Guy Sebastian Did So Well At Eurovision Everyone Nearly Forgave Us For Not Being Part Of Europe
Spoilers!
Though the live version finished this morning, the Eurovision final will air again tonight on SBS at 7.30pm. If you’d like to avoid spoilers, you probably shouldn’t have clicked this link.
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This morning, 2003 Australian Idol winner and former professional afro Guy Sebastian performed in the grand final of the Eurovision song contest, and it seemed like the rest of the world were just as confused as us. Had there been some kind of new colonisation everyone wasn’t aware of yet? Was it a cruel joke? Is Australia the loner kid who was finally given a pity role in the primary school talent show?
Stop asking they just ARE. #australia #aus #eurovision
— BBC Eurovision (@bbceurovision) May 23, 2015
Naturally, everyone was a little cynical. Though other non-Euro countries like Israel, Morocco and Azerbaijan have all competed in the past, they’re also not located 14,000 kilometres away in a different hemisphere, in a country that is its own freaking continent.
TONIGHT THE WHOLE OF EUROPE UNITES pic.twitter.com/72mfXHyFYZ
— petra (@tyforthewin) May 23, 2015
Australia on Eurovision like pic.twitter.com/zHr7BrKC6A
— Kate (@RuebeKAW) May 23, 2015
But despite al this, Sebastian’s performance of his original song ‘Tonight Again’ was incredibly well-received. Though it lacked some of the glitz and glitter that Eurovision is traditionally known for, his little fedora and infectious hooks were enough for Australia to score fifth place. Fifth place. Out of 27 countries who are already well-versed in this kind of madness.
It’s a phenomenal result.
Earlier this week, our own Simon Copland predicted that something like this could happen due to the political nature of the voting system. With so many allegiances and rivalries between the European nations, it seemed likely that Australia would score a big ol’ swag of tactical votes. And while this could absolutely still be the case, the wider reactions to Sebastian’s performance are overwhelmingly positive. He really did do pretty well.
AUSTRALIA YOU'RE NOT EVEN IN EUROPE AND YOU'RE BETTER THAN EVERYONE
— Dodie Clark (@doddleoddle) May 23, 2015
australia are doing it wrong you're not meant to be good in eurovision
— megan (@meganaalive) May 23, 2015
australia: the fifth best country in europe
— why (@jailirene) May 23, 2015
Things I learned: Sweden is the Eurovision king; Australia is part of Europe; stages are windy
— Greg Poehler (@GregPoehler) May 23, 2015
Of course, this wasn’t enough for him to take out the entire competition. Måns Zelmerlöw from Sweden was crowned the Eurovision champion for his infectious techno-pop hit ‘Heroes’ continuing the Scandinavian country’s ongoing success in the contest. Last year they were placed third, and have hosted the final five times in the past. Behind Sweden, Australia was also beaten by Russia, Italy and Belgium. But, considering the really impressive stagecraft of the winning performance, it seems like Zelmerlöw was a deserving victor.
All in all, Australia could have been better:
Australia's foray into Eurovision was explosive and grand, but perhaps a bit over the top. pic.twitter.com/Imf9PKThiW
— Johann Thorsson (@johannthors) May 23, 2015
And we could have been much, much worse: