It’s thanks to her that the Eurovision bubble has moved to Tel Aviv this year. And now, Netta Barzilai is ready to give us a new anthem.
She’s the reigning champion who impressed Europe in 2018 with the banger “Toy”, gaining 529 points. She beat the Greek popstar competing for Cyprus Eleni Foureira and the Austrian soul man Cesár Sampson.
On Monday, it was confirmed that Netta will make two on-screen appearances during this year’s contest.
The Israeli songstress will open the first semi-final on Tuesday 14 May, singing her breakout Eurovision-winning hit. She will then appear in the grand final to present her new song “Nana Banana”.
We still do not know the theme or style of the track, but local website Euromix reports that the single will be published at the end of this week.
Netta will perform it for the first time on Sunday 12 May at the Zappa Club in Tel Aviv, one of the most important live music venues in the country. There are three Zappa Clubs in Israel, with the other two located in Jerusalem and Herzliya.
“Nana Banana” follows “Bassa Sababa”, the single released on 1 February last. It reached #1 on the Israeli Galgalatz and Media Forest charts and #3 on the Billboard US Dance Club Songs. The official video has amassed almost 18 million views.
Reviewing the single, our Julia wrote:
Seemingly just as catchy as her winning song and hit single “Toy”, the new track uses the Arabic/Hebrew slang words for “Bummer, that’s cool” and is all about Netta’s roller-coaster ride following her newfound fame.
Never one for being basic, the accompanying music video lets us into Netta’s Willy-Wonka-style world of pink via a video game. Even Nintendo’s Mario would be afraid to level up in this game as the video features a glittery pink rhinoceros charging at a man who left the Israeli singer standing alone at the altar.
Eurovision 2019 intervals
Netta won’t be the only big name sideshow at Eurovision 2019.
Dana International will open the grand final with a two-song medley including “Tel Aviv” and a special rendition of her 1998 winner “Diva”.
Hollywood actress Gal Gadot, best known for playing Wonder Woman, will appear in a video sketch where she lands in Israel and gets into a taxi driven by the local comedian Yuval Semo.
The interval acts will also include a segment dedicated to the history of the contest, during which past participants from various participating countries will also appear. Curiously, they will do it in an unorthodox way.
Eurovision 2014 winner Conchita Wurst will sing Eurovision 2015 winner Måns Zelmerlöw’s “Heroes” who will perform Eleni Foureira’s “Fuego” who will in turn pay tribute to Verka Serduchka’s iconic “Dancing Lasha Tumbai”. Verka will conclude this part of the show by singing “Toy”. Let the hilarity ensue! Eurovision 1979 winner, Gali Atari (lead singer of Milk & Honey), will also participate in this entertaining act.
International pop icon Madonna has also been all but confirmed to appear. She’s slated to sing “Like A Prayer” and a single from her new album.
Are you as excited as we are for “Nana Banana”? Will it have the same success as “Toy”? Let us know in the comments.
As an Israeli, I can guess what the song’s about
Nana Banana is something you would usually say when you want to mock someone, so perhaps it’s about all the hate she got as a child, from people not believing in her and now she’s at the top laughing at them all :3
That’s my guess at least, can’t wait to hear it
I always found her title tracks hilarious, cannot wait to listen to it 🙂
I was really hoping she would bring “Bassa Sababa”. Such a fun dance song with Netta’s already recognizable flavour can’t be missed.
I’m still dream, though.
nana banana banana banana banana-
I gues it’ll be even more catchier! I’m waiting for surprises.
With every new song comes a new face contortion choreography. I hope she won’t have any wrinkles when everything’s over.
Toy: a chicken;
Bassa Sababa: a rhyno;
Nana Banana: a monkey?
PS: before over-sensitive people downvote this, I want to make it clear that I’m just joking. Laugh with me.
Rumors among Israeli fans are it will be a pink dolphin!
I feel like Netta’s music has such a strong identity to it. Really excited to hear her new track
Say na na na
On a Netta’s order, please say ba-na-na!
Cool, I’m really looking forward to it.