No really: You read that headline correctly. Estonia’s Eurovision 2024 song is laced with references to illegal substances. That’s why it’s being referred to casually as “The Drug Song.”
The group 5Miinust & Puuluup are coming with a mouthful. And by that we mean a very wordy song title: “(nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi”, which translates as “We (really) don’t know anything about (these) drugs”.
That’s not just the longest song title ever at Eurovision*. It’s arguably the most clever, funny or at least unique song title ever too. But that’s an unofficial record of course.
Scroll down to read the “(nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi” lyrics
Estonia at Eurovision 2024: 5Miinust & Puuluup with “(nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi”
The song is performed by two separate groups who have come together for Eurovision: 5Miinust (or viis miinust if you want the pronunciation), and Puuluup. 5Miinust are a hugely popular band in the Baltic nation — with almost 200k monthly listeners on Spotify in a country of just one million people. They’ve had six number one singles in their home country, and were beloved at their national final Eesti Laul. In their Spotify bio, they simply state that “the mood is good, everything else can wait”. Fair enough, considering their music is nothing short of a party…often with a WTF twist.
Puuluup are a folk duo who describe themselves as “A pinch of surrealism, modern folklore and talharpa revival!”. The talharpa is the string instrument we see in the performance, originating from northern Europe. They combine the old and the new, by using traditional musical pieces, and mix in loopers and effect blocks. When you combine these two artists, you also have the perfect storm for a truly unforgettable Eurovision entry.
In Eesti Laul, they were runaway favourites among fans from the second the song dropped. Everyone’s Twitter timelines were swimming with the music video clip, and people referring to the song’s interesting subject matter (more on that in a minute). They ended up winning Eesti Laul in a televote landslide, despite coming third with the juries due to 2 jurors (including ESC-alumni Anna Sahlene) ranking them last. However, let it be known that our very own William Lee Adams gave them 12 points from the UK jury! Taste!
In Estonia, the top 3 performing songs are taken through to a Superfinal, which is televote only. 5Miinust & Puuluup beat Ollie (runner-up for the second year running) with 26,422 votes compared to Ollie’s 12,494. They were the clear favourites in Estonia, and we’re thrilled that they will be heading to Malmö.
What do the “(nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi” lyrics mean?
Firstly, well done to Estonia for sending their song in Estonian; as a matter of fact, this is the first since 2013’s “Et Uus Saaks Alguse” by Birgit.
Now, this may have been dubbed “The Drug Song” but it’s a lot more than the “hahaha naughty song” folks may try to diminish it as. There are various theories on what the entry means, with various Estonian fans explaining on social media that the band have been caught by the police with certain items in their possession. This song is them trying to convince the police officers that the substances are not theirs, so it makes sense that their song title translates to, “We (really) don’t know anything about (these) drugs”. If you read that without the brackets, it’s a simple “we don’t know about drugs!”, a humourously pedantic denial. With the brackets, it offers another angle of, “well…not THESE ones”.
The song opens with an outright denial that they are addicts, followed by an explanation of them not being wealthy. Apparently, “the only bag on our table is green Lay’s” — referring to the crisps/chips brand, not…’other things’ that come in small bags. We learn that the police have raided their cottage and they’re convincing themselves they’ll be fine.
They explain that they don’t have any money, which is why they couldn’t possibly be breaking the law this way. They say “we avoid drugs, just because we are not rich”, and then lament that they can only have IPAs on the table. It’s then suggested that the sunglasses they’re always wearing hide their pupils. So, are they as innocent as they protest?
The mention of class hints at how wealth can impact the way police perceive people. If they were rich it would be OK for them to have drugs, but because they’re poor, they need to defend themselves and deny everything. Or it could just be a glorious piece of intelligent humour.
“(nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi” lyrics — 5Miinust & Puuluup (Estonia Eurovision 2024)
Estonian textMe pole narkomaanid pole midagi teind Me pole narkomaanid pole midagi teind (Uuuu jeaa) Ma ei tea narkootikume, limpsi tean ja siidrit Kuula nüüd seda Pilvikud ja šampinjonid – kus on teie niidid? Pardikesed väikesed, kuid moonid on nii pikad Mõnuaineid väldime vaid sest me pole rikkad Ole vait ja ma pole teind Kuula nüüd seda Ma ei tea narkootikume, limpsi tean ja siidrit Kuula nüüd seda Pilvikud ja šampinjonid – kuѕ on teie niidid? |
English translationWe’re not drug addicts we haven’t done anything We’re not drug addicts we haven’t done anything (Uhh yeah) I don’t know drugs I know soda and cider Listen to that now Clouds and mushrooms – where are your filaments Ducklings are small, but poppies are so tall We avoid drugs just because we’re not rich Shut up and I haven’t done it Listen to that now I don’t know drugs I know soda and cider Listen to that now Clouds and mushrooms – where are your filaments |
Well, *technically*…
*The longest Eurovision song title could technically go to “Que Me Quiten Lo Bailao – They Can’t Take The Fun Away From Me”, from Spain in 2011. As the title is just the same thing translated, it may not qualify for this record, depending on your viewpoint. It is generally accepted that Estonia have broken the record this year, beating the record Valentina Monetta held prior for “The Social Network Song (Oh Oh – Uh – Oh Oh)”.
Politseikroonika is a TV show or was, that followed patrols making arrests on live tv. so there is also the meaning of trying to catch attention, be on air any means possible bc it doesnt matter which kind of attention, as long as they talk about you. especially to musicians where being known is a lifeline. you can say they are addicted that someone talks about them so they can sell records and then there is the addiction to folk instruments. Hiiukannel is basically a “gateway drug” to folk music, bc all studies start from making your own talharpa! and… Read more »
oh, right: it is not “roheline Lays” any more bc brand names are not allowed in Eurovision. Now it says “ainus kott mis laual täis pandipudeleid” aka “the only bag on the table is full of recycled bottles”
I like this in Estonian. Sounds pretty in my ears. For me the song is a hot mess, its funny watching but not very well produced by them. I looked into the lyrics trying to find the deeper meaning where was talked about online. I couldnt connect using the english translation. Being in SF2 with Joost from the NLD’s, both on the same playing field for the viewers votes, it will be really exciting seeing which one will qualify? If both are making it The Final could be a great party with Croatia , Spain and Lithuania already in it.… Read more »
Estonians might have been on drugs to choose such an awful
song.. Abysmal decrease in quality at ESC since pre recorded voices allowed.It’s unique. How many Eurovision songs do we know that are about music & dance being mistaken for drugs by the police (or a mob) during a raid? I think the answer is exactly none (though do correct me if I’m wrong).
A song for kids. not for me.
Yeah, a song about being caught with illegal substances is deffo aimed at kids, you’re right.
So, by other people’s logic, “Occidentali’s Karma” is a joke act. Think about it: guy dances with another guy in a gorilla suit, so OBVIOUSLY it’s a trash entry.
My point is, just because an entry seems gimmicky or silly on the surface, doesn’t make it “bad” per se. Don’t make snap judgements, and be respectful, please.
Please can someone explain this song to me?
I went on a brief “drugs are bad” rant in the comments below, but it’s been deleted and now I’m just confused.
Sad face.
Actually, Lucy Percy (in the article) pretty much finds a potential core meaning here:
“The mention of class hints at how wealth can impact the way police perceive people. If they were rich it would be OK for them to have drugs, but because they’re poor, they need to defend themselves and deny everything. Or it could just be a glorious piece of intelligent humour.”
I think it’s both. Dealing music and a dance craze around a place that usually deals in substances is pretty hilarious, and it brings the rich & poorest in society together, which is also heartwarming.
I see, I see… I think. I was taking it more as people who have actually been caught using drugs, and are frantically denying it to comical effect.
Of course I do not speak Estonian, any intonations are lost on just a dry reading of the translated lyrics.
P.S. Thanks, Purple
horrible.
I don’t think it’s about cocaine, this song seems to be inspired by the recent legalisation of cannabis in European countries (so far Luxembourg and Germany)
It’s funny that they actually discuss the lyrics. The song is under the category of ‘nonsense’, we know it and they know it. There is no reason to pretend. You can’t be a joke act, to troll, and talk about lyrics.
They might look a joke act/nonsense act, but they aren’t. The lyrics and music video make that very clear.
Just because someone acts joke-y doesn’t mean they have nothing to say.
That’s two acts now that you have completely misunderstood. Try to take the time to think more deeply about some of the entries rather than jumping to conclusions.
I mean, I write several paragrpaghs about the fact it’s not just nonsense. It’s on this page, like.
I find this entry very overhyped, even though I haven’t seen much talk about this entry anyway since Rim Tim Tagi Dim, No Rules and Europapa released. I fear that in terms of ‘fun factor’, this song is both not my cup of tea and outclassed in general.
Maybe it’s a weird thing to say now, but I fully expect Estonia to flop this year, maybe even NQ. Televoters’ short attention spans will blank this if this doesn’t come super late in the RO
This is about Estonia.
5Miinust & Puuluup are the Zdob si Zdub of this Eurovision edition. As in: people online say they hate it, causing it to do poorly in the bookmakers, yet will do very well at Eurovision.
As a HUUUUUGE Zdob si Zdub fan, I greatly enjoyed this comparison.
This is a very unfunny song or act, sorry. No entertainment value.
I truly hate how oddcheckers underestimate this gem putting it below derivative entries like France, Iceland or Georgia (which hasn’t qualified to the finals in years).
France?! Excuse me but are you seriously compare this to a brilliant France?
*inhales deeply*
*exhales while furiously singing*
KUULA NÜÜD SEDA!
SAAB HUUGAMA ÄRA!
MEID KUULDA ON TÄNA!
A SEE KOTT VII ÄRA!
BEST ENTRY ESTONIA HAS EVER SEND! My Eurovision 2024 winners, a Greek saying that btw. Fully supporting them until the show begins & ends in May! 😀
It gives me “Alcohol is Free” vibes on the best way.
Same
This is a crazy, quirky entry and i love it
Also such a great boppy beat to go with it
This years mama sc for me
Pilvikud ja šampinjonid –these are actually two types of mushrooms, nothing about clouds lol (russula and champignons)
It’s absolute nuts and that’s why they’re qualifying
The band changed the verse “Ainus kott mis laual on roheline lay’s” so they don’t mention the Lay’s anymore, to comply with the EBU rules.
For my friends and I is the Stoned Estonians. Growing up listening to Estopa in Spain, I do have a high tolerance of song like this one, so, I’m OK with the lyrics.
I think it’s fun, catchy and doesn’t promote anything beyond crisps.
I was at the grocery yesterday and had a craving for sour cream and onion chips, so if the song was a stealth advertisement, I suppose it worked (In Estonia, the green Lay’s is apparently green onion with no sour cream).
I am a little sad about “The Social Network Song (Oh Oh – Uh – Oh Oh)” losing the song title record. Oh oh 🙁
Having green onion flavour without the sour cream sounds like a crime.
Having onion in general is a crime!
If you like cream, “chanterelles in a cream sauce” is available in Estonia. Sounds fancy.
The lyrics and translation are wrong! The ‘green lay’s’ line has been revamped due to copyright and you can find the updated version on the Eurovision website.