Alvin M. Keeling 
The end of 2021 is fast approaching. And that means one thing – the return of Yearly countdown to Team Wiwi’s best tracks.
As usual, the wiwibloggs team voted for their favorite new songs released in 2021 by the stars of Eurovision Song Contest. After reviewing over 1000 songs over the course of the year, we finally picked our top 50 – it wasn’t easy. And now we are ready to share it with all of you. We will be releasing ten tracks a day until New Years Eve, as we end the year.
Songs that were selected for Eurovision or that made it to the national finals were excluded (they were analyzed to death in our jury reviews). However, the other new VICTORIA songs released as potential Eurovision entries were eligible for voting as it was not a formal national final (and they were not included in our account at countdown to the best final national songs).
At least one singer of the song must have competed in Eurovision as part of the main act to be eligible. Acts that had been chosen for Eurovision 2020 but had not been reselected for the 2021 competition were still included in the vote.
Which song will enter our Hall of Fame?
Let the countdown continue!
Best Team Wiwi Songs by Eurovision Song Contest Artists in 2021: 30-21
30. VICTORIA – “imaginary friend”
What we said: VICTORIA shared lyric video with “imaginary friend” – the first song from her debut EP a little dramatic and his potential second Eurovision 2021 song for Bulgaria. She chose her timing carefully. In a press release, the singer-songwriter said that “Imaginary Friend” works well for Valentine’s Day because it’s “not a typical love story” and focuses “on how unrequited love makes you feel “. If we go back to our personal stories, this is an idea that resonates with all of us. (William)
Top previous songs: “Phantom Pain” (# 44 in 2021), “okay”. (# 21 in 2020)
29. MELOVIN – “I ров кипить”
What we said: MÉLOVIN’s latest single is “I кров кипить” (“And the blood boils”). To say that someone’s “blood is boiling” is to suggest that they are very angry. Regarding this song, the Ukrainian Eurovision 2018 star seems annoyed that her lover is not there to help her heal her soul: “And the blood is boiling, and the soul is cool / I know that hurts for me and for you / And the blood is boiling and I don’t know what to do / When there is no temptation for you ”. However, there is little angst in the song’s sound. Instead, it moves steadily like a mid-tempo R & B-pop track. (Jonathan)
Top previous songs: “Вітрила” (# 26 in 2020), “It’s your role” (# 15 in 2018)
28. Dami Im – “Pray”
What we said: Alleluia! There has never been the slightest doubt that Dami Im is a powerhouse when it comes to vocal ability. Now his skills are showcased again with the new single “Pray”. It’s a moving ballad that is built with the addition of a gospel choir, but Dami’s sincere performance remains the focal point. In the lyrics, the Australian Eurovision 2016 star explains that we all need to take a moment to rest and think every now and then: “Can we stop and catch our breath? / Maybe we just need to pray / Hallelujah, hallelujah / When it’s more than we can take / It’s time for us to pray ”. (Jonathan)
Top previous songs: “Paper Dragon” (# 3 in 2020), “Dreamer” (# 28 in 2018), “Fighting For Love” (# 2 in 2016)
27. Roxen, Strange Fruits Music & DMNDS – “Money Money”
What we said: Money, money, must be funny in a world of the rich. Roxen lives in this world for his new single “Money Money”. Together with music producers DMNDS and Strange Fruits Music, the Romanian singer delivers a catchy dance-pop song. Lyrically, Roxen aims to solve all their problems with a big bundle of money: “They say love makes you happy / I say ‘Money is money, money is money’ / When it ‘gone, who’s your daddy / I say’ money money, money money ‘. “In the accompanying music video, the Eurovision 2021 star spends his time in a fancy limo alongside two hooded girlfriends – one of whom is kissing by Roxen.The three take advantage of all the wealth they’ve accumulated, but the law eventually catches up with Roxen. (Jonathan)
Top previous songs: “Wonderland” (# 5 in 2020)
26. 3JS – “Vreemde Leegte”
What we said: In December 2020, 3JS member Jan Dulles sadly lost his daughter, Donna, at the age of three months due to postpartum complications. While the Eurovision 2011 star naturally took the time to step away from the spotlight to mourn, Jan has now released a song as part of Dutch trio 3JS which is dedicated to Donna. Entitled “Vreemde Leegte” (“Strange Void”), the song explains how Jan always feels his daughter’s presence with him: “When I know you’re there / I become silent and hold on to that moment / Where are- you? / It doesn’t work without you / It never lets go ”. (Jonathan)
25. KEiiNO – “UNBREAKABLE”
What we said: Although having finished second in Grand Prix Mélodi 2021, KEiiNO has made it clear that they are “UNBREAKABLE”. The Norwegian trio of Alexandra Rotan, Tom Hugo and Fred Buljo released the new folk-inspired single. Alexandra kicks off the procedure before Tom takes over the second verse, and of course, it wouldn’t be a KEiiNO single without Fred adding a few jokes to the mix. The lyrics to “Unbreakable” see the stars of Eurovision 2019 talking about a girl who must fight against the elements: “Girl, let me tell you now / You are stronger than the wind / Unbreakable”. This concept is inspired by the Russian folk novel The bear and the nightingale. (Jonathan)
Top previous songs: “Would I Lie” (# 6 in 2020), “Colors” (# 7 in 2020), “Black Leather” (# 8 in 2020), “Dancing In The Smoke” (# 37 in 2019)
24. Mahmood – “Inuyasha”
What we said: Mahmood has never hidden his love for things like Pokémon and anime. And now the Italian star is incorporating this into his music. His new single is called “Inuyasha”, which is the name of a manga / anime series centered on a half-dog, half-human character called Inuyasha. The Eurovision Song Contest 2019 finalist dresses as his own version of Inuyasha, with a bit of Italian fashion flair, for the clip: “I was in seventh grade when I watched the Inuyasha episodes on MTV at midnight. I never thought that one day I would be able to transform myself. Sonically, the track is a strong mid-tempo hip-hop offering that Mahmood pushes further with his passion and charisma. (Jonathan)
Top previous songs: “Rapide” (# 1 in 2020), “Dorado” (# 10 in 2020), “Barrio” (# 2 in 2019), “Calipso” (# 16 in 2019)
23. Dino Merlin (feat. Senidah) – “Dođi”
What we said: Dino Merlin’s latest release, “Dođi” (“Come By”), is a collaboration with Slovenian-Montenegrin singer Senidah, who also happens to be our Wednesday wishlist pick for Montenegro. The track combines the styles of the two artists well and discusses the fear of loneliness that many people have experienced during the difficult times we are living in today. The clip was shot in Sarajevo and Lukomir, the highest habitable place in Bosnia and Herzegovina at a whopping 1,495 meters above sea level. Since its release, the video for “Dođi” was fashionable in all the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in Switzerland. (Mario)
* While Dino Merlin’s “Dođi” was released on the last day of 2020, it was too late to be included in last year’s best songs countdown. Hence its appearance on the 2021 list.
Top previous songs: “Mi” (# 34 in 2020)
22. Katerine Duska – “Athenian Sky”
What we said: Katerine Duska was born in Montreal, Canada, but now resides in Athens, Greece. The Eurovision Song Contest 2019 star pays homage to his current hometown with the new song “Athenian Skies”. In a post on Instagram, Katerine commented: “It is my love letter to my city Athens and its night that inspires me endlessly”. The clip shows Katerine dropping her date to spend a night on the town with her friends, while the lyrics further explore that carefree feeling: “At night we do what we love, ay / Live a million lives under. Athenian sky / I can’t afford to you too long.The indie-pop style of the star is still present, but there is also more of a diva attitude in the music and the visuals. (Jonathan)
Top previous songs: “ANEMOS” (# 24 in 2020)
21. Tina Karol – “Скандал”
What we said: Since her participation in Eurovision 2006, Tina Karol has become one of the biggest Ukrainian stars. And she proves why with her new single “Скандал” (“Scandal”). Karol mixes a catchy pop rhythm with a dramatic undertone to the production. The accompanying video clip features the filmed Ukrainian star as a sort of test subject. However, she sings that she won’t be forced to do what a particular person wants them to do: “I’m not for your wins / I’m more ice than snow / Not for your wins / J need an escape from you “. Karol’s official Twitter account explained more:
“The main meaning of the song is the liberation of barriers. The singer exists at a time when letting go of the pain of the past gives freedom to the future. She becomes feminine in her feelings and cool in her conclusions. (Jonathan)
Our Top Tracks ranking for 2021 is determined by independent votes from a panel of wiwibloggers. They are Jonathan, Renske, Oliver, Robyn, Tom, William, Cinan, Mario, Padraig and Josh.
Which songs do you think should be on the list? Are you surprised by our choices so far? Let us know in the comments.
