:18:18

I cannot believe you're debating as to whether 2005 or 2002 is the best Lithuanian entry . . . LT United all the way!!!! ;) They very nearly got my vote in 2006, instead it went to Lordi ;)


Euro Sheep [52112]
Fri 31 Oct 2008 18:05:18

Night Editor
I'm not going to say anymore about this subject because I'm not here to start an argument. Poland is NOT classed as a Baltic state even though it does have a border with the Baltic sea and when you say the term "Baltic", you generally refer to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

http://en.wikipedia.(...)iki/Baltic_countries

Stockholm calling
:D I forgot about the 2002 entry, I do like it but it's a bit cheesy! :S


Jonny K [46850]
Fri 31 Oct 2008 18:04:25

Just send Mini-Me and I will be happy, preferably singing "yes" but that would be against the rules :( ;) - http://uk.youtube.co(...)/watch?v=GANFVbL4R5k
I know the song is repetitive, seriously lyrically challenged, super cheesy and just generally bizarre, but OMG its soooo cool!! :D


Stockholm calling [44413]
Fri 31 Oct 2008 16:31:24

Good luck to Lithuania :) I hope they will come up with something really good next year.

I think "Little by little" is by far their best entry but I kinda liked "Happy you" as well :D


Night Editor [45546]
Fri 31 Oct 2008 16:23:39

@ EuroSheep: You say ''it must be rather annoying being the only Baltic country not to have won''
Poland hasn't won yet either.


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