BLACKBIRD

NORMA JEAN

SECHUK JURY

Rating

 229/320 (71.6%)

INTERNATIONAL JURY

FINLAND

INT

JURY TOTAL

109.5

Amar

Similarly to the UK , the studio version of this song didn't do much for me, but hearing and seeing it live, I was blown away. I am getting Anouk meets Adele vibes from Norma John and her song, which is a great compliment. I got chills throughout the performance and have caught myself listening to it several times now. We might see Finland in the top 10 for the first time since 2006! 

8.5

Benedek

I love this choice. Finland is back in the contest. Very dark song but fantastic and hunting. It will stand out and it will qualify very easy. I hope for a top 10 result for them.

9

Christos

An atmospheric song that has nothing to do with the Finnish music scene. I am more than curious to see it on stage and I am totally convinced that his is going to be to the Finals. At the end of the performence the song becomes amazingly beautiful! I am so satisfied that Finns changed musical style and under this condition they will re-enter at the top five at least.

5

Daria

The song itself is very good, live performance is really strong. But but… it’s not for modern Eurovision if you want to place high. And it’s definitely not good in the year of ballads.

8.5

Douwe

Originally I thought Emma's 'Circle of Light would win by a landslide but the live performance proved us all wrong. Instead the dark, cool, haunting Nordic soul of 'Blackbird' will travel to Kyiv. Low key and simple but also deep, intense and gloomy. Leena's smooth and relaxing voice brings both strength and fragility to the performance. There are similarities here with the entries of the Netherlands in 2013 and Norway 2015. Melancholic darkness in abundance, I think this will reach the final but it isn't a favourite of mine.

6

Elena

Very Adele, but without depth. Another singer with a beautiful voice, but not much more.  The lyrics are shallow and even though it's suposed to be about lost love, it sounds like she doesn't have much to say about it at all. No feeling and no depth, and then it's over. One good thing though, this doesn't sound typically Finnish.

3

Frederico

This is what Eurovision should be about. What a brave song. What a wonderful performance. Hope Finland will keep the staging as is: powerful and not gimmicky. I would rather it was slightly less repetitive but it is an unforgettable sound. I hope Finland will be in top5. I particularly love the piano section. Well done Finland !!

9

José

Very beautiful light and smoke show. I'm not sure if this was an Eurovision song, this sounds more like a song for a teather play, may be in can be a grower for me, but by now this sincerily the best I can give.

6

Mark L

Fantastic lyrics to this song, really moving. I like this song much better than the UK song however the vocals were not as good

5

Melissa

This is wonderful! I actually feel goosebumps! The vocals are on point and the middle eight is just the right amount of contrast to the gloomy, yet uplifting feel of the song. It's almost like they're trying for a modern-day

9.5

Octavio

I have to admit, this is an interesting choice from Finland : Mystical, enticing and soothing. This song is simple, emotional and in one word "beautiful". I hope they bring this staging with them in Kyiv: the smoke, piano, background and colour-scheme are perfect and lift the song up.  This style has not been been seen in recent Eurovision times.Norma has a nice voice and this stands out as elegant. Nice entry, but don’t see it having a mass appeal.

4

Paul C

Not a bad song. Norma has a nice voice but my favourite part is the piano. Don't really know if it has a chance to make into the final as it is a bit forgettable.

5.5

Pia

The best we got in years. I really hope that Finland is on stage the 13 of may! She has a good voice and can keep the notes right so I keep my thumbs up !

7

Roberto

A real contender for this year. A classy song that creates a unique dreamy and enchanting atmosphere. Music from the heart. Well done Suomi.

10

Roy

In 2016 they had SING IT AWAY and got lost along the way,not reaching the final. This year a BLACK BIRD is suppose to not sing, so although it is not a bad song, I cannot really see Finland singing in the final. The female looks typical Finnish but she makes strange movements with her face while singing which was quite off putting for me. It is, however, a big improvement on 2015 and 2016 so hopefully Finland is on its way to bring better songs.

6.5

Samantha

Beautifully minimalist, yet heartfelt and emotional. The stark bleakness of the song really gives it a sense of place...it simply feels Nordic. The lack of rhyme scheme would normally bother me, but it somehow works here.

7

UNITED KINGDOM JURY

FINLAND

UK

JURY TOTAL

119.5

Andrew G

Ok this is very different and will stick out of the rest, something about this one i like, she has a good voice, this is good standard and quality.

9

Danny

A very dark song which is performed excellently. This is going to lap up jury votes but will the public find it too depressing? Still deserved to see them back in the final.

7

David B

A simple, haunting and evocative ballad. Not totally sure about the lead singer's 'Victorian school ma'am' outfit though! Love the tinkly piano break and the resurgent vocal that follows. Finland ought to be amongst the finalists with this.

8

David E

Hauntingly beautiful and brilliant in its simplicity.  This gives me goosebumps ever time I hear it and fully deserves to be right up at the top of the scoreboard at the end of the final.

9.5

Dean

This is fantastic.  A beautiful, haunting song, superbly sung.  For me this is a definite qualifier and surely Top 10 in the final.  I love it.

10

Eddie

Great Enya-esque song. Great voice and I love the stage presentation. Middle 8 could end better but that's minor. Will qualify

7.5

Edward

There is a risk that this either looks like a 1990s Eurovision ballad or a copy of Anouk.  To avoid it being a “grower”, they must get across the strong meaning of the words.  I am not convinced they did this at the national final.  That said, they can perform!

7.5

Gary

Along the lines of Songbird from MF a few years ago, but not so good IMHO. I appreciate it has quality and her voice is pretty pure, but the sound is dated for me and takes me back to 'the Voice' which I have never liked. It will probably do better than I would like to see.

6

Joe  

beautiful song, I love the darkness of the song and staging and an amazing voice. Excellent

9

Kevin

Even though this artist indicates on person it’s actual a Finnish due consisting of pianist Lasse  Piirainen and female vocalist Leena Tirronen.  When I first heard this song all I could think of was that it will be played at funerals, however, although it’s a rather sombre performance, it is a moving and heartfelt arrangement from the duo    

5

Lloyd

This is a very bleak song but seems to be popular with Eurovision fans, unfortunately I am not one of them. Dressed in black, a slow morbid song, this is definitely a comfort break song for me. On a positive note I will say it was a very stylish performance.

5

Mark M

Don't get this.  At all.  I'm not entirely convinced it even qualifies as a song. Finland are having a bit of a rough patch in my view and I suspect many fans are going to be disappointed in Kyiv when it fails to qualify for the final.

3

Martin

I've not had goose bumps for years from an ESC entry but 'Blackbird' gives me them every time I listen to this haunting and yet powerfully evocative piece.  Subtle but intense vocals, a beautiful piano solo and lyrics so personal that it feels like you are really sharing Leena's grief - WOW!

9.5

Matt

I love this.  It's got something very comforting and lullaby-esque about it musically, eventhough the lyrics are about loss.  Heart-felt.  Good singer too.  Not sure if she is trying for the 'Adele look' though?  Yes, I got swept up in the blackbird's wings of song.

9

Nico

Beautiful and haunting in a similar way to Anouk's Birds,  though not quite as captivating, still very touching. Has a certain English folksy vibe to it, which I very much enjoy. Whether it soars into the final or sings a swan song in the semi, I'm glad they chose something unique. 

7.5

Sally-Ann

Obvious comparisons to Adele here, in both looks, vocal style and type of song - but this is Finland at its absolute best and an astonishingly sophisticated entry in all senses.  The piano middle-eight is wonderful and, while I can't give the song my total approval, this is undoubtedly a contender.

7