Czech-Angolan performer Benny Cristo was meant to sing the toe-tapping, Afro-pop dance number "Kemama" at Eurovision 2020 for the Czech Republic. This song is all about living your best life, even when the haters try to put you down. When people shout you down, just open your heart. As he sings in the lyrics: "They can say what they want, you should let it go, 'Cause tonight I will sho-o-ow love, I'll show them I can dance on my own."

In Malta's Eurovision song “All Of My Love”, Destiny Chukunyere puts her soul into the message of love. Lyrics like “Always felt I was no good /  always felt misunderstood / but now I do” showcase the emotional development she’s gone through and the fights she has overcome. She’s now ready to give all of the love she feels to that special person. The message? To open yourself to others, you must start by opening up to yourself. The toe-tapping ditty is a really smart use of Destiny’s gospel capacities, leaving the listener in awe while remaining radio-friendly. The soulful pop feel, which has shades of Lizzo, would have catapulted Malta up the scoreboard. More importantly, it would have reminded people to believe in themselves while chasing their dreams.

In Estonia's Eurovision 2020 song, Uku Suviste asks "What Love Is". The sweet — some might say sickly — ballad captures the transformative power of love with lyrics like: “I couldn’t have told you what blue is till I looked into your eyes...or how soft the feel of a cloud is till I was touching your skin.” The song has a throwback quality that reminds many of Philipp Kirkorov earworms of yesteryear. We review the song — to many, a surprise winner of Eesti Laul 2020.

On March 4, Switzerland confirmed Gjon's Tears as its Eurovision 2020 singer with his song “Répondez-moi”. Our blogger Oliver attended the press conference shortly after the announcement and spoke with Gjon about his song. "Everyone asks themselves why exactly are we here, where do we come from and where are we going?" Gjon told us. "These are key questions, particularly for people from a migrant background. My parents are from Albania and Kosovo. I grew up in Switzerland and it’s my home, these are questions that I think about a lot." This is our interview from the day. Full video available on our YouTube channel.

Gjon's Tears was a favourite to win the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with his French-language song "Répondez-moi". To our William, it's something of a masterpiece. He writes: At times “Répondez-moi” sounds like a prayer — it’s deeply personal and at times you almost feel uncomfortable listening. But naturally, you do, drawn in by Gjon’s visceral delivery and pure vocals. The song progresses in so many ways — melodically and emotionally. It all builds to that note — as if heaven is answering his prayer.

Our Eurovision jury reviews Ukraine's 2020 song "Solovey" by Go_A. Performed in the traditional "white voice" folk style, it's mysterious to some and screechy to others. Speaking of their song, whose title translates as "Nightingale", the band said: “Life is an experience, but it tends to differ. It is most important to not lose optimism and be able to sufficiently leave from every situation, even while being in love with something. After all, it is not important what happened, but how you dealt with it.” The main character in the song — lead vocalist Kateryna — wants to be with her lover. However, she knows that an angry mother will not approve of her love. Instead, she tries to meet him at night and begs the nightingale to not sing early and wake up the world.

"Attention" — Ulrikke's Eurovision 2020 song for Norway — is a masterclass in elevating the typical Eurovision ballad. The key change is the perfect Eurovision moment, and it comes with pyros falling from the sky and lights igniting the stage. And while some may call it formulaic, it comes with a thoughtful message on the cliché subject of love. As Ulrikke told us during Melodi Grand Prix: "The song is actually a question I ask myself and all of you: Why do we do stupid things for love to get the attention of another person? Sometimes love hurts and we do it all over again." In the opening bars a series of sporadic booms are reminiscent of a heartbeat — no wonder so many of us are getting the feels.

Poland's Eurovision 2020 star Alicja Szemplińska highlights some of the world's crises in her song “Empires”. Men build great empires through their work and toil. But it’s these same people who can actually tear it down through their indifference to the environment, and each other. Some have called this a modern Bond anthem and others an epic and dramatic ballad. We review all the chatter and share our thoughts.

Our William, Deban and Angus reveal their TOP 3 Nordic entries at Eurovision 2020. Which Nordic country has the best song this year? We choose from Denmark: Ben & Tan - "Yes"; Finland" Aksel Kankaanranta - "Looking Back"; Iceland: Daði & Gagnamagnið - “Think About Things”; Norway: Ulrikke Brandstorp - "Attention"; and Sweden: The Mamas - "Move".

The message Georgia's Eurovision 2020 song is that we should be loved for who we are rather than what’s en vogue. It reverberates across borders and time thanks to Tornike Kipiani's raspy voice and his unique swerve on old school rock. The video is black and white, but the song moves through many more moods and textures: languid rock verses, a more assertive pre-chorus and an explosive chorus where pained screams carry a strange beauty.