In a must-read article in the New Yorker (subscription required), Anthony Lane breaks down strategies for singers in the Eurovision Song Contest.  All the countries taking part get to vote for contestants from other countries.  The main problem – anyone who does not sing in English is at a big disadvantage because voters can’t understand them. Ironically, this means that contestants have to adopt English for the lyrics.   This can lead to beautiful poetry:

“Your breasts are like swallows-a-nesting” Sweden 1973

Unfortunately, strategizing only has an impact on a small batch of swing voters because most countries vote along geo-political fault lines.  Cyprus votes reliably for Greece and vice-versa.  Georgia cannot vote for Russia however mellifluous is the Russian entry.  The Scandinavians vote for each other etc etc.  The decisive votes for going to come from countries that are largely outside a current zone of conflict .  And votes are going to go to “common value” candidates that have not irritated anyone.  Ireland is a clear favorite, singing in English and being somewhat removed from the center of any Euro-controversies.

American has imported many entertainment phenomena from Europe (e.g. Simon Cowell).  Why not an Amerivision Song Contest which each state submitting a contestant?  A Presidential election with red states and blue states only gives us a shallow appreciation of what divides and unites Americans.  An Amerivision Song Contest would give a deeper insight into the soul of America.  Step aside American Idol.