After polling a Romanian tabloid with regards to his participation in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, Mihai Traistariu eventually decided not to submit his song “I’m Sorry” to Selectia Nationala.
Mihai Traistariu received in excess of 60 songs this year for consideration, recorded three of them and eventually settled on “I’m Sorry”, a sensitive albeit slightly outdated ballad written by Romanian songwriter Andrei Tudor. Because he finished fourth in Athens in 2006 with “Tornero”, the singer had high ambitions – to finish no less than third in Copenhagen. But, alas, he was not sure that he could do it. Earlier this week, he published a poll on Romanian tabloid website Cancan.ro, asking readers whether he stood a chance of finishing on the podium in Copenhagen. Despite a 56% majority saying that he did, Traistariu eventually decided against even entering the song into Romania’s national selection. He cited his gut feeling that he could do more than “I’m Sorry”.
The song is great and it’s perfect for me. However, I realized that I need more than that for Eurovision, which is no longer just a song or voice contest. You need everything, from the song, the voice, to a great show, otherwise you risk getting home empty-handed. And I wouldn’t bear it. I wished to come back to the arena of this great contest with all my soul, but I feel like this is not my year. Something tells me that this is not my time, my heart tells me that I can do more than this.
We wonder if that something is the sky? A famous Romanian astrologer also weighed in on the subject and told Mihai that this is not his year, that he should have tried two years ago and that he has better chances next year. The singer even posted the astrologer’s advice on his Facebook page, which shows that he did take it into account.
We think it’s a loss for Selectia Nationala (whose window for submissions closes at midnight tonight), but maybe a gain for Mihai. Our own poll shows that less than half our readers thought he could win nationally, with almost 20% considering the song unworthy of Eurovision. We also think that, from what we’ve heard so far, other artists have higher chances of winning in Romania and going very far in Copenhagen. However, we’ll never know…
Are you surprised that Mihai Traistariu chose not to face his competition, rather than risking a loss? Do you think the stars are right and maybe this is not his year? Or maybe you’re among his fans who now say “I’m Sorry”?
Bogdan Honciuc is a Romania-based correspondent for WiwiBloggs.com. You can follow him on Twitter @stingovision. You can also keep up-to-date with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following the team on Twitter @wiwibloggs and by liking our Facebook page.
Photo: facebook.com/Mihai.Traistariu
And now we see that he was right! The whole contest was set-up for a victory for Conchita, who could have sung nothing and still won with her beard! 🙁
Plus, the other four songs from TOP 5 were really extraordinary great, so he would have a really hard job getting his place in there.
No disrespect, though! But I agree – when you enter, you go for gold!
It’s kind of a huge slap in the face to his supporters and fans. “I’m Sorry” was easily one of the best songs I’ve heard so far this season and could’ve been my personal winner. Yet, he gets everyone’s hopes up just to pull out. I’m shocked, and I hope he’ll think before he does something in the future because this seems like a lame promotion for his song.
Bad decision. This song could make it for Romania. I don’t understand why he did this but is a big dissapointment, none of the ESC songs so far are better.
I’m not surprised. I had a strong feeling today that he will not enter Selectia nationala. He is right – “Eurovision is no longer just a song or voice contest. You need everything.” Of course he could do more than this, with his exceptional voice and warm heart. Mihai, have high ambitions, but don’t get conceited!
I m really sorry, Mihai is a great voice and the song is so emotional and powerfull
@Arianna we hope not!! almost every year he make this circus when the eurovision comes to appear in press so i don’t want to hear anything about him ”too much ego will kill your talent” after the succes from 2006 he thinks that he is the greatest artist of Romania (BIG JOKE) =))
Aw. A little surprised, but not really. It was a weak song for Eurovision and hopefully he comes back next year or some time with a more powerful punch 😀