Claude from Enkhuizen will represent our country in May at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland. On Wednesday, his French/English song C’est la vie was leaked via the internet, and on Thursday the 21 year-old artist presented his self-written lyrics to the cameras and the song was played on many radio stations.
The big question: does Claude have any chance at the festival?
“Certainly,” responds Edsilia Rombley. She was twenty years old when she represented our country at the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest in England with the song Hemel en aarde. She became fourth. In 2007 she participated again, but did not qualify into the final. I am a fan of Claude,” Edsilia says. “His voice and charisma make him a great artist. I give him a great chance in Basel because his song C’est la vie suits him perfectly. That way the audience will see a real performance, an act that you believe in.” It is a good song. Very catchy. With that combination of English and French he immediately appeals to a large audience. There is a dash of drama in the music and at the same time it is easy to sing along. Whether he will win, I find it hard to say, because I don’t know the other entries, but I really think that Claude can finish high.”
Does she have any tips for Claude as an expert by experience? “Go with the idea that your life doesn’t depend on it. That puts things into perspective. Realize that it is an honor that you can do it and enjoy it.”
In 1994, Willeke Alberti represented our country at the festival in Ireland with the song Waar Is De Zon. We scored four points. She is very enthusiastic about Claude. “He is cheerful, talented, modest and spontaneous. That is why this boy deserves a large audience. The song is also really good. It makes you happy. And joy and positive sounds are exactly what the public needs in this day and age.”
Ronnie Tober participated for our country in the Eurovision Song Contest in London in 1968. His rendition of the song Morgen earned one point. Yet his performance at that time was an impetus for his career, he says.
Such a big event is simply fantastic to experience, you want that for every young artist. With his open mind and his beautiful voice, Claude will qualify. The song is a good mix of a chanson and a melodious pop hit. That combination will certainly appeal to a large audience, so I think he will end up high.”
Getty Kaspers was the singer of the group Teach-In, who won the festival in 1975 with the song Dingedong. She also thinks that Claude has a chance to be a top 5 winner with C’est la vie, she told the ANP. The song offers a lot of joy.” The power is that the audience can sing along, she thinks.
I think that Europe at this moment, in this world, needs a Claude and a C’ést la vie“. Source: Jan Vriend, Noord Hollands Dagblad.
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