Finland - Darude ft. Sebastian Rejman - Look Away

Digital release image

17 - 23 pts in semi 1
Finland wanted to bring the Club to Eurovision and chose Darude (Ville Virtasen) to do the job.
He brought The Giant Leap singer Sebastian Rejman along to take care of the singing.

Look Away, written by the duo themselves, is the song that won the Finnish selection UMK.
The preselection followed the same pattern as last year, three songs were revealed one by one, (8, 15 and 22 February) and the final was held on March 2.

Too many people took their advice and looked away, the guys didn't proceed to the final.

The songs have all been released through digital sources.
1. Release me
2. Superman
3. Look away

Remix
A remix of Look Away was released on October 18. It's the  Super8 & Tab remix and it's out through all digital sources.
The first released mix is only 2 minutes and 14 seconds long but an extended version was released later.
Thanks Jussi (see comments)

Remix DRI

Darude's biggest claim to fame is Sandstorm, the instrumental dance-thumper from 1999. With thát amazing video. Which makes you drive to fast when played in your car.

Versions
Look Away
- Tel Aviv 2CD
Look Away - Super8 & Tab remix
- digital release
Look Away - Super8 & Tab extended remix
- digital release
Look Away - karaoke
- digital releases, karaoke on the official digital karaoke album.

Missed a spot!. (pic from darudes Facebook)

Links and sources
Finland 2018 has the links to the Finnish entries from 2009 on.
Darude FB
Sebastian Rejman FB

Spain - Miki Nuñez - La Venda

22 - 54 pts / not in semi
Miki Nuñez represented Spain in Tel Aviv with the song La Venda. The song is written by Adrià Salas.

The Eurovision entry was chosen in a special Eurovision gala as a part of the Operacion Triunfo talent show series.

promo

The 10 songs in the running are released on the CD OT Gala Eurovisión Rtve (Operación Triunfo 2018 / Eurovision Song Contest / Tel Aviv 2019)

This CD includes the original version, a new version of La Venda is recorded,

The new version was released on March 7. The new video is here at Miki's Youtube

A 1-track promo is issued. It's a cdsingle in gatefold card-sleeve with info insert. (Universal)

Just like last year there are many CD releases featuring performances from the Operacion Triunfo series. 

Amuza
On September 13 Miki released his solo album Amuza. This includes the Eurovision version of La Venda and 13 other tracks. Out on CD and digital.
Amuza enters the Spanish albums top 100 at #1 on September 22.
See full tracklis below.

Digital release image new version

Versions
La Venda - Eurovision version
- digital release, Tel Aviv 2CD, CD Amuza
La Venda - original
- CD Operacion Triunfo Gala Eurovision
La Venda - Eurovision karaoke
- digital on the official karaoke album

Charts
Spanish top 100: 13, 24, 46, 84, - re: 80, -, 42, 87, -
France top 200 (IFOP): 169, -

Links and sources

Spain 2018 has the links to all Spanish entries from 2009 to 2018.

Miki Nuñez Insta

All Operacion Triunfo releases at Fnac.es
Thanks to Nigel.








Amuza tracklist

1 Celébrate
2 Eterno Verano with Adrià Salas, Nil Moliner & Arnau Griso
3 Nadie Se Salva
4 Vivir al 100%
5 Per Tu
6 Coral Del Arrecife with Sofía Ellar
7 Apaga La Luz
8 La Venda
9 Tanto Tiempo
10 La Última Palabra
11 La Cabaña
12 Escriurem
13 Y Escribir

North Macedonia - Tamara Todevska - Proud

7 - 305 pts / 3 - 239 pts in semi 2

Digital release image

Tamara Todevska (Тамара Тодевска)  represented North Macedonia (the country formerly known as the former Yugoslavian Republic Of Macedonia, TCFKAFYROM)  in Tel Aviv.

The song Proud is written by Darko Dimitrov, Robert Bibliov, Lazar Cvetkoski, Kosta Petrov and Sanja Popovska.

The song was revealed on March 8. Watch and listen here.
It was released, along with the karaoke version, through the digital store.
You'll have to look under Tamara (without the Todevska)

Tamara's 8th place is the best result for the country (under various names) ever.
She came first in the jury vote in the final. (after the votes were corrected)

Promo

A promo cds for Tel Aviv is issued. It is a 1-track cds in card sleeve

Gramophonedzie (Marko Milićević) made a remix of Proud. Tamara shared it through her socials but it hasn't been released for download yet. (Youtube is here)
The Robert Bilbilov remix was uploaded to Tamara's Youtube on May 4.

This one was released in 2023 on a digital EP Tamara Todevska: Unreleased (Youtube)
On June 22 another remix was released. The Cyrillic remix is available in the ususal digital stores and streamers.

Eurovision fans know Tamara from the 2008 entry Let Me Love You with Vrcak & Adrian Gaxha (see below).

Tamara has some Eurovision experience.
She was a backing singer in Istanbul for Toše Proeski in 2004.

In 2007 she finished second (behind Carolina Gocheva) in the Macedonian selection with Kazi Koj Si Ti (Tell me who you are).
In 2008 she and her pals won the Macedonian final with Vo Ime Na Ljubovta (In the name of love) which became the Eurovision entry Let Me Love You (see below).
In 2014 she was a backing singer for her sister Tijana Dapčević (To The Sky)

In 2015* Tamara ended second at home again with the song Brod Što Tone (Sinking ship)
* The selection for Eurovision 2015 was held on November 12 2014.

Picture from Tamara's Facebook

Versions
Proud
- Tel Aviv 2CD, promo
Proud - karaoke
- digital releases

Proud - Cyrillic remix
- digital release
Proud - Gramophonedzie remix
- video
Proud - Robert Bilbilov remix 2019
- video, digital EP Unreleased 2023)

Links and sources
Macedonia 2018 has the links to all Macedonian entries from 2009 to 2018.
Tamara Todevska FB, Insta

Memory lane: Let Me Love You
In 2008 Tamara Todevska teamed up with her mates Vrčak (Rade Vrčakovski) & Adrian Gaxha for the Macedonian national final. Their song Vo Ime Na Ljubovta won and went to the Belgrade contest as Let Me Love You.
Here's the 2008 entry from The Belgrade Collection* and the Eurovision Collectors Guide.

Let Me Love You ended 10th in the second semi in Belgrade, but at the time there was a rule allowing the juries to pick an entry from each semi to proceed to the final. Bummer for Tamara and her chums, she ended 10th but the jury picked Charlotte Perreli's Hero (Sweden) over Let Me Love You.

Versions:

Let me love you (english)

Vo ime na ljubovta (macedonian)  

             Во Име На Љубовта - Тамара, Врчак, Адријан

Vo imya lubvi - Bo имя любви (russian)

Dasuri mistike (albanian)

Tebe volim (serbian) 

Yoksun  (turkish)

Russian, Albanian & Serbian versions have some rap bits in English 

- on 8-track promo cdr, has all above plus English & Macedonian karaoke (MRT MП 45004)

- on 8-track promo cds/DVD set (also MRT MП 45004), the DVD has 6 (language) videos.

- an earlier DVDr has the same 6 videos.

Vo ime na ljubovta (first macedonian ,version as in NF)

- on CD Eurovision Skopje 2008 (MRT MП 45003)

Vo ime na ljubovta (macedonian album version)

- on 2009 Vrčak CD Sedmo nebo (Седмо Небо) (Produkcija Republika ‎001)

* You won't find the Belgrade Collection on the net, it was a word document. But the Eurovision Collectors Guide 1956-2018 is up for grabs.

Cyprus - Tamta - Replay

13 - 109 pts / 9 - 149 pts in semi 1

Digital release image

If there's one singer that has been rumoured and wishful though about as a Eurovision star for Cyprus, Greece or any other country it's Tamta (Tamta Goduadze, Τάμτα Γκοντουάτζε).
Fans are over the moon now it finally came true.
Tamta performed Replay, written by Alex P. who also co-wrote last years Cypriot entry Fuego, getting the best result for the country ever.
Replay was revealed and released on March 5. Watch and listen here at Tamta's Youtube.

A 1 track promo in large (8.5 inch) fold out sleeve is issued. (RIK, Minos/EMI Universal 7764415)

On June 28 an acoustic version was released as a digital single. (see versions)

In 2007 Tamta had a go in the Greek selection but her song With Love ended third.
Die-hard Eurovision collectors have another tune by Tamta in their vaults. In 2006 Mihai Trăistariu re-recorded his successful entry Tornero (Romania, 4th place) with Tamta. She sang her parts in Greek and the song ended up on both Mihai's and Tamta's 2006 albums.

promo

Alex P.
For Alex P. (Alex Papaconstantinou) it's the 5th Eurovision song that features him as a co-writer.
2007 - Yassou Maria - Sarbel (Greece, 7th place)
2009 - Always - Aysel & Arash (Azerbaijan, 3rd)
2012 - La La Love - Ivi Adamou (Cyprus, 16th)
2018 - Fuego - Eleni Foureira (Cyprus, 2nd)

Acoustic DRI

Versions
Replay
- digital single, Tel Aviv 2CD
Replay - Acoustic version by AlexSimonBass
- digital single
Replay - karaoke
- on the official karaoke album (digital)

Charts
France top 200 (IFOP): 193, -

Links and sources
Cyprus 2018 has the links to all Cypriot entries from 2009 to 2018.
Tamta FB
Tamta at BeaRecords

Romania - Ester Peony - On A Sunday

2nd version DRI

13 - 71 pts in semi 2
Ester Peony will represent Romania in Tel Aviv with the song On A Sunday.

Ester Peony (Ester Alexandra Crețu) wrote the song with Alexandru Şerbu and Ioanei Victoria Badea.

The first version was released as a digital single on January 17.
The official video, released on March 10, features a slightly different version. (here at TVR Youtube)
This version was released as a digital single on March 10. The original version version seems to be discontinued at most (all?) digital sources.

Two 1-track cdsingles were issued. One is a promo in a cardsleeve, the other comes in a thin plastic case with insert. (Cat Music 101 28462)
Both have the same new version. The cdsingle (not the promo) is available through BeaRecords
Ester Peony is currently working on her debut album

cdsingle

Romania's selection had two semi's with a final on February 17.
A playlist at TVR's Youtube has the participating songs.

Ester released her first songs under the name Ester, then she took the name Elune but since last year it's Ester Peony.
She released a digital EP Dig It in May 2018.

 1st Digital release image

Versions
On A Sunday - new version
- digital single, Tel Aviv 2CD
On A Sunday - original
- first digital release
On A Sunday - karaoke
- on the official karaoke album (digital)

Links and sources
Romania 2018 has links to all Romanian entries from 2009 on.
TVR Eurovision pages
Ester Peony FB, Insta

France - Bilal Hassani - Roi

Digital release image

16 - 105 pts / not in semi
Bilal Hassani won the French selection Destination Eurovision with his song Roi (King).
Bilal wrote the song with Madame Monsieur (of Mercy fame) and Medeline.
The track was released as a digital single on January 4.
An acoustic version has appeared on Youtube.

A 1-track promo in card sleeve was issued first (Low Wood / Play Two)
A 3-track promo (cd-r) also has English and instrumental. The version of Roi on the 3-track is a re-recording of the original in a slightly different key. The third track is an instrumental (not karaoke) in the new key.
The English version comes "in the old key".
See comments.

Bilal Hassani released his debut album Kingdom on April 26.
It also includes new singles Fais Beleck and Jaloux. (Full tracklist below)
The CD version includes Roi (original version) but the digital outside France version does not. (Oh well, it does now, June 2019)

Kingdom, the Bilal Hassani album

Bilal entered The Voice Kids in 2015 auditioning with Rise Like A Phoenix, the song we all know and love by Conchita Wurst. Bilal didn't make it to the final (battle) stages back then.

Versions
Roi - revamped/remastered version
- 3-track promo
Roi - original in English/French
- Digital single, Tel Aviv 2CD, 1st promo, CD Kingdom
Crown - English version
- 3-track promo 
Roi - Karaoke
- on the official karaoke album (digital)
Roi - Instrumental
- 3-track promo
See comments

Charts
Ifop French top 200: 8, 18, 46, 7, 25, 58, 57, 87, 124, 123, 126, 182, -, 125, 68, 11, 79, -

Links and sources
France in 2018 has the links to all French entries from 2009 to 2018.
Bilal Hassani FB, Insta
Thanks to Frank and to Nigel.

Kingdom tracklist (CD version)

01. Welcome to My Kingdom
02. Panic

03. Roi
04. Poison
05. Jaloux
06. Qui cala?
07. Fais beleck
08. The Flow
09. Boom X3
10. Basic
11. O.N.C
12. Dans mon seum
13. Famous
14. Over You
15. You Should Have Let Me Love You

Albania - Jonida Maliqi - Ktheju Tokës

17 - 90 pts / 8 - 96 pts in semi 2

New version DRI

Jonida Maliqi won the 57th Festivali i Këngës with the song Ktheju Tokës (lit. Return to Earth, or rather Return to the land)
The song is written by Eriona Rushiti.

The original studio version can be heard here at RTSH's Youtube.
The single was released on March 8, but the Spotify version appears to be the original version, still a bit too long.
A new version video was revealed on March 10. That one is here.
The digital release was on March 15, along with a karaoke version.

A promo is made, it's a CDrom/DVDrom with audio's video's and info.
It includes four versions of Ktheju Tokës (see versions). They are audio files that only play on PC's (not on CD players) and all are included twice, once as mp3, once as wave file.
The DVDrom has FiK video, official videoclip plus bios, lyrics and pictures.

promo

Fest 57
All songs from the 57th Festivali i Këngës were released as a digital album on April 19.
The album is titled Fest 57 and includes 22 songs. It includes the same version of Ktheju Tokës as the first digital single.
(Universal)

Digital album Fest 57

Versions
Ktheju Tokës - Eurovision version
- digital release, Tel Aviv 2CD, promo
Ktheju Tokës - original a.k.a FiK version
- RTSH video, digital single, Fest 57 album (digital), promo
Ktheju Tokës - Eurovision karaoke
- digital release, promo
Ktheju Tokës - Solo instrumental (still has some backings)
- promo
Ktheju Tokës - FiK version karaoke
- RTSH video

1st versionDigital release image

Links and sources
Albania in 2018 has links to all Albanian entries since 2009.
Jonida Maliqi Website, FB
Thanks to Nigel.

Serbia - Nevena Božović - Kruna

18 - 89 pts / 7 - 156 pts in semi 1

Digital Release Image

Nevena Božović (Невена Божовић) is the winner of Beovizija 2019 and represents Serbia in the Tel Aviv contest. The song is Kruna (Круна, Crown) and she wrote it herself.

The song is in Serbian with a small part in English.

The first studio version is here (YT).
A new version was revealed on March 21, you can listen to that one here (RTS YT)
The digital single was released on March 29.
An English version is recorded with the RTS Symphonic orchestra. Watch and listen here.

A promo cds is issued. It includes five versions: Eurovision version, Karaoke, Instrumental, Acoustic and English (With the RTS Symphonic orchestra).
It comes is a digipack case with booklet.

promo

Serbia Beovizija chose their entry in a three night spectacular with the final on March 3.
30 songs were in the running. You can still listen to all songs here (RTS Youtube playlist)

Nevena Božović has some experience with Eurovision.
In 2007 she entered the Junior edition in Rotterdam with the song Piši Mi (Write me) and finished in third place.
In 2013 she joined Mirna Radulović and Sara Jovanović to form Moje 3. Their Ljubav Je Svuda (Love is everywhere) won Beovizija but just missed out on the Final semi in Malmö (11th in the semi, 6 points behind the #10).
Since 2013 she has released several digital singles, the most recent being Moja Molitva / What I'm Looking For and Jasni Mi Je / Dangerous Drug, all available through your favorite digital sources.

Versions
Kruna - Eurovision version
- digital release, Tel Aviv 2CD, promo
Kruna - Acoustic
- video,  promo
The Crown (Eternal light) - English with the RTS Symphonic
- video, promo
Kruna - Original
- both Youtube audio-videos

Kruna - Eurovision karaoke
- on the official karaoke album, promo
Kruna - Instrumental
- promo

Links and sources
Serbia 2018 has links to all Serbian entries from 2009 on.

RTS Eurovision pages
Nevena Božović FB
Moje3 in 2013
Thanks to Nigel.

Italy - Mahmood - Soldi

The vinyl single sleeve

2 - 472 pts / not in semi
Mahmood is the winner of the 69th Sanremo festival and represented Italy in Tel Aviv.
The winning song Soldi (Money) is written by Charlie Charles, Dario "Dardust" Faini and Alessandro Mahmoud himself.
The song is in Italian with two lines in Arabic.

The official videoclip is here (YT) and it's already raking in the millions. (50 million on March 16, still some way to go until Francesco Gabbani's 215.000.000).
80.000.000 views at the start of Eurovision week.
100.000.000 views on June 19.

A vinyl 7"inch single is included in the special edition box of Mahmood's CD Gioventù Bruciata. (see below)

Two remixes by Benny Benassi was released on March 8.
A remix by Denis First was released on march 15, along with its instrumental.
The Vigiland remix was released on March 22.

On May 10 two more versions were released featuring other artists.
One with Finnish singer Isac Elliot has parts in English (by Isac), the other one is with  rapper Maikel Delacaille (from Tenerife) and has a part in Spanish.

Attenzione!
A cdsingle has appeared on e-bay but it's a homemade fake sold (and made?) by the same seller that gave us "unofficial" Israeli remix cdsingles of Imri, Hovi Star and Nadav Guedj.
Unfortunately this con has made big Soldi again.


Mahmood a Sanremo
Mahmood is one of two singers who progressed from the Ecco Sanremo Giovani (newcomers) competition to the big festival. To proceed and win the whole thing is a remarkable feat.
In the Giovani competition in December Mahmood performed the song Gioventù Bruciata (Wasted youth).

The "big" Festival Sanremo took place from 5 to 9 February.

Mahmood also collected the Enzo Jannacci award for best performance at Sanremo.
On the 4th night of the Sanremo contest all artists performed their entry as a duet. Mahmood was joined by Guè Pequeno for Soldi. (this version is also included on the album and single, see below).

Mahmood participated in the Italian X-Factor in 2012 and entered the Sanremo Giovani section in 2016 with the song Dimentica (4th place)

Soldi Fisici
Soldi and Gioventù Bruciata have been released on the re-issue digital EP Gioventù Bruciata, out since February 6. (Universal)
The EP was originally released in November but without Soldi.
A CD album release also titled Gioventù Bruciata was released on February 22. This includes the tracks from the EP, the duet version of Soldi and three other songs. (Tracklist below)
The CD also comes in a boxset with a vinyl single, a banknote and postcards (March 8, see pic)
The "vinile 45 Giri" has the original and duet versions of Soldi.
The album is also released on LP.
Gioventù Bruciata enters the Italian album charts at #1 on March 1.

CD: Island / Universal 0602577523014
Boxset: Island / Universal 0602577534270
7": Island / Universal  0602577530982
LP: Island / Universal 0602577530005

Benny Benassi Remix DRI

Versions
Soldi - Eurovision version / edit
- on the Tel Aviv 2CD
Soldi - original
- 2CD/2LP Sanremo 2019, 7"inch, Mahmood album
Soldi - ft Guè Pequeno
- 7"inch, Mahmood CD and LP
Soldi - Benny Benassi remix
Soldi - Benny Benassi extended
Soldi - Denis First 100 BPM remix
Soldi - Denis first instrumental remix
Soldi - Vigiland remix
-  remixes are digital releases
Soldi - ft Isac Elliot (English/Italian)
Soldi - ft Maikel Delacalle (Italian/Spanish)
- digital releases
Soldi - Eurovision karaoke
- on the official karaoke album (digital)

The Mahmood Colour Collection

Charts
Italy top 100 (FIMI): 81, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 3, 5, 7, 5, 6, 8, 10, 14, 13, 16, 21, 28, 31, 40, 37, 59, 56, 56, 57, 55, 53, 57, 64, 60, 83, 94, -, re-entry in week 1 2020: 100, -
The single went Gold on February 18, Platinum on Februari 25, 2x Platinum on March 18 and 4 times platinum in total (But I don't know how many you'd have to sell...)
Switzerland top 100: 25, 29, 50, 57, 76, 67, 65, 86, 98, 98, 94, -, 100, 5, 10, 12, 21, 26, 22, 21, 22, 23, 25, 29, 26, 29, 37, 49, 48, 62, 77, 68, 99, -

Denis First remixes DRI

Switzerland Top 20 Suisse Romande: 7, 10, 17, -
Spain top 100: 5, 5, 16, 16, 15, 12, 14, 19, 19, 18, 20, 22, 22, 26, 31, 31, 34, 46, 56, 62, 67, 79, 89, 94, 96, -
Netherlands top 100: 18, 16, 21, 29, 34, 83, -
Sweden top 100: 10, 8, 14, 37, 39, 37, 59, -
U.K. top 100 (Official charts): 73, -
Scottish singles top 100 (OCC): 57, -
Belgium top 50 (Flanders): 50, -
Germany top 100: 32, 86, 96, -
Ireland top 100 (Irma): 65, -
Norway top 40 (VG lista): 16, 21, 35, -
Austria top 75: 12, 31, 56, -
France top 200 (IFOP): 167, 33, 176, -, 147, 162, 115, 111, 105, 82, 77, 103, 147, 135, -
Portugal top 100: 78, 73, -

Sanremo 2019
The album with 24 songs from this year's Sanremo competition is out since February 8.
For the first time since Italy's return the collection is also released on Vinyl (2LP), out the same day.
Full tracklist below.

Like every year, almost every Sanremo Star will have an album (CD and LP) out to coincide with the festival. Some are Best Of compilations, others are re-issues with the Sanremo songs (and other tracks) added but most have new albums out. Most release dates are in February, some later.
Altro Spettacolo website have a page detailing all the new releases of this years Sanremo stars. Great stuff.

Sanremo vinile
Since 2017 several Sanremo entries have been released on collectors 7"inch vinyl singles and this year there are a few again. A vinyl single of the winner Soldi by Mahmood was released on March 1, but only in a limited box with his new CD album.
So far I've spotted these:
Nek - Mi Farò Trovare Pronto  (White vinyl, F&P)
Loredana Bertè - Cosa Ti Aspetti Da Me Azzurro  (Blue vinyl, Warner)
Shade & Federica Carta - Senza Farlo Apposta  (Red vinyl, Warner)
Irama - La Ragazza Con Il Cuore Di Latta  (Yellow vinyl, Warner Music)

Paola Turci - L'Ultimo Ostacolo  (White vinyl, Warner)
Patty Pravo - Un Po' Come La Vita  (Black vinyl, Museo Dei Sognatori)
Motta - Dov'è l'Italia  (Black & Blue marbled vinyl, Sugar)
At the time of writing all were available at Amazon.it but it seems the Loredana Bertè one is sold out and now offered by flippers at massively inflated prices.

The Vinyl singles of Sanremo 2019

Links and sources
Italy 2018 has the links to all Italian entries from 2011 to 2018.
Official Sanremo pages
Mahmood FB, Website, Insta
Thanks to Krzysztof

Tracklist Gioventù Bruciata

01 Soldi

02 Gioventù Bruciata

03 Uramaki

04 Il Nilo nel Naviglio

05 Anni 90, feat. Fabri Fibra

06 Asia Occidente

07 Remo

08 Milano Good Vibes

09 Sabbie Mobili

10 Mai Figlio Unico

11 Soldi, feat. Gué Pequeno

Tracklist Sanremo 2019

- Sanremo 2019 CD1

01 Loredana Bertè - Cosa Ti Aspetti Da Me

02 Ultimo - I Tuoi Particolari

03 Patty Pravo & Briga - Un Po’ Come la Vita

04 Daniele Silvestri - Argento Vivo

05 Paola Turci - L’ultimo Ostacolo

06 Nek - Mi Farò Trovare Pronto

07 Shade & Federica Carta - Senza Farlo Apposta

08 Simone Cristicchi - Abbi Cura Di Me

09 Motta - Dov’è L’Italia

10 Ex-Otago - Solo Una Canzone

11 Ghemon - Rose Viola

12 Mahmood - Soldi

2LP (click to enlarge)

- Sanremo 2019 CD2

01 Il Volo - Musica Che Resta

02 Arisa - Mi Sento Bene

03 Irama - La Ragazza Con Il Cuore Di Latta

04 Francesco Renga - Aspetto Che Torni

05 Anna Tatangelo - Le Nostre Anime Di Notte

06 Enrico Nigiotti - Nonno Hollywood

07 Negrita I Ragazzi - Stanno Bene

08 Nino D’Angelo & Livio Cori - Un’Altra Luce

09 The Zen Circus - L’amore È Una Dittatura

10 Achille Lauro - Rolls Royce

11 Boomdabash - Per Un Milione

12 Einar - Parole Nuove

Russia - Sergey Lazarev - Scream

Digital release image

3 - 370 pts / 6 - 217 pts in semi 2

Russia was represented by Sergey Lazarev (Сергей Лазарев)who already entered in the 2016 contest (and finished 3rd)
The song Scream was revealed on March 9 at 16:00 CET.
Philippe Kirkorov, Sharon Vaugn and Dimitri Kontoupoulos wrote the song.



Scream is in several remixes, the first, the Lightsaber remix, was released on April 26 
More remixes were released on May 10. (see versions below)
A Russian version titled Крик (Krik) version was performed on June 12 and the studio version was released on June 14.

No physical release or promo was issued.

Versions
Scream
- digital single, Tel Aviv 2CD
Крик (Krik) - Russian
- digital
Scream - karaoke
- digital releases
Scream - Lightsaber remix
- digital release
Scream - Deekey & Stellix remix
Scream - SecOndSkin remix
- remixes are digital releases


Charts
France top 200 (IFOP): 165, -
Scottish singles top 100 (OCC): 89, -

Sergey after Eurovision 2016.

Links and sources
Thanks to Krzysztof

United Kingdom - Michaèl Rice - Bigger Than Us

Digital release image

26 - 11 pts (not in semi)
The U.K. selection Eurovision: You Decide was held on February 8. Michaèl Rice won with the song Bigger Than Us written by Laurell Barker, Anna-Klara Folin, John Lundvik and Jonas Thander

The song was released as a digital single on March 8, along with a karaoke version

There were 6 artists but only three songs in the U.K. final. The other version of Bigger Than Us was performed by Holly Tandy.
You can listen to the songs here.

The two 7th Heaven mixes have finally been officially released on Eurovision day, May 18.

So far two songs from Eurovision: You Decide got an official digital release:
Sweet lies - Kerrie-Anne
Freaks - Jordan Clarke

Charts
Michaèl didn't make it to the British charts but they liked him in Scotland:
Scottish singles top 100 (OCC): 72, 94, 35, -

Remix DRI

Versions
Bigger Than Us
Bigger Than Us - karaoke
- both digital releases
Bigger Than Us - 7th Heaven club remix (5:50)
Bigger Than Us - 7th Heaven radio edit (3:30)
- digital releases
The 7th Heaven video edit can be found here (video only)

Links and sources
United Kingdom 2018 has the links to all British entries from 2009 to 2018.
BBC Eurovision pages
Michaèl Rice FB
Thanks to Thom.

Malta - Michela Pace - Chameleon

14 - 107 pts / 8 - 157 pts in semi 2

1st Digital release image

Malta has chosen their singer through talent show X-factor. The winner is Michela Pace and her song is Chameleon written by Borislav Milanov, Joacim Perrson, Paula Winger, and Johan Alkanas.

Milanov has a few successful Eurovision entries in his portfolio, Check this years Azerbaijani entry for more details.
Persson worked with Milanov on Bulgaria's entries of 2016, 2017 and 2018 and Austria 2018.
He also co-wrote Autumn Leaves for Daniel Kajmakoski in 2015.

The single was released on April 3 (Search your digital stores without the surname Pace)
A promo cds is issued. It's a 1-track in card sleeve.

promo

Watch and listen here

2nd DRI, Now with added shouting!

New Chameleon

I noticed that Chameleon was re-released digitally on May 15, now by Universal rather than the original Spinnup label. I first dismissed as just a re-release but after careful investigation by yours truly I spotted a difference compared to the original released (and 2CD) version.

At 0:59, 1:05, 1:48 and 1:53 there seems to be a bloke shouting who wasn’t available for the original recording. So ladies, gentlemen and anoraks, we have a new version.

Charts
Scottish singles top 100 (OCC): 86, -

Versions
Chameleon - original version (Spinnup label)
- digital release, Tel Aviv 2CD, promo
Chameleon - alternate new version (Universal)
- digital release
Chameleon - karaoke
- official karaoke album (digital)

Pichture from Michela's facebook

Links and sources
Malta 2018 has the links to all Maltese entries from 2009 to 2018.
Michela Pace FB, Instagram
Thanks to Nigel!