ESC experts dismantle Sarah Engels' song: "Predictable and not particularly original"

It has been clear since February 28th: Sarah Engels will represent Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest. But the winning song does not arouse enthusiasm among all pre-selection viewers.

In the podcast “ESC update” the two Eurovision Song Contest experts Thomas Mohr and Marcel Strober take a closer look at Sarah Engels’ ESC song “Fire” immediately after the preliminary decision and the two journalists, who have been reporting on the Eurovision Song Contest for years, come to a sobering conclusion.

“This song is predictable and not particularly original and not at all new for the ESC. We’ve seen it many times and often seen it better,” says Thomas Mohr. “Germany may actually be a few years too late. 20 years ago I would have been very happy about that.”

The radio presenter certainly speaks from the hearts of many ESC fans. Because shortly after the winner at After the ESC preliminary decision was announced, there was discontent online. Many ESC fans are reminded of Sarah Engel’s “Fire” of Cyprus’ Eurovision Song Contest entry from 2018, which was called “Fuego”.

Sarah Engels wins the German ESC preliminary round ARD/SWR/Claudius Pflug

Is Germany falling into the “Lord of the Lost” trap at the ESC?

Marcel Strober also suspects that “Fire” could have a difficult time at the ESC. “Nevertheless, I believe and fear that with Sarah Engels we are falling a bit into this “Lord of the Lost” trap. That we have this argument again: ‘Yes, but Germany has never sent that to the ESC before’. Which is true, but internationally it has happened a little more often and perhaps a little fresher.” The rock band “Lord of the Lost” ended up in last place for Germany in 2023.

Sarah Engels impresses with her star appeal

But the two podcasters are not only critical of the German ESC contribution. Both of them are vocally enthusiastic about Sarah Engels. Her performance at the ESC preliminary round was also well received. “She’s the celebrity and she’s the professional, the experienced one and she made full use of this experience. You could already tell that when Sarah Engels appeared there was the least amount of sweat to smell,” the two enthused.

This experience could also benefit the former DSDS runner-up in Vienna in May: “Sarah Engels has charisma. Sarah Engels has star appeal and that will certainly be received. I can very well imagine Sarah Engels in all kinds of interviews, on the red carpet (…) she will always cut a good figure, I’m sure of that.”