Review: Waylon - Outlaw In 'Em - The Netherlands

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In your face with a Nashville country-rock sound come The Netherlands with Outlaw In 'Em, competing with Hungrary in the rock n' roll class, this is likely to be the far more accessible of the two.

With a distinct southern drawl, Waylon and his band perform Outlaw In 'Em like the rock classics of old, the chorus especially reminds anyone listening of Guns N' Roses "Paradise City". As far as the song goes, it's a very middle-of-the-road rock track but it's that this song is being presented to a Eurovision filled with soulless ballads and Europop that makes it special - a USP is almost always a good thing and this song surely hits a nostalgia spot for many listeners. Waylon himself is an excellent performer and the guitar wailing in the second third of this track are just great. It hits the same mass-popularity spot as Bon Jovi and Guns N' Roses.

As for negatives, rock music isn't as popular in the world as people may think. Rock n' Roll hardly touched Asia for example. Similarly, Eastern Europe also has less of a market for this type of music than it does in the West and it's important not to get carried away in our Western bubble. This song is also most likely to be popular with men aged 25 - 40, which is the bracket most Eurovision commentators fall into.

The Netherlands perform in the first half of the second semi-final behind big-hitter Australia who perform directly after. I personally feel this won't hurt The Netherlands chances in any significant way. The second semi is full of no-hopers that it's almost hard to pick 10 songs worth qualifying. However this certainly is one of them and while I doubt it can win, I certainly hope they can hit inside the Top 10 on the night of the final.