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🇸🇲 Blast from the Past: San Marino 2012

We know a lot about Eurovision and we want to share this knowledge with you! Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today: Valentina Monetta, who participated four times for San Marino. The song we take a closer look at is her first one: The Social Network Song (Oh oh – uh – Oh oh).

San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest

In 2008, San Marino debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest. However, the band Miodio did not reach the final. Fans had to wait until 2011, when Senhit (Senit back then) took part for the first time. Valentina Monetta did no less than four attempts. She, Senhit and Serhat were the three contestants for San Marino who managed to reach the final. Okay, and Flo Rida of course, who featured in Senhit’s song “Adrenalina”. With a 19th place, it was Serhat who had the best score for San Marino with his song “Say na na na”.

National selection

On 14 March 2012, during a press conference by SMRTV (San Marino Radio & Television) it was revealed that they had chosen Valentina Monetta as San Marino’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. The decision came about after an SMRTV director stumbled upon Monetta’s performance one evening.

A dedicated program, aired on 16 March 2012, was organized at the SMRTV studio to unveil Monetta’s contest song. The song titled “Facebook Uh, Oh, Oh”, composed by Ralph Siegel and penned by Jose Santana Rodriguez and Timothy Touchton, was introduced as San Marino’s Eurovision entry. Notably, Siegel, having crafted 20 Eurovision songs for different nations, clarified that “Facebook Uh, Oh, Oh” was crafted for the contest, but not specifically for Monetta.

Facebook is a brand, uh, oh, oh

Already two days after the presentation of the song, EBU told SMRTV that the song was breaking one of the Eurovision rules: mentioning brands in a song is not allowed. And Facebook is a brand. The lyrics had to be changed, and the song was now called “The Social Network Song (Oh oh – uh – Oh oh)”. Valentina was not the first one who faced this. That honour goes to Lotta Engberg who sang “Fyra Bug och en Coca-Cola”. Bugg was a Norwegian chewing gum brand and Coca-Cola is…. well, is Coca-Cola. Two years later, Belarusian Teo had to change the lyrics of his song. “Google Maps” became “All the maps”.

 

Valentina Monetta

Valentina Monetta, born on March 1, 1975, in the picturesque microstate of San Marino, is an iconic name in the Eurovision Song Contest universe. With a passion for music evident from her youth, Valentina’s journey to becoming San Marino’s most recognized Eurovision participant is a testament to her talent and determination.

Starting her career in various jazz bands, Monetta’s versatile voice allowed her to experiment with different genres, including pop, jazz, and R&B. While she was making waves in the local music scene, it was her association with the Eurovision Song Contest that catapulted her to international fame.

In 2012, SMRTV, San Marino’s national broadcaster, announced that Valentina would represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest. She did not reach the final. However, this did not deter Valentina, and she returned to represent San Marino in 2013, 2014, and 2017.

Out of these participations, her 2014 entry, “Maybe,” holds a special place, as it secured San Marino’s first-ever spot in the Eurovision Grand Final. Beyond Eurovision, Valentina released several singles and albums, further establishing her prowess in the music industry.

Monetta’s relationship with Ralph Siegel, the renowned composer, further enriched her Eurovision experience. Siegel crafted multiple Eurovision entries for her, showcasing her versatility and range as a singer.

Over the years, Valentina Monetta has become synonymous with San Marino’s Eurovision history.

The Social Network Song (Oh oh – Uh – Oh oh)

Ralph Siegel, a veteran Eurovision composer, crafted the music of the song, while lyrics were penned by Jose Santana Rodriguez and Timothy Touchton.

The song’s lyrics delve into the digital age’s social media obsession, particularly highlighting the universal appeal and reach of platforms like Facebook. It’s a catchy, upbeat pop track with playful lyrics about online friendships, profile pictures, and virtual life.

While it received a mix of amusement and skepticism from Eurovision fans and did not qualify for the final, “The Social Network Song” nonetheless holds a distinctive spot in Eurovision history for its timely subject matter during the rise of social media.

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Blast from the past: Belgium 1981

We know a lot about Eurovision and we want to share this knowledge with you! Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today, we go back to 1981, when Emly Starr represented Belgium with her song “Samson”. Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest Belgium is one of the countries that participates from the beginning on. The Belgians switch every year between the Flemish and Wallon broadcasters. Just once, Belgium won: in 1986, Sandra Kim sang she was 15, claimed she was 14 and in the end appeared to be 13. However: more Belgian songs were successful. In 1978 and 2003 Belgium was the runner up: Jean Vallee and Urban Trad were very close. In recent years, Belgium made it to the top-5 with Loïc Nottet (2015) and Blanche (2017). The best scoring Flemish entry was the 2010 song “Me and My Guitar”, sang by Tom Dice. Eurosong 1981 No less than 40 songs participated in the Belgian selection of 1981. Out of three heats, 10 finalists were chosen. The final was held in the Amerikaans Theater in Brussels, hosted by Luc Appermont. No results were made public, apart from the winner. However, in later years jury members of those days confirmed that Liliane Saint-Pierre’s “Brussel” reached the 2nd place. Fancy Free sang “De Wereld Is Een Showtoneel“ De Opera sang “De Opera“ Gene Summer sang “Zing Het Maar“ Stella sang “Veel Te Veel“ Ann Michel sang “Ik Ben Gelukkig“ Johann Stollz sang “Hello Hello“ Emly Starr sang “Samson en Delilah“ Lester & Denwood sang “Bonnie“ Venus sang “Talisman“ Liliane Saint-Pierre sang “Brussel“ Liliane Saint-Pierre Stella already participated in 1970 for the Netherlands as a member of Hearts Of Soul, and in 1977 for Belgium as a member of Dream Express. She sang solo for Belgium in 1982. Liliane Saint-Pierre represented her country in 1987, in….. Brussels! The title of the winning song was later shortened to “Samson”. Emly Starr Emly Starr, born Marie-Christine Mareels on September 5, 1957, in Wetteren, Belgium, is a singer best known for representing Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981. She began her career at a young age under the stage name “Heidi” but later adopted the name Emly Starr, performing English-language pop and disco songs. In 1978, she appeared in the short film Santiago Lovers. Starr gained recognition with her disco act “Emly Starr Explosion,” and in 1980, she participated in the World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo, finishing eighth with the song Mary Brown. The following year, she won Belgium’s Eurosong contest, earning the opportunity to perform Samson at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin, where she finished in 13th place. In 1985, Starr played the role of Erika in the film Springen and sang its title song, Jump in the Dark. Eventually, she transitioned from performing to the business side of the entertainment industry, working alongside her husband, Tony Winter (Frans De Schrijver). Together, they manage the Globe Show Center in Denderleeuw, which houses a television studio and organizes events. They also provide showbiz equipment rentals, contributing to the Belgian entertainment scene. Samson “Samson” was composed by Kick Dandy, a pseudonym for Tony Winter (Frans De Schrijver), and the lyrics were written by Penny Els. It is a dynamic, upbeat disco-pop track, characterized by its catchy rhythm and energetic performance, which was a popular style in the early 1980s. The lyrics of “Samson” playfully reference the biblical story of Samson, known for his great strength, and Delilah, who betrays him. However, the song reinterprets the tale, using it as a metaphor for a romantic relationship, with the singer comparing herself to the powerful figure who falls for a lover’s charm. Emly Starr’s lively stage presence and the colorful, engaging choreography added to the song’s appeal. The daring dress with a high slit contributed to the festive atmosphere. Despite the spirited performance, “Samson” scored 40 points at Eurovision and finished in 13th place out of 20 entries. Although it did not achieve a top ranking, the song remains a memorable part of Emly Starr’s career. Share

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October 17, 2024 No Comments
Blast from the past
Martijn

Blast from the past: Belgium 1981

We know a lot about Eurovision and we want to share this knowledge with you! Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today, we go back to 1981, when Emly Starr represented Belgium with her song “Samson”. Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest Belgium is one of the countries that participates from the beginning on. The Belgians switch every year between the Flemish and Wallon broadcasters. Just once, Belgium won: in 1986, Sandra Kim sang she was 15, claimed she was 14 and in the end appeared to be 13. However: more Belgian songs were successful. In 1978 and 2003 Belgium was the runner up: Jean Vallee and Urban Trad were very close. In recent years, Belgium made it to the top-5 with Loïc Nottet (2015) and Blanche (2017). The best scoring Flemish entry was the 2010 song “Me and My Guitar”, sang by Tom Dice. Eurosong 1981 No less than 40 songs participated in the Belgian selection of 1981. Out of three heats, 10 finalists were chosen. The final was held in the Amerikaans Theater in Brussels, hosted by Luc Appermont. No results were made public, apart from the winner. However, in later years jury members of those days confirmed that Liliane Saint-Pierre’s “Brussel” reached the 2nd place. Fancy Free sang “De Wereld Is Een Showtoneel“ De Opera sang “De Opera“ Gene Summer sang “Zing Het Maar“ Stella sang “Veel Te Veel“ Ann Michel sang “Ik Ben Gelukkig“ Johann Stollz sang “Hello Hello“ Emly Starr sang “Samson en Delilah“ Lester & Denwood sang “Bonnie“ Venus sang “Talisman“ Liliane Saint-Pierre sang “Brussel“ Liliane Saint-Pierre Stella already participated in 1970 for the Netherlands as a member of Hearts Of Soul, and in 1977 for Belgium as a member of Dream Express. She sang solo for Belgium in 1982. Liliane Saint-Pierre represented her country in 1987, in….. Brussels! The title of the winning song was later shortened to “Samson”. Emly Starr Emly Starr, born Marie-Christine Mareels on September 5, 1957, in Wetteren, Belgium, is a singer best known for representing Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981. She began her career at a young age under the stage name “Heidi” but later adopted the name Emly Starr, performing English-language pop and disco songs. In 1978, she appeared in the short film Santiago Lovers. Starr gained recognition with her disco act “Emly Starr Explosion,” and in 1980, she participated in the World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo, finishing eighth with the song Mary Brown. The following year, she won Belgium’s Eurosong contest, earning the opportunity to perform Samson at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin, where she finished in 13th place. In 1985, Starr played the role of Erika in the film Springen and sang its title song, Jump in the Dark. Eventually, she transitioned from performing to the business side of the entertainment industry, working alongside her husband, Tony Winter (Frans De Schrijver). Together, they manage the Globe Show Center in Denderleeuw, which houses a television studio and organizes events. They also provide showbiz equipment rentals, contributing to the Belgian entertainment scene. Samson “Samson” was composed by Kick Dandy, a pseudonym for Tony Winter (Frans De Schrijver), and the lyrics were written by Penny Els. It is a dynamic, upbeat disco-pop track, characterized by its catchy rhythm and energetic performance, which was a popular style in the early 1980s. The lyrics of “Samson” playfully reference the biblical story of Samson, known for his great strength, and Delilah, who betrays him. However, the song reinterprets the tale, using it as a metaphor for a romantic relationship, with the singer comparing herself to the powerful figure who falls for a lover’s charm. Emly Starr’s lively stage presence and the colorful, engaging choreography added to the song’s appeal. The daring dress with a high slit contributed to the festive atmosphere. Despite the spirited performance, “Samson” scored 40 points at Eurovision and finished in 13th place out of 20 entries. Although it did not achieve a top ranking, the song remains a memorable part of Emly Starr’s career. Share

Share
Read More »
October 17, 2024 No Comments
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