My eighth song review blog are of the Caucasus nations. I hate to get into politics but it’s crazy how Armenia can’t get along with Azerbaijan and vice verse, but none of them have any animosity with Georgia. It does get you thinking. As for Eurovision songs, all three have their own Eurovision successes and their own Eurovision frustrations. So how do their songs for 2025 look? Let’s see:
ARMENIA
Song: “Survivor”
Performer: Parg
For the first time in five years, Armenia’s AMPTV held the national final Depi Evratesil 2025 to decide their entry for Eurovision. Entries for the final were opened in December and performers had to be Armenian citizens or people of Armenian descent. The twelve finalists and their songs were revealed in February. The final was held February 16th with the winner decided by 1/3 international jury, 1/3 Armenian jury and 1/3 televoting. In the end, first-up performer Pargev Vardanyan, known professionally as Parg, won the final with his song “Survivor.” Parg was born in Armenia but was raised mostly in Volgograd, Russia. It was there he attended the Volgograd State Institute of Theatre And Drama and graduated with a degree in Theatre Arts and Acting. Parg started his recording career in 2020 and moved back to Armenia in 2022.
The song which Parg is one of many songwriters for can be seen in one of two ways. It could be seen as a person who has gone through a lot in his life and still stands strong, or as someone whom could have been another casualty of the music business but made it through. The song starts off active but light in intensity. The intensity comes with the chorus. The bridge before the final chorus changes the song to a slower lighter intensity before returning to peak intensity at the final chorus. I have mixed feelings with this song. The verses are sung well and the chorus has music that sounds powerful, but there are times I think the last line of the chorus doesn’t fit the song well. Especially as I hear Parg struggle to hit the high note. Additionally with his staging in the national final with him having his left arm in armor. Hearing the song and watching the final left me thinking something is missing.
ESC Chances: Of the three times Armenia has participated in Eurovision this decade, they have made it to the Grand Final all three times with catchy and memorable songs that stood out. That’s one of the flaws of this song is that for all its talk of Parg being a survivor, it’s not as memorable as Armenia’s other entries this decade. Additionally I’m sure I’m not the only one who has noticed Parg struggle with some of his notes. Currently its chances of winning do not sit very well in the odds. I feel its chances of qualifying will increase if Parg improves the ‘weak spots’ in his singing and there’s better development in the staging.
AZERBAIJAN
Song: “Run With U”
Performer: Mamagama
In August 2024, Azerbaijan’s ITV announced their Eurovision entry will be by internal selection and entry submissions were open until September 15th. The process was decided by a jury of Azerbaijani music professionals and would start with the field narrowed down to twelve and then decide their winner. In February, ITV revealed the entry would be Baku band Managama with their song Run With U. Managama are a three-man band that formed in 2021. Their style of music is a mix of rock, pop, funk and traditional Azerbaijani music. Singer Asaf Mishiyev being Misrahi Jewish also draws influence from Jewish musicians like Bob Dylan and Amy Winehouse.
The song’s lyrics are the common theme of just meeting someone and wanting to love her tonight. The song, where two of the three writers are members of Mamagama, shows off the style of music Mamagama is known for. The song mixes the genres for a danceable song that’s very stylish and smooth. I’ve noticed hints of Michael Jackson in Asaf’s voice. One thing I didn’t like was how the song just ended up being two verses and ended suddenly. I know Eurovision songs have a three-minute time limit but they could have ended it better. Also the video is quite humorous, but that video and Eurovision staging will have to be two completely different affairs.
ESC Chances: The 2020’s have to be Azerbaijan’s most difficult decade. After years of assistance from Swedish songwriters, they’ve been trying to do it alone and it’s hard to do with their results. They’ve had only two qualifications to the Grand Final and their last two, which were completely done by Azerbaijani writers and producers, didn’t qualify. Azerbaijan wants to prove they can do it alone. This song shows that they can do it alone. I can see this song appealing to a lot of people. The band will need to have their performing together in Basel. Additionally I hope they don’t get staging that’s like the video. The video was humorous but will end up looking ridiculous as Eurovision staging. I’m hopeful for this song, but nervous at the same time.
GEORGIA
Song: “Freedom”
Performer: Mariam Shengelia
Georgia’s GPB had the internal selection as the method for deciding Georgia’s Eurovision entry for this year. Although the network would decide the performer, applications were open for eligible songs. 18 submitted songs were from Georgia while 20 were from foreign writers. Georgia was the second-last nation to reveal their performer and song for the Contest. It was decided the singer would be Mariam Shengelia and the song ‘Freedom.” Shengelia has had an active singing career starting with performing in X-Factor Georgia in 2018 when she was 16 years old. She also competed in The Voice Georgia in 2021.
This song is an interesting mix of pop, Broadway and Georgian folk music. The first half is in Georgian and the second half is predominantly in English. Listening to it, I can sense some similarities of this song to Georgia’s song from Junior Eurovision just months ago. Not completely alike, but some noticeable similarities. Mariam is a great singer, but the song lacks the ability to be catchy. Additionally I don’t think many people will take well to the mix of Georgian folk melodies in a song like this. It’s one of those songs you don’t know if you should like it or not.
ESC Chances: In the past, Georgia had little to no problem qualifying for the Grand Final. That changed after 2016. A continuous non-qualifying streak that finally ended last year with Nutsa’s “Firefighter,” and even that finished 21st. Georgia is capable of good finishes at Eurovision, but their entries need the right stuff to do it. This song does not sound like the type of song that can make Georgia qualify again. The only way I can see that happening is if some mind-blowing staging happens, but we’ll have to wait and see for that. Additionally, there have been social media stories claiming Mariam, who supports the ruling Georgian Dream party, is anti-gay and pro-Russian. Claims Mariam denied in an interview with Wiwibloggs. That could harm in the semifinal televoting if it is true.
And there you have it. That’s my look at the entries of the Caucasus nations. Hard to believe it’s just weeks before it all starts. Bet you can’t wait either.
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