Slovenia – Hvala, Ne!

Although you may not be able to tell, this year’s Eurovision has TWO feminist bangers – Netta’s Toy and Lea Sirk’s Hvala, Ne!

The title of that second song roughly translates to “Thanks, but no” and is all about how people should think for themselves. However, the whole song is performed in Slovenian, so many people miss the nuance – which is fine, because the song is a complete banger to make up for it. It’s got a fabulous heavy beat that should get you moving.

The one problem comes through in the staging. This is a song that makes me want to stand up and cheer. If there had been an easy to learn dance associated with it (I’m looking at you France) Lea could have gotten the whole arena rocking. Instead, she pulls a Say Hey Barei and kills the flow. If you don’t know what I mean by that, just watch and see if you can pick it out. (I’m perhaps not best poised to judge because I was one of those who did get sucked in by the Say Hey Barei gambit, but I feel like this one is less well constructed.)

In the end, Hvala, Ne! is an example of how a great song can be hampered by bad staging. I want to see Lea Sirk back in the competition with a fierce feminist banger that’s worthy of our time.

TWITTER JOKES YOU SHOULDN’T BOTHER MAKING BECAUSE THEY’VE ALREADY BEEN DONE BETTER BY THE EUROFANDOM: Any ‘No Thanks!’ jokes. Of course, most people are probably too lazy to Google translate it.

SHOULD YOU TAKE A PEE BREAK DURING THIS PERFORMANCE: Nope! Witness the pander!