She recently signed a deal with Universal — one of the world’s biggest record labels.
But on Thursday Spain’s Eurovision 2016 singer Barei made it clear that she’s keeping her edgy, independent spirit with the release of her official music video and revamp of “Say Yay!”
In recent weeks the Eurovision entries have come thick and fast, and the bookies have thus far left Spain out of the game. But Barei — a true fighter with an amazing voice and stage presence — has decided to take a step forward and revamp the song. The changes are subtle yet powerful: The drums beat louder and harder, giving the song some added drama, and the backing vocalists come through more clearly in the chorus. She’s also added more funk elements and some soulful trumpets, creating a new and technically improved entry for Eurovision 2016. Yes, she has managed to give a lively song even more life and a smoother finish.
But there’s more than meets the eye, lads.
Her abs of steel are on show, and they hint at the strength and perseverance she details in her song. As we’ve discussed repeatedly, Barei brings an optimistic battle cry to pick yourself up and move forward. As she says “go-getters don’t forsake.”
Speaking about the song and video presentation, Barei said: “I decide where my destiny begins and ends, it’ll be nowhere else but where I want it to happen. I own my life.”
And the video shows it right after the first chorus when Barei and her dancers fall, immediately standing up and moving on. Barei and her posse continue to use her fancy footwork, which she performed previously in the national final and in Ukraine’s national selection. By including dancers performing those moves in a number of locations — including Stockholm, London, Havana, Berlin, Miami and Madrid — she gives them universality. She seems to suggest that no matter where people live they can work their moves and persevere. There’s strength in all of you.
The video features some astonishing visual work, photography and art production, all coupled with the magic of esteemed choreographer Fritz Mensch. He’ll also work with Barei for Stockholm.
Tomorrow, March 11, Barei will release the second version of Say Yay! on music platforms, including Spotify and iTunes. Barei also revealed two more tips about her incoming participation at Eurovision: she’ll keep her special footwork, as it relates to the message within the lyrics, and her backing vocalists will play “a crucial role” during the performance.
WIWIBLOGGS INTERVIEWS BAREI PART 1
WIWIBLOGGS INTERVIEWS BAREI PART 2
How do y’all feel about this clip and revamp of “Say Yay!”? Are you feeling it or would you stick to the first version? Let us know in the comments below!
@ all these dickheads (half Spanish) who think they do understand music and pick Russia as the favorite and bring Spain down….LOL You guys want to represent Spain with tacky “Spanish” songs that means nothing to everyone else?, go for it, losers. Thank God the system changed to pick up the right track for Eurovision. This is the real Spain, this is what they do and they will show the world that Spain is not bulls and flamenco. The do music, this is the land of Ibiza. And if Spain wins they will definitely afford to have the event because… Read more »
Sex in failled states! Ummm (para seguir con la broma)
LOVE SPAIN… LOVE BAREI…. LOVE SAY YAY…. I DONT CARE IF WINING OR NOT ESC I AM JUST HAPPY WITH OUR CONTESTANT THIS YEAR.
LOVE SPAIN… LOVE BAREI…. LOVE SAY YAY… DONT CARE IF WINING OR NOT IM JUST HAPPY THIS YEAR WITH OUR CONTESTANT.
Me parece a mi, Que a ti lo que te queda es mucho odio, resquemor, intolerancia y mucha mala vibra…a mamarla te vas Tu…nube negra del norte sigue con ella encima ,y deja a la gente divertirse con lo que le apetezca…AMARGADO a ti que te queda?
Que triste q países del norte, el valor que dan a estos festivales, les sirva para darse a conocer, por que ya ni siquiera les queda nada, ni Ericcson, ni Nokia, ni Volvo, ni ikea , que le queda tres telediarios…nada. Gana el festival y se feliz
a mamarla a parla, arriba el mundo,… descerebrados x un concurso d muertos d hambre
Ja ja ja. Bravo Windsurf!
Dan , no problem , change the channel when Spain and sing all so happy
BLACK HORSE!!!!
I can’t put into words how much this song annoys me. I probably wouldn’t even put it in my top 35. Fair enough if people say that the lyrics mean something to them, but both versions of the track sound cheaply produced and super generic. The only part that sounds nice is the bit just before the chorus (from “I feel alive”). Also I predicted a music video like that waaay in advance. The whole Michael Jackson/James Brown shuffle thing is extremely cheesy, and of course they had to include a mandatory nerd who can dance too. It’s just so… Read more »
Go Spain! The land of the sun. Greatest empire ever. I love Spain.
Manu it was “ironia” brother
Best song of ESC 2016, whatever the results would be.
Go Barei!! Say YAY!!
Madrid 2017 <3
Great revamping.
I hope now Spain values, as a country with very few neighbours and considering the voting system, how important is to look DIFFERENT from the other 24 countries.
Downgrade the relevance of the dance and bring something that surprises us in the Globen Arena.
Sounds good. Looks good.
With great staging, this song could bring some major WOW to the Stockholm stage.
Whatever happens in May I can say that I AM PROUD OF MY COUNTRY!! Thank you so much Barei for your effort
This is going to top 10 I think. It’s so uppy, a contrast to the 2016 general depression and seriousness. Now it’s even cooler and dancier than before, a top notch dance tune. Well done Spain.
A step in the right direction.
Not quite there yet but it is getting closer to being the song it should be.
failed state ? or when your prejudices speak for you. I am quite happy in my wonderful state failed
The best sex… always in… FAILED STATES
Failed States are created with modernity. Others live anchored in the middle ages or are the consequence of world wars, xenophobia or authoritarianism. Say yay Barei! Viva Spain!
I love failed states
A todos los que dicen que ESPAÑA es un estado fallido..
Yo tambien se cambiar las letras para hacerlas mas fuerte cambio fallido por FOLLADO.Chao
Branko, hey, your avatar looks like mine
This is AMAZING. This song was always my number one, but this version is MUCH BETTER. Barei is in it to win it! #TeamBarei
Like you said, it’s only a few subtle changes but I think it has definitely raised the quality even higher. The music video did a very good job in reflecting the feel-good vibe of the song, hopefully that will be able to be translated to stage with some back up dancers.
this is a quick list that exposes the reasons why Spain should be top 10 again: 1. the girl know the drill: she can dance, she’s energetic and she’s also very likable 2. Publicity: this girl’s been already in other European countries like Romania and Ukraine, EASTERN EUROPE, so yes this girl is asserting votes and she hasn’t stop giving us MORE 3. Re-vamp: even though her initial song was almighty this re-vamp shows SHE’S COMMITTED to esc, giving us something we weren’t expecting SO COME ON EUROPE, Spain has earned it this year! Greetings from Germany (You can count… Read more »
Spain “failed State”? Are you kidding us? Everybody agree the Spanish economy has recently gone through difficult times, but it’s recovering ans it still remains the 4th strongest economy at the European Union and it’s a member of the Big 5 because its economical contribution to the EBU is one the highest ones along with the input of the other members.
“Spain is a failed State”. Yes, the 4th economy in the European Union and it’s a failed State… Haters gonna hate and potatoes gonna potate.
There’s something about her that I really dislike and I can’t figure out what it is. Anyway, this has CHEAP written all over it. cheap video, cheap production, low budget outfits…
“Won’t win, Spain is a failed state, you can not afford to host.”
You wouldn’t have eurovision if it wasn’t because of how much money the Big 5 spends on it, mr know it all.
Still in my top 5, and the revamp works well enough for me 🙂 I also kinda love the dance moves 😛
I like the new version.
Music video, I don’t like. Did the creator get paid for this? If so, should get immediately fired Ms. Barei. Very simple idea, no variety in action, no mental pinches in 3 minutes. Simple camera shots. Very low budget indeed.
I understand there is not much time to prepare, but this is bordering on a scam.
Black horse!!!
Everyone has their own taste, but the prevoius version was like a demo, this one is much better even if it don’t have the piano or some type of intrument you liked. As always, we are used to a certain version and when it gets revamped it seems weird, but it’s all about getting used. In fact, the eurovision audience won’t know that there was a previous version so there won’t be any comparison. This version is even modern and energetic, and the final part is better than before, when she only said “hurray, say ya yay” now she says… Read more »
The song was so much better before the revamp…
Oh come on, it’s not that different from the first one! And for those of you who say that this is “cheap”, I Believe that a good videoclip does not need to be expensive to be good, this has soul and a great message
For strong meanings
Strong endings
If they are is still in time to work on it, bring back the ultimate energy burst of the older version…very necessary for staging purposes
Are you crazy? It is the best song this year!
(Won’t win, Spain is a failed state, you can not afford to host.) jajaja please mesieur catalonia, basque country and scotland are failed states. Spain and England with others are the original Europe. Jajaja
Big 5 Prediction:
Spain- top 15
France- top 15
Germany- mid table
Italy- last place
UK- one from last place
To take risks is the most important in order to win. Barei is on top.
I think is a good move to take some piano out.
Wish she would do the same with the dance moves. She’s already moving their feet 5 secs. into the video 😀
Become versatile. We want to see more things out of this song.
This is a great work out song…concerned about the sound of this live as she tends to get marbled when she starts dancing around.
Won’t win, Spain is a failed state, you can not afford to host.
The old one was nothing but a demo
But that demo had already established the piano as the main beat
So this is one is a fresh new start
Do I like it? I have to listen it few many more times till I delete the old one from my mind
Fierce! I really like this new version, it sounds more urgent and riskier. But I understand it’s not for everyone. More would prefer more predictable products like Russia or Australia. But thanks Spain for bringing this gem to the contest ##teamSayYay
Why they changed the music omg? It was fresh and funny and now sounds a bit overproduced, sorry to say 8(