The team behind Esma and Lozano don’t have much faith in themselves. When the duo unveiled “Imperija” earlier this year, critics in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia complained and then choked on their own disgust. The state broadcaster questioned the original song and then threw together an alternative called “Pred da se razdeni” (Before the Sunrise).
This upset us for several reasons. First of all, the official video for “Imperija” was hilarious. It’s been made private on YouTube, but we took these snapshots of Gypsy Queen Esma in two of the 34 outfits she wears in the video.
This lady may be older than your typical Eurovision diva, but she can move and sing and really belt out those folksy moans.
I also loved that this song had energy and was completely danceable. The ethno-Macedonian vibe would have won votes from across Europe and tore it up in the East.
Imperija:
Alas. The critics’ complaints were loud enough to drown out the supporters and they’ll now be singing “Pred da se razdeni” (Before the Sunrise). They say this is sung by “Esma and Lozano” but it feels more “Lozano featuring Esma.” Does this actually count as a duet? It’s like they are singing two different songs. My favorite part comes around 2:50 when Esma’s mouth is shut but sound continues to pour out of her mouth. Thank god for good backing and a quick recovery…
Pred da se razdeni:
Anyway, which song do you prefer? Vote below and let us know!
[polldaddy poll=”6970781″]
You can read the lyrics and translation of “Pred da se razdeni” below. Click here for the lyrics to “Imperija”.
Ne e ko porano
Dobrite vreminja gi nema
Vo dobro I losho
Nie zhiveeme
Pred da se razdeni
Do mene bidi ti
Vo noviot den
Da sme zaedno jas i ti
Pred da se razdeni
Do mene ostani
Sega e vreme za ubavi denovi
Do mene ostani
ME I ESMA AKE GILJAVAV
TU MARE VILEN
ME KA TAKJARAV
ODOLESKE MASHKAR
PAGJAREN
KHELEN USHTEN SARINEN, ROMALEN
Ako se vratish ti
I dobrite vreminja kje se vratat
I radost i taga
Nie pak kje delime
Pred da se razdeni
Do mene ostani
Vo noviot den
Da sme zaedno jas i ti
Do mene ostani
ME I ESMA AKE GILJAVAV
TU MARE VILEN
ME KA TAKJARAV
ODOLESKE MASHKAR
PAGJAREN
KHELEN SARINEN USHTEN, ROMALEN
“Before the Sunrise” — English translation
It’s not like it used to be
The good times are over
We have been together
Through thick and thin
Chorus:
Until the day breaks
Be here next to me
In the new day, us to be
Together you and me
Until the day breaks
Stay right here next to me
There will be
Good times ahead for you and me
If you come back to me
The good times will come back again
Both happiness and sorrow
We will share again
Chorus:
Until the day breaks
Stay right here next to me
In the new day, us to be
Together you and me
I’ve found myself at this site because having just listened/watched all entries for this year, this glorious lady had me mesmerised by her wonderful shimmying and extraordinary lip syncing. I’ve managed to watch the video for Imperija and I want more, if nothing else, I want to adopt her as my granny, she is full on amazing.
Is there any performances of them singing this live? Lozano has a wonderful tone to his voice, and the raspyness of Esma’s speaks for itself, I just hope this translates in a proper live performance.
I was so so sad D=
“Imperija” was my favorite and would have voted for them definitely…but now I don’t know. I still love “Imperija”!!!
She actually only wears 5 outfits in Imperija
Honciu writes comments for his articles. This is pathetic. You suck………big time!
There is still a public video of the official music video on Vimeo:
http://vimeo.com/60815182
You actually counted the outfits, Wiwi?!?!?!?!?
@Jack
Seeing FYR Macedonia make this decision is like the owners of Blackburn Rovers FC, Venky’s, booting out Sam Allardyce and replacing him with Steve Kean.
In other words, whoever’s behind all this decision making is basically replacing a very good song with an inferior song.
WHY DO YOU GUYS HATE THAT AWESOME SONG ???
IMPERIA AS WELL AS Pred da se razdeni ARE GREAT SONGS !!
MACEDONIA NEVER LET ME DOWN
After being so pleased with how well “Imperija” combined influences to produce a distinctive and convincing composition, the change was a major disappointment. Still, it’s time to consider the new song in its own right. If there’s any doubt that Esma has been reduced to a gimmick, these are her lines: ” Me, Esma, singing to you / Will warm your hearts ” (x2) ” So, shake your hips / Come on now, get up all gypsies ” They are worse than empty cajoling, they completely go against the mood of the song. Lozano has been handed a quite excellent… Read more »
Gosh, this is horrible. I know it was done probably in a week or so, but I can write a better song and I have only written like 5 songs in my life!