Lithuania, Ieva Zasimauskaite, 1

The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — continues to rank and review the 43 songs competing in Eurovision 2018. Next we turn to Lithuania and Eurovizijos Atranka veteran Ieva Zasimauskaite and her song “When We’re Old”. Did it make us want to celebrate the ageing process? Read on to find out!

Ieva Zasimauskaite – “When We’re Old”

“When We’re Old” reviews

Bernardo: A slow burn that feels like a warm embrace. Ieva’s smooth and inviting vocals make “When We’re Old” a very interesting and layered ballad. It’s a very fragile song in the sense I struggle to understand if Eurovision is the right place for it. For my taste, it does wonders. It’s a step in the right direction for Lithuania.

Score: 8/10

Bogdan: Ieva’s song is very middle of the road, and my score reflects that. However, I do love her fragile vocals, and the lyrics pack an emotional punch that is sure to make many viewers pay attention. Nonetheless, in the bigger context of this year’s song competition, the melody itself lacks that special factor to make it memorable enough to stand out. Hopefully the staging will elevate it enough to bring Lithuania back to the Grand Final.

Score: 5/10

Jordi: There’s a quiet quality appreciable in Ieva’s soulful offering, driving the listener on a peaceful journey of sweet emotions. Her vocals seem to come from heaven, blossoming in sweet echoes in its chorus with proper gusto. Pure, delicate and candid; “When We’re Old” flows in a tranquil tempo turning into a sweet escape from the Europop world. It creates a mood, a tender environment somehow magical and positive spirited. On the other hand, I’m afraid this song may get lost in the competition. Simple yet powerful staging is needed!

Score: 7/10 

Jovana: It is impossible not to fall in love with Ieva’s voice and therefore in whatever she sings. She gives “When We’re Old” a sweetness and charm necessary to make a song like this – which had a great chance to become another boring ballad – into something irresistible and touching. And in spite of being one of those fans that prefer to hear the nations’ languages at Eurovision, I think that English goes really well with this style of song. Translating it was the right thing to do.

Score: 8/10

Luis: Ieva has accomplished what many have failed to get: making a simple song work. Her delicate voice, her gusto and sophistication take “When We’re Old” to a whole new level. The song moves from middle-of-the-road to a fragile piece of art. Lithuania’s entry is risky though: in a year with so many strong entries, and especially in semi-final one, Ieva’s song might fall short to qualify. Despite that, “When We’re Old” is a fabulous addition to this year’s lineup, and both the jury and audience should reward it.

Score: 7.5/10

William: Light, haunting and able to carry emotion, her ethereal voice fits the song beautifully. Which is why it’s such a shame that the song goes absolutely nowhere. It’s like a beautiful stretch of wallpaper — lovely and pleasant, but ultimately it’s not what you’ll be talking about when you leave the room. The song seems to build from pianissimo to piano. And at Eurovision, it usually takes a forte to get anywhere. But major props for that voice and the warm feelings.

Score: 4/10

In the Wiwi Jury we have 20 jurors but only have room for six reviews. The remaining scores are below:

Angus: 3.5/10

Anthony: 8/10

Antranig: 5.5/10

Chris: 6/10

Cinan: 5.5/10

Deban: 4/10

Jonathan: 6/10

Kristin: 5.5/10

Padraig: 4.5/10

Renske: 7/10

Robyn: 3.5/10

Ron: 8/10

Sebastian: 5/10

Steinunn: 5/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 3.5 and a high of 8.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 5.83/10

What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!

See all our Eurovision 2018 reviews and rankings

66 Comments
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LCH
LCH
5 years ago

I quite like this. Love her voice. Sweet and fragile. There’s something earnest and honest about it. I only wish there was a bit more of a build up towards the end. Maybe more strings or something. Still. Top 10 for me and I hope it’s underrated and will stand out as it’s one of the best ballads this year for me.

Zebb
Zebb
5 years ago

A song that delivers a curing tranquility by it’s simplicity and Ieva vocals. Lyrically it’s little too basic hence not really rooting me, but package it has got is aesthetic phenomen. Hopefully chorus will be recreated by backvocalists.
7/10

Babayaga
Babayaga
5 years ago

Its better than the last years fusedmarc.Don’t you think?wiwiblogs never liked Lithuania sadly.Even with the great song they would underrate us. You know why? They like whatever is trending, not giving their honest opinion.If this stupid site had their identity, the lost it long time ago.Ieva’s song 100X better then any generic dance pop hit they(wiwiblogs) are so promoting.I know music is very subjective area to compare, but I’m incline to believe if you listen or consume trash content, you become trash. Last video “reaction ” about Ieva’s song gave me feeling that wiwi never liked Lithuania even when, by… Read more »

Digital Style
Digital Style
5 years ago

This song is cute and minimal. It isn’t particularly amazing but it is something that relaxes me, definitely. I’m not sure how this will translate live. I think it is a song that you need to listen to a few times to really appreciate, which is why I don’t think it will qualify. It’s definitely better than last year, although that was a bit of a guilty pleasure too.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
5 years ago

This song is full of good ideas and good intensions and her broken but yet delicate voice is really endearing. However it fails to develop into something more interesting remaining ultimately like a flat line unable to make deliver any impact. But it remain pleasant, and for me that is positive. 5/10

Alex
Alex
5 years ago

I’ve agreed with Robyn’s scores on just about everything except this song. This is 8/10 for me. Charming and a welcome reprieve from all the grandiose attempts at being epic in Semi 1.

Madrileño
Madrileño
5 years ago

Well is a beatifull ballad that remind us youth is not forever.
LOVE IT

Vote
Vote
5 years ago

9.5/10
The best Eurovision song. The best are Israel, Finland, Lithuania

Pablo
Pablo
5 years ago

While it is a nice little ditty, those can only do so well in the contest. There’s very little to pull us in and while I’m happy Ieva finally got her chance, it’s not a song that I feel can go far. It’s quality and her voice and the presentation fot nicely, but it is restrained and not much “wow” to pull you in. I’ve seen crazier happen in the semis, but not sure if this is one to beat the odds.

3.5/10

Hayley
Hayley
5 years ago

Ouch this got lower than Moldova and the UK holy

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago

Nothing wrong with it but it is just rather dull. It is almost as if it was specially designed to sit in your preferences just above the really bad songs but below the ones that you actually like. For me, that gets it to no.33 and a non-qualifier. It is just all too familiar and similar to other songs from the mainstream. Having said that, it wasn’t like Lithuania had a lot of better options.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

I don’t really see any ‘sweetness’ or ‘softness’ in this single-note tune honestly. One of the most boring things I’ve ever endured. Lithuania has like, one good entry in 20+ years…

Jacob
Jacob
5 years ago

Thanks for your opinion you loyal hater of Lithuania <3

esc freak
esc freak
5 years ago

The best Lithuanian entry is by far Vilija. ATTENTIOOOOOOOOOON!

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
5 years ago

It grew on me, but not enough for me to like it. I honestly don’t like her voice, and the song is also flat as a pancake. This is actually in My bottom 3 with Ire and Iceland. Im sorry, but maybe next year.
4/10

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago

I like Lithuania, it’s a nice and charming song and really took my by surprise. But now, knowing Ieva is sandwiched between “Lie to Me” and “Toy”, her chances are qualifying are very slim. Sad, but that’s the way it is.

Italy: 2nd
Lithuania: 18th
Denmark: 22th
United Kingdom: 26th
Slovenia: 30th
Moldova: 35th
Armenia: 36th
Malta: 39th
Belarus: 40th

Leo
Leo
5 years ago
Reply to  Marcelo

I think you and a lot of others here are underestimating her chances. Looking at previous years, Lithuania has a quite strong diaspora in Ireland and the UK + it can count on points from Estonia. And I actually think her position isn’t that bad since it puts the simplicity and silence of the song in clear contrast and thereby makes it memorable. So overall I think she will do okay in the televote (8th-12th). With that being said, it all depends on wether the juries honor this quality entry the way it deserves or focus on Bulgaria and Belgium,… Read more »

Ghostface
Ghostface
5 years ago

Hello! Just wondering: how do you decide what order to review songs in, since it’s not alphabetical by country, artist, or song?

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago
Reply to  Ghostface

a.k.a: Onion-peeling. 😛

M_K
M_K
5 years ago

There are two things I like about the Lithuanian entry: 1) It’s not overproduced. It was written as an indie ballad and it still sounds like an indie ballad. 2) The lyrics convey complex emotions and can be interpreted in different ways but are still not too “artsy” in a contrived kind of way. Having said that, I still have to acknowledge the fact that the lack of perfection makes the song seem a little amateurish in some parts (which is actually a little charming). Besides, the song’s sweetness (in terms of music) is borderline corny in some parts (so… Read more »

Mari(o)Vision
Mari(o)Vision
5 years ago

Cute song.
6 / 10

Mel
Mel
5 years ago

From what I can gather, this is a song that tends to grow on people over time, a luxury you can’t really afford at Eurovision. I like that her voice stands out, even if her tone feels contrived to me (trying too hard to go for that “indie tone”, if you know what I mean). The live performances have been lovely. I enjoy the verses, but the chorus doesn’t really take flight and the hook feels a little cheap. Having said that, it’s still my favorite slow ballad this year and I think it will be one of the casualties… Read more »

2L
2L
5 years ago

I wouldn’t be surprised if she did a John Karayiannis( Cyp 2015) and manage to qualify against all odds and despite the running order. If she gets a high score from the juries, say around 80 points she will only need around 40 points from the public to make it. Either that or she might just miss out as 11th. In that case Belgium might be in trouble and surely Ireland also. On the other hand Ireland has a better draw and is similarly quiet. I have a feeling that a lot will change once the rehearsals begin for this… Read more »

Susan Shaw
Susan Shaw
5 years ago
Reply to  2L

I completely agree! She will get some points from Belarus, Irish and UK televote. This has a slim chance for 10th but I reckon it might just fail even though I really want it to qualify.

NickC
NickC
5 years ago

Cute as Sabrina said, but not high impact enough. 6/10.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

This one is super cute. And I mean as a compliment. It’s gentle, smooth, ellegant, put a smile on my face. I don’t know if Ieva has a lot of range, I just know her for this song. And frankly I don’t care, because she doesn’t need more than her delicate voice to make it work. Also it would be very weird if they put a high note on this song just for jury appreciation. I understand those who wanted bigger orchestration to make this song pop up on Eurovision’s standards (I agree with M, some cellos would be great),… Read more »

bartosz
bartosz
5 years ago

Beautiful song
I just can’t believe it was rated lower than awful crappy songs from Moldova or United Kingdom

Žymantas
Žymantas
5 years ago
Reply to  bartosz

I know. Being a Lithuanian myself, I know we won’t do great this year and have a low chance of qualifying, but seeing our song ranked below those 2 dreadful songs makes me really sad.. and angry.

emil
emil
5 years ago

Sorry to say it, but this is probably my least favorite entry this year. I find her voice weak and unpolished, and the song is has no power nor hook. Really forgetable in my opinion. I do find it surprising that the wiwi jury ranks this so well. 1/10

Jacob
Jacob
5 years ago
Reply to  emil

What’s your top and bottom 5?

emil
emil
5 years ago
Reply to  Jacob

It’s difficult, but as for now it is:
Top 5:
1. Belgium
2. Estonia
3. Israel
4. Sweden
5. Portugal
Bottom 5 (best to worst):
1. Malta
2. Spain
3. United Kingdom
4. Iceland
5. Lithuania

Vote
Vote
5 years ago

Salvador Sobral WIWI JURY VERDICT: 6.56.

John
John
5 years ago
Reply to  Vote

Exactly

Kris
Kris
5 years ago
Reply to  Vote

But he had a “modified Score” of 9.25!! She has no 9s at all

Hada
Hada
5 years ago
Reply to  Kris

What’s a modified score?

esc freak
esc freak
5 years ago
Reply to  Vote

There is something very important people like you do not understand. These average scores are made with scores. When people vote at Eurovision they don’t use scores. They just vote for what they like the most and they can’t vote against an act. This means that it simply doesn’t matter how many haters an act has. What matters is how many fans it has. I believe a modified score is a score based on how many people love an act and rated it highly.

esc freak
esc freak
5 years ago
Reply to  esc freak

For example, if 2 acts both get for an average score a 5.6 it doesn’t necessarily mean the people who rated them thought they were average. It might be the case for one of them, however the other one might have been decisive and gotten many high scores and many low ones as well. Obviously the latter one is much more likely to do better at ESC.

esc freak
esc freak
5 years ago
Reply to  esc freak

*divisive
Lol I screwed up

Tom
Tom
5 years ago
Reply to  Vote

So many high scores but average was still ~6.5… No need to make excuses. Nobody knows who will win. That is the interest of the ESC. I just sometimes feel that some of Wiwi “juries” admires more countries than the performances. But it is still O.K. since everyone vote for what they want to.

esc freak
esc freak
5 years ago

Very smooth and beautiful. The staging in the Lithuanian selection was effective as well. Sadly, I think it might pull a “Blackbird” and struggle to qualify, especially considering the running order.

7.5/10

Kris
Kris
5 years ago

Wiwi jury
1)ITA 7.17 2)SLO 6.58 3)ARM 6.39
4)BLR 6.36 5)MLT 6.31 6)DEN 6.17
7)MDA 6.08 8)GBR 5.97 9)LTU 5.83

Modified Score
1)ITA 8.81 2)MLT 8.13 3)DEN 8.00
4)SLO 8.00 5)MDA 7.75 6)BLR 7.5
7)ARM 7.5 8)LTU 7.44 9)GBR 6.94

Total:
1)ITA 15.98 2)SLO 14.58 3) MLT 14.44
4)DEN 14.17 5)BLR 13.92 6)ARM 13.89
7)MDA 13.83 8)LTU 13.27 9)GBR 12.91

Safiya
Safiya
5 years ago

I’m sorry but I just can’t like this song :/ I’ve tried, I’ve listened to it many times, but I still don’t like it. Somehow I find it really annoying. It’s too slow and quiet (which is not always a bad thing of course, but in this case I don’t really enjoy it). Also I’m a hopeless romantic and I usually really love lyrics about love and growing old together, but in this song they don’t really touch me.

Ola
Ola
5 years ago
Reply to  Safiya

No worries Safiya! We appreciate your attempts to like our song.

Kris
Kris
5 years ago

Oh this was by far the best one in Lithuanian selection this year. A sweet song trying to make us fall in love all over again. I like it.The performer does strike the right chord with me Atleast.

However, the song doesn’t show off Ieva’s vocal range and may be marked down by juries. It is right before the break probably and may still have a fighting chance to go through in 10th spot with Estonia, Ireland and UK voting in semi 1.

A 7/10

Leo M
Leo M
5 years ago

It is really nice and sweet and I like the message of it too. Does get a tad boring in the second half but I still like it. However seeing that she is sandwiched between the Czech Republic and Israel, she needs a miracle to qualify. 7/10

Ana
Ana
5 years ago

Unfortunately, that song hasn’t stood the test of time. It charmed me with its subtlety when I heard it for the first time, but now I just skip it.

5/10

ImpressiveInstants
5 years ago

A little on the boring side, but to be honest, Lithuania didn’t have many options this year so they made… the right choice I guess. Still, by no means it deserves a spot in the finals IMO.

LoveWave
LoveWave
5 years ago

It’s not a power ballad, but it’s radio-friendly song. The lyrics are very depressive. The singer is weak in live. The song has Estonia’s “the bird can’t fly”vibes. It doesn’t impress me at all. She will stay in the semi.
My score: 2/10.

Lewis S
Lewis S
5 years ago

5.5/10 This song is so sweet, with a clear message. The song itself is very simple; and will require minimal staging to match it. I think this song has the ability to stand out for being quiet. I like this; but I think it’ll struggle to qualify.

M
M
5 years ago

I’m kind of amazed at how much hate this one is getting. Sure, it’s simplistic and maybe a teensy bit too thinly produced, but this is really sweet!! I’ve seen a lot of people complain about the fact that Ieva has a very limited vocal range and, I’m not gonna lie, she kind of does, but I don’t think that matters for this song. That and the fact that she has that ethereal quality in her voice that fits the song very well. I also really like the production in this, even if as I said earlier it could’ve done… Read more »

Teddy
Teddy
5 years ago
Reply to  M

I bet that if Sweden would have brought this song instead of Lithuania, it would be on the odds TOP5… Sad true. That is why the Ieva herself asks viewers to vote not for the country, but for the performance.

Bye
Bye
5 years ago

Slow tempo silent song from Lithuania with ridiculous small number of views on Youtube is between favorites Czech republic and Israel in semi-final 1 (a.k.a. bloodbath semi). Who will vote for this song? UK and Ireland? Maybe some Estonians? Lmao… Adios Lithuania, good luck next year tho.

ESC 4ever
ESC 4ever
5 years ago

Wiwibloggs has no taste. What is that score lmao?

Mark
Mark
5 years ago

Let’s just snuff out all those fireworks and start singing, start listening not only for joy or pleasure. I mean this song should AT LEAST qualify. It brings emotions perfectly. Her live vocals are steady and purely strong…

AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

Beautiful song. I think it’s too simple and it gets repetitive, but the live performance will give it content.
5.5/10

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
5 years ago

Sorry for OT: Barbro ”Lill-Babs” Svensson, Sweden’s representative in Eurovision 1961 and one of our most beloved artists ever, has just passed away.
Feels completely unreal.

Colin
Colin
5 years ago

I am sorry. I haven’t tracked ESC from that far back yet, but this is a sad news to hear. My condolences.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago
Reply to  Colin

This video might help: https://youtu.be/JzldSvZG6cc

Colin
Colin
5 years ago

LITHUANIA – One of the most adorable and heartwarming songs of not only this, but a few years of ESC. It’s hard to believe that a country which gave us few less than stellar entries recently has sent this small masterpiece. Ieva is radiant with positive energy and elegance, and most of all, she seems genuine. When she sings about her feelings, I fully trust her and empathize with her. There is nothing commercial, fake or ‘plastic’ about this song. It perhaps isn’t an obvious choice for a ‘heavy hitter’ and possibly won’t make a lot of people say WOW… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Awww. How sweet. 🙂

Colin
Colin
5 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Yeah, I just love it so much. 🙂 Actually, when I was reluctant of having .5s at all, this was locked at a pure 10. So, if I *had* to only rate it from 1-10, ignoring .5s, Lithuania and Italy would both be a 10, but Moldova and Malta would ‘fall’ to 7 and 6.

Colin
Colin
5 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Thanks, Robyn. 🙂 Absolutely. The connection with the audience is very important and I have a feeling that in the “deadly semi final 1” especially, this could make it or break it for a lot of them.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago

Interesting Wiwi Jury reviews. I expect this one to divide opinion. Here goes: Lithuania – Ieva Zasimauskaité: “When We’re Old” Keys: B-flat major Time Sigs: 4/4 Song structure: Verse 1 – Chorus – Extension – Verse 2 [shortened] – Leading Bridge – Chorus – Extension – Verse 3 Harmony: Three or four chord sequences Influences: Film soundtrack songs, Pop, Classical ballads Music comments: When I first heard this song, I didn’t think much good of it. It was too slow, too boring, and too much like the “Twilight” soundtrack. But after analysis, I have found some little gems. Verse 1… Read more »

Colin
Colin
5 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Just like we commented on the day of Lithuanian final – you like the song, I love it. 🙂

Andrea
Andrea
5 years ago
Reply to  Colin

You know, I rarely read these reviews, but I always look forward to yours 😀

Colin
Colin
5 years ago
Reply to  Andrea

Not sure was this meant for Purple Mask or for me. If it was meant for me, thank you very much and I am happy to make someone looking forward to what I have to say. 🙂 Thank you Andrea!!!

If it was meant for Purple Mask, I totally get is, cause I look forward to his reviews just as much. He totally nails the mystery of music and why does something sound like it does. 🙂