Denmark joined the Eurovision family in the contest’s second edition back in 1957 and has scored three victories, most recently (of course) with Emmelie de Forest’s Only Teardrops last year. This means the country is automatically qualified for the grand final in 2014, where it has already been drawn 23rd in the running order.

The Danes will be represented in Copenhagen by 21-year-old X Factor alumnus Basim. While he was immediately and understandably compared to a pocket-sized Bruno Mars after winning Melodi Grand Prix, if anything Basim comes across as far less star-like – more of a regular guy who lucked out and got the chance to sing for his country. Which I think makes the whole package more likeable, although perhaps also less likely to do well – I’m no fan of it myself, but there’s proven scoreboard mileage in what we might call the “Bilan/Rybak slappability factor”, i.e. self-confidence to the point of smugness.

There is a certain amount of smugness in and around Cliché Love Song itself, though, what with its group-strutting dance routine and the Danish flag that was emblazoned all over the backdrop during the national final (presumably they’ll have dropped that idea by ESC!). As for the song? Well, the lyrics don’t give away a great deal – is he dealing in clichés because he loves The Girl or because he doesn’t love her? – but it’s not the kind of entry where the lyrics are particularly relevant anyway. The hook is the Scatman John-esque scooba-dooba-dap’ing that permeates throughout, and it’s an effective hook indeed, jamming itself into your head when you least expect it.

My verdict? While being the host country’s entry is by no means a guarantee of success, when you have an up-tempo party song, you can at least be sure of a huge audience response (the sheer volume of the beered-up crowd in Parken in 2001 remains unforgotten). And while it doesn’t tick all of my boxes personally, there’s no doubting Denmark has one of the more contemporary and catchy numbers in this year’s contest. That, combined with a favourable late draw, makes them an absolute guarantee for a top 10 finish in my book – and a green-light contender for a repeat victory.

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