1944

JAMALA

SECHUK JURY

Rating

 203/320 (63.4%)

INTERNATIONAL JURY

UKRAINE

INT

JURY TOTAL

107.5

Amar

What an interesting mix between powerful lyrics and an upbeat undertone. The song captures your attention from start to finish and is performed flawlessly by Jamala. I'm excited to see how this will look on a bigger stage (if of course the song doesn't have to change because of political reasons).  

9

Benedek

Ukraine is returning with style and power.This song is unique and it has a very good message, brought by a fantastic artist.Still I would like to see a male artist in the coming years from this country.This song will sale trough the final and it is a top 5 contender.

8.5

Christos

Ukraine made the mistake of sending a song with anti-war message. Recipient is Russia . The powerful and wealthy Russia is one of the potential this year's winner. Adter the Orange Revolution lived many in Kiev in 2005, Europe does not want this kind of songs anymore. Moderate song , brilliant vocals brilliant and certainly not to win....

5

Daria

Jamala is a great singer and her song is a masterpiece. Everything is perfect. I’m glad that Jamala has finally made it to the Eurovision. Let’s welcome Crimean Tatar language in the Eurovision family!

10

Douwe

Jamala will represent the  Ukraine in Stockholm with '1944', and delivers a powerful, mesmerising and emotional performance. This is a dark song with a lot of history behind it. Thought provoking and original it certainly is and it couldn't be more different than her more lighthearted song 'Smile' from the National Selection 2011. This is heading to the final but unfortunately it isn't a favourite of mine with so much shrieking and wailing going on.

4.5

Elena

This years political song. There's no question what this song is about (they can't pretend it's something else, like Armenia last year). I don't mind a political song, but this singer doesn't have a good voice (except that Mariah Carey-note in the end) and the performance is just weird and everything seems very hastily put together.

3

6

Frederico

This is difficult song to rate in my view. There are things I like a lot about it as it is original and it’s a unique voice. However I do not love though I think it will definitely grow on me. 

6.5

José

I have critizied A LOT, Russia in the last 3 editions for sending fake poetry as musical propaganda, well it's the turn to pay the same way Ukraine , for  wasting such a vocal talent as Jamala to send a polytical song. She could have sing a marvelous R&B, power ballad. NO THANKS! 

5

Mark L

I absolutely love this song, and even though I totally agree with the sentiment. I struggle with songs having a strong political message in Eurovision. My vote is however based on the musicality of the song

8.5

Melissa

If you don't get goosebumps after hearing this song you are not human. Perfection.

10

Octavio

Terrific choice! Fantastic song, with lot of emotion and history behind it.Jamala is a great singer and is the strongest contender so far!  Welcome back, and good luck Ukraine , I can see how this song will resonate with people from that region, but the song means nothing outside of Ukraine .

10

Paul C

The song is OK, nothing great. For sure Jamala has a nice voice but really do not see that song as a winner, maybe top 10 with luck.

6

Pia

Again something I don´t understand, maybe too modern ? Good voice and ????? For me this isn´t Eurovision 4 points

4

Roberto

I don't know where this song goes. It seems a never-ending wailing, something that pretends to be sophisticated and fine; however, it shows a very boring and elusive trend. On the footsteps of Aminata with the same pompous and dull result.  

3

Roy

I can see why many fans do like it, they tend to like something new and unique but I have a fairly conservative music taste and I like the formula songs so I struggle to get myself involved in this song as it does not tick the right boxes for me when it comes to my music taste. I have never liked a Ukraine entry except their very first one in 2003 Hasta la visa baby, so this is no exception. It is, however, no horror so I have live with it.

5

Samantha

Evocative, vocally skillful, emotionally gut-wrenching, with a sense of time and place. Balances ethnic touches with modernity...into my top it goes!

9.5

UNITED KINGDOM JURY

UKRAINE

UK

JURY TOTAL

95.5

Andrew C

Normally I would be applauding the ethnic sounds of this song but the use of the ESC, an event where political and religious statements of this type are supposed to be banned means I am unable. I hope the EBU force it to be withdrawn.

1

Andrew G

This is too much drama and I don't like the song,  it's boring and at some parts it sounds like a bunch of cats. not for me

1

Daniel

I like the authenticity. It's also great to hear a language we've never heard at Eurovision before (at least I don't think we've had Crimean Tatar before?). 

8

Danny

10

David B

Well, jolly it isn't. Serious stuff and judging by some websites, this one is getting a mixed reception. I like the spare, harshness of the music although Jamala's vocal may take some getting used to. Overall, bleak and beautiful.

7

David E

Ooh, this is a bit politically dark and moody. Does she really sing “ar*eholes”? It’s a bit waily for my liking. Reminds me of Latvia last year. It’ll probably do well, but let’s not have this win - please!

7

Dean

Sorry I just don't like this. It lacks a strong melody and doesn't seem to go anywhere. I can't see people voting for this.

4

Eddie

Lyrics aside, sounds a great track. Have always loved her and her voice. Like how it mixes modern with ethnic tones. Will qualify for sure. It's a tough subject to sing about at eurovision  - i have no feelings about that.

7

Gary  

Jamala’s ‘Smile’ is still one of the best Eurovision songs not to make it to Eurovision (!). This one is dramatic, but the lyric might not resonate with the wider European audience. I like Jamala and I this may qualify, but maybe this is more about Ukraine being there, than winning. I also tend to judge ESC songs on their international hit potential – next to zero for this one.

3.5

Joe

This is really powerful. Jamala’s vocals and the sentiment of the song make this very striking indeed. I can see this standing out in Stockholm and doing very well indeed.

9.5

Mark M

I can't see Ukraine being able to keep this song.  If they do, I really like it.  Contemporary and different to most stuff that appears at Eurovision.  I'm not convinced Jamala has a clue what she's saying when she's singing in English.  She has a great voice.

8

Martin

Not exactly 'Happy-happy, joy-joy' coming out of Ukraine this year, is it?  The importance of the background of "1944" to Ukrainians will not influence the average Eurovision voter, who will just remember an extremely passionate vocal performance, accompanied by very emotional high pitched wails.  This year's "Suus"?  Hard to tell...

7

Matt

Sung with feeling and passion this does have something interesting about it though will it remain the entry?  That said however, it's another one that unfortunately does not hold my interest until the end.

3

Nico

I can't really explain how I'm actually not that keen on the song, but after 3 minutes I'm left with a feeling of awe. No doubt it is Jamala's soaring vocals, which deliver a spectacle of raw pain and anguish, uncomfortable to watch, but mesmerising. If it stands, it'll mop up a heck of a lot of votes from countries with historical grudges.

8

Sally-Ann

Starts off promisingly with a good beat over a downcast verse but, like too many songs from this neck of the woods, descends into vocal acrobatics that require the volume being turned down sharpish.  Will probably qualify, but through no vote of mine.

3

Tristán

I love Jamala, I have a couple of her albums and "Smile" should have won back in 2011. Her new song, "1944", is very passionate and I think it is a great tune, though nowhere near as good as Albania 's "Suus" which stirred similar emotions but was that much better. It was my favourite Ukrainian song in the final.

8.5