According to Entertainment.ie the Irish family trio from Cork that became an ?internet sensation? last year (although we do prefer the ?Pantibar? version), have entered talks to represent Ireland in Azerbaijan next year.

19-year-old Dervla (the daughter) is sitting her Leaving Cert at this very moment, but she recently took a break from her revision to babble at The Independent about the year gone by: “I’ve worked hard but there’s been so much going on over the past year… Music is what I want to do – and the past year has just been incredible.”

Super, that’s all very nice, but what of this Eurovision claim *in bustles Mammy Mary* “We are having a meeting in a few weeks’ time with some people about the whole idea”… of your son hucklebucking his way around Azerbaijan.

While we love the cheesiness of Crystal Swing I really hope that they do not represent Ireland, I don’t think I can take that.

Ell & Nikki – Running Scared – we have our couple song for this year – will it get 3rd place as always or will it go all the way? Top 5 at least I think.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aoVL3EzXis

Senit with Stand By

EDIT: the song has now been removed from Youtube at the Request of the BBC. It’s good, it is very good, could be a winner folks.

Instead we have a  20 second clip from ESCToday.com

Blue – I can (snippet) Eurovision 2011 United Kingdom by esctoday

So with a new singer and a new direction Georgia have released a new version of “One More Day” by Eldrine. Have a listen below or on their website.

Well entering the last week of national selections and we have a few more countries left to choose.

The UK is showing their entry on Friday on the Graham Norton show on BBC 1. Blue will perform their song: “I Can”, which is a pop hit in the style of their first song “All Rise”.

Azerbaijan have yet to announce their entry – they may not even keep the chosen artists.

After the debacle in the Ukraine we at least know the artist (again) – Mika Newton – but the song “Angels” will be significantly revamped.

Sweden goes to the polls on Saturday for the Melodifestivalen Finale, will it be Eric Saade or are all the bookies wrong?

San Marino will reveal Senit’s song on Friday as well. 2 types of songs have been

Have a listen to an earlier Senit song:

The Russian song has been leaked early by a fan to mixed responses, personally I like it. The official presentation is on Saturday the 12th.

Portugal is looking forward to being banned because it is a political song, even the TV presenter has expressed their dis-satisfaction over the choice. And in fairness it is an awful song to come out of a country normally dedicated to sending in great songs.

In the last few days Hungary, Israel and France have revealed their songs, with France coming out as a strong favorite to win overall. Both Israel and Hungary have dodgy live vocals on them but Hungary is the stronger of the two, the only thing saving Israel is the fact that it is Dana International – winner 1998.

To see the current entrants and their songs go to: http://www.escireland.com/2011-participants/

And it’s actually pretty decent, well done Hungary you offer a light to us all

WOLF KATI – Szerelem, miért múlsz?

She is a Hungarian X-Factor participant from 2010 and the song will be chosen in English.

Dana International makes a return with Ding Dong

After yet another long drawn out process Sweden has finally made it to their final this Saturday. Desperate to improve on previous poor results in the Eurovision itself – they did not even qualify for the final last year – this one time Eurovision superpower has pulled out a load of stops this year. Although it does seem from the start that they are pushing for Eric Saade to win, last year there was an almost unified consensus amongst the Swedish public and media that his song “Manboy” should have gone through to Oslo.

This years final sees a nice variety of songs going through, everything from ballads, pop, dance, schlager, hip-hop, rock, alternative and the uniquely Scandinavian thing of  the Dansband.

The voting has been changed from last year, which saw the introduction of the international juries in the Swedish final – including Ireland who gave Timoteij 10 points I might add!!. There is more emphasis is given to 11 international juries. They will each give their votes in Eurovision style from 1 to 12, with 473 votes given in total . The televoting will stay open for five minutes after the jury result is announced. The public will also have 473 votes in total, but now a percentage of the total will be used, ie. If a song get 10% of the televotes it will get 47 points.

And below is the running order:

1st In The Club

Authors: Fredrik Boström Peter Boström, Danny Saucedo

Artist: Danny Saucedo

A dance hit brought to you by lovely Danny, solo artist and one third of boy band E.M.D. It’s a good dance song but nothing special, this won’t win.

2nd Run for your life

Authors: Sara Varga, Fredrik Boström

Artist: Sara Varga

A second chance finalist that qualified under some suspicious circumstances - her votes got “mixed up” with another artists – Loreen – in the second chance final, this lead to Sarah being elected instead. The song is a nice little ballad with a bit of a jazz twist to it.

3rd Oh My God!

Authors: Daniel Karlsson

Artist: The Moniker

Fast becoming a fan favorite The Moniker is definitely an unusual artist with a unique style, this is a light hearted love song that just makes you feel good. This is a strong entry to win. The word Hippy comes to mind.

4th 7 Days And 7 Nights

Authors: Brolle

Artist: Brolle

A Quasi Pretty boy singing an Elvis song, next….

5th E is wrong with me

Authors: Pontus Assarsson, Thomas G: son, Jorgen Ringqvist, Daniel Barkman

Artist: Linda Bengtzing

My personal favorite of the competition this year, it would not be the best option for Sweden if it does win, which is unlikely, but still with this Linda has grown up from a Schlager Princess to a fully fledged Schlager Diva – since Nanne lost that right after her tragic performance in the interval act in the first semi final this year. Either love it or hate it but Linda and the long forgotten Thomas G:Son (in Sweden anyways) have brought Schlager back to MF with a bang! I wonder does it have anything to do with that Danish song from last year?

6th Leaving Home

Authors: Jojo Borg Larsson, Nick Castle, Fred Thom Andersen and Anders Wikström

Artist: Nicke Borg

The token rock entry this year, well more of a rock ballad. Every year has a turkey and this one has been beaten with a stick and left out in the sun too long.

7th Me And My Drum

Authors: Teron Beal, Patrik Magnusson, Johan Ramström, Swingfly

Artist: Swingfly

I love this song, it took a few listens but it got there, this is a very clever song and could do well in Dusseldorf if it wins. It’s an RnB song done by an American artist called Swingfly, and before you turn it off, give it at least a second listen Top 5 for this song.

8th I’m In Love

Authors: Irini Michas, Peter Bostrom, Thomas G: son, Bobby Ljunggren

Artist: Sanna Nielsen

Another fan favorite, the Swede’s have regretted not sending in Sanne from the 2008 competition, and this is her comeback year. And boy is it a comeback. I would be lynched by several people if I did not mention just how popular she really is Top 5, potential winner.

9th The King

Authors: Frederick Kempe, Peter Kvint

Artist: The Playtones

That uniquely Scandinavian thing called a Dansband, a mixture between dance music/country and western and 50′s hiphop. The band look country and western but the song is pretty much dance, given who has written it - Frederick Kempe. It’s all right but not my cup of tea.

10th Popular

Authors: Frederick Kempe

Artist: Eric Saade

And last but not least what most people think will be the winner – notice I said think and not want, SVT are pushing for this to win, and have been from day 1. There is a strong performance but the song is just lacking, with weird wording on the lyrics that make no sense. I would be surprised if this did not win, and while it would do well it would be disappointing. It is an almost exact clone of Manboy, but still a good song.