Croatia: Jacques Houdek will present “My Friend” on March 2
25Last year they qualified for the Eurovision final for the first time since 2009. Now Croatia wants to continue their lucky streak by sending Jacques Houdek — Nina Kraljic’s former coach on The Voice — to Kyiv. He’s got the experience and the voice to make an impact. But will he have the song? We’ll find out on 2 March — the date HRT has set for the big reveal of his Eurovision 2017 number “My Friend”.
After last Friday’s announcement that Jacques will represent the Balkan nation this year, Croatia’s Head of Deligation Zeljko Mesar is feeding us with more information.
During HRT’s morning show Studio 4 he revealed that Jacques has been preparing his big moment for eight months already. That’s what we call ambition! That means he’s been working since June — just a few weeks after Nina returned home from Eurovision 2016 in Stockholm.
But that’s not all. Mesar says that Jacques will have company on stage. He’ll likely be supported by three backing vocalists, a cellist and a violinist.
Perhaps most important: Mesar revealed that “My Friend” is a bilingual song. We don’t yet know the specific languages included. But, given that Jacques’ song title is in English, and given that it will have Pavarotti-influences, we’re assuming English and Italian. Another conspicuous clue is that one of the songwriters is Italian Fabrizio Laucella.
Jacques’ song will be presented on the Croatian National Radio station at 14:00 CET on March 2. In the meantime you can listen to his most recent song Kad nekoga volis.
Jacques has already given strong hints about the content and theme of his song, launching a campaign that encourages friendship and openness.
Last week he asked his fans and followers to upload pictures of themselves and their friends using the hashtag #beMyfriend.
“Remember your friends, make them happy by dedicating a photo to them, show them how important they are to you, make new friends,” he wrote on Facebook. “Let this song and the #beMyfriend campaign be a celebration of friendship, the joy of living and a priceless wealth of love, trust and mutual respect.”
Since then a lot of folks — fans and stars included — have uploaded their pictures, which you can view on the singer’s official Facebook page. Among the supporters is Eurovision 2007 winner Marija Serifovic.
Houdek isn’t a stranger for Eurovision fans. He has tried to represent Croatia several times, but never made it to the show. However, he came very close to victory six years ago when he lost out to Daria Kinzer at Dora 2011.
We can probably expect a totally different presentation compared to his previous attempts. Broadcaster HRT has already revealed that his song will mix different styles and even his outfit is set to stand out by combining multiple looks in one. Sounds promising!
We can’t wait to hear his song for Kyiv. What do you expect from Jacques? Do you think it’s a good idea to mix up languages? Let us know in the comments below!
May 18, 2017 @ 2:54 am
Some really good articles on this internet site, thanks for contribution. “My salad days, When I was green in judgment.” by William Shakespeare.
February 23, 2017 @ 4:28 pm
About San Marino – One blog said they were gathering funds to pull out. I haven’t heard anything about an artist since then, but there is still time.
February 23, 2017 @ 2:01 pm
@Frau Von Storch : how could San Marino withdraw now, they probably can’t afford such a thing.
February 23, 2017 @ 12:31 pm
Song presentation/selection dates:
February 28th: Austria
March 1st: Cyprus
March 2nd: Croatia
March 3rd: Netherlands
March 4th: Estonia
March 5th: Romania & Portugal
March 6th: Greece
March 7th: Australia
March 8th: Belgium
Song presentation dates of Czechia, Russia, FYROM and Ireland etc. are unknown at this point. San Marino will probably WITHDRAW this year!!!!
I think (and hope) that Croatia will not qualify and I know that Czechia also won’t qualify, because their ballad is very boring and the Czech singer lacks star quality.
February 23, 2017 @ 11:07 am
As the song will be revealed in March 2nd, can I comment on sth?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think there are also other countries revealing their song around the first days of March (I remember for sure Cyprus and the Netherlands).
What is happening? Why are you waiting so long? Just don’t give us such a lot information in such short time!
February 23, 2017 @ 10:56 am
I hope Jacques proves me right! I have a really good feeling about this!
First of all, he’s been preparing for months. It doesn’t mean it’ll be a good song, as a good song may be written in a few days. But, I have to credit he’s worked on this project.
Second, I read he’ll be supported by a cellist and a violonist. This just got me excited, as I’m a fan of entries with musical instruments on stage, especially Balkan countries. So for me, this can be only for a good reason.
Third, when I read it’ll be a bilingual song, I thought English and Croatian, I didn’t expect Italian. However, nothing is certain yet, so I’m waiting.
Hope for the best!
February 23, 2017 @ 10:50 am
@ Polegend Godgarina : ”after Marija supported extreme right-wing parties in Serbia, I was told the LGBT no longer claim her there”
I don’t know, maybe you are right, but it depends who told you that.
What I know for sure is that right wing – left wing have different meanings in different countries. I don’t think that she is suddenly against LGBT, or that she is racist. In some countries is only about independence or conflicts with neighbours. I repeat that I don’t know her case.
February 23, 2017 @ 10:25 am
@Frau Von Stroch….you don’t see? Maybe but just maybe because of his song since its song contest? Ahahahahahahaha of 200 million people that are watching live show most of them wont know about his interviews and thoughts on gay persons soooooo that will not make almost any effect….
February 23, 2017 @ 9:03 am
“You are my shoulder, my sattelite, I’m weak, you’re briiiiiiight.”
Tbh, I don’t even want to hear his song. I’m tired of him and his entire persona. For me, a spot in the final is officially cancelled. I think he will only get points from Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania and maybe Russia in his semi-final. I don’t see why Western-Europe should or would vote for this “queen”. Bye gurl.
February 23, 2017 @ 9:00 am
I am seriously disappointed by all your comments.
First of all, comparison with Alex Hirsoux is just lame and stupid. Those two have nothing in common except for being overweight, and if that is the similarity you are going for then you should be seriously ashamed.
Second, Jacques is entitled to his own opinion. Guess what, not everyone has to agree with LGBT rights and community! As long as he is not doing anything to you or bothering you with his opinion, all is well and everyone can move on. I am seriously pissed on this Eurovision = LGBT thing. Next time when someone tells you this event is only for gay people or that there is more to stage than song quality and stuff like that, remember this discussion and you should realize you are one of the main reasons why other people think like that.
You can see that Jacques really wanted to go to Eurovision in his life and I really trust in him because he really took months to prepare for this. That is basically how all most successful Eurovision countries do! He also has an amazing voice, easy to catch and control high notes, but also has a nice tone of voice. Probably one of the best examples is “Stotinama godina” which should have been on Eurovision 2011 instead of Daria’s “Celebrate”.
One thing that I mind is that I think he is pushing a little bit with his posts on Facebook. Okay, you decided to be tolerant and supportive to Eurovision fans (= LGBT people, right?), but all those things about “equality” and “tolerance” and “diversity” sound a bit lame and I’m not buying it. Especially that post with Conchita as his favorite Eurovision winner (or act, I’m not sure) – come on, that was a lame shot! Especially when Conchita has pretty weak voice and he, as a man with a brilliant voice, could have chosen much better singers.
Jacques, if you’re reading this, I am rooting for you, but don’t sell yourself for Eurovision/LGBT community. You don’t have to publicly disagree with them and stuff like that, but don’t go all supportive and nice with words if you don’t agree with it. As long as you’re not going to publicly hate anyone, everyone who’s normal will still support you. Besides, the public vote is made by people who hear and see you for the first time, no matter all your interviews and stuff.
February 23, 2017 @ 8:28 am
@ an esc fan – after Marija supported extreme right-wing parties in Serbia, I was told the LGBT no longer claim her there.
February 23, 2017 @ 7:47 am
Lol @purple
It was an obvious Axel hirsoux joke by VaLdo.
February 23, 2017 @ 6:18 am
I believe that Marija Serifovic is wise and LGBT fans maybe will follow her example. In Serbia, I guess that Marija faced more homophobia that other LGBT in west, and if she can understand that Jacques is a nice person, maybe everybody should relax.
February 23, 2017 @ 12:26 am
@VALDO: I have been informed that those lyrics you posted are actually a parody. Not real, sorry. x
February 23, 2017 @ 12:20 am
Low expectations tbh
Croatia made a good decision last year but I guess we can’t expect them to continue with it
Hopefully Jacques surprises me, he does actually have some good songs
February 23, 2017 @ 12:11 am
He looks creepy and slimy… I don’t care how good his song could be he is repulsive…
February 22, 2017 @ 11:54 pm
@Tomas Patrick davitf,
I was thinking the same, yet another person that looks like Axel Hirsoux! And the title “My Friend” sounds like “Mother.” I don’t think Hrvatska will make that mistake especially after a successful comeback last year, so I’m optimistic that this isnt Mother 2.0!
February 22, 2017 @ 11:42 pm
So the qween is singing about a friend of his … of good lord … too much information!!
February 22, 2017 @ 11:33 pm
nahhh this is not the birthday surprise i wanted
February 22, 2017 @ 11:15 pm
He looks like Bojana Stamenov. Except he’s not for equality. Cancelled, bye Croatia.
February 22, 2017 @ 11:07 pm
Go comparrre! Go comparre! Sorry…
Cough. It’s a little bit like a Spice Girls song (Mama) crossed with a car insurance ad at the moment. I do hope this is a joke.
February 22, 2017 @ 10:54 pm
This is how you create an audience…..creating the buzz!
Jacques seems nice, friendly and genuine. I can’t wait to hear his song.
He certainly has a strong voice.
#Be My Friend
February 22, 2017 @ 10:47 pm
Lyrics revealed:
She used to be my only enemy and never let me be free
Catching me in places that I knew I shouldn’t be
Every other day I crossed the line
I didn’t mean to be so bad
I never thought you would
Become the friend I never had
Back then I didn’t know why
Why you were misunderstood (mama)
So now I see through your eyes
All that you did was love
Mama I love you
Mama I care
Mama I love you
Mama my friend
You’re my friend
February 22, 2017 @ 10:36 pm
Operatic song + Italian (my native languag)? Come through, KING.
February 22, 2017 @ 10:25 pm
I don’t know why but I’m getting axel Hirsoux from Belgium vibes off him. Let’s hope his song is significantly less tragic than ‘mother’ was. That was one of the lamest stage productions in Eurovision history