From The Vault: Ich Troje

In honor of Poland's return to Eurovision later this year (after a two year absence), let's talk about one of my favorite performances, Ich Troje.

Ich Troje is one of Poland's most popular bands. The group was formed in 1996 by Michal Wisniewski, who acts as the primary songwriter and lead singer, and composer, Jacek Lagwa. The members of the group have fluctuated; the female vocalist usually changes depending on who Wisniewski is married to at the time. In 2003, after Poland's public selection process for Eurovision, they were voted to represent their country, and they did pretty well. After receiving 90 votes, they finished seventh in the final.

In 2006, they were back! And they were ready to give Poland its first ever Eurovision victory!

This performance has everything. Vocal grates! Green hair! Sign language! Demure and definitely-not-over-the-top costumes! Enlisting the rapping styles of "O-Jay" Jeglitza from 90s German Euroband, Real McCoy! Scream-singing into the belly of your pregnant wife!!!

Tragically, Ich Troje finished eleventh in the semi-final, so they were not passed onto the final. (They missed it by six points.)

Ich Troje is an entry that sticks with me because they were just so genuine. Yes, the performance is completely overdone, but they were so pumped to be at Eurovision, representing their country again. They didn't know they were being ridiculous, they were just being themselves. 2006 was my first Eurovision, and it was an amazing year. Nearly every act was either genuinely talented, or a big, silly mess.

Welcome back, Poland!