The 2011 Eurovision Song Contest was a year marked by a noticeable wave of ballads. While I appreciate a good ballad, this year felt like there were simply too many, diluting the impact of even the truly exceptional ones. Despite this ballad overload, there were still some standout tracks that caught my attention. Finland, my home country, fared better than in recent years, though I personally wasn’t captivated by our entry, despite being intrigued, and perhaps slightly unsettled, by the singer’s remarkably affected British accent. This top ten list draws from both semi-finals and includes a couple of songs that truly resonated with me during the grand final.
My 2011 Eurovision Top 10: Rock, Ballads, and Surprises
Here are my top ten songs from the Eurovision Song Contest of 2011, celebrating the diversity and memorable moments from a year dominated by softer tunes:
-
“Live it Up” by Yüksek Sadakat (Turkey) – This Turkish entry was a melodic rock gem, and my absolute favorite from the first semi-final. It was a huge disappointment that “Live it Up” didn’t qualify for the final. For me, this was easily the best and most energetic song of the entire 2011 Eurovision competition. Yüksek Sadakat brought a vibrant rock sound that was sorely needed that year.
-
“So Lucky” by Zdob si Zdub (Moldova) – Moldova consistently brings a unique flavor to Eurovision, and 2011 was no exception. Zdob si Zdub delivered a fantastic blend of rock and roll energy with a comedic twist. Their performance was incredibly distinctive and memorable, contributing to their well-deserved success in the final. They proved that Eurovision could be fun, quirky, and musically engaging all at once.
-
“One More Day” by Eldrine (Georgia) – For some reason, Georgia’s song initially flew under my radar. However, in a year with a scarcity of genuine rock songs, Eldrine’s “One More Day” finally grabbed my attention during the final. It struck me as one of the most authentic performances of the night. Plus, let’s be honest, they had the best rap verse in the entire contest! Eldrine injected much-needed rock intensity into the Eurovision stage.
-
“In Love For a While” by Anna Rossinelli (Switzerland) – Switzerland finishing last in the final was one of the biggest shocks of the night. While the abundance of ballads might have worked against them, Anna Rossinelli’s “In Love For a While” was, in my opinion, one of the stronger ballads in the competition. Its low placement was truly disheartening. Rossinelli delivered a sweet and charming performance that deserved more recognition.
-
“With Love Baby” by Witloof Bay (Belgium) – Belgium’s acapella entry, “With Love Baby,” didn’t garner widespread appreciation, but it became a personal favorite and a true standout for me. In a sea of more conventional songs, Witloof Bay’s vocal harmonies and unique presentation were refreshing. It was a song that deserved to at least make it to the final and showcase its vocal artistry on a larger stage.
-
“Never Alone” by 3JS (Netherlands) – The Netherlands offered one of the two genuinely great rock ballads of 2011 with “Never Alone.” It’s a real shame that this powerful and emotive song didn’t progress to the finals. 3JS delivered a heartfelt performance that showcased strong vocals and a compelling melody, proving that rock ballads still have a place in Eurovision.
-
“New Tomorrow” by A Friend in London (Denmark) – Denmark presented the other significant rock ballad of the year, “New Tomorrow.” This song undeniably earned its place in the final and performed exceptionally well, becoming the second-highest scoring Nordic country, just behind Sweden. A Friend in London brought anthemic rock energy to Eurovision, resonating with audiences and judges alike.
-
“Haba Haba” by Stella Mwangi (Norway) – I thoroughly enjoyed Norway’s upbeat and cheerful performance of “Haba Haba.” I felt that Norway deserved a spot in the final over Sweden. Stella Mwangi brought a vibrant and energetic stage presence, offering something slightly more original than many other entries, even if the song itself wasn’t the most groundbreaking composition musically.
-
“Running Scared” by Ell and Nikki (Azerbaijan) – Azerbaijan’s victory with “Running Scared” was quite unexpected, but a welcome surprise for me. I personally didn’t think Ukraine or Sweden should have placed as high as they did. “Running Scared” was another of the more memorable ballads from 2011, and definitely one of my favorites from the first semi-final. It was also a historic first win for Azerbaijan, so congratulations to them for their victory.
-
“Madness of Love” by Raphael Gualazzi (Italy) – Italy made a successful return to Eurovision in 2011, both artistically and in terms of results. Raphael Gualazzi brought one of the most original performances of the year with “Madness of Love.” The jazzy sound was incredibly appealing and refreshing. While perhaps not as instantly memorable as some of the other songs in my top 10, it was a very strong showing and highlighted Italy’s ability to bring diverse musical styles to Eurovision.
Final Thoughts on Eurovision 2011
Overall, many deserving songs in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest performed worse than I anticipated, and some songs I considered shoo-ins for the final unfortunately didn’t make the cut. Despite this, it could have been worse. If Sweden had won, I might have had to officially renounce the contest! In my opinion, they were the weakest of all the Nordic acts that year. Their song from the previous year was far superior, and it didn’t even qualify from the semi-finals. It just goes to show that sometimes, talent isn’t the only factor in doing well at Eurovision.
