This is the third Playlist in the "My Planet" series, eclectic mixes of songs from around the world. Many on this list were national entries in the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest, held this year in Helsinki, Finland and won by Serbia.
This year was culturally very mixed, with Norway singing in Spanish, Cyprus in French and even France with a very strong English accent. Two acts (Denmark and 2nd-place Ukraine) featured transvestites. American Idol it ain't!
But as the influence (and winners) of Eurovision shifts ever more to the east and south, a certain formula has begun to emerge: sing in English, but add a nice touch of local culture in the percussion and eventually in the bridge. Rounding off the often eastern-sounding European songs are a few hits in Arabic and from both sides of the former South African apartheid divide. From there (after some northern Europop), it's off to the Spanish-speaking world including the USA. The tone of the songs remains warm, hence the title of the Playlist.
Now that I am catching up with technology, the playlist page provides links so that is possible to listen to these songs (and see their videos if available). No downloads though. Hopefully this will inspire you to go to iTunes and buy those you may enjoy. Welcome to my Planet. You're soaking in it. |
