"Versatility is not only the word best suited to her singing qualities. As an artist Hind is versatile as well".

The Spin

Hind Laroussi Tahiri was born on December 3, 1984 in Gouda in the Netherlands from Moroccan father and Dutch mother. Popularity to the singer came after participation in the first edition of Dutch Idols in 2002-2003 season, when she managed to reach the finals. Hind's debut album "Around The World" was released in 2003 and contains pop and R&B songs, but is also influenced by Portugese and Arabic music. The album sold over 40,000 copies.

The Netherlands has come to know her as a young woman with a special, warm charisma and a voice with which she can easily represent pop music, Fado or Arabian classics. Versatility is not only the word best suited to her singing qualities. As an artist Hind is versatile as well. The row of performances during recent years is long, whether it involves solo performances or shows in which she performed with her own band, in a theatre, during a television show or a major gala such as the Dutch Musical Awards. A Hind show is always special. On liberation day she had a glorious performance with the Metropolitan Orchestra in the famous theatre Carré in Amsterdam, a performance where the Dutch Queen Beatrix was a guest.

The singing career of Hind rocketed since her participating in the Dutch version of the television programme Idol in 2003. Her debut single Summer All Over Again (2003) instantly became a big hit, resulting in Hind being frequently on television and in shows throughout the country. In 2004 Hind was awarded an Edison Music Award for "Best New National Artist" and she received a golden record for her debut album Around The World. Currently, over 40.000 albums have been sold. While with the debut album Hind presented herself to the public, she further established her name in the world of music with her second album Halfway Home (2005).On stage as well as off stage, Hind leaves no doubt that she is a winner. Notwithstanding her busy schedule she is very much involved with the world, and acts upon this. As such she uses her fame for the relief organisation "Dutch Council for Refugees". Now Hind has another important year ahead of her, the year 2008. She is not only preparing for her contribution to the Eurovision Song Contest, in March she also started her second theatre tour. Next she is quite busy with preparations for a third CD which will be introduced in the summer of 2008.

The participation in the Song Contest 2008 is a new highlight in the life of the singer. "We haven't qualified for the Final for three consecutive years, so that is my first goal," the young singer said. "This was my dream when I was a young girl", she explains. "I always watched the Song Contest in admiration and was mostly impressed by the countries that came with their own song. I even noted down the scores personally." The timing for the participation in the Eurovision Song Contest is ideal since Hind in her search for songs for her new album, suddenly found "the" song, with which she shall represent the Netherlands in Belgrade. The pop song Your Heart Belongs To Me, was jointly written by Hind, Tjeerd van Zanen (text / music) and Bas van den Heuvel (music). The participation in the Eurovision Song Contest with a song which was written and composed personally is perceived by Hind as a tremendous honour and challenge. Several millions of people throughout Europe will see me perform and listen to the song and Hind says: "I hope to be able to 'touch' many with my voice."

The Singer
 
For all you Euro fashion afficiandos out there, you be heartily warmed by Hind's apparel, yes in a hot off the press scoop directly from the Dutch I can cofnirm Hind will be wearing a black, corset dress, with some glittery details. Yow.

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

The always subtle Dutch have taken a song dealing with young love along with burgeoning sexual desire, and literally popped the female act into a toddlers play area and a miniskirt. How appropriate. She doesn't like to keep still does Hind, and as her name suggests her future is well and truly behind her. She reminds me a youthful Mel, or is it Kim?

 

Overall

 

   
 
 
   
   
 

My Heart Belongs to You

I remember the time when I was in love with a fool
He stepped on my heart, bruised me, broke the golden rule
There was a time when I couldn't tell weak from strong
A voice in my head kept saying: this can't go on
Even though I longed, something's wrong

You know your heart belongs to me
You made it clear to see
That we were never meant to be
Only a memory remains

Oh yes, your heart belongs to me
But I've got to set you free
'Cause we were never meant to be
Together

I've learned my lesson, now I know where I stand
Time heals all wounds, and broken hearts will mend
I've read all the signs, now I've moved along
This carousel keeps turning on and on
And on and on, life goes on

You know your heart belongs to me
You made it clear to see
That we were never meant to be
Only a memory remains

Oh yes, your heart belongs to me
But I've got to set you free
'Cause we were never meant to be
Together

I wish I was the wind, the sun, the rain
And I could hold time in my hands
In my dreams I'll fly high so I can reach the stars
I sit on top of a mountain
And scream when nobody hears me
Nobody sees me, ho...

You know your heart belongs to me
You made it clear to see
That we were never meant to be
Only a memory remains

Oh yes, your heart belongs to me
But I've got to set you free
'Cause we were never meant to be
Together

You know your heart belongs to me

Prediction Semi Final 1 16th
Final Oh no