After yesterday’s shocking announcement that Elhaida Dani will not sing “Diell” in Vienna, more news is unfolding. According to local Albanian media, Elhaida will sing “I’m Alive” in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. It was confirmed by the director of RTSH, Martin Leka. It’s the very first time Albania will completely change their Eurovision entry in the contest.
Apparently Aldo Shllaku has withdrawn the song because of widespread criticism. Not only that, he has broken contact with RTSH. The EBU and RTSH have reached an agreement that Elhaida Dani will still go to Vienna and represent the Land of Eagles.
The composers of “I’m Alive” are Zzap & Chriss (Arbër Elshani and Christian Lekaj) – they’re very successful composers in the Albanian diaspora and come from Kosovo. Yesterday they announced that they will compose the 2015 Albanian Eurovision entry on Facebook. They create really modern songs, and are popular among the Albanian diaspora.
Songs by Zzap & Chriss
They also were behind “S’të fal” sung by Lindita Halimi in Festivali i Këngës 53 and ended third by the jury. Zzap & Chriss made a totally modern song work so well in FiK, definitely a big clap to them.
More details on the song
“I’m Alive” will be in English and the lyrics are written by a famous Albanian lyricist in the traditional Festivali i Këngës, Sokol Marsi. He co-wrote the lyrics to “Diell” and Albania 2011, just to name a few. In the next couple of days, “I’m Alive” will be completed and after that, the official video will be produced.
Promo tour
Elhaida Dani will be doing a promotional tour for the Eurovision Song Contest. We already know that she will be in Eurovision in Concert. It’s mostly likely she will also be at the Eurovision London Party and two other countries in Albania’s semi final. More info to come.
Connect with Zzap & Chriss
Connect with Elhaida Dani
Is this a wise decision? Please comment down below!
YOU CAN FOLLOW ALL OF OUR ALBANIA EUROVISION 2015 NEWS HERE.
Photo Credit: Elhaida Dani
@ Ramadan,
I’m only fearing they will make a bland club song and have it gulp it down instead of (the IMO great) Diell. That, and a half-naked Elhaida. Totally uncalled-for.
No hating, though.
Why are so many people mad about this decision? It is like it’s the first time it has happened ever in Eurovision lol Many of the Eurovision fans hated Diell, they should be happy that Diell won’t be representing Albania. I honestly don’t get Eurovision fans most of the time.
They wrote Lindita’s song?? Then I’m on board 100%.
I don’t understand why people are so upset with Albania, they’re not breaking the rules and are not cheating anybody either, the albanian public had no say in the choosing of this song and its singer as the winners of FIK.
American, Romanian, Brazilian, who cares!!! At least it will be modern!
Now go back to your room and listen to that “masterpiece of song” coming from Iceland.
Gee!
Well if “they’re style” is not American, and “you’re” style is, then “wheel sea” if they can put off something better. Just joking, anyway 😉
Oh, and these are the chosen composers btw (the lyricist is mentioned somewhere else along the report).
I want her to do well. I’m good with whichever song is the best vehicle for her. As an American I can say that the style of the new writers is NOT American. They’re style is not necessarily to my taste but if it works with her I’m all for it.
I expected that readers/commenters should have understood by now that this change had nothing to do with the singer… well, ok, most did though. On a different note, I am somewhat disappointed that they rushed to get composers of “modern” music. I mean, from what was posted here, no offence meant, it all sounds most invariably off-the-rack and like several versions of the same kind of song. Pity. I too was hoping for a song in Albanian, though I personally would not have been let down if they’d done a good translating job of the lyrics in Diell (it was… Read more »
@Deniz: That is why I thought “Identitet” (2013) should have qualified.
@bastian: No, you would not be that bad, if you laugh should the new song fail to qualify. If a country is in such a position bad enough–oddswise–that they have to change the song, then they really have a situation on their hands. But let’s wait until they present the song to pass judgment. [Though I still would rather that the song had been in Albanian.]
This change was 4 the best….I did not really like *Diell* un4tunately..
I had Albania 15th from the 16 selected entries so far (!) in my top and this is definitely indicative of her unfortunate song…It was not bad of course but it was not that good either..
Hopefully the new song will be better indeed so it will possibly go (way)higher on my ranking list..
Bronson, okay didnt know that. Hope its a good song. I prefer a ballad.
People, understand she didn’t have a choice. The songwriter withdrew the song which meant she no longer had the rights to the song. All this politics was beyond her control.
I dont think its fair to all the Albanian fans/viewers that supported this song. Obviously she didnt believe in her song, why did she take part with it then? :S Am i really that bad when i say i would laugh when she fails to qualify with this new song? 😛 Oops!
Ooooooohhhhhh….I accept this choice.
Well, that was fast 😛
So, am I the only one who stays positive at this? Elhaida is a great performer and with a good song she can do really well in Vienna. Diell, whether you loved it or hated it, was an ok song, I have confidence that this new song can be better than Diell, can’t wait to hear it!
No dont do this please!!
Noah: American? Wtf? They sound more like Inna or some Brazilian artist, except that one trap song which I like. They could makr a trap song but I’m not sure if it will fit her. But please don’t make that annoying summer songs that sounds like Inna and many other artists.
These songs, written by Zzap & Chriss have that American relevant music sound which is quite modern and yes, I would like to have that in the snooze-fest ESC 2015 (at this moment).
By the way, that Lindita song from FIK (from these two musicians) is a gem! I just found out this song! Why that haven’t won???
I loved Diell, gutted. Would have loved to have heard a song in Albanian, and I mean, English is my first language, so im well upset about that.
Well, no Albanian language again..
Ewwwwww it’s in English
The reason of song changing is obvious – odds.