12. IRELAND 2001
Without Your Love.performed by Gary O'Shaughnessy
I do recall saying that if there were seven pieces of perfect pop candy in the Irish final, and one formulaic ballad, it was pretty obvious which one the regional juries would plump for. I was almost right.
Just seven songs in the final line-up (Gypsy Blue was disqualified, having been entered for about 73 other similar festivals before Eurosong, and its singer admitted to quite liking some parts of Britain), and in the big shake-'em-and-see result, the 'easy self-assembly without need for glue or screwdrivers' Irish entry Without Your Love sung by Gary O'Shaughnessy beat Westzone/Boylife clones InFOCUS into second place and the much-favoured Fe-Mail into third.
Can't they handle too many beats per minute in this neck of the woods?
HEARD-IT: I don't like it, but I think it'll do well. Lots of trying-to-be-stirring bits and the such.
Some people are saying this is a threat, and I'm trying to be objective about it, but this type of song gives bland a bad name.
AND ON THAT NOTE, WE'LL PREDICT: Blandness and ESC winners however, do make regular bedfellows. Especially in beds of shamrocks. Top um.... 10 (please not Top 5!)