Latvia

Wolves Of The Sea Pirates Of The Sea

One of the aims of Eurovision has always been to bring the people of the continent together through song. Back in the day, mini-states like Monaco and Luxembourg could always be relied on to foster this noble cause by shipping in boatloads of foreign composers and artists to perform their entries, and despite their absence the tradition continues to this day. Replacement principality Andorra has to look beyond its borders virtually every year for material, while debutants San Marino were proud to announce that at least one member of Miodio actually lives there. However, the plundering of other countries is larger in scope than it has ever been and far from being restricted to dots on the map. There is a regular exchange of composers and singers across the Baltic Sea, for example, and nobody is immune. However, for employing the dubious services of a Swedish crew for the second year in a row, one stands out: Latvia. And in Wolves Of The Sea you have to question whether the spoils were really worth the effort.

While seeing its appeal, I took an instant dislike to the Latvian entry in Helsinki, and the song that will sail under the country's flag in Belgrade is just as contrived. What I disliked most about Questa Notte was not its cod opera status, but that it bore no connection to Latvia whatsoever: although the line-up of Bonaparti.lv was largely local, the song was produced by Swedes and fronted by an Italian who basically hijacked the entire process and milked the song's Italianness for all it was worth. To all intents and purposes it was the Italian entry Italy hadn't entered. And although no such claims are being made about Wolves Of The Sea, it is equally unrepresentative of the country it is representing. I am not one to advocate the return of language rules or that a reflection of national culture be enforced in Eurovision, but at the same time if your entry says absolutely nothing about your country (apart, perhaps, from televoters having bad taste) I don't really see the point. Yes, the contest is about finding something that will appeal to people all over the continent, but still. Sailing under false colours and all that.

Not that I would expect Pirates Of The Sea to come anywhere close to victory in Belgrade. If it was the Latvian entry in Junior Eurovision I might find it entertaining; as is, it brings a new level of tackiness to the contest and is easily the most demeaning of this year's novelty entries, with cheap production values compounded by a very unattractive set of vocals. True, Eurovision is far from being high-brow entertainment, and the song is immediate enough that it would perhaps see them qualifying if the audience were in the mood for a bit of pantomime, but since 'big name' DJ Bobo was given a definitive thumbs down in Helsinki with a similarly cheap number I live in hope that it sinks like a stone. To me it is but further proof that Latvia has become the scurvy of the ESC, and I will despair if the televoters fail to take the wind out of their sails.