Welcome, one and all, to week three of our third annual Eurovision betting odds rundown. Yes, we know what you're thinking – it seems like we've been doing these for ages and we're still only up to the 'I' countries. It'll be over soon, we promise.
Today, to show the huge variety of songs that Eurovision is capable of producing, we're going to be discussing two songs that literally don't have a single thing in common. Apart from the fact they're both useless. And that we dislike them both immensely. And that they're from countries that begin with the letter 'I' and end in the word 'land'. And that they both sound kind of the same. Aside from that, though – completely different.
Here are the Eurovision betting odds for Iceland and Ireland, with betting odds coming from Paddy Power…
Iceland (pop. 293,291, a borderless country in the north Atlantic) Eirikur Hauksson, Valentine Lost
Last year we honestly thought that Silvia Knight was going to win Eurovision for Iceland, but her rock and roll attitude upset so many people that she didn't even make it past the semi-finals. Will Iceland fare better this year? We guess that depends on Europe's attitude to middle-aged Meat Loaf rip-offs, because that's more or less what Eirikur Hauksson is. We don't know for sure how Eirikur Hauksson spends his time, but we'd guess he's watched the Tenacious D movie a few times and thought it was a documentary about his own life. Valentine Lost is perhaps the most inane, cliched windswept power ballad we've heard since November Rain, containing overwrought non-ironic lyrics like "A tiger trapped inside a cage/ An actor on an empty stage." Any residual Lordi fans are going to love this one, especially if their hobbies include driving around rocky terrains with their top down and feeling the wind in their receding hair. Current Eurovision betting odds – 66/1
Ireland (pop. approx 5.7 million; the third largest island in Europe) Dervish, They Can't Stop The Spring
Ireland has seen a lot of Eurovision success by shamelessly playing up its national stereotype in the past, but They Can't Stop The Spring must represent some kind of horrific low-point, surely. Dervish may have shared stages with Oasis, Beck, James Brown and REM, but any kind of excitement, innovation or funk thay may have inherited from these acts is nowhere to be seen on their freakishly paranoid Eurovision tune, They Can't Stop The Spring. Who are 'they' anyway, Dervish? The faceless reptile men who secretly control the monarchy? You weirdos. Anyway They Can't Stop The Spring by Dervish goes "We don't need no party/ Just a party band" which is weird, since any party with this awful bunch of fiddle-de-dee sub-Titanic Celtic idiots would most likely be so terrible that everyone invited would kill themselves before the buffet opened. Current Eurovision betting odds – 25/1
Tomorrow – Eurovision betting odds for Israel and Latvia. But if that's too long to wait – or you feel like making more money than you know what to do with – head right over to the Paddy Power Eurovision betting odds page to see the latest, and best, betting odds.
Magnus Jonson says
Eiríkur rocks!!!
Iceland will win this for sure if not the song contest, Eiríkur will certainly pawn all others with his red flaming hair and the perfect rock&roll performance…… a perfect combination of fire and ice, from where he’s carved.
Eurovision Fan says
It’s Sylvia NIGHT, not Knight. Eurovision specialist my *** !
Hafrun Osk says
I’m from Iceland and I totally agree with you on the Icelandic song this year.
The Icelandic nation voted for this song only because Eirikur was the singer, totally tonedeaf nation. The song was bad in Icelandic, but is many times worse when it has been translated in English.
I am a big fan of the ESC but this year, it is totally ruined for me, because the excitement of the Icelandic performance is out. Greece will have my vote, that is for sure. Great song :)
eugene says
Dear Commentator,
Your offensive comments on Ireland’s Eurovision wins is appalling. I don’t know what it means to ‘shamelessly play up the National sterrotype in the case of Irish singers and songwriters. The diversity of winners from Ireland is testimony to that.
Apart from 7 wins and numerous high placings Ireland has also had the most successful interval act. Of course this is hamming it up and exploiting the national sterotype. Get real. Ireland’s commercial success is no accident.
If you look at this year’s final the traditional European nations are vastly out numbered by Easter European countries and new entrants. If it keeps going as it is with large voting blocks from countries like Poland etc there will be no Eurovision song contest because countries won’t enter. Switzerland – tipped to win didn’t get past the semi- final. It’s only a matter of time before it falls apart unless there are changes. It takes a great maturity for voting not to be partisan so I say – bring back the judges.
lino says
ah sure de whole things gone ta shit, at least our songs not as bollocks as urs, serously scooch??? steps where shit in de first place, why do they need a tribute band
John Gaff says
Hey Mr commentator ,
Who are you? are you English? what qualifies you to comment on these songs are u a musician or in the music world somehow or just a fat bloke sitting at a desk who doesnt get out much and is angry at the world. I have read all your comments on each aritst and country, and i know all the entries too and some of the comments you have made are outrageous, sexist, racist and homophobic among other things. I am from Ireland and am angry especially at the comments you made against the Irish act Dervish, we are not shamelessly playing up to the national stereotype, Dervish are a traditional Irish band, its not like they play hard rock normally and just decided for the crack to enter Eurovision and hung up their electric guitars for the night in exchange for voilins, barons and accordians. They have always played traditional Irish music and are very good at it and very successful, so you have no just reason for making that ridiculous comment. Also calling them faceless reptile men, wierdo’s and celtic idiots is out of order, Dervish are a professional successful band who actually play all their instruments and Cathy is a excellent singer, compared to most manufactured europop that you see at the eurovision once a year and never see them again, Dervish are in a different league. I believe in freedom of speech and all that but what you saying about these countries is anything but that, there just reckless abusive comments of which i think you have put no thought into it at all, these comments im sure dont even reflect your actual opinions of the songs i think what you’ve written you’ve done so to look and sound all cool and edgy and outspoken and opinionated but in reality you sound like an idiot and most probally look like one too, so i would appreciate it if you drop the shit talk and write about the facts, what you’ve written is crap its not funny not edgy and certainly not cool, im sure sure you are a good writer so please just be one.
Regards
John