They missed out on qualifying for the grand final in Stockholm, but Estonia are determined to do better in 2017. The acts for Eesti Laul 2017 have been revealed tonight, with perhaps the biggest name amongst them being none other than Elina Born!

Yes, it seems that we are saying “Goodbye to Yesterday”, as Elina will compete once again as a solo artist. Stig Rasta isn’t too far behind though: he’s one of the writers of her song, “In or Out”.

Elina Born & Stig Rasta interview at Eurovision 2015

The 20 entries were announced by broadcaster ERR on the talk show Ringvaade. A number of artists are returning to Eesti Laul this year, including a duet between Laura & Koit Toome, their 1996 representative Ivo Linna, Liis Lemsalu and Daniel Levi. Daniel will be hoping that Elina doesn’t beat him this year, as happened in 2015:

Daniel Levi interview at Eesti Laul 2015

Debuts include Laura Prits, who was one of the acts we spotted on the submission livestream. She’s performing the song “Hey Kiddo”, without her band members from Ziggy Wild. Another big name entering is Kerli. The Estonian star only ever performed at Eurolaul in the past, so this will be her Eesti Laul debut. Y’all, we cannot wait to see what she does with her song “Spirit Animal”!

The finalists were taken from a list of 242 entries, an increase on the 238 received last year. The acts were selected by a jury comprised of Andres Puusepp, Erik Morna, Harri Hakanen, Ingrid Kohtla, Kaidi Klein, Kristel Aaslaid, Olavi Paide, Owe Petersell, Siim Nestor, Toomas Puna and Piret Järvis.

When speaking to ERR before the reveal, Järvis said that she was a “little heartbroken” over some of the acts who had not qualified. The competition was simply that tough that some good acts just missed out.

The rules for Eesti Laul 2017 were relaxed to allow foreign songwriters to enter the competition in conjunction with Estonian artists. A number of acts seem to have gone down this route too!

Eesti Laul was first held in 2009, and broke Estonia’s run of grand final non-qualification. Since then, Estonia has placed in the top 10 three times. However, their most recent entry did not do so well, with Jüri Pootsman’s “Play” placing last in its semi-final, giving Estonia its worst ever result.

The Eesti Laul 2017 semi-finals will take place on the 11th and 18th of February at ERR studios. The final will take place on the 4th of March at the Saku Arena.

Eesti Laul 2017 participants

  • Almost Natural — “Electric”
  • Alvistar Funk Association — “Make Love, Not War”
  • Angeelia — “We Ride With Our Flow”
  • Antsud — “Vihm”
  • Ariadne — “Feel Me Now”
  • Carl-Philip — “Everything But You”
  • Close to Infinity ft. Ian Karell — “Sounds Like Home”
  • Daniel Levi — “All I Need”
  • Elina Born — “In or Out”
  • Ivo Linna — “Suur loterii”
  • Janno Reim & Kosmos — “Valan pisaraid”
  • Karl-Kristjan & Whogaux ft. Maian — “Have You Now”
  • Kerli — “Spirit Animal”
  • Koit Toome & Laura — “Verona”
  • Laura Prits — “Hey Kiddo”
  • Leemet Onno — “Hurricane”
  • Lenna Kuurmaa — “Slingshot”
  • Liis Lemsalu — “Keep Running”
  • Rasmus Rändvee — “This Love”
  • Uku Suviste — “Supernatural”

What do you think? Does the line-up of Eesti Laul 2017 have anyone who can give Estonia their second Eurovision victory? Share your thoughts below!

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Margus
Margus
7 years ago

Alvistar Funk Association will probably surprise all of you. Lead singer doesn’t use any words, only sounds 🙂

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
7 years ago

Kerli!!!! oh my god wow someone with name recognition i am so proud of Estonia
Diamond Hard was my Olympic theme song aaaaa

betuedell
betuedell
7 years ago

please kerlii!!!! send a song like diamond hard or feral hearts pleaseeeeeeeee!!!

redfox
redfox
7 years ago

@ Hector: yeah Noep submitted the song but didnt get into the 20 selected I dont understand why and how. this year the guy has written two songs, for Angeelia & for Laura Prits.

I hope Kerlis´ song is more like Raindrops and less like her techno-stuff. I am very inbetween about her recent tunes.

Laburnum
Laburnum
7 years ago

Elina Born and Kerli are what life is about

Alex
Alex
7 years ago

Where can I see this line up or Final ? (Huge Kerli fan xD) and sens I just moved to Helsinki it would be easy to just take a ferry over to Tallin and see this ^_^
more and more proud of my Estonian origins :p XD

ah
ah
7 years ago

I am super excited to see all these legendary artists but as an Estonian it also makes me quite sad that out of 20 songs, only 3 are in Estonian. I have been waiting for us to send an Estonian language song since 2013 :/

Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

Keep Elina Boring and Stig Träshta away from the competition. I’m excited for Kerli tho! I have her CD, been a fan since 2008!

Azaad
Azaad
7 years ago

well on the bright side they are the one country that will definitely improve from 2016 to 2017! but if they choose Elina I’d suspect a top 5 finish in Kyiv.

Marshpan
Marshpan
7 years ago

Aww yiss. There’s no Eurovision without an Estonian party!

I’ve just been introduced to Kerli thanks to Wiwibloggs. If ‘Spirit Animal’ is anything like ‘Blossom’, then Kerli has my full support!

Zebb
Zebb
7 years ago

EL16 have won my playlist despite of final choice tho I supported him too before he flopped. I still have hope for good dance tracks.

Alec
Alec
7 years ago

KERLI!!!!!!

bartosz
bartosz
7 years ago

I don’t know if anyone noticed that Antsud’s song is available. It’s something special and unusual for Eurovision. For me it’s really interesting entry and I like it a lot

Make Frans Trend Again (and again)
Make Frans Trend Again (and again)
7 years ago

I kinda hoped for Cartoon to return. Oh well. Although I can still root for Elina Born.

@Niki: exactly… or yet another Barei…

Fredrik
Fredrik
7 years ago

FYI Kerli was in “Melodifestivalen 2003” with the song “Lets Go”!

Tha
Tha
7 years ago

I CAN’T BELIEVE!
I’m so happy for Lenna, Elina, Kerli, Liis, Daniel… ?
Eesti Laul is my favorite national selection for a while, they always bring good music and performances.
So so excited! Can’t wait to them reveal all entries 😀

Griffin
Griffin
7 years ago

OMG cant balieve that Kerli was compete in selection this year!!! *me imagine Blossom was sung at Eurovision*

Omar - Mexico
Omar - Mexico
7 years ago

Lenna Kuurmaa deserves to win! I’m anxiously waiting for her song! “Mina jään” was beautiful in 2012.

Héctor
Héctor
7 years ago

I just read NOEP “Move” was a contestant in 2015 or am I wrong? If that’s true it should be considered a crime against music!

Tural
Tural
7 years ago

Woow!!! Really… all the great artistsare there… vanilla ninja girl – Lenna, and estonian Lady Gaga – Kerli… really??? Definitely will be on TOP!!!

el
el
7 years ago

I’ve never been this excited for Eesti Laul! The lineup for 2017 is AMAZING! Ya’ll are only hyping up Elina & Kerli without realizing that there are lots of others worth your attention. I have high hopes for Lenna, Rasmus Rändvee, Liis Lemsalu and also Koit & Laura.

Napaw
Napaw
7 years ago

I really hope Kerli makes it. I sure loved her unique style in both music and fashion sense.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
7 years ago

Eesti Laul had some great songs last year but still ended up with a poor Eurovision entry. Hopefully, they can pick the right song this time!

D
D
7 years ago

399184915038703187508% Kerli. Kerli is one of my all-time favorite singers and my stomach absolutely dropped when I saw she was participating. I never thought this would happen and I think she can give Estonia a win.

Mark C
Mark C
7 years ago

I think that Estonia have been building up towards a Eurovision win over the last few years; this selection sounds promising, will have to wait and see though.

ESCFan
ESCFan
7 years ago

Estonia is amazing in Eurovision. I loved their 2012 and 2015 entries <3 <3

Tom
Tom
7 years ago

I can’t believe Kerli is participating, the singles from her new album have been amazing so far, I’m really excited to hear her entry. She could really win this thing

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

@Maclaren

Such a shame. 🙁

Madeleine
Madeleine
7 years ago

OMG Kerli & Liis <3

Maclaren
Maclaren
7 years ago

Sorry for the off topic. Breaking news – Aminata has left the Voice Russia project. Polina sent her home after knock-outs. Aminata did not even get a chance to go to a live show

Stefan Hadar
7 years ago

OMG. Best news for today! So HAPPY Kerli finally competes again at eesti laul <3 #MoonChildForever

redfox
redfox
7 years ago

Look out for Andres Kõpper, he makes awasome music. I just learned his song (as NOËP) “Move” didn´t qualify into top 20 last year? WHAT????? crime agains humanity… if you say this years´ songs are better,m then, sorry, I cant even imagine…but I am crossing my fingers anyway.
and also Rasmus Rändvee – cause one of the authors of his song is the Head Dragon himself, Ewert Sundja from Ewert & The Two Dragons. how I would like for him to participate as a singer but eh.

Tom
Tom
7 years ago

Was talking about Kerli*

Tom
Tom
7 years ago

You guys if your are big fans of pop, don’t get your hopes up too much. Every since she came independent she has toned it down quite a lot with pop. But at the same time there’s a huge potential there for a perfect quality pop song, one of the jury member already said he was very surprised by her entry, so it’s probably something that has depth as well.

Thiefo
7 years ago

So happy for Elina but utterly excited about Kerli!

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

OMG, Eliiiiiiiinaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! I’m so happy right now! She was amazing in 2015, I’m looking forward to listening to her song! 😀

NicoESC
NicoESC
7 years ago

Elina Born !! <3

No Name
No Name
7 years ago

Happy to hear about Kerli! She actually competed in Melfest back in 2003 also 😉

Eply
Eply
7 years ago

There’s only one thing to say: Back off Melfest.

Nitzan
Nitzan
7 years ago

@Lanti ha ha thanks I’m sorry I’m probably not too familiar with all those Lauls :))

Marco
Marco
7 years ago

About Kerli,it’s not her debut …https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1KVaB6bDKQ

khm
khm
7 years ago

OK, now without caps lock. Judging by these names, EL2017 will be the best EL since its introduction. It’s quite clear ERR wants to wash its mouth after Jüri’s flop in Stockholm. I mean, look at these names – Kerli, Elina, Daniel, Lenna… Unlike Swedish Melodifestivalen (which I love, but honestly, Wiktoria?!), which will have a bunch of nonamers, floppers and career revivals, Estonia will have a banger!

Rono
Rono
7 years ago

Kerli? OMG, SHE MUST WIN

khm
khm
7 years ago

KERLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can’t wait for her song!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Niki
Niki
7 years ago

Let’s hope Kerli won’t be the 2017’s Margaret…

YoungsterJoey
YoungsterJoey
7 years ago

Forget Elina Born!

We want Kerli!!

Lanti
7 years ago

@Nitzan
Article said it’s Kerli’s first Eesti Laul (her 2004 performance would have been Eurolaul)

cheesecake
cheesecake
7 years ago

This news just made my day. Go Elina!

Euromania
7 years ago

Wow! What a selection! I wouldn’t mind Seeing Elina win it all! Seriously looking forward to this now!

Charles
Charles
7 years ago

Do they have a winner on their hands? Is that the real important question? Or … Do they have a WINNING SONG on their hands? That’s sounds more like it … We allow ourselves to be way too focused on the WHO is singing … and not always on the WHAT is being sung …