Black Smoke (song)
"Black Smoke" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Single by Ann Sophie | ||||
from the album Silver Into Gold | ||||
Released | 2 March 2015 | |||
Recorded | 2014 | |||
Length | 3:12 | |||
Label |
| |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Ann Sophie singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Eurovision Song Contest 2015 entry | ||||
Country | ||||
Artist(s) | Ann Sophie | |||
Language | English | |||
Composer(s) |
| |||
Lyricist(s) |
| |||
Finals performance | ||||
Final result | 27th | |||
Final points | 0 | |||
Entry chronology | ||||
◄ "Is It Right" (2014) | ||||
"Ghost" (2016) ► | ||||
"Black Smoke" is a song performed by German singer Ann Sophie. The song represented Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, receiving zero points. Despite "Heart of Stone" by Andreas Kümmert being the original winner of the selection show Unser Song für Österreich, Kümmert decided to withdraw himself just when he was announced as the winner and therefore Ann Sophie and "Black Smoke" were chosen to represent the country.[1] The song was co-written by British singer Ella Eyre. Black Smoke became the third German entry to get zero points at Eurovision, and the first one since Ulla Wiesner with "Paradies, wo bist du?" in 1965, 50 years earlier.
Background and release
After Ann Sophie was selected as the wildcard for the final of Unser Song für Österreich,[2] "Black Smoke" was announced as her second song for the final. A snippet of one minute of the song was revealed on 27 February 2015.[3] The song was available for download on 2 March 2015, a few days before the selection.
Actually "Black Smoke" was meant to be interpreted by Ivy Quainoo.
Composition and development
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Gnome-mime-audio-openclipart.svg/50px-Gnome-mime-audio-openclipart.svg.png)
Problems playing this file? See media help.
"Black Smoke" is a soul song with pop and jazz influences which runs for three minutes and twelve seconds.[4] The song is written and composed by British singer Ella McMahon (better known as Ella Eyre), Michael Harwood and Tonino Speciale.[5]
As said by Ann Sophie during an interview, the song is about "love, dating, what you have". It is a break-up song, talking about two people who have been in a relationship, do not recognize each other and "can't say three words".[6]
Critical reception
The song has received mostly positive reviews. With five reviews from Wiwibloggs, "Black Smoke" received an average score of 7 out of 10.[7] Louis gave the song 7 out of 10 and said that it is "a solid song" and "really fun to listen to with lots of energy". Max, who also gave it 7 out of 10, said that the song is way better than Sophie's first song "Jump the Gun" and that is "calm, cool and emits a vibe that would appeal to the masses". He also said that it sounds like "an English version Nina Zilli's rejections". Mikhail and Patrick both gave it 9 out of 10 with the first saying that the song has "all the attitude of “Jump the Gun”, but tripled" while Patrick said that Sophie's voice is strong and the melody of the song is special. Lastly, Robyn gave the song 7 out of 10 and described the song as a "straight-up pop song".
Despite these positive reviews, the song finished tied for last at Eurovision, receiving 0 points.
Live performances
The song was performed for the first time during the final of Unser Song für Österreich, the German national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 in Vienna, Austria. It was performed three times during the final: twice when Ann Sophie qualified to the second and third rounds and once after she was selected to represent the country.[8] Sophie performed the song during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, receiving zero points. Although the host nation, Austria, also failed to score, and although the final scoreboard during transmission showed that "Black Smoke" was ranked in 26th place, the ranking was reviewed after the contest, and the tie-break rule - which states that the first song to perform should be ranked higher - resulted in its demotion to last (27th) place.[9][10]
Credits and personnel
- Ella McMahon – writing
- Michael Harwood – writing
- Ann Sophie – vocals
- Tonino Speciale – writing
- Mathias Ramson – producer
- Johannes Schmalenbach – producer
- Brix – producer
Chart performance
Chart (2015) | Peak position |
---|---|
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[11] | 54 |
Germany (Official German Charts)[12] | 26 |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
Germany | 2 March 2015[13] | Digital download |
References
- ^ van Lith, Nick (5 February 2015). "Germany: Confusion in Germany, but Ann Sophie goes to Vienna!". escXtra.com. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ^ "Ann Sophie joins German national final line-up". eurovision.tv. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
- ^ "Ann Sophie: "Black Smoke"". eurovision.de. Archived from the original on 2 March 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ "Eurovision Song Contest: Kümmert gewinnt - und sagt ab". eurovision.de. Archived from the original on 7 March 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
- ^ Walters, Rosaline (May 27, 2015). "Tonino Speciale makes Prairiewood proud by writing Black Smoke for German singer Ann Sophie at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest". News Local. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ Rodriguez, Antonio. "Ann Sophie: "When I won Clubkonzert I was so happy and a little bit in shock" (German finalist – Interview)". ESC+Plus. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ^ Melbler, Patrick (5 March 2015). "Wiwi Jury: Germany's Ann Sophie with "Jump the Gun" and "Black Smoke"". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
- ^ Melbler, Patrick (5 February 2015). "USfÖ: Ann Sophie will represent Germany with "Black Smoke"". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ^ "Ann Sophie belegt nun doch den letzten Platz". Eurovision.de. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
- ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 2015 Grand Final - Scoreboard". eurovision.tv. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
- ^ "Ann Sophie – Black Smoke" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ^ "Ann Sophie – Black Smoke" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Black Smoke - Single by Ann Sophie". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
- v
- t
- e
- 1956
- 1957
- 1958
- 1959
- 1960
- 1961
- 1962
- 1963
- 1964
- 1965
- 1966
- 1967
- 1968
- 1969
- 1970
- 1971
- 1972
- 1973
- 1974
- 1975
- 1976
- 1977
- 1978
- 1979
- 1980
- 1981
- 1982
- 1983
- 1984
- 1985
- 1986
- 1987
- 1988
- 1989
- 1990
- 1991
- 1992
- 1993
- 1994
- 1995
1996- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
2020- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- Lale Andersen
- Nino de Angelo
- Ann Sophie
- Atlantis 2000
- Inge Brück
- Heidi Brühl
- Cascada
- Alex Christensen
- Roger Cicero
- Cindy and Bert
Ben Dolic- Dschinghis Khan
- Katja Ebstein
- Elaiza
- Margot Eskens
- Joy Fleming
- Conny Froboess
- Maxi and Chris Garden
- Gitte
- Gracia
- Malik Harris
- Margot Hielscher
- Hoffmann and Hoffmann
- Wyn Hoop
- Guildo Horn
- Les Humphries Singers
- Isaak
- Jamie-Lee
- Jendrik
- Chris Kempers
- Alice and Ellen Kessler
- Daniel Kovac
- Lena
Leon- Levina
- Roman Lob
- Lord of the Lost
- Lou
- Oscar Loya
- Siw Malmkvist
- Max
- Corinna May
- Mekado
- Michelle
- Münchener Freiheit
- Wencke Myhre
- Nicole
- No Angels
- Nora Nova
- Ingrid Peters
- Freddy Quinn
- Stefan Raab
- Mary Roos
- Michael Schulte
- Walter Andreas Schwarz
- Ireen Sheer
- Bianca Shomburg
- Silver Convention
- Sisters
- Stone and Stone
- Sürpriz
- Texas Lightning
- Lena Valaitis
- Ulla Wiesner
- Wind
- "Always on the Run"
- "Anouschka"
- "Aufrecht geh'n"
- "Ein bißchen Frieden"
- "Black Smoke"
- "Blood & Glitter"
- "Bonne nuit ma chérie"
- "Can't Wait Until Tonight"
- "Diese Welt"
- "Dieser Traum darf niemals sterben"
- "Disappear"
- "Dschinghis Khan"
- "Einmal sehen wir uns wieder"
- "Feuer"
- "Flieger"
- "Frauen regier'n die Welt"
- "Frei zu leben"
- "Für alle"
- "Für zwei Groschen Musik"
- "Ghost"
- "Glorious"
- "Guildo hat euch lieb!"
- "Heute Abend wollen wir tanzen geh'n"
- "Ein Hoch der Liebe"
- "I Can't Live Without Music"
- "I Don't Feel Hate"
- "Im Wartesaal zum großen Glück"
- "Is It Right"
- "Johnny Blue"
- "Junger Tag"
- "Lass die Sonne in dein Herz"
- "Let's Get Happy"
- "Lied für einen Freund"
- "Ein Lied kann eine Brücke sein"
- "Man gewöhnt sich so schnell an das Schöne"
- "Marcel"
- "Miss Kiss Kiss Bang"
- "No No Never"
- "Nur die Liebe läßt uns leben"
- "Paradies, wo bist du?"
- "Perfect Life"
"Planet of Blue"- "Primaballerina"
- "Reise nach Jerusalem – Kudüs'e Seyahat"
- "Rockstars"
- "Rücksicht"
- "Run & Hide"
- "Satellite"
- "Sing Sang Song"
- "Sister"
- "So geht das jede Nacht"
- "Die Sommermelodie"
- "Standing Still"
- "Taken by a Stranger"
- "Telefon, Telefon"
- "Telegram"
- "Theater"
- "Träume sind für alle da"
- "Über die Brücke geh'n"
- "Verliebt in Dich"
- "Viel zu weit"
"Violent Thing"- "Wadde hadde dudde da?"
- "Wer Liebe lebt"
- "Wir geben 'ne Party"
- "Wunder gibt es immer wieder"
- "You Let Me Walk Alone"
- "Die Zeiger der Uhr"
- "Zeit"
- "Zwei kleine Italiener"
- Note: Entries scored out signify where Germany did not compete