Sunday, 5 Nov 2023

I will talk about Eurovision today, specifically focusing on "Voilà" sung by Barbara Pravi, who represented France in Eurovision 2021.

"Voilà" is a great song, and it comes to mind when I think about her victory. I'm trying to recall the name of the national selection in France in 2021—it's something like Eurovision: C'est vous qui décidez, I can't quite remember. Regardless, she won, and I would have been disappointed if she hadn't. It's a very French song, both in genre and style. It's interesting to note that the Ministry of Culture in France initially commented that it was "too French" and suggested toning it down a bit. This was a contrast to the previous year when they said the entry was not French enough and needed more French elements. Eurovision seems to appreciate entries that represent their culture, whether in music or other facets, more than generic or mainstream choices that people have heard repeatedly.

Now, let's discuss "Voilà" by Barbara Pravi, who represented France in Eurovision 2021. By the way, she secured the second-place position, but she was my winner that year. I watched her very first performance during the national selection, and it was not only the first to be performed but also the best. I listened to the rest of the line-up, and none of them came close.

It's a fantastic song with changes in pace throughout, getting quicker and quicker. This dynamic pacing is a breath of fresh air compared to songs from the '50s and '60s, which tended to be more monotone. The modern touch is appreciated. The first performance was impressive, and the second, during the national selection, was even more spectacular. Staging a ballad can be challenging, but Barbara took it a step further. She used cinematic cinematography, different angles, and lighting effectively. All these elements complemented the emotional core and meaning of the song brilliantly.

Leading up to the Eurovision final, there were concerns about changing the staging, but fortunately, she kept the national selection staging, making slight improvements. Many were worried about adding interpretive dancers, but thankfully, she didn't. This performance is one of those rare instances where it's nearly perfect, and any changes might detract from its brilliance.

In summary, "Voilà" is one of the standout performances in Eurovision, and it's challenging to replicate its perfection outside of the Eurovision stage. I've watched various performances, but the national selection and the Eurovision final versions remain the best. I might discuss other performances in the future, but for now, this is enough about "Voilà" and Barbara Pravi.

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