The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — continues to listen to and review the eight competing acts in France’s Destination Eurovision 2018. Next up is singer-songwriter Igit with his geographical tune “Lisboa Jérusalem”. Did we think he deserves a ticket to Lisboa? Read on to find out!
Igit – “Lisboa Jérusalem”
“Lisboa Jérusalem”
Kristin: What the hell did I just watch? And why do I like this so much?! I’ll tell you why. The quirkiness, the throwback sound, Igit’s retro and approachable style and not to mention his charisma. All that and more make this song a standout in Destination Eurovision. It’s different, it’s fun and it combines everything I love so dearly about France in this contest. J’adore!
Score: 10/10
Lukas: This song is very French but it doesn‘t convince me. Igit‘s stage presence is quite weird but his voice is strong. “Lisboa Jerusalem” is quite dated and is nothing special for me.
Score: 5/10
William: Igit’s voice is magic — it oozes a dreamy, cinematic quality and, to foreign ears, sounds thoroughly French. His delivery may be charming, but ultimately the song has too many awkward gaps and stop-pauses that not even likeable Igit can fill. Adding insult to injury, this comes just months after Salvador Sobral’s victory in Kyiv. He displayed a similar detachment — performing in his own world while still maintaining a connection with the audience — making this feel thoroughly derivative.
Score: 6/10
Bernardo: The song might be “Lisboa Jérusalem” but this sounds distinctively French, which is a brilliant asset. After Amir and Alma went to Eurovision with good pop productions, Igit’s style would bring a breath of fresh air. The storytelling and interpretative qualities of Igit are arresting. The only negative point it may have is the fact people might associate him with Salvador. Apart from that Bravo, Brava!
Score: 7/10
Jovana: Igit is my favourite to win Destination Eurovision. While the other artists decided to follow current trends in music – not that there’s anything wrong with that — Igit took a different route and went back to traditional chanson. And that is why he stands out. Chanson is a genre I love, and it’s been a long time since we’ve heard a French entry like this. I only fear that the audience at Eurovision will not appreciate it enough.
Score: 9.5/10
Deban: A quirky performance with a heart. Igit’s stage presence draws you in, and his mannerisms fit nicely with the unusual song structure. There is so much emotion here — waves of emotion that transcend language. This would stand out at Eurovision.
Score: 7.5/10
In our Destination Eurovision Wiwi Jury, we have 15 jurors but only room for 6 reviews. The rest of our scores can be found below:
Antranig: 7.5/10
Bogdan: 9/10
Chris: 6/10
Jonathan: 5.5/10
Josh: 7/10
Luis: 7/10
Natalie: 5/10
Robyn: 7/10
Steinunn: 8/10
Before calculating the average score, the highest and lowest scores are dropped. This is to remove outliers and reduce potential bias. We have removed a low of 5 and a high of 10.
In this chanson package the best part – Igit himself. His voice is doing best and provides chemistry. But I wonder why this song is having gaps – it just blows out the mood and feels out of this song, also making the actual perfomance look awkward and too theatrical…
OMG I love it. I feel this song needs a Broadway-style staging. This feels so musical theater!!! I’d love to see it at Eurovision.
Now I understand everything. This song is about Trump moving the embassy to Jerusalem.
The “Lisboa Jerusalem ” English traduction (unfortunately it ‘s very difficult to keep the beauty of the rhymes and their sound) “I traveled a lot Traveled countries Nothing is worth seeing you A woman who smiles Not even Corfu Not even Capri I went everywhere Summer in every way Nothing more beautiful it’s crazy That a lady who dances Not even Oslo Not even Byzantium Oh if I had been told that despite the ancient hymns Nothing was prettier than a tandem waltz Not even Paris Not even Vienna I’ll be here to keep you In this little country where… Read more »
I am sorry but I think your translation is a bit misleading. He says “je serais reste ici”, which is conditionnel past, and translates to “I would have stayed here” not “I will stay here”‘
Sure. Sorry if I could make mistakes *run with shame*
Igit is really good at what he does. The song is not to my taste, but I do recognise the creativity here. 8.5/10
This is ART.
It might be too self-referential/meta for its own good, but it’s definetly interesting to watch over the course of 3 minutes it’s on… it gives me the impression this song would be an Ira Losco/Isaiah kinda song. 2nd with jury, 25th with televote. Nevertheless, it’s the Frenchiest thing I’ve seen and I am here for it!
8/10
French musical theatre realness and Igit sells this. For what it is, it is brilliant. What it shouldn’t be is the winner of Destination Eurovision or in a national final of strong entries. Oh well. I am hoping it does not come last.
I’ve been watching Igit in “The voice” and his performances were unique. Isabelle said in the semi that he has the force and the passion Jacques Brel and I haven’t thought about it. The truth is I adore Igit and I would love to see him at Eurovision. He will be stunning! About “Lisboa Jerusalem” I have to say I really like the song, it’s so unique and so french. And I’m a huge fan of France and the french culture in general. Also, his song has a context, he doesn’t just throw cities with no meaning. I’m not sure… Read more »
I absolutely adore the song and the performer
My 3rd favorite on France Destination.
Really emotional & beautiful.
It’s so french and cute I like it! It’s my 2nd/3rd option with Madame Monsieur. My 1st is Malo with Ciao!
Off topic: Belgian contestant Laura Groeseneken gave an interview to OGAE Belgium, it’s in dutch but you might want to check it out 😉 https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2018/01/25/laura-groeseneken—ik-heb-een-lied-voor-het-eurovisiesongfestiv/
If Salvador didnt participate last year, I would have appreciated This more, but This is just far to simular to Amar Pelos Dois, I just cant give This a higher score. With that out of the way, This is spectacular and I really wouldn’t mind seeing This at Eurovision.
8,5/10
Very charming. I got pulled in, much to my own surprise. It would bomb, but… a true French statement indeed. 🙂
I didn’t like the song at first listen, but the live performance was just amazing. As for now it’s one of my favourites. 🙂
I’m not really a fan of the song, but I must say that he is very intriguing and I really liked his style and attitude. His interpretation of “Tout va bien” moved me to tears.
The best in this competition. True french. I’m praying for his victory.
I never thought that this could ever make it to the final, but I’m really happy about it! 8.25/10 for me
If I was another Person, I’d definitly give it 10/10 Points but the only Songs I ever gave 10/10 Points were ”Rythm inside” Belgium 2015 and Amer pelos dois. So you could view a rating like this like a 10 ^^
If you give 10 points you should be able to write the title : is ”Amar pelos dois”. Now you know the title of the crap you are listening.
Oh, that so called ”crap” won Eurovision, so I don’t think it’s as crappy as you Little plastic Pop listener think it is. ^^ And I think anyone can make spelling mistakes sometimes, when it’s not their native language, so I don’t understand why you have to be such an idiot.
@vida, “Amar pelos dois” is actually one of the best Eurovision winners of all time. You might disagree with somebody’s opinion regarding a song, it’s alright. But calling it a “crap” as an answer is not the best way to express your opinion I gotta say. Let’s be nice.
When I watch Igit’s performance I say to myself: “This is what attracted everyone to Salvador Sobral.” That sort of dreamy, retro vibe and song but Igit does it properly and better than Salvador. Salvador just bored me with a dated and sappy song that sounded like anything from the 1940s. Igit’s song is more interesting, dramatic an quirky and I love this.
Totally agree.
Why not Paris-Baku? Or Paris-Canberra? Would be more logical to find geographical extremes, including France too. But I guess we already know the answer. I can’t decide what song is worse : Mercy or this one. The other ones are good.
I believe IGIT is the real dark horse. The song “LISBOA JÉRUSALEM” is a musical gem and so french in style and i love it!!! I really like him as an artist too, his back catalogue is a worthy listen aswell.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?playnext=1&list=PLBeFks6_-ebgAHVb9dKOSxHMVLnEMbROW&feature=gws_kp_artist
If France wants to make a bold, unexepected, thruthfully French statement, without being a caricature, this is it! This guys gives it all, brings his own musical universe, it’s sincere, it’s poetic, it’s melodic, it’s well sung, it’s dramatic, it is funny and has a message that everybody can understand. I know this is going to be divisive, but this is the best chance that France got to bring home a much overdue victory. Bonne chance, Igit!
I am sorry, but I totally disagree with all- except Kristin. This is just magic. I suggest all of you watch the newly released video that includes English translation of the lyrics. I think this can repeat a Salvador style victory, although I agree that Mercy is more accessible and a safer choice. But I do not care what the whole World thinks, this is why I love Eurovision- it gave me another underrated gem, that I will listen forever. 10/10, no 11/10.
Norway in 1995 and Ireland 1996? Both won with magic song, New Age music and Celtic music. I think anything is possible for 2018. People still worried about formulas instead the song.
Maybe you are right, who knows? And for the sake of music, I hope you are.
I think it’s wonderful and unique. Didn’t expect much, but IGIT sells it on stage. The song is different, almost like a recitation, which can sound boring to some. And if the performance wasn’t so engaging, it might have been, but it’s not.
8.5/10
I don’t think it has a chance to be chosen, it would only be my 4th option, and I understand it’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea, but Igit can be very proud about the effort he and his team put on this entry. Artistry is always welcome.
Not current in sound at all!! But the live performance is captivating!! He has a quirky style but would badly flop in Televote .
A 6/10
I remember his entry is 20th in itunes and it’s the second highest in SF2. So I think he won’t be that flop in televote.
I’m talking of ESC !! Not in general….because I’m not French I can’t claim to know their taste
OK, I thought you were talking about the televote in national final 🙂
This song annoys me so much.