Introduction

• Participant(s): Uku Suviste
• Song: The Lucky One
• Writer(s): Uku Suviste, Sharon Vaughn
• Composer(s): Uku Suviste
• Broadcaster: ERR
  
• Social media:     
  
• Team review: 

Uku Suviste is one of the singers, who was chosen last year already. But unlike other singers from different countries, Uku had to compete against 23 other entries for another time. The former “Sexiest man Estonia” in 2010 received enough votes to win the ticket to Rotterdam. Like in the years before, the national final “Eesti Laul” is a very important and popular TV show with a lot of talented singers and creativity.

Uku was born in Võru – a village in the South East of Estonia in 1982. His mother is a singer for classical music, so maybe the music is in Uku’s veins from childhood. Early is joined the Tallinn’s Boys Choir and learned to play the piano. Later he studied pop and jazz singing in Tallinn and went to the famous Berklee College of Music in Boston. Uku participated in festivals and contests as a band member or solo singer e.g. the New Wave Festival and The Voice in Russia. Uku also sang in musicals Oliver Twist", "Chicago", and in "West Side Story". In his career he also had two previous attempts in the Eesti Laul, with “Supernatural” he did not reach the final in 2017, but with “Pretty Little Liar”  Uke achieved a second place in the final. Uku is also patron for UNICEF Estonia for all Estonian soldiers

Like last year Uku has composed his own song. It has a similar style and it’s easy to hear some musical vibes. It’s about the end of a love story:

I don't need a crystal ball to show me
Baby it is plain that you don't know me
When it comes to you I'm better off alone

“The Lucky One” is soft pop song, which can easily be played on the radio, without edges and corners. Uku will definitely profit from his good looks.

History

• Debut: 1994
• Participations: 26
• Victories: 1
• Finals: 16 (7 since 2004)
• Top 10: 11
• Chances for Top 10: 42%
• Chances for Final: 41%

Estonia had the debut in the year of 1994. In the year before there has been an international pre-selection, which was held in Ljubljana, Slovenia to choose the songs for three open slots for the ESC in Millstreet, Ireland 1993. The Estonian entry “Muretut meelt ja südametuld”  sung by Janika, could not achieve one of the higher placings, with the effect that Estonia debuted one year later with Silvi Vrait and “Nagu Merelaine”, who made a disappointing 24th place with only 2 points.

Nevertheless the Estonians really became Eurovision enthusiasts over the years with a lot of good songs and a great enthusiasm, which inspired other participating countries. This year it will the 26th entry for Estonia, as last year has been cancelled. The Baltic country could make it into the Grand Finals successively the last two years, with even an 8th place by Elina Nechayeva and the opera song “La Forza” in 2017. Furthermore there have been many strong and memorable songs with good placings, and often Estonian entries were able to qualify for the Grand Final. Statistically the chance for a place in the final is at 41%. Estonia reached the Grand Final 16 times and even reached a Top10 position 11 times!

In 2001 the big dream came true: Tanel Padar and Dave Benton could win the ESC; this was the first time that Estonia could achieve a victory and the also the first time of an Eastern European country at that time. The victory of Davel and Tanel was a big surprise for the most of the viewers, the bets placed Estonia in the middle field. At the end the swinging soul number “Everybody” has been shining and convincing the most. The year after the Estonian broadcaster ETV has organized a wonderful event in the capital of Tallinn. The Estonian national final is called “Eesti Laul” and has brought many contemporary and experimental music into the spotlight. In this event all music genres can be found, and some of them make it to Europe thanks to the ESC.

Biggest successes

• 1x 1st place
  “Everybody” | Tanel Padar, Dave Benton & 2XL (Copenhagen 2001)
• 1x 3rd place
  “Runaway” |Sahléne (Tallinn 2002)
• 1x 4th place
  “Once In A Lifetime” |Ines (Stockholm 2000)
• 1x 5th place
  “Kaelakee Hääl” |Ivo Linna and Maarja-Liis Ilus (Oslo 1996)
• 3x 6th place
  “Diamond Of Night” |Evelin Samuel and Camille (Jerusalem 1999)
  “Rändajad” |Urban Symphony (Moscow 2009)
  “Kuula” | Ott Lepland (Baku 2012)

Video Nostalgia

• “Mere Lapsed” | Koit Toome
  Rank 12, Birmingham 1998
• “Tii” | Neiokõsõ
  Rank 11 (Semi Final), Istanbul 2004
• “Siren” | Malcolm Lincoln
  Rank 14 (Semi Final), Oslo 2010