Will Lithuania bounce back "This Time" from missing the Eurovision final last year? Monika Linkytė and Vaidas Baumila will try with a toe-tapping love song.
Country: Lithuania
Song Title: "This Time"
Artist: Monika Linkytė and Vaidas Baumila
Semi-Final: Second, Position 1
Last year's entry: "Attention" - Vilija Mataciunaite (Did Not Qualify - 11th Place, Second Semi-Final)
Lithuania is one of my favorite countries in the Eurovision Song Contest. At once the country marches to its own drum but doesn't strive to be a trendsetter. The latter part is probably poor strategy in a competition that is a popularity contest, but when it comes to creating quality songs the mindset makes my playlist very happy. Does "This Time" by Monika Linkytė and Vaidas Baumila maintain Lithuania's approach to Eurovision?
Hmmmm. Of all the entries trying to mimic the success of the Netherlands last year, "This Time" probably hits closest to the target. While several countries are sending co-ed duets to Vienna, this one is the only one to also tap into the Americana vibe "Calm After the Storm" generated. So yes, Lithuania is being a little trendy this year.
Oddly, I think this song would have done incredibly well last year, particularly in comparison with what Malta sent to Copenhagen. I also think "Attention" would have been a serious contender with this year's crop of contestants, but sometimes the calendar just doesn't line up properly.((That song is still my jam and I will not hear any arguments to the contrary.)) However, "This Time" is what we have to work with in 2015, and I don't think all is lost for Lithuania.
Monika Linkytė and Vaidas Baumila will be kicking off the second semi-final, and starting the show with something upbeat never hurts. The two singers have pretty good chemistry in the video above, which could go a long way to distinguish themselves from San Marino, Czech Republic, and Norway. What is unfortunate is that all four of the duets are in the front half of the semi-final, while the overall Eurovision favorites will be rounding out the second half.
I think the bubble for qualifying will be large in this semi-final, with at least two (and perhaps as many as four) qualifying slots up for grabs. Lithuania's best chance will be to make sure the harmonies are on point and that the staging maintains the viewers' interest. Squeaking into the final will require a lot of jury support on the technical aspects of performing mixed with televoters tapping their toes.