Armenia have chosen Ladaniva to represent the country at Eurovision 2024. They are the first duo to represent the country since Inga & Anush in 2009. They’re bringing the first song entirely in Armenian since “Qami” in 2018.
“Jako” is lead singer Jaklin’s nickname. And with her Eurovision song, she asserts her right to think freely and to be whoever she wants.
“Growing up I was always told that girls should behave, be humble, dress normally, not talk too much, not do crazy things,” Jaklin says.
Through her song she seeks to shut out the external noise that makes people question who they are — and hopes to encourage people to embrace what they feel and what they can be.
Scroll down to read the “Jako” lyrics and translation
Armenia at Eurovision 2024: Ladaniva with “Jako”
Armenia opted for an internal selection this year, announcing Ladaniva as their representatives in early March.
In the last couple of years, Armenia has selected relatively young, up-and-coming artists to represent the country, from Rosa Linn to Brunette. This year, there is a slight change of pace with the selection of Ladaniva, who have millions of views on many of their previous hits.
Ladaniva is a multicultural mix of ethnic sounds, unique experiences and authenticity. The duo consists of singer Jaklin Baghdasaryan and multi-instrumentalist Louis Thomas. Tracing their roots back to Lille, France, the duo’s music is inspired by music from around the world, blending different cultural identities to create a unique sound. When it comes to “Jako”, they are inspired by sounds from Armenia, the Balkans and India, just to name a few.
What do the “Jako” lyrics mean?
The song is a message from Jako to herself and to all little Jakos in the world. She wants them to be true to their “real, wild, unapologetic selves” and to find their true calling – just like she did through her art.
Throughout the lyrics of the opening verse, she reveals that when she was younger, she was told to not talk too much but not to stay too quiet either. She was told what to wear and how to behave.
She concludes the opening verse by saying she’s over all that. She’s evolved and you better pay attention: “I am a free girl, so I will dance and you will watch!” Those punchy words lead to an upbeat chorus, which is light on lyrics but heavy on the energy.
In the second verse, Ladaniva build on their infectious rhythms and sounds, inviting you to join them.
Get up, get up, get up, we won’t look at the time
Come on, come on, come on, please
Get up, dance
When others talk, it’s time to dance. By moving your body you can move yourself forward — it’s the Jako way.
“Jako” lyrics — Ladaniva (Armenia Eurovision 2024)
Songwriters (music and lyrics): Audrey Leclercq, Jaklin Baghdasaryan, Louis Thomas
Armenian textLa lai la lai la La la lai lai lai la la la la Indz asoum en, Jako, kez khelok bahi (Jako!) La la lai lai lai la la la la (Jako!) Ari, ari, ari, tou indz miatsi La la lai lai lai la la la la (Jako!) La lai la lai la La la lai lai lai la la la la (Jako!) |
English translationLa lai la lai la La la lai lai lai la la la la They tell me, “Jako, behave well (Jako!) La la lai lai lai la la la la (Jako!) Come on, come on, come on, join me La la lai lai lai la la la la (Jako!) La lai la lai la La la lai lai lai la la la la (Jako!) |
What do you think of Ladaniva and the “Jako” lyrics? Let us know in the comments below.
Would have loved seeing the lyrics in the Armenian script as well (don’t know if Wiwi settings will allow that though) <3
Meanwhile, we need to answer some very important ESC trivia questions. (You knew this was coming…)
1. How many “la” lyrics are in this song?
2. How many “lai” lyrics are in this song?
And of course…
3. Is this an ESC record for the most amount of “la” or “lai” words in an ESC entry? 😀
Spain 1968 wins that one i think. But that was a good song melody wise.
I’m pretty sure Massiel still wins that one.
For “la,” indeed.
But what about for “lai”?
And apparently there is also much “Haaa” as well. 🙂
La la la lazy song. I will skip you girl. That’s for sure.
Good luck Armenia from Croatia! We need more songs like this in Eurovision, thank you!
Yes we need more of these etnic flavours at the contest.
It spices up the cake.
I think the Armenian delegation will know how to stage this in a smart way.
Look what happenend with Snap from Rosa Linn, a diff type of genre music only with such a dedicated staging act. Those wall with the messages she was taking from it. I still remember it.
Good Luck Armenia.
I close my eyes and I hear Indian Bollywood and Balkan melodies. Nothing Armenian with that song except the lyrics
Ok, fair deal.
It’s good that the lyrics are not in English because they’re pretty much nothing.
It’s a very catchy ethnic song—not bad. I’m not sure if this is what Armenia needs, but it is certainly in the proper direction.
It becomes too ethnic at points for me. ? can see this qualifying for the final though.
I love your passion and how you keep posting good comments (even if they are not in our favour). As an Armenian I prefer these songs compared to polished songs. In Eurovision I want to see more ethnic songs, too unless they are super radio-friendly. I also like that we tend to send either homegrown songs or something which has to deal with Armenia (even with a slight element to it- this one elucidates how one person can mix so many instruments without making it messy). Hats off for Luis and Jako.
We must all respect the artists and their music. And their fans. We may not like certain songs but that does not mean we need to spill hatred and downgrade everything and everyone else. It’s a music contest. It’s fun and we need to see it as such, right? Regarding Armenia, yes, I have always appreciated the ethnic touch in their songs. Armenia is a powerhouse. Like many other countries, it needs to find its new direction with the contest. But they always deliver. I can’t remember a year that I said, “This Armenian entry is crap!”. So, good luck… Read more »
I really can’t see this progressing from the semi final.
I love this song so much I bought the album. So positive and catchy, my only quibble is that it’s over too soon. Their videos are great too so I hope they can bring some of that colour and fun to the big stage.
Its quite sad now when we know that this gurl was a back up plan for armenia. They never had intention to choose her. Armenia has a huge music potential and that potential is clearly not reflected theough this song this year.
Did they say who was their first choice?