2005 Top 50

10-1

10. Jade Davies - Just Like That

The first song of our top 10 is the most beautiful, emotional ballad of the 2005 season, The song has a really sad, sombre mood, and creates a dark atmosphere. What makes the song so special is it's simplicity. It's a pure song sang professionally by a singer with a nice voice. The lyrics are a lot more meaningful than the average Eurovision song, and the whole thing creates a solemn feel.

9. Las Supremas De Móstoles - Eres Un Enfermo

The best comedy song of 2005 was this. The music is typical Spanish and is nice enough, but the lyrics are a work of art, read the English translation here. The appearance of the singers, three middle-aged ladies not as glamourous as the conventional artists makes it funnier, and the subject of the song is very imaginitive, it's just a shame that it is sang in Spanish, so many people don't understand it.

8. Ani Lorak - Another Little Shot

2nd place in the massive Ukrainian preselection, and another that would have faced disqualification if it had won. Ani rightly felt aggrieved at losing out to the late addition of Green Jolly and their political anthem, as song wise this was by far superior to the rest of the NF. A great pop song in the style of Anastacia meets angry rock chick. Great song, well sung, nice musically, catchy and not too complex or too simple. Almost too contemporary for Eurovision, would have been a classy addition to the contest.

7. Laura - Moonwalk

A nice song that annoys you for days as you just know it sounds like something, but you can't work it out. Ater loads of deliberation you will discover that this simple, slow pop song shares a backing melody with Enya's Orinoco Flow, and the song bears more than a slight resemblance to Madonna's Frozen. While the lyrics may not be the deepest, the music is beautiful, and the song (in the studio version at least) is sung beautifully, by a cute girl.

6. Helena Paparizou - The Light In Our Soul

No she hasn't won this one, though she has managed 2 top 20 entries! The Light In Our Soul was unfortunately disqualified from the Greek NF, due to it's previous release in Germany. And it truly is a shame, as this song would have been a much more deserving winner of Eurovision. Catchier, better lyrics (not hard against "you're delicious, so capricious" etc.) and also better musically. With the swelling music, strings and flourishes, it makes My Number One's average pop song seem extremely dull by comparison.

5. Tinka Milinovic - Sometimes I Wish I Were A Child Again

It might by really cheesey and typical Eurovision-fare, but it is just the right amount of cheese. Maybe I'm crazy, but, in spite of the lyrics, I really like it. I did my best to keep out my crazy taste from this chart, instead going for the top 50 most widely appealing songs, (I left out psuedo-hip-hop from Lithuania, and The Angels Are Tired one of the cheesiest Siegel entries in Malta - I love both, and feel ashamed for doing so!) but this one is just too good. From the "ooh-ooh-ooh" start, and the appropriately placed backing vocals, to the charming music and sweetness of the song, it is just great! Sorry if you don't, but I love it!

4. Elena Mady - An Actress

The most original song of the 2005 season, "An Actress" is a song based on an interview given by Marilyn Monroe. It is a sweet song with sad lyrics, and this song should have easily won the Finnish NF. It uses voices effectively in the verses, of 'Marilyn', the interviewer and later a news reporter. The story it tells is sad, as it deals with the death of Marilyn Monroe, and it is a very original theme to handle. The simple music behind the song makes the lyrics more effective, and it is a unique beautiful song.

3. Pay TV - Refrain Refrain

After Pay TV blew me away last year with the fantastic glittering "Trendy Discoteque", I expected big things from them when I heard they were entering Melodifestivalen 2005 in Sweden. I have to admit, on first listen I was slightly disappointed, But they did have an awful lot to live up to, and after several listens I realised that, while not as good as last year's entry, the trio have come up with another great song. .The song uses decent music (Pet Shop Boys but good) and parodies the music industry with the lyrics. They even skit at Alcazar, on the live vrsion saying "Alcazar" after they sang "we steal a melody". They also sing other funny lyrics, eg. "skip the message and stick to B.S." and "have public sex, and then go tell the press". The catchy chorus sticks in your head, due to it's purposefully parodic refrain "repeating it again, again and again". The music video is also a must, as you get to see their funky hand movements! And then the classic keychange, and they also narrate it: "Then, near the end, we raise the key, from A to B, what a melody" and a fantastic drumroll to the last chorus. Pure comic genius, check out the website, where you can also see the music videos of "Refrain Refrain" and the still superior "Trendy Discoteque". If you haven't heard them you really are missing out!

2. Nanne - Håll Om Mig

Nanne's return to Eurovision was met with great anticipation by the fans, though I only had vague recollections of her song in the 2001 UK selection, the poor "Men" (I did televote for it - but I *was* young!). After listening to earlier song "Avundsjuk" and comparing it, I see that "Håll Om Mig" is very much in Nanne's 'style', unique guitar based rock-schlager. It's dramatic music, and loud "Ow"s combined with the funky dance moves make this song amazingly effective, and it is a real attention-grabber. Sweden's efforts that they put into MF has paid off with 2 songs in the top 3, though they haven't managed to win!

1. Marta - Loving, Missing, Crying

So here it is, the winner. Ne Party Pas Sans Moi's official number 1 best National Final song of the 2004/05 season. And it is FANTASTIC! It isn't quite pop or rock, but a weird mixture of the 2, and the nice gentle verse provides a great contrast to the t.A.T.u-esque chorus. The chorus is very powerful, as are the guitars and other strange noises used in it. Latvia picked one of my favourites, and did surprisingly well, but I think had they picked this one there would have been (performance depending) a great chance of a second Latvian victory in just 5 years. Powerful, catchy, perfect! My winner of 2005, and while it was a close run thing in the top 3, I feel that Marta deserves her placing. Congratulations must go to her, and shame on Latvia for not picking her!

That's it! I put all that time into it, at least give the top 10 a listen!

If you're want more, check out the honourable mentions list! See if your own faves made it there at least! If they didn't you are in serious need of a taste doctor!