For the fourth (non-cancelled) contest in a row, Cyprus has opted for an uptempo song sung by a charismatic female singer as their Eurovision entrant. It’s a formula that has brought them to the grand final every time, but the success has waned from a second place in 2018 to a 16th place last year. With a rising career in pop music and a song littered with Greek flavour, Andromache is looking to bring the country back to the top of the scoreboard. Ela ela ela!
Scroll down to read the “Ela” lyrics
Cyprus in Eurovision 2022: Andromache “Ela”
Andromache Dimitropoulou was born in Germany but raised in Greece with a family invested in music and performing. She first came to public attention when she participated on the second season of The Voice of Greece, where she was eliminated in the second live show. Soon after, she was signed to Panik Records and released her first songs, including her breakthrough hit “Na soun psema“.
As has been the case since 2016, Andromache was internally selected to represent Cyprus. Her song is set to be staged by Martin Dietmann and Dan Shipton. Dietmann staged the Cypriot performance in 2021 alongside Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Spain. Shipton was the creative director for the United Kingdom between 2016 and 2018.
What do the “Ela” lyrics mean?
“Ela” was written by an all-star team comprising names including Alex Papaconstantinou, who also co-wrote previous Cypriot entries “Fuego” and “Replay”, and Azerbaijan’s 2009 representative Arash. Giorgos Papadopoulos is a Greek songwriter who has worked with the likes of Helena Paparizou, Tamta and also Andromache in the past. Filloreta Raçi and Yll Limani are Kosovan-Albanian musicians with flourishing careers in the Balkans.
“Ela” is an uptempo song featuring Greek instruments and the Greek language, the first Cypriot song to do so since 2013. The lyrics illustrate the healing nature of love. In the first verse, Andromache sings “Melodies ringing through my head when you lay your eyes on me”, and refers to her lover as “my remedy”. In the bridge, she calls on her lover to “take my pain away”.
The chorus, in Greek, features Andromache singing about her capacity to heal her lover as well, “In my arms, let’s go further, in my dreams, get wings and fly”. She then sings “you could be my only one, na na na na ni, amán“. “Amán” is used in Greek as an expression of surprise or joy – something similar to “wow” or “my goodness”. “Ela ela, ela ela” is a Greek equivalent of “Come on, come on”. A simple refrain, but very effective and filled with sparkling Greek flair.
The message is poetic and beautiful, and combined with compelling staging will be sure to dazzle the audience. Come on, Cyprus!
“Ela” lyrics – Andromache (Cyprus Eurovision 2022)
Written and composed by: Alex Papaconstantinou, Arash, Eyelar Mirzazadeh, Fatjon Miftaraj, Filloreta Raçi, Geraldo Sandell, Giorgos Papadopoulos, Robert Uhlmann, Viktor Svensson and Yll Limani
Original Greek and English textMelodies All in my, in my head Stin angaliá mou, zíse álli mia méra Aa aa éla éla éla Chemistry All in my, in my head Stin angaliá mou, zíse álli mia méra Aa aa éla éla éla Amán, amán Stin angaliá mou, zíse álli mia méra Éla éla éla | English translationMelodies All in my, in my head Live one more days in my arms Aa aa come on, come on, come on Chemistry All in my, in my head Live one more days in my arms Aa aa come on, come on, come on My goodness, my goodness Live one more days in my arms Come on, come on, come on |
What do you think of the “Ela” lyrics? Do you think Andromache can bring Cyprus its first ever win? Let us know below!
Those who were calling Moldova this year turbofolk, guess Cyprus is sending such a song especially for you to have a chance to educate yourself a little bit. Listen to it and take notes: this is what turbofolk in Romania sounds like. Pay a special attention to the vocal style.
I loved the poetry in the lyrics and the mesmerizing beat! Definitely one of my favorites of this year 😀
This is in my top 10. Something about it just feels magical. With good staging, this could do well.
This song relaxes me and makes me happy. It’s so pretty. Her voice is hypnotic.
Am i the only who think this is very very overrated?
No. Like the Portuguese song some seem to find it relaxing but it could be found boring too.
Small correction: Giorgos Papadopoulos is from Cyprus. He wrote Andromachi’s 1st single called “Feggari”(The moon).
My 3rd favorite. However, not hearing a live version makes me wonder about how she’ll do live.
I watched live performances by her and she’s STUNNING live.
One of my favs this year, and to me the best entry Cyprus has ever sent. I was never a fan of their recent entries: too manufactured, too commercial, too cliché, nothing authentic, … This one goes in the opposite direction and does it really well. Love it!
I very much enjoy this song, but is this what we call “uptempo” nowadays? This feels very laid back and chilled out to me and uptempo is not a word I would use to describe it.
Honestly, I am lukewarm about this song. When I listen to it, I like it, but when I do not listen to it, I forget it exists. That’s a pity that she did not perform during the live parties. Maybe a good staging will make me feel different about this song.
My absolute favourite this year
Aman does not mean “wow”. It’s a phrase found everywhere in the Balkans and it means something between “for goodness’ sake” and “be merciful”.
It can mean wow in some cases, at least in greek
Kinda like “please” as it’s used in the phrase “b*tch, please”?