DONA

KALIOPI

SECHUK JURY

Rating

 216/320 (67.5%)

INTERNATIONAL JURY

MACEDONIA

INT

JURY TOTAL

108

Amar

I love Kaliopi, but this song falls flat. Crno i Belo was much better because it carried a punch; this lacks memorability and falls into the category of an outdated Balkan ballad. I hope she can bring some life to the song with her live performance. 

5

Benedek

Well I like Kaliopi she is a great artist but this song will not help her.It is too repetitive and the dona,dona part it is irritating.This song is very average and bland. The good thing is that it is a ballad what we don't have much this year. Still I don't think it is a qualifier.My score for the song and not the artist is 2.5

2.5

Christos

When I heard that the representative of the country is the Kaliopi again I was delighted after leaving me speechless with her song in 2012 by the wonderful participation. Unfortunately things are not the same this year because the level of participation of 2016 is far away from that of 2012. Actually I really like the composition but not 100%. I would prefer it performed in English! Moderate

3

Daria

100% music. You don’t need a special performance if you are Kaliopi and sing Donna. Powerful, emotional, outgiving music. I love it.

10

Douwe

Kaliopi with her beautiful voice and wealth of experience brought Macedonia its 2nd best placing 2012, with 'Crno I Belo' the only MK song that has qualified for the final in the last 8 years. 'Dona' is a powerful, melodramatic ballad that sounds and feels like a song written from the heart. Perhaps a little safe and verging on the outdated but Kaliopi will undoubtedly lift the song and singing in Macedonian will help it stand out. I doubt it will reach the same heights as 'CIB'.

5.5

Elena

This song is absolutely beautiful. I feel like I could have heard this song in the mid 90's, but instead off feeling old and done, it feels classic and timeless. This year a classic feels modern.

9

Frederico

I really like this, but would prefer it if there were fewer donadonadonas. Kaliopi is a great performer and has a fantastic voice so I do hope this will qualify as it really deserves to. I would like to love this  but it feels in places that it doesn't go anywhere. I do however like it a lot and wish Kaliopi does very well in Stockholm.  

8

José

I must admit that I feel attached for classic style songs. May be this sounds too 80's but that's exactly why I like it. Kaliopi is a great singer, and now we just have to wait how she presents the song. Macedonia has been very unlucky in the semifinals voting, I hope this time the luck is with them. 

8.5

Mark L

Why do I think that this song is a copy of another song? I just can’t think which one. Seems very old-fashioned and can’t see it doing well.

3

Melissa

This is a great entry from Macedonia , the chorus will have everyone singing 'Dona, Dona, Dona...' along with the queen herself. The recording sounds a little underwhelming but Kaliopi no doubt will give it her all on the stage.

7.5

Octavio

It's a great song, it has such a nice nostalgic vibe and in studio it sounds better than Crno i belo. It's a great song, it has such a nice nostalgic vibe and in studio it sounds better than Crno i belo. It has good chances for a solid placing.

9

Paul C

I really like Kaliopi, she is great singer, her voice is so special and emotional. The song is good but of course 'Crno i belo' was far far better. It should qualify for the final but I do not see it go to high in the final scoreboard.

7.5

Pia

Yes, this is a good one ! Looks like Loreen, but has a better voice. I think she will be strong on the stage!

8

Roberto

Kaliopi is a guarantee of classy and refined music. She is really talented, a real Diva. This song starts in a very fantastic way, with vaguely retro sounds, but it loses itself in a freezing chorus, becoming rather weighty and bulky. Strong vocals, touching lyrics, weak refrain. Anyway, I want to reward Kaliopi's performance. 

7

Roy

Kaliopi comes across to me as a mega power Loreen. She has a very powerful voice and this is the kind of voice I think a song like Euphoria should have had. This song is better than Black and white and very typical for this reason but I think Kaliopi goes a little overbroad with Dona. But it will make the semi final easily.

7

Samantha

It was always going to be difficult to top "Crno i Belo", which is one of my personal favorite ESC entries of all time. But the song suits her...mature, dramatic, emotional, genuine, and you know for a fact that she'll be stellar live.

7.5

UNITED KINGDOM JURY

MACEDONIA

UK

JURY TOTAL

108

Andrew C

Another one I absolutely love although I suspect I will be in the minority on this. There is something warm and endearing, if just a little old fashioned about this. Really hope it makes it through.

8.5

Andrew G

I like this, reminds me of eurovision of the 90`s, I like it when countries sing in their own language, she has a good voice, the song isn't amazingly good, but has a nice tune.

5

Daniel

She's back! I can't get enough of Kaliopi, she is just amazing. I hope this song does well. 

8

Danny

I was so pleased to have Kaliopi back in the contest, and this is a really nice ballad which shows off her amazing voice. It’s perhaps not the most modern of entries but it’s sure to be popular with neighbouring countries and I think it stands a good chance to see Macedonia in the final, which they haven’t participated since Kaliopi’s last entry!

7

David B

At least with Kaliopi, we know that we are in for an exceptional performance. It may be the saving grace for this old-school, Yugoslav final from yesteryear kind of song. I like it despite it being achingly old-fashioned. 

6.5

David E

Aww Bless! We love Kaliopi, and whilst I was never a huge fan of her previous qualifier I think this is far more worthy of her talents. In a field of virtually no ballads this will stand out. Brava!

7.5

Dean

OMG, this is really good.  A classic, old-fashioned ballad that is delivered with emotion, and should score Macedonia's best ever result.  There are very few ballads this year, so this is going to stand out.  Fab.

8.5

Eddie

A great voice to this great power ballad. It does well to be not in English - stands out. But I wish should would stop repeating the word Dona! Kebab anyone?

7.5

Gary  

On the edge of a classy song, this has a nice feel to it. I’m never a fan of an often-repeated word in a song, so that doesn’t help this. I expect a solid performance, but I’m not sure this will be a clear finalist. It’s a nice song though and harks back to days gone by. Gotta love Kaliopi too.

7.5

Joe

Love love love Kaliopi. I've been looking forward to hearing this for some time and she hasn't disappointed. It doesn't have the iconic screech of 'crno I belo', but I love her energy and my word she can sing!

10

Mark M

I've never been the biggest fan of Balkan ballads and this lacks the hook of some in that genre that have done really well.  There's no doubt she can sing, but I think this will struggle to qualify.  It doesn't help that the song just sort of ends.

4

Martin

'Never Return' is a phrase often linked to 'second-time' artists who don't hit the heights of their debut - unfortunately Kaliopi will join that group with this pleasant but forgettable ballad.  Her voice is still sublime but totally wasted on 'Dona' and its low-key 'lullaby' nature makes me doze off.

4.5

Matt

A truly lovely first minute... the rest of the song isn't that bad either although I feel that the 'Dona Dona' bit doesn't fit that well.  However, the way she sings it you can't deny it is a power ballad. Hope this will qualify.

6

Nico

I can just hear Euro fans screeching this at the top of their voices after a late night on the sherries, gagging for a kebab. But this is a delight of the non Turkish variety. Old school Balkan Eurovizh that's one of the very few songs this year destined to become a classic. And like her last entry, I'm sure this will be even better on the night. Super. Hvala Kaliopi. 

8

Sally-Ann

A thoroughly old-fashioned big ballad from FYROM – one would easily belive it was from 1972 or earlier. Lots of histrionics and emotion but precious little chance of qualifying.

3

Tristán

A very memorable hook and of course that immediately recognisable husky voice of Kaliopi's should guarantee qualification into the final. The problem with it is that other than the "Dona Dona Dona" bit, the rest of the tune is largely forgettable. Nice string arrangement, though.

6.5