One of my favorite things since moving to the UK in 2007 is the Eurovision Song Contest. I was vaguely aware of it before I moved over here, but it never occurred to me that I could watch it on that side of the pond. It happens in May, and it happened last weekend to my vast enjoyment. I’m cracking up that I’ve been here too long, because I liked many of the entries! ESL (English as a Second Language) Pop is certainly an apt nomer, insomuch that some of the lyrics feel like a bad Babelfish translation (example from Lithuania: ‘Because of my shoes I’m wearing today//One is called Love, the other is Pain’).

So in spite of knowing that the UK will probably never win again because of politics and a lack of neighbors, I settled in hoping for cheese and entertainment (examples of cheese: Moldova’s 2011 entry, Spain’s 2008 entry, and Finland’s winning entry in 2006, Lordi). For me, cheese was the starting point; after all, most Euromusic comes off as cheesy to American ears. That’s why I know I’ve been here too long — amongst the wubs of random dubstep, there were some quality songs. For example, I’ve had the winning entry in my head for a week now:

I sort of wish I could say that it was out of some grand inspiration at the lyrics. One of my exes always whined that I never paid attention to the words, which isn’t strictly true. It’s more that the enjoyment of the lyrics comes after I wallow happily in the sounds and the shapes and the emotions. Maybe there’s some subconscious relationship between the words and my relationship with bipolar? Certainly, it’s a non-stop battle, but eh. Sometimes it’s better to not overthink things, and just derive enjoyment in those moments enjoyment makes itself known.

Having said that, there was another song whose lyrics did immediately catch me — the Ukrainian entry:

Well that, and the purity and strength of her voice — I *did* go to a performing arts school, thankyouverymuch! But yes, something about the lines:

I’m like a butterfly
Spinning ‘round a sword as if to dare…

I can’t concisely explain why that gets to me, but it does. Perhaps because my relationship with mood feels like balancing on razor wire? Perhaps. But it feels more uplifting and positive, deep in the soul meat. I dare to get cut if I try to wrestle past the bipolar and enjoy my life. But:

I should have stayed up high
It’s stronger than me
My gravity

It still doesn’t make me feel down. It still feels positive and uplifting. Should’ve would’ve could’ve, just because the bad times are inevitable, it doesn’t mean I’m going to sit back and let life go by all the all the time.

Anyways, enjoy some music or not as you see fit. Definitely enjoy your day if brains are being cooperative!

<3