Jacques houdek croatia my friend eurovision 2017 2

He previously revealed a snippet of his Eurovision 2017 song, published an instrumental version and launched a social media campaign building on the song’s themes.

And today Croatian singer Jacques Houdek finally revealed the full audio of his song “My Friend” — a daring, unique and potentially divisive entry that will no doubt make people sit up and listen.

This song doesn’t fit neatly into any box, as it melds and mixes elements from many genres and styles. In many ways it’s a song of twos: two languages (English and Italian), two styles (torch song and operatic ballad) and two halves (a dreamy and atmospheric first half which leads to a forceful second half).

Unlike any other song we’ve heard thus far, “My Friend” sounds like a duet between a talented motivational singer and an opera star — except Jacques provides both voices, switching quickly between styles in what is surely a difficult vocal feat.

Thematically the song is all about seizing the day and making the most out of your life right now. “There are only two ways to live your life,” he intones in the opening. “One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything’s a miracle.”

Read the English and Italian lyrics (with translation).

“My Friend” (Reaction video)

ABOUT JACQUES HOUDEK

Many diehard Eurovision fans will recognise Jacques from back in the day, when he competed in the old Croatian national selection for Eurovision “Dora” six times! His debut in the competition was back in 2002 with his song “Carolija”, which placed thirteenth at the time. But the silver lining was that it launched his long and enduring career in Croatia.

Since then he has signed to Croatia Records and produced thirteen albums. And now he sits pretty in the big red chair on The Voice of Croatia, where he led Croatia’s artist for Eurovision 2016 Nina Kraljic to victory. It’s a small world!

Are you excited to see Jacques Houdek at Eurovision 2017? Can he take Croatia to the final for the second year in a row? Let us know in the comments section below or via our new wiwibloggs app – now available on the App Store and Google Play.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE CROATIA EUROVISION NEWS

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Joseph
Joseph
6 years ago

Jacques Houdek is quite an outstanding talent! I watched the EuroVision Songfest and I was thoroughly amazed by his uncanny ability to switch from a tenor pop singer to a baritone operatic voice as though it was an easy thing to do. Well, trust me, it’s a very rare thing to hear a singer who can actually accomplish such a feat. I thought that the song itself was really beautiful. I am an American who lives in Portugal and I voted for Croatia!

Thomas
Thomas
7 years ago

I think it’s a great ballad. Powerful and with nice lyrics. BUT The vocals are just a mess. First you have the talking voice, then the mixed voice, then the barytone voice, then the chest voice…. Then what? You’re going to whistle or do a striptease maybe? OK he has a big range, that’s undeniable, but it makes the song totally messy. That’s what I don’t like. Just one voice would have been more than enough. OH and I wish him luck with the LGBT community. Whether it’s his past or not, whether he has changed or not that doesn’t… Read more »

Erik
Erik
7 years ago

@Daniel
Try listening to this song through the video clip as follows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gASQgccWUg&t=0s

Come back to me and let me know whether it changed your life the way it changed mine. Cheers for now.

Daniel_2017
Daniel_2017
7 years ago

I’m sorry, this song is too weird for me… And the amount of cheese is simply nauseating. His voice deserves something better

Nitzan
Nitzan
7 years ago

This is currently my 3rd place after Italy and Hungary. In a sea of forgettable and mediocre songs his shines with originality and character. OTT? yes. Kitch? goes without saying. But Isn’t Eurovision the only place where you can enjoy such entries and get away with it?

I can’t wait to see how this is staged, it can either work really well or totally flop. Good luck Croatia!

Julian
Julian
7 years ago

Jacques Houdek is a plus for Kiev, it will draw a lot of emotion.

Angelika
Angelika
7 years ago

Croatia has surely become my top banana this year – please, just have a look at this new video that reveals the song beauty in all its majesty! I, mean, how can we remain indifferent – this ticks all the boxes and deservedly has “winner” written all over it! <3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gASQgccWUg&t=0s

I NOW ABSOLUTELY WANT THIS TO WIN!!!

Angelika
Angelika
7 years ago

Croatia has surely become my top banana this year – please, just have a look at this new video that reveals the song beauty in all its majesty! I, mean, how can we remain complacent – this ticks all the boxes and deservedly has “winner” written all over it! <3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gASQgccWUg&t=0s

I NOW ABSOLUTELY WANT THIS TO WIN!!!

Angelika
Angelika
7 years ago

I think I’ve just become the biggest Croatian fan ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is this a gift from God or what?! Please, I HAVE TO UNDERLINE THIS HUNDREDS OF TIMES, IF NEEDED – just check out this awesome video that makes such a perfect and an exhilarating match with the song – this is God sent… I’m speechless and it is only now that I realize the intention and the aim of this marvelous song!!!! Oh, my Goodness, I can’t stop crying… wonderful!!! <3333
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gASQgccWUg?

Angelika
Angelika
7 years ago

OMG… OMG… OMG… THIS HAS MADE ME CRY WITH JOY ALL THE MORNING… THIS VIDEO AND THE SONG MATCH PERFECTLY! PERFECT MATCH!!! <333333333

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gASQgccWUg

Angelika
Angelika
7 years ago

OMG… OMG… OMG… THIS HAS MADE ME CRZ WITH JOY ALL THE MORNING… THIS VIDEO AND THE SONG MATCH PERFECTLY! PERFECT MATCH!!! <333333333

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gASQgccWUg

Sara
Sara
7 years ago

From Eastern Europe, atheist, against abortion, pro-multiculturalism.

NickC
NickC
7 years ago

Sara, just out of curiosity- where are you from?

Sara
Sara
7 years ago

– Skin color is one thing
– LGBT is other thing
I agree that skin color should not matter, but 38 genders (not sexes because are only 2), but 38 genders is way too much.

xavi
xavi
7 years ago

@Robyn
Now if that happens, I’ll consider it real art!! Unlike other people who call mumbling and politicization art.

Hayley
Hayley
7 years ago

*of anything different – not unknown

Hayley
Hayley
7 years ago

I personally am not really a fan of this, but I can totally understand where the appeal might come from. I wouldn’t be too surprised if it did just well enough with the televote to scrape into the final at 8th-10th though. Also just quickly, um just saying but you can’t be heterophobic as its not an institutional minority i.e. straight people own the system as the majority and face no lack of rights ,,, sure it might be SLIGHTLY discriminatory but it’s like saying you can be racist towards white people (which you really can’t but I don’t think… Read more »

peaceman
peaceman
7 years ago

To read this on this blog it s pathetic, sara and others make me vomit.

peaceman
peaceman
7 years ago

Sara the most no life girl I ve ever seen, stop to be a dumbass and defend things that are on the way of intolerance or maybe you are like that too, but stop and shut up , you become really ridiculous.

Sara
Sara
7 years ago

Hebbuzz : ”LOL, a new Cezar! Southern Europe will massively televote this kind of crap”

Is not crap and will be voted by the countries that like this kind of music, just like Cezar was. Have you ever thought that maybe your tastes are crap?

Rich
Rich
7 years ago

I liked it after the first listen, nothing quite like it so far in the competition. It reminds very much like a Glee/musical production.

With the right staging and Jacgues’s strong vocals this could surprise and do really well. The message behind the song is very positive about unity and strong friendship or relations, the power of standing by each other. I like it very much.

#bemyfriend

Magpie
Magpie
7 years ago

The last “my friend” should have both voices harmonising. That would be perfect.

Hebbuzz
Hebbuzz
7 years ago

LOL, a new Cezar! I had to laugh as this is sooo chees and Kitsch yet the singer is probably as serious as Cezar . Southern Europe will massively televote this kind of crap because the love it. In Northern Europe i will get the drunk vote. I like to have this kind of horrible entries for diverities sake,but it’s far away from my persona taste. Croatia’s press conference is going to be busy, but not for the good reasons. It will qualify again not for the good reasons,

Celebrate Diversity!

It made me think of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5IpSYIxAhU

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
7 years ago

@Robyn – lol. I don’t think that was what Jacques was going for but maybe he should just run with it.
This is getting to the final.

Ante
Ante
7 years ago

This is one hot mess

Blaziker from SG
Blaziker from SG
7 years ago

Finally, a cheesy song that I will enjoy!

Not so sure which is more confusing, the fact he’s singing in both English and Italian or the fact that the song feels corny. 2016 didn’t see any real cheesy songs but this year, we finally got one.

Hopefully, this will go into full force when we see the rehearsals in late April/early May as I am dying to see the staging to see whether it is really the cheesy song everyone wanted.

Griffin
Griffin
7 years ago

It reminds me to I’m a Joker – Anzi Jokhadze

Wozzeck
Wozzeck
7 years ago

I kind of appreciate what this tries to accomplish. I’m just not sure if it accomplishes it after all. This might do very well, though, just like Cesar or Rona Nishliu did. The balcans, again, playing the freaky card.

Bastian
Bastian
7 years ago

I quite like this. There’s happening a LOT in those 3 minutes, its overwhelming but still there’s something i like about it. Im sure he will not end up dead last. People who like something bizarre will definitely vote for this entry. It will stand out anyway, thats a good thing. I predict a qualification and maybe…even a top 10 in the final, but it really depends on how they’re gonna stage this. Not a winner (song like this, dont win) but could go far.

Aaron GR
Aaron GR
7 years ago

I love the variety this song adds to the show, and I do find elements that are fun and stirring. His voice is sheer perfection. There’s potential here for a really striking visual performance. I don’t understand all the negative comments and name calling. Isn’t Eurovision supposed to be fun? I appreciate all the commenters with reasonable voices, but the level of ugliness this year is really repellent. Wiwi, think about the long-term implications of allowing such ugly accusations to go unchecked – it only encourages more of it. I hope this isn’t just a strategy to increase traffic –… Read more »

JustMusic
JustMusic
7 years ago

* Correction

“Assuming that you need to be macho…”

Sorry.

JustMusic
JustMusic
7 years ago

@Jonas ” we wouldn’t want you to look bad in front of all your macho buddies.” Assuming that you need to be buddy to be heterosexual is a subtle heterophobia. You, sir, are doing the exactly the same thing you are accusing other for. Just stop believing that whole world is spinning around someones sexual identity and keep it to yourself just like all other people are doing. I want everyone to be equal. And as other people don’t make everything they are part of being about themselves and their sexuality, I want to LGBTQ people do exactly the same.… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

Music is the key said (probably trolling) : “Even if many many male fans (at least those who go to ESC) are gay. but it’s still a family show” – Right. Being a family show does not preclude any mention of gay people. There’s absolutely nothing non-family friendly about being gay. It’s simply a part of life. This is the 21st century – as evidenced by the upcoming gay subplot in Disney’s remake of Beauty & The Beast. Disney. Think about that. I know a lot of these posts are probably 100% fake designed to push buttons and garner responses… Read more »

Rock Me
Rock Me
7 years ago

Some parts of the song I love and some I strongly dislike.Still no clear opinion but it’s special enough to qualify I think.Here in Croatia people are shocked.

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

Some of the ignorance shown in these comments is really astounding. I don’t feel like responding at length, because I am having trouble believing they are genuine. No, the song contest is not just for gay people. However the fact that some of you seem so repulsed by the mere association is troubling. Don’t worry, being gay is not contagious. You can hang out in the hetero corner, and nobody will mistake you for one of us – we wouldn’t want you to look bad in front of all your macho buddies. Speaking of which – can you imagine looking… Read more »

EUROFAN MEXICO
EUROFAN MEXICO
7 years ago

I JUST WANT TO SAY JA JA JA JA JAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAAAAAA.

PLOP.

Darren
Darren
7 years ago

Prior to Croatia’s withdrawal from Eurovision in 2014, they would never have qualified with this….in fact, in the years leading up to their two year break, they didn’t qualify for the final with better songs….so why the sudden change of heart? This song doesn’t do it for me! Too many cliches and almost nothing original. I expect this to be another Hovi Star…who also grated on me with his quest for approval and attention. Eurovision fans are easily pleased and have their favourites. I don’t expect Croatia to qualify…they have failed to with better entries, but this is Eurovision after… Read more »

Laburnum
Laburnum
7 years ago

I feel like I would appreciate it more if it was smoother with the contrast when he sings. At times it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. But I see this qualifying

Sokratis Lakrindis
Sokratis Lakrindis
7 years ago

I don’t mind it. But lets be very clear. This will end up in last place in the voting in its semi – and unless he’s a fantastic performer – the jury can’t save it.

Props to Croatia for bucking the trend overall, genre, sex (I’m sorry but besides Sweden and Estonia, every other country needs to send more than a single female artist to sing a ballad from this point) and I’ll be happy it’s in its semi

Alex
Alex
7 years ago

@Sara wow, in all the 3+ years I’ve regularly followed wiwibloggs, this is the first time I got into an argument over something other than music. Also my first time getting called a troll. Why is that? Because I just so happen to support Trump? Is that why? Be honest. And again, I don’t get what makes you think I’m FVS/Senegal. Why would I waste my precious time to write under 2 or even 3 separate profiles while simultaneously replying to allegedly my own comment? I’m not that desperate or retarded. So I don’t get it. Unless of course you… Read more »

TK
TK
7 years ago

Oh dear….

NickC
NickC
7 years ago

Sara, I am sorry, I do not get your point.
I never claimed it is a challenge. I was merely emphasizing that my dislike towards Jacques is not based on his nationality, unlike some others who commented.

simon
simon
7 years ago

Sorry but this is a mess!

Charles
Charles
7 years ago

Desperation for Eurovision has a new name and face and it’s no longer (for the time being) Russia and the Italian gorilla hasn’t quite reached such level … it’s no other than Usher/Josh Groban-wannabee Jacques Houdek … who will do everything in his power to make all the b**** look at him, love him, hate him, but keeping him in all kinds of conversations … almost like the real housewives of somewhere out there … it’s all about him and nothing matters but him … If only the song wasn’t so close to both Frozen’s Let It Go and Faith… Read more »

Sara
Sara
7 years ago

NickC : ”I have gay friends, straight friends, bisexual friends, Croatian friends, Serbian friends, German friends, Polish friends. I have nothing against any of these aforementioned groups.”

To have friends from these groups are not the big challenges in life.
Try to be friend with somebody who executed a person because was born albino, because they live in the jungle and this is their culture.

Alex
Alex
7 years ago

This is… interesting. They’ve probably got some clever staging tricks up their sleeve as Robyn has suggested.

Sandro
Sandro
7 years ago

Beautiful! This will surely stand out, depending on live performance, which I presume will be more than challenging and demanding, but I’ll keep my fingers crossed for Croatia this time as I firmly believe this is exactly what Eurosong should be about – fantastic vocal capacities combined with a powerful and sensible entry. Jacques is to be admired and I’ll vote for you in case you prove you can have a convincing live performance as this sound as if it were out of this world!

Carlös
Carlös
7 years ago

These stupid homophobic comments need to stop now. Enough is enough. SONG contest. FULL STOP.
And those who are trolling against him are being just as exclusive, rude, nasty and discriminative as any homophobe I’ve ever known.

Music is the key
Music is the key
7 years ago

@ Just Music / Kenny / Sara etc Thanks – nice comments! I agree with you. I am also bored with this ESC=gay stereotype! And it’s so silly how every article here about JH is filled with such silly remarks on him being “homophbe or not”? Well, anyone is legit to take part in ESC. But some people are just obssed by their own little thing. Annoying. Good that some people react aginst it. We seem to share a lot of veiws on this matter!! ESC IS NOT A “GAY THING”! @ Frau Stoch / Senegal – Really, you need… Read more »