Tere Estonia! The second semi-final of Eesti Laul 2015 — Estonia’s national selection for Eurovision — takes place on February 14. Today the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of musical unprofessionals — turns to the bookies’ favourite Elina Born & Stig Rästa and their song “Goodbye to Yesterday”. Did Elina and Stig live up to the hype? Or did we want to say goodbye to them? Read on to find out…
Reviews: Elina Born & Stig Rästa’s “Goodbye to Yesterday”
Angus: Confession time: I didn’t get this first time around. The nonsensical lyrics felt like they belonged at Latvia’s national selection: not Estonia. The 60s vibes have won me around though – as has Elina’s voice. It is an astute composition in light of the smash success of Ariana Grande’s ‘Problem’ last year.
Score: 9.5/10
Anthony: I’m not surprised they’ve become the fan favourite of this year’s Eesti Laul. It’s got that hint of Eliza Doolittle kookiness to it, and is a prime example of keeping a song simple but effective. If they do win it for Estonia in Vienna this year, they’d make a much better pairing than the one 14 years ago.
Score: 8/10
Chris: I kind of feel that this song needs to be performed in a smoke-filled club from decades ago. Elina and Stig make a good match for each other and this doesn’t feel like “just another” attempt at the Common Linnets. That being said – I still don’t massively get the hype for a song that’s tipped to win the entire ESC. It’s good but it’s not necessarily the type of song that gets me going.
Score: 7.5/10
Josh: Yaaassss. This song is the tits, y’all. Admittedly, it did take me about 3 listens before I got really into it, which is a bit of a concern considering they only get to perform it once for votes. But I think this is Estonia’s strongest entry in quite some time. Elina’s voice chimes in at just the right moment. Stig’s voice reminds me a little Nick Cave circa ‘Where The Wild Roses Grow’, which I’m digging! I’d love for this to go to Vienna and even go on to win. Party in the Baltics! Tallinn 2016! YAASSS MAMA.
Score: 9.5/10
Patrick: Somebody did a great job there! I love this song so much – I can’t believe this is being used for Eesti Laul. It could be a world-wide hit if managed by an American record label. Elina Born is obviously an amazing artist and beautiful as hell, and Stig’s voice reminds me of Hozier. It could easily win Eurovision with the right staging! Estoniaaa send this!
Score: 10/10
Ramadan: Not surprised to see Estonia already the bookies favourite to win Eurovision. It’s one of my favourites in this year’s Eesti Laul and I’m loving every second of it. It’s catchy, cool and reminds me of the Common Linnets. Elina and Stig fit perfectly. I hope they’re well on stage together as this could easily win the contest.
Score: 10/10
Robyn: Like Angus, I also didn’t get this at first listen, but it’s definitely grown on me. It’s easy to compare “Goodbye to Yesterday” with “Calm Before the Storm”, but I’m getting more of a sexy-cool Lee Hazlewood/Nancy Sinatra ’60s vibe than the country style of the Common Linnets. There’s potential for great staging here – especially if Elina and Stig bring their A-game in smouldering looks.
Score: 9/10
Sami: This song is perfect. I adore their voices, their chemistry and especially the lyrics. I love how there are two sides to the story, told by two people, instead of a man-woman duo singing about how they love each other more than anything. I really think this could be the winner of Eurovision Song Contest 2015 if Estonia sends this to Vienna. I beg you.
Score: 10/10
Sopon: I didn’t get this at first either, especially since Stig’s narrative lyrics were a strange thing to add into the song. However, I think this might be the first national final song I’ve heard this year with minimal cliché, if any. Instead of similes relating love to the weather or space or music, “Goodbye to Yesterday” actually does tell a story, and an emotional one too. All the above comparisons to Hozier and the Common Linnets and such are all spot-on, and the success of it all has made this smooth mixture the obvious favorite to win Eurovision before it has even won Eesti Laul.
Score: 9.5/10
Greetings from America! Yes, I am currently obsessed with this song- and with Eurovision. I love how the song takes its time, follows its own rules, and doesn’t push too hard. Great mood. Don’t think any songs are trying to copy Common Linnets, per se, but perhaps rather learn from them. A lot can be conveyed merely by standing (or even sitting) still. Last years winner Conchita and 2nd place finishershardly moved a muscle, right? My personal favorite from 2014 was Mei from Israel. I wonder how differently things might have gone if she ditched the dancers and the choreography… Read more »
@Mario Vision of Gay Love! – calm down your inner gay drama queen! 😛
Everyone is relating every other song to the one of Saade in Sweden due to the fact that he is the favorite to win there, and ESC fans don’t really think that his song is great. This one though (Estonia) is a masterpiece.
@Latvia – yes, ESC fans has the weirdest taste of music. Period.
Just look at the pre-ESC hyped songs that are always rock-bottom, both with the public & musical critics (critics that actually KNOW music). 🙂
For example – San Marino 2013.
And whats with the song of Eric Saade..??
Why really mentioning his song HERE comparing it with this estonian song..?
Not worth it to even bother to write that its totally irrelevant with any connection with our topic here..
I love it! This might very well win ESC. It combines the best of two popular songs: It is calm and laid-back like Calm After the Storm, and dynamic and story-telling like Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye & Kimbra. (Wonder if this means lots of points of few points from Australia…)
Last decade?? Do you people know what’s up in the music charts? Songs like both Warriors, Time To Shine and others will never do good in world music charts. These kind of songs are doing well. Eurovision fans has really weird taste of music.
This isn’t what I’d call a ballad… and no, it’s not really musically similar to Calm After the Storm. It’s a calm male-female duet, that’s it.
Elina has a wonderful voice. I’m impressed that everybody enjoys the quiet subtlety of this song, because it really is delicate and subtle. I haven’t listened to the songs in the 2nd Estonian semifinal, but this is overall better than the ones I listened to from the first. If it goes to Eurovision it should do well.
hold on! why is there people saying this is not 2014 Netherlands!? IT IS, and NO the common linnets wasn’t better, no the common linnets weren’t country, the common linnets performed in a very slow tempo like this one, the common linnets remained sit during the whole presentation (and they would probably do the same), the video was in black and white and their live presentation would probably emulate that, the guy has the same THE SAME vocals as the male in the common linnets and he doesn’t go too high or too low to avoid singing out of tune… Read more »
Estonia would be stupid to not send this song. It’s everything they need as an entry 🙂
It is interesting that none of the Wiwi jury described this song as “dated” even though it is acknowledged the song is from a previous decade. It seems being dated is OK sometimes. I like the song; it is a guilty pleasure. If I was playing to win, I would send this to Vienna. It is a soap opera in a song. It would have broad appeal & those who voted for The Common Linnets are likely to vote for this one too. It could be the winner. Also after giving the prize to an OTT drag queen (I love… Read more »
Comparing this to The Common Linnets is like comparing The Common Linnets to Ell & Nikki… They don’t have anything in common besides being a female/male duet. This song is NOT similar to “Calm After The Storm”, so please STOP comparing both songs!
I’m pretty confident the Estonian public will vote for it, as this song has been in the top ten of itunes recently. Only the jury may “troll us” and give them a bad scoring.
PS: “Sting” is a shitty song that would have no chances of winning Melodifestivalen if it wasn’t performed by Eric Saade…
I think these 3 countries have a very big chance to win this years competition:
Estonia, Spain & Australia
I’ll be so disappointed if Estonia doesn’t send this. Looks like another victory for Estonia 🙂
Inspired by the Common Linnets blablabla. Bull-shit if you ask me, and I am Dutch XD This song has a completely other vibe than Calm after the Storm. And YES, they are a duo and YES there are guitars included in this. HOWEVER, Calm after the Storm is a calm, melachonic song and this is more a song like, as someone else here said it, more 60s like vibe from a pub or something. And even if it would be a copy from the Common Linnets – so what? Just enjoy the song. If you like it, you like it,… Read more »
Why do people think Eric will win? Sting is honestly such a terrible song I’d be surprised it makes the top 10. It will most likely be saved by the televotes from Bottom 5 but will get the Blue treatment from the juries, cause I can’t imagine any respectable jury placing Sting high at all.
Oh it’s duo with guitar – copy of Common Linnets which is copy of Taylor Swift’s The Last Time. Oh, she’s dancing – that is a copy of Loreen which is a copy of a lot pop singers. Novadays everything is a copy. Am I wrong?
PP
Then I could say that ALL songs are copies of something. All songs have something that some other song has. That ends up that very popular song right now is a copy of something. No, it’s not.
Why people says it’s similiar to Calm After The Storm? FIRST – Calm After The Storm was a country song, this is not. SECOND – there are a lot of popular songs like this right now. Look at the charts! This song doesn’t sound like cheap shit what Georgia, Malta, Switzerland are sending. They just try to be modern and these kind of songs are popular right now. In my opinion, Eric Saade will not win this year. His song sounds like all the other male singer dance hits that ends up in 2nd or lower place. I think Estonia… Read more »
I don’t see this song winning the whole thing. Not a memorable entry but good luck Estonia, make the right choice. 😉
On another Eurovison site, I read that Icelandic broadcaster RUV has announced some changes to this Saturday’s final of “Songvakeppnin”. The seven finalists taking part have been allowed to sing in a language of their choice. All favorite choose to sing in English, Fridrik, Sunday…
Latvia, Balkans song is not copy of songs that baltick country send almost every year they copy their Scandinavian neigbours or UK and USA. This Estonian song is bad copy of netherlands song from last year, and The Netherlands copy country music from USA 2014 and 2010. Estonia song from last year is modern but copy of Sweden song from 2012 and presentation is copy of Pink song Try…. Only original songs from Baltic that you send at Eurovision for me are Lithuania 1999, Estonia 2004, Estonia 2009. From Latvia all song at Eurovision are copy of modern music from… Read more »
I’d love to hear more of this. So better send them to Eurovision.
By Eurovision fans this song from Estonia and Georgia song Warrior are two most overrated song this year
It’s the best song I’ve heard form any NF for Eurovision since 2012. (Loreen).
@L’inconnu There is a difference between the phrases “they know who CAN win Eurovision” and “they know who WILL win Eurovision” 🙂
I love when people think that they know who can win Eurovision. That’s so pretentious.
my absolute favorite. needs to win. maybe even the whole thing in May.
Eric Saade’s “Sting” looks at this moment more correct and accurate than this Estonian entry.
@Exactly DAR…. The same has had happened already too many times with the eurofans in the past.. They were kept hyped how many songs that were NOT truly winning ones anf they simply failed with their predictions/expectations.. A bright example of the many is the Chrysalide Butterfly of our dear Valentina Monetta in Malmo’s Vision in 2013 when was voted 2nd runner up in OGAE fan clubs that although being a really fantastic song did not even qualify to the grand final un4tunately.. So…You better just chill out all of you guys that overhyped songs that are NOT really destined… Read more »
The same opinion I wrote two weeks ago in the article dated January 30: “Our forecast: if the winner in Estonia will be Elina Born & Stig Rasta, they can win “Eurovision”” http://eurofest.by/en/elina-born-stig-rasta-can-win-eurovision-2015/
So I think in the same direction as wiwibloggs)))
Very good song.
Inspired by the Common Linnets, 100%, though its a totally different song. This is a top 10 guarateed, winner? Doubt it…but would love to see it win. The common linnets seem to be a inspiration for a lot of artists 🙂 Im so proud, best song of 2014 <3
I adore this song so much. It’s the only Eurovision 2015 song on my phone as of now. If this wins I’m almost certain it’ll be at #1 for the rest of the year. Please send this Estonia!!
This IS something. Great track, really likable and beautifully written. I’d be really disappointed if Estonia goes for another song this year.
YES its a great song but with no offense, i think that its truly overrated… If Estonia selects this 4 Vienna YES can win the Vision BUT this song is not really authentic genuine winning one and does not scream Victory like others that had either won already in the ESC or were the hot favorites to win.. It a top10 – top5 but it can be put on the Number 1 spot by the bookmakers/eurofans if there aren’t any stronger greater songs in the bunch with the competition being not high.. Its certainly not like Euphoria of Loreen or… Read more »
im sure a stronger song is on the way soon to be revealed by another country.. i do like this but it wont win .. top 5..
This is (and will be) seen as a “Calm after the storm” type of song and considering last year result of that song, they may go with this one. Dunno, maybe it is too soon for this kind of song to enter again, or maybe it is right about time to enter considering last year’s interest. But, as someone else mentioned, last year it was the staging that made all of us saying WOW and appreciate the track more (looking at you Wiwi team). You know, in the late ’00s, early ’10s, ballads were right next to the winning songs,… Read more »
I am a bit meh on this one. It’s nice but for me that is all it is. Maybe I should listen to it a bit more and then maybe I will love it.
bavarson, you are deluded, Sting is absolutely terrible! This pours class, and Sting does exactly the opposite. Doesn’t he say “SO SCREW YOU!!” in it or something?!?! Nice. If this goes to Vienna, I know where my votes are going. This and Elephants From Neptune are utterly fabulous.
Not as good as Urban Symphony or Ott Lepland, but still bloody fantastic. 9.5/10
It’s a nice song but tbh….it’s kinda over-rated maybe i need to let it grow on me but the live was cool. RN it’s a 6/10 for me & if it gets chosen it will be like 6th or 5th but it’s not as strong like Georgia or Switzerland
Is this a cover of “Calm after the storm”?
Can someone please explain why people love this song so much?
They will not Eurovision, because Eric Saade is going to win. Estonia may gain 100 – 150 points in final, Eric Saade will score more than 200 points for sure.
If every country would send professional, modern, actual songs like this, Eurovision would be way much better. Not full of shits Balcan countries are sending every year. Baltic countries could end up in high places this year, if they will make the right choices. Well except Lithuania.
Nice song 🙂 makes me think of that reamonn song “oh tonight you killed me with your smile so beautiful and wild blah blah”. It actually sounds really close to that one..
I’m SO happy this song is getting the reviews it is (usually my favorites on here dont do too well with the wiwijury :p). This definitely is winning potential. My only worry is the novelty votes Australia will get that will put this song (among others) as a disadvantage to getting less votes. Nevertheless there is a reason why Estonia is the bookies favorites to win and if even the wiwjury likes it then i think Europe and Australia will too 🙂
Winner of Eurovision 2015 😀
Estonia better send them!!
Love at first listen for me. 12/10
They are my winners!