2013

Margaret Berger

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts NameMargaret Berger Born11 October 1985 Nationality🇳🇴 Norwegian National SelectionNorsk Melodi Grand Prix 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongI Feed You My Love (2013) Biography Margaret Berger (born 11 October 1985 in Trondheim) is a Norwegian artist, musician, and DJ. Berger grew up in Hitra, where she lived for twelve years. She sang in a gospel choir and began writing her songs as early as twelve years old. She attended the music line at Heimdal High School in Trondheim. Berger had her breakthrough on TV2, where she took 2nd place in the talent competition Idol in 2004. She made her national record debut the same year with “Chameleon”. She received the Spellemannprisen for the best music video in 2004 for “Lifetime Guarantee” and was also nominated for the newcomer of the year award. Among other places, she performed at the Storås festival in 2005. After her first album, Berger moved more towards electronica, a genre she has stated she’s very comfortable with. In the fall of 2006, she released the album “Pretty Scary Silver Fairy”, which is a pop album with an electronic sound. The single “Samantha” is the most well-known song from this album, and it became a radio hit in the summer and fall of 2006. Berger got a record contract with BMG and is known as one of the participants who have done best after Idol. In 2011, Berger released the vinyl single “In a Box” in collaboration with Universal. The song was listed on NRK P3 and received a five on the dice roll (rating) in VG (a Norwegian newspaper). Berger also performed at by:Larm in 2011. On February 9, 2013, she won the Norwegian final of the Melodi Grand Prix with the song “I Feed You My Love”, written among others by the Swedish electropop artist Karin Park. On May 18, 2013, she placed fourth in the international final with the same song. In 2014, she was a judge in the TV2 program Idol Junior. In 2016, Berger participated in a Christmas concert in Borgestad church, where she, among other things, sang a duet with Jostein Fahre. In 2017, Margaret Berger was one of the artists honored in the entertainment program “Hver gang vi møtes” on TV 2. In 2021, she came in fourth place as “Nøkken” in Maskorama (season 2). In May 2022, she released a new single, “Gjennomsiktig”. Entries I Feed You My Love Country🇳🇴 Norway Year2013 LanguageEnglish LyricsKarin ParkRobin LynchNiklas Olovson MusicKarin ParkRobin LynchNiklas Olovson BackingsKarianne KjærnesNicoline Berg KaasinJorunn HaugeAxel Tidemann (drums) Results Semi Points: 120Position: 3Running order: 13 Results Finals Points: 191Position: 4Running order: 24 https://youtu.be/gjm-kCOMaPY

Zlata Ognevich

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts NameZlata Leonidivna Ognevich, born Bordiuh Born12 January 1986 Nationality🇺🇦 Ukrainian National SelectionEvrobachennya 2013 – Natsionalniy VidbirEvrobachennya 2011 – Natsionalniy Vidbir In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongGravity (2013) Biography Inna Leonidivna Bordyug was born on in Murmansk. As a child, she lived in Leningrad and Minsk. Inna started playing music in Sudak, where she moved with her family at the age of 5. At the age of 18, she entered the Kyiv Institute of Music. During her studies, she was a member of a Latin band and a vocalist of the State Song and Dance Ensemble of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. She has a voice range of 3.5 octaves. In May 2009, she won the First Singing Radio Host contest from Kyiv Business Radio, where she worked for three months. In 2010, Zlata Ognevich’s first solo song “Ostrov lyubvy” was released. The clip got into the rotation of music channels and during the first weeks occupied the leading places of the hit parades. In March of the same year, Ognevich entered the top five performers of the national selection of the Eurovision Song Contest 2010, where she participated with the English-language version of her debut single “Tiny Island”. In May, the second song “Anhely” was released.Ognevich became the voice of TM “Korona” advertising campaign with the song “Prystrastʹ”. In the summer, she presented a joint track with DJ Shamshudinov “Kiss”. The video clip for this song was shot in July 2010 near Kyiv. In December, Zlata Ognievich, teamed up with Asan Bilyalov, won the third season of the talent show Narodna Zirka. In February 2011, she took part in the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest for the second time with the song “The kukusha”. In the final she took second place. In the summer of 2011, diplomats of the Embassy of Argentina awarded Zlata Ognievich with the title “The Best Voice of Ukraine”. She performed as a special guest at the international competition “Slavic Bazaar” in Vitebsk. In the fall of 2011, Zlata Ognievich represented Ukraine at the First International Competition of Young Performers, held as part of the Crimea Music Fest festival in Yalta, where she won the First Prize and the “Zoryanyi Konik” prize of journalistic sympathy. In December 2012, Zlata Ognievich won the national selection with the song “Gravity”, and in May 2013, she represented Ukraine at the 58th Eurovision Song Contest, where she took third place. After the competition, she received a Certificate of Honor from the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and a watch from Prime Minister Mykola Azarov for her exceptional contribution to the development of Ukrainian art. On November 30, 2013, together with Timur Miroshnychenko, she hosted the 11th Junior Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Kyiv. In January 2014, she took 2nd place with the Donetsk Choir in the TV show Bytvy khoriv. In the same year, she received an award for Singer of the Year. At the end of August 2018, Ognievich, together with Dmytro Zhuk, became a participant in the show “Dancing with the Stars”. On December 18 of the same year, the premiere of Ognievich’s debut album “Grani” took place,. The album included eight compositions. The singer collaborated with the author and composer Mykhailo Nekrasov on the three already published compositions “Tantsyuvaty”, “Do mene”, “Doloni” and the new “Yedynyy”. The track “Spovidʹ” was written in co-authorship with Katya Rohova, the arrangement of which was worked on by singer Constantine and producer Yevhen Filatov. Oleksandr Lozovsky wrote “Chekay” and the Dynamika Music team worked on the track “Syla” together with Kyryll Matyushenko. The album also included the Ukrainian folk song “Chom ty ne pryyshov” in a modern arrangement. On May 23, 2019, Ognievich released a music video for the song “Solodka kara”. The final of the popular show “Maska” (The Masked Singer) took place in 2016, in which the Sun won. Zlata Ognievich was hiding behind the mask of this character. In 2021, Zlata Ognevich became the heroine of the show “Bachelorette-2”. In July 2022 she released a new video, “Svitlo”, a song dedicated to rescuers who have to go to places after bombings. In December she released the single “Yak meni buty”. She teamed up with Shumei for a duet “Burevyamy”, which was released in April 2023. Entries Gravity Country🇺🇦 Ukraine Year2013 LanguageEnglish LyricsKaren Kavaleryan MusicMikhail Nekrasov BackingsAnn Bailey-SimonsHollie PetrieCleveland WatkissDasha Mineyeva GiantIgor Vovkovinskiy Results Semi Points: 140Position: 3Running order: 7 Results Finals Points: 214Position: 3Running order: 22 https://youtu.be/xgLCBm8Txsc

Farid Mammadov

About Quick Facts NameFərid Məmmədov Born30 August 1991 Nationality🇦🇿 Azerbaijani National SelectionMilli Seçim Turu 2013Milli Seçim Turu 2011 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongHold Me (2013) Biography Farid Mammadov (Azerbaijani: Fərid Məmmədov, born 30 August 1991, Baku) is an Azerbaijani singer. At the age of six, he joined the music group named Bülbüllər founded by Aybeniz Haşimova as a lead singer. Mammadov completed his secondary education at Elitar High School and continued his studies at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts. He also worked at the Baku Jazz Center. In 2011, Farid Mammadov participated in the 3rd week of the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, Milli Seçim Turu. However, he did not make it to the final. He released his first single “Gəl yanıma” in 2012 Two years after his first attempt, he was more lucky: again, he participated in Milli Seçim Turu. In the final, he came first with the song “Hold Me” and thus earned the right to represent Azerbaijan at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest held in Malmö, Sweden. In the Grand Final, he reached the 2nd place. The follow up song for his Eurovision performance was “K tebe”, and in 2014 “Hər an Yanımda”. In 2015 he performed at the closing ceremony of the 1st European Games, along with Sabina Babayeva. In 2016 Farid Mammadov married and moved to Los Angeles. Entries Hold Me Country🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Year2013 LanguageEnglish LyricsJohn BallardRalph Charlie MusicDimitris Kontopoulos BackingsAlvaro EstrellaFernando FuentesJennie Jahns DancersAlexander KuzmenkoIyrine Nevmyvanaya Results Semi Points: 139Position: 1Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: 234Position: 2Running order: 20 https://youtu.be/S7C3S2zuVp8

Eyþor Ingi

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts NameEyþór Ingi Gunnlaugsson Born29 May 1989 Nationality🇮🇸 Icelandic National SelectionSöngvakeppnin 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongÉg Á Lif (2013) Biography Eyþór Ingi Gunnlaugsson (born 29 May 1989 in Dalvik, Iceland) is an Icelandic singer, songwriter, producer, actor, and musician. Eyþór Ingi has had a distinguished journey in the world of music and entertainment. His early inclination towards music was evident when, at just 15, he starred in the Icelandic rendition of the musical ‘Oliver!’. A few years later, in 2007, he triumphed in a high school song contest with his rendition of Deep Purple’s “Perfect Strangers”. 2008 marked another significant win for him on the TV talent show Bandið hans Bubba. He had already started making a mark in the Icelandic music scene as the founder of the band Eldberg. In 2009, he became a pivotal member of Todmobile, an Icelandic 80’s progressive rock band initially formed as a trio in the early 1990s by Þorvaldur Bjarni Þorvaldsson, a celebrated Icelandic vocalist, guitarist, and record producer. The band, which underwent various lineup changes and revivals, released the album ‘7’ in 2010 with Eyþór’s contributions. Eyþór took over as one of two lead singers. Eyþór’s theatrical talents shone when, in 2011, he received a Gríman theatrical Award nomination for his portrayal of Riff Raff in ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’. This was followed by his appearance in ‘Les Misérables’ in 2012. The subsequent year, 2013, was monumental for him as he won Söngvakeppnin 2013. Representing Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013, he performed “Ég á líf”, securing the 17th spot in the final. That same year, collaborating with Atómskáldin, they launched the album ‘Eyþór Ingi og Atómskáldin’. Beyond music, Eyþór showcased his voice talent in the Icelandic version of the DreamWorks movie ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ in 2014. His collaborations are globally diverse, having teamed up with renowned musicians like Steve Hackett from Genesis and Jon Anderson from Yes. Notably, he was featured on Steve Hackett’s solo album. In the sphere of contemporary music, Eyþór Ingi founded Rock Paper Sisters, serving as its lead vocalist, guitarist, and chief songwriter. Their inception is unique, being one of the rare bands originating from a party that actually followed through with meetings, rehearsals, recordings, and live performances. Their debut live performance was as the opening act for Billy Idol at Laugardalshöll stadium. They’ve released several singles since, including the 2018 hit “Howling Fool” and a Christmas song “Það á að gefa börnum brauð”, inspired by a traditional Icelandic Christmas melody. He teamed up with Eirikur Hauksson to sing tributes of Freddy Mercury in 2019. A year later, he teamed up with Lay Low for the song “Aftur heim ti þin”, which became a no. 1 in the Icelandic charts. In 2022, Eyþór Ingi played a role in the Icelandic movie Abbababb. In April 2023, Rock Paper Sisters released their debut album “One in a Million”. Eyþór also hosted his own show Kvöldstundinni. Entries Ég Á Lif Country🇮🇸 Icelandic Year2013 LanguageIcelandic LyricsÖrlygur SmáriPétur Örn Guðmundsson MusicÖrlygur SmáriPétur Örn Guðmundsson BackingsBergþór Smári JakobssonEinar Þór JóhanssonHannes Heimir FriðbjarnarssonKristján Gíslason Results Semi Points: 72Position: 6Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: 47Position: 17Running order: 19 https://youtu.be/GzE88IYzXLI

Emmelie de Forest

About Quick Facts NameEmmelie Charlotte-Victoria De Forrest Born28 February 1993 Nationality🇩🇰 Danish National SelectionDansk Melodi Grand Prix 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongOnly Teardrops (2013) Biography Emmelie Charlotte-Victoria de Forest was born on 28 February 1993 in Randers, Denmark. Music ran in her veins; she claims descent from Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. Her father is Swedish, and her mother is Danish. Emmelie began singing at a young age. At just 14, she began performing in local festivals, singing jazz classics from the 1930s and 1940s. This early exposure to music set the foundation for her future career. Emmelie de Forest’s big breakthrough came in 2013 when she represented Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Malmö, Sweden. With her song “Only Teardrops,” she managed to captivate audiences and judges alike, leading to her winning the contest. The song went on to become a major hit not only in Denmark but also across Europe. Following her Eurovision win, Emmelie released her debut album, also titled “Only Teardrops,” which featured a collection of tracks showcasing her distinct vocal style. She went on tours, performed at various concerts, and became a well-recognized name in the European music scene. On 7 February 2014, Emmelie de Forest introduced her third single, “Rainmaker,” through a video upload. She delved into its significance, providing a sneak peek of the song. This tune became the official #JoinUs anthem for the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, and de Forest showcased it live during the event’s final in Copenhagen’s B&W Hallerne. She described “Rainmaker” as a song that encapsulates the unity of a tribe invoking the rain to rejuvenate their parched land. However, she expanded its meaning, suggesting that the rainmaker could symbolize anyone or anything – emphasizing collaboration and mutual aid. Reflecting on her post-Eurovision victory, de Forest exclaimed, “Touring Europe, dropping my first album, penning numerous songs – truly, I’m living the dream!” In a September 2014 discussion with Wiwibloggs, de Forest mentioned she was in the midst of recording her sophomore album, initially set for a February 2015 launch. By 14 July, “Rainmaker” had achieved Gold status. Then, on 3 August 2014, she shared on Facebook her plans to debut her upcoming album’s first single, “Drunk Tonight,” at the Amsterdam Pride 2014. Through Instagram, she revealed glimpses of the song and its upcoming music video. The single hit the shelves on 18 August, followed by its music video release on 25 August. Emphasizing the video’s aesthetic, in which she appears in a swimsuit, de Forest aimed for a blend of “elegance and allure.” Come December 2015, de Forest departed from Universal Music Group, subsequently partnering with Swedish entity, Cosmos Music. As a lyricist, she contributed to Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2016 with “Never Alone,” performed by Anja Nissen. However, its eligibility wavered as de Forest had showcased the song earlier. Yet, the European Broadcasting Union, responsible for Eurovision’s organization, greenlit it. The song contended in the 13 February 2016 final, securing a spot in the super final and finishing second. In the UK’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, de Forest returned as a songwriter, penning “Never Give Up on You” for Lucie Jones. This song clinched the top spot and later ranked 15th at the Eurovision in Kyiv. November 2017 saw de Forest releasing “Sanctuary,” marking her first venture after her Universal exit. February 9, 2018, witnessed the unveiling of her second album, “History.” Aligning with independent label Day In Day Out Records, under Cosmos Music’s umbrella, she launched “Typical Love Song” on 8 October 2021. In November of the same year, she played a role in the short film “Text Me When You Get Home” about the ordinary fear and paranoia of being a woman walking home alone. Entries Only Teardrops Country🇩🇰 Denmark Year2013 LanguageEnglish LyricsLise CabbleJulia Fabrin JacobsenThomas Stengaard MusicLise CabbleJulia Fabrin JacobsenThomas Stengaard BackingsAnne MurilloHeidi DegnAnders ØhrstrømMorten Specht Larsen (drums)Jacob Bagøe Thomsen (drums) Results Semi Points: 167Position: 1Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: 281Position: 1Running order: 18 https://youtu.be/QxVWcDevKLg

ByeAlex

About Quick Facts NameAlex Márta Born06 June 1984 Nationality🇭🇺 Hungarian National SelectionA Dal 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongKedvesem (2013) Biography ByeAlex, real name Alex Márta (born in Kisvárda, June 6, 1984) is a Hungarian singer, songwriter and producer. Alex Márta graduated with a degree in philosophy from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Miskolc. He started dealing with music at a relatively young age, initially for his own pleasure, mainly to entertain his sister and parents. As a university student, he began to engage more seriously in music in amateur bands. It was during this time that he wrote his first major hit song, “Csókolom”. Alex formed the band My Gift to You and explored psychedelic-post-rock themes, releasing remix albums. In 2012, he began his solo career under the name ByeAlex. His first solo album, “Szörpoholista”, was released in 2013. In the same year, he gained national recognition as a performer in the Hungarian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. In the 2013 A Dal finals, his success was viewed critically by the press, as he outperformed other contestants who were seen as more likely winners. At the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest held in Malmö, he qualified for the May finals. In the Grand Final, ByeAlex’s song achieved 10th place overall. Alex was awarded the Silver Memorial Medal by György Matolcsy, the President of the Hungarian National Bank, for being a worthy representative of Hungary’s 21st-century culture. From 2016 to 2022, Alex was a jury member of X-Factor and was the winning mentor in the eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh seasons. He was the first to start writing songs for his mentees during the show’s airing. He was also the most successful mentor in the Hungarian X-Factor. He supported several younger, lesser-known artists under the name APU. In 2019, he released a collaborative song titled “Fiatalon” with pølava. At the end of 2020, he released a concept album titled “Rehab”. The album became 4x platina. In February 2021, they released another track about casual relationships, “Fehér Holló”. ByeAlex, who changed his name into ByeAlex és a Slepp to release a song called “Hullik” in June 2021. The song became 9 times platinum! A year later, he celebrated the 10 year anniversary of his career with a symphonic tour. In June 2022, the songs “Rossz esték” and “Menned kell”, which Alex made together with his pupils Alex Balász and Manuel, went platinum. Alex teamed up with Luna in January 2023 for the song “Rózsaszín mustang”. Entries Kedvesem Country🇭🇺 Hungary Year2013 LanguageHungarian LyricsAlex Márta MusicAlex MártaZoltán Palasti Kovács BackingsDániel Kővágó (guitar)Helga Wéber Results Semi Points: 66Position: 8Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: 84Position: 10Running order: 17 https://youtu.be/rOimfHq76xk

Robin Stjernberg

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts NameRobin James Olof Stjernberg Born22 February 1991 Nationality🇸🇪 Swedish National SelectionMelodifestivalen 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongYou (2013) Biography Robin Stjernberg is a Swedish singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in Hässleholm on 22 February 1991. In 2006, Stjernberg clinched victory at the Sommarchansen in Malmö. The following year, he participated in a competition at the Globe Arena, where he and 14 others contended for spots in a budding boy band. Stjernberg, along with Eric Saade, Luwdig “Ludde” Keijser, and Johan Yngvesson, were the chosen quartet, forming the band later named What’s Up!. After Eric Saade’s departure, Johannes Magnusson stepped in as his replacement. The band’s debut album, “In Pose,” secured the 40th position on the Swedish Albums Chart. Two of their tracks, “Go Girl!” and “If I Told You Once,” made notable impressions on the Sverigetopplistan, the official Swedish Singles Chart, ranking 5th and 16th respectively. Robin Stjernberg auditioned for Idol 2011 and reached a 2nd place in the competition, gaining 48% of the votes. Following his stint on “Idol,” Stjernberg unveiled his debut single, “All This Way,” on 2 December 2011. Stjernberg was now affiliated with the Lionheart Music Group label. On 4 January 2012, he introduced “My Versions,” an Idol-themed compilation. The album’s premier official single features his take on Beyoncé’s hit, “Halo.” In 2013, Stjernberg graced the stage of Melodifestivalen with “You”. Competing in the semi-final on 23 February in Malmö, he secured a spot in the “Second Chance” round on 2 March in Karlstad. Stjernberg achieved a historic win on 9 March, becoming the first “Second Chance” entrant ever to clinch the Melodifestivalen title. He later represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest on 18 May, finishing 14th. Post-Eurovision, Robin introduced his debut original album ‘Pieces’ on 26 June 2013, spotlighting singles like ‘Scars’ and ‘Crime’. The following year, on 11 June 2014, he released the chart-topping iTunes single “Body Language”. After a brief hiatus, 23 October 2015 saw the launch of “Locked into You”, followed by “Take Me Home” on 7 January 2016, which climbed to number 5 on the Swedish iTunes chart. A notable achievement was co-writing Robin Bengtsson’s “I Can’t Go On” for Melodifestivalen 2017. The song not only won the contest but also ranked fifth in the Eurovision Song Contest, marking Stjernberg’s return, this time as a songwriter. Robin Stjernberg and Benjamin Roustaing started their group project ohFrank during 2020. Together they have released the EP “Dandelion” and the singles “Millenial”, “Schizophrenic” and “Venice”, to mention a few. As 2021 dawned, he marked his solo comeback with the single “Pretty”. Entries You Country🇸🇪 Sweden Year2013 LanguageEnglish LyricsRobin StjernbergJoakim Harestad HaukaasJoy DebbLinnea Debb MusicRobin StjernbergJoakim Harestad HaukaasJoy DebbLinnea Debb BackingsDea NorbergJohan Boding DancersAnna HolmströmJoão AssunçãoJuan Ramon Fuenzalida Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 62Position: 14Running order: 16 https://youtu.be/vtjdTPnCcu0

Bonnie Tyler

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts NameGaynor Hopkins Born08 June 1951 Nationality🇬🇧 British National SelectionInternal selection 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongBelieve In Me (2013) Biography Born Gaynor Hopkins on June 8, 1951, in Skewen, Wales, Bonnie Tyler would grow up to become one of the most recognizable voices in rock and pop music. With a distinct raspy vocal quality, likened to a “female Rod Stewart,” and powerful anthems, she forged a music career that spanned decades and earned her worldwide acclaim. Growing up as the daughter of a coal miner and sharing the house with three sisters and two brothers, Bonnie’s musical journey began in the church choir. Her early musical taste was influenced by the soulful sounds of Motown and artists like Janis Joplin. In the late 1960s, she started performing in local pubs and clubs in South Wales. By her late teens, Bonnie knew that she wanted to take her passion for singing to a professional level. In 1976, after several rejections and minor breakthroughs, Bonnie Tyler was thrust into the limelight with her hit “Lost in France.” But it was her 1977 song “It’s a Heartache” that made her an international sensation, reaching the top 10 in both the U.S. and UK. However, the late 1970s and early 1980s marked a challenging period for Bonnie. After undergoing surgery to remove nodules from her vocal cords, her voice deepened, intensifying its gritty texture. Rather than seeing it as a setback, Bonnie embraced her new sound, making it her signature. In 1983, she collaborated with Jim Steinman, who wrote and produced her seminal album, “Faster Than the Speed of Night.” The album featured the unforgettable track “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” which skyrocketed to No. 1 in multiple countries, solidifying Bonnie Tyler’s position as a rock icon. In 1984 she had another massive hit with “A Rockin’ Good Way”, a duet with Shakin’ Stevens, followed by a new solo single “Holding out a hero”. Both songs were #1 hits in Ireland. Despite the massive success of “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” the late 1980s saw a waning in Tyler’s chart performance. However, her song “Bitter blue” became a hit in several countries in 1991. A year later she had a massive hit in Norway with “Fools lullaby”. In 2003, Bonnie Tyler made a comeback with a French version of “Total Eclyps”, “Si Demain (Turn Around)”. The song reached the #1 spot in the French charts and became a hit in Switzerland as well. In 2013, Bonnie Tyler made headlines again when she represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest with “Believe in Me.” She reached a 19th place with the song in the Grand Final. In Marc 2019, her album “Between The Earth And The Stars” had already claimed the 34th spot on the UK Albums Chart. The album boasted collaborations with music icons: Rod Stewart, Francis Rossi, and Cliff Richard. She immediately kicked off a 23-show European tour in April. December of the same year saw Tyler revamp her 2005 track, “Streets of Stone,” aligning with The World’s Big Sleep Out’s charitable cause. The year 2020 wasn’t without its surprises. Collaborating with Lorraine Crosby, Tyler launched “Through Thick and Thin (I’ll Stand by You)” to aid the Teenage Cancer Trust. The track found its place at number 64 on the UK Downloads Chart. By February 2021, she graced her fans with another masterpiece: “The Best Is Yet to Come.” Fast forward to September 2022, Tyler, alongside Mike Batt, reintroduced “Into the Sunset”—a track once featured in the 1990’s “The Dreamstone” soundtrack. In October, she joined forces with the cast of Tanz der Vampire in Stuttgart, celebrating the musical’s silver anniversary with a live rendition of her iconic “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” For the first time, she embarked on a South American tour, including eight shows in Brazil and a notable performance in Uruguay. Entries Song Title Country🇸🇲 Country Yearyear Language🇬🇧 English LyricsNames MusicNames Backings– Results Semi Points:Position:Running order: Results Finals Points:Position:Running order: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRAN7AzEKak © About Quick Facts NameName Born01 month 1900 Nationality🇮🇹 Nationality National SelectionSelection Method In EurovisionYear City SongSong (Year) Biography Born Gaynor Hopkins on June 8, 1951, in Skewen, Wales, Bonnie Tyler would grow up to become one of the most recognizable voices in rock and pop music. With a distinct raspy vocal quality, likened to a “female Rod Stewart,” and powerful anthems, she forged a music career that spanned decades and earned her worldwide acclaim. Growing up as the daughter of a coal miner and sharing the house with three sisters and two brothers, Bonnie’s musical journey began in the church choir. Her early musical taste was influenced by the soulful sounds of Motown and artists like Janis Joplin. In the late 1960s, she started performing in local pubs and clubs in South Wales. By her late teens, Bonnie knew that she wanted to take her passion for singing to a professional level. In 1976, after several rejections and minor breakthroughs, Bonnie Tyler was thrust into the limelight with her hit “Lost in France.” But it was her 1977 song “It’s a Heartache” that made her an international sensation, reaching the top 10 in both the U.S. and UK. However, the late 1970s and early 1980s marked a challenging period for Bonnie. After undergoing surgery to remove nodules from her vocal cords, her voice deepened, intensifying its gritty texture. Rather than seeing it as a setback, Bonnie embraced her new sound, making it her signature. In 1983, she collaborated with Jim Steinman, who wrote and produced her seminal album, “Faster Than the Speed of Night.” The album featured the unforgettable track “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” which skyrocketed to No. 1 in multiple countries, solidifying Bonnie Tyler’s position as a rock icon. In 1984 she had another massive hit with “A Rockin’ Good Way”, a duet with Shakin’ Stevens, followed by a new solo single “Holding out a hero”. Both songs were #1 hits in Ireland. Despite the massive success of “Total

Cezar

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts NameFlorin Cezar Ouatu Born18 February 1980 Nationality🇷🇴 Romanian National SelectionSelecția Națională 2022Selecția Națională 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongIt’s My Life (2013) Biography Cezar Florin Ouatu (b. 18 February 1980, Ploiești, Romania), also known as Cezar The Voice or simply Cezar, is a Romanian opera singer (countertenor), pop-opera performer, and pianist. He was born into a family of musicians. At just 6 years old, he learned to play the piano and pursued an artistic profile. He graduated from the Carmen Sylva Music High School in Ploiești; in 2004, he graduated with the highest grades from the classical singing section of the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan, where he had been admitted in 2001. He also studied baroque music. He made his professional debut on the stage of the “La Fenice” Theatre in Venice, performed on the most important stages worldwide and received numerous awards at singing competitions in cities like Barcelona, Dresden, Milan, and countries such as Monaco and San Marino. He performed at prestigious operas such as those in Lausanne, Barcelona and Potsdam. In December 2012, he approached the pop-opera music style, which combines opera with the pop music genre. As he himself recounted in the online edition of the Prahova Newspaper, Cristian Faur urged him to sing the song “It’s My Life”: “Two weeks ago, I received a message on Facebook from Cristian Faur – the composer and lyricist of the song ‘It’s My Life’ – who told me he chose me to perform his song. I listened to the song, liked it, and said: ‘Why not?’ – because I am very passionate about any kind of music.” He won the national final, becoming Romania’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 held in Malmö, Sweden. He managed to achieve the 13th place in the Grand Final. In February 2014 Cezar teamed up with the Bucharest Symphony Orchestra for a concert. On 10 April of that year he released a pop-opera album titled “The Voice of Love”. In May 2015, he became the winner of Te cunosc de undeva! (Your Face Sounds Familiar). In September of that year, he performed in the solo concert One Voice Show. Cezar and Taraful Silvian Voicu teamed up for a musical project called “Gică Petrescu…. reloaded”. They performed songs of the famous Romanian composer Gică Petrescu. In 2017 he started singing in Orff’s Carmina Burana. It became an annual event. In 2017 he took part in Te cunosc de undeva! again. This time he was the runner up. In 2018 Cezar was the host of Selecția Națională, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. At the same time he debuted at Mozartissimo, a series of concerts with Mozart’s music. In September of that year, Cezar took part in the X-Factor UK. Cezar started 2019 with Pop Opera concerts teamed up with conductor Andrei Tudor. And he took part in Te cunosc de undeva! for a third time, this time together with Șerban Copoț. Cezar started his own singing festival FICCO (Festival International de Canto Cezar Ouatu). The first edition took place in 2020. In June 2020, during the COVID19 lockdown, Cezar gave an international online concert The Voice Of Hope. In September he participated in the reality show Ferma. In January 2021 Cezar released a new single, “Se amarsi se’”. He teamed up with David Dobrincu for the single “Perfect Symphony”, released on 8 April 2021. He also became a member of the Free Tenors with Marius Denes and Mihnea Niculescu, debuting in October of that year. With the song “For everyone” he reached the semifinal of Selecția Națională 2022, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. In May of the same tear, he and David Dobrincu released a new single, “You raise me up”. Entries It’s My Life Country🇷🇴 Romania Year2013 LanguageEnglish LyricsChristian Faur MusicChristian Faur BackingsAlexandra TomaFlorentin MunteanuSandra MavhimaSimona DeacunescuSivu Mititelu Results Semi Points: 83Position: 5Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: 65Position: 13Running order: 14 https://youtu.be/VgHWFiavqjA

Anouk

About Quick Facts NameAnouk Teeuwe Born08 April 1975 Nationality🇳🇱 Dutch National SelectionInternal selection 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongBirds (2013) Biography Born in The Hague, Netherlands, on 8 April 1975, Anouk Teeuwe, known popularly as Anouk, is a testament to the indomitable spirit of passion and perseverance. Her journey into the world of music wasn’t a bed of roses. As a teenager, grappling with personal issues, Anouk dabbled in drugs and even left her family at a tender age of 14. However, her life took a transformative turn when she rediscovered her roots in music, inspired by her mother, a blues singer. From a shy teenager singing her heart out at weddings and local gatherings with the band Shotgun Wedding, Anouk transitioned to a budding artist at the Rotterdam Conservatory in 1994. Though she left the conservatory after just two years, her passion for music remained undeterred. The period marked a significant turn in her career when her husband, Edwin Jansen, introduced her to Barry Hay, the lead vocalist of the iconic Dutch rock band, Golden Earring. Sensing her raw talent, Hay collaborated with his fellow band member, George Kooymans, to pen “Mood Indigo” for Anouk. The late 1990s was an era of exploration for Anouk. Partnering with Bart van Veen as her co-writer, they crafted several songs. But it was her single, “Nobody’s Wife,” released in September 1997, that acted as a catapult, propelling her to the zenith of the Dutch music charts and gaining recognition in Norway and Sweden. “Together Alone,” her debut album, echoed her rise to prominence. The subsequent years were an amalgamation of achievements and challenges. In 1998, she bagged multiple awards, including two from the revered Dutch music channel TMF and the prestigious Edison Award. With the dawn of the new millennium, her second album “Urban Solitude” arrived, featuring the hit “R U Kiddin’ Me”. An attempt to explore opportunities in the US music industry didn’t materialize as planned, but this setback was merely a precursor to her returning with a bang with the song “Don’t” in 2001. Anouk’s discography in the early 2000s was diverse, with “Lost Tracks” in 2001, showcasing acoustic renditions and collaborations, and the hard rock-infused “Graduated Fool” in 2002. Her evolution as an artist was further manifested in “Hotel New York” (2004), marked by singles such as “Girl” and “Lost”. The ensuing years saw Anouk experimenting with different genres and collaborations. “Who’s Your Momma” (2007) was a significant release, with the single “Good God” making its way into the video game Guitar Hero World Tour. “For Bitter or Worse” followed in 2009, accompanied by chart-topping songs. The 2010s carved a niche for Anouk in the international music arena. Her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song “Birds” ended the Netherlands’ dry spell in the competition, garnering 9th place and widespread acclaim. She also penned the 2015 Dutch Eurovision entry “Walk along” for Trijntje Oosterhuis. Anouk’s tenure as a coach on “The Voice of Holland” was another feather in her cap, spanning several seasons, though it ended in 2022 amidst controversy surrounding the show. Her musical journey in the late 2010s and 2020s was marked by diversity. With two album releases in 2016, the introduction of her first Dutch-language album in 2018 titled “Wen d’r maar aan”, and the intimately crafted mini-album “Trails of Fails” in 2022, Anouk solidified her legacy as a versatile artist unafraid of reinvention. In June 2022, Anouk married Dominique Schemmekes during a concert at the Malieveld in The Hague. In January 2023 she recorded a song “Met wie kan jij het aan” together with Emma Heesters. Entries Birds Country🇳🇱 The Netherlands Year2013 LanguageEnglish LyricsAnouk Teeuwe MusicAnouk TeeuweMartin GjerstadTore Johanson BackingsRicardo BurgrustShirma RouseYerry Rellum Results Semi Points: 75Position: 6Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: 114Position: 9Running order: 13 https://youtu.be/n5iazXvMw5o