Anorak Nation: Discussion: Re: Eurovision tracks

Hi Eric

Sorry, my comments about continental Europe should have read "Western" continental Europe - France, Germany, Benelux and the like. In the years I listed, the only communist country that took part was Yugoslavia as that country was never part of the Warsaw Pact. Eastern Bloc countries were part of an "Eastern European Broadcasting Union" so they did not take part in the ESC, nor did their broadcasters relay the contest. In fact, during the Cold War, Western Pop Music was either banned or heavily discouraged by the authorities - one reason why BBC, Voice of America and Radio Free Europe had such high listening figures - talk to the people over 50 in Slovakia! In any case, I suspect the people you're working with are significantly younger than me. or you, come to that!;-)

I take your point that Eurovision is run by older people - I think one of the difficulties it has is in trying to be all things to all people. It's a tough balancing act - as neither the young nor the older get what they want. There is a musical genre in Germany called Schlagermusik - it's a bit difficult to define but I think of it as "melodic music" and a lot of the Eurovision music in the late 60s and early 70s fell into that camp. It's certainly the style that wins my vote. What the youngsters want, I really don't have a clue and care even less!

----- Original Message -----
From: tesug
To: ...
Sent: Monday, May 26, 2008 6:52 PM
Subject: Re: [Anorak Nation] Eurovision tracks

In article <C0993BA249B94667B1D2BCF1F0021CF4@video2>, ... (Alan Milewczyk) wrote:
Hi Alan

How many of those winners listed above do YOU remember? Ask the
same question on the continent and it's a totally different story.
Not so Alan, in our very unscientific debate/research today. Folks I work with had never heard of the earlier winners and really Abba was the first ray of light.
The only Eurovision oldies you hear in the UK are those sung by
British artists, Abba being the only exception. There is a world
beyond the English Channel, but you wouldn't think it, listening to
UK radio.
To be honest Alan most of those tracks I've never heard since I've been in Slovakia so not quite sure if that stacks up everywhere. I can tell others such as Congratulations are played at weddings, no change there then :-)
------------------snip----------------
What bemused me on Saturday was hearing Wogan castigating the
countries that voted "en pact", yet berating the countries that
didn't award us points on the same principle. With over 40
countries participating, the odds lengthen on any one country
getting that first prize, but, of course, we don't like that.
I have never understood that complaint anyway Alan. Eurovision is mainly older people playing more traditional styles. Scandinavian countries would prefer more traditional styles – yes I know there were some exceptions. However, more old-foggy stuff is best described as ballads and when the TV channels that are producing the winners are often, er erm, viewed by older people it will produce the music you get for Eurovision – makes sense.
Now if you want a true Eurovision, place the country contests in the hands of the state broadcasters who have young listeners – the change would be dramatic!!
One of the state radio stations here would certainly give R1 a run for it's money, it's a really great station – same goes for other countries I visit.
The UK entry tries to keep R2 listeners and the viewers of BBC1 – DOH! The alternative would be to have a young and old Eurovision.
BTW, I was honoured to be a judge at the Young Eurovision later last year and if that is what Eurovision is to become it won't be long before some really good music appears again.
Eric
Free thought + Free speech + Free radio = Anorak Nation
www.jigluhood.com – communities that think for themselves

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