All songs for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 have been selected. During the weeks between the national final season and the actual Eurovision Song Contest, we will introduce all 39 entries in random order. Part twenty-one of the series is dedicated to the Dutch entry.

Basic information

Performer:	Sieneke
Song:	Ik ben verliefd (Sha-la-lie) (I am in love (Sha-la-lie))
Language:	Dutch
Music:	Pierre Kartner
Lyrics:	Pierre Kartner
Draw:	9th in the second semi final

The song

Ik ben verliefd (Sha-la-lie) is an up-tempo pop schlager song most notably featuring a street organ in the arrangement. Through the lyrics, the singer asks herself where she heard a certain song and it turns out that the person she is in love with is the reason why she forgets everything:

'T kan ook zijn dat ik samen met jou In 't vliegtuig naar Oslo zat Of kwam 't uit 'n cafe in zo'n straatje We waren in Trinidad Shalalie shalala Shalalie shalala 't gaat niet uit m'n kop Ik ben verliefd op jou Daarom vergeet ik alles gauw

It can also be that I sat with you On an airplane to Oslo Or did it come out of a café in one of those streets Where we were in Trinidad? Shalalie shalala Shalalie shalala, I cannot get it out of my head I am in love with you That is why I forget everything soon

The performer

Sieneke Peeters is from Nijmegen and despite being only 18 years old, she is not a complete newcomer in the Dutch music scene. In 2007, she already relased a CD with cover versions of 1980s it songs called It's my dream. She was discovered by Marianne Weber, who would submit her application for the Dutch national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010.

With her version of the song Ik ben verliefd (Sha-la-lie), Sieneke could win the national final after a tie-break. The single has become a hit on homeground since reaching the top of the Single Top 100. It is the first Dutch number one hit in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest.

The songwriter

Pierre Kartner is a singer, songwriter and producer. He became famous under his stage name Vader Abraham. His biggest hit was Het Smurfenlied, a song about the cartoon series The Smurfs featuring characters of the show. Especially the German version of the song was successful and it is in the top 50 of the most sold singles in Germany ever. Pierre Kartner has also written songs for other artists including Peter Alexander (Die kleine Kneipe), 1971 Eurovision Song Contest winner Séverine (Dann wird es still), Wendy van Wanten and Nana Mouskouri. He also wrote the Dutch entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1973. De oude muzikant was performed by Ben Cramer and the song finished 14th overall.

The national selection

Pierre Kartner was chosen internally as composer of the Dutch entry. He also recorded the demo version of the song, which was released prior to the national final. In the national final, five acts performed their own versions of the song and the winner was to be chosen by a jury and the audience in the hall. As there was a tie for first place, Pierre Kartner was supposed to choose the winner and he eventuall gave his vote to Sieneke.

The Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest

The Netherlands took part in the very first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956 and the country had one of the most remarkable starts in the competition. Between 1957 and 1969, the country could win the contest no less than three times, but was placed in the second half of the scoreboard on every other occasion during those years. In 1975, they won again and they have been waiting for their fifth victory since. The last top ten result in a final to date came in 1999 and the country has not even qualified for the final the last five times.

We wensen Nederland en Sieneke veel geluk en een goed resultaat in Oslo!

Videos

Performance in the national final/Preview video:

Performing Vlieg met mij der wereld rond live:

Performing Please don't go with Zeeg van Seben:

Tomorrow, we will take a look at the UK entry.

Previous parts of this series:

1. Ireland
2. Belarus
3. Albania
4. Denmark
5. Russia
6. Bulgaria
7. Switzerland
8. FYR Macedonia
9. Armenia
10. Spain
11. Poland
12. Croatia
13. Finland
14. Greece
15. Ukraine
16. Lithuania
17. Belgium
18. Norway
19. Portugal
20. Moldova