Eurovision 2014: What I thought

 Hello!

Cakes and flags made by my talented brother

 As you will know if you follow this blog or my Facebook page, I am a huge Eurovision fan. It is quite possibly the highlight of my year. I just love the sense of together-ness, of people all over Europe watching and enjoying the same spectacle.

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The host nation:

 One thing I like about Eurovision is learning about the host nation, and in this way I felt slightly let down this year, as I found there wasn't much information about Denmark, or Copenhagen as a city.

 The only thing that had anything to do with Danish culture was the performance of Hans Christian Anderson's The Ugly Duckling in one of the semi-finals. I would have liked more of that sort of thing, especially in the final.

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The hosts:

 I thought the show was well-hosted, though I preferred Petra Mede last year. I think some of the hosts' humour was perhaps lost in translation, as I didn't find some things funny that I think I was supposed to.

 I also didn't really get the continual China references - was that an in-joke of some kind? Overall, though, it was better hosted than a lot of past contests.

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The venue:

 I was amazed when I saw pictures of the venue from the outside - it is a pair of former shipping containers, and looked so different from more glamourous past Eurovision venues. Yet inside, it looked wonderful; I liked the stage design and how it matched the gem theme of the contest.

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The theme:

 When I first encountered the gem theme, I thought it too simple and ordinary. However, it really worked on the night and looked quite arty. The tagline, "#Join us," is too similar to Norway's 2010 slogan, "Share the moment," and I feel that Norway captured the sentiment better with their flashmob. But it is a nice sentiment to have in the first place.

 I could have done without the hash tag, though. Not all of us use Twitter, and those of us who don't can still be part of Eurovision.

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The songs:

 I thought the standard of songs this year was really good - probably the best overall quality across all the songs that I remember seeing at Eurovision. However, for me there were few really excellent songs. I voted for Malta and the Netherlands, my favourites by a long way. 

 I also quite liked Spain's song. But that was it. While many other songs were good, they just didn't blow my mind.

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The winner:

 I like how Conchita's victory was a victory of sorts for equality. Also, Tom, the guy whose character she is, seems really nice in interview. However, I don't really like the song - it just seems to be about three other songs pasted together and generally dull. 

 The ideal situation for me would have been for Conchita to have come second, which would still have made a stir and a statement, and for the Netherlands to have won because they had the better song and it is a song contest at the end of the day.

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 I hope you enjoyed reading my thoughts on the show. Congratulations to Conchita and to Austria, and thank you to everyone who was involved in making Eurovision 2014 such a great success.

 Here's to Eurovision 2015 in Austria!

 Thanks for reading! I have also written an article about Eurovision for my university's student newspaper, if you would like to check it out.

 Liz x

Songs: Coming Home - Firelight - 2014

Calm After the Storm - The Common Linnets- 2014

Poetry news

 Hi,

 Just letting you know that my poem "Egg without a shell" has been published in Cadaverine Magazine! I'm very proud and happy. Give it a read if you have time.

 Liz x

In these cities: The songs from my second French trip film

 Hello! Bonjour!

 In 2011 I went to the south of France with my sixth-form college, a trip that changed my life. I made a film about it, and wrote a blog post about the songs I used in the film. In 2012, I returned there and had another great trip. Again, I made a film, and in this post I will let you know the stories behind the songs I used.

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 The first song I used, for the Montpellier segment of the film, is "In This City" by Iglu & Hartly.

 I first discovered this song on a trip to Oxford, and I thought of it for the film as its chorus describes perfectly how I feel about Montpellier:

"And I know that down here, in this city,

That I won't disappear in this city,

I have nothing to fear in this city..."

 I adore Montpellier and would love to live there some day. It is definitely my favourite city. I have even written a novel set there. It just seems to be to have its own vibe, its own air even. I find it to be a truly unique place.

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 The second song in the film covers Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and Montpellier's Mare Nostrum Aquarium. It is "I've been in love before" by Cutting Crew.

 I first discovered this song on a family trip to London when I was sixteen. We were driving through a very green neighbourhood with lots of trees, and now hearing the song always brings me back there. We went on to visit Hampton Court Palace, somewhere I'd dreamed of going for a long time as I was fascinated by the Tudors. It was a wonderful trip.

 I rediscovered this by chance when I was making my film and tried it with the beach photos, not really expecting it to work - but it really did. So I kept it, and now I really like this part of the film - it may be my favourite part.

 I did a post with a bit more about why I love this song.

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 The third and final song covers Carcassonne, and is "Famille" by Jean-Jacques Goldman.

 I first encountered this song when I was exploring Goldman's music - I did a post all about it. When it came to the film, this was probably the easiest song to choose: throughout the trip, the group had referred to each other as "ma deuxième famille" - "my second family." So I thought of this song right away. 

 Plus, it's a nice song to end the film on: it has that "ending" feel to it, but in a happy, celebratory way, rather than a sad, "it's over" kind of way.

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 Overall, I really like the film. I had a limited amount of time in which to finish it - much less than I had for the first film - and I worried at the time that it wouldn't be able to match the first one. However, I think I managed it, and the music was a huge part of that.

 I hope you like the film and the songs,

 Thanks for reading!

 Liz x

Songs: In This City - Iglu & Hartly - 2008

I've Been in Love Before - Cutting Crew - 1986

Famille - Jean-Jacques Goldman - 1985

Northumberland and the Noughties

 Hello!

 A belated Happy Easter!

 I'm still on my Easter holidays and am enjoying having some rest and relaxation. Last weekend I went with my family to Northumberland for a few days, and I wanted to tell you about the trip, through, as always, music.

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 Firstly, the way there was as much an adventure as the stay itself: the scenery was beautiful and an unexpected road diversion meant we had to go a very long-winded route that brought us even more moody views of mountains, lakes and heathland. It was very atmospheric.

 We listened to two different compilations of 00s music. Here are some of the highlights:

This song always reminds me of a friend's birthday party I went to when I was young. Very nostalgic!

I remember Pop Idol being the first talent show I ever experienced, when I watched the last few shows and the final. I wanted Will to win and was so glad when he did.

I also did a post about Westlife's song Flying Without Wings.

This has inspired me to do a whole post about Dido, so watch this space!

 Ah, the memories!

 We also listened to the radio and this song played.

 It is so typically Coldplay. If asked to identify the band you wouldn't hesitate a minute. While I'm not completely bewitched by it (see what I did there) I do find it quite pretty, and it will now always remind me of our journey to Northumberland.

 I also found out through research for this blog that it was released on my 20th birthday!

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 When we got there, we explored Kielder Water and the surrounding woodland - it's very scenic and peaceful. We also did some stargazing as the skies were dark and clear, and the moon was incredibly beautiful.

 The first line from Annie's Song sprung to mind on more than one occasion.

"You fill up my senses, like a night in the forest."

 For a while this was the only line I knew in the song, and I was almost disappointed when I heard that the song consists of similar analogies. For me, that one analogy was enough. "A night in the forest" on its own is such a powerful, evocative, lustrous image that I don't see the need for any others, although I do find the rest of the song very lovely.

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 We also visited a bird of prey centre, where we saw some amazing owls and falcons. Let me share one of my favourite songs about flying. I hope to do a whole blog post about flying songs soon.

 A talented singer performed this song at my school talent show; that was the first time I heard it and I immediately liked it. It remains one of my favourite songs.

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 We saw lots of birds in the wild - chaffinches, a siskin, ducks and crows - as well as a red squirrel, rabbits - lots of rabbits -, deer and wallabies. Yes, wallabies.

 We visited a castle, got lost in a maze and sat in a giant artwork.

The artwork

 Our trip finally ended, and we drove home, going through Scotland this time. This song came on the radio. At the time, I thought I'd never heard it before, but now I think I may have done; I have a bit of déjà vu.

 I really like it; it's very simple but I love simple love songs. It goes without saying that Heather Small's voice is amazing.

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 Our weekend was brilliant and really refreshing, and one I'll always remember. I hope we can return to Northumberland in the future.

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x

Songs: 

Push the Button - Sugababes - 2005

Evergreen - Will Young - 2002

World of Our Own - Westlife - 2002

All You Want - Dido - 2001

Magic - Coldplay - 2014

Annie's Song - John Denver - 1974

On The Wings of Love - Jeffrey Osborne - 1982

Just for You - M People - 1997

Remember Me This Way

 Dear readers,

 I am now on my Easter holidays! Hooray! Three weeks of relaxation before going back to University and facing my summer exams. I will do plenty of study, of course, but a lot has happened this half-semester, and it will be good to have the chance to chill out a bit.

 I would like to bring to your attention that I have set up a blog for my poetry and possibly other types of writing. It would mean a lot to me if you could have a look at it. Feel free to comment and let me know what you think.

 Finally, I thought I would share this song and clip from the film Casper. Beware of spoilers if you haven't seen the end of the film!

For anyone who doesn't want to see the clip for fear of spoilers, here is the song on its own:

 As a kid, I'd occasionally go to an activity club where they had a TV room. At least half the time, this film was showing. I saw all of it in bits and pieces, but never from beginning to end. 

 It was only a couple of years ago that I caught it on TV and was able to sit back and enjoy the whole film. It was a lot better than I remembered; I think being older allowed me to appreciate the tragedy/friendship/romance side of the film, whereas as a kid I saw it more as an adventure/mystery film.

 Anyway, I really love the dancing scene. While I do like the song in its own right, I believe that being fitted with this specific scene elevates it to something incredibly beautiful and poignant. The lyrics are very simple, but work so well with the music and with the scene.

"Every now and then, we find a special friend,

Who never lets us down."

"If you lose your way, look back on yesterday,

Remember me this way.... Remember me this way."

 I hope you're well,

 Liz x

Song: Remember Me This Way - Jordan Hill - 1995

Feels Like Home

 Hello!

 There has been a fairly big development in my life, in that I have moved to a new University hall of residence.

 There were various reasons behind the move which I won't go into. What I will say is that I settled into my new hall really quickly - even on the first day I felt that I was home. This song kept playing in my head:

 That was last Wednesday - eight days ago. It feels like so much longer. I feel as though I've been living here for a long, long time. I already know a large number of the hall's residents, and I have made some wonderful friends. It's safe to say that I'm very happy here.

 Long live my new home, and may many happy times be ahead of me here.

 Thanks for reading.

 Liz x

Song: Feels Like Home - Edwina Hayes - 2008

Eurovision article

 Hi!

 I'm just letting you know that I've had an article about the Eurovision Song Contest published in The Mancunion, the University of Manchester's student newspaper. Check it out if you love Eurovision - or if you hate Eurovision. Hopefully in the latter case I can change your mind.

 Liz x

Facebook page

 Hi!

 Just to let you know, I've set up a Facebook page for myself as a writer. Feel free to "Like" it or, if you don't have Facebook, to check it from time to time, to keep up to date with all my writing - be it blogging, poetry, journalism or novel-writing.

 Hope you're well,

 Liz x

Flying Without Wings

 Hello!

 Last night I stumbled upon Flying Without Wings by Westlife. 

 From what I had heard of this in the past I used to find it cheesy in the extreme, but listening to it properly I... I really like it. The lyrics aren't mindblowing but are very pretty...

"Some find it sharing every morning,

Some in the solitary night..."

 I especially love the last verse:

 "For me, it's waking up beside you,

To watch the sunrise on your face..."

 Cheesy and not very original, I know, but I really do like it and would love to sing this song at karaoke one day... Maybe I will if I can get someone else to sing it with me as I think it would work wonderfully as a duet.

 And what's my special thing that helps me fly without wings? I don't know if I can pinpoint one thing. Maybe simply the beauty of this earth. My family, friends, my cat, the stars, the sea, sunset skies, the cool breeze in the evening, that smell when it's about to rain...

 And I call the song cheesy!

 What helps you to fly without wings?

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x

Song: Flying Without Wings - Westlife - 1999

Love songs of spring ♥

 Hello!

 Since I last posted on here, in January, spring seems to have come to Manchester! There is blossom on the ground, the birds are singing... And I just can't help feeling happy.

 A few other things have happened since I last posted: I have turned 20, I have had several important University exams, and I have made big steps in trying to become a published novelist. Re. the novel, watch this space: I really hope to have good new for you one day!

 2014 is going scarily fast - I really hope it slows down a bit so I can enjoy it while it's here, and make it a year to remember.

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 What music have I been listening to? Well, I've been listening to On ira, a French song by Jean-Jacques Goldman.

 I first discovered most of Mr Goldman's music when I was at sixth-form college, and listening to his songs always brings me back there. Sitting in the infamous "Islands" computer area, with my earphones in, waiting for my bus and supposedly doing some work while actually just listening to the song. Happy days.

 If you speak French and are interested, I wrote a piece in French about Jean-Jacques - click on the link to read it, or click his name above the video to read another piece I did about him in English. (Yes, I'm a huge fan!)

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 There's also All Out of Love by Air Supply. 

 I heard this for the first time in a long time on the radio last year, and assumed it was a woman singing the choruses - I was in for a surprise!

 The radio DJ described this as "one of the best love songs ever written," making it sound, as DJ's have a tendency to, like this sentiment were universal. When it played, I thought, it isn't that amazing. 

 However, I did like it and I started listening to it on YouTube, and one day I heard the beautiful simplicity and sadness of the opening bars and realised it is an incredible song. One of the best love songs ever written? Quite possibly. I'm really glad I heard it on the radio that day.

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 After I listened to All Out of Love on YouTube just now, Right Here Waiting came up in the suggested videos, and I decided to share it here as it fits my developing theme of simple but beautiful love songs.

 This was one of the first songs I ever knew. It was on a compilation album called "Bitter Suites" that my parents used to listen to when I was very young. It was probably the first song on the album that I learned to recognise and to like. 

 The words meant little to me and I couldn't understand his accent a lot of the time, so the song was less a story, something with meaning, than a beautiful series of sounds and - in my head - colours and patterns. 

 Soon I knew most of the songs on the album, and I think I might do a blog post about it (so again, watch this space!) but Right Here Waiting was always, and will always be, special to me.

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 Another song that follows in a similar vein is In Too Deep by Genesis.

 I heard this on the radio in the car late last year. I liked it. I was pleased, as I was looking out for Genesis songs I might like, having spent a vast amount of 2013 listening to what was undoubtedly my song of the year, Follow You, Follow Me.

 For a while, In Too Deep was nice but not mindblowing. Then something changed. I realised it was playing in my head at random times. I dreamed of singing it at karaoke. While it will never replace Follow You, Follow Me in my affections, it has become another song whose simplicity, for me, makes it a classic.

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 I'll end this list of simple but effective love songs with one of my favourite such songs: I Want You, by The Silencers.

 My parents used to play this at home, and I quite liked it. Then when I was at sixth-form I played it to myself and I realised I really liked it. It has become one of my favourite songs. So simple, so beautiful. It's near the top of my list of "songs I will learn to play first if I ever master the guitar." It would be just wonderful to be able to play it and sing it with joy and pride and so much love.

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 I've just realised that I have managed to collate a song each from France, Australia, the US, England and Scotland. This wasn't intentional and just shows that all over the world people are writing simple, beautiful love songs - it is a genre that spans continents and cultures and that we all can enjoy and respond to.

 Well, night's coming in and it's nice and cool, and people are milling about outside, probably unable to believe their luck that spring seems to have come overnight. I certainly appreciate this change in the weather - good weather really can lift your mood. Time for spring, for blossom, for lighter nights and birdsong and feeling great ♥

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x

Songs: On ira - Jean-Jacques Goldman - 1998

All Out of Love - Air Supply - 1980

Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx - 1989

In Too Deep - Genesis - 1986

I Want You - The Silencers - 1991