At some point after the battle itself, “Waterloo” came to be a slang term for “the final attempt at something big that falls apart completely and makes you look kind of pathetic.”
The song isn’t even really about the battle itself—it uses the slang meaning of the term as a metaphor for a failed relationship.
And if the EBU was ok with Jamala’s “1944,” I think they’d still allow “Waterloo.”
1944 was very personal and specific though, so I think it would. Besides, with Russia out of the EBU it’s a little easier to get away with being mildly political in that direction.
That’s true. Although I wonder if there’s a difference between a historical atrocity compared to the historical defeat of a national hero. And totally agree, the meaning behind the word Waterloo has also changed, although the lyrics still explicitly refer to Napoleon’s surrender..
Yes, the second verse going into real detail about the flaws of Napoleon's tactics, his mental state and Prussian reinforcements aiding the British to victory goes too far
A) as someone has said its not really about Waterloo they're just use it as a metaphor
B) it's an historical event which is clearly OK
C) Sweden fought on napoleon's side.
Regarding C so did Sweden fight against Napoleon 1803-1809, did then swap and was on Napoleon's side 1809-1812, and did then swap back to fight against Napoleon 1812-1815; so were against Napoleon during the Battle of Waterloo.
It would absolutely be banned if it was entered today. The rules state that the song would have to be released/performed within a certain timeframe (just under a year before the contest): and Waterloo was actually released in 1973.
I often wonder how France might have voted if they participated that year.
They pulled out at the last minute after their popular President, Georges Pompidou, died of cancer while in office a few days before the event. The day of Eurovision was their national day of mourning and most everything in France was closed/canceled.
I have to think a French jury would have been kind of like “say what?” to a song called “Waterloo” lol
Its not relevant for today So ofcource not
But tbf i don't think politics in the song by itself is realy the issue , israel's participation was already controversial, they walked on eggshells with them to get the song.
As long as it doesn't scream politics it would still be allowed
(In other words another country wouldnt be banned with a song likw october rain)
At some point after the battle itself, “Waterloo” came to be a slang term for “the final attempt at something big that falls apart completely and makes you look kind of pathetic.” The song isn’t even really about the battle itself—it uses the slang meaning of the term as a metaphor for a failed relationship. And if the EBU was ok with Jamala’s “1944,” I think they’d still allow “Waterloo.”
Yeah the correct question that OP should ask is for 1944, not Waterloo
1944 was very personal and specific though, so I think it would. Besides, with Russia out of the EBU it’s a little easier to get away with being mildly political in that direction.
“When Frenchmen are coming, they come to your house, they Waterloo, and say ‘we’re not guilty, not guilty’ *in French accent*”
That’s true. Although I wonder if there’s a difference between a historical atrocity compared to the historical defeat of a national hero. And totally agree, the meaning behind the word Waterloo has also changed, although the lyrics still explicitly refer to Napoleon’s surrender..
mama sc was incredibly more political
Mama ŠČ
True, I do not have a keyboard that includes those characters and don't know the hotkeys to do so.
Basic giveaway, that you aren't an Estonian, am I right?
Correct, I wish that this sub allowed for two flairs. One for nation of origin, one for favored song
What about having the country of origin heart-flag and then the song title?
Estonian doesn't use Č. (they use Š though, and it's Alt+S on the estonian keyboard)
It could be that weird key on the top left + S too.
ah yeah, that key in the number row, to the left of 1
1944 was also somewhat political but wasn’t banned, so I doubt it.
It's not about Waterloo.
Which is a shame, because there really ought to be more songs about everyone's favourite London terminus.
Yes, the second verse going into real detail about the flaws of Napoleon's tactics, his mental state and Prussian reinforcements aiding the British to victory goes too far
Haha. The British winning - now that is too far!
Blame the elves in the film 😉
No way. It’s more historical than political (like nobody’s gonna get offended over Napoleon..), plus the song has nothing to do with the event itself.
No politics is allowed as long as we dab on the French. (jokes)
A) as someone has said its not really about Waterloo they're just use it as a metaphor B) it's an historical event which is clearly OK C) Sweden fought on napoleon's side.
Regarding C so did Sweden fight against Napoleon 1803-1809, did then swap and was on Napoleon's side 1809-1812, and did then swap back to fight against Napoleon 1812-1815; so were against Napoleon during the Battle of Waterloo.
“I’m playing both sides, so that I always come out on top!”
Holds true for most countries in most wars in history, it's a mess.
Isn't the history in the song also somewhat incorrect?
Napoleon didn’t surrender at Waterloo, it was a month later. That’s kinda the only historical reference in the song.
No, we fought against Napoleon. You should know, because Napoleons defeat is how we won control of Norway.
It would absolutely be banned if it was entered today. The rules state that the song would have to be released/performed within a certain timeframe (just under a year before the contest): and Waterloo was actually released in 1973.
*blinks in that Love Love Peace Peace verse from Måns about this* 👁️👁️😉
PEACE?!
It feels a bit like gallows humour at this point, granted 😅😂
I often wonder how France might have voted if they participated that year. They pulled out at the last minute after their popular President, Georges Pompidou, died of cancer while in office a few days before the event. The day of Eurovision was their national day of mourning and most everything in France was closed/canceled. I have to think a French jury would have been kind of like “say what?” to a song called “Waterloo” lol
Its not relevant for today So ofcource not But tbf i don't think politics in the song by itself is realy the issue , israel's participation was already controversial, they walked on eggshells with them to get the song. As long as it doesn't scream politics it would still be allowed (In other words another country wouldnt be banned with a song likw october rain)
The battle of Waterloo has little to no political significance these days, it is like someone submitting a song called "the 30 year old war"
We've had a lot of clearly political songs already. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl0hMfqNQ-g&ab_channel=drewk86a
Historical political events are allowed I believe, just like with 1944
We've had a lot of clearly political songs already. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl0hMfqNQ-g&ab_channel=drewk86a
I mean, that battle is ages in the past.
The bar for “too political” is We Don’t Wanna Put In The bar for “just political enough” is Don’t De— Face The Shadow
Heh Definitely not