When Hovi Star was announced as the winner of  The Next Star for Eurovision 2016, there was a common reaction from Eurovision fans: he’s a great singer, but his song “Made of Stars” isn’t as good. But it seems Israel is listening: Hovi will record a version of finalist Ella Daniel’s song “Somebody Out There” to also be considered as the song for Stockholm.

https://youtu.be/Mu-vAtQDtcc

According to newspaper Israel Hayom, an urgent meeting was held over the weekend, where it was decided that Hovi would record his own version of “Somebody Out There”, a fan favourite from the national final. Doron Medalie, who wrote “Made of Stars” and 2015 song “Golden Boy” is said to have given his blessing to the song reassessment.

If Hovi’s version of “Somebody Out There” turns out to be a good one, and if all parties agree to the change, then that will be Israel’s song for Stockholm. Otherwise, they will stick with “Made of Stars”.

This follows Malta scrapping the original version of Ira Losco’s winning song “Chameleon”, and with plans to replaced it with one of 10 new recordings, including a substantially reworked “Chameleon”.

After Nadav Guedj ended Israel’s non-qualification streak in 2015, Eurovision has received a boost in popularity in Israel, with the broadcaster seemingly determined to keep Israel in the final for another year.

But whatever Israel choose, they haven’t got long to decide. All songs for Stockholm must be finalised by next Monday, March 14, when the heads of delegation have their annual pre-Eurovision meeting.

https://youtu.be/_d_7m6uod2E

Poll: Which song should Hovi Star perform in Stockholm?

[polldaddy poll=9335331]

What do you think? Should Hovi Star perform “Somebody Out There” in Stockholm? Or should he stick with “Made of Stars”? Share your thoughts below!

UPDATE – March 7

After listening to Hovi’s version of “Somebody Out There”, it was decided to stick with the song “Made Of Stars”, written by Doron Medalie.
However, in the next few days significant changes will be made to the song in order to improve it before the heads of delegations meeting next week.
One of the main reasons leading to the decision not to replace the song is because the audience at home are those who chose the song.

 

FOLLOW ALL OF OUR ISRAEL EUROVISION NEWS HERE

40 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Erin
Erin
8 years ago

Don’t ask me who the guy on the right is, but everyone’s got his long lost twin somewhere: ?oh=22df7cdf104270f266ba057fb180112a&oe=57596E77 Israel’s future Eurovision participation is jeopardized anyway given that IBA is to be dismantled in a few months and if Hovi Star doesn’t make it to the final, I suspect that participation in 2017 is out of the question. The Next Star production was always going to meddle and manipulate the outcome because it certainly didn’t want to send someone who was clearly unprepared for an international stage, but at the same time it wanted to squeeze the ratings’ lemon for… Read more »

Bapak Lurah
Bapak Lurah
8 years ago

he reminds me with Mettaton EX from Undertale….

igal
igal
8 years ago

I think that regardless of how this ends, Israel clearly stopped caring about the Eurovision. If you survey the last 10 Israeli entries, while some were better than others, they were overall bad on average. Israel is participating for the sake of participation. I used to think that they did so because of “tainted” voting. But now I just feel as though they aim to participate with the MINIMAL effort and MINIMAL cost. Well, whoopy for them.

EUROFAN MEXICO
EUROFAN MEXICO
8 years ago

PLEASE CHANGE THE SONG PLEASE

Sal
Sal
8 years ago

OK Here’s an update:

According to morning radio show, hosted by the host of “The next start to Eurovision”, Assi Azar – Hovi is not changing songs for the Eurovision, but changes will be made to the current song, Made of stars, probably ballading it a bit. a new version may be released in the upcoming day or two.

David Who
David Who
8 years ago

@EugeneESCUK: Thanks for clarifying.
I guess if it’s all happening within the time window that’s fine. Only thing is I’d hypothetically get pretty annoyed if someone took a song I recorded and then went to Eurovision with it – i would think there’s the performer’s right to the original and a share of the credit/profit, in legal jargon etc etc – or is that just me being idealistic? LOL

MarioMario
8 years ago

They’re both as lame as it gets.

Erin
Erin
8 years ago

@Mei – They blew it because they did everything in haste without proper planning. Everyone should have been alerted when one song got two different arrangements: How does that have anything to do with fair play and how come they couldn’t even come up with four decent songs? Channel 1 will probably have to collaborate with Channel 2 next year as well (or go for an internal selection), but it must drop the ‘Next Star’ format because it’s like mixing oil with water. When Channel 1’s entertainment department heads (like Yoav Ginai and Moshe Morad) were promising a “real Kdam”,… Read more »

Hele
Hele
8 years ago

No! That wouldn’t be ok only for 1, but BIG reason: if he already selected that song for NF, Nofar most probably would win! Made Of Stars is great song but in wrong interpretation! Israel doesn’t have to change song for Eurovision, but artist and arrangement (beautiful, sincere, oriental version of amazing Nofar Salaman which should have won)!

Mei International
Mei International
8 years ago

I hate our whole selection process. I can think of a dozen singers that could do a better job and get us to the final…

Nicolas
Nicolas
8 years ago

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

Idan
Idan
8 years ago

Let’s all agree that Israel failed in its selection method this year. Big time.

Tom
Tom
8 years ago

Here is a suggestion….send Ella Daniel.

Iberian
Iberian
8 years ago

I have to say I agree with Racal, I liked Made of Stars and I was also quite surprised everyone seemed to hate it.

Nitzan
Nitzan
8 years ago

I like the idea but I think Gil Hadash’s Follow The Sun could work even better.

Keren Yahli
Keren Yahli
8 years ago

I think “somebody out there” is a much better song! Hovi is a great singer and hopefully the song will qualify!

Steven
Steven
8 years ago

I definitely preferred Somebody Out There AND Follow The Sun to the winning song. I think he should look at recording both tbh. Made Of Stars has no impact but Hovi does seem like a decent performer with a good voice.

MMs
MMs
8 years ago

I think I like the new song better and Israel would have a better chance to qualify. I agree with a song change as long as it is within time constraints. I mean the countries who devote for an internal selection such as Azerbaijan does have till that time so why can’t other countries try to find a better product. An national selection is a national thing so they can amend all they want. After all the audience will just watch the final three minutes irrespective of anything that happened before. I think countries have till 14 to submit their… Read more »

PP
PP
8 years ago

EBU from 2017 must change rules, no change song, only change if song is plagiat or publish before EBU time for realise.

Paz
Paz
8 years ago

I don’t know why people are still complaining, Made of Stars is a really bad song, and Somebody Out There is so much better.
Hovi is a really good vocalist and performer, he was my favorite since the beginning of the next star but I hated Made of Stars and loved Somebody out there so I voted for Ella.

Héctor
Héctor
8 years ago

Well, Hovi was my fav artist before the songs were released and “Somebody out there” was my fav song so it could be great if both go to Stockholm. I’m not sure how the song will feel in his voice, but looking forward to it.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
8 years ago

The song is bad but the singer is still 90% of the problem.

Colin
Colin
8 years ago

Also, does this mean that Malta and Czech Republic will also be compelled to reveal before the 14’th?

davve
davve
8 years ago

If that song was sooooo much better… than why was it voted out in the first round?.. why was hovis song voted number one..

makes no sense to send the song that came last in the NF to eurovision….

Hebbuzz
Hebbuzz
8 years ago

He should switch to ‘Somebody out there’ and after that they should replace Hovi for Ella.

Colin
Colin
8 years ago

I don’t really care now, let him choose whatever. Unlike most national finals , Israel’s was obviously more about the person (something like ‘The Voice’ or ‘X Factor’) then about the song, so I don’t feel the same fraud as in Malta. But, I noticed that songs that are usually my ESC favorites are presented the way they are; no revamps, no translaton, no changes, except maybe shortening it out a bit to fit 3 minute format. There are exceptions, of course, but not as many.

baykostar
baykostar
8 years ago

He can be a backvocal for Ella

David Who
David Who
8 years ago

Technically “Somebody Out There” is the more appealing pop song, but, it’s already publically known as being sung by Ella Daniel. Will ESC rules then require the singer to change to Ella as well? I’m very confused by this. Sticking with “Made of stars” might be legally better for everyone, LOL.

Zenjak
Zenjak
8 years ago

Somebody out there is undeniably the more superior song. Hopefully they will go for the change

Racal
Racal
8 years ago

I really like “Made of Stars”, I don’t get all the fuss. I think it’s the best Israeli entry in years. I know music is subjective, but I’m really surprised with all the negativity…

Sal
Sal
8 years ago

just send Nadav Guedj again already…let him sing the yellow pages to the tune of “row row row your boat” – he’ll still do better!

Erin
Erin
8 years ago

Somebody is panicking…and how in the world would Doron Medalie ‘give his blessing’ to such a re-assessment? It doesn’t add up because Medalie unequivocally defended his song on his Facebook page just a few days ago. This is why the final of the ‘Next Star’ should have never been held as late as 3.3.26. Last year, Nadav Guedge was declared winner on February 15th and ‘Golden Boy’ was created with him specifically in mind not to mention his own input and involvement in aspects of the creative process. This isn’t how things worked out this year and there was obviously… Read more »

Yudhistira Mahasena
8 years ago

Made of Stars is better.

DenizNL
DenizNL
8 years ago

Somebody out there is so much better. But I don’t know if he can work it.

Pastora Soler haha!
Pastora Soler haha!
8 years ago

Somebody out there is not much better.

It’s funny, now they want a good result. Oh… wait!

They had months to find good songs. -_-

tom
tom
8 years ago

good!

Sal
Sal
8 years ago

For god’s sake! Can we just send Ella instead!?

fikri
fikri
8 years ago

but none of the songs in the israeli national final is good. 🙁

can he take margaret’s song? how about simone’s? ooh, i know! how about saara’s??! 😀

jr esc nl
jr esc nl
8 years ago

It doesn’t really matter what he does. With hovi star israel won’t qualify anyway… Or maybe they will since the second semi has very low standards.

Dave
Dave
8 years ago

Somebody out there will not be the same without Ella’s voice. It was great as it was.