Introduction

• Participant(s): Jamie-Lee
• Song: Ghost
• Writer(s): Anna Leyne
  
• Composer(s): Anna Leyne, Thomas Burchia & Conrad Hensel
• Broadcaster: NDR
• Social media: 
• Team review: 

This time Germany had some problems finding the appropriate entry for Eurovision. But Eurovision would never be complete without scandals. At first the German broadcaster NDR has directly nominated Xavier Naidoo. The ideas was him singing several songs in a show and the TV spectators were able to vote for their favourite. This decision has urged a lot of arguments in the country. Especially do the fact that Xavier is not a saint and has uttered several doubtful comments in the past about religion and homosexuality. A big shit storm has been caused in Germany. Therefore NDR has withdrawn the singer and instead organized a proper national final in Cologne. Among the composers there was also the ESC guru Ralph Siegel, who utilized the chance to compete another time for Germany, as it was not possible in previous years. At the end the choice of the German televoters felt to Jamie-Lee Krewitz with the song “Ghost” with 44,5% of the votes.

Jamie-Lee is one of the youngest artists in this year’s ESC. She is born in Springe (close to Hanover), Germany in 1998. She still goes to school, was singing in a gospel choir, but has already won The Voice Germany in 2015 and has a huge fan community. The most striking thing is her outfit, as she loves Manga figures and Decora Kei costumes and has a great interest in the culture of the Far East and in particular South Korea. Due to her young age she was not allowed to give a press conference after a certain time of day and to do interviews. Let’s hope that she will enjoy the ESC in Stockholm to the fullest and that she is not over-protected.

The German entry “Ghost” is an authentic – almost melancholic pop song with an interesting sound atmosphere. The unusual stage performance together with her Manga-look is a big surplus to differentiate from the others. There have been a lot of good critics for Jamie-Lee and her contribution. The song is about a troubled relationship and that there is no lifetime needed to figure out what has been missed. Wise words from a young girl. Let’s cross the fingers for a better place for Germany than last year!

History

• Debut: 1956
• Participations: 61
• Victories: 2
• Finals: 61
• Top 10: 36
• Chance for Top 10: 59 %

Germany is participating for the 61st time in the Eurovision Song Contest and so Germany took part every year since 1956, beside of one forced break in 1996 as there has been an international selection and Leon’s “Planet Of Blue” has not been picked. Germany is one of the founding members of the ESC. In 1956 there were two entries per country allowed, Germany had “Im Wartesaal Zum Grossen Glück” by Walter Andreas Schwarz (2nd) and “So Geht Das Jede Nacht” by Freddy Quinn (also 2nd). In that year there was only one winner and all other participants came 2nd.

Germany was often very close to victory, with six second places it was very successful even though. But in 1982 a young girl named Nicole could capture the European hearts with a little song of peace in rough political times called “Ein bisschen Frieden”. For a long time this was the only German winning entry, until another young cheeky girl named Lena could win with her unpretentious “Satellite” all votes all over Europe. This song went number one in many European countries. A great success after many attempts of German composers and songwriters – and particular Ralph Siegel - to bring the trophy back to Germany.

Germany belongs to the Big 5 countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and United Kingdom) – the biggest financiers of the EBU – so therefore these countries get a granted place in the Grand Finals and they don’t have to qualify anymore.
One of the most successful German composers is Ralph Siegel. This guy has written a great amount of the German entries. He also wrote songs for Luxembourg, Montenegro and San Marino.

The general interest in the contest changes from year to year, especially after Guildo Horn’s “Guildo hat Euch lieb” (7th) in 1998 the Eurovision-fever has reached the entire country. Thanks to the popular German TV celebrity Stefan Raab, who even took part himself with “Wadde Hadde Dudde Da” in Stockholm 2000, and came 5th.

In 2010, Germany could show the rest of the world the latest stage technology and especially how the Germans can celebrate at the 56th ESC in Düsseldorf. The contest was a big success for the city of Düsseldorf for the ESC and last but not least - the positive image of Germany as a Eurovision-enthusiastic-country. The last German entries “Glorious” by Cascada (21st place) and “Is It Right” by Elaiza (18th) did not shape up very well. And even last year’s entry “Black Smoke” by Ann Sophie could not convince as well, this entry came last with zero points, this was one of the worst results for Germany, but this was not the first time, it also happened in 1964 and 1965.