Eurovision 2006

Once again, it's that time of the year to sing!

The annual Eurovision Song Contest is an opportunity for some 37 countries in Europe (including strangely enough Israel) to compete for the best sing/dance act. It's always fun to watch, and today was the semi-finals. Voting is carried out by the audience all over Europe (and Israel), who get to phone in on Saturday to vote for their favourite act.

The Dutch entry by Treble didn't manage to get in. I didn't watch the whole thing, only the end...but I wonder: was Treble really that bad, or was this a 'political' decision (with the background of the Ayaan Hirsi Ali debacle)? Maybe it's too much speculation, but in 2002 when the UK invaded Iraq it got a humiliating 0 points for its entry.

Stay tuned Saturday!


UPDATE 19 May 2006

OK, I now understand why the Dutch didn't get into the contest.
This was the entry:

‘Amambanda’
Written and composed by Treble

Amambanda amambanda
Amambanda gwena mambanda
Amambanda amambanda
Gwena mamba gwena mamba

Con galapa con galapei
Con galapa con galapei
Con galapa con galapei elele
Con galapa con galapei

Con bitele con bite le leina
Con bitele con bite le leina

There is a way
To understand without a language
Don’t be afraid
There are words to find in the place you hide
Speak your mind
And explain yourself today

Amambanda amambanda
Amambanda gwena mambanda
Amambanda amambanda
Gwena mamba gwena mamba

Con galapa con galapei elele
Con galapa con galapei

Con bitele con bite le leina
Con bitele con bite le leina

You’re here to stay
So move your body everybody
There’s no shame
There are words to find in the place you hide
Know the way
And trust yourself today

Amambanda amambanda
Amambanda gwena mambanda
Amambanda amambanda
Gwena mamba gwena mamba
Amambanda amambanda
Amambanda gwena mambanda
Amambanda amambanda
Gwena mamba gwena mamba

Con goelapoe lei toendaja
Con goelapoe lei toendaja
Maja gwena maja gwena
Maja gwena maja gwena
Lama con goelapoe lei toendaja
Con goelapoe lei toendaja
Lama coe toele toendei
Lama coe toele toendei
Maja gwena maja gwena
Maja gwena maja gwena

Con galapa con galapei
Con galapa con galapei
Con galapa con galapei elele
Con galapa con galapei

Amambanda amambanda
Amambanda gwena mambanda
Amambanda amambanda
Gwena mamba gwena mamba
Amambanda amambanda
Amambanda gwena mambanda
Amambanda amambanda
Gwena mamba gwena mamba
Amambanda amambanda
Amambanda gwena mambanda
Amambanda amambanda
Gwena mamba gwena mamba

I was a little shocked when I read the lyrics...
What kind of gibberish are they singing in?
What does it all mean?

According to the trio Treble, amambanda is supposed to mean
'stop thinking, and feel happy' in Treble-language. Well they certainly didn't think much when they wrote the text.

And why Treble language? Because it's supposed to have "universal appeal".

What rubbish! Though you can't blame them for trying...