MY FRIEND

JACQUES HOUDEK

SECHUK JURY

Rating

 139.5/320 (43.6%)

INTERNATIONAL JURY

CROATIA

INT

JURY TOTAL

76

Amar

Well this is an interesting cover of "Let it Go"! I was very much expecting a theatrical ballad and that's exactly what we received. I like the unique arrangement, but the song itself is too theatrical and Disney-like for my liking.  

4.5

Benedek

This song is standing out because of the singer and probably the singer will deliver live. I think the song itself is flat and nothing special. I think overall it will be a borderline qualifier.

4.5

Christos

Taking into consideration that in 2015 Italy failed to win with “Grande Amore” … I really don’t know where the chances to win for Croatia this year are! I think it is going to “land” on the stage of the final night but for sure he will be out of the top 10 final ranking list. In addition I strongly believe that even Italy will vote Croatia due to language reasons. Good effort Croatia but sorry 2017 it is not a Winning Year for you…!

4

Daria

I’m not a fan of this genre and what is more important I don’t feel any emotions while listening to the song. This is a perfect example that a good voice is not enough to bring a good final output. 

4

Douwe

This is very much a song of twos (English / Italian, torch song / operatic ballad, dreamy atmospheric first half / forceful second half) and therefore there is  lot happening in 3 minutes. Maybe too much ? This is experimental and very original. A solo dressed as a duet ? The transitions are a little awkward and perhaps more than any other song this year the performance / staging will either make it or break it. Jacques has an amazing voice and there are elements I like but the lyrics are  ridden with clichés. Get the staging right and this is a finalist don't make it messy.

7

Elena

Is this man singing a duet with himself? If the song had been a proper duet I think I'd liked it more. Now it's sounds a bit bipolar. The singer is amazing though, and the song is really cute and it's nice to hear some Italian.

7

Frederico

Don’t really know what to say about this. It is weird. Very weird. Jacques clearly has a great voice and Eurovision viewers will remember this song when it comes to the voting. I think I like it. Quite a lot. It is weird though. Very weird.

7

José

I have the highest expectations on Jacques, since I'm his fan since his song Stotinama Godina. The song is nice, but I found strange the voice combinations among pop and operatic. I would have rathered only one style (no matter which) as a result, I'm not crazy for the song, but I recognize the quality. I hope it is enough for voters, but I doubt they will vote massively for such a fine concept.

7

Mark L

Can’t bear the beginning spoken bit but after that it does get better, not very current tho, so hopes aren’t high for its success.

4

Melissa

I'm sorry, but this is pants! The only good thing I can say about this is that his voice is nice. I have no idea how on earth Croatia can possibly stage this that would allow them to qualify out of the semi. A car crash waiting to happen.

0.5

Octavio

It's a great song, but the two different voices/languages make it sound really MESSY. To be honest, the instrumental itself was absolutely adorable. The constant change from normal pop voice to tenor-opera voice is very distracting and not very ear-friendly. I'd scrap the operatic voice.

5

Paul C

Well, well, well...what kind of song is that ? It is so messed up, I really don't see where is that going.

1

Pia

They had an opera singer in 1995 ( ? ) It went quite well then, but I don´t think it will do in these days ....

6

Roberto

Are there two singers in this song ? This leaves me cold, actually, because I can't understand it. A vaguely pop-opera entry, with (clichéd) Italian lyrics. The result is messy, dull and uninspired. 

3

Roy

Shirley Bassey said diamonds and a girl’s best friend, but I hope Jacques from Croatia will be my best friend. I really like the song even although I see so many negative things about it. Some told me I like it since it sounds like something Ralph Siegel would have written. Anyway I think this is so different and if it is staged well, could surprise.

8.5

Samantha

Ok, credit where credit is due. Jacques has a great voice and versatility. I just don't think he needed to put all of his tricks into this basket. It's jarring and chaotic, cheesy as heck, and I just can't get into it!

3

UNITED KINGDOM JURY

CROATIA

UK

JURY TOTAL

63.5

Andrew G

This starts weird! it reminds me of a song from a animated Disney film, at time it is corny makes me crinch a little, but it is different, i will give it that

6

Danny

Quite simply, this is one of the most horrible songs that I have EVER heard in my entire life, and believe me I have sat through enough Lithiuanian quarter-finals in the love of Eurovision! The change in vocals is just too much and sounds like a duet. Last place in the semi like a stone in the water. I never want to hear this ever again.

0.5

David B

Admittedly, I did laugh through the entire song on first hearing. From the pretentious waffle at the beginning to the campy pop vocals and hilarious cod opera, this is possibly one of the worst things ever to be entered. Looking forward to seeing it on stage. Wonderfully dreadful!

1.5

David E

From the vomit-inducing spoken opening you just know this is going to be a Eurovision car-crash extravaganza. Quite what possessed the Croatians to go with this scizophrinic oddity is beyond me. This will qualify for sheer audacity.

6

Dean

This is very strange. Is Jacques really singing all parts in this song?  On the surface if this were sung straight it would be a typical Eurovision anthemic ballad, but it’s not the song that you remember. It’s the different styles of singing that lodge in the memory.  Crazy.

3

Eddie

What is this? The music is good and the English section sounds great. But the spoken word and Italian sections don't fit in. Do one or the other or have 2 singers. I don't get it.

2

Edward

This is a complete mess!  Doing a bilingual duet with yourself and in two languages and vocal styles sounds inspired but the execution is truly awful.  Sycophantic lyrics, no direction… I could go on.  In fairness, it may work better live on a stage; I am sure he can sing.

1.5

Gary

Interesting concept. Now, this could be epic on stage and take Europe ’s breath away, or could come across as a soppy mess. I’m hoping for the former, as I like to see something new tried – rhyming English with Italian and the dual vocal styles. A nod back to Nostalgija 1995 too…  

6.5

Joe  

This is just horrendous. The idea of duetting with oneself is just utterly pretentious and it sounds NAFF

1

Kevin

Eight months in the making this song was written by the performer and begins with the spoken and a standard string backing.  I love the build up from classic vocal to the opera section, Jacques delivers a classic Eurovision anthem… love the message of “be my friend”, check his costume out, apparently it will be in two halves! One of the first Eurovision entries this year which is also available in an instrumental version

7

Lloyd

This is a unique performance, theatrical and atmospheric. Sung in both English and Italian, with different pitches by the same person with great focal delivery. With all this variety this will definitely stand out, but will it be for the right reasons?

8.5

Mark M

What is this?  Seriously, is this a joke?  It's possibly one of the worst songs to ever grace the Eurovision stage.  Appalling.

0.5

Martin

Based on what I have heard, this sounds like a small-scale charity record with Michael Jackson, a generic opera singer and an X Factor winner.  Given that these voices all come from the same man and we have some mad strings in amongst it all, Croatia are headed for one of those Eurovision 'worst of' clips...

3.5

Matt

Now this I like.  Ok, sounds like it should be in a Disney but the mix of style is good.  Having said that, it has the potential to either be wonderful or a total mess on stage. Good voice.

8

Nico

Is this a duett? Nope, it's just Jacques! And yes his voice is incredible, but I'm so sorry, without seeing it, the effect of the "two" voices just conjured images of him singing with a glove puppet or wearing half a different suit on each side and jumping around singing to himself/ "his friend". I don't think that was the desired effect, still it would create another wonderful "Eurovision" moment along with the yodelling for the casual ESC viewer. Amazing voice, bombastic song, that would be improved if there actually were two people. Fingers crossed for the staging.

2

Sally-Ann

How bizarre is this?  A real Disney song from Croatia , with Jacques appearing to play both Beauty AND the Beast.  A very odd combination and will either win the whole thing or die a tragic death in its semi final.  I'm intrigued! 

6