Introduction

After one year of Eurovision absence, the Cypriot television has organized one of the biggest national finals ever in Cyprus. There were many qualification rounds with hundreds of singers. An expert jury, which consisted of three former Eurovision participants Alex Panayi (1995, 2000), Elena Patroclou (1991) and Despina Olympiou (2013) and DJ Tasos Trifonos and different jurors. This was a truly success in terms of awareness for the Eurovision in Cyprus, and this can be also considered as guidance for future finals in Cyprus. The interval act was very dedicated to the Eurovision history of Cyprus, while the ex-participants sang medleys of former entries.

At the end John Karayiannis was able to prevail and received the golden ticket to Vienna. The Cypriot singer and songwriter was born in Limassol, Cyprus. Giannis started singing in the age of six and continued with singing lessons later on. He has won several local music contest in Cyprus.

The song “One Thing I Should Have Done” is a classical love song. John himself co-composed this song, together with Mike Connaris, who has already reached a good place with “Stronger Every Minute” by Lisa Andreas in 2004 (5th).

As there will be a lot of ballads this year in Vienna, a good song really needs to stand out of the others. It all depends how strong the competitors are. This Cypriot entry is definitely a good and strong song. Even if the chorus and the beginning with the guitar strongly remind of “To Be With You” by Mr. Big.

History

Debut: 1981
Participations: 32
Finals: 26
Top 10: 9
Chance for Top 10: 28%

Cyprus joined the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981. With the first Cypriot song “Monika” by Island they could achieve the 6th rank, which is not too bad for a debut year. Since then Cyprus is participating on a regular basis in the ESC. In 1988 the entry was disqualified in advance. In other years Cyprus had to pause to the current EBU regulations.

Music from Cyprus has always been warm-hearted and showed all the enthusiasm of the composers and singers. Of course the music taste is similar to the neighbour country Greece. Sometimes the singers are well known in both countries and sing one time for Greece one time for Cyprus like Anna Vissi or Elpida. Both countries have often been criticised that they have been too generous with their 12 point to each other. But this phenomenon can also be notices in the Balkan or Scandinavian countries. Greece is mostly set in the other Semi Final to avoid vote exchanges.

In the past years Cyprus utilizes the free choice of language. Every year Cyprus has to get through the qualification process, since the Semi Finals have been introduced. Cyprus took part in the Grand Final 26 times and could reach the Top10 nine times in history. The chances for a Top10 placing is 28%. The best place Cyprus could reach was the 5th place, three times.