🍋‍🟩⭐️Limelight | Episode 8

THEME "Eurovision Rules!" For this round you submit two songs that have been competing in The Eurovision Song Contest. But there are certain rules you have to follow. You need to submit one song from this millennium (2000-2026) and one from the previous one (1956-1999). You need to pick songs that didn't win the competition, and you need to pick the live performances of the songs as performed at the Eurovision stage. No studio cuts or national performances allowed. And lastly, unlike the EBU we ARE going all the way in taking a stand, so no songs from Russia or Israel are allowed here.
Cray - "Somewhere In Europe" by Liam Reilly "I selected “Somewhere in Europe” by Liam Reilly because it is a beautifully written song. The lyrics tell a story of someone longing to reunite with a lost love after they have been separated. Rather than focusing on heartbreak alone, the song looks back on the places they visited together (e.g. Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, London) using each city as a symbol of shared memories and happier times.The repeated line about meeting in Europe expresses hope that, despite the distance between them, they will find each other again. Europe itself becomes more than a setting; it represents a landscape filled with memories, possibility, and the dream of reconciliation. The performance mirrors this emotional journey with an intimate delivery that gradually builds in intensity as the orchestra swells. By the end, the song feels less like a dramatic plea and more like a heartfelt promise that love can endure across time and distance." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ratings: JUDGE 1 - 7 Points "Ugh….so many of these old school submissions are hella nostalgic. Like a couple of the other submissions, this reminds me of something from the good old days in music/movies…I just can't put my finger on this one. But I really just love the overall sound of this…beat and instrumentals! It's one of those songs where I could just lay out in the sun with my headphones on and listen on repeat! Lyrics are actually great too! Not one of my favorite themes but this is actually a little different from the typical love/break-up songs that we’re used to hearing. Easy top 2 this round. Though I'm sure you'd prefer 1st, I hope this will do!" - JUDGE 2 - 5 Points "This is also a really good song and i’m kind of shocked that this did not win Eurovision because they really compliment each other really well, and I really like the addition of the piano to the song, I just kind of enjoy the other songs that are ranked higher better." - JUDGE 3 - 8 Points "Yeah, as soon as I saw the judging sheet I knew this would have my top spot on lock. To me, this is one of the greatest Eurovision songs of all time. 1990 was a stacked year, but it completely blows my mind that this song isn’t a Eurovision winner and it equally blows my mind that more people don’t talk about this song. I just don’t know what to say, I get chills every single time I listen to this. Congrats. I’m truly in disbelief at how you managed to read my mind and send in the exact song I wanted to see." FIRST SUBMISSION - TOTAL POINTS: 20 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Cray - "Undo" by Sanna Nielsen "I selected “Undo” by Sanna Nielsen from Eurovision 2014 as it combines elegant, minimalist staging with an emotional vocal performance. The lyrics explore the pain of regret and the desire to undo mistakes after a relationship has broken down. Rather than dwelling on blame, the song encourages forgiveness, self-acceptance, and the idea that everyone deserves a chance to heal and move forward. The intimate camerawork and gradual build in the performance mirrors this emotional journey." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ratings: JUDGE 1 - 2 Points "Well her vocals are just as powerful as heck, aren't they!? I feel obligated to love this because I am part Swedish! Yes, I do like it…can't say I absolutely love it! It started off a little slow and I feared it would maybe be a little sleepy. It wasn't. It actually became a little catchy which isn’t generally normal for me with slower songs. As mentioned, she has a really great voice. She did very well with the song. I just fear that there are several somewhat similar submissions this round to where ranking is difficult as they're sort of equal in creativity/quality so then it comes down strictly to personal taste! I'm not sure if this is something I would continually seek out in the future to listen to again." - JUDGE 2 - 2 Points "This song is okay. I don’t think there’s honestly anything that special with this song that wows me or gives me a reason to rank it higher than the rest. The singer is really talented but I just wish there was more to this song." - JUDGE 3 - 1 Point "Ballads in Eurovision are usually a huge hit or miss for me. Unfortunately, this one is a pretty big miss for me. Sanna Nielsen undoubtedly sang the hell out of this song, but that unfortunately doesn’t stop the song itself from being really uninteresting. I know this kind of song resonates with a lot of people, but I’m not one of them. Aside from Sanna’s voice, nothing about this song stood out to me in any way, it sounds like a million other ballads I’ve heard before. Modern Eurovision has an extensive catalog of captivating, interesting songs, and this pick feels really boring to me. You might wanna undo this one." SECOND SUBMISSION - TOTAL POINTS: 5 ROUND 8 TOTAL POINTS: 25 -----------------------------------------------------------------
KaliMinaj - "Desfolhada Portuguesa" by Simone de Oliveira "I couldn't pass up the opportunity to include a song from my own country. Desfolhada Portuguesa has become one of Portugal's most iconic Eurovision entries, and I think Simone delivers it with so much confidence and passion that it's impossible not to be captivated. Even though it didn't do well in the competition, it has stood the test of time and is still celebrated today. Every time I watch this performance, I'm reminded that Eurovision isn't just about who wins, it's also about the songs that leave a lasting legacy. As a Portuguese fan, this one makes me incredibly proud" ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ratings: JUDGE 1 - 1 Point "When listening to this the first time, I kind of just passed it off. The more you listen, the more it kind of grows on you! There were little parts of it that almost sounded Wizard of Oz-ish and I'm not even sure why! She definitely gives a passionate performance of this. It's maybe not my absolute favorite but I loved reading your notes and the reasoning behind picking this song. At this stage of the game, it's really difficult to rank as we don't necessarily have ‘bad’ submissions…so rankings become a little more subjective. Regardless of this score, I'm very glad you had the opportunity to share a little piece of your home country with us!" - JUDGE 2 - 1 Point "It’s cool that you submitted a song from your country. I just don’t like it, it kind of sounds like opera which is a genre of music I don’t like listening to. It feels like there’s too much going on in this song." - JUDGE 3 - 6 Points "The fact that this song only received 4 points in 1969 is a travesty, but that makes it a fantastic submission for this theme because it is not one that I could’ve ever anticipated. You took a song that was underrated in its year and proved to us that even songs that place low can still be high quality. Simone de Oliveira delivers a powerful performance, and I love that she matches the energy of the instrumentals with her vocals by singing with conviction. It’s also a nice touch that you are representing your home country with this submission. I can see why this song has stood the test of time, it has aged incredibly well." FIRST SUBMISSION - TOTAL POINTS: 8 -----------------------------------------------------------------
KaliMinaj - "Love Injected" by Aminata "This is one of those performances that gives me goosebumps every single time. I love how simple the staging is because it lets Aminata's voice do all the work. She has such a unique tone, and the emotion in her performance feels so genuine that I can't help but get completely drawn into it. It's powerful without ever feeling over-the-top, and by the end I'm always left wishing it had gone all the way. To me, this is one of Eurovision's most beautiful live performances." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ratings: JUDGE 1 - 3 Points "Well first, I was super excited to see Latvia represented as they have one of my favorite entries from modern years! This is another song where I kinda questioned it at first. The more you listen, the more it grows on you. The production is simple but sometimes less is more. I especially liked the little pieces in the song that had the more exotic sound to them. I almost wish there was a bit more of that! Her voice is really great too! Overall, solid submission. There were just a few that I feel like were a bit more memorable than this!" - JUDGE 2 - 6 Points "This song took me a couple of seconds to get into but once I did, I really enjoyed it a lot. I think her voice is amazing and she can sing really good high notes and I like the background of the song." - JUDGE 3 - 3 Points "This is a pretty cool song, but unfortunately it gets outclassed by a lot of other songs submitted. She does have a really unique voice that works for this style of song, especially the big powerful moments in the chorus. Aside from that, I don’t have much more to say. This song is good, but it doesn’t leave a lasting impression on me like a lot of other songs this round." SECOND SUBMISSION - TOTAL POINTS: 12 ROUND 8 TOTAL POINTS: 20 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Lewis - "Eres Tu" by Mocedades "This is my parents favourite entry and it only feels correct for me to submit this. It may not be to everyone's taste but I truly think this is a song that could fill the room with warmth and nostalgia. Much like submission one, it gives me chills, it's so effortless and graceful. It feels a lot less like a competition song and more like a piece of art that just transcends generations. The backing vocals blending together with the lead singer, the gorgeous melodies... this will never age. God bless you Mocedades." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ratings: JUDGE 1 - 5 Points "This is actually very cute! I love that you made a personal connection with this by submitting your parents favorite entry! I only know a small amount of Spanish so I didn't grasp the entire theme of the song but it appears to be a love song of sorts. I couldn't help but hear a slightly more upbeat version of Elvis' “Can’t Help Falling in Love”! It was a little nostalgic feeling too, as it almost reminded me a bit like the song that's played at graduations! The instrumentals were really neat in this, especially on the intro! There were a few submissions that maybe stood out a little more, but still, well done!" - JUDGE 2 - 7 Points "This song is much better than the one before this. I really enjoy all of the instruments and I think the singer has a really gorgeous voice. The background singers also add a really nice touch to the song." - JUDGE 3 - 4 Points "Unfortunately I wasn’t very surprised to see this song this round, but I couldn’t help but be incredibly happy. This song completely stops me in my tracks every single time and I was so happy you gave me an excuse to listen to it on repeat. But as I said, this wasn’t much of a surprise…I just feel like this was a pretty safe and easy choice. It’s certainly one of Eurovision's all time greatest songs (how the hell did this not win???) and it is potentially my favorite song on this judging sheet, but it’s also one of the most popular Eurovision songs of the 20th century. As much as I adore this song I don’t think I can justify putting a song this famous any higher. Your parents do have impeccable taste though." FIRST SUBMISSION - TOTAL POINTS: 16 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Lewis - "Zero Gravity" by Kate Miller-Heidke "For my millennium 2000-2026 submission, I present to you the greatest Eurovision robbery of all time. The very first time I watched this performance it gave me absolute chills. It's a catchy pop song yes but it's also a raw, emotional piece about crawling out of the dark pit and finding yourself again. When she hits that chorus, I literally feel like I'm floating in the air.. and that is exactly how a Eurovision entry should make you feel. If you don't have goosebumps after listening to this masterpiece, then we should talk!! Enjoy this.. (please)." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ratings: JUDGE 1 - 6 Points "Out of the modern submissions, I think you picked the best by far! What's so cool about Eurovision is how innovative the entries are. With so much history, artists have to do something to stand out from the others and I think that's exactly what was done here. There's something very whimsical and fairytale like about this. But then it also sounds a little musical opera too! It's a whole journey that never gets boring! Even better because this isn't something I would gravitate towards in my daily life but I really love this! Ahh, the beauties of judging & music discovery!" - JUDGE 2 - 4 Points "Wow this artist is extremely talented, the fact that she can sing really high notes while she’s flying is crazy LOL. I just enjoy the songs that were ranked higher than this more. This song definitely wows me but I just can’t see myself bobbing to this song like I can with some of the other songs that are higher." - JUDGE 3 - 7 Points "Kate Miller-Heidke. That’s it. That’s the critique But for real, this woman exists in a whole other stratosphere. She has one of the most uniquely captivating voices I’ve ever heard, and this song utilizes her voice perfectly. This song demands your attention and completely seeps its way into your brain. I’m certain that this is the siren song that Odysseus heard. Incredible song, incredible submission, what else is there to say?" SECOND SUBMISSION - TOTAL POINTS: 17 ROUND 8 TOTAL POINTS: 33 -----------------------------------------------------------------
TheBreeze - "Rock Bottom" by Lynsey de Paul & Mike Moran "Here is live footage of Melanie and me finding out the results to last round. Rock Bottom twists the narrative of what it means to be at your lowest point. This dueling piano duo plays off tragedy as nonchalantly as possible. While residing in the 1970s, this Eurovision entry manages to still feel fresh today beating out a sea of dated competitors. It's so cute with the charming dynamic Lynsey and Mike share, making you want to actually join the rock bottom club with them!" ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ratings: JUDGE 1 - 8 Points "Dynamic AF! This submission stands out for a few reasons! First, the duo is just very cool and adds such a depth to the song. I'm not sure if I'd have enjoyed it nearly as much with a solo artist. They just compliment each other perfectly. Second, this is sooooo fun and upbeat…even though it's a song about struggles. It reminds me a bit of Elton Johns “I'm Still Standing”! Also iconic! I'd have given the same points with or without the notes for this but I love that you incorporated the game into them! This one's for you AND Melanie! :P" - JUDGE 2 - 8 Points "This song is really catchy. I think this is a really good duo song and they both have really good voices that complement each other really well. I also really like the instruments of the song a lot and that also adds a really nice touch that makes this song much better and I just really enjoyed this listen a lot." - JUDGE 3 - 2 Points "I find that UK Eurovision entries in the 70s and 80s are either really good or really corny, and unfortunately this is one of the songs that lands on the corny side for me. I get that a lot of the fun of Eurovision lies in its theatrics, but there’s a right way to be theatrical while still keeping song quality as the primary focus. I think that this song relies too heavily on the theatrics, and as a result, the song just isn’t very good. I’d have to disagree with your notes a bit because this feels the opposite of fresh to me, it actually feels extremely outdated, especially compared to all of the other pre-2000’s songs submitted this round. Now, as someone who loves a good bit, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted to put this song in last place to make a rock bottom joke, but unfortunately I’ve vowed to be a fair and honest judge, so second to last will suffice." FIRST SUBMISSION - TOTAL POINTS: 18 -----------------------------------------------------------------
TheBreeze - "Proud" by Tamara Todevska "I can be extremely hard on myself to the point where I've deprived myself of any credit for what I am doing right. I need to snap out of it - BE proud of what I've accomplished with my business, making an effort to call up loved ones staying connected in a digitally obsessed society, and simply waking up when depression tries to hold me as a prisoner in my own bed. We have to stand up and say it loud just like how Tamara did which makes for one of the most beautifully liberating moments in this contest's history. If I ever have a daughter someday, I'd want her to hear this message because struggling with self worth can take root at such a young age and leave a devastating, lasting impact." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ratings: JUDGE 1 - 4 Points "In terms of messages that these submissions convey, this is my favorite and probably the most powerful! Her vocals match that power too! Your notes are super lovely and help to elevate the emotion in the song! I can't say that it's particularly something that I would listen to on a regular basis just because the sound of it isn't super exciting or unique! But as several other subs this round, this was an all around solid choice! That also makes it hard to rank as some of the placings are quite interchangeable!" - JUDGE 2 - 3 Points "I appreciate that this song resonates with you, I just think this song is really underwhelming. I think the singer has a really good voice but I was just expecting much more from this song and it did not exceed my expectations." - JUDGE 3 - 5 Points "The combination of this song, the vocal performance, and the notes you sent really moved me. This is a very nice ballad with a beautiful message. Eurovision nowadays certainly has a reputation of being incredibly theatrical and over the top, but Tamara shows that you can command the stage without theatrics by delivering an emotional, raw, and powerful performance that I’m sure left her entire country extremely proud." SECOND SUBMISSION - TOTAL POINTS: 12 ROUND 8 TOTAL POINTS: 30 ----------------------------------------------------------------- And therefore, KaliMinaj I'm so sorry but you have been eliminated from Limelight </33 Kali you were genuinely CRUSHING this season at points, and you were so close to narrowly moving forward another round. A last-minute comeback did you in here, but the hosting team as enjoyed having you so much this season. Thank you for playing icon <3 --- CONTESTANTS Cray Lewis TheBreeze --- ELIMINATED brookie KnowUh Space Lexus ChloeKay melanie KaliMinaj