it's coming up fast! ~ Eurovision!!!!

midlife blog cresting the hill
Eurovision can't come fast enough for me - Roll on May 23rd!

 Along with my confessions about being a secret lover of colouring in and Gossip Girl, I must also come clean and admit that I just luuurrrve Eurovision! Somewhere along the line many years ago, I accidentally turned on my TV and discovered this completely over-the-top madhouse of European music - hosted at the time by Terry Wogan - the UK king of sarcastic commentary.

Eruovision was the start of international success for Abba when they sang Waterloo in 1974
midlife blog cresting the hill
Abba performing Waterloo in 1974 - love the outfits!
and quite a few other famous people have performed there since - Celine Dion, Tom Jones, Dita Von Teese, Julio Inglesias, Bonnie Tyler and more. Since then, Eurovision has captured the hearts of a few million other Australians and we now send over our own commentary team each year to keep us updated on all the new and wacky acts.
midlife blog cresting the hill
Sam Pang and Julia Zemiro - our commentators 
I don't think Eurovision is even on the radar in the US but down here we seem to have adopted it as our own. In fact it is so popular that we were invited to send over a feature act for the intermission part of the show last year and Jessica Mauboy did us proud - she even had a silver dress (a very popular colour and metallic - another bonus). I can't believe it's been a year already since she strutted her stuff on the stage with a plethora of Aussie iconic symbols - the year has flown by so fast and it's time to do it all again in a few short days!
midlife blog cresting the hill
Jessica performing
This year we have been invited to actually compete - a HUGE honour apparently - and I'm not even sure how we can vote properly seeing we are in a completely different time zone by several hours. But the powers that be have found a way around that and we are sending over Guy Sebastian - an Australian Idol winner and an all round good guy who can also sing. The pressure is on because if we don't win, we don't get invited back next year (poor Guy - all that responsibility!) No country can vote for themselves so hopefully we'll impress all those European viewers and apparently Guy is in the top three with the bookies for a win - so the excitement is mounting!
midlife blog cresting the hill
Guy Sebastian for Eurovision 2015
There is so much to the magnificent splendour of Eurovision - so much in fact that I am going to do a second post focusing on the drinking games that go along with it (and how I embarrassed myself last year) - but more on that tomorrow. For now I just want to share a few of my favourite acts from the last few years in the hope that others might get a glimpse into the wild weirdness of this talent competition that showcases the best of Europe (and now Australia!)
midlife blog cresting the hill
What's not to love???
midlife blog cresting the hill
I've incorporated this post into the 1#word challenge - this week's word was FAST.
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19 comments

  1. Janine Huldie20 May 2015 at 18:11

    You are right and admit in the U.S. Have never heard of this, but definitely have heard of some of the well know artists to come about because of it. So definitely sounds like a great time in my book!! ;)

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    1. Leanne20 May 2015 at 21:30

      I think it will find it's way to the US eventually Janine - it has a huge fan base in Australia (we love mocking other countries!)

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  2. Kirsty20 May 2015 at 20:30

    I loved all those acts too! Can't wait until Sunday morning so we can watch Guy in action- he's the perfect choice to represent us. I'm carefully trying to avoid social media in the meantime as I want to watch the semi-finals like I usually do on Friday and Saturday night, complete with wine and Twitter - it's my favourite weekend to tweet about my favourite song content!

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    1. Leanne20 May 2015 at 21:32

      Me too Kirsty - it's all about the Aussie love of poking fun at what must be "normal" over there! I think Guy might just get the balance right - I'm trying not to check his song out until I see it in action on Sunday.

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  3. laura20 May 2015 at 21:21

    The only reason I've heard of it is a couple of Facebook friends live in Europe and their status updates are cryptic unless you're watching along. I've found clips on You Tube and it's great fun to watch them. Can't wait to hear about the drinking games.

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    1. Leanne20 May 2015 at 21:33

      Thanks Laura - it's funny how it's caught on so hugely in Australia but not anywhere else outside of Europe - apparently China is broadcasting it for the first time this year - so maybe the US etc will jump on the bandwagon soon :)

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  4. Rena20 May 2015 at 22:46

    I've not heard of it either but also recognize some of the participiants! Can't wait to hear about the drinking games.

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    1. Leanne21 May 2015 at 09:49

      It's funny that it is huge in Europe and quite popular in Australia and not even on the radar in the US - there's some more pics in my next post :)

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  5. Fil20 May 2015 at 23:01

    Oh Eurovision is the centre of kitsch! I've always loved it - and this year will probably forgo our rather excellent Blues Festival in the neighbouring town to watch it. Here there is huge aggro that the Eastern bloc countries all vote for each other and leave out poor Ireland and England - but if truth be told, usually our entries in recent years have not been the best, to say the least. All my Aussie friends here are going daft about it too --good luck to you - I hope you win. :)
    Fil
    Fil’s Place - Old songs and Memories

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    1. Leanne21 May 2015 at 09:50

      Hi Fil - I must say that Dustin the Turkey was probably an all time low point for Ireland - he made Jedward look classy! Hoping Guy Sebastian does us proud :)

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  6. Unknown20 May 2015 at 23:19

    I've not heard of this either, but so glad you told us about it today on #1Word. I'll have to check it out as your excitement is contagious and you've made me really curious. :) And I'll also be looking forward to checking back here to read about your drinking games. Stories about those are always great fun! :)

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    1. Leanne21 May 2015 at 09:51

      Hi Marcia - glad I've tweaked your interest - I'll have you all googling it by the end of the week!

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  7. My New Happy21 May 2015 at 06:35

    Anything that launched Abba's career is top notch in my book!

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    1. Leanne21 May 2015 at 09:51

      Yay Lana! Another Abba fan! I go straight back to being a teenager whenever I hear one of their songs :)

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  8. Lisa Witherspoon21 May 2015 at 06:56

    Never heard of it, but now I'm curious!! Sound interesting, for sure!

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    1. Leanne21 May 2015 at 09:52

      Oh Lisa - I'm starting to feel sorry for all you guys in the US - so much that you're missing out on!

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  9. Unknown21 May 2015 at 21:21

    Can't wait to see Guy in action. Love Eurovision time.

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    1. Leanne22 May 2015 at 15:49

      Me too Suzi - I think he's going to do a really good job (fingers crossed!)

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  10. Unknown27 May 2015 at 03:21

    Congrats for Australia for the 5th place. I must admit that I had no idea you guys were participating as well. I have an Aussie BFF here in Belgium and she was surely excited as well.
    Thanks for joining #WednesdaysWisdom

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Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.

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