Netherlands05

	"A Dutch diva with international allure; but no record deal…" "Amazing Grace" has certainly risen to the occasion since her triumph in the Dutch finals of the National Song Contest 2005 with her energetic power ballad 'My Impossible Dream'. (Her song scored a unanimous 12 points from all jury members and the televoting audience). In the press, she has become known as 'Amazing Grace'! At 26 years old, Amsterdam-born Glennis took the audience and the jury by storm with her powerful voice and emotional performance. She got a standing ovation during the Dutch finals and the Netherlands hope that the international audience in Kiev feels the same way. It's been a long time since a Dutch Eurovision contestant received so many compliments from other countries. A lot of people are comparing her song and performance to the Eurovision days of Céline Dion and Corinne Hermes, who both won the contest by the sheer power of their voices". The secret of her success? Well, it's 'seeing is believing'. Kiev here she comes!! As Glennis says, "I come alive on stage, the audience gives me energy." Ever since Glennis was six years old, singing has been her life - she just loves the stage. Coming from a musical family and raised in a well-known musical area of Amsterdam, she entered many talent contests and won most of them. When she was 12 she performed with Audrey Hepburn at a Unicef gala and, at the age of 13, she was invited by the Spanish singer Julio Iglesias, to join him in a duet, during his concert tour in Holland. When she was 15 she won a prestigious talent show on national Dutch television and she made her first records. For years to come she was considered one of the best singers in Holland. She appeared in an endless stream of radio and TV shows and was often chosen to be a 'special guest' in big arena shows of leading Dutch superstars like Frans Bauer and Rene Froger. A Dutch diva with international allure; but no record deal…













	The Singer "Times were hard and money was low (only her manager stayed by her side) and the Glennis Grace story almost came to an end." Now I don't know if it's me, but reading the above, taken from her blurb, I'm thinking that Ms Grace has attempted to take her own life in days past. If so, then surely it's even more reason to support the Eurovision, as not only has it provided countless joy to millions, it has actually been proven to save lives. Truly wondrous. With this in mind, it's hard to criticise this frizzy haired, gung-ho, large nippled, prima donna, as she belts out her track with great gusto, almost as if it's her last chance of semi-fame.














	The Past The Netherlands (not Holland...you don't call England, Essex do you?) started their Eurovision journey with great success. Even though Corey couldn't get a point, he still won (mind you, everyone won in1956). Still to be fair he came back the following year and bagged it on merit. Indeed the Dutch have won it on four occasions, most notably with the pinnacle of Eurovision in 1975, when "Ding-a-Dong" rang joyously and loudly throughout the European firmament, signifying the end of the Beatles and the beginning of Wings...maybe. They vote like loons (Terry referred to them as "mad as a bucket of frogs"), and invariably do boisterous at the contest. Linda in 2000 might just get the award for the ,most ridiculous dress ever at Eurosong...a mighty feat. A successful and fun nation at Eurosong, and one which is overdue a fifth victory.





	The Song "My Impossible Dream" lays claim to the Dion award 2005, for the most derivative drivel in ballard style. It's a standard mix of song with a worthy message of redemption and renewal, although the only thing it makes me renew is my store of toilet paper, as I invariably disappear for a tommy tit as soon as it comes on. The song does have a fair amount of support from the type of fans who believe that the Eurosong needs a return to the good old days of a singer shouting ballards down a microphone whilst ably assisted by a couple of violins. Whilst my prediction below may be a tad harsh, the faith so far shown by many Eurofans, hasn't sucked me in. For what it's worth, I don't think it has got the necessary clog tapping factor to make a winner in this day and age, and may struggle to make it through to the final. Gestures - 23 A solid effort, as to be expected form this most gregarious of international divas (but with no record deal). The old "take me into your heart" gesture of casting your arms wide to embrace the audience can be viewed in its purest form here. "Wanna" Count - 0







	Overall "She was asked to sing a song for the Dutch National Song Contest and she felt that she had "nothing left to lose" The Dutch invariably give the contest a run for its money, and this song certainly doesn't hold back. It's number 9 in the draw, which is right at the beginning of a run of the best songs in the contest, a position which is likely to be more of a hindrance. I can only hope that Glennis doesn't despair when she fails to win, as the last thing Kiev needs right now is more blood on its hands. In a Nutshell "Almost a melange of Glen Campbell and Stefan Dennis"

"The Shrink Says"

Glennis is extrinsically motivated even if she doesn't know it. She quite clearly states "she has a dream" at the beginning of her ballad. It's there for all to see.

As such, she is motivated to perform specific behaviours to achieve promised outside rewards or to avoid punishment from others. Her specific behaviours are to ape sub-standard Tina Turner'ish ballardeers with the reward of winning the Eurovision. Extrinsic Motivation is a common psychological ethic. There is nothing wrong with it (actually there clearly is in her case).



The inevitably lazy Whitney Houston lookylikey	The inevitably random Glennis Grace lookylikey

My Impossible Dream

You and me
We're drifting far apart
Our story has been told
Can't you see
The writing's on the wall?
I've come in from the cold
And I will follow my dream

I'll fight the big wide world
I'll make it on my own
Against all odds, I'm breaking free
The gauntlet has been thrown
My colours have been shown
Now I seek my impossible dream

Now's the time
To hold my head up high
Find my identity
I'll claim what's mine
No more walking' in the shade, yeah
That's how it's gonna be
And I will follow my dream

I'll fight the big wide world
I'll make it on my own
Against all odds, I'm breaking free
The gauntlet has been thrown
My colours have been shown
Now I seek my impossible dream

Prediction	Semi Final	=18th
Prediction	Final	Don't Make It