SLOW DOWN

DOUWE BOB

SECHUK JURY

Rating

 230.5/320 (72%)

INTERNATIONAL JURY

NETHERLANDS

INT

JURY TOTAL

116

Amar

Very catchy and classy, I can see this being a top performer with the juries. The lyrics and beat are so easy going, and I'm always a sucker for a 70s tune! I hope this looks as good on stage as the Common Linnets did! 

8.5

Benedek

Well Netherlands it is sending quality. I like this song it is real music and very elegant. The only problem is that it doesn't stands out. This year Netherland will be a borderline qualifier but not because of the quality of the song, it will be because of the competition.

9

Christos

Since taking another state channel (TROS) the choice of selecting the Dutch song all the entries are great. This year a very beautiful ballad and a good performer will go on well but to proceed to the final is not so easy for the country, there are not many allies and diaspora Congrats   Holland I appreciate it. A Good song

7

Daria

I’m glad that NL decided to get back to 2014 and picked a nice guitar tune with some country music elements. I’m not sure this entry can repeat the ESC 2014 success, but good staging can help.  

10

Douwe

'Slow Down', is an upbeat country rock song that offers a hopeful message. Its cool, laid back and honest. How well it does in will depend on the stage presentation (remember The Common Linnets) and where it is placed in the order of presentation. Focus on the singer with a minimalistic setting might be the way to go. This should reach the final and don't underestimate the Netherlands with country but I doubt we will be in Amsterdam next year, nor will it go as high as Anouk or The Common Linnets.

6.5

Elena

I call this genre coffee-music. It's cozy and nice and would do great as background music in a café, but it's nothing that stick on your mind unfortunately. It's a nice charming song with a nice and charming singer.

7

Frederico

"I'm going nowhere" - never has a Eurovision song started so accurately. This is so not my type of song. It's trying to be crowd pleaser and Douwe Bob's looks won't hurt him with the voters but this is such bore. 

2

José

I find the chorus so repetitve, the song is not bad, but sounds oldie, I'm not sure if it might advance, I think much will deppends on the way he perform the song in Stockholm, at first glace I can think it might not make it.

6.5

Mark L

I like this song starts well, good singer but somehow gets a little lost at the end. Should qualify for the final though.

6

Melissa

It's not a typical Eurovision song, and even as far back as 5 years ago if I head this was going into Eurovision I would have been very dismissive. But there's something about this song and Douwe that I can't put my finger on. It's really appealling, and brings 3 minutes of calmness and joy that is sometimes needed in a show full of Europop/dance chaos. It'll be this year's dark horse, for sure. And at the moment, I'm in love with it.

9

Octavio

It's nice and pleasant, but that's it. I expected more.  It feels like it's lacking something, good staging could certainly elevate this and I'm sure he's excellent live, but something is just...missing.

7

Paul C

A cute song again for the Netherlands this year. It's very average for me but I'm pretty sure it will be one for the juries' favourite if well performed - but certainly won't have my vote.

5

Pia

Soft and gently background music, easy to sing along. Good!

8

Roberto

Amazing, stunning. I like those country-oriented pop-rock melodies, and the singer is very talented. It's not easy to get it out of your mind; it's decidedly catchy and rather compelling. Someone could find this entry as a sort of a spin-off of the Common Linnets' masterpiece in 2014, but country music is about emotions and melodies. Simple as that. Well done Nederland , once again. 

10

Roy

I like Dutch music and have been a favourite of their middle of the road happy music like George baker selection, BZN, Luv, Maywood etc for years. The singer is unknown to me but I like his look and his voice and now I like the song. Not a runaway winner at all, but much better than the Netherlands has come up with in recent years. Again I may be in the minority, but that is the joy of Eurovision – every song will have its share of fans.

7.5

Samantha

There's something very 1970's country-rock about this, as if it were a dusted-off demo from the Eagles back catalogue. It feels very comfortable, like your favorite pair of jeans, but does that win Eurovision?

7

UNITED KINGDOM JURY

NETHERLANDS

UK

JURY TOTAL

114.5

Andrew C

The introduction from Mrs Einstein meets the middle of the road song from Tom Dice. I wasn't a fan of the latter and was suprised at its success. Its simplicity could stand out but I remain to be convinced by Slow Down.

6

Andrew G

something quite pleasant in this but i can see a lot seeing this boring and forget about it, i`d hope the song would do better than I think it will - let`s see

6

Daniel

More country music from the Netherlands ! Fantastic! I really hope it qualifies and they don't stage is disastrously as they did last year...

8

Danny

6

David B

This one sounds as though it was specifically crafted to be played on Ken Bruce's Radio 2 show. Bright and breezy with a tinge of country, it's easy listening all the way for the Netherlands . It does tend to get a wee bit repetitive but I think that a place in the final beckons!

7

David E

Oh this is a lovely wee country song, nicely balanced and quite understated. It’s charm lies in its simplicity and I think this will go far to emulating The Common Linnets success. Great choice, Netherlands !

8.5

Dean

A good, solid entry with an American country vibe. A nice melody and this song gets better each time you hear it. A finalist for sure.

7.5

Eddie

Ok, not he most modern and not typical eurovision either. It has a great feel, very engaging. It will stand out as something different. Top 10 for me

8.5

Gary  

A good solid song from Mr Bob. Could be a simple presentation and a lot will depend on that, but he won’t do badly with this. A sure-fire finalist and while I don’t see it hitting Common Linnets 2^nd place, I’m sure it will do well for Nederland .

8

Joe

A bit of a country twang again from the Netherlands . A really strong song with a catchy chorus. Very good

9

Mark M

Trying to recapture some of the Common Linnets success.  Unfortunately this isn't as strong as their song and I suspect it might get lost in the contest.

5

Martin

Country & Western returns to Eurovision courtesy of The Netherlands - it's always about the lyrics as this genre can sound like every other C&W track you've ever heard.  It's well sung, he's personable and handsome but the steady pace and sound of 'Slow Down' won't stand out in Stockholm .

6.5

Matt

I love this one!  A happy, warm spring-evening/1960s feel to it. It's the sort of song my Dad would have liked to listen to.  I hope this does well as it deserves it.  Probably not everyone’s cup of tea, but to me it is quality.

10

Nico

There will doubtless be comparisions with the Common Linnets, but the only similarities are it's simplicity and a certain familiarity, like you've heard parts of it somewhere before. Doubtless too, as with the Common Linnets, most ESC fans will call it boring and i'll be saying I love it's simplicity and the beauty of the tone in the voice. It's a minority I can happily live in. Lovely song. That first semi-final is going to be a blood bath though. 

8.5

Sally-Ann

This is a LOVELY surprise - gentle, melodic country and western, performed by an engaging and distinctive singer.  He may not reach the dizzy heights of The Common Linnets, but the Dutch could easily be heading for a top ten finish.

7

Tristán

Doesn't do anything to me. It's pleasant enough, but it is not really why we fell in love with Eurovision is it? Where's the fun gone?

3