Pianist Lasse Piirainen and vocalist Leena Tirronen are the Finnish duet Norma John – they won through a bloody awful Finnish National Final with the melancholy tune Blackbird that doesn’t get out of second gear for the whole three minutes.
It has the makings of a fantastic soundtrack for a dark Canadian movie but it just isn’t right for the Eurovision stage. It reminded me a little of Kari Kuivalainen’s 1986 Finnish entry The End. Lasse tries to bring some spark during the middle eight, but then the blackbirds return.
Finland have only reached the Top 10 once in 27 years – sadly, this song won’t get out of the first semi-final.
When I was a kid Finland was my favourite country in Eurovision (along with Turkey). Songs like Eläköön Elämä, Fantasiaa & Sata Salamaa are all in my Top 50 Eurovision favourites but alas Finland have lost their way…..
Who would sing this in real life? Birdy
Eurovision Vikings 