After four attempts to represent Estonia at Eurovision, Stefan finally won the country’s national final Eesti Laul this year with his spaghetti-western inspired tune “Hope”. He is hoping to better Estonia’s fortunes after a 13th place finish in the semi-final in 2021.

Scroll down to read the “Hope” lyrics

Estonia in Eurovision 2022: Stefan “Hope”

Stefan Airapetjan was born in Viljandi, in the south of Estonia, to Armenian parents. He began performing on Estonian TV at a young age, but it’s thanks in part to Eesti Laul that he has become a known face in the country. As part of the duo Vajé, he came third in Eesti Laul 2018 with the lo-fi pop track “Laura (Walk With Me)”. Stefan later participated again as a solo act on three occasions: in 2019 with “Without You”, coming third again; in 2020 with “By My Side”; and finally emerging victorious by a huge margin this year with “Hope”.

In 2020, Stefan also won season one of Maskis Laulja, the Estonia version of The Masked Singer. Performing as Aries, he covered songs massively varying in genre, starting with Frank Sinatra, and then winning the grand final with a triumphant rendition of “Chop Suey” by Armenian-American group System of a Down – it really is worth watching.

What do the “Hope” lyrics mean?

“Hope” is about exactly that. It tells the story of keeping hope alive in difficult circumstances.

The song begins with Stefan questioning why “we let them tell us what to do”. He suggests we need to stick to our guns when questioned by “standing tall and looking up”.

The chorus takes us into a rallying cry, with the anthemic line “Hey, sing your heart out boy, for all the people great and small!”. Stefan follows up by promising that, even when everything else is lost, the future is still something to be proud of and hold onto with ambition.

Through the rest of the song, Stefan further describes the adversity being faced, and continues to encourage the listener to hold onto hope. It will get better if you stand by your beliefs.

The song’s meaning has a new poignant reference, perhaps, given the situation in Ukraine. Stefan performed his song in support of Ukraine at a rally in Freedom Square in Estonia’s capital, Tallinn. Speaking at the event, he said:

“I’m sincerely glad this song exists. I would’ve never imagined that the world would take this turn. And I’m glad to see people write to me saying that the song gives them hope to cope in this difficult situation. And Ukrainian people write me that, and they thank me for that! And I would like to say that YOU be good, hang on. Our thoughts are with you.”

“Hope” lyrics – Stefan (Estonia Eurovision 2022)

Music: Stefan Airapetjan, Karl-Ander Reismann; Lyrics: Stefan Airapetjan

We let them tell us what to do, why, why, why
We live to die for worthy things, ya, ya, ya

We promised we would never lose our pride
Your word’s worth nothing if you lie
We’re standing tall and looking up, our Father would be proud
And I’m happy to be working my own ground
We’ll be the last ones breathing here

Hey, sing your heart out boy
For all the people great and small
Oh, when all else is lost
The future still remains our own
 
We’re taught that we were born to lose, why, why, why?
Don’t waste your breath, it’s time to choose, ya, ya, ya

We promised we would never lose our pride
Everyday they try to turn it into lies
We’re standing tall and looking up, our Father would be proud
And I’m happy to be working my own ground

I said, “Hey sing your heart out boy
For all the people great and small
Oh, when all else is lost
The future still remains our own”

I hope, I hope, I hope
I hope, I hope
I hope, I hope, I hope
I hope, I hope

We let them tell us what to do, why, why, why?
We live to die for worthy things, ya, ya, ya
No matter what they try, tearing up our lives
I know we will always rise

I said, “Hey, sing your heart out boy
For all the people great and small
Oh, when all else is lost
The future still remains our own”

I hope, I hope, I hope
I hope, I hope
I hope, I hope, I hope
The future still remains our own
I hope, I hope, I hope
I hope, I hope
I hope, I hope, I hope
I hope, I hope, I hope

Do you relate to the lyrics of “Hope”? Can Stefan take Estonia back to the grand final at Eurovision 2022? Share all your thoughts below.

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Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago

These lyrics win my ESC 2022 lyrics trophy. Bravo.

Catriona
Catriona
1 year ago

The ultimate dark horse if the competition. Will get a massive televote. Top 5 potential.

Dent
Dent
1 year ago

Can’t help it, that particular line from the lyrics sounds like:
“Bitches still remain our own”
It’s his vocalization style that makes it funny,

Thanos
Thanos
1 year ago

Hope he does well!

Maria
Maria
1 year ago

Amazng voice. However, super generic. Sounds as if taken from the 2015 era.

Catriona
Catriona
1 year ago
Reply to  Maria

How anyone can this as generic? It’s has a clear path of what it is. Pure Western. No country involved. It’s exactly what it needs to be, with an instantly rousing tempo and fantastic vocals..

Jo.
Jo.
1 year ago

This will surprise many people…

Azan
Azan
1 year ago

I absolutely love both the song and the singer! “Hope” is exactly that, it’s HOPEFUL and we need hope these days.

Stefan is such a lovely person, and I’m so glad that he was FINALLY able to come to Eurovision!

Sos
Sos
1 year ago

I think it’s the best song sent by Estonia in this years, love it!