(Nemo - The Code)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO_qJf-nW0k
Of course this year's winner must be mentioned. The first non-binary winner, and first of three non-binary contestants, all of them this year (and the one from Ireland is worth checking out too), and i think the lyrics and concept has a lot of overlap with our issues. It could almost just as well be about growing up a MAP, or AAM, plus a lot of the "new generation" of MAPs seem to be non-binary or transgender, which makes it even more relevant. And of course, it's an amazing song, vocal performance, and stage performance... one of the few times i really agreed with the winner!
(Subwoolfer : Give That Wolf a Banana)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adCU2rQyDeY
I thought this was kind of silly at first. I didn't like the outfits, which is kind of like fursuits thought they don't really appeal to furries, and their concept of never speaking normally or revealing their real identities (they eventually did, long after the contest) and the song is kind of like gimmicky late 90s Eurodance at its worst. However, i kinda of re-evaluated it reading the lyrics, and i can see how it had a emotional appeal to it, below the seemingly just goofy and weird surface.
I think they or the writers are more aware of furry and gay youth issues than they admit. Because, the first verse is EXACTLY the kind of conversation that gay-curious tweens have when they don't really want to admit their emotions and orientation to anyone yet. You can see it on IRC channels (well, used to at least) or Facebook if you know where to look.
I think gay or bi-curious tweens find it more "acceptable" to do things with the same sex when it's as a furry character, and this is a overlooked phenomenon, how much easier it is to be open about these things when it's as a weird alternate identity. It's okay to have tender feelings for each other as boys, when they have the masks on, and of course they never take them off.
I think this entry appealed subliminally to that for a lot of viewers, and that's how it got so successful.
(Windows95man : No Rules)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nidDtyS0Wo
Obviouly, he's playing a pedophile. Funny how that can be completely okay and even quite popuar, when it's in the right context
(Gustaph : Because of You)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1xD14IMKtg
This, to me, is the LGBT community at it's best. It's one of the best and most, for me as a MAP, accessible LGBT anthems i've ever heard. This is something you can really support and relate to as a MAP. It's not "look at me, i'm at least better than those damn pedophiles" like so many of them tend to be, it's more about the community and support for everyone who's different and marginalized in some way. That's something i can support.
Here's some others that were just really good performances, and in genres you might not expect:
(Blind Channel : Dark Side)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOPGxQ4fgVw
Not big on rock entries in the ESC, but i thought this was one of the best. They really made it feel authentic and not forced into the ESC format, which usually doesn't work well with rock bands.
(Montaigne : Don't Break Me)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr-wWxu4974
Sort of alludes to a lot of things MAPs and other deviants are going through. Unfortunately, this was from the ill-fated year 2020, which didn't take place at all, and unfortunately had one of the strongest lineups of entries ever. We'll never know what the results would actually have been, but i think this would have been top 10. Unfortunately the entry she sent the next year was much weaker, and had a trashy looking pre-recorded performance that didn't make the final.
(Voyager : Promise)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1ohtx5Ul6I
Another great rock entry (they're really not that common) and this is one of the most musically sophisticated songs we've heard in the contest. Really daring, and it's also refreshingly positive in a way that's unusual for hard rock.
(Sheldon Riley : Not the Same)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wosfFz2FJPU
More possible MAP allusions here. Apparently he's autistic, which seems to have a certain overlap with the MAP community i won't get into, and genderqueer. Very interesting song and performance either way. And why are there three Australian entries on this list?!? Weird.
(Konstrakta : In Corpore Sano)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBtQj1MfNYA
Just to show how weird and avant-garde some entries can be - just imagine, this amazing song and staging got 5th place!
(Gjon's Tears : Tout l'Univers)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jznH_fltcYA
Simply one of the most amazing songs ever in the contest!
