Baku, Azerbaijan – The long-awaited Final of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest has taken place tonight at Baku Crystal Hall. The winner of the most prestigious European music event has been determined. The choice was really hard, with 26 amazing performance from 20 countries chosen after the two semi-finals plus 5 more: United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Spain, and, of course, Azerbaijan – the host of the event. Nevertheless, Europe has made its decision, and you can see the results of the Eurovision 2012 Song Contest below.
1. Engelbert Humperdinck – Love Will Set You Free – United Kingdom
The most experienced participant of the Contest – Engelbert Humperdinck – was the first to perform on the stage of Baku Crystal Hall. This extraordinarily talented singer representing the United Kingdom has been in music industry for more than forty-five years! With over 150 million records sold and having a star on both the Hollywood and the Las Vegas Walk of Fame, he is known worldwide. Romance was in the air as Engelbert performed a beautiful love ballad, Love Will Set You Free. We remind you that the United Kingdom did not participate in the semi-finals – the country was automatically qualified for the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012
2. Compact Disco – Sound Of Our Hearts – Hungary
After that, the Hungarian band Compact Disco came to give their performance for the Grand Final. Guitars, synthesizers, a powerful vocal and perfect work of the light made a striking show. The song Sound of Our Hearts had caught the fancy of the audience, so the hall roared with applause when the last accord faded away.
3. Rona Nishliu – Suus – Albania
In the first Semi-Final of the Eurovision 2012 Song Contest, everyone noted Albania’s performance as a strong and peculiar one. Rona Nishliu’s vocal range really impresses, not to mention her artistic skills. Her song Suus (meaning ‘One’s own’), the lyrics of which Rona wrote herself, made the heart of every listener sink, so emotional and expressive she was in her performance. The red light that flooded the stage contributed to growing emotional tenseness.
4. Donny Montell – Love Is Blind – Lithuania
Donny Montell from Lithuania performed fourth. During the performance of the song Love Is Blind he was playing with the audience’s mood making it go from romantically-elevated to playful. You must have noticed how well he holds himself on the stage. This young singer is also a talented dancer – he even won the Lithuanian version of the Dancing With the Stars. At the Grand Final of the Eurovision 2012 Song Contest Donny Montell looked like a worthy rival for the other 25 countries.
5. Maya Sar –Korake Ti Znam – Bosnia & Herzegovina
After that, the beautiful Maya Sar from Bosnia & Herzegovina performed her song Korake Ti Znam (I Know Your Steps). Last year in Düsseldorf Maya was also on the Eurovision stage performing with Dino Merlin’s band. This time, the singer alone was honored to represent her country, and she really did her best! Her tender voice and beautiful music mesmerized the audience.
6. Buranovskiye Babushki – Party For Everybody – Russia
The folk group Buranovskie Babushki from Russia gave the audience plenty of positive emotions with their song Party For Everybody. Their unique style made their performance one of the most memorable shows at the Eurovision 2012 Song Contest. Bright folk costumes, a catchy tune and words, a remarkable style – all this made the “grannies” one of the audience’s favorites.
7. Greta Salóme & Jónsi – Never Forget – Iceland
A powerful performance of Iceland represented by Greta Salome & Jónsi continued the show. The lyrics and the music of the song Never Forget were written by Greta Salome herself. That is not all – the singer has also given a skilful violin performance. The harmonious duet from Iceland excited a roar of applause in the Baku Crystal Hall.
8. Ivi Adamou – La La Love – Cyprus
The 18-year-old Ivi Adamou from Cyprus seemed to perform with even more vitality than in the Semi-Final. Her catchy song La La Love in combination with energetic choreography and the fire in Ivi’s eyes electrified the audience, and you could not help singing along “la-la-la-la-la-love”.
9. Anggun – Echo (You And I) – France
Then it was time to be acquainted with the French representative of the 2012 Song Contest. Her name is recognizable all over the globe – Anggun, an international star and the world’s most-played French-language singer. Anggun performed a song about the most precious feeling in our life – about love. The mood of the show was not melancholic but, on the contrary, rather positive, supported by energetic moves and acrobatic tricks performed by male dancers.
10. Nina Zilli – L’Amore È Femmina (Out Of Love) – Italy
Nina Zilli from Italy is another Eurovision “joker” who pre-qualified for the Grand Final. She is called a real tornado. The passion with which she performed her song L’Amore È Femmina (Out Of Love) infected everyone in the Baku Crystal Hall and those who were in front of their TV screens. Her voice is sure to go down into the classics of Italian music someday.
11. Ott Lepland – Kuula – Estonia
Next in line was Ott Lepland form Estonia with his lyrical song Kuula (Listen). As the first sounds of the song filled the hall, the lights shimmered softly, and the singer’s voice smoothly flowed, touching the strings of the listeners’ hearts. The performance was as brilliant as in the Semi-Final, and maybe even better.
12. Tooji – Stay – Norway
The elevated mood of the previous performance was dispelled as Tooji came onto the stage of Baku Crystal Hall to light the fire with his song Stay. The young singer looked confident and persuasive on the stage. His explosive performance heated the emotions and made the hall cheer.
13. Sabina Babayeva – When The Music Dies – Azerbaijan
The lucky number thirteen fell to the lot of Azerbaijan – the host of the event. Sabina Babayeva sang a song When the Music Dies. Her artistic charisma is remarkable. It’s no wonder because the singer performs in theatre. It is interesting to know that she has played Fler de Lis in the Notre Dame De Paris musical, the Azerbaijani version. Sabina’s gentle but powerful emotional appealing spoke to the very heart of the listener as she performed her Eurovision 2012 entry, When the Music Dies.
14. Mandinga – Zaleilah – Romania
The band Mandinga from Romania were the next to come onto the stage of the Eurovision 2012 Song Contest. The performance of their song Zaleilah turned into a real theatrical show, which was warmly welcomed by the audience.
15. Soluna Samay – Should’ve Known Better – Denmark
Soluna Samay’s youthful charm made the hall applaud frantically, as she came onto the stage to perform the song Should’ve Known Better. As the singer herself previously mentioned, this song is very beautiful and touches people when they hear it. Truly, it was a pleasant performance to watch and to listen to.
16. Eleftheria Eleftheriou – Aphrodisiac – Greece
The hall’s air seemed to be filled with aphrodisiacs when Eleftheria Eleftheriou appeared on the stage of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. The unrestrained energy, nice choreography, and visual effects contributed to the overall impression of an amazing performance.
17. Loreen – Euphoria – Sweden
Baku Crystal Hall was waiting for Loreen’s performance from the very beginning of the show. It was powerful, creepy, and brilliant at the same time. The image created by the Swedish representative corresponded to the title of her song – Euphoria. Frenzy of feelings reigned on the stage, and the audience went euphoric, too.
18. Can Bonomo – Love Me Back – Turkey
In contrast to the previous performance, Can Bonomo had a carefree image of a jolly sailor. The positive message of the song, the singer’s easy manner and the funny way he moved to the music charmed the audience. He appealed, “Love me back”, and the audience did so.
19. Pastora Soler – Quédate Conmigo (Stay With Me) – Spain
Pastora Soler is another contestant who pre-qualified for the Grand Final of the Eurovision 2012 Song Contest earlier. The singer, considered one of the best voices in Spain, performed the song Quédate Conmigo, translated as Stay With Me. It is a pop-ballad with a delightful melody and effective lyrics. The image of streaming water in the very beginning looked like teardrops. Then the lights flashed red and orange signifying the peak of emotions and making the audience cheer like mad.
20. Roman Lob – Standing Still – Germany
Germany was another country pre-qualified for the Grand Final. This time it was represented by a young singer, Roman Lob, whose fame is only beginning to rise. Roman became famous after he won the German talent show Unser Star Für Baku, months ago. The singer performed the song Standing Still composed by Jamie Cullum, Wayne Hector and Steve Robson. His performance was simple and sincere when he was telling a true-to-life love story with a sad ending.
21. Kurt Calleja – This Is The Night – Malta
Every sound of Kurt Calleja’s song was filled with drive. The contestant from Malta created a festive mood with his entry This Is The Night. You just couldn’t help dancing and singing along. The solo of a male dancer in the end enlivened the show even more, making the stage burst with energy.
22. Kaliopi – Crno I Belo – Macedonia
The crowd gave a rapturous welcome as Kaliopi, the Macedonian contestant, appeared on the stage. Her song Crno I Belo enchanted the audience. Her heartfelt voice modulated beautifully revealing the power of emotions. In the middle of the show, the beat became harder, and the performance – more aggressive and powerful, yet the final accords were mild and mesmerizing again.
23. Jedward – Waterline – Ireland
The Jedward brothers from Ireland were jolly and carefree, as always, setting the audience on fire with their explosive hit Waterline, supported by synchronous rhythmic movements to the beat. The fountain that appeared in the end was the climax of the show, as well as an effective final.
24. Željko Joksimović – Nije Ljubav Stvar – Serbia
Then it was time for the Serbian representative – Željko Joksimović to perform his song, Nije Ljubav Stvar. The singer sounded vibrant and convincing. Live instrumental music and live emotions, dim light changing its color, the powerful vocals of the artist – all this created an unforgettable atmosphere.
25. Gaitana – Be My Guest – Ukraine
Ukraine’s performance was the most hospitable one. Gaitana’s voice reverberated in the hall, as she invited everyone to be her guest. Male dancers in colorful skirts were dancing at the background, and sounds of the trumpets welcomed the audience, as Gaitana was going through her performance.
26. Pasha Parfeny – Lăutar – Moldova
Pasha Parfeny had the honor to close the Grand Final of the Eurovision 2012 Song Contest with his song Lăutar. His show invoked only positive emotions and good mood, due to the joyful melody, colorful dresses of the female dancers and bright light. Moldova’s performance became a vivid ending of the show.
The Eurovision 2012 Grand Final was viewed by millions of people all around the world. The telephone lines were opened right after the last performance. Europe had only 15 minutes to determine the winner. The announcement of the result was tense and thrilling, as countries in the top ten were constantly alternating. After each country had announced its scores, the third place went to Serbia; the second place was taken by Russia. And the winner of 2012 Eurovision song contest is Sweden!
Eurovision Winners
Here is the top ten of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest:
1. Sweden
2. Russia
3. Serbia
4. Azerbaijan
5. Albania
6. Estonia
7. Turkey
8. Germany
9. Italy
10. Spain
The Eurovision 2012 Winner – ‘Euphoria’ by Loreen Video
And here ist the video of the winner’s performance – the Swedish singer Loreen with the song ‘Euphoria’.
