DISCLAIMER: Hurt dogs holler. If you let people love what they love there is no reason to feel offend by the headline in this article.
Music, like many other art forms, is subjective. One person’s masterpiece can be another’s noise. Yes, at the end of every Eurovision season there is a winner; and I love competition, but that doesn’t mean all the songs that didn’t win aren’t quality. It also doesn’t mean that every song that’s won or been selected is a masterpiece worthy of winning the whole Contest.
In a fandom centered around diversity of language, sound, nationality, ethnicity… etc. it’s disappointing that, much like other fandoms on the internet, *SOME* Eurovision fans aren’t celebrating diversity of thought and more importantly— taste.
As someone who is mostly known in Eurovision circles as a reactor you might be wondering why I would have this perspective. Let’s get this out of the way: when I sit in my chair and react I am sharing MY thoughts. People don’t have to agree with MY thoughts and my goal in sharing my “take,” isn’t necessarily to convince others to agree with me.
I intentionally break down my critiques in a formulaic fashion: styling, vocal, staging potential, edits/notes, qualification odds, and winner potential. Some songs I love. Some songs I hate. To be fair, there are not many that I hate now—kudos and gold stars to delegations and broadcasters for attracting strong talent. Ultimately, I’m simply sharing my perspective and inviting others to do the same.
When people proclaim their favorites on X (formerly Twitter) or in the comments of a YouTube video you can rest assure that someone who does not like the song will respond. Why? That’s my question exactly.
If someone is posting about their fave— unless you are agreeing or perhaps want to know WHY they love the song— you do not need to do anything but scroll by.
As I mentioned earlier, Eurovision is a competition and naturally that creates an environment of comparison and choice. People are encouraged to publicly root for their favorite Eurovision entry and there is nothing wrong with that, but since the environment of competition can bring comparison, folks will then take on the job of PROVING that their favorite is the best. Comparison isn’t inherently wrong, but when you start dipping in the territory of “yucking someone yum” and then next level trying to convince that person that they are wrong for loving what they love…
You’ve crossed a line.
One can also defend and share the merits of a song without unfairly tearing down another entry.
Can there be objective reasons someone might not like a song? Of course, here are some examples: if the composition is unintentionally dissonant or the production is employing dated methods of instrumentation or mixing. A live performance can can also be objectively judged: off-key notes, distracting styling that pulls focus, employing offensive tropes… There are plenty of ways folks can objectively analyze songs.
Outside of our protected fan bubble, it’s important to note that these “squabbles,” are amplified and a different defense has to be mounted. While were sitting in our bubble infighting over “who the best pop girlie is,” Locals and Eurovision skeptics are disparaging the Contest as a whole and discounting the very artists we all want to see excel. This is reason alone for us to make regular practice of highlighting the POSITIVES about every Eurovision participants.
Am I suggesting we never offer critiques? Of course not, how could any individual truly excel without feedback? But we can be balanced in how we highlight our favorites and push them towards “perfection“.
So next time you see someone exalting a Eurovision song you think is trash— scroll along. Let them love what they love and yes, you can hate what you hate.