Over three months ago, Israel started its path towards Eurovision 2020. After The Next Star for Eurovision 2020 ended with Eden Alene winning, the search for the song began. And now that search is almost at an end. That’s because Israeli broadcaster KAN has just revealed the four songs in contention to represent Israel in Rotterdam. The Israeli song selection committee chose the four from a longlist of 248 entries. All songs are now available on YouTube with a lyric video.
Eden’s four songs for The Next Song for Eurovision
The songs Eden Alene will perform in Neve Ilan on 3 March are out. She will sing these entries, in this running order:
- “Savior in the Sound”
- “Roots”
- “Rakata – רק אתה”
- “Feker Libi”
Listen to the songs now
“Savior in the Sound”
“Savior in the Sound” was written by Oren Emanuel, Talia Londoner and Uri Avni. Eden Alene will sing this song first on the night of 3 March 2020.
“Roots”
The songwriters of “Roots” are Nathan Goshen and Stav Beger. This is one of two songs with big names behind them. That is because Nathan Goshen is a rather popular Israeli singer, who you may know for his hit “Thinking About It”. Beger is also an impressive name, having composed Netta’s winning song “Toy”. The song includes a lyrical reference to “Toy”, as well.
“Rakata”
“Rakata – רק אתה” has a clever title. “Raq Ata” also means “Only You” in Hebrew, but it’s designed to sound like an Afro beat. Gal Jo Cohen, Eyal Ishay, Zlil Kalifi, Eran Kashi wrote the song, which will play third on Tuesday night.
“Feker Libi”
“Feker Libi” (Amharic for “My Love”) has a team of Eurovision experts behind it. Doron Medalie has participated in Eurovision as a songwriter (three times, with one win) and Idan Raichel performed on the ESC stage in Tel Aviv as an interval act. Since this song will close the show and has an Israeli dream team behind it, fans are predicting success for it. The song is also notable for being in five different languages – English, Amharic, Hebrew, Arabic and a made-up African language.
Which song is your favourite and why? Let us know in the comments below!
I’d be happy with either Feker Libi or Rakata. Seems to also be the consensus among most people here.
I just want to point out that Eurovision’s songs this year are rather bad, Israel is the only country that impressed me. High chance that Israel can win again.
It’s very early to speak about the winner. I mean, last year I remember how everybody declared 2019 as “one of the worst years songwise”, but when all songs were revealed it turned out to be a pretty average year that wasn’t worse than the one before. I like Germany a lot. Also have to admit that Romania has a pretty strong bunch of songs.
I don’t agree. This year looks stronger than last year, which was particularly weak. Lithuania is an instant classic.
Lithuania’s hype is dropping quickly. As expected. That song has no chances to win.
You just made that up. How is Lithuania “dropping” when it is still number 1 in the odds? How does it have “no chances” to win when, as of today, it has the best chance to win of all the songs according to the odds?
Honestly, don’t get the hype around lithuania’s entry. It’s a nice song, but I don’t see it as a Eurovision winner. I get that it’s quirky and everything, I just think it’s s bit overrated.
P.s Don’t kill me.??
First one is horrible, other three are really good
Roots is clearly the best one <3
My top:
1. Rakata
2. Feker Libi
3. Roots
4. Savior in the Sound
Some of the songs really reminds me of Haba Haba from Stella Mwangi, and as a Norwegian I love it!! In Norway we actually enjoyed Stellas entry a lot, all tho it didnt qualify.
Good luck Israel, i like it!!
Just came back from a trip in Turkey and happy to see that despite their absence Israel will bring a bit of their flavor (especially if Rakata will be chosen tho personally I prefer Feker Libi..).
My favourite 1.Feker libi 2.Rakata 3.Roots 4.Savier in the sound
Let’s put it this way: Romania’s Rakata (Cherry red) is for those type of more “expensive” clubs, with fancy clothes and pricey drinks. Israel’s Rakata is that type of song that fills the dance floor in the clubs it would be played (i would say cheaper tune, but it would be misunderstood… Oops). Both of the songs are “cheap” in their own way. Do they both have their own place? Yes, of course. The fact that you compare them just because of a word it does not really make sense, but i can see why this is happening. That being… Read more »
They are honestly atrocious. The only one that could qualify is Rakata, but won’t get more than a 17th place in the final. I’m honestly shocked because I expected something better from Israel…
RAKATA can win! and all songs are better than most songs so far.Israel know how to deleiver.
you are the only one shocked so good luck with that
Feker Libi , Raka same destiny in ESC like Norway Haba Haba
Roots is best option for Israel. If they chose Feker Libi maybe Israel finish like Norway 2011 (huge favourite stay in semi)
Ooh, I LOVE the energy of almost all these songs! But my favourite is Feker Libi. It’s amazing!
1) Feker Libi
2) Rakata
3) Roots
4) Saviour in the sound
1. Feker Libi
2. Rakata
3. Roots
4. Savior in the Sound
Feker Libi and Rakata are soo good. Especially Feker Libi’s chorus!! And I really like the intrumental of Rakata, reminds me of Turkish sounds!
The first half of the chorus of feker libi needs improvement. The beat and synth sounds are dated.
Thats why rakata will win imo..it is more focused and every sound on point
roots all the way!!! unlike most people here, I actually really like savior in the sound (my second), while feker libi is my last (it just feels very jumbled to me). I think Israel will have trouble qualifying with feker libi, but the other three will defo qualify
After few more listens.rakata became my favorite.
Feker libi is closed second.
I prefer rakata because i have a little problem with the chorus of feker libi. So until the live acts on tuesday ,rakata for the win!
Feker Libi! Ahmaric, Hebrew, Arabic and English all in one banger of a song.
Wow. Great selection of songs! I looooove Roots, very good song. I doubt it’s the song that’ll be chosen, but it’s such a fun song. Rakata is also awesome, as well as Feker Libi.
Send Roots! Good luck, Eden!!
I agree Roots is the most fun of these songs but how will they perform the chorus? It doesn’t seem to lend itself as well to staging.
I agree. First thought I had about it, is it’s gonna be technically difficult to do live.
But I hope the composers thought of a solution before they submitted the song
Anyways, I don’t think we’ll need to worry about that. Still my personal favorite, out of a great bunch of songs
It will be performed by two back singers with voice changer.
I don’t think they are allowed to use a voice changer in the contest. Or am I wrong?
I think she needs to have a group of diverse israeli people behind her doing an urban dance choreography in the chorus.
Take fuego as an example, it didn’t really have a strong message or intense meaning but it still made a great party and was totally memorable, just like the three bops in the selection.
wow im impressed, 4 good songs but i love Rakata and Feker libi. Israel will be back in the top 10 🙂
I feel like we will have to wait until we see them performed live to get the best picture of how well they would do at esc. That being said, I think there are 3 really strong entries. Rakata gets my vote at the moment though. WHAT A BOP!!! If Eden can sell the song (and I have no doubt that she can), Israel could stand a really strong chance of making it in the top 10.
so true
Picking “Saviour In The Sound” would be such a waste.
They’ve got three REALLY good entries to pick from here. Israel should be qualifying with ease.
I think their best chance of a winner-quality song is probably, “Roots”. It’s probably riskier than the other two though.
i was honestly quite excited about her but i dont feel any of them ..maybe it will change with the live performance but they seem cheap to me and overhyped
My ‘Roots’ just brings all the boys to the yard…:-D
I looooove roots. It feels like the most polished product with a great ending and great lyrics and every time i replay it it becomes more catchy!
Also that ‘no, im not a preacher i’m not here to teach ya, but you should know i’m not a girl anymore’ line sounds like a small blink to Netta
I believe it was written by Toy’s songwriter too!
ROOTS is clearly a winner
4 great tracks. Gosh, it’s like Sophie’s choice…
I think you misunderstand what Sophie’s Choice actually was.
Wow, there is definitely a bonkers element going on in some of these songs. Feker Libi and Rakata are my two favourites.
FEKER LIBI all the way
Beva kashá!!!!
There will be only 1 ‘TOY’, only 1 ‘ARCADE’ so to all the countries trying to sound like.. Or look like… Boring. These 4 songs are fresh. Interesting, some has retro flavor some are new, all with middle eastern touch. The best so far.
I would go with either ‘RAKATA’ OR ‘FEKER LIBI’
The only RaKaTa comes from Romania this year (Roxen’s Cherry Red)… About these 4 songs… MEH!
The only MEH here is you darling. Take a look at the reactions here and see that all 4 are far from meh.
But everyone should be entitled to their opinion and taste, no?
All 4 songs here are better than Romania
in what universe?
Both are great selections honestly
Whether they choose Rakata, Feker Libi or Roots, it’s a certain qualification and an almost certain top 10 result in the final for Israel this year. Would have been nice to see more Amharic and Hebrew in all the songs.
They shold get rid of that stupid baby voice Roots chorus and replace it with Hebrew and Amharic.
Feker Lubi for me is the best. An infusion of Hebrew, English and African all together. If they could stage Netta so well then I have high hopes for Eden. Could be a Top 3 finish!
All four has something interesting but I can’t connect with them. I also feel like most of them sound a bit dated in terms of production. Like those Eastern bops from 2005-2009, a la “Dum Tek Tek”. That said I would personally go for “Rakata”. It’s not original but it is the most enjoyable one, also “Savior in the Sound” could be a good choice but, given the fact that we don’t have danceable tracks but we do have a lot of ballads, I would choose the first. My top with some thoughts: 1. Eden Alene – Rakata (6.75). The… Read more »
Rakata top ten in the final for sure.
bottom 3 in the SF
SEND ROOTS
Outstanding songs from Israel this year, one the best preselections and songs so far and most importantly NO foreign composers!
But still mainly foreign language.
.
Foreign composers are forbbiden according to the Israeli competition terms
roots is a BOP! there isn’t room for another rakata
I think all songs except Roots sound kinda dated and typical esc-songs from the early 00’s.
Rakata is the best !! Her voice is perfection
Feker Libi sounds like the song that has the most personal work behind it, and it would easily be the one to best stand out in a good way for Israel. 😉 (And it is also the one I liked the most when listning to them all.)
I can already see Greek clubs playing rakata or feker libi, Israel slayed again. Well done
Rakata is an absolute party dance hit, with good choreography will do well
That’s how you serve quality, interesting sounds and ethnic vibes. My favorite is feker libi and damn, Doron Medalie has done it again
Rakata and Feker Libi seems the best.
Another Rakata!?
Can never have enough!! <3
Three of these are positively bonkers. I hope they don’t choose the other one, which is still well made, just terribly uninteresting.
If I HAD TO chose one, I’d go with ‘Rakata’. The only one I like. But doesn’t Roxen have this word in her ‘Cherry Red’?
Easy solution. Send Alcohol You!
I agree, Alcohol You better suits Roxen
Cherry Red is the kind of bop that suits Roxen, but I think Alcohol You might do better. Czech Republic is still reigning supreme as far as lower-key bops go this year.
Eden alluded more than once that she’d love to sing at least a few lines in Amharic if it’s done right. Here is a quote from a recent interview she gave: “There is only one song in Amharic which is very cool and I loved it from the moment I heard it because it was done so cleverly. This is definitely something that could fit into the competition because they did right by it. It’s something you can’t explain in words, but once you hear it, you’ll understand.” There’s no doubt in my mind that Feker Libi was conceived while… Read more »
@Sam I was hoping the Idan Raichel song would be a similar style to the one she previously sang in the competition. That was absolutely fantastic. But Feker is cheap pop to me. Why are they including a fake african language and arabic? They are trying too hard to be multicultural and it doesn’t sounds authentic.
It sounds like a patchwork or a crossover of styles and genre. It’s either this or Rakata which has a definite hook and a great ethnic dance beat with surprising rhythmic twists. You got this blend of oriental and tribal sounds which complement the festive and upbeat nature of this bop. I don’t have a particular problem with Feker Libi even if it is a bit all over the place, but it’s got something for everyone. Rakata would be more demanding for Eden in terms of dance moves and choreography but we’ll have to see how it plays out on… Read more »
I’m fine with either of them, so it’s no skin off my nose.
I think we need to see the live performances to understand which song is the best.