Hoerah! Here we are, with just over a week separating us from the glorious fabulousness that is the Eurovision Song Contest!

For those of us who have been studying the entries in the many national finals which accompany the contest for the past six months, that last Saturday in May cannot come fast enough. I realise though, that many of you have not been paying as close attention to the past few weeks of amazingness as I have. So, I have found a few of my favourites that didn’t quite make the final this year (that is they were beaten by another song).

But before we get onto those songs, I’m sure you are all wondering where is? Well, it’s at Baku. That’s in Azerbaijan. And where is that you are wondering? Well, no one really knows for sure, but here is a short video that the European Broadcasting Union’s Lynda Woodruff has put out to educate us all on such matters…

Now, onto the songs which didn’t quite make it! First up is the Schlager Diva Icon herself, winner of Eurovision in 1999, Swedish winner in 2008 and all round amazing performer Charlotte Perrelli. Unfortunately, her song The Girl didn’t even make it out of the heats of the Swedish Selection Show Melodifestivalen – BUT IT IS AMAZING!

Next up we head south to Austria where Conchita Wurst (a man, dressed as a woman with a beard – pictured above) came within 1% of the vote of being the Austrian singer at this year’s contest. Here is her absolutely fabulous entry, That’s What I Am:

Now we head back up and a bit to the left to visit Denmark, who unfortunately chose the incorrect person this year, alas. They could’ve sent a Scandinavian princess in a white leotard with hanging streamers from her arms… Here is Ditte Marie with Overflow:

We will finish our journey in the lovely Netherlands with a song bursting with sexuality and even more leotard (and added hair matching boots!)! Raffaela didn’t make the final with her song Chocolatte, but it has made it to this list, and that must count for something!

Amazing tracks, all of them. What do you mean you didn’t like them? Never mind, next week we’ll take a look at the songs which have automatically made the final this year. A few potential winners in that bunch!

Remember, if you are in Brisbane on the 27th of May come along to Schlagerfest, Brisbane’s first official Eurovision party! All proceeds raised will go directly to Healthy Communities.

Eurovision airs on SBS on the 25th, 26th and 27th of May.

Until next time, Happy Schlagering!!!