No, it’s not April Fools day yet and yes, this is actually happening. Eurovision.tv has just confirmed that San Marino‘s Serhat will sing the disco version of his Eurovision song, “I Didn’t Know”. The remix has now been cut down to a three-minute edit for Stockholm.
WATCH: Serhat – I Didn’t Know (Disco Remix)
The movement to change the song to the new disco version started when it was unearthed last week as part of Serhat’s Eurovision EP. A fan campaign quickly started on Twitter, calling for Serhat and San Marino to change versions from the widely panned original. Surely nobody would have actually thought that such a campaign would work on such a scale, though?
Did you think I wasn’t serious? I’m serious. pic.twitter.com/FLwMsaovyU
— Disco Queen of SMR (@elainovision) March 15, 2016
As the song submission deadline had passed, San Marino had to formally request the song change, which the EBU’s reference group has now granted. In a press release, San Marino stated that they decided to use the disco remix due to “the great feedback from our Eurovision friends, media and fans”. This is people power working overtime, y’all!
Reacting to the original
Reacting to the disco version
Some of the comments from our last article show that fans are still divided. Hans comments that it’s “Still crap. A big pile of crap”, whilst Cheesecake simply says “Still awful.” There are defenders though: Alexander says that “It’s actually so good in its disco incarnation! Still a bit slow to start, but in this form it is at least interesting.” All we know is that it makes us want to get our boogie on in Stockholm!
Do you think that Serhat now stands a chance at qualifying after this late change? Let us know in the comments section below and through our social media pages.
in a strange way i kind of find this song enjoyable despite the trashy lyrics and and serhat`s terrible voice
Really, people?? This is horrendous, even as kitsch. The disco music is canned and sounds like a random generic piece they dusted off Donna Summer’s studio floor.Worse yet – it matches in ZERO way with the lyrics…. AT ALL. It’s like the sound engineer accidentally combined two songs while he was tripping on ecstasy. And how is the random video of him singing A DIFFERENT SONG somehow okay?? It is the most amateurish work I have ever seen for a publicly released song. EVER. I think Rebecca Black and “Friday” is marginally better. This is a train wreck, and a… Read more »
@Elainovision – thanks for your detailed reply. I smell an air of “self-defendence” in it. I understand that. But maybe I should stress that I of course had no intention of “thowing abuse” at anyone 🙂 (Sometimes things might come across a bit more blunt than intended in written form). Still – I wonder, do you think it would make a big difference if people defenended the original song more in the first place on net forums? Meaning that it might NOThave been changed if so? I actually hope the answer is no. If so – I regret I didn’t… Read more »
San Marino is now officially a comedy act. Is this really the way they want to go? San Marino must assess if they should continue entering ESC.
I’m totally enjoying San Marino’s entry this year, and the video is one of the most bizarre and interesting things I’ve seen. Ripe for deconstruction, what is going on? Happy with whichever version, you may not like it but be honest, you won’t want to miss it.
What are the odds that it gets zero in the semi?
Well, firstly I wouldn’t dream of launching a campaign to alter a decision made by National Final (against the televoters of a country). That would be undemocratic. There are several results this year I’ve been disappointed in, but you’d never catch me writing in to Finland to demand they restage UMK or anything. Secondly, my campaign was never a demand – I always framed it in terms of “I think it would be better received if…”. If San Marino had replied that they were happy with their current decision, or if they’d have ignored me completely, that would also have… Read more »
@Elainovision: You have many good points! And I agree with the positivity part. Better to focus on that! Where were we, when the original version needed support? Good question! For my part, I wasn’t a big fan of the song in the start. But it grew on me, and I really started to like it. Another thing is – it seems like some people sadly are afraid to really *speak out* if their opnion differs from the stream. Which is a pity, as EVERY song is either “loved” or “hated” by many fans. It should not be a problem to… Read more »
If San Marino embraces just how silly and bad this song is, they might be able to get some points, as we haven’t actually had a real comedy or novelty song in the contest in quite a while and that might get some points on that alone…otherwise it has absolutely no chance.
Amazing how many people transpire to have liked the original now that it’s changed. Pretty sure I didn’t see many people saying that last week. And when the Sammarinese asked if they should change their song, where were the defenders of the original then?
Speak up for what you like, not only against what you don’t like, otherwise who is to know you like it? It creates a more positive atmosphere overall too 🙂
@Charles – I agree with you! I don’t like this camp / cheesy side of ESC. Which Russia and (sadly now also) San Marino stands for this year. I can enjoy some disco music. But A) it was a kind of music which had it’s heyday around 40 years ago B) The kind of disco San Marino stands for just sounds tacky to my ears. The entry from San Marino indeed changed yeah – to something much worse! And it seems like some people are proud of this “campaign”. I rest my case. Each to his / her own…..and all… Read more »
Seriously anyone who thinks this Song has a chance to go thru to final must be listening to something completely different to me….Good for a Laugh & now I understand why people are saying Australia is bringing quality to Eurovision…
Brilliant! The best song of ESC ever! San Marino 2017 😀
This is still the bottom of the pack, especially considering that the other 42 entries are all at least passable.
Very disappointing news. I am highly sceptical to this new version. Especially as it comes as a result of a kind of “internet campaign”. Whereis the musical “dignity”? Maybe it sounds high brow, but it’s a valid question. The original at least sounded like something that “came from the heart”. Not a musical compromise, on expense of musical class. I think the first version had character. It was an oldschool jazzy / torch ballad, which stood very much out. Maybe not a great song. But it had distinctition and charm, and was a slow grower. His voice also shone nicely… Read more »
Denis
Many people listen disco music from 70 s and 80 s in 2016.
Am I missing something? Serhat is Turkish, the song is Turkish and the people of Turkish descent that have moved all over Europe haven’t been able to vote for a Turkish entry in a few years. Didn’t they just change the marking scheme to mean that the televote no longer has to tie up with a jury vote? Tell me again that it won’t qualify – the only thing counting against the song is that I like it (I like anything that is not formulaic) and everything I like always bombs…..:-)
Gone from pile of goat droppings to camp slay session <3
Eurovision 2016 needs this to make the final. Even in the first final. Too bad so sad Austria, your place needs to be forfeited for Serhat. Sure you understand.
Chorus sounds like Boney M
“I’ve got to say, I’m a dicktit”
“I got to pee inside your mind”
2:56 on the video “I’m such a glorious troll”
#neverforget
Disco version is better but we’re going to miss the original version whose MV looked like a mine for reaction GIFs.
haha it is still bad but now it is more fun but it will still not qualifier to esc final.
Still won’t help, unless he throws just enough COMEDY into the performance that it will squeeze into the Grand Final. It sounds like something that would have scored good points 20 years ago.
Remember those times where San Marino used to take seriously eurovision?…. yeap… me neither…
I only have to say I predicted this. Not the monstrosity, but the change.
If only I could predict a few lotto numbers…
12 POINTS
from mars
I think this the first time I come across a revamp that’s even worse than the original.
Who even listens to disco these days anyway? It’s been dead since 1979…
I…this…what…this happened?
I am LOLing out loud for God’s sake!
San Marino is dreadful (song-wise).
This singer is dreadful.
EBU is dreadful.
This whole contest this year is dreadful!
I wish we would change some winners from the past, they clearly influenced the contest to worst.
I am wondering whether I should watch this thing in May.
Go France! Go Estonia! Go Bulgaria! Everyone else, what’s wrong with you? LOL
Evidence, if ever it were required that you can’t polish a turd.
Does it suck that I still haven’t heard the disco version yet and all yall Wiwi posters are affecting my opinion of it? lol See yall in a few minutes.
Laika is avenged at last and we will have our disco. The universe is at peace.
It still won’t qualify, but now we can all just laugh along with him instead of cringing.
ManuElla is trying her best for the worst song title but Serhat is just a Boss Monster
@Racal: Finally someone understands me my views … 2016 is the 1987 of the current decade and pretty much pays homage to the lack of quality and taste of the 2000s … Atrocious!
Disco? Really … isn’t it enough that we have Russia’s Sergey showing off his naked torso … Can this go even desperately campier and cheesier? Good grief … Have mercy!
The more songs I listen to, the more I think that this year’s contest is a huge setback. It’s like we’re back in the 2000s, with bad songs all over the place. I had stopped watching the contest at the time (started again in 2010), and when I hear this year’s songs from San Marino, Russia, Romania, etc., I suddenly remember why.
Here is my final top 43!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J38azfp6tH8
Kill This Song with fire
I’m crying :’))) HAHAHAHAHAHA!
At least it can get some points now!
OMG 😀 It is way better 🙂 Not my last anymore 😛
lmao i like it
It still won’t qualify, but at least I can put on a wig and some trousers with awesome flares and groove unlike the original.
@Florian
We already have Macedonia – we don’t any more donuts this year!
HAHAHAHAHA
This is so weird… can’t help loving it 😉
I never actually thought they would go ahead and change it! His voice is still a bit cringe-worthy, but the change is good enough to move above Montenegro for the 42nd spot in my rankings
WE GOT THE DISCO
Next year i cant see more then 30 countries going to Eurovision
@ Colin I initially wanted to pin this on the EBU but I guess the most plausible scenario here was the delegation of San Marino asked the EBU to delete the video. Still, in that case the EBU is also responsible of granting them their wish. And it certainly fits with the impression the EBU has been giving me on numerous occasions and issues. I am not fond of this institution and the way they handle things at all. Besides having no problem with bending their very own rules, I feel like anything that CAN be swept under the rug,… Read more »
improvement on a low level.. Still don’t see a chance for Serhat to qualify – especially since San Marino doesn’t seem to have any friends
Yesssssssssss
Seriously people vote for this,it is so bad that i want San Marino to win this year Eurovision…No naked guys with six pack ,thats what most of you vote here the look not the song lol,
I think Florian summed it up perfectly “You can dip manure into powdered sugar but it still won’t become a donut.”