As someone who has been following Eurovision for more than 30 years, I have one song above all others that epitomises the fun nature of my annual Eurovision experience … it’s my guilty pleasure … Romania’s 2011 entry Change by Hotel RM. From the initial piano riff to the hand-clapping sequence towards the end, it is a song that always make me smile, tap my foot and sing along:
“I can’t change, I can’t change the world alone;
I need you all, everybody
Start dreamin’ of it
Take a step that’s gonna make a difference and change your world.”
Change made it through to the final in 2011 and finished a disappointing and undeserved 17th. But, along the way, it did get 12 points from those very canny fans in Italy and Moldova (maybe that’s why I always like the entries from Italy).
It is a great, fun song – with the three-piece Hotel RM capturing its essence with a spirited and energised Eurovision performance. Take a listen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a1Q_hpGLbs .
For many years, Change was my phone ring tone. After writing this short piece, it’s going to be again.