Eurovision Season 2019: Why We Should and Should NOT want Hatari to win Eurovision
It would not be the Eurovision Song Contest without the glorious spring weather that many of us in Europe are now experiencing. It would not be the Eurovision Song Contest without the constant analysis of the odds and what they do or do not mean for the result. It would not be the Eurovision Song Contest without some form of controversy. Over the previous several years, Russia and Ukraine have been stealing the controversy limelight but this year a band from Iceland have stepped into the fray to tell us all that hate will prevail. Some people love them, some people hate them and I have gone back and forth as to picking a side whilst simultaneously acknowledging that it is impossible to feel indifferent about Hatari. With that in mind, I'd like to walk you through the strange dilemma I face as a Eurovision fan who thinks that Hatari winning the contest would be simultaneously one of the best and worst things to happen to Eurovision.
A Song with Character & Heart
I'm going to be honest and frank by saying that this definitely hasn't been a classic year in terms of the quality of the songs themselves. Of course, some songs are better than others and I still think that Cyprus is the best of the bunch this year but when I compare my love of my favourites to the love of my favourites from previous years, it is clear I don't have as much of an emotional connection to this year's bunch as I do to ones from the past at this stage. Part of that is definitely down to the way the songs are written. Many songs may be saying something very important but don't pack any sort of emotion or feeling into the music. Hatari packs tons of emotion into this song. From anger to angst to sadness to pain and even a key change in the middle of that, 'Hatrid Mun Sigra' is an emotional roller-coaster. The production makes the song undoubtedly stand out. Again, I love this year's Cypriot entry but I can admit that it fits to the bracket and rules that 'Fuego' and similar pop bangers set last year in the same way that this year's Dutch entry fits to the male emotional ballad bracket and rules prevalent in a lot of contemporary pop music. This entry throws all those rules out the window, not only in its approach to Eurovision as a contest but in its approach to mainstream music in general. A win for this song would prove that it is ok to be different and that no matter what unique genre of music you make, Eurovision is a place where anything and everything not only goes but has a shot at victory.
A Song with a Blurred Message
For those of you who have not yet checked the song out, allow me to offer a lyrical analysis of the song. 'Life is meaningless, the void will get us all', 'Hate will prevail, Happiness comes to an end', 'Europe will crumble, a web of lies will arise from the ashes united as one'. Now, it is important to note that Hatari see the song as a warning that this could happen as opposed to a prophecy that this will happen. The problem is that this is a very thin, very easily blurred line. I certainly know that when myself and many others heard the song for the first time, we associated the aggressive styling and harsh musical tones with a dark message that could perhaps be literally classed as "hate" speech. Now, from my perspective, the jury is still out on what Hatari's true intentions are. Perhaps they are just a bunch of activists with a heart of gold with a message they are trying to put out as a warning but I can also see how that might be a naïve attempt to cover up their angry personas. It is still yet to be seen if countries will pick up on Italy's trick from last year and put the lyrics on screen somehow but it is certainly a long stretch to hope that broadcasters and audiences from around Europe will care enough about this bold, brash song in Icelandic to look up the lyrics and truly understand what Hatari are getting at. A win for this song would leave a confusing taste in all our mouths if this truly is 2019's song for Europe.
The Importance of Icelandic
In the spirit of the beginning of this post, it would not be Eurovision without the arguments about how the contest was better with the national language rule and live orchestra. Whilst that argument is for another post, I like that we are set to have the Icelandic language back at the contest for the first time since 2013. Songvakeppnin has given artists the choice to sing their songs in English in the final should they qualify from their semi and most acts have gone for that. Not only were Hatari not tempted to do that but they didn't even record an English version to give themselves the option. Now admittedly, I controversially tend to prefer the English versions of Songvekeppnin entries to the Semi Icelandic version but I do respect Hatari for sticking to their artistic guns and not feeling a need to sell out for popularity. If the song wins, not only will this be a classic victory for national languages and not only will it be the first winner in Icelandic but it will more importantly represent a message to songwriters across Europe that a song in your own language in exactly the way you want it can win Eurovision.
The Importance of Respect
Now I'm not going to pretend that there is a unwritten rule when it comes to PR at the Eurovision Song Contest. Artists play the Social Media and Press game in whatever way they see fit for their act. The story of Iceland and Eurovision 2019 actually goes all the way back to last summer when members of Hatari signed a petition calling for the country to boycott. It adds to the mystery that the band had in fact broken up in December 2018 before announcing they would return to compete to become Iceland's Eurovision representatives. Upon being chosen, they expressed their overwhelming respect for the project they had been chosen for and that they are being brought a step further towards their plan to destroy capitalism. Now, it seems to me that one of either two things have taken place during this period of time. Either Hatari are hypocrites who will jump on whatever bandwagon they feel will give them enough attention or they actually have some sort of sinister plan to use the contest for other means of their so-called plan. In either of these cases, there is an apparent lack of respect for the Israeli nation at play that Hatari have done nothing to clarify or explain. I don't expect all 41 participating artists to be extremely pro-Israel because that would bring politics into the contest in a way that would make the entire event extremely uncomfortable viewing. However, if you are planning on travelling to Tel Aviv as an artist representing your nation, I would certainly expect you to behave as a good and polite guest instead of speaking out against your host nation's leader and politics. I am still not convinced that Hatari aren't planning on using Eurovision for some form of protest which would greatly frustrate myself and many other fans who see Eurovision as a celebration as opposed to a political forum. A win for this song would demonstrate that your conduct and behaviour around the contest doesn't matter as long as you can deliver the performance on the night.
Reykjavik 2020?
Regular readers of the blog will know how much I have been yearning for Eurovision in Iceland. Whilst the exact kinks on how that would work are still to be made clear (stayed tuned for a second edition of 'Who Needs the Win the Most') Hatari are the best chance that Iceland have had to win the contest in my time as a Eurovision fan. Now admittedly, you shouldn't support a country at Eurovision on the basis of where you would like it to be hosted next year. However, when one is not entirely enamoured with the betting odds, it is nice to look at the situation from a glass half-full perspective and note that regardless of your views on Duncan Laurence, Eurovision 2020 in Amsterdam would not be a bad thing. Reykjavik 2020 would be a downright wonderful experience and would be richly deserved for everything that Iceland have contributed to Eurovision and the enthusiasm with which the entire nation gets behind their act every year sometimes even through some fairly dross results. In the same way that Israel have used this year to celebrate their history at the contest, imagine some of the acts we could see around the three shows. Selma, Yohanna, Pollaponk, Euroband, Hera Bjork are Eurovision legends who would be warmly welcomed back to the Eurovision stage to perform an act on home turf. The logistics of having thousands of Eurovision fans descending on a nation of 350,000 people would admittedly be a challenge but I have no doubt that the Icelandic delegation have come up with an efficient plan for an enjoyable contest should they be given the opportunity to host it and fulfil a national dream held for decades. A win for this song would give this incredible nation the opportunity to make their dream a reality and host what I'm sure would be one of the most special Eurovision Song Contests in history.
Musical Implications of Reykjavik 2020?
All the above having been said, it is difficult to imagine the sound of that contest. By this I mean that every year you have a number of songs that have in some way been influenced by the previous year's winner. This year, it is represented by a number of songs emphasising female empowerment, last year it was songs sung in the national language and in 2016, it was songs that incorporated some form of Mans-style immersive technology performance on stage. Rather than seeing this as broadcasters cheaply ripping off previous success, I see this as the winner's legacy on the contest. What would Hatari's potential legacy on the contest be? It could be songs of shamelessness and pride that took on and explored unique musical styles. We could see more activism from the artists participating and more spontaneous messages brought out in the performances. We could see more industrial beats or more punk-based music and staging. We could see the aggressiveness of Hatari's staging being replicated in countless ways. Whilst it's tricky to predict, I am not sure how Hatari's legacy would play out but I am not sure it will be in ways that are positive or that benefit the contest. This is of course all speculation and if Hatari won this year, I would do everything I could to get to Reykjavik for the night of the Grand Final. Once the show starts and Hatari inevitably have one of the many non-competitive performance slots on Grand Final night, I am both curious and slightly intimidated by what countries might attempt following an Icelandic victory in Tel Aviv.
But of course, I am really curious to hear your opinions on all of this. Which side of the marmite spectrum do you fall on? Whilst I have made it clear from this article that I don't know how I feel, I am ready to change my prediction and make a call that they will be this year's winners. There is obviously still a long way to go and a lot can happen on the night and in the immediate build-up but it already seems clear that this year's Icelandic act is not forgettable and that those who like it will vote for it in their numbers. Of course, please let me know what you think in the comments below and don't forget to subscribe as we get so close to Tel Aviv that you can feel the sand, smell the sea and hear the Nadav Guedj being play incessantly!
A Song with Character & Heart
I'm going to be honest and frank by saying that this definitely hasn't been a classic year in terms of the quality of the songs themselves. Of course, some songs are better than others and I still think that Cyprus is the best of the bunch this year but when I compare my love of my favourites to the love of my favourites from previous years, it is clear I don't have as much of an emotional connection to this year's bunch as I do to ones from the past at this stage. Part of that is definitely down to the way the songs are written. Many songs may be saying something very important but don't pack any sort of emotion or feeling into the music. Hatari packs tons of emotion into this song. From anger to angst to sadness to pain and even a key change in the middle of that, 'Hatrid Mun Sigra' is an emotional roller-coaster. The production makes the song undoubtedly stand out. Again, I love this year's Cypriot entry but I can admit that it fits to the bracket and rules that 'Fuego' and similar pop bangers set last year in the same way that this year's Dutch entry fits to the male emotional ballad bracket and rules prevalent in a lot of contemporary pop music. This entry throws all those rules out the window, not only in its approach to Eurovision as a contest but in its approach to mainstream music in general. A win for this song would prove that it is ok to be different and that no matter what unique genre of music you make, Eurovision is a place where anything and everything not only goes but has a shot at victory.
A Song with a Blurred Message
For those of you who have not yet checked the song out, allow me to offer a lyrical analysis of the song. 'Life is meaningless, the void will get us all', 'Hate will prevail, Happiness comes to an end', 'Europe will crumble, a web of lies will arise from the ashes united as one'. Now, it is important to note that Hatari see the song as a warning that this could happen as opposed to a prophecy that this will happen. The problem is that this is a very thin, very easily blurred line. I certainly know that when myself and many others heard the song for the first time, we associated the aggressive styling and harsh musical tones with a dark message that could perhaps be literally classed as "hate" speech. Now, from my perspective, the jury is still out on what Hatari's true intentions are. Perhaps they are just a bunch of activists with a heart of gold with a message they are trying to put out as a warning but I can also see how that might be a naïve attempt to cover up their angry personas. It is still yet to be seen if countries will pick up on Italy's trick from last year and put the lyrics on screen somehow but it is certainly a long stretch to hope that broadcasters and audiences from around Europe will care enough about this bold, brash song in Icelandic to look up the lyrics and truly understand what Hatari are getting at. A win for this song would leave a confusing taste in all our mouths if this truly is 2019's song for Europe.
The Importance of Icelandic
In the spirit of the beginning of this post, it would not be Eurovision without the arguments about how the contest was better with the national language rule and live orchestra. Whilst that argument is for another post, I like that we are set to have the Icelandic language back at the contest for the first time since 2013. Songvakeppnin has given artists the choice to sing their songs in English in the final should they qualify from their semi and most acts have gone for that. Not only were Hatari not tempted to do that but they didn't even record an English version to give themselves the option. Now admittedly, I controversially tend to prefer the English versions of Songvekeppnin entries to the Semi Icelandic version but I do respect Hatari for sticking to their artistic guns and not feeling a need to sell out for popularity. If the song wins, not only will this be a classic victory for national languages and not only will it be the first winner in Icelandic but it will more importantly represent a message to songwriters across Europe that a song in your own language in exactly the way you want it can win Eurovision.
The Importance of Respect
Now I'm not going to pretend that there is a unwritten rule when it comes to PR at the Eurovision Song Contest. Artists play the Social Media and Press game in whatever way they see fit for their act. The story of Iceland and Eurovision 2019 actually goes all the way back to last summer when members of Hatari signed a petition calling for the country to boycott. It adds to the mystery that the band had in fact broken up in December 2018 before announcing they would return to compete to become Iceland's Eurovision representatives. Upon being chosen, they expressed their overwhelming respect for the project they had been chosen for and that they are being brought a step further towards their plan to destroy capitalism. Now, it seems to me that one of either two things have taken place during this period of time. Either Hatari are hypocrites who will jump on whatever bandwagon they feel will give them enough attention or they actually have some sort of sinister plan to use the contest for other means of their so-called plan. In either of these cases, there is an apparent lack of respect for the Israeli nation at play that Hatari have done nothing to clarify or explain. I don't expect all 41 participating artists to be extremely pro-Israel because that would bring politics into the contest in a way that would make the entire event extremely uncomfortable viewing. However, if you are planning on travelling to Tel Aviv as an artist representing your nation, I would certainly expect you to behave as a good and polite guest instead of speaking out against your host nation's leader and politics. I am still not convinced that Hatari aren't planning on using Eurovision for some form of protest which would greatly frustrate myself and many other fans who see Eurovision as a celebration as opposed to a political forum. A win for this song would demonstrate that your conduct and behaviour around the contest doesn't matter as long as you can deliver the performance on the night.
Reykjavik 2020?
Regular readers of the blog will know how much I have been yearning for Eurovision in Iceland. Whilst the exact kinks on how that would work are still to be made clear (stayed tuned for a second edition of 'Who Needs the Win the Most') Hatari are the best chance that Iceland have had to win the contest in my time as a Eurovision fan. Now admittedly, you shouldn't support a country at Eurovision on the basis of where you would like it to be hosted next year. However, when one is not entirely enamoured with the betting odds, it is nice to look at the situation from a glass half-full perspective and note that regardless of your views on Duncan Laurence, Eurovision 2020 in Amsterdam would not be a bad thing. Reykjavik 2020 would be a downright wonderful experience and would be richly deserved for everything that Iceland have contributed to Eurovision and the enthusiasm with which the entire nation gets behind their act every year sometimes even through some fairly dross results. In the same way that Israel have used this year to celebrate their history at the contest, imagine some of the acts we could see around the three shows. Selma, Yohanna, Pollaponk, Euroband, Hera Bjork are Eurovision legends who would be warmly welcomed back to the Eurovision stage to perform an act on home turf. The logistics of having thousands of Eurovision fans descending on a nation of 350,000 people would admittedly be a challenge but I have no doubt that the Icelandic delegation have come up with an efficient plan for an enjoyable contest should they be given the opportunity to host it and fulfil a national dream held for decades. A win for this song would give this incredible nation the opportunity to make their dream a reality and host what I'm sure would be one of the most special Eurovision Song Contests in history.
Musical Implications of Reykjavik 2020?
All the above having been said, it is difficult to imagine the sound of that contest. By this I mean that every year you have a number of songs that have in some way been influenced by the previous year's winner. This year, it is represented by a number of songs emphasising female empowerment, last year it was songs sung in the national language and in 2016, it was songs that incorporated some form of Mans-style immersive technology performance on stage. Rather than seeing this as broadcasters cheaply ripping off previous success, I see this as the winner's legacy on the contest. What would Hatari's potential legacy on the contest be? It could be songs of shamelessness and pride that took on and explored unique musical styles. We could see more activism from the artists participating and more spontaneous messages brought out in the performances. We could see more industrial beats or more punk-based music and staging. We could see the aggressiveness of Hatari's staging being replicated in countless ways. Whilst it's tricky to predict, I am not sure how Hatari's legacy would play out but I am not sure it will be in ways that are positive or that benefit the contest. This is of course all speculation and if Hatari won this year, I would do everything I could to get to Reykjavik for the night of the Grand Final. Once the show starts and Hatari inevitably have one of the many non-competitive performance slots on Grand Final night, I am both curious and slightly intimidated by what countries might attempt following an Icelandic victory in Tel Aviv.
But of course, I am really curious to hear your opinions on all of this. Which side of the marmite spectrum do you fall on? Whilst I have made it clear from this article that I don't know how I feel, I am ready to change my prediction and make a call that they will be this year's winners. There is obviously still a long way to go and a lot can happen on the night and in the immediate build-up but it already seems clear that this year's Icelandic act is not forgettable and that those who like it will vote for it in their numbers. Of course, please let me know what you think in the comments below and don't forget to subscribe as we get so close to Tel Aviv that you can feel the sand, smell the sea and hear the Nadav Guedj being play incessantly!
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