Despite Israel’s current measures to curb the spread of coronavirus, including their Eurovision team not traveling to the Netherlands to film their postcard, Eden Alene and the Israel delegation are determined to go on with the show. They’re not only finding alternative ways to fulfill their duties, but have even dropped a revamp of “Feker Libi” in the process.
You can listen to the new version of the entry to represent Israel in Rotterdam below.
The “Feker Libi” update is more subtle than other drastic revamps or changes that have happened elsewhere, as in Albania and the Czech Republic. The vocals merge better with the music, and the African-inspired instrumentation shines from the second verse. In the final minute, the backing vocalists blend more seamlessly as well. Overall, this new version really shines a light on Eden’s roots, and amps up the ethnic and fun factors without being too much of a swerve away from the original.
Keeping the emphasis on Eden’s cultural roots is important. Besides adding life to the song, it helps her honour her Ethiopian heritage, which, in an interview with us, she said was central to who she is:
“I definitely feel that I’m representing one nation, my home country. But Israel was founded 70 years ago by refugees and immigrants. Our entire country is built on the mix between different people from different cultures and I feel that I represent this entirely. I think what you guys see, in the past few years in Eurovision, is the result of this really incredible and respectful mix.”
Coronavirus and Israel
Israel is being extremely cautious regarding the coronavirus. The Israel delegation chose not to attend the Heads of Delegation meeting in person, instead calling in via the Internet. The EBU and the host broadcasters of Eurovision 2020 are said to be monitoring the situation, as well as the city of Rotterdam.
What do you think? Are you feeling this new version of “Feker Libi”? Let us know in the comments down below!
Fanwank
Love this song soooooo much! I really hope it makes the top 10, and tbh, it deffo deserves it. I don’t expect it to win, but I am sure that Eden will be able to sell this song. She’s charismatic and a little ball of energy on the stage and she represents Israel soooo well. The revamp is more subtle than others that we’ve seen in esc history and I really don’t mind that. The song was already unique and special, but now they’ve really polished it and made it sound like a more rounded and professional piece. Love to… Read more »
It will likely be top 10. It will stand out as one of the few fun songs in the contest and Eden is extremely charismatic.
Are they gonna release a music video for it tho??
Yes a music video will be released this month
This is my biggest grower of the year. Loved the song already and the revamp is great. I also find Eden very likable and I think that she can have a very good result for Israel.
It sounds much more polished now, they tweaked just the right amount to make it sound more professional. I like this one a lot. Fun and creative.
Love it!
Subtle revamp but effective, it blends the ethnic Israeli sound and the Afro-Ethiopian sound much more smooth while remaining true to its original sound.
Well done Israel.
“Afro-Ethiophian” so redundant. Ethiopia is in Africa.
Fun fact: no revamped song has ever won Eurovision. You know what? Because when you revamp a bad song, it’s still just a revamped bad song.
That’s not correct, 2018 Toy was revamped and won.
I don’t recall it being revamped.
Toy was never revamped. And I also agree, if they’re revamping it’s because they know there’s room for improvement, and tweaking the bass and the backing vocals won’t make or break the song. It’s like putting a band-aid on a broken leg.
Regarding toy, here was a leaked version before the official version wad released
This is a very subtle “revamp” if you wanna call it that. Just adding a bit of the same instrumentals that are already there throughout the song to the beginning, plus some vocal blending. I don’t think this is unusual at all, or the result of the song not doing well either… it’s just some finishing touches to a song that was rushed to meet an internal selection deadline. About Toy… maybe they didn’t call it a “revamp” per say, but some of the chicken noises on the final edition were changed from the original studio cut version, and they… Read more »
I wanted her to do some type of ballad (R&B or ethnic). But after so many countries are doing ballads and depressing/toxic relationship themes, I can see why they wanted to go the happier fun route. I think it will stand out in the competition.
Last year we had at least 11 revamps or touch-ups. And that doesn’t include simple edits for time, like Italy. This is nothing out of the ordinary.
OFF TOPIC FRANCE
Tom Leeb confirmed on Instagram that “The Best in Me” has been revamped for Rotterdam with a more “acoustic” version which IS NOT available for now. We don’t know more about the pourcentage of changed lyrics but the song has already a new french title called “Mon alliée”.
…And the Israel revamp is really good 😉
My genuine question is – How many of the songs can we start rating / listing as of now as there seems to be an excessive amount of very late revamps? 🙁 Edit: By my count now: – France (But I will be highly critical of it no matter what they did.) – Italy (But I expect it only to shorten a middle instrumental part and not do any real changes to the rest of the song. I *really* hope it doesn’t, because the song is beautiful.) – Armenia??? – Slovenia??? So, would that FINALLY BE IT and we can… Read more »
Update: Armenian ”revamp” will be ready tomorrow, it seems. By the small teaser, it seems like it won’t be drastically different, only somewhat polished and possibly alongside an official video. That does sound good. 🙂
As for France, I do wish them well, but their selection process has been a mess.
I don’t think anything will help France get out of the bottom..
I was hoping for another chorus. I like the song.
When will Russia publish their song… They’re so slowwwww…
It’s gonna take more than one margarita
I’m gonna call you my sweet señorita
I’m gonna leave?after?night, only week,?yeah
All you have to do is?to be ready for some action now
20 mins escplus for link
This is a very good revamp
what are they waiting for? when will EBU cancel Eurovision or postopone ti
what the world are you living on, ignorant….you can vote down my comment, but the ESC should be cancelled ASAP…
Because wanting to cancel it “asap” when we don’t even know the situation a month from now, and when even then it can be either postponed or aired with no audience doesn’t really show that everyone but you are ignorant…
There is a rumor in Israel that this is not an official revamp and the official revamp will be released with a real video clip. one of the Israeli fans asked Kan by mail.
Its the coronavirus that makes everything waaay slower.
omg no enough revamps this year
the song does sound half-baked though. all of the 4 songs Eden sang needed a revamp, Feker Libi is not different
“Roots” was perfect the way it was. I am still listening daily “Roots” on Spotify. “Feker Libi” not so much…
Agree. Roots was perfect as it was,and is a really good song. Feker Libi is a “good Eurovision song”.
I love my roots and this I know!
Armenia and Slovenia will have one to i have heard.
I agree. Enough with the revamps! You just think that you got hold of your top 40 and than several of the songs do these “revamps”… very underwhelming. Especially if the song won in their NF. People gave money to vote for THAT song, in that form.
Also, as the deadline for delivery has already passed, why do so many of them STILL wait to release it? 🙁
In this case those are slight changes it’s not like the song is changed completely. Some songs need a lot of work to figure out the best sound for them. I remember how Diplo said they worked on “Lean On” for over a year to make it sound just right. So when songs go to national finals they are indeed usually half baked and need further work when they become the ESC entry.
Okay. ”revamps” like Israel and Ukraine are so small I rarely have objections on them. But altering the song like Albania and France did (with the latter not even releasing it yet) is a bit underwhelming.
This is brilliant. The changes are subtle but they bring an extra magical quality to the song. This is such a happy-go-lucky song, I love it!
i barely even noticed the revamp, it sounds like the same song to me, which is good since it’s my #1
Feker Libi = this year’s Cyprus 2018 – completely beneath the radar, gonna shake everything when rehearsals start.
what we saw in the national selection was a hurried, demo performance of the real thing. (or may I say – the real shit)
New Title ”Mon Alliée”
instead of (The Best In Me)’
Tom Leeb, the French Eurovision representative, has just released a revamped version of his 2020 entry!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfYdHdwgzm0
It’s better
Thanks for mentioning it! I was wondering why noone was talking about the revamp!
They really should make it 100% French. A toddler writes better English lyrics than Lundvik. I’m not sorry, it’s the truth. Can’t believe they kept the endless ‘youareyouareyouare’. It’s not that hard to make Tom Leeb sound good, they just refuse.
How is this any better? If anything, the English parts seem *even more* out of place due to more French lyrics needlessly thrown in the chorus. But I guess the Francophone patriots will be happier now as it’s not a trite song with 50% of French in it, but a trite song with a 70% of French in it. Still, if that will help Tom not to be disliked by his own country, than so be it.
For the rest of the world, English is not the problem. It’s the AWFUL use of English. Nobody expects Oscar Wilde, but a little more than Lundvik, and I’d already accept it. I don’t even find the song THAT bad. But they still don’t seem to have any clue.
The french lyrics are soooo cringeworthy omg, I’m happy if you cannot understand them. And by the way we just need another instrumental/vibe on that song, the current one is terrible and very 90s in a bad way.
I mean, I agree. The lyrics are all bad. The English ones just hurt so much more since I have an okay-ish grasp of the language. Reading the French translation, it’s evident the French part is equally empty.
Tom Leeb says his actual revamp will be more acoustic. So it’s probably not this one.
You’re right, the one you have heard is simply the french version which allowed the song to be play on radios. Also it lets to people here to identify the song even more because it actually hasn’t the same exposition Roi and Mercy had with Destination Eurovision the previous years.
The middle east part (which I loved) has lost that vibe or strenght or maybe it’s me.
I don’t think it was necessary but I really like her
They reduced the volume of the violins little bit.
Your ears are good(:
Underrated dark horse this one, this will undoubtedly finish in the top 10, in a similar fashion to 2015.
Interestingly enough, I prefer every single country’s entry this year to their recent winner, starting all the way back in 2015.
Move > Heroes
Solovey >>>>>>>>> 1944
Medo de sentir > Amar pelos dois
Feker libi >>> Toy
Grow >>> Arcade
A good year, indeed.
I would say:
Move > Heroes
Solovey < 1944
Grow < Arcade
While I’m at it:
Cleopatra >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Running Scared
I fear Italy might win this year so imma add Soldi >>>>>>>>>>>> Fai Rumore to this
Feker Libi > Toy
Medo de sentir < Amar pelos dois
Amar Pelos Dois and Arcade are so much better.
1944 is better for me. No doubt.
I really like Feker Libi but Toy might have the edge.
I can agree with Move
YES this how you do a revamp! It’s amped up all the positives of the track. Love it even more
I really like the Israeli entry this year, one of the best uptempo songs in the competition. It will add a much needed light-hearted note to the final.